CITY OF VANCOUVER

SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

FEBRUARY 11, 2004

A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Wednesday, February 11, 2004, at 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:

Deputy Mayor Anne Roberts
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
*Councillor Jim Green
Councillor Tim Louis
*Councillor Sam Sullivan
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth

   

ABSENT:

Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
Councillor Peter Ladner (Civic Business)
Councillor Raymond Louie (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Tim Stevenson (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)

   

CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:

Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator

*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COURT OF REVISION

LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS

Projects by Petition: Court No. 613
February 11, 2004

Pavement & Curbs, Higher Zoned

Pavement & Curbs, Local Residential

Lane Pavement, Local Residential

Speed Humps

Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks

Lane Lighting

Projects by Initiative: Court No. 614
February 11, 2004

Pavement & Curbs, Higher Zoned

Pavement & Curbs, Local Residential

Lane Pavement, Higher Zoned

Lane Pavement, Local Residential

Speed Humps

Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks

Sidewalk Reconstruction

Before Council were reports from the Collector of Taxes dated February 11, 2004, with respect to Local Improvement Courts of Revision Numbers 613 and 614. Also before Council was a Late Report for Courts 613/029 (amended Objection Count) and a Late Report for Court 614/007, 012, 020, and 027 (amended Objection count), both dated February 11, 2004.

COURT NO. 613 - PROJECTS BY PETITION

The Collector of Taxes certified that the projects in the report dated February 11, 2004, have been requested by the majority of the assessed owners by means of a sufficient signed petition.

In the late report dated February 11, 2004, the Collector of Taxes noted a typographic error in Project (029), the original entry of "3" accepted signatures should read "2" accepted. The Collector of Taxes further noted one owner who had originally been in favour of the project has since withdrawn their signature, leaving only one in favour. Defeat of this project is recommended.

COURT NO. 614 - PROJECTS BY INITIAITIVE

In the report from the Collector of Taxes dated February 11, 2004, it was noted that no Projects were objected to by at least more than one half (1/2) the owners of the properties who represent at least more than one half (1/2) of the total value of all the properties on the project.

In the late report dated February 11, 2004, the Collector of Taxes noted one owner that had originally objected to Project (007) has since withdrawn their objection, making only 5 opposed. The Collector of Taxes also noted additional objections received after due date on Projects (012), (020), and (027).

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COURT OF REVISION

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COUNCIL

ADOPT REPORT OF COURT OF REVISION

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Administrative Report
Local Improvements Subsequent Procedure - February 11, 2004
January 19, 2004

Prior to considering the recommendation in the Administrative Report dated January 19, 2004, David Desrochers, Streets Design Engineer, with the assistance of additional staff, showed slides of the various projects. The following delegations were heard and actions taken as follows:

COURT NO. 613 - PROEJCTS BY PETITION

Project No. 613/007

Gwyneth Bowen and Elizabeth Dunn spoke in support of the project and noted the curbs and bulges would help slow traffic and add to the safety of the neighbourhood.

Merrilee Hudson registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/008

Soo Kwan spoke against the project, and expressed concern related to the cost.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, recommended the project be reballoted, as this petition now has insufficient signatures due to withdrawal of Mr. Kwan's signature.

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/012

Fuk Lam Li spoke against the project.

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/015

Vincenza Iuliano and Matthew So spoke in support of the project. Mr. Iuliano noted his concern with the traffic volume and speed and expressed a hope for speed humps to slow this traffic.

In response to a question from Council, staff advised normally lane pavement and speed humps are two separate petitions; this petition did not ask for speed humps. If a new petition for speed humps can be returned to Local Improvements by mid-March, these could be installed by the fall.

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/024

Jocelyn Lewis and Adrienne Glen spoke in support of the project and noted with the increase in traffic, speed bumps would help slow down traffic and make their lane safer for cyclists and others.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/028

Ernest Burchell spoke in support of the project, and noted sidewalks would improve pedestrian safety.

MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/029

Stella Douglas did not speak, but registered opposition to the project and withdrew her signature from the project.

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, recommended the project be defeated, as this leaves only one signature in favour, which is below the required number to pass.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/033

Gloria Davies spoke in opposition to the project, and expressed concern one of the lane lights will be installed on the post directly behind her backyard. Ms. Davies requested the light be moved to another location.

Phil Wong, Superintendent, Power and Telecommunications, advised if the location of the light were changed, a revaluation of the cost would be required. He further noted light fixtures now installed by the City are shielded and are very low glare.

Elizabeth Norris advised the dollar value of the project cannot be changed without starting the process anew. Ms. Norris further advised the petition has been signed by two-thirds of the owners as it was presented.

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/035

Grace Allan and Kristin Housez spoke in support of the project and noted lane lighting was desperately needed to address problems including break-ins, vandalism and safety issues.

Mark Liedemann registered support for the project, but did not speak.

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 613/036

Alex Zbar spoke in support of the project, and noted he welcomes the light to address safety issues, lurkers, auto theft and break-ins.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

COURT NO. 614 - PROJECTS BY INITIATIVE

Project No. 614/006

Mary Vickers spoke in support of the project which would help address drainage, dust and debris problems, as well as improve the appearance and safety of the street.

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 614/007

Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvement Clerk, advised that while some registered speakers are not on the project itself, as a courtesy they will be allowed to speak. However, these speakers do not affect the outcome of the project, and cannot request changes to the design of the project.

M. Brodie (not on project) (material filed) and Georgia Loukas spoke in opposition to the project. They noted concerns related to the manner in which planning process was done and also noted, as a result of traffic calming measures on 37th Avenue, many vehicles now travel through the lane in the 2300 Block West 37th Avenue. The varying width of adjacent blocks was also questioned, and the need to reinstall stop sign noted. Ms. Loukas stated the majority of the home owners do not want the street narrowed, as this would not slow traffic, but rather create a more dangerous driving environment.

Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, explained the reasons for the differing pavement widths referred to by Mr. Brodie.

Terri Clark, Matthew Colclough and Patty White (not on project) spoke in support of the project, and noted the curbs and bulges are wanted to calm traffic and address safety issues in the neighbourhood. Installation of curbs would also prevent vehicles from u-turning onto residential yards, prevent runoff water from running over the sidewalk, and also provide a safer environment for children. The need for continuity on the bike route was also noted.

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Louis

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 614/011

Christopher Flerlage, Chris Ashby (material filed), Juergen Kuerten and Roy Vowels spoke in opposition to the project. They noted concerns related to the disproportionate cost each property owner would pay. Specific reference was made to the percentage condominium owners would pay and also the use of large trucks and vans by commercial property owners, compared to the use by a single family residence. Concern was also expressed with the majority of votes being held by one strata titled building. Messrs. Ashby and Vowels also expressed concern the paved lane would be used as a drag strip, and create an unsafe environment for children in the adjacent daycare and also for neighbourhood pets.

In response to a question from Council, Elizabeth Norris, Local Improvements Clerk, provided details of Council's policy on assessed value of properties. Ms. Norris further advised the Legal Department had been consulted in this regard.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
NOT SECONDED

Not Put

MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED
(Councillor Bass opposed)
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)

Project No. 614/013

Kim Read spoke in opposition to the project. Mr. Read noted not all property owners had received notification, paving does not allow for 40% green space per Council's impermeable surfaces policy, and true costs are not disclosed to all owners.

Robert Tombs, also speaking for Jim Horwood, spoke in support of the project and noted the lane is currently unsightly, hazardous, and provides a breeding ground for rats. Paving will also eliminate ongoing City expenses associated with continuous patching.

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 614/014

George Fessenden spoke in opposition to the project and noted paving the lane and removal of the speed humps would lead to safety issues. Mr. Fessenden also made reference to the difference in grade between the lane and adjacent properties, and the difficulty owners have in accessing their properties.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Green absent for the vote)

Project No. 614/015

Beth Allard spoke in support of the project and noted the paving would help address concerns related to rats and mosquitoes, and also provide a safer environment for her children.

MOVED by Councillor Louis
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Green absent for the vote)

Project No. 614/017

George Eckschmiedt spoke in support of the project.

MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 614/023

Karl Froschauer spoke in opposition to the project, and advised he also spoke for a number of Mansion House Estates Ltd. share holders, who also objected to the speed humps. Mr. Froschauer noted there is very little traffic in the lane at present, and the expense is not warranted. He further noted the difficulty those in wheelchairs and walkers would have navigating the lane.
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Green

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Project No. 614/026

Rolf Eipper spoke in opposition to the project and stated if all drove at the speed limit there would be no need for speed humps. Mr. Eipper also noted the lane was raised about a foot when paved, and he is now unable to open his gate properly and his garage is now below the surface of the lane.

John Jang, Local Improvements, advised he would work with Mr. Eipper to address his lane access problem.

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Woodsworth

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
JANUARY 19, 2004

Council then considered the Administrative Report dated January 19, 2004.

MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Bass

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

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© 2002 City of Vancouver