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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES MARCH 25, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, March 25, 2003, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Janice Mackenzie, Deputy City Clerk
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PRAYER
The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with a prayer read by the Deputy City Clerk.
CONDOLENCES: HILDA SYMONDS - (File 1055)
Council recognized the recent passing of Hilda Symonds, a former member of the Vancouver City Planning Commission and a recipient of the City of Vancouver Civic Merit Medal. Council expressed its sympathies to Ms. Symonds' family.
PRESENTATION: by members of Opera Breve
Council welcomed two members of Opera Breve, who performed for Council.
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT Council will go into a meeting later this day which is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 165.2(1) of the Vancouver Charter, to discuss matters related to paragraph(s):
(a) personal information about an identifiable individual who is being considered for an award or honour, or who has offered to provide a gift to the city on condition of anonymity;
(e) the acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if the Council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the City;
(f) law enforcement, if the Council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an Act, regulation or by-law.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ITEMS ARISING FROM THE "IN CAMERA" MEETING OF MARCH 11, 2003
Council made appointments to the following civic agencies:
- Board of Variance
- Urban Design Panel
- Vancouver City Planning Commission
- Vancouver Heritage Commission.
Names of those appointed are available from the City Clerk's Office.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
1. Regular Council (City Services and Budgets) - February 27, 2003
MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Regular Council (Planning and Environment) - February 27, 2003
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Special Council (Public Hearing) - February 27, 2003
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Green
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Regular Council - March 11, 2003
MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
REPORT REFERENCE
1. The Kyoto Protocol - Implications to the City of Vancouver and Participation in "Partners for Climate Protection"
March 7, 2003 (File 3501)
Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, provided an overview of possible implications to the City as a result of Canada's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, an update of the City's progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the current status in the "Partners for Climate Protection" program, and responded to questions.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
A. THAT, in order to provide a leadership role in reducing Greenhouse Gas emissions, Council adopt a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Target for the City (organization) of 20% below 1990 levels by 2010 as an interim measure. This target will need to be reviewed in coordination with the finalized emissions inventory and the development of a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Action Plan to ensure that the target is realistic for the City of Vancouver.
B. THAT, subject to any emissions reduction target adopted by Council, staff develop a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Action Plan for the City (organization) that is consistent with the City's Definition and Principles of Sustainability and the objectives of the Kyoto Accord.
C. THAT Council refer this report to a Cool Vancouver Task Force, comprised of Councillors Roberts, Cadman and Bass; a representative each from the Vancouver School Board and the Vancouver Park Board; representatives of the David Suzuki Foundation, SPEC and the UBC Sustainable Development research Institute; a representative from TransLink, BC Hydro, and the building industry; Mark Roseland; a GVRD representative from the Sustainable Region Initiative; the Director of Environmental Health of the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority; a representative of the City's Corporate Management Team; with Councillor Cadman and the General Manager of Engineering Services as Co-chairs.
D. THAT the Cool Vancouver Task Force:
(i) report back by June 24, 2003 on the components needed to build a comprehensive city-wide program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, including measures modeled on initiatives like the Toronto Atmospheric Fund;
(ii) report back with suggestions for a Community Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and suggestions on what role the City can provide to help reduce community greenhouse gas emissions; and
(iii) seek assistance from regional and senior governments and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to assist in the development of an Action Plan, to meet any emissions reduction target(s) adopted by Council, and to report back on community emissions.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Gaming News Update
March 18, 2003 (File 2633)
Jacquie Forbes-Roberts, General Manager of Community Services, and Mario Lee, Social Planner, presented an update on gaming issues. The update provided information on some important recent developments in the casino industry, particularly in regards to regional relocations of casinos and a request for approval to install slot machines at the race track.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT staff report back to Council on the impacts of a change in City policy to maintain the ban on slot machines in casinos but to allow them at the race track, including more information on:
· The provincial government's decision-making timelines;
· The socio-economic costs of gaming;
· The impact of an effective transfer of gaming activity away from neighbourhoods to a single location such as the track;
· Further information on employment gains claimed by the racetrack operators as well as the specific proposals under consideration, including where liquor would be sold in such a facility; and
· The potential consequences for charities in the city.
Carried
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the motion be amended by deleting the words "to maintain the ban" and "but to allow them at the race track".
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the motion be amended by:
· Changing the wording of the second bullet to: the social and economic costs of gaming (italics denote amendment);
· Adding the following bullet: The social and economic costs associated with introducing slots to the community.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION AS AMENDED:
THAT staff report back to Council on the impacts of a change in City policy to maintain the ban on slot machines in casinos but to allow them at the race track, including more information on:
· The provincial government's decision-making timelines;
· The social and economic costs of gaming;
· The impact of an effective transfer of gaming activity away from neighbourhoods to a single location such as the track'
· Further information on employment gains claimed by the racetrack operators as well as the specific proposals under consideration, including where liquor would be sold in such a facility;
· The potential consequences for charities in the city; and
· The social and economic costs associated with introducing slots to the community.
CARRIED
(Councillor Cadman opposed)
3. A Year of Decision - Your Port at a Crossroads (File 8109)
Captain Gordon Houston, Vancouver Port Authority, introduced members of the Port Authority and presented a Report Reference on the Vancouver Port. He described the Vancouver Port Authority's area of jurisdiction, impact in Vancouver, role with other municipalities, major current challenges and priorities, vision for 2020 and extended an invitation for Council to tour the Port facilities.
Council thanked Captain Houston for an informative presentation.
MATTERS ADOPTED ON CONSENT
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT Council adopt Administrative Reports A1 and A2, and A6 to A9, on consent.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Assignment of Lease: Coleopy Park - 5740 Rupert Street
March 6, 2003 (File 5104)
THAT Council approve the assignment of the lease for Coleopy Park (5740 Rupert Street - PID: 009-617-469 - Lot A, Block 15, District Lot 50, Plan 9920) from Coleopy Park Developments to HFBC Housing Foundation, on terms and conditions to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT
2. Capital Budget: City-Owned Childcare, Social Service and Cultural Facilities
March 5, 2003 (File 1602)
A. THAT Council approve capital funds in the amount of $100,000 to complete repairs and upgrading to six City-owned portable childcare buildings as outlined in the Administrative Report "Capital Budget: City-Owned Childcare, Social Service and Cultural Facilities" dated March 5, 2003; source of funds to be the 2002 City-owned Social Services and Cultural Facilities Capital Budget.
B. THAT Council approve capital funds of up to $145,000 to fund capital improvements and repairs to three amenity bonus facilities as outlined in Table 1 in the Administrative Report "Capital Budget: City-Owned Childcare, Social Service and Cultural Facilities" dated March 5, 2003; source of funds to be the 2002 City-owned Social Services and Cultural Facilities Capital Budget.
C. THAT Council approve capital funds of up to $35,000 to fund capital improvements and repairs to two City-owned facilities as outlined in Table 2 in the Administrative Report; source of funds to be the 2002 City-owned Social Services and Cultural Facilities Capital Budget.
D. THAT Council approve capital funds in the amount of $50,000 for directional and wayfinding signage to the cultural institutions and festivals in Vanier Park, subject to:
· the institutions raising a matching amount of funding from other sources;
· approval from the Park Board; and
· securing all necessary permits.
Source of funds to be the 2002 City-owned Social Services and Cultural Facilities Capital Budget.
E. THAT Council approve capital funds of up to $50,000 to fund improvements to the grounds around the Vanier Park Cultural Institutions as described in the Administrative Report; source of funds to be the 2002 City-owned Social Services and Cultural Facilities Capital Budget.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT
3. 2003 Community Services Grants Allocations
March 12, 2003 (File 2151)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
A. THAT Council approve 89 Community Services Grants totalling $2,926,312 as listed in Appendix A to the Administrative Report "2003 Community Services Grants Allocations" dated March 12, 2003, including conditions on the grants, where noted in Appendix C of the Administrative Report; source of funding is the 2003 Community Services Grants budget.
B. THAT Council approve the following CONDITION to apply to all Community Services Grants recipients in 2003:
The organization must report to the Social Planning Department any significant changes in its financial situation as soon as possible after the change becomes known.
C. THAT Council approve the establishment of a $20,000 reserve within the Community Services Grants budget for the Partners in Organizational Development program. Specific allocation recommendations will be made at a later date this year.
D. THAT Council approve a rent subsidy grant of $34,755 to the B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.
E. THAT Council approve a rent subsidy grant of $8,880 to Central City Mission for the Dugout, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.
F. THAT Council approve a rent subsidy grant of $15,500 to Family Services - Street Youth Program and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.
Note: Source of funding for the rent subsidy grants referenced in D to F is the Other Grants/Annual Recurring budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
4. 2003 Cultural Grants: Operating and Project Grant Allocation
March 10, 2003 (File 2051)
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT Council approve 77 Operating Grants amounting to $1,292,000 and 28 Project Grants amounting to $98,900, as listed in Appendix A of the Administrative Report "2003 Cultural Grants: Operating and Project Grant Allocation" dated March 10, 2003, for a total of $1,390,900, including two conditional grants as noted in the Administrative Report. Source of funds to be the 2003 Cultural Grants budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
5. Canada - British Columbia Infrastructure Program
March 11, 2003 (File 5768)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
A. THAT Council approve temporary staffing and costs of $555,000 for the three year project term ($185,000 per annum), as detailed in the Administrative Report "Canada - British Columbia Infrastructure Program" dated March 11, 2003, to perform design and contract administration for the Canada - British Columbia Infrastructure Program with costs to be recovered from Sewers Capital overhead loading.
B. THAT Council authorize the City Manager to enter into the Canada - British Columbia Infrastructure Program contract agreements.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Amenity Bonus Sublease: 100 - 1140 West Pender
March 5, 2003 (File 1203/5104)
A. THAT Council approve a five-year sublease of the amenity bonus facility at 100-1140 West Pender Street , legally described as Lot 1, Block 16, D.L. 185, Plan 19162, to the Vancouver Society of Childcare Centres, renewable for two further five-year terms, for the purpose of a 16-space licenced childcare centre at a nominal rate ($1), subject to terms and conditions as outlined in this report and on terms satisfactory to the Directors of Legal Services, Social Planning and Real Estate Services.
B. THAT Council authorize the allocation of $3,500 to the City-owned Childcare Facilities Maintenance budget for maintenance services, without offset.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
7. Amenity Bonus Sublease Renewal - 900 Howe Street
March 5, 2003 (File 5104/1203)
THAT Council approve a 5 year sublease commencing May 1, 2003, on the site and improvements at 150 - 900 Howe Street, legally described as Lot 1-6, Block 72, D.L. 541 Plan 210, to The Public Legal Education Society, at a nominal rent of $1.00 (one dollar) per annum, the sublease to be renewable for two further five-year terms under the terms generally described in this report and on terms satisfactory to the Directors of Legal Services, Social Planning and Real Estate Services.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
8. Queen Elizabeth Theatre Cooling Tower Replacement - Approval of Funding in Advance of the 2003 Capital Plan
March 11, 2003 (File 4253)
THAT funding up to $150,000 be approved for the replacement of three Cooling Towers at Queen Elizabeth Theatre (QET); source of funding to be the 2003 Capital Budget for Physical Plant Upgrades, in advance.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT
9. Authority for Councillor Green to Travel to Toronto, April 9-12, 2003
March 10, 2003 (File 1254)
THAT Council authorize payment for Councillor Jim Green to travel to Toronto to attend the Canadian Housing & Renewal Association Conference (CHRA) on April 9th - 12th, 2003.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT
POLICY REPORTS
1. Oversized Banner Signs (Amendment to Sign By-law)
March 13, 2003 (File 113)
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Director of City Plans be instructed to make application to amend the Sign By-law to:
(i) restrict the size and coverage of banner signs on exterior building faces to 4m2, generally in accordance with Appendix A of the Policy Report "Oversized Banner Signs (Amendment to Sign By-law)" dated March 13, 2003, except for banner signs in the DD and BCPED Districts displaying events organized and presented by a non-profit society or public agency; and
(ii) require sign permits for banner signs that are larger than 4m2 or that are secured on all four sides by a rigid frame or high-tension cables, generally in accordance with Appendix A of the Policy Report "Oversized Banner Signs (Amendment to Sign By-law)" dated March 13, 2003; and
FURTHER THAT the application be referred to Public Hearing;
AND FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary amending by-law for consideration at Public Hearing.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. 1099 Main Street (Citygate Phase VIII): CD-1 Text Amendment
March 6, 2003 (File 5306)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the application by Perkins & Company Architecture and Urban Design Inc., on behalf of Bosa Developments Corp., to amend CD-1 By-law No. 6744 for the site at 1099 Main Street, to convert unbuilt retail and institutional floor area to residential use and to allow an increase in total residential floor area through a transfer of heritage density, be referred to a Public Hearing, together with:
(i) draft CD-1 By-law amendments, generally as contained in Appendix A of the Policy Report "1099 Main Street (Citygate Phase VIII): CD-1 Text Amendment" dated March 6, 2003, and
(ii) the recommendation of the Director of Current Planning to approve the application along with a consequential amendment recommended by staff to increase the number of dwelling units permitted and adjust the number of non-market units required.
FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to prepare the necessary CD-1 amending by-law, generally in accordance with Appendix A of the Policy Report "1099 Main Street (Citygate Phase VIII): CD-1 Text Amendment" dated March 6, 2003, for consideration at the Public Hearing.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS
B. Motions on Notice
1. Funding of Local Improvements (File 5802)
The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor Ladner for the Regular Council meeting on March 25, 2003.
WHEREAS the City's transportation policy is to give priority to pedestrians, transit and cycling;
AND WHEREAS current lane paving practices are contrary to the City's policy of increasing permeable surfaces to reduce demand for storm-water runoff;
AND WHEREAS at its March 11, 2003 meeting City Council approved a recommendation from the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues to review "alternative cost-sharing formulae" for improving sidewalks in the city and accelerating sidewalk completions;
AND WHEREAS current City policy is that the City pays 40 per cent of the cost of paving lanes, 50 per cent of the cost of improving residential streets, and zero per cent of the costs of building residential sidewalks;
AND WHEREAS many parks and schools lack proper sidewalks;
AND WHEREAS in the current fiscal year the City is spending approximately $2.8 million on streets and lanes;
AND WHEREAS fiscal prudence dictates every effort be made to contain City spending while ensuring infrastructure improvements aligned with City priorities;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT any increase in City funding for sidewalks be matched by a corresponding reduction in the City's share of funding for local improvements (e.g. residential streets and lanes) that primarily benefit lower-priority modes of transportation and add to loads on storm sewers.
Amended
Councillor Ladner advised that after receiving additional information from staff on a review of the local improvement process, he requests Council's consent to amend his motion by withdrawing one of the "whereases" in the preamble and changing the "resolves". Council agreed to the request.
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan
WHEREAS the City's transportation policy is to give priority to pedestrians, transit and cycling;
AND WHEREAS current lane paving practices are contrary to the City's policy of increasing permeable surfaces to reduce demand for storm-water runoff;
AND WHEREAS at its March 11, 2003 meeting City Council approved a recommendation from the Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues to review "alternative cost-sharing formulae" for improving sidewalks in the city and accelerating sidewalk completions,
AND WHEREAS many parks and schools lack proper sidewalks;
AND WHEREAS in the current fiscal year the City is spending approximately $2.8 million on streets and lanes;
AND WHEREAS fiscal prudence dictates every effort be made to contain City spending while ensuring infrastructure improvements aligned with City priorities;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that as part of the review of the sidewalk cost-sharing formulae and the program for accelerating sidewalk construction, consideration be given to increased sidewalk funding, including the option to reallocate funds from within the Capital Plan from residential streets and lanes.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW BUSINESS
1. Leave of Absence - Mayor Campbell (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Mayor be granted Leave of Absence for the evening of March 27, 2003 to chair the Mayor's Forum on the budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Louis (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT Councillor Louis, as Chair of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets, be granted Leave of Absence for the evening of March 27, 2003 to attend the Mayor's Forum on the budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Peace Demonstrators (File 3502)
Councillor Stevenson requested the Peace Committee to work with staff to prevent the demonstrators in front of the American Consulate from being evicted.
2. Council/Vancouver City Planning Commission Workshop (File 1253)
Councillor Green requested that the City Manager advise on the best way to have a joint meeting of the Vancouver City Planning Commission and Council and request the City Clerk to arrange the meeting.
The Council adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
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