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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
OCTOBER 9, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, October 9, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Tim Louis, Chair
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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 meetings of September 11, and 18, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Vancouver City Planning Commission: Supplemental Funding Request (File 3107-1)
The Committee had before it a Report dated September 23, 2003, from the Vancouver City Planning Commission, requesting supplemental funding to participate in a jointly funded initiative to create an interactive website related to affordable housing and alternative housing choices. The City Manager advised that other City staff have been involved in Affordable Housing Policies over many years and that if Council is going to provide funding for this study, appropriate City staff will need to be involved to assist.
Reena Lazar, Chair, Vancouver City Planning Commission, introduced Thomas Pryce-Digby, Member, and Robert Buller, General Manager, Vancouver City Planning Commission. Ms. Lazar and Mr. Digby provided an overview of the report.
In response to questions, Ms. Lazar and Mr. Pryce-Digby agreed to report back with further details of the web site, including promotion, maintenance and design, by mid-December.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the Vancouver City Council approve supplemental funding of $10,000 to the Vancouver City Planning Commission (VCPC) to cover one third of the cost for the creation of Alternative Futures, an interactive website highlighting alternative and affordable housing in Vancouver. Additional funds are being sought from the Real Estate Foundation of BC, VanCity, and the City.
B. THAT the source of funds be from the 2003 Contingency Reserve.
CARRIED UNANIMOULSY
(Councillor Louie absent for the vote.)
2. Revisions to the Community Services Grants Program (File 2151)
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated September 23, 2003, in which the Director of Social Planning sought Council's endorsement of the proposed changes to the Community Services Grants program so that these changes can be implemented by the beginning of the 2004 Community Services Grants application and review process. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Rick Gates, Social Planner, provided an overview of the report and introduced Jeff Brooks, Director of Social Planning, as well as members of the grant review team.
Mr. Gates and Mr. Brooks responded to questions concerning the impacts on the program resulting from provincial funding cuts to social services.
The following spoke in general favour of the proposed changes to the Community Services Grants program and expressed concern with regard to a number of aspects:
Linda Mix, Coordinator, Tenant's Rights Action Coalition
Margaret Birrell, Executive Director, B.C. Coalition of People with Disabilities
A summary of speakers' comments follows:
· the application process could become onerous for some organizations who may not have the capacity to prepare a grant proposal; recommend the new application form be reviewed by representatives of some of the groups as it is time consuming;
· asking staff to create a new program/application process using the existing budget will be an impossible task and some groups may not meet the criteria - Council needs to address this funding shortfall;
· given the new climate, it is important to review organizations that are ineligible for services again.
Caryn Duncan, Vancouver Women's Health Collective, expressed opposition to the proposed changes to the Community Services Grants program. Ms. Duncan pointed out that these changes mean the City of Vancouver will not fund the organizations that will be facing provincial funding cuts. She added that without replacement funding Vancouver Women's Health Collective may have to close its doors and she hoped this program could be opened up to more organizations. Ms. Duncan also urged Council to consider increasing the funding for grants.
Staff, together with Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager, responded to questions concerning the City's budget for grants and whether this budget could be increased.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve the creation of three categories of Community Services Grants, as described in Appendix A.1 of the Policy Report dated September 23, 2003, entitled "Revisions to the Community Services Grants Program".
B. THAT Council adopt, as policy, the three sets of eligibility criteria, outlined in Appendix A.2 of the Policy Report dated September 23, 2003, entitled "Revisions to the Community Services Grants Program", which apply to the new categories of Community Services Grants
C. THAT Council approve, as policy, the priorities for the Direct Social Services category of Community Services Grants, as outlined in Appendix A.3 of the Policy Report dated September 23, 2003, entitled "Revisions to the Community Services Grants Program".
D. THAT Council reconfirm, as policy, the other aspects, including proposed minor changes, of the CS Grants program as described in Appendix A.4 of the Policy Report dated September 23, 2003, entitled "Revisions to the Community Services Grants Program". This includes: Basic Eligibility Criteria, Ineligible Services, Core Funding Guidelines, Rent Subsidy Grants, and the Reconsideration Process.
E. THAT Council direct Social Planning staff to report back on any shortfall between the application for funds by groups that meet the Community Services Grants Program criteria and the budget so that Council may support an increase in the Contingency Reserve to meet the need.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Less Is Not Necessarily More (File 2613-1)
At its meeting on October 7, 2003, Council agreed to refer the above noted Motion to the next regularly scheduled Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets in order to hear from delegations.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it the relevant Motion.
The following spoke in favour of reviewing by-laws regulating Class 1 Restaurants:
T. Paul Ste. Marie
Monica Lee, Musician
Sandy Smith
Neil Hammond, Musician
John Halliday, Cottage Bistro
Eugene Dong, Owner, Cottage Bistro
Wendy Cutler
Ilona Yue
Ellie O'Day
A summary of speakers' comments follows:
· thankful Council is going this way - musicians bring magic to the city and need this kind of community support;
· musicians are serious players, not teenagers, and know when the volume is being used negatively;
· Cottage Bistro is a place where the community can see musicians but if they are allowed to play too loudly customers will leave - it's common sense;
· when the by-law is reviewed it is hoped that the opportunity for dancers to perform in restaurants is allowed;
· Council should ensure that all stakeholders are at the table during the review.
MOVED by Councillor Green
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
WHEREAS Vancouver is a Cultural Capital of Canada;
AND WHEREAS Arts and Culture are essential to the vitality of Vancouver's neighbourhoods;
AND WHEREAS Vancouver is a city laden with a multiplicity of talents;
AND WHEREAS we need to encourage and showcase the performing arts;
AND WHEREAS the quiet enjoyment of community life is an essential part of strong neighbourhoods;
AND WHEREAS small businesses are the backbone of urban economics;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council request the City Manager to review and report back to Council on bylaws regulating class 1 restaurants.
carried unanimously
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the following be added to Councillor Green's Motion:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council ask staff not to enforce the by-law regulating class 1 restaurants while Council waits for this review.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Ladner, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
The amendment having lost, Councillor Green's Motion was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
The Committee adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
OCTOBER 9, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, October 9, 2003, at 12:15 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 (Leave of Absence - Civic Business) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Award of Tender - Pavement, Curbs and Concrete Work
New Engineering Works Yard (File 1805)
MOVED by Councillor Louis
A. THAT Council approve award of Contract No.0202500 for pavement, curbs and concrete work to the low complete tenderer, B.A. Blacktop Ltd., in the amount of $981,566.31 which includes PST and net GST. The funding is to be provided from 2002 Yards Basic Capital account number 30005178 in order group CA3EF and a transfer of $250,000 from 2003 Yards Basic Capital account number 30006220 in order group CB1EF1X1.
B. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to execute and deliver a Notice of Award on behalf of the City, and the Director of Legal Services be authorized to execute and deliver contract No. 0202500 on behalf of the City.
C. THAT no legal rights or obligations will be created or arise by Council's approval of Recommendation A of the Administrative Report dated October 1, 2003, entitled "Award of Tender - Pavement, Curbs and Concrete Work New Engineering Works Yard" unless and until a Notice of Award is executed and delivered by the City to B.A. Blacktop Ltd.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
October 9, 2003
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:
Cl.1: Vancouver City Planning Commission: Supplemental Funding Request
Cl.2: Revisions to the Community Services Grants Program
Cl.3: Less Is Not Necessarily More
Clauses 1 and 2
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 2 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clause 3
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the following be added to Councillor Green's Motion:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Council ask staff not to enforce the by-law regulating class 1 restaurants while Council waits for this review.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Ladner, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Bass (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT Councillor Bass be granted Leave of Absence at 5:00 p.m. from the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment Meeting to be held later that day.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Meeting Tapes (File 1251)
MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the tapes from the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of September 18, 2003, and the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of October 8, 2003, including the Council meeting directly following, be held for a period of time that Council will determine.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. City of Vancouver: Personnel Issues (File 1301)
MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT staff report back on the City of Vancouver's staff hiring and related practices, including conflict of interest policy.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 12:23 p.m.
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