Vancouver City Council |
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETSJUNE 12, 2003
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT:
Councillor Tim Louis, Chair
Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Anne Roberts
*Councillor Tim Stevenson
Councillor Sam Sullivan
*Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, Vice-ChairABSENT:
Councillor Jim Green (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator
* Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of May 15, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Juno Beach Centre - Memorial Donation (File 2051)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 20, 2003, in which the City Manager informed Council of the Juno Beach Centre Association initiative to create a memorial/education centre recognizing the contributions and sacrifices made by Canada and Canadians throughout the Second World War, for the liberation of peoples and the cause of peace. The City Manager also presented for Council's consideration the option to grant a financial contribution to the Centre, together with appropriate wording for the recognition brick.
Burke Taylor, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, was available to respond to questions.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve a grant in the amount of $2,500 to the Juno Beach Centre Association as a contribution toward the costs of construction of the memorial centre and creation of the exhibition/education programs within. Funds to be provided from the Contingency Reserve.
B. THAT Council approve the following statement to be inscribed on the brick recognizing the City's contribution:
The People of the City of Vancouver Remember and are Grateful.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. A.S.T.C. Science World - Annual Review and 2003 Operating Grant Request (File 2201)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 2, 2003, in which the Directors of Office of Cultural Affairs and Finance reviewed Science World's 2002 activities and presented for Council's consideration their 2003 operating grant request. The General Managers of Community and Corporate Services recommended approval.
Karen Hasselfelt, Cultural Planner, provided a brief overview of the report.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve an Operating Grant of $84,071 to the A.S.T.C. Science World Society; source of funds to be the 2003 `Other' Grants budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society - Annual Review and 2003 Operating Grant Request (File 4003)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 2, 2003, in which the Directors of Office of Cultural Affairs and Finance reviewed the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society's 2002 activities and presented for Council's consideration their 2003 operating grant request. The General Managers of Community and Corporate Services recommended approval.
Karen Hasselfelt, Cultural Planner, was available to respond to questions.
John Dickenson, Managing Director, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre (MSC), introduced Andrew Kadler, President, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society, and provided an overview of the MSC's outreach programs which are intended to offer children from Inner City Schools programs at reduced rates. Mr. Kadler provided some details on attendance including initiatives undertaken for increased visibility. They also responded to questions related to attendance, expenses and transit access to the MSC.
Burke Taylor, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, responded to a question related to inflation.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve a further $8,007 for a total 2003 operating grant of $465,543 to the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society, noting that on April 24, 2003, Council has already approved disbursement of $457,536 based upon their 2002 grant level; source of funds to be the 2003 `Other' Grants budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Parking Operations & Enforcement Branch - Service Level Updates and Parking Meter Rate Changes (File 5651)
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At this point in the proceedings Councillor Woodsworth declared Conflict of Interest as her partner is a member of CUPE Local 15. She left the meeting at 10:00 a.m. and did not return until the conclusion of the vote on this item at 11:20 a.m.
- - - - -
At its meeting on May 15, 2003, Vancouver City Council postponed consideration of Recommendation A in the Administrative Report dated April 23, 2003, entitled "Parking Operations & Enforcement Branch - Service Level Updates and Parking Meter Rate Changes" to the May 29, 2003, Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting to hear from delegations.
Subsequently, the May 29th Standing Committee meeting was cancelled and this item was rescheduled to today's meeting.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it the relevant Administrative Report and an extract from the minutes of the May 15, 2003, meeting.
Bob Macdonald, Parking Engineer, and Ralph Yeomans, Manager, Parking Operations and Enforcement, were available to respond to questions.
Paul Faoro, President, CUPE Local 15, spoke in general favour of expanding the Parking Operations and Enforcement Branch but raised the following points with regard to the parking enforcement and coin collection components:
Parking Enforcement:
· recommended the Systems Analyst position, which has been improperly classified in order to make it exempt from the Union, be amended to a Business Systems Administrator, which falls under CUPE Local 15 jurisdiction, properly reflects the duties and responsibilities of that position, and will comply with the guidelines set out with the Labour Relations Board regarding exempt positions;
· also recommended the Parking Enforcement Superintendent, which has also been improperly classified, be amended to an Operations Supervisor, which is currently in place and truly reflects the scope of the position.
Coin Collection:
· if there's a moderate level of risk in the Kerrisdale, Kitsilano and Downtown collection routes, the Union is concerned about the risk assessment if evening coin collection expands into other areas such as the Downtown Eastside; any risk concerns could restrict the expansion of the evening coin collection program in the future;
· recommended that one or two coin collectors be added to the day shift to help achieve a daily collection on all meters in the city and, if more staff is needed, revisit this matter in six months or a year from now; furthermore, there would be no need for the evening Superintendent position.
Staff, together with Debbie Craig, Employee Relations Consultant, Ingrid VanKemenade, Manager of Compensation, Benefits and Systems, Tom Timm, Deputy City Engineer, and Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager, responded to questions regarding the points raised by Mr. Faoro.
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the expansion of the Parking Operations and Enforcement Branch to deal with the increased demand for parking enforcement and coin collection activity due to the expansion of regulated and metered areas, technology change, and additional service demands since 1999, at an approximate annual cost (including adequate coverage for a 363-day/year operation) of $366,000 in 2003 and $512,000 annually thereafter, funded from increased parking enforcement and parking meter revenues).
i. 2.0 FTE 2 Parking Enforcement Officers
ii. 2.0 FTE 2 Superintendent I
iii. 1.0 FTE 1 Systems Analyst IA
iv. 1.0 FTE 1 Network Support Specialist I
v. 4.0 FTE 8 Regular Part-Time Coin Collectors
FURTHER THAT Council approve $50,000 for non-salary recurring operating costs ($30,000 in 2003) to support the staff funded from increased parking enforcement and parking meter revenues.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council postpone consideration of formalizing (making Regular) the following (temporary existing) positions to the end of July 2003, in order to allow affected parties to review & resolve alternate & outstanding issues:
ii. 2.0 FTE 2 Superintendent I
iii. 1.0 FTE 1 Systems Analyst IA
v. 4.0 FTE 8 Regular Part-Time Coin Collectors.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
(Councillor Woodsworth absent for the vote)
MOTION AS AMENDED
A. THAT Council approve the expansion of the Parking Operations and Enforcement Branch to deal with the increased demand for parking enforcement and coin collection activity due to the expansion of regulated and metered areas, technology change, and additional service demands since 1999, at an approximate annual cost (including adequate coverage for a 363-day/year operation) of $366,000 in 2003, and $512,000 annually thereafter, funded from increased parking enforcement and parking meter revenues, as follows:
i. 2.0 FTE 2 Parking Enforcement Officers
iv. 1.0 FTE 1 Network Support Specialist IFURTHER THAT Council approve $50,000 for non-salary recurring operating costs ($30,000 in 2003) to support the staff funded from increased parking enforcement and parking meter revenues.
B. THAT Council postpone consideration of formalizing (making Regular) the following (temporary existing) positions to the end of July, 2003, in order to allow affected parties to review & resolve alternate & outstanding issues:
ii. 2.0 FTE 2 Superintendent I
iii. 1.0 FTE 1 Systems Analyst IA
v. 4.0 FTE 8 Regular Part-Time Coin Collectors.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed to B)
(Councillor Stevenson absent for the vote on A i)
(Councillor Woodsworth absent for the vote)
5. Funding for Purchasing Equipment for Community Events in the Downtown Eastside (File 8104)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 1, 2003, in which the Director of Current Planning in consultation with the Director of Office of Cultural Affairs sought Council's approval for the allocation of $60,000 from the Downtown Eastside Revitalization Capital Funds for the purchase of equipment to be used in community performances and celebrations in the Downtown Eastside, including Chinatown, Gastown, Strathcona and Victory Square.
Ben Johnson, Central Area Planning Branch, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, reviewed the objectives for the program and significant public events to date.
Liz Evans and Mark Townsend, Portland Hotel Society, spoke in favour of the grant. It was also noted that the Portland Hotel Society has been trying, through its own initiative, to sponsor public events in the Downtown Eastside neighbourhoods.
Sue Harvey, Senior Social and Cultural Planner, and Nathan Edelson, Planner, Downtown Neighbourhoods Group, responded to questions related to funding and the criteria used for establishing equipment rental rates for communities outside the Downtown Eastside.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve a grant of $60,000 to the Portland Hotel Society for the purchase of equipment including marquee tents, heaters, cooking equipment, a PA system and portable skateboarding ramps for use in community events in the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown, Strathcona and Victory Square; funding to be provided from the Downtown Eastside Revitalization Capital Funds approved in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT the words "with priority" be added before the words "in the Downtown Eastside".
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The amendment having carried unanimously, Councillor Bass' Motion, as amended, was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT Council approve a grant of $60,000 to the Portland Hotel Society for the purchase of equipment including marquee tents, heaters, cooking equipment, a PA system and portable skateboarding ramps for use in community events, with priority in the Downtown Eastside, Chinatown, Gastown, Strathcona and Victory Square; funding to be provided from the Downtown Eastside Revitalization Capital Funds approved in the 2000-2002 Capital Plan.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
INFORMATION
6. 2003 Celebration Grant Recommendations, Spring Deadline (File 2151)
At its meeting on May 27, 2003, Vancouver City Council, when dealing with the Administrative Report dated May 13, 2003, entitled "2003 Celebration Grant Recommendations, Spring Deadline", approved grants to 13 organizations listed in Table 1 of the report and agreed to hear from speakers at a future Standing Committee meeting.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it the relevant Administrative Report and an extract from the minutes of the May 27, 2003, meeting.
Lorenz von Fersen, Cultural Planner, was available to respond to questions.
Gail Bowen, DERA 30th Anniversary Celebration Coordinator (brief filed), reviewed DERA's mandate and achievements, provided details of the upcoming celebration "Party In the Park - Celebrating Our Diversity", an essential part of DERA's 30th Anniversary, and asked Council to consider reassessing DERA's application for a celebration grant.
Mr. von Fersen responded to questions related to the evaluation process and the rationale for not approving DERA's application for a celebration grant.
Following discussion, Council agreed to take no further action on this matter.
The Committee adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
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|
CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 12, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, June 12, 2003, at 11:55 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Jim Green (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT Council will go into a meeting later this day which is closed to the public, pursuant to Section 165.2 of the Vancouver Charter, to discuss matters related to paragraph(s):
(c) labour relations or employee negotiations
(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;
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
June 12, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl.1: Juno Beach Centre - Memorial Donation
Cl.2: A.S.T.C. Science World - Annual Review and 2003 Operating Grant Request
Cl.3: H.R. MacMillan Space Centre Society - Annual Review and 2003 Operating Grant Request
Cl.4: Parking Operations & Enforcement Branch - Service Level Updates and Parking Meter Rate Changes
Cl.5: Funding for Purchasing Equipment for Community Events in the Downtown Eastside
Cl.6. 2003 Celebration Grant Recommendations, Spring Deadline
Clauses 1 - 3 and 5
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 - 3 and 5 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
Clause 4
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed to B)
Clause 6
Council agreed to take no further action on this matter.
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT Council enact the by-law listed on the agenda for this meeting to amend Procedure By-law No. 8554, regarding notices of motion, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign and seal the enacted by-law.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. A By-law to amend Procedure By-law No. 8554 regarding notices of motion.
(By-law No. 8691)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Impacts of Provincial Cuts on Municipalities (File 1263/3252)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
WHEREAS the current and proposed future cuts by the Provincial Ministries and Boards of Attorney General, Children and Family Development, Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, Education, Health Services, Human Resources, Public Safety and Solicitor General, Skills Development and Labour, Regional Health Authorities, and Housing to social services are directly impacting citizens in British Columbia's municipalities;
WHEREAS these cuts are directly impacting those most vulnerable citizens in every community, eg. women, seniors, people with disabilities, youth and aboriginal people;
WHEREAS the impacts of these cuts are leading to increased homelessness, poverty, health problems, crime and street disorder in municipalities;
WHEREAS service agencies are also experiencing cuts and are unable to respond to increased needs,
WHEREAS this increases the problem for municipalities with no additional resources from the province;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM urge the Province to defer any future cuts to social services until there is a clear, public evaluation of the full cumulative impacts of the current cuts on citizens in British Columbia municipalities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the municipalities work with Provincial Ministries to address these impacts on citizens.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Health and Health Care Services (File 1263/4101)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
WHEREAS health and health care services are an important and critical part of our social and economic well being as Canadians; and
WHEREAS an adequately funded health care system is best delivered as a public not-for profit system; and
WHEREAS the Romanow Commission report revealed that the health outcomes of the Canadian system are amongst the best in the world and the majority of Canadians who use the system are satisfied with the quality and standards they receive; and
WHEREAS a poll (Mcintyre and Mustel) published February 3, 2003 shows that almost 70% of British Columbians endorse the Romanow Report; and
WHEREAS federal government transfer payments to the provinces have decreased significantly since the early 1990's causing public health care funding to drop from levels of 50% to 15% in contributions, falling gravely short of necessary monies to adequately fund the system as recommended by Romanow's Royal Commission on the Future of Health Care in Canada 2003; and
WHEREAS new federal dollars to the provinces for health care funding need to be accounted for on a not-for-profit basis; and
WHEREAS the provincial government has and continues today to implement further cuts to healthcare resulting in a de-listing of outpatient services, hospital and long-term care facility bed closures, contracting out of support staff and tighter, stringent eligibility requirements for and access to services such as homecare and pharmacare; and
WHEREAS the results of these cuts have resulted in further strain on existing services such as emergency departments to accommodate the back-log of patients and the increasing demands for physical and mental health services; and
WHEREAS municipalities, being the level of government closest to the people, have been hearing from and listening to ongoing issues from local residents and health professionals concerned about the continuing gaps in accessibility, delivery and provision of adequate health care services; and
WHEREAS municipalities are being called upon increasingly under these pressures; budget constraints or cost savings, to fill the gaps through other means such as funding non-profit health care services or purchasing hospitals threatened with closure.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver inform the Governments of Canada and British Columbia of its general support for the recommendations of the Romanow Report, as the framework for transforming medicare into a truly national, more comprehensive, sustainable, responsive and accountable public health care system;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver, in recognizing the importance of the 2003 First Minister's Accord on Health Care Renewal, urge the Governments of Canada and British Columbia to continue to cooperate and devote sufficient committed resources to renew and sustain the Canadian health care system;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver, while acknowledging the need for managing resources efficiently, express its strong concern to the Provincial Government and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority regarding the short and long-term implications of changes being made to the health system, including closures of hospital and continuing care beds, increased restriction of coverage for home care and pharmacare programs, and the trend toward the privatization of support services and resulting staff layoffs;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver urge the Provincial Government and its respective Health Authorities to adopt a policy of meaningful consultation with municipalities on proposed changes to health care services, ensuring that the full impact on local residents and municipal governments are carefully considered prior to implementing significant changes;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver request the Lower Mainland Municipal Association adopt a resolution similar to the one outlined herein and advance it forward for endorsement by the Union of BC Municipalities;
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver call upon the Union of BC Municipalities to raise concerns about the downloading of healthcare responsibilities by the BC Government to Municipal Governments, including housing and other supports for the frail, elderly and for those with mental illness or mental and physical disabilities, including the impact of palliative care bed closures and the right to die with dignity.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Stevenson (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT Councillor Stevenson be granted Leave of Absence for the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of June 12, 2003, for Civic Business.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Louis (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT Councillor Louis be granted Leave of Absence for the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of June 12, 2003, for Civic Business.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Leave of Absence - Mayor Campbell(File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT Mayor Campbell be granted Leave of Absence for a portion of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of June 12, 2003, for Civic Business.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 12:04 p.m.
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