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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 27, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, February 27, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Tim Louis, Chair
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator |
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of January 30, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Grant Request: Junior League of Vancouver (File 1605)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 11, 2003, in which the City Manager submitted, for Council's consideration, approval of a grant of $5,000 to the Junior League of Vancouver to offset the costs of an event marking 72 years of operation and the wrap-up of the League. City funding would subsidize the attendance of non-profit community organizations that have benefited from partnership with the League.
Anne Kloppenborg, Social Planner, was present to answer questions from Council.
Barbara Brink, Junior League of Vancouver, (material filed) provided Council with an historic overview of the League, and noted after nearly 75 years of service the League has decided to dissolve and transfer its assets to a Vancouver Foundation endowment fund.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve a grant of $5,000 to the Junior League of Vancouver, source of funds to be the 2003 Operating Budget Other Grants - Miscellaneous.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. 2003 Community Services and Childcare Grants Budgets (File 2151/2402)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 11, 2003, in which the Director of Social Planning sought to establish a budget ceiling for the 2003 Community Services Grants and Childcare Grants programs. The City Manager recommended approval of this funding since it does not change the relative funding level for these grant categories and provides staff with the basis on which to begin the grant review process.
Rick Gates, Social Planner, provided Council with an overview of the report, including details of the grant consideration process. In response to questions from Council, Carol Ann Young, Child Development Coordinator, noted the significant impact of recent Provincial budget cuts on those families with low to moderate incomes, which are opting for less than high quality childcare. Ms. Young also noted the benefits of childcare programs, which address the school readiness question.
The following spoke in support of staff's recommendations:
Oscar Allueva, Collingwood Neighbourhood House
Natalie Pritchard, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House
Donna Braaten, Chair, Vancouver Society of Children's Centres
Ivanka Lupenec, Westcoast Childcare Resource Centre
Jennifer Standeven, Executive Director, Mount Pleasant Neighborhood House
Enzo Guerriero, Executive Director, Britannia Community Services Centre
A summary of speakers' comments follows:
· overall support of both the community services and childcare grants recommendations;
· the need for quality childcare spaces and importance of continued support from the City was noted;
· support from the City has helped reduce the impact of Provincial cuts to the childcare financial assistance program;
· more affordable childcare spaces are needed, and the City's support is appreciated;
· the funding is invaluable to Westcoast Child Care and assists with infrastructure supports and allows for sharing of information and resource with many groups; and
· quality childcare is a crucial element to the safety and livability of our city.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve a 2003 Community Services Grants budget of $3,029,700.
B. THAT Council approve 2003 Childcare Grants Program budget of $706,800, to be allocated to the grant categories outlined in the Administrative Report dated February 11, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. 2003 Grants Budget Ceiling: Cultural, Major Institutions and Celebration Grants (File 2051)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 4, 2003, in which the Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, sought Council approval to establish a 2003 budget ceiling for the following grant categories:
- Cultural Grants: cash grant programs; and theatre rental grants;
- Major Exhibiting Institutions; and
- Celebration Grants.
The City Manager recommended Council approve this funding since it does not change the relative funding level for these grant categories and provides staff with the basis on which to proceed with the grant review process.
Alice Niwinski and Karen Hasselfelt, Cultural Planners, and Burke Taylor, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, responded to questions related to Science World funding levels. Staff also agreed to provide Council with a memorandum outlining historical details on governance issues related to the core concentration of arts and cultural services in Vancouver and the benefit these provide to the region as a whole.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve a 2003 Cultural Grants budget of $3,172,580: $1,503,900 for cash grant programs, as detailed in Table 3 of the Administrative Report dated February 4, 2003, entitled "2003 Grants Budget Ceiling: Cultural, Major Institutions and Celebration Grants", and $1,762,600 for the Theatre Rental Grants program.
B. THAT Council approve a 2003 Major Exhibiting Institutions budget of $3,501,800.
C. THAT Council approve a 2003 Celebration Grants budget ceiling of $75,000.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Heather Civic Marina 2003 Moorage Rates and Other Fees (File 1757)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 13, 2003, in which the General Manager of Corporate Services/Director of Finance sought Council approval of moorage rates and other fees and charges at the Heather Civic Marina for the period from April 1, 2003, to March 31, 2004.
Ernie Westmacott, Acting Manager, Corporate Services Administration and Special Projects, and Brian Ferguson, Manager of Heather Marina, responded to questions related to maintenance charges and security provided at the Marina. Ken Bayne, Director of Financial Planning and Treasury, noted liveaboard license fees and equivalent of the homeowners grant is being reviewed, with a report expected in the fall.
The following members of the liveaboard community spoke in opposition to certain fee charges proposed in the report:
William Sturgeon
Ken Petry
Rolf Zaar
A summary of speakers' comments follows:
· Heather Civic Marina is grossly overcharging for the facilities offered compared to other marinas in False Creek; the rates should be adjusted to reflect the dilapidated condition of the marina;
· the $26.50 surcharge for maintenance of additional facilities was to have been a time limited charge;
· the administration fee should be reduced from 5% to 2%;
· all boat owners at the Marina have access to laundry room and shower facilities, however only the 27 liveaboard berths pay the monthly surcharge; and
· there is a need for a homeowners type benefit to be applied for license fees for liveaboards.
After lengthy discussion, a Council member suggested the staff recommendation be approved this day, but staff work with the liveaboard community to address issues raised. The delegations so agreed.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT the 2003 moorage rates and boat lift fees at the Heather Civic Marina be increased by 2.45%, reflecting an increase in anticipated expenses. Proposed fees are outlined in Appendix III of the Administrative Report dated February 13, 2003, entitled "Heather Civic Marina 2003 Moorage Rates and Other Fees" and are to be effective April 1, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Supervised Injection Sites Research Pilot Project (File 4113)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 19, 2003, in which the Drug Policy Coordinator, Community Services Group, sought Council approval for staff to expedite the permitting process for the establishment, at several locations where significant public drug use occurs, of a time-limited pilot research project for supervised injection in Vancouver, for report back in fall 2003. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Donald MacPherson, Drug Policy Coordinator, provided details of coordination with the Federal Government to allow this research project to proceed and also responded to related questions on the NAOMI project. Larry Beasley, Director of Current Planning, advised any applications for supervised injection sites would undergo the usual neighbourhood notification process.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT, in recognition that the situation for injection drug users and the community in the inner city continues to be a public health emergency requiring immediate action and that senior governments are now moving quickly to enable a medical response to the situation requiring timing coordination by local authorities and the City, Council instructs staff to expedite the permitting process for the establishment at several locations where significant public drug use occurs, of a time-limited pilot research project for supervised injection in Vancouver.
B. THAT Council instruct the Drug Policy Coordinator, in consultation with the General Manager of Community Services and the Director of Planning to report back in fall 2003 on the progress of the pilot research project for injection sites in Vancouver, including mitigation that has been taken on any community impacts that may have emerged.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
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