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REPORT TO COUNCIL   STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC NOVEMBER 4, 2003

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2003 , at 9:30 a.m. , in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Fred Bass, Chair Mayor Larry Campbell Councillor Jim Green Councillor Peter Ladner, Vice-Chair Councillor Raymond Louie Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Anne Roberts Councillor Tim Stevenson Councillor Sam Sullivan Councillor Ellen Woodsworth
ABSENT:	Councillor David Cadman (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator

 

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of October 7, 2003 , were adopted.

 

RECOMMENDATION

1.   TransLink 10 Year Transportation Outlook and Three-Year Financial Strategy (File  5561 )

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 17, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services in consultation with the Director of City Plans provided an outline of planned actions, costs and revenues presented in TransLink's 10 Year Transportation Outlook and Three-Year Financial Strategy document, discussed certain key issues and implications for the City of Vancouver, and recommended changes to the plan for consideration by TransLink.

Dave Rudberg, General Manager, Engineering Services, reviewed some of the key recommendations and noted staff are recommending general support for the plan and finance strategy because it balances road and transit improvements, begins to balance suburban and urban needs, recognizes other transportation modes such as cycling and HandiDart, and contains a balance of revenue sources to pay for the plan. Glen Leicester, TransLink, responded to questions regarding cost and reliability of trolley buses and diesel buses.

The following speakers expressed general or partial support for the recommendations for changes to TransLink's plan, and offered additional suggestions and comments:

Andy Ross, Chair, Transportation Committee, BC Federation of Labour

Ray Straatsma, BEST

Kevin Washbrook

Marvin Shaffer

Phil Le Good

Jack Becker, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition

Edith Lear

Anne Judge

The following is a summary of comments made by the foregoing speakers:

• support was expressed for a comprehensive regional plan that will improve livability and promote industrial growth; however, the plan must be affordable;
• a publicly owned and operated system is preferred over involving the private sector;
• concern was expressed regarding financing of RAV;
• BEST supports all of staff's recommendations, however, there is a lack of comprehensive strategy between goals in the plan and the plan needs to incorporate fuel alternatives and green design;
• concern was expressed that the plan relies on supply strategies and there is no plan for relieving congestion; to reduce congestion we need to move ahead with TDM;
• support was expressed for parking tax but it needs to happen at a regional level;
• recommendation was made that TransLink actively negotiate with the province to obtain authority to impose system-wide tolling;
• recommendation was made that TransLink begin comprehensive public dialogue on what type of public transit is needed and how to pay for it;
• the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver rapid transit project and the replacement of its electric trolley fleet cannot be justified;
• effective transportation demand management requires the development of acceptable transportation-related charges; charges that directly signal drivers the costs of their road use;
• there is no point in going forward with a transportation plan until there is a more comprehensive land use plan;
• support was expressed for going forward with trolleys because diesels and fuel cells don't work;
• support was expressed for staff's recommendation to increase funding for cycling; a comprehensive cycling plan is required for a truly sustainable region to be achieved;
• opposition expressed regarding increasing property taxes;
• if all of the increases are implemented it will be an unacceptable burden on seniors and those with fixed incomes; more consideration needs to be given to how plans affect seniors;
• suggestion was made to provide a program for seniors similar to U-Pass.

The following spoke in support of the recommendation that City Council reject an increase in parking taxes:

Don Weber, Bowma BC

Kathi Thompson, President, DVBIA

Henry Lee, Tom Lee Music

Russ Fraser

Stuart Swain, General Manager, Pacific Centre

Zack Bhatia, General Manager, Days Inn Vancouver Downtown

Bill Stanbury, The Bay Downtown

The following is a summary of comments made by the foregoing speakers:

• increasing parking taxes would have a negative impact on businesses across the city and especially downtown;
• the downtown parking tax is already inequitable and disproportionate;
• it would be very costly to direct and administer parking stall taxes;
• offstreet parking is a major deciding factor on whether people travel downtown;
• downtown retail businesses, the tourism industry, universities and cultural events all require affordable parking;
• we cannot afford to deter commercial developers with parking taxes;
• suburban retail outlets offer free parking which attracts customers making it an unfair advantage; it is more fair if everyone contributes;
• a gasoline tax should be considered because it would cover a wider scope;
• opposed to increasing parking tax because downtown needs to be made more viable to attract more large retail stores.
•  

Sarah Smith, Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance, provided information on the benefits of using natural gas to fuel busses and urged Council to recommend the use of natural gas to TransLink.

Due to time constraints, Council agreed to refer discussion and decision on the matter to the afternoon Regular Council meeting this day.

2.   Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project - Process and Staffing (File 5559)

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated September 29, 2003, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Directors of City Plans and Current Planning reviewed the procurement phase of the Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project through to the end of 2005 including the public process planned by RAV this fall, and recommended approval of staffing so the City can participate in the public process and provide input into the various stages of the procurement process.

Wayne Pledger, Strategic Transportation Planning Engineer, reviewed the major elements of the report which he noted mainly involve staffing, and with Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, responded to questions.

MOVED by Mayor Campbell

A. THAT the City work with RAV Project Management Ltd. (RAVCO) and proponents on the planning for, and design of the Richmond/Airport - Vancouver rapid transit system including providing input into and participating in future public consultation processes.

B. THAT Council accept $150,000 from RAVCO to offset City costs and approve funding of $220,000 in advance of the 2004 Operating Budget for the Procurement Phase of the RAV Project as described in detail in the Administrative Report dated September 29, 2003 , entitled "Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project - Process and Staffing".

C. THAT Council approve the following one year temporary positions (Civil Engineer III, Planner II and Clerk Typist), subject to Human Resources Classification.

D. THAT staff report back in late 2004 with a recommended work program and budget should the Project proceed to the detailed design and construction phase.

carried

AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Roberts

THAT Recommendation B be amended by replacing the words "approve funding of $220,000" with "request $220,000 from RAVCO".

LOST

(Councillors Bass, Green, Ladner, Louie, Stevenson, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)

The amendment having lost, Mayor Campbell's motion was put and CARRIED with Councillors Louis and Roberts opposed to B and C.

The Committee adjourned at 12:30 p.m.

 

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CITY OF VANCOUVER   REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC   NOVEMBER 4, 2003

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, November 4, 2003 , at 12: 30 p.m. , in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.

PRESENT:	Mayor Larry Campbell Councillor Fred Bass Councillor Jim Green Councillor Peter Ladner Councillor Raymond Louie Councillor Tim Louis Councillor Anne Roberts Councillor Tim Stevenson Councillor Sam Sullivan Councillor Ellen Woodsworth
ABSENT:	Councillor David Cadman (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:	Lori Isfeld, Meeting Coordinator

 

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Louis

SECONDED by Councillor Roberts

THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

Report of Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic

November 4, 2003

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the foregoing report:

  Cl. 1:   TransLink 10 Year Transportation Outlook and Three-Year Financial Strategy

  Cl. 2:   Richmond/Airport-Vancouver Rapid Transit Project - Process and Staffing

Due to time constraints, Council agreed to refer discussion and decision on Clause 1 to the afternoon Regular Council meeting this day.

MOVED by Councillor Bass

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.

CARRIED

(Councillors Louis and Roberts opposed to C and D)

 

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Louis

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Louis

SECONDED by Councillor Roberts

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

 

The Council adjourned at 12:32 p.m.

 

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