Vancouver City Council |
CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 10, 2004
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, February 10, 2004, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT:
Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor Fred Bass
*Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Jim Green
*Councillor Peter Ladner
*Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Tim Louis
*Councillor Anne Roberts
Councillor Sam Sullivan
Councillor Ellen WoodsworthABSENT:
Councillor Tim Stevenson (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
Brent MacGregor, Deputy City Manager
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
Syd Baxter, City Clerk
Tarja Tuominen, Meeting Coordinator*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting
PRAYER
The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with a prayer read by the City Clerk.
PROCLAMATION: HERITAGE WEEK - File 1051
The Mayor proclaimed the week of February 15 to 21, 2004 as Heritage Week.
PRESENTATION: by Silk Road - File 1051
Council welcomed Silk Road who performed "Cloud".
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
MOVED by Councillor Louie
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(1) of the Vancouver Charter, to discuss matters related to paragraphs:
(c) labour relations or employee negotiations;
(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;
(f) law enforcement, if the Council considers that disclosure might reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an Act, regulation or by-law;
(i) the receiving of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose;
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ITEMS ARISING FROM THE "IN CAMERA" MEETING OF JANUARY 27, 2004
Council approved appointments to the following civic agencies:
· Development Permit Board Advisory Panel
· Family Court/Youth Justice Committee
· Vancouver Athletic Commission
· Vancouver City Planning Commission
· Vancouver Civic Theatres Board
· Vancouver Economic Development Commission
· Vancouver Public Library Board
Names of those appointed are available from the City Clerk's Office.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
1. Regular Council (City Services and Budgets) - January 15, 2004
MOVED by Mayor Campbell
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Regular Council (Planning and Environment) - January 15, 2004
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Business License Hearing - January 15, 2004
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Special Council (Public Hearing) - January 20/21, 2004
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Business License Hearing - January 27, 2004
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Regular Council - January 27, 2004
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT the foregoing Minutes be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Louie
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Campbell in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MATTERS ADOPTED ON CONSENT
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT Council adopt Administrative Reports A5, A7 and A8, on consent.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Celebration of Light (File 4206)
On December 2, 2003, Council postponed consideration of the Administrative Report "Celebration of Light" dated October 28, 2003 pending further discussion with staff to identify other funding partners, such as the GVRD and Tourism Vancouver.
Before Council this day was a memorandum dated February 5, 2004, from the Deputy City Manager providing updated information on the Celebration of Light event, a recommendation on a specific funding request to make of the GVRD, and a revised cost estimate for Police service directly related to the event.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
A. THAT Council approve a grant of $448,000 for all City Services, in advance of the 2004 Operating Budget;
FURTHER THAT Council give an indication of support for the Celebration of Light extending to the year 2006 with grant amounts of $400,000 for the years 2005 and 2006, and that the grant requests come before Council in the fall of the previous year.
B. THAT Council request the GVRD to provide $100,000 toward City funding of this event as it is an event of regional importance with approximately 42% of attendees from GVRD municipalities other than Vancouver.
Carried
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Green
A. THAT Council approve the Celebration of Light as a civic event for 2004.
B. THAT Council approve a budget of $448,000 for all City Services, in advance of the 2004 Operating Budget.
C. THAT Council approve the Celebration of Light as a civic event for 2004 - 2006, and request the Director of Legal Services to modify the current agreement to develop a 3 year license agreement. This will be subject to the civic event annual budget approval of $448,000 plus inflation, and a satisfactory operation control plan being in place.
D. THAT Council request the GVRD to provide $100,000 toward City funding of this event as it is an event of regional importance with approximately 42% of attendees from GVRD municipalities other than Vancouver.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Louie, Louis, Roberts, and Woodsworth opposed)
The amendment having lost, the motion was put and CARRIED BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY, with Councillor Ladner opposed)
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. Award of Tender PS03033 - Supply and Delivery of Backhoe Loader
January 26, 2004 (File 1805)
MOVED by Councillor Green
A. THAT, subject to the conditions set out in B, C, D, and F, Council authorize the General Manager of Engineering Services and Manager of Materials Management to award Tender PS03033 to Parker Pacific Equipment Sales as the tenderer offering the best value meeting specifications in the amount of $918,981.00, plus the Provincial Sales Tax, the Goods and Services Tax (less any municipal rebate received) and the Provincial Environmental Levy.
B. THAT, the Director of Legal Services be authorized to execute and deliver on behalf of the City all legal documents, required to implement A.
C. THAT all such legal documents be on terms and conditions satisfactory to the General Manager of Engineering Services, Manager of Materials Management and the Director of Legal Services.
D. THAT no legal rights or obligations will be created by Council's adoption of A, B and C above unless and until such legal documents are executed and delivered by the Director of Legal Services.
E. THAT funding for the purchase described in A be provided from the Truck and Equipment Plant Account.
F. THAT the City standardize on the Case backhoe for this replacement cycle which extends through 2007.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Ladner absent for the vote)
2. Authorization for Contract PS03004 - Supply of Tools, Hardware, General Supplies and Personnel Safety Supplies
December 8, 2003 (File 1805)
MOVED by Councillor Green
A. THAT, subject to the conditions set out in B, C, and D, an agreement be entered into with Acklands-Grainger Inc. to supply tools, hardware, general supplies and personnel safety supplies for a period of three years, with subsequent renewal options for two-12 month periods, at an estimated amount of $3,600,000 (plus PST, where applicable and GST) subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services, and the Manager of Materials Management. Source of funding from the departmental operating budgets.
B. THAT all legal documentation is to be in a form which is satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services, the General Manager and General Manager of Corporate Services, the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Manager of Materials Management.
C. THAT upon approval of the legal documentation by the Director of Legal Services, the General Manager and General Manager of Corporate Services, the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Manager of Materials Management, that the Director of Legal Services, the General Manager of Corporate Services, the General Manager of Engineering Services and the Manager of Materials Management be authorized to execute and deliver the necessary agreement on behalf of City Council.
D. THAT no legal rights or obligations shall arise hereby and none shall arise or be granted hereafter unless and until all contemplated legal documentation has been executed and delivered by all parties.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Selection of Tenant for Watson House: 1125 Pendrell Street
January 22, 2004 (File 5104)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
A. THAT Council approve leasing Watson House at 1125 Pendrell St. (PID 025-399-829) to the Mole Hill Community Housing Society with the Coast Foundation as the operator on the terms and conditions set out in the Administrative Report "Selection of Tenant for Watson House: 1125 Pendrell Street" dated January 22, 2004 and in the Letter of Understanding attached as Appendix A to the report.
B. THAT Council approve a nominal lease of Watson House to the Mole Hill Community Housing Society, with the lease to terminate on January 2, 2062, and approve a grant of $280,000 to the Mole Hill Community Housing Society, funding to be provided in advance of the 2004 Affordable Housing Basic Capital budget, and
C. THAT no legal rights or obligations shall arise or be created until all legal documentation has been fully executed on terms and conditions to the satisfaction of the City's Director of Legal Services.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
Councillor Bass requested staff to provide a memo on how Property Endowment Fund properties could be made available for non-profit groups, with charitable organizations providing the difference in funding.
4. Single Room Accommodation By-law: Application to exempt all 67 SRA rooms at 1018 Granville Street (Global Village Backpackers)
January 26, 2004 (File 113/4656)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT Council grant an exemption from the Single Room Accommodation By-law of all 67 designated rooms at 1018 Granville Street (Global Village Backpackers).
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Councillor Sullivan requested staff to provide a memo on whether the City has achieved no net loss of low-income housing in the downtown core over the past years.
5. Strata Title Conversion - 3075 Willow Street
January 27, 2004 (File 5311)
THAT the application to convert the previously occupied building at 3075 Willow Street (Lot 11, Block 457, D.L. 526, Plan 2118) to strata title ownership be approved in principle, but that pursuant to Section 242(3) of the Strata Property Act, the Certificate of Approval (Form T) shall not be issued unless the following condition has been met within one year of the date of this approval:
Completion of all work under the necessary permits, at no cost to the City and to the satisfaction of the City Building Inspector, in order for the building to substantially comply with all relevant By-laws.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT
6. Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Expansion Use of DCL Funds
January 19, 2004 (File 2005)
MOVED by Councillor Louie
A. THAT Council provide a capital grant in the amount of $13,000 to the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society; source of funding to be the 2004 Park Board Park Enhancement budget.
B. THAT Council allocate $13,000 to the Park Board 2004 Park Enhancement budget; source of funding to be the citywide DCL reserve.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
7. Gastown Parkade - Award of Contract for Parking Revenue Control Equipment
January 26, 2004 (File 1805)
THAT the construction contract for Parking Revenue Control Equipment for the Gastown Parkade Project be awarded to WPS North America in the amount of $348,942 plus GST; source of funding to be the Parking Sites Reserve.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT
8. Business License Hearing Panel for February 24, 2004
February 3, 2004 (File 2711-1)
THAT Council delegate the holding of a business license hearing presently scheduled for February 24, 2004 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. to a panel of three Council Members, pursuant to Section 277.1 of the Vancouver Charter, as follows:
The business license hearing pursuant to Section 275 of the Vancouver Charter regarding a referral to Council by the Chief License Inspector for the year 2004 business license application of Gulshan Khaki dba Planet Rock at 1051 Granville Street and the power to make a Council decision in relation to that hearing be delegated to:
Councillor Jim Green, Chair
Councillor Peter Ladner
Councillor Sam Sullivan
Should any of the above Members of Council be unable to attend the hearing, the hearing and the power to make a Council decision in relation to the hearing be delegated to the remaining two Councillors and alternate Councillor Tim Louis.
ADOPTED ON CONSENT
POLICY REPORTS
At 4:25 p.m., Councillor Roberts declared Conflict of Interest on the following matter, as she is an employee of Langara College. She left the Council Chamber and did not return until the conclusion of the vote.
1. Langara College Phased Expansion Program
January 22, 2004 (File 5304/1755)
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
A. THAT Council endorse a planning program for Langara College, outlined in Appendix A to the Policy Report "Langara College Phased Expansion Program" dated January 22, 2004, to undertake a public policy review process resulting in a Council approved policy framework to guide, and provide a basis for assessing, phased rezoning and expansion.
B. THAT staff resources contained in Appendix B of the Policy Report and estimated associated cost recovered budget of $327,600 (subject to a 2003 and 2004 wage settlement) contained in Appendix C of the Policy Report be approved to complete policy planning and two rezoning application review stages for Langara College; and
FURTHER THAT consistent with City cost recovery policy, Council accept a contribution from Langara College to fully cover these costs.
AND FURTHER THAT these contributions will be applied to rezoning fees.
C. THAT consistent with Community Amenity Contribution Policy, a contribution of at least the flat rate be negotiated in kind or cash as part of the policy planning for Langara College.
D. THAT staff be instructed to assess and report to Council on an expected Phase I Comprehensive Development District (CD-1) Text Amendment application from Langara College in parallel with the public policy review.
E. THAT the Director of Current Planning be instructed to report back with recommendations to amend Schedule 2 of the Zoning and Development By-law to reduce rezoning fees for institutional uses on large sites in excess of 40,000 M² for zoning changes where the extent of change does not warrant current fees.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Louie and Roberts absent for the vote)
At 4:35 p.m., Councillor Roberts returned to the Council Chamber.
2. Economic Conditions Impacting Development and Relation to Development Cost Levies
January 27, 2004 (File 1755)
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
A. THAT Council approve a DCL rate of $2.50 per square foot ($1.60 per square foot in industrial areas) between now and July 1, 2004, at which time the rate of $6.00 per square foot ($2.40 per square foot in industrial areas) will be reinstated.
B. THAT Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to report back on February 12, 2004 with the necessary amendments to the DCL by-law.
Amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the DCL rate be changed to $4.00 per square foot between now and July 1, 2004.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
MOTION AS AMENDED
A. THAT Council approve a DCL rate of $4.00 per square foot ($1.60 per square foot in industrial areas) between now and July 1, 2004, at which time the rate of $6.00 per square foot ($2.40 per square foot in industrial areas) will be reinstated.
B. THAT Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to report back on February 12, 2004 with the necessary amendments to the DCL by-law.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
(Councillor Cadman absent for the vote)
3. Certified Professional (CP) Program Advisory Committee
January 27, 2004 (File 3001)
MOVED by Councillor Louie
A. THAT Council agree to indemnify the members of the CP Program Advisory Committee while acting in good faith within the scope of the prescribed activities set out in the Policy Report "Certified Professional (CP) Program Advisory Committee" dated January 27, 2004; the form and content of the indemnification commitment to be to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and executed by her on behalf of the City, and
B. THAT the Director of Legal Services be given standing authority to execute documents, drawn to her satisfaction, evidencing the City's commitment to indemnify future new members of the CP Program Advisory Committee on behalf of the City.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Louie
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT Council, except for those members excused as noted in the agenda, enact the by-laws listed on the agenda for this meeting as numbers 1 and 2, and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign and seal the enacted by-laws.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. A By-law to amend Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy By-law No. 7364 for consistency with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (By-law No. 8785)
2. A By-law to A By-law to amend Zoning and Development By-law No. 3575 (C-2 District Schedule) (By-law No. 8784)
MOTIONS
A. Administrative Motions
None
B. Motions on Notice
1. Review of Temporary Amendments Requesting Later Bar Closing Hours (File 2610)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth
WHEREAS the City of Vancouver is committed to ensuring the liveability of residents in and adjacent to the mixed use communities of the City;
AND WHEREAS the City of Vancouver recognizes the benefits of extended hours to the liquor industry, as well as benefits to tourism and entertainment within the city;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council support staff efforts to thoroughly review all applications for temporary amendments requesting later closing hours and where conflicts exist from bars operating in close proximity to residential properties staff will work to resolve and mitigate these conflicts and continue and further their work with BARWATCH, neighbourhood associations, area residents, area business operators and bar owners.
Carried
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
THAT the motion be amended by adding the following resolve:
If the city continues to experience increased levels of crime, violence and community nuisances around the issue of extended liquor hours, that Council discontinue the 4:00 a.m. bar closing program at the end of the trial period.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
The amendment having lost, the motion was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
2. Sports Events Encouragement (File 4201)
MOVED by Councillor Ladner
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan
WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver has established itself as a world sports event destination with the hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games;
AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver now has the opportunity to capitalize on this initiative by securing other major sporting events that are looking at Vancouver as a possible venue;
AND WHEREAS, the city faces ongoing requests for assistance from organizers of these events, tempting council to make ad hoc decisions on funding and support;
AND WHEREAS, the city is already involved in encouraging sports activity through the 2010 Winter Olympics legacy program, recognizing the value of sport in improving health and building communities;
AND WHEREAS, major sporting events benefit the city by generating tourism business, celebrating local sports heroes, and stimulating grassroots participation;
AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver's athletic facilities are inadequate for hosting even a high school-level championship in track, swimming or tennis;
AND WHEREAS, this lack of facilities forces many of the city's leading athletes to leave town and train elsewhere, depriving community-level sports organizations of coaching skills and high-level local competition;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the City of Vancouver acknowledge the value of sport in building healthy communities by asking staff to report back on a strategy to:
· determine which sporting events return the biggest payback for tourism, community participation and a vibrant urban culture;
· work with the Tourism Vancouver Sport Tourism Task Force to bring those major sporting events to Vancouver;
· improve or build athletic facilities capable of serving both community level and national/international level sporting competitions;
· ease barriers to producing existing sporting events in Vancouver, including reducing police and permitting costs;
· serve community physical fitness.
Postponed
Also before Council was a memorandum dated February 10, 2004 from the Deputy City Manager providing background information on work which staff is currently doing on the issues raised in Councillor Ladner's motion on sports events encouragement.
POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT Council postpone consideration of the Motion until the receipt of the staff report noted in the memorandum dated February 10, 2004 from the Deputy City Manager.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed)
3. Anti-discrimination (File 3502)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
WHEREAS people who are unemployed and/or in financial difficulties reside all over the city
WHEREAS the City does not discriminate against people based on where they live or any other attribute
WHEREAS the City should show fairness to all its citizens regardless of the neighbourhood in which they live or whether they have a fixed address
WHEREAS homeless people with no fixed address may be discriminated against as a result of city hiring practices which legislate private sector employers to employ individuals based on the neighbourhood in which they can demonstrate residency;
WHEREAS establishing a precedent of legislating private or public sector employers to hire individuals from one Vancouver neighbourhood over another could be perceived as a discriminatory hiring practice;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City will not encourage or legislate private or public sector employers to discriminate in their hiring practices of Vancouver citizens based on any attribute including the geographic neighbourhood in which they live.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City encourage all private sector employers to place as a priority the training and hiring of low-income and homeless individuals from throughout the city.
THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT given the need for economic revitalization of the Downtown Eastside, that every measure be taken to help increase the number of local job opportunities within that community.
Amended
Council requested to separate the resolves in the Motion on Notice.
MOTION (a): THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City will not encourage or legislate private or public sector employers to discriminate in their hiring practices of Vancouver citizens based on any attribute including the geographic neighbourhood in which they live.
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Ladner
SECONDED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT Motion (a) be amended by removing the words "encourage or" to read as follows:
THAT the City will not legislate private or public sector employers to discriminate in their hiring practices......
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
The amendment having lost, Motion (a) was put and LOST with Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed)
MOTION (b): THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the City encourage all private sector employers to place as a priority the training and hiring of low-income and homeless individuals from throughout the city.
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Louie
THAT Motion (b) be amended by adding the word "local" in front of the words "....low-income and homeless individuals from throughout the city.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The amendment having carried, Motion (b) as amended was put and CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
MOTION (c): THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT given the need for economic revitalization of the Downtown Eastside, that every measure be taken to help increase the number of local job opportunities within that community
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
FINAL MOTION AS AMENDED AND ADOPTED
WHEREAS people who are unemployed and/or in financial difficulties reside all over the city
WHEREAS the City does not discriminate against people based on where they live or any other attribute
WHEREAS the City should show fairness to all its citizens regardless of the neighbourhood in which they live or whether they have a fixed address
WHEREAS homeless people with no fixed address may be discriminated against as a result of city hiring practices which legislate private sector employers to employ individuals based on the neighbourhood in which they can demonstrate residency;
WHEREAS establishing a precedent of legislating private or public sector employers to hire individuals from one Vancouver neighbourhood over another could be perceived as a discriminatory hiring practice;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT
· the City encourage all private sector employers to place as a priority the training and hiring of local low-income and homeless individuals from throughout the city.
· given the need for economic revitalization of the Downtown Eastside, that every measure be taken to help increase the number of local job opportunities within that community.
4. Monitoring Impacts of Slots (File 2633)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
WHEREAS this Council recently overturned a long-standing policy of not allowing video slot machines in Vancouver
WHEREAS there are many social problems associated with this form of expanded gambling
WHEREAS of the hundreds of million dollars in profit that are expected from these new machines, the majority will come out of the entertainment budget of citizens and will harm the vitality of the downtown businesses that compete for these entertainment dollars, while a significant proportion of the profits will come from people with addiction problems
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff develop options for using some of the initial proceeds of the expanded gambling from slot machines and bingo to monitor the social problems that are caused by them, including:
· new homeless people
· gambling related suicides
· bankruptcies
· family breakdowns
· business failures in the entertainment industry competing with slots.
Amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the preamble to the motion be removed and the following be substituted for the resolve:
THAT the City call upon the Province to use some of the initial proceeds of the expanded gambling from slot machines and bingo to monitor the social problems that are caused by them.
CARRIED
(Councillors Bass, Ladner, Louis and Sullivan opposed)
MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT the City call upon the Province to use some of the initial proceeds of the expanded gambling from slot machines and bingo to monitor the social problems that are caused by the introduction of them.
Postponed
POSTPONEMENT MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Motion be referred to staff for a report back on a review of the potential for monitoring, what monitoring is being done by the province, and what the City can contribute to the monitoring.
CARRIED
(Councillors Cadman, Green, Louie and the Mayor opposed)
5. Traffic Circle Signage (File 5761)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
WHEREAS hundreds of citizens of Vancouver volunteer their time to beautify traffic circles in the city
WHEREAS the Transportation Association of Canada has developed signage that is used for freeways and major thoroughfares
WHEREAS this signage is inappropriate for traffic circles in that it detracts from the efforts of the volunteer gardeners
WHEREAS the risk of liability is very low in having an alternative sign
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Engineering Department and the Public Art Committee be engaged in developing more aesthetically pleasing and respectful signage for the traffic circles.
LOST
(Councillors Cadman, Green, Louie, Louis, Roberts and the Mayor opposed)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Age Discrimination (File 3502)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
WHEREAS seniors over 65 years remain vulnerable to mistreatment, denial of services and discrimination due to being elderly; and
WHEREAS the British Columbia Human Rights Code defines age as "an age of 19 years or more and less than 65 years"; and
WHEREAS due to this definition there is no statutory protection or recourse against age discrimination for those over 65 years; and
WHEREAS a recommendation was made to extend protection against age discrimination for seniors over the age of 65 years in a report produced in January, 1998, by the British Columbia Human Rights Commission called "Human Rights for the Next Millennium"; and
WHEREAS changing the definition of age to extend to those over 65 years should not affect programs or benefits that have been accorded as a special support to seniors in society; and
WHEREAS changes in the definition of age to extend to those over 65 years should not affect any proposed statutory changes related to mandatory retirement;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the City of Vancouver urge the Attorney General of the Province of British Columbia to:
· Explain what are concerns regarding changes to the Age Definition as presented in the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2002 c. 62 (Bill 64);
· Change the definition of age as presented in the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2002 c. 62 (Bill 64) from "an age of 19 years or more and less than 65 years" to "an age of 19 years or more" so that Seniors over the age of 65 years or those who intervene on their behalf have recourse to protect against age discrimination and mistreatment due to being elderly;
· Forward this motion to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, the Lower Mainland Municipal Association, and the Greater Vancouver Regional District.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Cuts to Inner City Schools (File 1263/4101)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
WHEREAS the Province has reduced funding for Vancouver Inner City Schools/Community LINK programs for 2004/2005 by $3 million;
AND WHEREAS this represents 36% of funding provided by the Province through the Ministry of Children and Family Development to Vancouver for vital school based programs;
AND WHEREAS these cuts will result in the reduction or elimination of programs in 18 elementary and 5 secondary schools, including the hot lunch program which provides more than 10,000 meals daily to inner city school kids and other programs for at-risk students and their families;
AND WHEREAS these programs are essential in providing support and counselling to vulnerable children so that they can succeed and stay in school;
AND WHEREAS these cuts are in addition to the $9 million funding shortfall the Vancouver School Board is facing;
AND WHEREAS many of the children impacted by these cuts are part of families who will be affected by reductions in income assistance rates slated for April 1, 2004;
AND WHEREAS the "No Cuts to Kids" Campaign bringing together students, parents, teachers, principals and vice-principals, school support staff and community groups has been initiated to fight these cuts;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver urges the Province to reinstate funding for all Inner City School Programs as the reduction or elimination of these programs will place many of Vancouver's children at-risk for serious negative long-term consequences to their health and well-being;
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT a copy of this motion be sent to the Premier, Minister of Children and Family Development and Minister of Education.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. FCM 2004 Board Meeting (File 3253)
MOVED by Councillor Green
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
THAT WHEREAS:
1. Council at its Regular Meeting on July 30, 2002 approved the following motion:
THAT Council invite the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) to hold their 2004 Board Meeting in Vancouver, and that the City of Vancouver, as host city of this event, provide support to the FCM Secretariat in the form of equipment and services and host a banquet for attendees, as a cost of $9,100 to be funded from the 2004 Operating Budget.
2. The FCM Board Meeting is to take place in the City of Vancouver on March 3 - 6, 2004 and the FCM has asked that the City host receptions (i.e. hospitality suites) on March 3rd and 4th, in addition to the banquet to be held on March 5th; and
3. The attendance at the FCM Board Meeting is expected to be 50 percent higher than originally budgeted for in the motion approved by Council on July 30, 2002; and
4. CH2M Hill Canada Limited has agreed to provide sponsorship toward the event in the amount of $8,000; and
5. This is an opportunity to showcase local cultural talent at the reception and banquet on evenings of March 4th and 5th and conduct bus tours of the Downtown Eastside, Environmental Points of Interest, and Cultural Facilities in the City on the afternoon of March 5th at a cost of $7,500; and
6. The expected increase in attendance at the receptions and banquet, and the showcase of local cultural talent and tours is resulting in a funding shortfall of $9,200;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council provide additional support to the FCM Board Meeting at a cost of $9,200 to be funded from the 2004 Operating Budget.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 7:00 p.m.
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