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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
DECEMBER 4, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, December 4, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Tim Louis, Chair |
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 meeting of November 6, 2003, were adopted.
VARY AGENDA
The Committee agreed to vary the Agenda in order to consider a sixth item related to the reclassification of the City of Vancouver's Credit Rating. The items are minuted in the order in which they where dealt with.
RECOMMENDATION
1. 2003 Partners in Organizational Development Grant Allocation (File 2401)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 12, 2003, in which the Director of Social Planning recommended approval of the City's contribution to the Partners in Organizational Development (POD) program for community service agencies in Vancouver. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Coralys Cuthbert, Social Planner, provided a brief overview of the report and responded to questions related to the program.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve a Partners in Organizational Development grant of $20,000 to the United Way of the Lower Mainland for subsequent distribution to seven community services organizations in the amounts listed in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated November 12, 2003, entitled "2003 Partners in Organizational Development Grant Allocation", source of funds to be the 2003 Community Services grants budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan and the Mayor absent for the vote.)
2. Major Exhibiting Institutions - One-Time Supplemental Requests: Guidelines and Criteria (File 2050)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 16, 2003, in which the Director of Office of Cultural Affairs recommended eligibility criteria and guidelines for any future supplemental requests from the Major Exhibiting Institutions. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Karen Hasselfelt, Cultural Planner, provided a brief overview of the report and responded to a question related to grant requests.
Andrew Kadler, Board President, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, spoke in favour of staff's recommendation and introduced Donna Livingstone, Executive Director, H.R. MacMillan Space Centre.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the recommended guidelines and criteria for One-Time Supplemental Requests from the Major Exhibiting Institutions as outlined in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated October 16, 2003, entitled "Major Exhibiting Institutions - One-Time Supplemental Requests: Guidelines and Criteria".
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan and the Mayor absent for the vote.)
3. Olympic Youth Legacy: 2003 Events (File 4209)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 17, 2003, in which the General Manager of Parks and Recreation sought Council approval for funds in the year 2003 to implement a pilot program designed to capture the Olympic spirit and get an early start on living the legacy which the 2010 Winter Games will bring to Vancouver. This initiative specifically responds to recommendations resulting from a series of public forums regarding the Olympics and sustainability hosted by the City in 2003 as outlined in the Mayor's report, Ensuring Vancouver's Olympic and Paralympic Legacy. The City Manager recommended approval.
Lori MacKay, District Director - Vancouver East, Parks and Recreation, introduced Booth Palmer, Child and Youth Services Coordinator - Vancouver East, Parks and Recreation, and provided an overview of the program. Ms. MacKay responded to questions concerning the program including the possibility of outreach services to promote multi-cultural participation and financial implications.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve a one time only addition of $20,000 to Park Board=s 2003 Operating Budget to implement winter demonstration programs aimed to expand access to community arts, sport and recreation programs; to be funded from Contingency Reserve.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. City of Vancouver - Credit Rating (File 1501)
Judy Rogers, City Manager, introduced this item, noting that Dominion Bond Rating Services Limited (DBRS) issued a press release this morning advising that the City of Vancouver's credit rating has been reclassified from AAA to AA (high) with a stable trend (on file). Ms. Rogers added that the City of Vancouver still has one of the highest credit ratings of a municipality in the country.
Estelle Lo, General Manager of Corporate Services, referring to an analysis (on file), provided further details of the reclassification and how it will impact the City of Vancouver's financial situation. Ms. Lo, together with Ken Bayne, Director of Financial Planning and Treasury, responded to questions concerning the impacts and whether the AAA status can be regained.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council receive the verbal report on the City of Vancouver's Credit Rating Reclassification for information.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Roberts and the Mayor absent for the vote.)
4. Carnegie Outreach Program (File 4161)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 21, 2003, in which the Director of Carnegie Centre, in consultation with the Drug Policy Coordinator, sought Council approval for renewed funding for the Carnegie Outreach program as a key component of the Vancouver Agreement Health and Safety Initiative. The City Manager recommended approval of the foregoing and noted that while the Carnegie Outreach Program is part of the City's contribution to the DTES, there are also several other significant demands on the 2004 Operating Budget. She suggested this program be added to the Community Services Group Contingency Reserve proposals for Council's deliberation as part of the budget process. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval of Recommendations A and B as one component of the City's contribution to the Vancouver Agreement Health and Safety Initiative and concurred with the approach recommended by the City Manager.
Michael Clague, Director, Carnegie Centre, introduced Donald MacPherson, Drug Policy Coordinator, Bob Ross, Consultant, Engineering Services for the Downtown Eastside Revitalization Program, and Muggs Sigurgierson, Board Member, Carnegie Community Centre Association. Mr. Clague reviewed the purpose of the Carnegie Outreach program and clarified a number of issues with respect to similar outreach services provided by other agencies. Messrs. MacPherson and Ross provided further details of the program. Ms. Sigurgierson spoke in support of continuation of the Carnegie Outreach program, noting this initiative evolved out of the drug-related crises facing the neighbourhood and that it would be a tragedy to see this program interrupted.
Messrs. Clague and Ross responded to questions concerning the number of people employed in the program, duplication of outreach services by other agencies and the lack of public toilets in the area.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve in principle the continuation of the Carnegie Outreach program for another year at a cost of $300,000, subject to overall 2004 budget priorities.
B. THAT, subject to the program proceeding, staff report back on the progress of the program and the success in securing outside funds in July 2004, in order to allow Council the opportunity to extend the program or have it conclude in December 2004.
carried
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT A be amended by striking the words "at a cost of $300,000".
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
The amendment to A having lost, Councillor Woodsworth's Motion was put and CARRIED with Councillor Ladner opposed.
5. 2004 Business License Fees: Fees for Live-aboard Boats (File 113/1757)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 20, 2003, in which the General Manager of Corporate Services and the Director of Financial Planning and Treasury sought Council's approval for an increase in the fees charged under the License By-law to marina operators that host live-aboard boats at their marinas. They also reported back to Council on the fees paid by users at Heather Marina, following Council's request arising from the City Services and Budget Committee meeting on February 27, 2003.
Ken Bayne, Director of Financial Planning and Treasury, provided a brief overview of the report.
The following expressed concern regarding the proposed increase in license fees for marina operators that host live-aboard boats:
Ken Petry
Debbie Hill
Rolf Zaar
Barry Ober
Steve Kempton
Janet Dunn
Merle Marchessault
Ernest Burden
A summary of speakers' comments follows:
· reconsider the proposed increase and adopt Option 2 of the report which will give residents of live-aboard boats a benefit similar to the Homeowner Grant;
· request a review on the method of calculating live-aboard license fees in future;
· Council should consider:
· calculating live-aboard license fees based on net property taxes;
· foregoing the 4% increase, which did not go before Council last year, since it would be unfair to residents of live-aboards; and
· waiving the $26.50 maintenance fee until more information can be provided or until a professional survey on the state of the facilities
and future replacement costs is completed and reported back to Council;
· find it hard to see the City losing money if a seniors grant was given, especially since the seniors at Burrard Marina have a 10% reduction in the total moorage;
· Council should urge staff to enforce the by-law regulating live-aboard boats and collect fees from those who aren't licensed.
In response to concerns raised by the foregoing speakers, Council requested an information memorandum identifying the following:
· issues relating to the provincial government providing a homeowners grant or an equivalent for residents of live-aboards;
· applying an assessment methodology to live-aboard boats similar to that applied to land-based property.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve the following license fee for marina operators based on the number and length of occupied live-aboard boats in the marina operator's marina for 2004 based on Option 1 (continuation of current policy) in the Administrative Report dated October 20, 2003, entitled "2004 Business License Fees: Fees for Live-aboard Boats":
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Boat Length at Waterline |
Proposed 2004 Live-Aboard Fee |
<= 21 feet |
$789 |
> 21 feet and < 26 feet |
$954 |
> 26 feet and < 31 feet |
$1,073 |
>31 feet and <37 feet |
$1,225 |
> 37 feet |
$1,351 |
AND THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to prepare the necessary By-Law amendments to the License By-Law to be effective January 1, 2004
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 4, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, December 4, 2003, at 1:15 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 Fred Bass
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator |
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
December 4, 2003
Council considered the report containing the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets. Its items of business included:
1. 2003 Partners in Organizational Development Grant Allocation
2. Major Exhibiting Institutions - One-Time Supplemental Requests: Guidelines and Criteria
3. Olympic Youth Legacy: 2003 Events
4. Carnegie Outreach Program
5. 2004 Business License Fees: Fees for Live-aboard Boats
6. City of Vancouver - Credit Rating
Items 1 and 2
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets at its meeting of Thursday, December 4, 2003, as contained in Items 1 and 2, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
Items 3 - 6
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets at its meeting of Thursday, December 4, 2003, as contained in Items 3 - 6, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS
B. Motions on Notice
1. Extended Liquor Primary Hours: Comprehensive Hours of Service Policy Guidelines and Interim Policy Recommendations (File 2610)
At the Regular Council meeting held Tuesday, December 2, 2003, the following Motion was submitted. Councillor Ladner called Notice under Section 5.4 (c) of the Procedure By-law.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
SECONDED by Councillor Green
THAT Vancouver City Council reconsider the following Motion adopted on November 20, 2003:
Establishments within the downtown trial period boundaries will be permitted to apply to extend their hours of liquor service by up to a maximum of two additional hours, not to exceed 4 am, subject to:
a. Approvals being limited to Friday and Saturday nights and nights preceding statutory holidays; and
b. The initial temporary approval being limited to such a period of time that allows for the review of a revised fee structure to provide for cost recovery of the policy development and monitoring during the interim period.
CARRIED AND BY THE
REQUIRED MAJORITY
(Councillor Louis opposed)
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
SECONDED by Councillor Green
THAT the motion adopted on November 20, 2003, be amended to read as follows:
THAT establishments within the downtown trial period boundaries will be permitted to apply to extend their hours to 4 am, subject to:
a. Approvals being limited to Friday and Saturday nights and nights preceding statutory holidays; and
b. The initial temporary approval being limited to such a period of time that allows for the review of a revised fee structure to provide for cost recovery of the policy development and monitoring during the interim period.
CARRIED AND BY THE
REQUIRED MAJORITY
(Councillor Louis opposed)
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence - Mayor Campbell (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT Mayor Campbell be granted Leave of Absence from the Public Hearing of December 10, 2003, and the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting of December 11, 2003.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 1:34 p.m.
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