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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETSNOVEMBER 28, 2002
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, November 28, 2002, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT:
*Councillor George Puil, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor Jennifer Clarke, Vice-Chair
*Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Sandy McCormick
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam SullivanABSENT:
Councillor Tim Louis (Sick Leave)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE:Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator
* Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meetings of October 24, and November 7, 2002, were adopted.
The minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meetings of October 24, and November 7, 2002, were also adopted.
VARY AGENDA
The Committee agreed to vary the order of the Agenda to deal with Item 7 first. For ease of reference, the items are minuted in numerical order.
INFORMATION
1. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 772-776 Bidwell Street and 778 Bidwell Street (File: 2701)
This item was withdrawn.
2. Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 1637 and 1663 Cedar Crescent (File: 2701)
This item was withdrawn.
RECOMMENDATION
3. Nuisance Property at 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue (File: 2701)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 12, 2002, in which the City Building Inspector recommended the property at 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue be declared a nuisance and order the owner to remove all debris and/or miscellaneous items and materials stored on this site. It was also recommended that the Director of Legal Services be authorized to commence legal actions in her discretion. It was further recommended a 336D Notice be filed against the Title to the property in order to warn any prospective purchasers of the By-law violations. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Peter Sweeney, Manager, Building Inspection, with the aid of overheads, reviewed the report and provided a rationale for the recommendations.
Andreas Meyn, principal owner of 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue, spoke in opposition to staff's recommendations. He felt notice was inadequate and pointed out that Mr. William Prost, operator of the second hand dealer premises at 3660-3662 West 4th Avenue, has agreed to remove the materials from this site once his new storage facility is ready. Mr. Meyn also added that he expects construction to commence at this site in January 2003 when a contractor is in place.
In response to a question, Mr. Prost confirmed that he will need until January 15, 2003, to remove all the materials from the site.
In response to questions concerning the timeline, staff noted that subsequent to Council approving the recommendations put forward today, it would be at least 60 days before City staff would be authorized to carry out the removal of debris and other items from the property, if the owner fails to do so.
MOVED by Councillor McCormick
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council declare that the condition of the property at 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue, the east l/2 of Lot 3, except the south 10 feet and the north 7 feet, now highways, Block 27, District Lot 540, Plan 229 PID 010-329-803 is a nuisance pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter.
B. THAT Council approve the Resolution attached to the Administrative Report dated November 12, 2002, entitled "Nuisance Property at 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue" and order the Registered owners of the property to remove all debris and/or miscellaneous items and materials stored on the site within 30 days of a copy of the Resolution being served pursuant to Section 324A of the Vancouver Charter.
C. THAT in the event of the failure of the owners to comply with the order of Council, Council further orders and hereby authorizes the City Building Inspector to have all debris and/or miscellaneous items and materials stored on the site removed, disposed of or sold pursuant to Section 324A(2) of the Vancouver Charter. Council further orders that from the proceeds of such sale or disposal shall be deducted for the use of the city the actual costs and disbursements incurred by the city in carrying out the removal, sale and disposal and the remainder of such proceeds shall be paid by the city to the owner.
D. THAT in the event of the failure of the owners to allow the City Building Inspector and/or his designate access to the site to carry out the work as outlined in Recommendation C above, the Director of Legal Services is hereby authorized, in her discretion, to commence a legal action or proceeding in relation to the premises located at 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue and may, in her discretion, seek injunctive relief in that action or proceeding, in order to bring this property into compliance with City By-laws.
E. THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of Title to the property at 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue in order to warn prospective purchasers that there are violations of the Zoning and Development, Standards of Maintenance and the Street and Traffic By-laws related to this property and that there is an order of Council against the property.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Kennedy absent for the vote)
- - - - -
At this point in the proceedings the Chair left the meeting and Councillor Clarke, Vice-Chair, assumed the Chair.
- - - - -
4. Conversion of School Avenue to One-Way Westbound Between Joyce Street and Tyne Street (File: 5757)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 6, 2002, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council's approval for the trial conversion of School Avenue from a two-way street to a one-way westbound street between Joyce Street and Tyne Street, and for the parking restriction on the north side of School Avenue between Harold Street and Senlac Street.
Fred Lin, Neighbourhood Transportation, reviewed the report and responded to a question related to pedestrian safety.
MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the conversion of School Avenue from a two-way street to a one-way westbound street between Joyce and Tyne Streets be made on a temporary basis.
B. THAT following the trial period, area residents be resurveyed, traffic counts be taken, and results be reported back to Council.
C. THAT on-street parking on the north side of School Avenue be prohibited between Harold and Senlac Streets.
D. THAT the estimated cost of $5,000 for the implementation of the one-way conversion and parking restriction be allocated from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account #30004455 - Local Area and Other Improvements.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Kennedy and Puil absent for the vote)
INFORMATION
5. Letter to the Premier asking him to respond positively to the Kyoto Protocol (File: 1261/3501)
Vancouver City Council, at its meeting on November 7, 2002, referred the following Motion on Notice to a future Standing Committee meeting in order to hear from members of the public who requested to speak.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
WHEREAS Vancouver City Council has already gone on record in support of Canadian ratification of the Kyoto Protocol in line with similar resolutions from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and other cities representing approximately 18 million Canadians;
AND WHEREAS climate change now impacts and offers future risks to BC's resource industries such as forestry, agriculture, tourism, fishing and agriculture in the form of insect outbreaks, erratic weather and higher water and air temperatures;
AND WHEREAS such impacts could result in economic losses of hundreds of millions of dollars annually, in addition to significant social and ecological damages;
AND WHEREAS experience and analysis from leading jurisdictions and corporations has demonstrated that energy efficiency and greenhouse gas reduction actions with today's technologies result in net economic and ecological gains;
AND WHEREAS analysis of Canada's experience with energy efficiency measures in the decade up to 2000 saved Canadians $8.7 billion in the year 2000 in reduced energy costs and avoided 38 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions;
AND WHEREAS a transition to energy efficiency and renewable energy forms will create more new jobs than capital-intensive fossil fuel energy developments;
AND WHEREAS an effective strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Canada will also reduce conventional air pollutants which cause thousands of premature deaths and widespread illness and absenteeism;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Vancouver City Council resolve that a letter from the Mayor and Council be sent to Premier Gordon Campbell urging him to:
withdrawn
In light of recent developments, Councillor Bass recommended this motion be withdrawn. The Committee so agreed.
- - - - -
At this point in the proceedings Councillor Puil returned and assumed the Chair.
- - - - -
RECOMMENDATION
6. Call for a Report on City of Vancouver Support for Women's Advocacy Groups (File: 4102)
Vancouver City Council, at its meeting on November 7, 2002, referred the following Motion on Notice to a future Standing Committee meeting in order to hear from members of the public who requested to speak.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
WHEREAS, women's advocacy centres offer the women of a given community an opportunity to organize to prevent violence against women and children, to promote women's health, to address racism, and to improve the status of women;
AND WHEREAS, women's advocacy centres have evolved from the grassroots and allow women to organize on a model of self-help and thus enable a broad range of women to understand and participate in community life across the potential boundaries of race, class and culture;
AND WHEREAS, women's organizations are uniquely responsive to women's needs and cannot be duplicated by government-created, non-gender-specific programs and institutions;
AND WHEREAS, there are approximately a quarter million women in the city of Vancouver who will benefit directly or indirectly from women's centres because the very existence of these centres provides evidence to women that the community supports women's organizing and self-help initiatives;
AND WHEREAS, the provincial government has reduced already inadequate welfare rates and instituted measures which discourage and disqualify potential welfare applicants, thus creating conditions that make it impossible for many women to escape abusive husbands, fathers and employers;
AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's plans to cut legal aid by 40% over the next three years will result in reduced legal protection for battered women and for women facing charges for poverty-related crimes;
AND WHEREAS, the provincial government announced in January 17, 2002, that it would be cutting 100% of core funding (1.7 million dollars) for women's centres in British Columbia and that by April, 2004, 37 women's centres across BC will lose all their provincial core funding;
AND WHEREAS, the centres that survive the cuts can be expected to provide support to those women who cannot find services elsewhere;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT,
amended
Suzanne Jay, Vancouver Rape Relief and Women's Shelter, and Ning Alcuitas-Imperial, Philippine Women's Centre, spoke in favour of the Motion. It was also suggested that in addition to supporting this study, Council consider using a community based approach which would include the involvement of women's advocacy centres and ensure appropriate funding is in place for this study.
Anne Kloppenborg, Social Planner, responded to a question regarding the annual review of grant requests.
The Committee agreed to amend the second bullet by removing the references to specific groups and inserting the words "all relevant women's advocacy organizations.". The Committee also agreed to change the bullets to letters A and B.
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT A be amended by replacing ", and" with "(after consultation with representatives of women's advocacy groups)".
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The amendment to A having carried unanimously, the motion as amended was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT alternatives for City of Vancouver support to all relevant women's advocacy organizations be described.
LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Don Lee, McCormick, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
(Councillor Kennedy absent for the vote)
MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
WHEREAS, women's advocacy centres offer the women of a given community an opportunity to organize to prevent violence against women and children, to promote women's health, to address racism, and to improve the status of women;
AND WHEREAS, women's advocacy centres have evolved from the grassroots and allow women to organize on a model of self-help and thus enable a broad range of women to understand and participate in community life across the potential boundaries of race, class and culture;
AND WHEREAS, women's organizations are uniquely responsive to women's needs and cannot be duplicated by government-created, non-gender-specific programs and institutions;
AND WHEREAS, there are approximately a quarter million women in the city of Vancouver who will benefit directly or indirectly from women's centres because the very existence of these centres provides evidence to women that the community supports women's organizing and self-help initiatives;
AND WHEREAS, the provincial government has reduced already inadequate welfare rates and instituted measures which discourage and disqualify potential welfare applicants, thus creating conditions that make it impossible for many women to escape abusive husbands, fathers and employers;
AND WHEREAS, the provincial government's plans to cut legal aid by 40% over the next three years will result in reduced legal protection for battered women and for women facing charges for poverty-related crimes;
AND WHEREAS, the provincial government announced in January 17, 2002, that it would be cutting 100% of core funding (1.7 million dollars) for women's centres in British Columbia and that by April, 2004, 37 women's centres across BC will lose all their provincial core funding;
AND WHEREAS, the centres that survive the cuts can be expected to provide support to those women who cannot find services elsewhere;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED,
THAT Vancouver City Council ask for a report on the implications of cuts in provincial government funding for the functioning of women's advocacy groups in Vancouver (after consultation with representatives of women's advocacy groups).
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Kennedy absent for the vote)
7. "What Can Be Done Differently" - Recommendations from Addictions Sex-Trade Education Prevention (A Step) Consultation Committee (File: 3701/8104)
At its meeting on November 26, 2002, Vancouver City Council received a report reference from Councillor Kennedy on the final report and recommendations from the Addictions Sex-Trade Education Prevention Consultation Committee. Council noted a request to speak had been received and referred consideration of the report and recommendations to the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting on November 28, 2002, in order to hear from the speaker.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it the following:
Councillor Kennedy briefly referenced the report.
Jamie Lee Hamilton spoke in general favour of the report and recommendations but reminded Council that most violence against women takes place in vehicles and there is a need to look at this issue. She also acknowledged the efforts of Council members involved in this process.
MOVED by Councillor Kennedy
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council receive the report entitled "What Can Be Done Differently -Recommendations From the Addictions Sex-Trade Prevention Consultations Sessions" dated November 26, 2002, for information.
B. THAT Council endorse the report entitled "What Can Be Done Differently -Recommendations From the Addictions Sex-Trade Prevention Consultations Sessions" dated November 26, 2002, forward it to the appropriate Federal and Provincial Departments, and direct staff to work with other levels of Government to put into effect these recommendations.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8. Transfer of Computer Operator positions from the City of Vancouver to the Vancouver Police Department (File: 1370/1376)
At its meeting on November 26, 2002, Vancouver City Council referred this matter to the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting on Thursday, November 28, 2002, in order to hear from the President of CUPE Local 15, who had requested to speak.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 7, 2002, in which the General Manager of Corporate Services, in consultation with the Police Chief, the General Manager of Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services, and the General Manager of Human Resources, sought Council's approval to transfer two Computer Systems Operator positions from the Corporate Information Technology Department to the Vancouver Police Department's Information Technology section.
Peter Underwood, Application Development Manager, reviewed the report and introduced Deputy Chief Constable Carolyn Daley, and Inspector Kevin McQuiggin, Vancouver Police Department, as well as Andrew Naklicki, Manager, Employee Relations and Advisory Services, Human Resources, and Debbie Quinn, Assistant Supervisor, Administrative Services, who were also present to respond to questions.
Paul Faoro, President, CUPE Local 15, spoke in opposition to staff's recommendations and expressed concern regarding the personnel implications involved, which will result in the lay-off of a CUPE Local 15 staff member. He also expressed concern with regard to the possible decentralization of Information Technology services within the City. He further pointed out that Human Resources did not consult with CUPE Local 15 regarding these implications. Mr. Faoro requested Council defer decision on this matter until these issues are resolved.
Staff responded to questions regarding the personnel implications, consultation with CUPE Local 15, the costs involved with these transfers and the budget these costs will be covered under.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT decision on the Administrative Report dated October 7, 2002, entitled "Transfer of Computer Operator positions from the City of Vancouver to the Vancouver Police Department" be postponed pending thorough consultation between staff and CUPE Local 15 on the personnel implications of this report, and pending the receipt of additional information regarding the overall Vancouver Police Department Information Technology business plan.
LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
(Councillor Kennedy absent for the vote)
MOVED by Councillor Clarke
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the permanent transfer of two Computer System Operator positions from the Corporate Information Technology Department to the Police Department's Information Technology Section.
CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)
(Councillor Kennedy absent for the vote)
The Committee adjourned at 10:35 a.m.
- - - - -
CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
NOVEMBER 28, 2002
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, November 28, 2002 at 10:35 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Mayor Philip Owen
|
|
ABSENT: |
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
|
|
CITY MANAGER'S
|
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Don Lee
SECONDED by Councillor Price
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law No. 2807 and License By-law No. 4450 Update and Changes (File: 2501)
Due to time constraints, Vancouver City Council, at its meeting on November 26, 2002, postponed decision on this matter to the Council meeting following the City Services and Budgets meeting on November 28, 2002.
Accordingly, Council had before it the following:
Guy Gusdal, License Coordinator, Inspector Bob Taylor and Sgt. Doug Fisher, Vancouver Police Department, briefly reviewed the report.
MOVED by Councillor Clarke
A. THAT Council receive the Policy Report entitled "Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law No. 2807 and License By-law No. 4450 Update and Changes" dated October 30, 2002, for information on the performance of the X-Tract Internet reporting system and previous Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law changes.
B. THAT Council approve business license fee increases as outlined in Appendix A, Part 3 of the Policy Report entitled "Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law No. 2807 and License By-law No. 4450 Update and Changes" dated October 30, 2002, to provide funding for the estimated ongoing costs of $107,200 to support the Internet-based property reporting system and associated staffing.
C. THAT Council approve the one-time costs of $202,200 incurred by the Vancouver Police Department during the implementation of the Internet-based property reporting system; source of funding to be Contingency Reserve.
D. THAT Council approve the creation of a regular full-time position of Data Entry Clerk II in the Vancouver Police Department Property Crime Unit to provide data entry and clerical support for the Internet property recording system required under the Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law subject to a formal classification review by the General Manager of Human Resources.
E. THAT Council direct Vancouver Police Department staff to negotiate the terms and conditions of a contract with ECOMM for the services to be provided by ECOMM for this system, subject to the approval of the contract by the Director of Legal Services and that the Director of Legal Services be authorized to execute and deliver such contract with ECOMM on behalf of the City.
F. THAT Council direct Vancouver Police Department staff to negotiate the terms and conditions of a contract, irrespective of the City's public tender process, with XML-Global Research, Inc. for the use and support of the X-Tract Internet Reporting System, subject to the approval of such contract by the Director of Legal Services and that the Chief Constable be authorized to execute and deliver such contract with XML-Global Research, Inc. on behalf of the City.
G. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to bring forward the appropriate by-law amendments.
H. THAT no legal rights or obligations will be created by the adoption of Recommendations C, E, or F, unless and until the negotiation, approval, execution and delivery of the above-noted contracts by the City.
I. THAT Council instruct the Chief Constable to seek alternate forms of funding for future program upgrades and system improvements from corporations that benefit from this system, such as ICBC, the Insurance Industry and large retailers, as well as other government agencies that benefit from this city initiative, and report back in one year on progress.
J. THAT the definition of a Secondhand Dealer - Class 6 as indicated in Appendix A, Part 1 of the Policy Report entitled "Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law No. 2807 and License By-law No. 4450 Update and Changes" dated October 30, 2002, be amended to read: "means a person who carries on the business of retailing new property but who takes in trade or buys used property that is similar to the new property being retailed."
K. THAT the definition of Secondhand Dealer - Class 3 as indicated in Appendix A, Part 1 of the Policy Report entitled "Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law No. 2807 and License By-law No. 4450 Update and Changes" dated October 30, 2002, be amended by deleting the words "vinyl records."
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
November 28, 2002
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl.1: Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 772-776 Bidwell Street and 778 Bidwell Street
Cl.2: Warning to Prospective Purchasers of 1637 and 1663 Cedar Crescent
Cl.3: Nuisance Property at 3652-3654 West 4th Avenue
Cl.4: Conversion of School Avenue to One-Way Westbound Between Joyce Street and Tyne Street
Cl.5: Letter to the Premier asking him to respond positively the Kyoto Protocol
Cl.6: Call for a Report on City of Vancouver Support for Women's Advocacy Groups
Cl.7: "What Can Be Done Differently" - Recommendations from Addictions Sex-Trade Education Prevention (A Step) Consultation Committee
Cl.8: Transfer of Computer Operator positions from the City of Vancouver to the Vancouver Police Department
Clauses 1, 2 and 5
These items were withdrawn.
Clauses 3, 4 and 7
MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 3, 4 and 7 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause 6
MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 6 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT alternatives for City of Vancouver support to all relevant women's advocacy organizations be described.
LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Don Lee, McCormick, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
Clause 8
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT decision on the Administrative Report dated October 7, 2002, entitled "Transfer of Computer Operator positions from the City of Vancouver to the Vancouver Police Department" be postponed pending thorough consultation between staff and CUPE Local 15 on the personnel implications of this report, and pending the receipt of additional information regarding the overall Vancouver Police Department Information Technology business plan.
LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, McCormick, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
MOVED by Councillor Puil
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 8 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Clarke
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
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Don Lee
THAT Council enact the by-laws listed on the agenda for this meeting as numbers 1 and 2 inclusive, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign and seal the enacted by-laws.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. A By-law to amend License By-law No. 4450 with respect to pawnbrokers and secondhand dealers. (By-law No. 8604)
2. A By-law to amend Secondhand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law No. 2807 re secondhand dealers. (By-law No. 8605)
The Council adjourned at 10:40 a.m.
* * * * *
