ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: July 2, 2002
Author/Local: C. Robbins/873-7535

RTS No. 02854

CC File No. 2701

Council: July 30, 2002

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	City Building Inspector
SUBJECT:	Growbusters Project

RECOMMENDATION

A. THAT Council receive for information the following status report on the Growbusters Project.

B. THAT Council support the continuation of the co-ordinated Project Team "Growbusters" for an additional three years to September 1, 2005.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the recommendations.

COUNCIL POLICY

All changes in level of service are to be reported to Council.

Council on January 17, 1991 resolved:

THAT every Department/Board review services for which fees are now charged to ensure that fees are recovering the full cost of services to the City, or are equivalent to competitive charges where the fee is of a market nature, rather that for cost recovery.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to provide an update to Council on the progress of the Project, and to request approval to extend the Project three (3) years beyond the currently approved period to September 2005.

BACKGROUND

In September of 2001, City Council approved the continuation of the Growbusters Project for one year to September of 2002. The project team members, identified as the "Growbusters", include staff from Police, Fire and Community Services. The team also works in cooperation with staff from BC Hydro.

Council's approval included the establishment of seven (7) temporary full time positions in the Community Services Group and one (1) temporary full time position in Fire Services at an annual cost including overhead/equipment of $470,000.

DISCUSSION

1. Progress Report

Police officers assigned to the Team merged with the Vancouver Police Drug Unit as of January 1, 2002. The officers on the Growbusters team work collectively with City staff to eliminate the immediate dangers caused by the grow operations while the other Drug Unit staff target organized crime cells that operate multiple grow operations.

Some pertinent facts about the project since it started in July of 2000 are as follows:

a) there have been 1114 grow operations closed;
b) 50% of the houses were occupied;
c) 20% of the houses were owner occupied;
d). 14% of the houses were "repeat" grow operations;
e) of the occupied houses, 75% had children living in them;
f) there has been an estimated value of over $200,000,000 in marijuana seized;
g) there has been an estimated value of $6,200,000 in equipment dismantled/seized;
h) there has been approximately $400,000 in cash seized (which is forfeited to the Crown under the Controlled Drug and Substance Act);
i) criminal charges have been laid on approximately 35% of the closures.

Although there appears to be a slight decline in the number of new grow operations set up in Vancouver, the numbers on the complaint list provided to the Police through Crimestoppers, the Community Police Offices and the Growbusters TIP line are still substantial.

2. Collaboration:

The Growbusters Project Team members continue to work closely with the Community, stakeholders and other jurisdictions to educate the public, coordinate activities where possible, share information and streamline the processes.

3. Permit Fees:

The current costs to the property owners for fees related to closure of a grow operation average about $832 (made up of a $432 coordinated Special Inspection Fee, $300 in repair permit fees and a $100 fee for a re-occupancy permit).

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:

The extension of the Growbuster Program will cost approximately $480,000 annually. These costs are based on current staffing levels and include the cost of the Truck, equipment and a one time cost of $20,000 for the purchase of a FLIR (forward looking infrared device) that will assist the Police in the detection of grow ops. The permit fees are expected to recover the total program staffing and operational/equipment costs for CSG and Fire but will not cover the staffing costs of the six officers provided by the Police Department. Those positions are funded through the Police operating budget.

Appendix A attached outlines the project costs and projected revenue.

PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS:

It should be noted that according to the Collective Agreement, extension of the 7 temporary positions in CSG and the 1 temporary position in Fire Services for a further 3 years will effectively revert the positions to regular status. Should the program and funding be discontinued after 3 years, those staff will be afforded bumping and/or layoff rights.

SUMMARY

Given the success of the Project to date and the ongoing demand from the public that these unsafe operations be shut down in a timely manner, it is recommended that Council support the extension of the Growbusters Program for a further three (3) years to September 2005.

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APPENDIX A

Summary of Annual Costs and Projected Revenues for the Growbusters Program

Staff

i) CSG (7 regular temporary positions) $ 374,704
ii) Fire Services (1 regular temporary position) $ 65,978
iii) Police (6 officers) see * below

Operational/equipment

Truck $ 15,000
FLIR (Forward looking infrared device) $ 20,000
Supplies $ 5,000

Total annual costs $ 480,682 *

Projected Annual Revenue
(based on an anticipated 50 closures per month)

Special Inspection Permit Fee Revenue $ 259,200
Repair permit fee revenue $ 180,000
Re-occupancy Permit Fee revenue $ 60,000

Total Projected Annual Revenue $ 499,200

Actual Permit Fee Revenue
(for the time period between July 01 and
July 02 - that does not include the newly
established fee for a re-occupancy
permit) $ 483,120

*additional funding is included in the Operating Budget for 6 Police Officers @ approximately $445,000 annually.

* * * * *

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver