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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
DECEMBER 11, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, December 11, 2003, at 9:30 a.m., in Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Tim Louis, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
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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 meeting of November 20, 2003, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. 2003 "Other" Grant Request - Wildlife Rescue Association of BC (File 2201)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 17, 2003, in which the General Manager of Corporate Services and Director of Financial Planning and Treasury presented a request for funding from the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC for Council's consideration.
Diane Elliott, Business Consultant - Corporate Services Group, provided a brief overview of the report and, together with David Sherwood, Business Consultant - Business Support, responded to questions related to the "Other" Grant category.
Janice Dickie, Executive Director, Wildlife Rescue Association of BC, provided a brief overview of the association's mandate and explained the rationale for the grant request.
In response to questions, staff agreed to provide a memo outlining the amount of funds budgeted for the Major Facilities and Annual Recurring categories.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve a grant of $4,500 to the Wildlife Rescue Association of BC; as the "Other" grants budget has been reallocated, the sources of funds for this request would be:
· $3,500 - Other Grants - Miscellaneous Grants
· $1,000 - Contingency Reserve.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Increased Rent Subsidy Grant for End Legislated Poverty (File 2151/2401)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 19, 2003, in which the Director of Social Planning provided the information needed for Council to decide whether or not to approve an increased rent subsidy grant to End Legislated Poverty. The General Manager of Community Services submitted the foregoing for consideration.
Rick Gates, Social Planner, was available to respond to questions.
The following spoke in favour of an increased rent subsidy grant to End Legislated Poverty:
Leslie Moore, Former Office Coordinator, End Legislated Poverty
Lisa Wulwik, End Legislated Poverty
Paul Leighton
Marilyn Young
Robin Crocker
Lily Loncar
Fred Ludwig
Tom McGregor, BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
Lorelei Hawkins, Board Chair, End Legislated Poverty
A summary of speakers' comments follow:
- End Legislated Poverty (ELP) is not asking for more money but asking that the City of Vancouver forego some rent revenue to help ensure ELP gets through this time of crises;
- it is crucial that ELP maintain its office because it is vital, provides a space for volunteers who have no where else to go outside of their homes, is close to transit and accessible;
- ELP is a grassroots organization open to anybody who has problems in many different areas including single parents and disabled on fixed-incomes;
- ELP has sustained massive provincial funding cuts in the last year and needs the increased rent subsidy grant while it gets through this difficult period of trying to reorganize;
- ELP is an important resource to the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities and it would be a great loss if Council does not support the recommendation for an increased rent subsidy grant.
Mr. Gates responded to a question concerning the source of funding.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
THAT Council approve an increase of $4,128 in the 2003 rent subsidy grant to End Legislated Poverty (in addition to the $7,872 already approved); source of funding is Contingency Reserve.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
INFORMATION
3. Award of Tender 2003-13 "Apartment Recycling Collection" (File 1805)
This item was withdrawn.
4. Bentall V Parkade - Parking Operation (File 5653)
This item was withdrawn.
RECOMMENDATION
5. Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of Vancouver (File 3001-1)
Vancouver City Council, at its meeting on Tuesday, December 9, 2003, received a Report Reference regarding an Action Plan for creating a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver. Council referred this item to the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting on Thursday, December 11, 2003, in order to hear from delegations.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it a Policy Report dated November 20, 2003, in which the Food Policy Task Force recommended Council adopt an Action Plan for creating a just and sustainable food system for the City of Vancouver. The report also outlined the components of the Action Plan and the resources needed to implement it. The strategic focus of the proposed Action Plan is on areas that fall within the jurisdiction of the City of Vancouver. The City Manager recommended adoption of recommendations A, B1, B2, B3 and C, noting that the work of the Food Policy Task Force demonstrates the benefits of the proposed Action Plan to Vancouver's citizens.
Jacquie Forbes-Roberts, General Manager of Community Services Group, Jeff Brooks, Director of Social Planning, Mario Lee and Wendy Mendes, Social Planners, and Nathan Edelson, Senior Planner - Central Area Planning, were available to respond to questions.
The following spoke in favour of the recommendations put forward by the Food Policy Task Force:
Andrea Reimer, Trustee, Vancouver School Board
Herb Barbolet
Shefali Raja, Representative, Vancouver Coastal Health Authority
Diane Collis, Vancouver Community Kitchen Project
Devorah Kahn, Executive Director, Your Local Farmers Market Society
Steven Lammers, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences,
University of British Columbia
Heather Pritchard, Farm Folk - City Folk
Heather Millar, Vancouver Fruit Tree Project
Andre LaRiviere
Sarah Chilvers, Vancouver Foundation
Karin Schreurs, Collingwood Neighbourhood House
Vijay Cuddeford
Karen Sabourin, USMOMS Community Projects
Susan Kurbis, Environmental Youth Alliance
Jackie Amsden, Environmental Youth Alliance
Paula Luther, Chickpea Nutritional Consulting
Stephanie Madill, Lower Mainland Food Coalition
Okalani LeBlanc, Environmental Youth Alliance
Shauna MacKinnen, Environmental Youth Alliance
Corinne Eisler, Nutritionist, Vancouver Food Policy Coalition
Carol Ranger, REACH Community Health Centre
Miriam Palacios, Oxfam Canada
Kristen Yarker
Ramesh Singal, Canadian Farm Workers Union
Colony Farm Sustainable Agriculture Training Centre
Nadia Hedar, Environmental Youth Alliance
Art Bomke
Jonathan Woods, Good Food Box
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The Committee recessed at 11:26 a.m. to convene in Council, with Deputy Mayor Cadman in the Chair, to consider recommendations 1 and 2 of the Committee and reconvened at 11:27 a.m. with the same members present to continue hearing speakers
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A summary of speakers' comments follow:
- the Vancouver School Board passed a motion on December 1, 2003, supporting the report of the Food Policy Task Force in principle;
- the Vancouver Food Policy Council will help set priorities about the kinds of food related issues the city has and the recommended staff positions are the only way to do this;
- food is fundamental to human rights; a good diet and adequate food supply are essential to well-being;
- Council should adopt the recommendations with an amendment to make the temporary Social Planning position permanent and hire the staff immediately;
- organizations such as UBC, SFU and Langara College, that offer themselves as sources of research in food security, need implementation support in the form of a Food Policy Coordinator and Social Planner;
- an increase in farmers markets will be good business for local growers and food delivery companies;
- a strong community-based food system creates healthy, connected communities;
- in the next decade sustainability will be the leading trend in the restaurant industry with increased access to locally grown foods - this initiative will produce more jobs;
- the Food Policy Council will set priorities at the civic level by facilitating cooperation between community groups, coordinating activities and reducing the duplication of work being done currently;
- it is very difficult for low-income families to access nutritious food from Food Banks - get community gardens into our neighbourhoods now;
- the City of Toronto got off to a good start in '91 by giving its Food Policy Council a $225,000 budget and appointing three full-time staff - if Vancouver receives only half the value that Toronto receives the money will be well spent;
- as a test for high performance and increased grades, the Wisconsin School Board spent $20,000 to bring healthy food into alternative schools, where kids who have committed crimes are placed, but found they saved $60,000 in policing costs through reduced criminal activity - figure out if Vancouver can afford $150,000 for two positions;
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public health leaders support this initiative which will allow continued leverage of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority staff to continue to work on food security issues;
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the City of New York partnered with local farms to create a system which allows access to locally grown, affordable food using organic and soil conservation methods;
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the Food Policy Council will ensure money already spent out in the community will be more efficiently utilized;
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when local governments take responsibility for addressing issues of food security their citizens benefit enormously and a lot can be done with modest resources.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council receive the proceedings of the Vancouver Food Policy Task Force for information, as distributed to Council on December 9, 2003.
B. THAT Council adopt the three components of the recommended Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of Vancouver as outlined in B1, B2, and B3.
B1. THAT Council approve the creation of a "Food Policy Council" with a mandate to act as an advisory and policy development body on food system issues within the City's jurisdiction, as described in the Policy Report dated November 20, 2003, entitled "Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of Vancouver".
B2. THAT Council approve an "Interim Work Plan," as described in the Policy Report dated November 20, 2003, entitled "Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of Vancouver", to lay the foundation for future linkages to the work of the Food Policy Council once it is established.
B3. THAT subject to 2004 budget considerations, Council consider implementation support in the form of:
i. One Regular Full Time Food Policy Coordinator, subject to classification by the General Manager of Human Resources, at an estimated annual cost of $73,900, with a mandate to act as an on-going catalyst for leading, coordinating and facilitating both the existing work of the City on food system issues and new policy work in partnership with community groups, the Vancouver Agreement, higher levels of government, Vancouver School Board, Vancouver Park Board, Vancouver Coastal Health, and other stakeholders. The source of funds subject to 2004 budget considerations.
ii. One Temporary Regular Full time Social Planner I for a period of two years, subject to classification by the General Manager of Human Resources, at an approximate annual cost of $67,900 with a mandate to internally coordinate and implement both existing and new food-related programs and services within the City's jurisdiction. The source of funds subject to 2004 budget considerations.
C. THAT in order to provide adequate resources for research, outreach and information sharing, Council approve an annual budget of $15,000 for the Food Policy Council for the planning and implementation of events incorporating outreach activities and information sharing, holding regular meetings in the community, conducting food system research and promoting awareness of food policy issues, plus start up costs estimated to be $10,000, managed by the Director of Social Planning. The source of funds for 2004 to be the Contingency Reserve and subsequently added to the operating budget in 2005 without offset.
D. THAT the Food Policy Coordinator prepare an annual report that updates Council on Food Policy Council activities completed and planned and also describes the costs and benefits in terms of dollars, social benefits, and environmental benefits.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan opposed to B3. i.)
(Councillors Green, Louie and Stevenson absent for the vote.)
The Committee adjourned at 12:47 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
DECEMBER 11, 2003 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, December 11, 2003, at 11:26 a.m., in Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Deputy Mayor David Cadman
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Tina Hildebrandt, Meeting Coordinator |
* Denotes presence for a portion of the meeting.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Cadman in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
December 11, 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 "Other" Grant Request - Wildlife Rescue Association of BC
2. Increased Rent Subsidy Grant for End Legislated Poverty
3. Award of Tender 2003-13 "Apartment Recycling Collection"
4. Bentall V Parkade - Parking Operation
5. Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of Vancouver
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 December 11, 2003, as contained in Items 1 and 2, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
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Council recessed at 11:27 a.m., and reconvened at 12:47 p.m., with Deputy Mayor Cadman in the Chair and all members present, except Councillors Green, Louie and Stevenson, to consider the remainder of the recommendations of the Committee.
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Items 3 and 4
These items were withdrawn.
Item 5
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets at its meeting of December 11, 2003, as contained in Item 5, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green, Louie and Stevenson absent for the vote.)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green, Louie and Stevenson absent for the vote.)
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green, Louie and Stevenson absent for the vote.)
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Woodsworth (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT Councillor Woodsworth be granted Leave of Absence from the following meetings:
- Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic of January 13, 2004;
- Regular Council of January 13, 2004;
- Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets of January 15, 2004; and
- Standing Committee on Planning and Environment of January 15, 2004.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green, Louie and Stevenson absent for the vote.)
The Council adjourned at 12:48 p.m.
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