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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
MARCH 11, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, March 11, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Fred Bass, Chair
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator |
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of February 11 and 13, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Arbutus Gardens Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) - Traffic Calming Measures in Community (File 5757)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated February 12, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommended approval for the construction of traffic calming measures and cycling improvements in the vicinity of Arbutus Gardens.
Fred Lin, Neighbourhood Transportation, reviewed the report, noting the proposed measures and improvements would reduce the impacts of the Arbutus Gardens redevelopment on traffic and pedestrian safety in the neighbourhood. Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, and Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, responded to questions on traffic calming statistics, the traffic calming priority process and CAC contribution process, and agreed to provide research information from ICBC on the effectiveness of traffic circles.
Henry Levelt spoke in opposition to several of the proposed traffic calming measures, and in particular, the proposed traffic circle at Pine Crescent and 36th Avenue. Mr. Levelt suggested the funding would be better spent on educating motorists on how to properly handle traffic circles.
Guy Wera, The Bicycle People, spoke in opposition to traffic circles because they are expensive and dangerous for cyclists, and noted this has also been confirmed by ICBC. Mr. Wera urged Council to put a moratorium on traffic circles and to implement raised sidewalk speed humps, claiming they give priority to the pedestrian and are more efficient than stop signs.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the construction of the traffic calming measures and cycling improvements be approved, as detailed in the Administrative Report dated February 12, 2003, entitled "Arbutus Gardens Community Amenity Contributions (CACs) - Traffic Calming Measures in Community", and as shown in Appendix C of the report.
B. THAT the estimated cost of $174,000 for the implementation of the traffic calming measures and cycling improvements be provided from Streets Basic Capital Order # 30005848 - Arbutus Gardens.
C. THAT the Streets Operating Budget for Horticultural Maintenance be increased by $800 and the Traffic Operating Budget for Signage be increased by $325, without offset, commencing in 2004, for the maintenance of the new traffic measures.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Approval of 2003 Special Events (File 4201)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated February 24, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommended approval of the list of anticipated special events to be held in 2003 and the first two months of 2004, a permit fee to cover staff time and administrative work on commercial special events, and sought Council's direction on specific events.
Tom Timm, Deputy City Engineer, reviewed the report and rationale for the proposed permit fee for corporate events, noting it is consistent with film industry charges, and with Muriel Honey, Manager, Film and Special Events Office, responded to questions.
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager, reviewed the background of the Celebration of Light civic fireworks event. Mr. MacGregor commented on the economic spinoffs and the challenges faced with regard to sponsorship and funding. Mr. MacGregor responded to questions regarding the City's contribution, the uncertainty around policing costs and potential financial risks to the City, and confirmed additional information regarding police costs could be provided.
Dennis Skulsky, Chair, Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society, urged Council to approve the recommendations. Mr. Skulsky advised the event is no longer controlled by one sponsor and that the society's long term goal is to have the event become self-funded. He also noted the importance of Council's support in moving forward with the plan and gaining long term sponsorship, and in response to questions advised that options such as changing or capping the City's contribution or having fewer than four nights would need to be explored by the festival board of directors.
Inspector Al Niedtner, Emergency and Operational Planning section, Vancouver Police, responded to questions regarding the barricading and traffic diversion involved in closing the downtown core, and he confirmed volunteers are used as much as possible, in addition to non-sworn and sworn officers.
Keith Wilson and Heather Stewart, William Wilson Group, spoke in support of Consideration Item H with respect to closure of Pacific Boulevard and Quebec Street for the National Street Hockey Championships on August 23 and 24, 2003. They explained the rationale for the proposed location and advised noise levels would not be a concern because pre-recorded music will need to be kept low enough for players to hear the instructions and whistles of officials.
Sean Ewing, Co-Chair, Vancouver Pride Society, reported that with restructuring and a new board of directors, the matter of outstanding debts is being dealt with, and requested Council allow the society until June 30 to pay off their debt.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the Special Events in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated February 24, 2003, entitled "Approval of 2003 Special Events" be approved, subject to staff working out acceptable arrangements with the event organizers; and that Council authorize the Film and Special Events Office and FEST to approve minor events that arise during the remainder of 2003.
B. THAT a decision on the following be postponed pending the receipt of additional information from staff:
THAT Council approve the Celebration of Light as a civic event for 2003; and approve a budget of up to $400,000 for City services, funded from the General Government Account.
C. THAT a decision on the following be postponed pending the receipt of additional information from staff:
THAT Council approve the Celebration of Light as a civic event for 2004-2007, and request the Director of Legal Services to modify the current agreement to develop a five year license agreement with the Celebration of Light Society Board, subject to an annual confirmation of corporate support to cover all costs except those City services; with estimated City costs to be included as part of the annual operating budget.
D. THAT Council express to the Department of National Defence and to Molstar Sports and Entertainment its concerns about the F-18 flypast that traditionally signals the start of the Molson Indy Vancouver, and request that the fly-past over downtown Vancouver be eliminated from the race day program.
E. THAT the Pride Parade be approved for August 3rd, 2003, subject to the payment of outstanding Park Board fees and Police and Engineering charges for the 2002 Pride Parade and Festival; subject to satisfactory arrangements for payment of outstanding fees being made to other FEST partners, and subject to payment of an appropriate deposit or security against the costs of the 2003 event.
F. THAT Council approve the closure of Hastings Street from Cambie Street to Main Street and Cambie Street from Pender to Cordova on Sunday, April 27th, 2003 for a parade to celebrate the Carnegie Centre's 100th Anniversary.
G. THAT commercial and corporate events be charged a Special Event Permit fee of $100.00 to cover the costs of staff time involved in co-ordinating promotional and for-profit events, with revenues to offset costs in the Special Events Office; and further, that the City begin charging lost parking meter revenue for commercial and corporate events that occur on City streets, with fees directed to the City's revenue fund.
H. THAT Council approve the closure of Pacific Boulevard and Quebec Street for the National Street Hockey Championships on August 23-24th, 2003, subject to further consultation with organizers and FEST partners regarding noise issues and neighbourhood impacts.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT Recommendation E be amended by striking out the words:
"subject to the payment of outstanding Park Board fees and Police and Engineering charges for the 2002 Pride Parade and Festival; subject to satisfactory arrangements for payment of outstanding fees being made to other FEST partners, and subject to payment of an appropriate deposit or security against the costs of the 2003 event";
and replacing with the following:
"and that staff be directed to consult with the Pride Society to achieve a mutually acceptable repayment schedule with the City and its FEST partners, and also that staff be directed to work with all partners to ensure this annual event continues to be the largest annual parade in the City;
AND FURTHER THAT this is a one time exception for the Pride Society".
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT Recommendation D be amended by removing the word "downtown".
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
MOTION AS AMENDED:
A. THAT the Special Events in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated February 24, 2003, entitled "Approval of 2003 Special Events" be approved, subject to staff working out acceptable arrangements with the event organizers; and that Council authorize the Film and Special Events Office and FEST to approve minor events that arise during the remainder of 2003.
B. THAT a decision on the following be postponed pending the receipt of additional information from staff:
THAT Council approve the Celebration of Light as a civic event for 2003; and approve a budget of up to $400,000 for City services, funded from the General Government Account.
C. THAT a decision on the following be postponed pending the receipt of additional information from staff:
THAT Council approve the Celebration of Light as a civic event for 2004-2007, and request the Director of Legal Services to modify the current agreement to develop a five year license agreement with the Celebration of Light Society Board, subject to an annual confirmation of corporate support to cover all costs except those City services; with estimated City costs to be included as part of the annual operating budget.
D. THAT Council express to the Department of National Defence and to Molstar Sports and Entertainment its concerns about the F-18 flypast that traditionally signals the start of the Molson Indy Vancouver, and request that the fly-past over Vancouver be eliminated from the race day program.
E. THAT the Pride Parade be approved for August 3rd, 2003, and that staff be directed to consult with the Pride Society to achieve a mutually acceptable repayment schedule with the City and its FEST partners, and also that staff be directed to work with all partners to ensure this annual event continues to be the largest annual parade in the City;
AND FURTHER THAT this is a one time exception for the Pride Society.
F. THAT Council approve the closure of Hastings Street from Cambie Street to Main Street and Cambie Street from Pender to Cordova on Sunday, April 27th, 2003 for a parade to celebrate the Carnegie Centre's 100th Anniversary.
G. THAT commercial and corporate events be charged a Special Event Permit fee of $100.00 to cover the costs of staff time involved in co-ordinating promotional and for-profit events, with revenues to offset costs in the Special Events Office; and further, that the City begin charging lost parking meter revenue for commercial and corporate events that occur on City streets, with fees directed to the City's revenue fund.
H. THAT Council approve the closure of Pacific Boulevard and Quebec Street for the National Street Hockey Championships on August 23-24th, 2003, subject to further consultation with organizers and FEST partners regarding noise issues and neighbourhood impacts.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed to Recommendation B)
(Councillor Sullivan opposed to Recommendation D)
(Councillor Green and the Mayor opposed to Recommendation H)
3. Best Bus Option - TransLink Presentation (File 5559)
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT the presentation by TransLink on the Best Bus Option be postponed until the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, March 13, 2003, and that the order of the agenda be varied to place the Best Bus Option as the first item on the agenda.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
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