Agenda Index City of Vancouver

3

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

MAY 28, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, May 28, 2002, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Chair

*Mayor Philip Owen

Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Sandy McCormick

*Councillor George Puil

Councillor Sam Sullivan

ABSENT:

Councillor Gordon Price, Vice-Chair (Sick Leave)

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meetings of April 23 and April 30, 2002, were adopted.

VARY AGENDA

The Committee agreed to vary the order of the agenda to deal with Item 4 after Item 1. For clarity, the items are minuted sequentially.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Development of Ontario Greenway - North Section (File 5767)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 14, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval for the construction of the Ontario Greenway - North Section.

Karyn Thomson, Structures and Greenways, provided an overview of the report and responded to a question regarding street lighting.

Brian Meakin, Turner Meakin Management, representing property owners on Ontario Street at East 3rd and East 5th Avenues, spoke generally in favour of the recommendations. He also expressed concern about people loitering in the area to seek "under the table" employment and felt the improvements could worsen the situation. Mr. Meakin encouraged staff to incorporate elements which could alleviate the problem.

Ms. Thomson, Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, and Judy Rogers, City Manager, responded to questions regarding the speakers' concerns. Staff chose not to put benches in this area as a means to resolve the loitering issue, and the increase in pedestrian and cycling traffic could help. Staff could also work with Mr. Meakin and the Neighbourhood Integrated Service Team (NIST) to address traffic management.

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council approve the construction of the Ontario Greenway - North Section as described in the Administrative Report dated May 14, 2002, entitled "Development of Ontario Greenway - North Section";

B. THAT funding of $512,000 be approved from Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No. 30000134 (City Greenways) and Account No. 30002965 (City Greenways) for construction of the Ontario Greenway - North Section;

C. THAT funding of $86,000 for infill street lighting along the Ontario Greenway North and South Sections be approved from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No. 30003084 (Greenways General);

D. THAT commencing in 2003, the following operating budgets be increased (without offset) and subject to annual budget review:

E. THAT Council approve $104,000 from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account No. 30003084 (Greenways General) for temporary staff, with $40,000 of this to be for work associated with the Ontario Greenway, $25,000 for the Downtown Historic Trail, $25,000 for the Seaside Greenway, and $14,000 for the BC Parkway.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Provincial Changes to Income Assistance and Disability Benefits (File: 1263)

At the Regular Council meeting on April 23, 2002, Councillor Louis submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair. Subsequently, at the Regular Council meeting on April 30, 2002, a delegation request dated April 29, 2002, was received. Therefore, this Motion on Notice was referred to a future Standing Committee meeting to hear from speakers.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

WHEREAS, the government of British Columbia has tabled Bill 26 Employment and Assistance Act and Bill 27 Employment and Assistance For Person's with Disabilities, radically changing eligibility requirements for British Columbians needing income assistance and disability benefits;

AND WHEREAS, the proposed changes in Bills 26 and 27 will mean as many as 25,000 British Columbians will no longer be eligible for disability benefits;

AND WHEREAS, Bills 26 and 27 were tabled in the BC legislature without any study or broad public input;

AND WHEREAS, the changes to disability benefits narrowly define mental illness, excluding mental-health disabilities such as clinical depression and anxiety disorders, which will dangerously destabilize the lives of thousands of people with mental illness;

AND WHEREAS, following the significant reduction in social-housing units funded by the provincial government, the changes in eligibility requirements will result in a dramatic increase in homelessness on Vancouver streets;

AND WHEREAS, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities states that for Vancouver "any strategy for further reductions in the crime rate needs to also take into consideration the income levels of residents";

AND WHEREAS, the earnings exemption has now been eliminated, forbidding recipients from seeking part-time work, and hurting community economic development, such as the Vancouver Agreement-supported United We Can bottle depot in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's attack on the most vulnerable in our society will pose significant barriers to those trying to escape addiction;

AND WHEREAS, increased crime, homelessness, and substance misuse will place significantly greater stress on city services, and will negatively effect Vancouver's livability and health;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver ask the government of British Columbia to not enact Bill 26 - Employment and Assistance Act and Bill 27 - Employment and Assistance For Person's with Disabilities.

amended

The following speakers were in favour of the motion:

A summary of speakers' comments follow:

· the cuts are drastic, unprecedented, cruel and will be downloaded to the city adding pressure to shelters, food banks, etc.; Council should oppose these Bills;
· Bill 27 will have an adverse effect on people with disabilities who have enough barriers already; the disabled have a right to accessible community life as do all British Columbians;
· the cuts are a "death sentence" for the city's most vulnerable citizens and increased crime, panhandling and homelessness can be expected;
· if these changes go through approximately 210,000 unemployed people will attempt to re-enter the job market which has a job vacancy rate of 2.5%; the jobs aren't there.

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan

THAT the resolution be amended to replace the words "not enact" with "review" and to add the words "to ensure that those who have special needs are protected and that disincentives to work be reduced" after the word "Disabilities".

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)

MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT the Committee Recommend to Council

WHEREAS, the government of British Columbia has tabled Bill 26 Employment and Assistance Act and Bill 27 Employment and Assistance For Person's with Disabilities, radically changing eligibility requirements for British Columbians needing income assistance and disability benefits;

AND WHEREAS, the proposed changes in Bills 26 and 27 will mean as many as 25,000 British Columbians will no longer be eligible for disability benefits;

AND WHEREAS, Bills 26 and 27 were tabled in the BC legislature without any study or broad public input;

AND WHEREAS, the changes to disability benefits narrowly define mental illness, excluding mental-health disabilities such as clinical depression and anxiety disorders, which will dangerously destabilize the lives of thousands of people with mental illness;

AND WHEREAS, following the significant reduction in social-housing units funded by the provincial government, the changes in eligibility requirements will result in a dramatic increase in homelessness on Vancouver streets;

AND WHEREAS, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities states that for Vancouver "any strategy for further reductions in the crime rate needs to also take into consideration the income levels of residents";

AND WHEREAS, the earnings exemption has now been eliminated, forbidding recipients from seeking part-time work, and hurting community economic development, such as the Vancouver Agreement-supported United We Can bottle depot in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's attack on the most vulnerable in our society will pose significant barriers to those trying to escape addiction;

AND WHEREAS, increased crime, homelessness, and substance misuse will place significantly greater stress on city services, and will negatively effect Vancouver's livability and health;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver ask the government of British Columbia to review Bill 26 - Employment and Assistance Act and Bill 27 -Employment and Assistance For Person's with Disabilities to ensure that those who have special needs are protected and that disincentives to work be reduced.

CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)
(Councillor Puil and the Mayor absent for the vote)

INFORMATION

3. Protect Public Health Care (File: 4101)

At the Regular Council meeting on April 23, 2002, Councillor Bass submitted the following Notice of Motion which was recognized by the Chair. Subsequently, at the Regular Council meeting on April 30, 2002, a delegation request dated April 26, 2002, was received. Therefore, this Motion on Notice was referred to a future Standing Committee meeting to hear from speakers.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

WHEREAS, universal access to health care is an economic and social asset;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government announced dramatic changes in the delivery of healthcare which will limit access to health services and negatively affect the population of the city of Vancouver;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's proposed changes in health care could lead to radical privatization of healthcare services;

AND WHEREAS, once privatization is introduced into the system, international trade agreements will likely limit the provincial governments' ability to set healthcare policy;

AND WHEREAS, the changes to health care were conducted with no broad public consultation;

AND WHEREAS, municipal councils across British Columbia - including the councils of the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, Burnaby, Hope, Port Coquitlam, Williams Lake and Terrace - are considering resolutions on opposing cuts to health services;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver:

referred

The following speakers were in favour of the motion:

A summary of speakers' comments follow:

· the proposed changes are the provincial government's attempt to privatize health care;
· the proposed changes will close hospitals, putting patient safety and confidentiality at risk;
· drug addiction is recognised as a health issue and all levels of government need to commit to a comprehensive continuum of care for drug users including harm reduction, detoxification treatment and rehabilitation in order that these people can achieve and maintain healthy productive lives;
· dental health has been deteriorating and the cuts, which include the closure of the South Health Dental Clinic, will have a negative impact.

Due to time constraints, this matter was referred to a future Standing Committee meeting to continue hearing speakers.

RECOMMENDATION

4. Public Private Partnership Review - Downtown Streetcar (File: 5558)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 14, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services presented the "PPP Review of Vancouver Streetcar Project" completed by Macquarie North America and Jane Bird, Urban Infrastructure Ltd. (the Consultants). The Consultants' report examines the feasibility of funding the Streetcar as a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and makes several recommendations for further work to be done in order to advance the project.

Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, briefly referenced the purpose of the report, and provided an update on the Streetcar Demonstration Line along the south shore of False Creek. He also reported on a recent trip to Portland, Oregon, involving City staff and representatives from TransLink, to review Portland's Streetcar system and noted this model could be beneficial to Vancouver as it is very low scale, provides service to the Downtown core as well as residential neighbourhoods and has a strong ridership. Mr. Rudberg introduced Ms. Bird, as well as Nicholas Hann, and Bruce Hogg, representing Macquarie North America.

With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, Ms. Bird and Mr. Hann gave a presentation on the potential benefits of developing the Downtown Streetcar project as a Public Private Partnership and reviewed case studies of the Manchester Metrolink, Melbourne Trams, Portland Streetcar and Croydon Tramlink.

The Consultants, together with Mr. Rudberg and Judy Rogers, City Manager, responded to questions regarding risk factors, fare revenue, linkages to the ferry system and public sector funding.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee Recommend to Council

THAT decision on the recommendations contained in the Administrative Report dated May 14, 2002, entitled "Public Private Partnership Review - Downtown Streetcar" be postponed until an independent study of this project has been completed which reviews the potential of a Public Private Partnership versus a public sector project.

LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Kennedy, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)

MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
THAT the Committee recommend to Council

A. THAT Council receive the report titled, "PPP Review of Vancouver Streetcar Project" and refer it to the public for comments;

B. THAT Council authorize staff to seek a Project Advisor, consistent with the Terms of Reference given in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated May 14, 2002, entitled "Public Private Partnership Review - Downtown Streetcar", in order to pursue a cost effective work program for advancing work on the Downtown Streetcar;

C. THAT staff report back with a recommended Project Advisor, including budget and source of funds, for Council approval; and

D. THAT Council authorize the General Manager of Engineering Services to begin discussions with TransLink to explore issues related to service integration and fare allocation for the Downtown Streetcar.

CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to A, B and C)

The Committee adjourned at 12:13 p.m.

- - - - -

CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC

MAY 28, 2002

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, May 28, 2002, at 12:13 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.

PRESENT:

Deputy Mayor Tim Louis
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Sandy McCormick

ABSENT:

Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Gordon Price (Sick Leave)
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan

CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:

Judy Rogers, City Manager

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor McCormick
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Louis in the Chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Report of Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
May 28, 2002

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:

Clause 1

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Kennedy, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor absent for the vote)

Clause 2

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)
(Councillors Kennedy, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor absent for the vote)

Clause 3

Due to time constraints, this matter was referred to a future Standing Committee meeting to continue hearing speakers

Clause 4

MOVED by Councillor Clarke

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed to A, B and C)
(Councillors Kennedy, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor absent for the vote)

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Daniel Lee
SECONDED by Councillor McCormick

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:14 p.m.

* * * * *

tt020528.htm

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