|
CITY OF VANCOUVER
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MAY 13, 14 AND 15, 2003
|
A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, May 13, 2003, at 7:30 p.m., and was reconvened on Wednesday, May 14th at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, May 15th at 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT:
|
Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Jim Green
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Anne Roberts
Councillor Tim Stevenson (May 14 - Leave of Absence)
Councillor Sam Sullivan (May 14 - Leave of Absence)
*Councillor Ellen Woodsworth
|
|
|
|
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
|
Judy Rogers, City Manager (May 15, 2003)
|
|
|
|
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
|
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator
Charlene Imai, Meeting Coordinator
Laura Kazakoff, Meeting Coordinator
|
*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Project (File 5559)
Vancouver City Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2003, received a Report Reference regarding the Richmond - Airport - Vancouver (RAV) Rapid transit project. A Special Meeting of Council was scheduled on May 13, 2003, in order to hear from members of the public wishing to speak on this matter. This meeting was subsequently reconvened on May 14 and 15, 2003, however, the minutes have been consolidated for ease of reference.
Accordingly, Council had before it the Policy Report dated April 4, 2003, entitled "Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project".
Cameron Cathcart, Vancouver Heritage Commission, read out a Resolution passed by the Commission in support of an underground RAV line to at least 37th Avenue and as far as 63rd Avenue if possible, and in support of preserving the integrity and heritage value of the Cambie Boulevard as a whole.
The following speakers expressed opposition to the RAV Rapid Transit project as proposed:
Meenpal Wilson
Gordon Jones, Rethink RAV Coalition
Charles Milne, Cambie Boulevard Heritage Society (materials filed)
Malcolm Johnston, Light Rail Committee
Ethel Karmel, Cambie Boulevard Heritage Society (materials filed)
Ron Stromberg, Cambie Boulevard Heritage Society
Jim Houlahan, Canadian Auto Workers
Kathleen Jones, Cambie Boulevard Heritage Society
Lorraine Fralin
Pamela Barker (materials filed)
Brahm Wiesman, Professor of Regional Planning, UBC (materials filed)
George Jameson, Cambie Boulevard Heritage Society
Charles Walker
Dan Bilsker
John Whistler, Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (brief filed)
Colin Stark
Isabel Minty
Lorna Persson
Maurizio Grande
Chris Owen (brief filed)
Erin Estrin
Brian Buchanan (brief filed)
Denise Goodkey (materials filed)
Charles Boylan (materials filed)
Sharon Zvonar
Kelly Alm (material filed)
Yuri Cvitkovich, Seniors' Network of BC (brief filed)
Ken Bregman
Tova Kornfeld
Armin Kornfeld
Rick Bradner (brief filed)
Kari Hewett (brief filed)
Don Nordin
Peter Marcus
Wendy Turner
Peter Miller
Don Toffaletto, Rethink RAV Coalition
Jim Ewanchook
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
· several speakers expressed support for a 30 or 90 day delay in making a decision on this matter in order that more substantial information be provided by TransLink and other integral bodies, and to allow full public consultation and input; one speaker suggested delaying the decision until the outcome of the Olympic Bid;
· previous staff reports did not mention Cambie residents' concerns regarding loss of property values;
· projected RAV ridership numbers are optimistic;
· proposed RAV line will cause irreversible damage to our environment and neighbourhoods;
· density along the Cambie corridor is not high enough to justify RAV line;
· a light rail transit line is a better option, and will attract more riders and require fewer transfers than proposed RAV;
· Cambie Boulevard is an acknowledged landmark; would be a tragedy to sacrifice this linear park for rapid transit;
· several speakers expressed concern or opposition to the proposed private/public partnership;
· RAV does not generate much in the way of time savings; origin and destination are critical factors, and our region's sprawl does not incite use of transit over cars; economic factors are key in encouraging people to use rapid transit over cars;
· projected sources of future riders was questioned by many speakers;
· buses are the backbone of our transit system; the RAV line may result in reduced buses on the streets; Council is urged to reject the idea of rail transit if it undermines the bus system;
· the proposed RAV line will not be accessible to a large number of people due to limited stations;
· cost of RAV is too high;
· several speakers expressed support for a RAV line along the Arbutus Corridor rather than Cambie because it is already a transit corridor, will cost less to build and could have a higher ridership than anywhere else in Vancouver;
· Knight Street was offered as an alternative route for a RAV line; also suggested charging tolls for goods movement;
· now is the time for taking the initiative to propose a much better project that will better serve the City.
The following people spoke in favour of the proposed RAV Rapid Transit Project:
Dave Park, Vancouver Board of Trade
David Nesbitt, Children's and Women's Health Centre
Bob Wilds, Greater Vancouver Gateway Council
Bob Cowan, Vancouver Airport Authority
Rob Tivy, Tourism Richmond
Gary Cohen, Richmond Chamber of Commerce
May Brown
Doug MacDougall, Oakridge Centre
Steven Darling, Tourism Vancouver
Janice Plumstead, Vancouver Economic Development Commission
Chris Newcomb, Consulting Engineers of British Columbia
Jack Becker (brief filed)
Wayne Peppard, Executive Director, BC and Yukon Territory Building & Construction Trades Council (brief filed)
Roger Bayley, Downtown Vancouver Association
Bruce Rozenhart, Co-Chair, Richmond/Airport/Vancouver Rapid Transit Task Force (brief filed) (also submitted letters of support from businesses)
Eric Sykes, on behalf of Advisory Committee on the Environment for the City of Richmond
Don Weber, Director and Past President of BOMA BC
Bob Glass, MacDonald Development Corporation
Kathi Thompson, President, Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association
Stuart Swain, Vice-President and General Manager, Pacific Centre Cadillac Fairview
Peggy White, BC Shopping Centre Association
Gordon Price (powerpoint presentation)
Terry Engler, International Longshore & Warehouse Union, Local 400 (opposed to P3)
Peter Mitchell
Ron Rowley (brief filed)
Rob MacDonald
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
· the RAV line will complement existing transit services, and serve key employment destinations such as Vancouver Hospital, City Hall, Oakridge, Langara College, the Airport and Convention Centre;
· benefits of improved transit include reduced congestion, better goods movement, and shorter waiting times; a five minute improvement in transit time is worth the cost of $500 million over five years;
· proposed RAV line is the best solution for the region, and will allow tourists, students and other users a seamless method of transit;
· tourists currently use 15% of public transit; RAV line will better serve these visitors to the GVRD, and provide them with more complete access to the city;
· encourage City to take advantage of existing funding opportunities from other levels of government and airport, which would otherwise not be available;
· endorse the timely implementation of a RAV line before 2010;
· RAV project should be expanded further to areas such as Delta and Surrey;
· Cambie is a superior route to Arbutus; and a rail system that is fully separated from grade is preferable over at-grade as it will allow for non-interruption of service at intersections;
· if the proposed RAV project reduces cars on the approved corridor, Council must reclaim the freed-up road space and conduct a community planning process similar to that undertaken for the Grandview Cut.
The following people spoke in opposition to a public-private partnership (P3) being pursued in relation to the proposed RAV Rapid Transit Project:
Blair Redlin, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Gerry Cunningham, CUPE 7000, SkyTrain Workers
Murray Dobbin, Vancouver Council of Canadians
David Hawkins, Lower Mainland EAZE Way
Rochelle Davidson
David Black
Penny Tilby
Claudia Medina-Culos, Council of Canadians
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
· a P3 is likely to cost the taxpayers approximately 17 to 30 million dollars more per year;
· financial risks remain with the public if ridership projections are not met;
· a P3 offers few benefits to the public, and potentially substantial costs and risks; P3s don't eliminate debt but rather conceal it;
· a public sector comparative should have been completed much earlier in the process;
· recommend the financial feasibility study be released immediately;
· it has been demonstrated that public transit can be run more effectively if run publicly; this sort of proposal is without precedent, and will result in questionable service;
· local government becomes susceptible to trade laws - particularly GATS;
· concerns regarding policing of RAV line in the event of a private operator have not been addressed; if unionized transit police are not used, to whom will the responsibility, and the associated costs, fall?
Robert Milbourne, Chair, Greater Vancouver Chambers' Transportation Planning Panel (brief filed), noted the Panel is not in a position at this time to either endorse or not endorse the RAV project, but strongly suggest a delay in any decision in order that it be subjected to a rigorous comparative analysis as to costs and tested for overall Regional benefit as proposed.
Graeme Lamson and Julian Langower, Transport 2000, (Powerpoint presentation - on file) urged Council to choose the most economical rail solution, suggesting a mostly surface option would be much more cost effective, and that alternative alignments, such as Arbutus, could provide cheaper surface options.
Ray Straatsma, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation, expressed support for a north/south rapid transit line and noted there are opportunities for senior government funding, but also expressed concerns regarding high and expanding costs, private/public partnerships and greenhouse gas emissions in regard to the proposed RAV project, and suggested additional time be taken before making a decision.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver supports a Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit line as a key element in helping the city achieve its environmental, transportation and liveability objective; and
WHEREAS, the RAV project is proposed to be a public-private partnership in which a private company will be contracted to design, finance, build, operate and maintain over 35 years a public transportation project; and
WHEREAS, the public sector is proposed to contribute up to $1.35 billion (TransLink, $300 million; the province, $300 million; the federal government, $450 million, and the airport authority, $300 million) and a private company is to invest between $200 million and $300 million, and yet the major financial risk is assigned to the public sector, including:
· a yet-to-be-negotiated portion of any cost overruns on tunneling;
· all shortfalls if ridership revenues lower than predicted;
· repayment of an extra $63 million in operating costs paid by TransLink during the first 10 years of operation until ridership reaches predicted 100,000/day;
· all shortfalls if bus service reductions fail to produce predicted savings;
· any increases in interest rates;
· costs incurred if a private company defaults on the contract;
· any unforeseen costs and overruns judged to be TransLink's responsibility; and
WHEREAS, the public sector will contribute over 85 per cent of the cost and the private sector will invest less than 15 per cent of the cost, TransLink will have to pay a private company an annual guaranteed payment from $40 million to $60 million to cover the company's operating costs, repayment of its capital costs, and its profit; and
WHEREAS, TransLink directors, GVRD directors, and municipal councillors have been all denied access to key financial information regarding costs, revenue and risks included in the full PriceWaterhouseCoopers report on a design, finance, build, operate and maintain private-public partnership; and
WHEREAS, the public sector will have to pay as much as $10 million to private companies to cover their costs of submitting bids; and
WHEREAS, TransLink recently rejected Bombardier's proposal to operate the Millennium SkyTrain line because, with higher borrowing costs and a margin for profits, it would cost about $3 million a year more for a private company to operate the line than for TransLink to operate the system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver has a long tradition of successful design, finance, build, operate and maintain projects to provide municipal services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver is concerned about the impact on public services under provisions of the WTO/GATS, NAFTA and other international agreements if a private company finances, operates and maintains public transportation services; and
WHEREAS, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has specifically advised that these agreements "Do not offer the possibility of indemnification of Canadian municipalities by the Government for the costs of trade tribunal decisions following from municipal actions, even where those actions conform to domestic law"; and
WHEREAS, if the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority should decide to privatize part of the public transit system by implementing a P3 project would mean foreign investors would be able to claim they should be given the same treatment when similar projects are considered such as the Coquitlam line.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
Council affirms its commitment to the public operation and control of public transit and requests that the GVRD and TransLink reject a public-private partnership with regard to finance, operation, maintenance and control of the RAV line;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT this motion be conveyed to all member municipalities of the GVRD with the request that each municipality and their TransLink and GVRD Directors act to support public control of public transit services.
carried
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the word "reject" in the first paragraph of the Resolved be struck out and replaced with the words "exercise great caution around".
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
The amendment having lost, the motion was put and CARRIED with Councillor Ladner opposed.
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
A. THAT Council reiterate its support for a Richmond/Airport-Vancouver (RAV) rapid transit line as a key element in helping the City achieve its environmental, transportation and liveability objectives.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT Motion A be amended by adding the following words at the end:
"...if it becomes part of a comprehensive, carefully-developed, adequately-funded, long-term, regional strategic transportation plan."
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the foregoing amendment to Motion A be amended by striking out the words "if it becomes" and replacing them with the word "as".
CARRIED
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Louis, Roberts and Woodsworth opposed)
The secondary amendment to the primary amendment having carried, the primary amendment was put and CARRIED with Councillor Bass opposed.
Motion A as amended:
A. THAT Council reiterate its support for a Richmond/Airport-Vancouver (RAV) rapid transit line as a key element in helping the City achieve its environmental, transportation and liveability objectives as part of a comprehensive, carefully-developed, adequately-funded, long-term, regional strategic transportation plan.
CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)
MOVED by Councillor Louie
B. THAT Council advise TransLink and the GVRD that enhanced transit service to UBC remains a City priority and that TransLink commit to a schedule for its implementation.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
C. THAT Council request TransLink and the other contributing agencies ("the Agencies") that the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project (the "RAV Project") ensure that its forthcoming request for proposals (RFP) for a design-build Richmond/Airport-Vancouver rapid transit line reflect the conditions of support contained in Motions D through V.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT Council advise the Agencies that its conditions for the rapid transit system are as follows:
i) The City of Vancouver prefers the option that achieves the most best value for transit services. Given the significant impact on City neighbourhoods and urban landscape, the City should give final approval on grade separation and alignment.
lost
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the foregoing motion be amended by striking out the words "final approval" and replacing with the word "input"
LOST
(Councillors Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson, Sullivan, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
The amendment having lost, motion was put and LOST with Councillors Green, Ladner, Louie, Stevenson, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed.
MOVED by Councillor Green
D. THAT Council advise the Agencies that its conditions for the rapid transit system are as follows:
i) The City of Vancouver shall have input at every major decision point in the process.
ii) In a tunnel from Waterfront Station through downtown and continuing to at least 46th Avenue and Cambie for a partially grade-separated system, and to south of 49th Avenue and Cambie for a fully grade-separated system. The RFP should also include an option for remaining in a tunnel to 63rd Avenue. Any deviation from this must take into account the values of the City of Vancouver.
carried
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the foregoing motion be amended by striking out the words following "continuing" in the last paragraph and replacing them with the words "to at least 25th Avenue and Cambie for a partially grade-separated system, and that the remainder of the line be at-grade on the rest of Cambie and further that there be no elevated portions on the Cambie Boulevard."
LOST
(Councillors Cadman, Green, Ladner, Louie, Louis, Stevenson, Sullivan, and the Mayor opposed)
(Councillor Woodsworth absent for the vote)
The amendment having lost, the motion was put and CARRIED with Councillors Bass, Cadman, Louis, Roberts and Woodsworth opposed.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the following conditions (iii) through (ix) be added to D.
iii) Tunnel portals must be designed to minimise their visual impact.
iv) The heritage, landscape and urban design values of the Council- designated Cambie Heritage Boulevard are preserved.
v) For a partially grade-separated system (conventional light rail transit), an at-grade alignment may be considered between 46th and 63rd Avenues if the design results in no net loss of green space within the Cambie Street right-of-way. At-grade pedestrian/vehicular crossings must be maintained at 49th, 57th and 59th Avenues, with additional pedestrian crossings in the vicinities of 54th and 62nd Avenues.
vi) For a fully grade-separated system (SkyTrain or comparable), an at-grade or trench alignment between 49th and 63rd Avenues may be considered if the design results in no net loss of green space within the Cambie Street right-of-way. Grade-separated pedestrian/vehicular crossings must be provided at 57th and 59th Avenues, with additional pedestrian crossings in the vicinities of 54th and 62nd Avenues.
vii) The alignment must not be elevated except south of 63rd Avenue, as required to cross SW Marine Drive. The elevated portion south of 63rd Avenue must be designed to cross Marine Drive at the lowest feasible height and be treated to minimise impacts on the residential properties on Cambie Street.
viii) Green space lost due to rail uses within the Cambie Street right-of-way should be replaced within the street right-of-way through median and/or boulevard widening. Any trees removed during construction must be replaced with trees of a species and diameter mutually agreed to between the City arborist, General Manager of Engineering Services and the RAV Project.
ix) Two lanes of pavement in each direction shall continue to be provided along Cambie Street south of any tunnel portal.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Ladner
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Amendment to strike out (ix) having carried, Motion D(iii) through (viii) was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(Note from Clerk: The foregoing Motions D(i), (ii), and (iv) were discussed and voted on at a later point in the meeting; however, for ease of reference and clarity have been minuted in numerical order.)
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
E. THAT the service standards (performance specifications) be relaxed to allow a range of travel times to permit a design that is affordable and compatible with neighbourhood liveability and to permit better access to the system.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Louis
F. THAT the RAV Project meet the highest standards in station and system design, for example, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), neighbourhood fit and public art, as outlined in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated April 4, 2003, entitled "Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Project".
G. THAT the City and the RAV Project agree on a mutually acceptable review process of the design and construction program and such process shall involve the private sector partner. This may include review by the Urban Design Panel and Development Permit Board of stations and vents, and by City Council in regard to changes to the Cambie Heritage Boulevard, if necessary, through a Heritage Alteration Permit.
H. THAT the system be designed to minimise visual, noise and vibration impacts on nearby properties.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
I. THAT a construction management plan be developed to minimise construction impacts, maintain access to properties and businesses, and include a truck management plan.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
J. THAT the stations on the line be designed for maximum integration into the city's transit, pedestrian and cycling networks, as well as to complement and enhance the communities they will serve. Where underground stations are provided, efforts should be made in order that pedestrians should not have to cross major streets at grade to make frequently used connections. Opportunities to integrate stations into adjacent developments should be pursued. Specific conditions for stations include:
i) The downtown terminus station in the Cordova/waterfront area should form an integral part of an expanded multi-modal transportation hub integrating Waterfront Station and the Canada Place/Convention Centre area.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the following condition (ii) be added to J:
ii) Additional stations be included at 2nd Avenue at the south end of the Cambie Bridge to serve the South and Southeast False Creek developments and to provide a connection to the City's streetcar network; at 16th Avenue, at 33rd Avenue and at 57th Avenue to ensure the line serves Vancouver riders inside the City as well as Vancouver-Richmond commuters; and investigate the need for an additional station on Granville.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(NOTE FROM CLERK: The vote on J(ii) was taken at a later point in the meeting. However, for ease of reference and clarity, has been minuted in numerical order.)
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the following conditions (iii) to (v) be added to J:
iii) The Broadway station be designed to accommodate the future extension of the Millennium Line west along Broadway.
iv) Incorporating the 41st Avenue station into the Oakridge Shopping Centre development is encouraged.
v) The preferred location of the Marine Drive station is on the ICBC Claim Centre property on the east side of Cambie Street south of SW Marine Drive. This station should have an off-street bus loop sufficient to serve as the terminus of the Main, Cambie, Oak and Granville trolley routes.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Louis
K. THAT the system and all stations be fully accessible to persons using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, persons with sight and hearing disabilities, and passengers with small children.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
L. THAT the RAV Project result in no reduction in local bus service from projected 2010 levels in the City of Vancouver. The bus integration plan for the project shall be reviewed as part of the Vancouver Area Transit Plan process, due to start late this year. The Area Transit Plan shall be reviewed before the RAV line opens.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the foregoing Motion L be re-worded to read as follows:
L. THAT Council request the TransLink Board to commit, prior to the final approval of the RAV Project, to a major increase in the provision of trolley and bus service such that provision of bus service frequency, hours of service and loading standards in Vancouver will rise by 2010 to the top quarter of major urban areas in Canada.
CARRIED
(Councillors Louie and Stevenson opposed)
The amendment to Motion L having carried, Motion L as amended was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
M. THAT the RAV Project be designed to accommodate bicycles on board trains and provide bicycle parking facilities at stations. Provision of secure, enclosed, short-term bicycle parking is encouraged where feasible.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT Motion M be amended by inserting the word "all" in front of the words "trains" and "stations" in the first sentence.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION M AS AMENDED:
M. THAT the RAV Project be designed to accommodate bicycles on board all trains and provide bicycle parking facilities at all stations. Provision of secure, enclosed, short-term bicycle parking is encouraged where feasible.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Louie
N. THAT good bicycle access be provided at all stations. Providing bicycle access to and on the new Fraser River transit bridge should be considered.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Louis
O. THAT TransLink capital funding for the Project be capped at $300 million and that the repayment of this debt should not result in reduced bus service or curtailed plans for expansion of transit services.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
P. THAT, if a private contractor designs and builds the RAV Project, it should include an independent monitoring process to ensure that the transfer of risk and reward to the private sector is appropriate, and that the public interest and investment in the project is protected. The benefits of private sector participation should be assessed through a comparison with what the public sector could achieve (public sector comparator). Furthermore, any private sector partner is expected to:
i) Liaise with City staff on design and alignment issues.
ii) Follow a technical review and approvals process agreed upon with the City.
iii) Participate actively in community consultation related to detailed planning and implementation of the line.
iv) Recommend solutions to traffic and environmental issues, and station and alignment compatibility issues with adjacent neighbourhoods.
v) Provide an adequate budget for appropriate community integration and mitigation measures.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Bass
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
R. THAT before a decision to proceed with the RAV Project, staff should negotiate with the RAV Project Office to cover funding for a work program, staff and consulting resources, and a technical review of the project. As well, staff should report back on the costs to the City of a public consultation process with affected residents, businesses and neighbourhoods.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
S. THAT in order to exercise the due diligence required of TransLink Directors before an RFP is issued, the full PriceWaterhouseCoopers financial study and all other information must be available for their examination.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT Motion S be amended by adding at the end ", if they so request."
CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Louis opposed)
MOTION S AS AMENDED:
S. THAT in order to exercise the due diligence required of TransLink Directors before an RFP is issued, the full PriceWaterhouseCoopers financial study and all other information must be available for their examination, if they so request.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Louis
T. THAT before an RFP is issued, all external funding sources must be identified and secured.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
U. THAT in addition, TransLink must have a plan in place that identifies the source of revenue for repaying its capital investment and for covering the operating and maintenance costs of the RAV line as well as the funding to pay for other identified priorities, such as trolley buses, expansion of the bus fleet, completion of the Broadway line and construction of the Coquitlam extension.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
(Note from Clerk: It was at this point in the meeting that Council dealt with Motions D(i), D(ii), D(iv) and J(ii); however, for clarity all motions have been minuted in numerical order.)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Ladner, Louie, Stevenson, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
MOVED by Councillor Bass
V. THAT Council request the TransLink Board to specify transportation demand management strategies before final approval of the RAV Project, including a commitment to work with Federal and Provincial agencies to use TDM measures on roads and bridges leading to and crossing the Fraser River.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
During discussion of the foregoing motions, Judy Rogers, City Manager, Ann McAfee, Co-Director of Planning/Director of City Plans, Lon LaClaire, Engineering Services, Transportation Engineer, Strategic Transportation Planning, and Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, responded to questions concerning the Request for Proposals process and Council's input into that process. Pat Jacobsen, CEO of TransLink, was present and responded to questions concerning the RFP and the proposed private/public partnership.
The following are the approved motions of Council which have been consolidated for easy reference:
A. THAT Council reiterate its support for a Richmond/Airport-Vancouver (RAV) rapid transit line as a key element in helping the City achieve its environmental, transportation and liveability objectives as part of a comprehensive, carefully-developed, adequately-funded, long-term, regional strategic transportation plan.
B. THAT Council advise TransLink and the GVRD that enhanced transit service to UBC remains a City priority and that TransLink commit to a schedule for its implementation.
C. THAT Council request TransLink and the other contributing agencies ("the Agencies") that the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project (the "RAV Project") ensure that its forthcoming request for proposals (RFP) for a design-build Richmond/Airport-Vancouver rapid transit line reflect the conditions of support contained in Motions D through V.
D. THAT Council advise the Agencies that its conditions for the rapid transit system are as follows:
i) The City of Vancouver shall have input at every major decision point in the process.
ii) In a tunnel from Waterfront Station through downtown and continuing to at least 46th Avenue and Cambie for a partially grade-separated system, and to south of 49th Avenue and Cambie for a fully grade-separated system. The RFP should also include an option for remaining in a tunnel to 63rd Avenue. Any deviation from this must take into account the values of the City of Vancouver.
iii) Tunnel portals must be designed to minimise their visual impact.
iv) The heritage, landscape and urban design values of the Council- designated Cambie Heritage Boulevard are preserved.
v) For a partially grade-separated system (conventional light rail transit), an at-grade alignment may be considered between 46th and 63rd Avenues if the design results in no net loss of green space within the Cambie Street right-of-way. At-grade pedestrian/vehicular crossings must be maintained at 49th, 57th and 59th Avenues, with additional pedestrian crossings in the vicinities of 54th and 62nd Avenues.
vi) For a fully grade-separated system (SkyTrain or comparable), an at-grade or trench alignment between 49th and 63rd Avenues may be considered if the design results in no net loss of green space within the Cambie Street right-of-way. Grade-separated pedestrian/vehicular crossings must be provided at 57th and 59th Avenues, with additional pedestrian crossings in the vicinities of 54th and 62nd Avenues.
vii) The alignment must not be elevated except south of 63rd Avenue, as required to cross SW Marine Drive. The elevated portion south of 63rd Avenue must be designed to cross Marine Drive at the lowest feasible height and be treated to minimise impacts on the residential properties on Cambie Street.
viii) Green space lost due to rail uses within the Cambie Street right-of-way should be replaced within the street right-of-way through median and/or boulevard widening. Any trees removed during construction must be replaced with trees of a species and diameter mutually agreed to between the City arborist, General Manager of Engineering Services and the RAV Project.
E. THAT the service standards (performance specifications) be relaxed to allow a range of travel times to permit a design that is affordable and compatible with neighbourhood liveability and to permit better access to the system.
F. THAT the RAV Project meet the highest standards in station and system design, for example, crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED), neighbourhood fit and public art, as outlined in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated April 4, 2003, entitled "Richmond/Airport - Vancouver Rapid Transit Project".
G. THAT the City and the RAV Project agree on a mutually acceptable review process of the design and construction program and such process shall involve the private sector partner. This may include review by the Urban Design Panel and Development Permit Board of stations and vents, and by City Council in regard to changes to the Cambie Heritage Boulevard, if necessary, through a Heritage Alteration Permit.
H. THAT the system be designed to minimise visual, noise and vibration impacts on nearby properties.
I. THAT a construction management plan be developed to minimise construction impacts, maintain access to properties and businesses, and include a truck management plan.
J. THAT the stations on the line be designed for maximum integration into the city's transit, pedestrian and cycling networks, as well as to complement and enhance the communities they will serve. Where underground stations are provided, efforts should be made in order that pedestrians should not have to cross major streets at grade to make frequently used connections. Opportunities to integrate stations into adjacent developments should be pursued. Specific conditions for stations include:
i) The downtown terminus station in the Cordova/waterfront area should form an integral part of an expanded multi-modal transportation hub integrating Waterfront Station and the Canada Place/Convention Centre area.
ii) Additional stations be included at 2nd Avenue at the south end of the Cambie Bridge to serve the South and Southeast False Creek developments and to provide a connection to the City's streetcar network; at 16th Avenue, at 33rd Avenue and at 57th Avenue to ensure the line serves Vancouver riders inside the City as well as Vancouver-Richmond commuters; and investigate the need for an additional station at Granville.
iii) The Broadway station be designed to accommodate the future extension of the Millennium Line west along Broadway.
iv) Incorporating the 41st Avenue station into the Oakridge Shopping Centre development is encouraged.
v) The preferred location of the Marine Drive station is on the ICBC Claim Centre property on the east side of Cambie Street south of SW Marine Drive. This station should have an off-street bus loop sufficient to serve as the terminus of the Main, Cambie, Oak and Granville trolley routes.
K. THAT the system and all stations be fully accessible to persons using wheelchairs and other mobility devices, persons with sight and hearing disabilities, and passengers with small children.
L. THAT Council request the TransLink Board to commit, prior to the final approval of the RAV Project, to a major increase in the provision of trolley and bus service such that provision of bus service frequency, hours of service and loading standards in Vancouver will rise by 2010 to the top quarter of major urban areas in Canada.
M. THAT the RAV Project be designed to accommodate bicycles on board all trains and provide bicycle parking facilities at all stations. Provision of secure, enclosed, short-term bicycle parking is encouraged where feasible.
N. THAT good bicycle access be provided at all stations. Providing bicycle access to and on the new Fraser River transit bridge should be considered.
O. THAT TransLink capital funding for the Project be capped at $300 million and that the repayment of this debt should not result in reduced bus service or curtailed plans for expansion of transit services.
P. THAT, if a private contractor designs and builds the RAV Project, it should include an independent monitoring process to ensure that the transfer of risk and reward to the private sector is appropriate, and that the public interest and investment in the project is protected. The benefits of private sector participation should be assessed through a comparison with what the public sector could achieve (public sector comparator). Furthermore, any private sector partner is expected to:
i) Liaise with City staff on design and alignment issues.
ii) Follow a technical review and approvals process agreed upon with the City.
iii) Participate actively in community consultation related to detailed planning and implementation of the line.
iv) Recommend solutions to traffic and environmental issues, and station and alignment compatibility issues with adjacent neighbourhoods.
v) Provide an adequate budget for appropriate community integration and mitigation measures.
Q. THAT the RAV Project demonstrate a commitment to local employment and procurement practices.
R. THAT before a decision to proceed with the RAV Project, staff should negotiate with the RAV Project Office to cover funding for a work program, staff and consulting resources, and a technical review of the project. As well, staff should report back on the costs to the City of a public consultation process with affected residents, businesses and neighbourhoods.
S. THAT in order to exercise the due diligence required of TransLink Directors before an RFP is issued, the full PriceWaterhouseCoopers financial study and all other information must be available for their examination if they so request.
T. THAT before an RFP is issued, all external funding sources must be identified and secured.
U. THAT in addition, TransLink must have a plan in place that identifies the source of revenue for repaying its capital investment and for covering the operating and maintenance costs of the RAV line as well as the funding to pay for other identified priorities, such as trolley buses, expansion of the bus fleet, completion of the Broadway line and construction of the Coquitlam extension.
V. THAT Council request the TransLink Board to specify transportation demand management strategies before final approval of the RAV Project, including a commitment to work with Federal and Provincial agencies to use TDM measures on roads and bridges leading to and crossing the Fraser River.
CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed to A)
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Louis, Roberts and Woodsworth opposed to D(ii))
(Councillor Sullivan opposed to U and V)
Council also approved the following:
WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver supports a Richmond-Airport-Vancouver rapid transit line as a key element in helping the city achieve its environmental, transportation and liveability objective; and
WHEREAS, the RAV project is proposed to be a public-private partnership in which a private company will be contracted to design, finance, build, operate and maintain over 35 years a public transportation project; and
WHEREAS, the public sector is proposed to contribute up to $1.35 billion (TransLink, $300 million; the province, $300 million; the federal government, $450 million, and the airport authority, $300 million) and a private company is to invest between $200 million and $300 million, and yet the major financial risk is assigned to the public sector, including:
· a yet-to-be-negotiated portion of any cost overruns on tunneling;
· all shortfalls if ridership revenues lower than predicted;
· repayment of an extra $63 million in operating costs paid by TransLink during the first 10 years of operation until ridership reaches predicted 100,000/day;
· all shortfalls if bus service reductions fail to produce predicted savings;
· any increases in interest rates;
· costs incurred if a private company defaults on the contract;
· any unforeseen costs and overruns judged to be TransLink's responsibility; and
WHEREAS, the public sector will contribute over 85 per cent of the cost and the private sector will invest less than 15 per cent of the cost, TransLink will have to pay a private company an annual guaranteed payment from $40 million to $60 million to cover the company's operating costs, repayment of its capital costs, and its profit; and
WHEREAS, TransLink directors, GVRD directors, and municipal councillors have been all denied access to key financial information regarding costs, revenue and risks included in the full PriceWaterhouseCoopers report on a design, finance, build, operate and maintain private-public partnership; and
WHEREAS, the public sector will have to pay as much as $10 million to private companies to cover their costs of submitting bids; and
WHEREAS, TransLink recently rejected Bombardier's proposal to operate the Millennium SkyTrain line because, with higher borrowing costs and a margin for profits, it would cost about $3 million a year more for a private company to operate the line than for TransLink to operate the system; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver has a long tradition of successful design, finance, build, operate and maintain projects to provide municipal services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver is concerned about the impact on public services under provisions of the WTO/GATS, NAFTA and other international agreements if a private company finances, operates and maintains public transportation services; and
WHEREAS, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has specifically advised that these agreements "Do not offer the possibility of indemnification of Canadian municipalities by the Government for the costs of trade tribunal decisions following from municipal actions, even where those actions conform to domestic law"; and
WHEREAS, if the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority should decide to privatize part of the public transit system by implementing a P3 project would mean foreign investors would be able to claim they should be given the same treatment when similar projects are considered such as the Coquitlam line.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
Council affirms its commitment to the public operation and control of public transit and requests that the GVRD and TransLink reject a public-private partnership with regard to finance, operation, maintenance and control of the RAV line;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT this motion be conveyed to all member municipalities of the GVRD with the request that each municipality and their TransLink and GVRD Directors act to support public control of public transit services.
CARRIED
(Councillor Ladner opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Green
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Special Council recessed at 10:30 p.m. on May 13,
recessed at 10:45 pm on May 14, and
ADJOURNED on May 16, 2003, at 12:40 a.m.
* * * * *
