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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, September 11, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
*Councillor Tim Louis, Chair |
ABSENT: |
Councillor Raymond Louie |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, 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 meetings of July 24, and July 31, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Lease/Sublease/License of City-owned Capital Assets to Non-Profit Organizations (File 5104)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated August 26, 2003, in which the Directors of Office of Cultural Affairs and Social Planning, in conjunction with the Directors of Legal Services, Real Estate, Facilities Design and Management and Risk and Emergency Management, sought Council's approval to conclude new agreements between the City and twenty-seven (27) non-profit organizations occupying City-owned buildings or on City-owned land as tenants. The General Managers of Community and Corporate Services recommended approval.
Sue Harvey, Senior Social and Cultural Planner, provided a brief overview of the report and noted the Mount Pleasant Child Care Centre which has an existing lease with the City should not have been included in Appendix A.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve new legal agreements with the eighteen (18) non-profit childcare organizations named in Appendix "A" (as revised at the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting on September 11, 2003) of the Administrative Report dated August 26, 2003, entitled "Lease/Sublease/License of City-Owned Capital Assets to Non-Profit Organizations", for the use of City-owned or leased property at nominal rates ($1), subject to terms and conditions as outlined in this report and such further and other terms and conditions as are acceptable to the Director of Legal Services in consultation with the Directors of Real Estate, Social Planning and Risk and Emergency Management;
B. THAT Council approve new legal agreements with the eight (8) non-profit social service and cultural organizations named in Appendix "B" of the Administrative Report dated August 26, 2003, entitled "Lease/Sublease/License of City-Owned Capital Assets to Non-Profit Organizations", for the use of City-owned or leased property at nominal rates ($1), subject to terms and conditions as outlined in this report and such further and other terms and conditions as are acceptable to the Director of Legal Services in consultation with the Directors of Real Estate, Social Planning, the Office of Cultural Affairs and Risk and Emergency Management;
C. THAT no rights or obligations hereby arise or take effect under the legal agreements until each is signed by all parties;
D. THAT Council direct staff to utilize the framework for agreements outlined in the Administrative Report dated August 26, 2003, entitled "Lease/Sublease/License of City-Owned Capital Assets to Non-Profit Organizations" for all future leases/subleases/licenses to non-profit organizations occupying capital assets;
E. THAT Council authorize the allocation of an additional $55,500 to the Facilities Maintenance Budget for maintenance services; source of funds to be Contingency Reserve in 2003 with an ongoing increase to the annual operating budget without offset thereafter;
F. THAT Council authorize a transfer of the City's interest in any objects and furniture (but excluding any fixtures and leasehold improvements) currently in use within the leased/subleased/licensed premises for nominal consideration to the non-profit tenant; and
G. THAT Council direct staff to include all City-owned buildings occupied by social service, community and cultural tenants as Capital Assets in the City's Structural and Physical Plant Upgrading Programs in future Capital Plans.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Roberts absent for the vote)
2. Reconsideration of 2003 Cultural Grant Recommendations (File 2051)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 30, 2003, in which the Director of Office of Cultural Affairs relayed the results of staff's reconsideration of two Cultural grant applications from the second Project Grants deadline in June as requested by grant applicants, and made recommendations based on the outcome of this process. The General Manager of Community Services presented the foregoing for Council's consideration.
Karen Hasselfelt, Cultural Planner, was available to respond to questions.
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council not approve a Project Grant to Absolut Theatre Company, in accordance with the Director of Cultural Affairs' original recommendation; and
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
B. THAT Council not approve a Project Grant to the Eastside Culture Crawl Society, in accordance with the Director of Cultural Affairs' original recommendation.
CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Woodsworth opposed)
3. Provincial Proposal to Reduce Property Taxes for Port Industry Firms (File 1551/8109)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated August 22, 2003, in which the General Manager of Corporate Services described the provincial proposal to limit property taxes paid by private companies that work in the port industry by means of a tax rate cap and new tax exemptions, discussed the implications of the proposal, and provided Council the opportunity to communicate its position on the proposal to the Province.
Karen Levitt, Manager of Financial Planning, briefly referenced the report, noting that there is a fourth element which should have been included in the list of components that make up the provincial proposal and which would establish a time limited maximum tax rate of $25 per every $1000 of new investment in port terminals. Ms. Levitt responded to questions concerning the impacts of the proposed changes to the City, the responses from other municipalities, and whether the province could give port industries a direct subsidy.
Robin Sylvester, President, P & O Ports Canada Inc., spoke in opposition to staff's recommendation. He noted the level of municipal taxation to ports is a very significant competitive issue and pointed out that the ratio of port property tax to residential property tax in Vancouver has increased from 4 to 10 times over the last 15 years which makes it a burden on port industries, placing them at a competitive disadvantage compared to Seattle and Tacoma. He further added that British Columbia currently has the highest level of property taxation for all property in North America.
Ms. Levitt, together with Estelle Lo, General Manager and Director of Finance, responded to questions regarding other alternatives for addressing this issue and whether it would be appropriate to involve the GVRD.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the Mayor send a letter to the British Columbia Premier, Minister of Finance, Minister of Transportation, Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise, Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women's Services, and Minister of Sustainable Resource Management (who is responsible for the BC Assessment Authority), that expresses City Council's objection to the provincial proposal to limit property taxes paid by private companies that work in the port industry by means of a tax rate cap and new tax exemptions.
CARRIED UANIMOUSLY
(The Mayor absent for the vote.)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
B. THAT Council forward the Administrative Report dated August 22, 2003, entitled "Provincial Proposal to Reduce Property Taxes for Port Industry Firms" to the GVRD, and ask them to request that their member municipalities who host port industries ask the Province to provide a direct subsidy to port industries rather than tamper with municipal tax policies.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(The Mayor absent for the vote.)
4. Council Motion on Pricing Practices and Service Privatization of BC Hydro (File 5806)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated August 21, 2003, in which the General Manager of Corporate Services responded to Council's directive to report back on the impact of market-based electricity pricing on the City of Vancouver, as well as potential job loss from privatization of BC Hydro services to Accenture Ltd.
Estelle Lo, General Manager and Director of Finance, explained the rationale for the report and introduced Roger Fast, Director of Business Support, and Ron Chisholm, Business Consultant. Staff responded to questions related to the report.
The following spoke in opposition to the privatization of BC Hydro services:
Jim Sinclair, President, BC Federation of Labour
Murray Dobbin, Council of Canadians
Al Engler, Vancouver and District Labour Council
Laszlo Gati
Frank McGreal
Joy McPhail, MLA for Vancouver Hastings
John Young, Citizens for Public Power
A summary of speakers' comments follow:
· with BC Hydro outsourcing to Accenture, the next stage could be integration into the USA which could cost the public millions of dollars; it's not too late for Council to take a strong stand in opposing the privatization of BC Hydro;
· if we follow Alberta and Ontario there's no question who will control the cost of electricity; many members of the Council of Canadians are seniors on fixed incomes who can't cope with increased electricity prices;
· Council is strongly urged to do what is practical because the provincial government is putting private interests ahead of public interests;
· in order for the citizens of Vancouver to have a legitimate source of affordable, clean energy, it is incumbent on Council to support BC Hydro as a public entity and reverse any future plans for privatization;
· access to affordable electricity is a human right and the decision being made by BC Hydro could be disastrous for the citizens of British Columbia.
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At this point in the proceedings the Chair left the meeting and Councillor Woodsworth,
Vice-Chair, assumed the Chair.
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Stephen Bruyneel, Manager of Corporate Communications, BC Hydro, spoke in favour of the privatization of BC Hydro services and clarified a number of points in the report. He also pointed out that BC Hydro looked to outsource customer service and IT functions to someone who could do it cheaper and provide better service. Mr. Bruyneel further added that BC Hydro's goal is to provide the lowest rates possible for electricity.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
WHEREAS the privatization, deregulation and threatened break-up of BC Hydro exposes the City of Vancouver to increased electricity costs and job loss;
AND WHEREAS similar proposals implemented in Alberta and Ontario have exposed consumers and business to devastating power rate increases and reduced service;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Vancouver City Council:
1. Publicly voice its support for the class action lawsuit being brought against the provincial government which seeks to stop any and all attempts aimed at privatizing all or part of BC Hydro.
2. Call upon the provincial government to abandon its plan to join the US-based private utility consortium known as RTO West in light of the threat that such an action would pose to the stability and sovereignty of the province's electricity system.
3. Call upon the provincial government to cease all efforts to break-up what has, until recently, been an efficient, integrated public utility and return the transmission function of BC Hydro as a line of business within the integrated utility rather than proceeding as a new company (BC Transmission Corporation) created under the Company Act in May of 2003.
4. Request a meeting with the Ministry of Energy and Vancouver MLA's.
5. Send the foregoing to the UBCM as an emergency resolution.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
(Councillor Louis absent for the vote)
The Committee adjourned at 1:21 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 11, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, September 11, 2003, at 1:21 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: |
Mayor Larry Campbell
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Raymond Louie
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator |
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
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:
(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 OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
September 11, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl.1: Lease/Sublease/License of City-Owned Capital Assets to Non-Profit Organizations
Cl.2: Reconsideration of 2003 Cultural Grant Recommendations
Cl.3: Provincial Proposal to Reduce Property Taxes for Port Industry Firms
Cl.4: Council Motion on Pricing Practices and Service Privatization of BC Hydro
Clause 1
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
Clause 2
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED
(Councillors Bass and Woodsworth opposed to B)
Clause 3
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause 4
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
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 Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS
B. Motions on Notice
1. TransLink's Proposed Parking Sales Tax Increase (File 5561)
At the Regular Council meeting held Tuesday, September 9, 2003, the following Motion was submitted by Councillor Roberts. Councillor Sullivan called Notice under Section 5.4 (c) of the Procedure By-law
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT staff provide information on any adverse impacts primarily on downtown businesses, as well as other business areas that rely on paid parking such as the Broadway corridor, from TransLink's proposed parking sales tax increase as indicated in its three-year plan, and
THAT staff examine the broader regional application of a parking stall tax throughout the GVRD as a more equitable levy for businesses in Vancouver.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 1:24 p.m.
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