Vancouver City Council |
CITY OF VANCOUVER
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date:
February 20, 2004
Author:
Annette Klein
Phone No.:
873-7789
RTS No.:
4034
CC File No.:
1605
Meeting Date:
March 11, 2004
TO:
City Services and Budgets Committee
FROM:
City Manager
SUBJECT:
Reports Deferred to the 2004 Operating Budget
RECOMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve the Pesticide Use on Private Property Program, as detailed in the attached report, at a net cost of $94,200 in 2004 and $15,000 on-going; funding to be provided from Contingency Reserve in 2004 and added to the 2005 Park Board's Operating Budget without offset.
The City Manager notes that the GVRD is introducing a "Natural Yard Care Program" which complements the Park Board pesticide program. However, given the varied needs of municipalities in the Region, a full ban of pesticides will not be emphasized in the GVRD program. As a result, to ensure appropriate public education in preparation for the ban on pesticides in 2006, the Vancouver program is still required. The City Manager recommends approval of Recommendation A.
CONSIDERATION
B. THAT Council approve the addition of 4 fte to Fire and Rescue, as detailed in the attached report, at a net cost of $187,800 in 2004 and $322,000 on-going; funding to be provided from Contingency Reserve in 2004 and added to the 2005 Fire Department's Operating Budget without offset.
The City Manager's believes the Fire Department's request for an additional four positions for fire prevention and education services may not necessarily be as high a priority for Council given other more pressing issues.
C. THAT Council approve the extension of the Carnegie Outreach Program, as detailed in the attached report, at a net cost of $300,00 in 2004 and $300,000 on-going; funding to be provided from Contingency Reserve in 2004 and added to the 2005 Community Services Group Operating Budget without offset.
The City Manager cautions Council that the Outreach Program is a health function and should be the responsibility of Vancouver Coastal Health Authority.
D i) THAT Council approve the addition of 1 fte and 1 tfe for the Food Policy Task Force Action Plan, as detailed in the attached report, at a net cost of $111,200 in 2004 ($156,800 in 2005, and $88,900 in 2006 and beyond), plus $25,000 for research and start up ($15,000 on-going); funding to be provided from Contingency Reserve in 2004 and added to the 2005 Community Services Group Operating Budget without offset.
OR
D ii) THAT Council approve the 1 fte (Food Policy Coordinator) for the Food Policy Task Force Action Plan, as detailed in the attached report, at a net cost of $65,900 in 2004 and $88,900 on-going, plus $25,000 for research and start up ($15,000 on-going); funding to be provided from Contingency Reserve in 2004 and added to the 2005.
The City Manager feels that it is premature to add two positions to this initiative and recommends that Council approve only one position, the Food Policy Coordinator, be approved (Consideration E( ii))
E. THAT Council approve the Vancouver Planning Commission 2004 additional grant request at $49,200, as detailed in the attached report; funding to be provided from Contingency Reserve.
Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes.
City Manager feels that this request, which amounts to a 100% increase to VCPC grant, compared to 2% inflationary increase for all other grants, is of lower priority. VCPC has stated that the funding is required partially to reflect the amount of resources expended by volunteers. Council should be aware that many organizations that are provided City grants utilize volunteers and do not receive compensating grants.
COUNCIL POLICY
It is Council policy that changes in service levels, either expansions or reductions are approved by Council. This includes the creation and deletion of regular positions and the allocation of funding from general revenues or taxation.
Approval of grant recommendations requires eight affirmative votes.
PURPOSE
To have Council to approve reports deferred to the 2004 Operating Budget.BACKGROUND
The 2004 Operating Budget included a number of initiatives for the coming year. Included in this list of initiatives was a group of reports that were referred to the 2004 Operating Budget process. The 2004 Interim Budget report recommended that these reports be deferred to CS&B on March 11, 2004, so that each of the reports could be approved individually. Funding for these initiatives would be provided from Contingency Reserve.DISCUSSION
Included in this report are copies for each of the deferred reports and the related minutes. Below is a list of the reports including Council minutes.
1. Pesticide Use on Private Property
THAT Council refer the funding requests associated with the education program to the 2004 Operating Budget process.
2. Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Staffing Request
THAT the Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services staffing request as outlined in the Administrative Report "Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services Staffing Request" dated November 4, 2003, be referred for consideration as part of the 2004 budget.
3. Carnegie Outreach Program
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.
4. Action Plan for Creating a Just and Sustainable Food System for the City of ancouver
B. 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.
5. Vancouver City Planning Commission:
THAT Council approve an annual operating grant for the Vancouver City Planning Commission for 2004 at $50,800. Source of funds to be the 2004 Other Grants Category, and a decision on the requested additional funds of $49,200 be deferred to the 2004 Operating Budget.
CONCLUSION
Should Council approve all of these initiatives, funding would be need in 2005. In total $0.85 million would be added to the 2005 Operating Budget, resulting in a 0.20% tax increase.
* * * * *