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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
APRIL 8, 2004 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, April 8, 2004, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Tim Louis, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Councillor Raymond Louie (Leave of Absence - Civic Business) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator |
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of March 11, 2004, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Litter Container Inventory Increase (File 3756)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 22, 2004, in which the General Manager, Engineering Services, sought approval for additional annual funding to service the additional 400 litter containers previously approved in principle by Council on August 14, 2002, and to present changes in the collection methodology to provide a more effective and efficient litter container servicing program.
Brian Davies, Assistant City Engineer, Solid Waste, provided an overview of the report, and with the aid of photographs, demonstrated the new litter containers' design which will help prevent deposit of household garbage. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Davies advised a pilot program will be undertaken to separate recyclables, and agreed to report back on capturing disposal costs at point of sale for brand name litter and encouraging the use of reuseable items.
Steve Varty, Business Agent, CUPE 1004, spoke in general support of staff's recommendations, but did request one of the current day shift positions be retained, as day work is preferable to some as it relates to a healthy family, and social issues. Mr. Varty did not disagree with staff's productivity analysis, but suggested the need for a report back on the effectiveness of collection from the new litter containers. He further noted the potential for repetitive strain injuries, as the 50% increase in volume of cans will be handled by only a 20% increase in staffing.
Tom Timm, Deputy City Engineer, advised daytime collection is far less efficient due to traffic volumes and congestion, and noted information has already been gathered to support staff's recommendations; further trial would likely provide no new information.
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve an increase of $110,000 in the street cleaning budget for 2004 and $190,000 annually from 2005 to fund the collection and interior maintenance costs of an additional 400 (approximate) litter containers in the City's inventory as approved in the street furniture report dated August 14, 2002. This increase in servicing cost to be funded from the increased Street Furniture Contract revenues.
B. THAT Council approve an extension of the term of the Street Furniture Contract project manager by six months, to the end of 2004, at a cost of $44,200 and that this cost be funded from the increased Street Furniture Contract revenue.
C. THAT Council approve the allocation of $284,000 from the Truck Plant Account to add two (2) litter can trucks to the Sanitation Operations fleet.
D. THAT Council approve the retention of one day shift position for just one year, and then assess it again.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed to D.)
2. 2004 Celebration Grant Recommendations, Spring Deadline (File 2151)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 19, 2004, in which the Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, recommended grants to 15 organizations and discussed the evaluation and selection process used. The program's advisory committee also recommended Council receive staff comment on potential support for community-based sports events. The City Manager recommended approval, and noted in the program's first year Celebration Grants have helped 18 organizations to present celebrations, festivals and parades enjoyed by more than 200,000 residents and visitors.
Lorenz von Fersen, Cultural Planner, provided highlights of the report, and responded to questions regarding the rationale for amounts allocated to the various organizations, and the selection process used. Mr. von Fersen advised if staff's recommendations are approved, a report back on support for community based sports events will follow.
Council discussion followed on the merits of many of those organizations staff had recommended receive zero funding. Mr. von Fersen noted suggested funding allocations had been the recommendation of the program's advisory committee who evaluated the applications for the best fit between the program goals and criteria.
Adam Policzer, President, Chilean Cultural Institute of Canada, agreed his organization's proposal had been somewhat shy on details, and provided additional information missing from the application. Mr. Policzer noted this family and community based cultural celebration is open to peoples of all cultures.
Helen Spiegelman, Dunbar Residents Association, gratefully accepted staff's recommended grant and noted the neighbourhood's annual month-long festival helps people relate to both their neighbours and the land.
Alistair Barrett, Stanley Park Bike Festival Society, requested Council consider funding a portion of the Society's requested grant. In response to questions from Council, Mr. Barrett advised the event does focus on both families and safety issues.
Some Councillors raised concerns regarding the random funding process being recommended this day.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve Celebration Grants to the 15 organizations listed in Tables 1 and 2 of the Administrative Report dated March 19, 2004, entitled "2004 Celebration Grant Recommendations, Spring Deadline", totalling $51,250. Source of funds to be the 2004 Celebration Grant program budget.
B. THAT the following three groups: CRAB - Water for Life Society; South Van NH (Wales St. Heritage Fair); and Vancouver Wooden Boat Society, have their recommended grants increased by $500 to $2,000 each; and
FURTHER THAT the fourteen groups recommended to receive zero funding, as noted in the Administrative Report dated March 19, 2004, entitled "2004 Celebration Grant Recommendations, Spring Deadline" be offered $2,000 each, if they can convince staff they will have a successful event; and
FURTHER THAT $100,000 be transferred from Contingency Reserve for added program funding, and that these funds be returned to Contingency Reserve from slot money revenue, once this money flows into the City.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed to B.)
3. City of Vancouver Off-Street Parking Facilities - Parking Corporation of Vancouver Budget Review and Capital Budge Approval (File 1753)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 15, 2004, in which the General Managers of Engineering Services and Corporate Services reviewed the 2003 financial performance of EasyPark, and provided comments on EasyPark's 2004 Operating Budget and sought Council's approval for the 2004 EasyPark Capital Budget.
Rowan Birch, Budgets and Administrative Services, Engineering, provided an overview of the report. In response to an enquiry from Council, Mr. Birch advised staff are in the process of working with the Advisory Committee on Disability Issues on a sustainability program for the disabled.
Mel McKinney, General Manager, Parking Corporation of Vancouver, on behalf of the Board of Directors and staff of EasyPark, spoke in support of staff's recommendations and noted the operating budget continues to provide valuable customer service programs. Mr. McKinney also advised he looks forward to further discussion regarding the Corporation's mandate and Council's policy on transportation and the current management agreement.
Paul Tubbe, Chair, Advisory Committee on Disability Issues, spoke in support of staff's recommendations and noted there is an opportunity with parking to demonstrate a model of excellence for accessible community environmental standards for the 2006 World Urban Forum and the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
MOVED by Councillor Bass
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council receive for information the summary of the Parking Corporation of Vancouver (EasyPark) 2003 Operating financial results.
B. THAT Council receive for information the summary of the EasyPark 2004 Operating Budget.
C. THAT Council approve the EasyPark Capital Budget items totalling $748,000 with funding provided from the Parking Site Reserve ($693,000) and the Property Endowment Fund ($55,000).
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Stevenson absent for the vote.)
4. Sidewalks - Policy Objectives and Revisions to Local Improvement Cost Share Divisions (File 5808)
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated March 23, 2004, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services, sought to establish Council policy on sidewalk priorities and funding strategy to expedite completion of the sidewalk network.
Peter Judd, Assistant City Engineer, Streets, and Brian Willock, Streets Operations, with the aid of an overhead presentation, provided Council with an overview of the report. Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, cautioned Council this is a major piece of public policy, and once these local improvements go forward to the Court of Revision, significant delegations objecting to these projects could be expected.
Paul Tubbe, Chair, Advisory Committee on Disability Issues, spoke in support of staff's recommendations and noted this is the opportunity to benchmark, then showcase the legacy being created. Mr. Tubbe encouraged, and offered support for, an inclusive safe sidewalk environment and thanked the City for prioritizing citizens and pedestrians.
Cicely Bryce, spoke in support of the report's recommendations and sought assurance the recommended revised cost share divisions for local improvement projects will achieve the desired result. Ms. Bryce also made reference to specific areas of concern, including safety and environmental issues related to lane paving. She noted sidewalks need to be the priority and the public should not be given options around proposals to build sidewalks on special grounds.
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council establish a broad policy objective of completing the sidewalk network to include sidewalks on both sides all blocks based on the following priorities:
i. transit routes
ii. arterial streets
iii. pedestrian collector routes
iv. higher zoned streets
v. local residential streets
B. THAT Council adopt a policy to expedite completion of the sidewalk network on both sides of all transit routes by 2007 to coincide with TransLink's schedule to offer wheelchair accessible service on all routes, and on both sides of all developed arterial streets by 2009 in advance of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
C. THAT existing sidewalks be reconstructed at Council's discretion outside the Local Improvement Process at City cost.
D. THAT Council request the Director of Legal Services and the General Manager of Engineering Services to bring forward the necessary amendments to By-law No. 3614 (Local Improvement Procedure By-law) to modernize the language of the by-law, to revise the cost share divisions for new projects undertaken by Council after the date the by-law takes effect, and to make other amendments to the by-law necessary to give effect to the revised cost share divisions. The revised cost share divisions will be expressed in percentages of the total project costs as follows:
i. All New Sidewalk Projects:
City pays 80% and Property Owners pay 20%
ii. Residential Street Pavement and Curb Projects:
City pays 70% and Property Owners pay 30%
iii. Residential Lane Pavement Projects:
City pays 40% and Property Owners pay 60%
iv. Higher Zoned Street Pavement and Curb Projects:
City pays 30% and Property Owners pay 70%
v. Higher Zoned Lane Pavement Projects:
City pays 20% and Property Owners pay 80%
E. THAT staff be requested to report back with ways to accelerate the implementation of sidewalks.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Reconsideration of Community Services Grants Applicants (File 2151)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 15, 2004, in which the Director of Social Planning presented the results of the reconsideration process which was initiated by eleven Community Services Grants applicants, and made recommendations based on the outcome of this process. The General Manager of Community Services submitted A through K2, as set out in the report, for Council's consideration.
The Chair suggested the 25 delegations registered to speak on a number of reconsideration grants contained in this report may wish to first consider a motion prepared by Councillor Woodsworth. All delegations so agreed.
Rick Gates, Social Planner, in response to questions from Council, explained current City policy is not to fund groups seeking replacement of government funds, or proposing to do work that comes within the mandate of other levels of government. A majority of Council members agreed funding such organizations referenced in staff's report would ensure they are able to continue important work in the city, and noted required funds could come initially from contingency and be replenished from slots revenue.
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve a grant of $14,000 to La Boussole and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly; source of funds to be Contingency Reserve.
B. THAT Council approve a grant of $15,000 to the Real Power Youth Society and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly; source of funds to be Contingency Reserve.
C. THAT Council approve a grant of $49,421 to Vancouver Women's Health Collective Society and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly; source of funds to be Contingency Reserve.
D. THAT Council approve a grant of $32,000 to Vancouver Status of Women and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased by $16,000. The source of funds is the allocation from the Community Services Grants budget, originally recommended but not approved, for this organization, plus an additional $16,000 from Contingency Reserve.
E. THAT Council not approve the requested increase to the recommended grant for WISH Drop-in Centre Society, but THAT Council approve a grant of $34,000 to WISH Drop-in Centre Society, with the following condition:
WISH WILL WORK WITH SOCIAL PLANNING STAFF AND OTHER GOVERNMENT STAKEHOLDER GROUPS TO IDENTIFY CONCRETE STEPS TO RESTRUCTURE ITS OPERATIONS IN ORDER TO ENSURE MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY OF RUNNING AND FINANCING THE DROP-IN CENTRE AND ITS PROGRAMS.
Source of funds is the allocation from the Community Services Grants budget, originally recommended but not approved, for this organization.
F. THAT Council approve a grant of $15,000 to ALDA - the Adult Learning Disabilities Association, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased by $7,500. If approved, the source of funds is the allocation from the Community Services Grants budget, originally recommended but not approved, for this organization, plus the additional $7,500 added to the Community Services Grants budget.
G. THAT Council approve a grant of $37,400 to Big Brothers, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased by $18,700. If approved, the source of funds is the allocation from the Community Services Grants budget, originally recommended but not approved, for this organization, plus the additional $18,700 added to the Community Services Grants budget.
H. THAT Council approve a grant of $17,000 to Pacific Post Partum, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased by $8,500. If approved, the source of funds is the allocation from the Community Services Grants budget, originally recommended but not approved, for this organization, plus the additional $8,500 added to the Community Services Grants budget.
I. THAT Council approve a grant of $16,200 to the Renfrew-Collingwood Seniors Society, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased by $8,100. If approved, the source of funds is the allocation from the Community Services Grants budget, originally recommended but not approved, for this organization, plus the additional $8,100 added to the Community Services Grants budget.
J. THAT Council approve a grant of $10,000 to the Western Institute of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased by $5,000. If approved, the source of funds is the allocation from the Community Services Grants budget, originally recommended but not approved, for this organization, plus the additional $5,000 added to the Community Services Grants budget.
K. THAT Council approve a grant of $16,500 to the Environmental Youth Alliance - YouthMappers, and that the Community Services Grants budget be increased accordingly.
L. THAT additional funding requirements be transferred from Contingency Reserve, and that these additional funds be returned to Contingency Reserve from slot money revenue, once this money flows into the City.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed to A-D.)
The Committee adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
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