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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JULY 24, 2003
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A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT:
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Councillor Tim Louis, Chair
*Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Jim Green
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Anne Roberts
*Councillor Tim Stevenson
*Councillor Sam Sullivan
*Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, Vice-Chair
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ABSENT:
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Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
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Judy Rogers, City Manager
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
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Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator
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*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of June 26, 2003, were adopted.
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NEW BUSINESS
Leave of Absence Mayor Campbell (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT Mayor Campbell be granted Leave of Absence (Civic Business) for the remainder of the July 24, 2003, City Services and Budgets meeting.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass, Stevenson and Woodsworth absent for the vote)
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RECOMMENDATION
1. Parking Operations & Enforcement Branch - Service Level Updates (File 3501)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 8, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the General Manager of Human Resources provided Council with a revised recommendation for staffing for the Parking Operations and Enforcement Branch to respond to increased demand as well as safety and security issues.
Bob Macdonald, Parking Engineer and Ralph Yeomans, Manager, Parking Operations and Enforcement, were present to respond to questions from Council.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the following positions be approved at an increased cost of $4,000 in 2003, and $8,000 annually thereafter, with funding provided from increased parking meter revenues:
i. 2.0 Regular Full Time (RFT) 2 Superintendents I
ii. 1.0 RFT Systems Supervisor (CUPE 15) subject to classification by Human Resources
iii. 6.0 RFT Coin Collectors
B. THAT one-time costs of $35,000 be approved for the purchase of an additional Collection Van with funding provided from the fleet account; and
FURTHER THAT an additional $8,000 annually be approved for operating costs from increased parking meter revenues.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Bass, Stevenson and Woodsworth absent for the vote)
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NOTE FROM CLERK: Items 2 and 3 were dealt with concurrently, and have been minuted accordingly.
2. Graffiti Management Program (File 3501)
3. One-Year Update of the Anti-Graffiti Unit (File 3501)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 8, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the General Manager of Community Services, the General Manger of Corporate Services, and the General Manager of the Park Board reviewed staff experience with the expanded Graffiti Management Program approved by Council in April 2002, and recommended the approval of resource levels to
continue the program, and a related memorandum dated July 8, 2003 from the Anti-Graffiti Task Force which recommended continued support for the program (on file - limited distribution).
The Committee also had before it for information an Administrative Report dated July 7, 2003, from the Chief Constable, Vancouver Police Department, which responded to a request for a report back after one year and outlined the successes and effectiveness of the Vancouver Police Department Anti-Graffiti Unit.
Tom Hammel, Streets Administration Engineer, Mike Twynstra, Manager, Property Use Inspectors, and Elizabeth Miller and Valerie Spicer, Vancouver Police Department, with the aid of PowerPoint presentations, provided Council with an in-depth review of the graffiti issue. Staff responded to questions related to Park Board murals, train graffiti, engagement of the youth community, costs -- including allocation of police resources, and toxicity of chemicals used for graffiti removal. Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services responded to questions related to the proposed budget for the program.
The following speakers, while not opposed to the Graffiti Management Program directly, expressed concerns related to aspects of current practices of graffiti removal as outlined in staff's report:
Frederic Desjardins (brief and material filed)
Vivian Wong
Sandra MacDonald, member, United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union (brief and material filed)
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
· the citrus paint remover provided as part of the City's graffiti removal kit contains a chemical listed as toxic by the US Environmental Protection Agency;
· financial assistance should be extended to all property owners of buildings, not just heritage properties;
· San Jose's successful program places emphasis on removal of graffiti from properties, with less emphasis given to education and murals ;
· support for work done by the Police Department's Anti-Graffiti Unit;
· concern contractor for City has used chemicals that adversely impact the environment, including fish habitat, as these chemicals are being directly discharged into the storm water drains;
· the graffiti removal process is not being monitored to assess the environmental impact of the program; and
· all graffiti removal operations should be suspended until a proper environmental impact report can be presented back to Council.
Perri Domm, Goodbye Graffiti, advised he was the contractor currently doing the work for the City and responded to questions from Council regarding types of chemicals used for the graffiti removal.
Council members discussed the need for an independent environmental impact assessment of graffiti removal material currently in use by the City and the need to review the 2004 budget prior to final funding approval for the 2004 graffiti management program budget.
Graffiti Management Program
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the Graffiti Management Program be approved as an ongoing program as described in the Administrative Report dated July 8, 2003, entitled "Graffiti Management Program" with a further report back in one year on resource levels and program strategies.
B. THAT free paint and graffiti removal kits be made available to property and business owners to a maximum of twice per year, and that staff streamline procedures to make these kits more accessible.
C. THAT free graffiti removal services be made available to owners of heritage buildings with masonry surfaces listed on the Vancouver Heritage Register or municipally designated as heritage property under the Vancouver Charter once per year to a maximum of $500 per removal.
D. THAT the temporary Engineering Assistant III staff position be converted to regular full-time.
E. THAT the following temporary staff positions be extended by one year with a report back at that time on ongoing staffing levels
- Engineering Technician
- Clerk III (Engineering)
- Property Use Inspector (Community Services Group)
- Clerk III (Community Services Group)
- Clerk-Typist II (Community Services Group)
F. THAT Council approve the Graffiti Management Program budget to December 31, 2003 with an addition of $225,900 to Engineering's Budget and $33,300 to Park Board's Budget ($259,200 total), to be funded from Contingency Reserve.
G. THAT Council approve a 2004 Graffiti Management Program Operating Budget of $1,105,400 with previously approved funding of $502,900, and an increase of $602,500 to the 2004 Operating Budget without offset ($527,500 to Engineering and $75,000 to the Park Board), subject to review of the 2004 budget.
H. THAT the current contracts for graffiti removal from City property be extended on a month-to-month basis subject to a further report back from the General Manager of Engineering Services and General Manager, Park Board on the issue of alternate service delivery mechanisms.
I. THAT the City obtain an independent environmental assessment of:
· materials, procedures and monitoring used in the graffiti management program;
· the materials distributed by the City's graffiti management program; and
· how to provide Best Management Practices regarding graffiti removal and potential waste discharges into municipal sewer systems.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
One-Year Update of the Anti-Graffiti Unit
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council receive for information the Administrative Report dated July 7, 2003, entitled "One-Year Update of the Anti-Graffiti Unit".
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. 2003 Childcare Grants Allocation 2 of 3 (File 2402)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 3, 2003, in which the Director of Social Planning made recommendations for the Childcare Program Enhancement and Inner-City Childcare Sustaining Grant categories. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Carol Ann Young and Jeff Brooks were present to respond to questions from Council.
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve 24 Childcare Program Enhancement Grants totalling $123,077 as listed in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated July 3, 2003, entitled "2003 Childcare Grants Allocation 2 of 3", with conditions as noted; source of funds: 2003 Childcare Grants Budgets, 2003 Operating Budget.
B. THAT Council approve 26 Inner-City Childcare Sustaining Grants totalling $258,219 as listed in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated July 3, 2003, entitled "2003 Childcare Grants Allocation 2 of 3", with conditions as noted; source of funds: 2003 Childcare Grants Budgets, 2003 Operating Budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Protecting the Availability of Child Care Spaces and Programs (File 2402)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 4, 2003, in which the Director of Social Planning responded to Council's request to protect the availability of child care spaces and programs in the City by recommending Council request a broader commitment from senior levels of government, and in addition, give consideration to additional funding for the Inner City grant programs. The City Manager supported staff's recommendations and noted it is important for Council to consider the implications of providing additional financial support in an area where senior governments have the responsibility.
Carol Ann Young and Jeff Brooks were present to respond to questions from Council.
The following spoke in support of staff's recommendations:
Sarah VanBalkon, parent
Astrid Visscher, Spare Time Child Care Society
Katherine Gee, parent
Steve Bouchard, President, Ray-Cam Cooperative Association
Rita Chudnovsky, BC Childcare Advocacy Forum and member Vancouver City Planning Commission (material filed)
Ron Suzuki, Strathcona Community Centre Preschool
Sabine Tanasiuk, Childcare and Family Programs Coordinator, Ray-Cam Community Centre
Rose Bonnerdahl, One Step Access Centre, Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House
Jennifer Standeven, Mt. Pleasant Neighbourhood House
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the follows:
· support for staff's recommendations and additional funding to the Childcare grant program ;
· recent reductions in Provincial funding have created instability in child care programs, that would be eased by funding strategy outlined in staff's report;
· as fewer can afford childcare, enrollment drops, and staff must be let go;
· difficult to provide safe meaningful age-appropriate programs without more help;
· single moms not working or going to school would quality for the City's grant program, which would allow for social interaction opportunities for their children;
· childcare programs are collapsing as many parents with limited resources no longer qualify for subsidies;
· few developed countries in the world are without a comprehensive childcare system;
· the City needs to take a leadership role in encouraging all levels of government to work together to develop a childcare system that meets the needs of all children;
· many families who can no longer afford licensed programs are now opting for either unlicensed unregulated childcare or self-care;
· if a child is unable to attend preschool this impacts their readiness for kindergarten;
· crime, aggressive behaviour and graffiti all have links to early child care;
· childcare subsidy system not working for families;
· services offered through West Coast Resource Centre will be defunded as of next year - where will parents go for this information;
· denying children access to early childhood experience is not living up to the UN Charter of Rights for children
· special needs children are particularly hurt by child care funding cuts; Mt. Pleasant Childcare Centre will lose their special needs consultant due to these cuts;
· parents now find themselves having to make choices between food, rent or safe children.
Council requested staff prepare a memo back highlighting issues raised this day as they related to reinstatement of the Child and Youth Advocate.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council direct staff to submit a brief on behalf of Council to the Standing Committee on Finance for the 2003 pre-budget consultation in relation to child care funding.
B. THAT Council write to the provincial government to request that they reverse child care funding cuts; tie the new provincial operating grant to licensed capacity and affordability, and ensure that federal child care funds are allocated to the new operating grant program to increase affordability and program stability.
C. That Council take a leadership role in encouraging all levels of government to work together to develop a childcare system that meets the needs of all children, which would include writing to the Federal Government outlining its concerns regarding the use of federal multilateral child care/child development funds in British Columbia.
D. THAT Council approve additional funding to the Childcare grant program of $162,250 annually to be directed to grants for improving child care affordability and stabilization under the Inner City grant program, subject to evaluation and report back in early 2004; source of funds for 2003 to be from Contingency Reserve. Subject to the report back, funding for 2004 and subsequent years of $162,250 would be added to the Civic Grants Budget without offset.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Stevenson absent on Civic Business and Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)
The Committee adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JULY 24, 2003
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A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, July 24, 2003, at 1:10 p.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:
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Deputy Mayor Ellen Woodsworth
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Jim Green
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Tim Louis
Councillor Anne Roberts
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ABSENT:
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Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
Councillor Tim Stevenson (Civic Business)
Councillor Sam Sullivan
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
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Judy Rogers, City Manager
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
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Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator
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COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Woodsworth in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
July 24, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl. 1: Parking Operations & Enforcement Branch - Service Level Update
Cl. 2: Graffiti Management Program
Cl. 3: One-Year Update of the Anti-Graffiti Unit
Cl. 4: 2003 Childcare Grants Allocation 2 of 3
Cl. 5: Protecting the Availability of Child Care Spaces and Programs
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
Clause 4
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Louie
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS
B. Motions on Notice
1. Increasing Public Access to Council (File 1259)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
NOT SECONDED
WHEREAS, a committee of Councillors Sullivan, Bass and Roberts on Increasing Public Access to Council will be recommending the following:
THAT Council continue to hear delegations at the Standing Committee meetings of Council, but where a matter on the agenda is of broad public interest, delegations be heard at Committee but debate be held at the next Regular Council meeting on Tuesday.
AND WHEREAS the Thursday, 24th July committee meetings have several items of broad public interest:
· Childcare,
· Slots, and
· False Creek Flats
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that delegations be heard at Committee but that these items be debated and voted on at the next televised Council meeting on Tuesday, July 29th.
Not Put
NEW BUSINESS
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Louis (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT Councillor Louis be granted Leave of Absence for the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of July 24, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Bass (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Louie
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT Councillor Bass be granted Leave of Absence for the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of July 29, 2003, and a portion of the Regular Council meeting of the same date.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 1:12 p.m.
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