Vancouver City Council |
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date:
February 19, 2003
Author:
Janice MacKenzie
Phone:
604-871-6146
RTS No.:
3214
CC File No.:
3051
Meeting Date:
February 25, 2003
TO:
Vancouver City Council
FROM:
City Clerk
SUBJECT:
Establishment of the Peace and Justice Committee
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council appoint two or more Councillors to serve as members of the Peace and Justice Committee and that one of those Councillors be named chair of the Committee.
B. THAT the Council members of the Committee report back to Council with recommendations on the terms of reference and membership requirements for the Peace and Justice Committee.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of A and B.
COUNCIL POLICY
Under section 159 of the Vancouver Charter, Council may provide for such committees as it sees fit, and may refer any matter to a committee for report.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to recommend to Council how to proceed with the establishment of an advisory committee to Council called the Peace and Justice Committee.
BACKGROUND
After the Standing Committee of Planning and Environment on January 30, 2003, Council passed a resolution that in principle established an advisory committee to Council called the Peace and Justice Committee. Staff was instructed to report back to Council with recommendations on how to proceed with implementing the Peace and Justice Committee.
A previous Peace Committee was established by a prior City Council on March 5, 1985. That committee was established as a Special Council Committee on Peace with representation from peace organizations and City Council. Its function in general terms was to:
o establish closer solidarity with Canadian cities who are working for the eradication of nuclear arms in the world;
o work closely with peace organizations in the City to promote peace and disarmament;
o collect and exchange information and liaise with other Canadian municipalities involved in peace initiatives; and
o consider what initiatives can be taken by Canadian municipalities acting together, to further the aim of reducing the possibility of nuclear conflict.That Peace Committee was comprised of two Councillors and ten members of the public appointed by Council. The Councillors acted as Chair and Vice-Chair. The committee was discharged on April 21, 1994.
DISCUSSION
Under section 159 of the Vancouver Charter, Council may provide for such committees as it sees fit, and may refer any matter to a committee for report. Under section 160 of the Charter, all committees of Council stand discharged immediately before the first Monday after December 1 in the year of a general local election.
It is Council's prerogative to define the terms of reference and membership of its committees as it sees fit. It is proposed that Council appoint two or more Councillors as members of the Peace and Justice Committee and that one of those Councillors be named chair of the Committee. Those members should report back to Council with recommendations on the specific terms of reference for the newly established Peace and Justice Committee and membership requirements (i.e. numbers, length of term, qualifications, etc.) of the Committee.
PERSONNEL IMPLICATIONS
Committees of Council are supported by the City Clerk's Department. The services provided include agenda preparation, meeting support, and minute preparation. As a general rule, such committees require 2.5 - 3 days of staff time per meeting at a cost of $600 - 700 per meeting. These figures assume a base level of support by the City Clerk's Department. Additional costs may be incurred depending upon the extent of additional support required by this department as well as any other support required by other departments within the City.
CONCLUSION
Although City Council has had a Peace Committee in the past, times and the world situation has changed. The terms of reference and composition of the previous Committee may no longer represent City Council's needs. This report recommends the appointment of Council members and that they report further to Council concerning mandate and membership.
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