CITY OF VANCOUVER
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT
Date: March 30, 2004
Author/Local: Diane Switzer/604.264-9642
RTS No. 04040
CC File No.
5054
Meeting Date: April 22, 2004
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TO: |
Standing Committee on Planning and Environment |
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FROM: |
Executive Director, Vancouver Heritage Foundation |
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SUBJECT: |
Vancouver Heritage Foundation - 2003 Annual Report |
RECOMMENDATION
A. THAT Council approve the 2003 Annual Report of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, Appendix A to this report, and
B. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to execute and approve a new 3 year operating agreement at an annual cost of $100,000 for the Vancouver Heritage Foundation's services, and that the Agreement be to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services and the City Manager.
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The City Manager believes the Vancouver Heritage Foundation provides an effective service to the citizens of Vancouver. Although it is disappointing that the endowment fund is not increasing as hoped, the Foundation is still pursuing. Therefore, the City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of A and B.
COUNCIL POLICY
Council approved the creation of the City of Vancouver Heritage Conservation Foundation, known as the Vancouver Heritage Foundation (VHF), in June 1992, with the Mayor & Council as its Directors.
On January 1, 1998, the Mayor and Council relinquished day-to-day governance to an independent Board of Directors appointed by City Council, who remain as the Honorary Patrons.
At its September 13, 2001 meeting, the Planning & Environment Committee of Council approved a 3-year contract with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation (VHF), at an annual cost of $100,000, subject to an annual report from the Foundation, including progress on the generation of an operating endowment fund. This funding is to be provided from the annual operating budget, commencing in 2002.
Also, on September 13, 2001, the Planning & Environment Committee of Council authorized the Director of Legal Services to execute an operating agreement and contract with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation, to be drawn to the satisfaction and approval of the General Manager of Community Services and the City Manager.
On April 30, 2002, Council approved the 2001 Annual Report of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation and on April 22, 2003 Council approved the 2002 Annual Report of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation.
PURPOSE
This report seeks Council approval of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation's 2003 annual report according to its operating agreement with the City of Vancouver, as signed by the Foundation on March 25, 2002. Upon approval of the annual report the VHF will receive their 2004 operating money.
This report also seeks renewal of the operating agreement for 3 years, 2005 - 2007.
BACKGROUND
In the Fall of 2001, Council approved a 3-year contract with the Vancouver Heritage Foundation at an annual cost of $100,000, subject to the approval of an annual report to Council by VHF. Staff were asked to draft an operating agreement, which was executed on March 25, 2002. This report fulfills the annual report requirement of the VHF operating agreement with the City of Vancouver.
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation had a successful year. A detailed account of the Foundation's 2003 accomplishments are listed in the accompanying Annual Report (Appendix A). Highlights include:
· 10 Founding Pillar Endowment Fund gifts of $10,000 each were received for the Vancouver Heritage Conservation fund held at the Vancouver Foundation. Two additional Founding Pillar gifts were received early in 2004.
. Successful completion of the 5th year of granting in True Colours, bringing 1 new heritage designation and painting 10 other protected heritage buildings. This brings to 32 the total number of houses painted in the program and the number of new designations brought to the city through True Colours to 16.
. The Historical Vancouver True Colours paint palette was officially launched at two separate events during Heritage Week in February 2003. The Vancouver Heritage Foundation partnered with SFU City Program for a public lecture and one day workshop on historic colours with experts, Susan Buck of University of Delaware and local historical colour expert, Don Luxton. Benjamin Moore launched the palette at their annual designer event held at the Centre for the Performing Arts.
. 9,000 Historical Vancouver True Colours colour cards were sold through the VHF and Benjamin Moore retailers. Revenue to the VHF is $4500. Because of the success of the Vancouver colour card, Benjamin Moore is in discussions with the Toronto Heritage Foundation to undertake a similar project in that city.
· Open Vancouver Heritage House Tour opened the doors of 14 heritage buildings to 1200 visitors during a one day, self-guided tour. This highly successful event was sold out. The event not only drew public attention to the city's varied stock of heritage houses in neighbourhoods spread from Strathcona, to Kits to Shaughnessy, it also raised more than $20,000 for the VHF.
. More than 125 volunteers donated their time to guide visitors through the houses during Open Vancouver. Many more volunteers than could be used were turned away. The VHF's success in engaging citizens in heritage activities through public events, granting programs and volunteer opportunities was highlighted during a workshop given by the VHF Executive Director at the 2003 Heritage Canada Conference in Winnipeg.
· The moving, restoration and sale of the Leslie Lane House now located at 1117 Pendrell Street was completed in April, 2003. The project was a public relations success, bringing attention and partnerships to heritage restoration and to the VHF from related businesses and professionals. The project was not a financial success losing $18,000. This was because it took two years to get permits and there were significant mechanical requirements and rainscreening technology that were required after the conclusion of the permitting process. As a demonstration project this project revealed that small scale restoration projects are not economically viable. A debriefing session on the project was facilitated and reported on by Terra Housing. The session was attended by the VHF, city staff, the contractor, the architect and the realtor. The report is available from the VHF.
2003 VHF Annual Report is attached as Appendix A
Audited Financial Statements are attached as Appendix B
The budget for 2004 is attached as Appendix C.
Attached is a 2003 work plan (Appendix D) which outlines anticipated activity in the current year.
APPENDIX A
YEAR 2003 ANNUAL REPORT
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation was established as a charitable organization in 1992 by Mayor & Council of the City of Vancouver, who were its inaugural governing body and remain the Foundation Honorary Patrons. Since 1998 the Foundation has been governed by a citizen Board of Directors appointed by Mayor & Council.
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation was created to support the conservation of Vancouver's built heritage in recognition of its public benefit through:
1. Maintaining a sustainable organization through fundraising events and the receipt of planned gifts, cash, real property and grants.
2. Developing programs that provide economic incentive for the restoration of heritage buildings.
3. Educating heritage building owners and occupants about the benefits and methods of built heritage conservation.
4. Promoting public, neighbourhood and industry involvement in heritage activities.
(Mission Statement updated, September, 2003)
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is working to preserve our past as a legacy for future generations. The city's built heritage buildings are an important cultural asset and their loss weakens the distinctiveness of our neighbourhoods and it lessens our sense of attachment to the past. It undermines the attractiveness of Vancouver as a tourism destination, and it harms the environment through the waste produced when old buildings are replaced rather than restored.
In 2003, the Vancouver Heritage Foundation worked towards achieving its goals through:
FOUNDING PILLARS ENDOWMENT FUND CAMPAIGN
At the end of 2003, $250,000 was deposited into the VHF Heritage Conservation Fund held at the Vancouver Foundation. Ten Founding Pillar donors gave gifts of $10,000 each to be matched to an earlier grant received in 1998 from the City of Vancouver to be used for endowment purposes.
GRANTS AT WORK - Supporting neighbourhoods one building at a time.
Once one building in a neighbourhood begins restoration work others soon follow suit, but restoring and maintaining an old house is a costly undertaking. Sourcing & locating supplies that accurately match the existing building or finding a tradesperson with the right skills is time consuming and expensive. In recognition of this hardship and to offer heritage homeowners an incentive to maintain and preserve their houses, the Foundation offers a series of grant programs.
2003 Grants were awarded to:
1. Painting of buildings at 2627 Dundas, 641 East Georgia St. 3143 Crown, 8 houses in the Pacific Heights Coop and 3838 Cypress
2. Masonry Balustrade balcony railing repair, Hycroft, 1489 McRae
3. Front porch restoration, 2728 Pandora St.
4. Re-roofing at 2647 Manitoba St, 312 Union and 641 East Georgia St..
5. Restoring the Victorian detailing on 1157 - 1169 Pendrell St.
6. City of Vancouver Heritage Planning Group to produce new case studies of heritage conservation projects.
True Colours - an exterior paint granting program
True Colours is a highly successful VHF program that has received international reknown. Now in its 5th year, it is a granting program that has painted 32 houses spread throughout Vancouver in their original and authentic Vancouver historical colour schemes. Underscoring this success, hundreds of other homes have used the colour palette to paint their own homes. Homeowners receive a professional heritage colour consultation, complementary paint from corporate partner, Benjamin Moore Co. & Limited, and the Foundation awards cash grants. All houses painted through the program are legally protected heritage buildings in the City of Vancouver. True Colours has brought 16 new designations to the City.
New Program..... Restore It! Exterior Fabric Granting Program
Restore It! provides $2500 cash grants to legally protected heritage houses for the maintenance and restoration of the exterior fabric of the buildings. Projects such as roofs, masonry, siding, windows, and porches are eligible for grants. In 2003, the first year of the program five grants were awarded. All grant recipients have up to two years to complete their projects.
Special Project Grant
The Board of Directors annually awards up to $5000 to a heritage conservation project in Vancouver that the Board feels will raise awareness about heritage conservation, will raise the profile of the Foundation and / or will demonstrate good conservation principles. In 2003 a $5000 grant was awarded to the City of Vancouver Heritage Planning Group for the creation of new case studies of heritage conservation projects to assist applicants for heritage projects plan their projects.
OPEN VANCOUVER HERITAGE HOUSE TOUR, June 6, 2003
Over 1200 people visited 14 heritage houses during the inaugural, self-guided heritage house tour held in June 1003. The event attracted more than 120 citizens to volunteer their time to guide visitors through the houses. The event raised more than $20,000 and succeeded in raising public awareness about Vancouver's history, neighbourhoods and built heritage. A second tour is planned for June 6, 2004.
PARTNERSHIP WITH THE VANCOUVER FILM SCHOOL TO PRODUCE A VHF CD ROM
A new interactive CD ROM showcasing the programs and activities of the Foundation was launched in 2003. The CD was produced by the Interactive Media students at the Vancouver Film School under the direction of Instructor, John Keyes and student producer, Marta Salgado. This wonderful tool will assist the Foundation raise public awareness about heritage conservation and the work of the Foundation.
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATION FOR THE NATION WIDE FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN TO PRESERVE THE KOGAWA HOMESTEAD IN MARPOLE
The Vancouver Heritage Foundation is assisting the nation wide initiative to raise funds for the future purchase and restoration of the Vancouver family home of well known Canadian author, Joy Kogawa. Ms. Kogawa's family lived in the house until their internment in 1942 and the home was woven into her acclaimed novel, OBASAN. The Foundation is playing an administrative role in the fundraising campaign undertaken by the Kogawa Homestead Committee.
ADMINISTRATION & OPERATIONS
The Foundation is administered by a part-time Executive Director working as an independent contractor. Contract workers are engaged as needed for program delivery, graphics, administrative assistance, legal help and accounting. The Foundation does not currently have office space, office equipment or employees. Overhead costs are thus kept to a minimum.
The annual audit of the Vancouver Heritage Foundation for the year ended December 31, 2003 will go before the Vancouver Heritage Foundation Board of Directors at the Annual General Meeting on April 26, 2003.
See attached Audited Financial Statements (appendix B) prepared by Wolrige Mahon.
APPENDIX D
2004 WORK PLAN
MISSION
Support the conservation of Vancouver's built heritage for its public benefit. The Foundation does this by:
1. Maintaining a sustainable organization through fundraising events and the receipt of planned gifts, cash, real property and grants.
2. Developing programs that provide an economic incentive for the restoration & maintenance of heritage buildings.
3. Education heritage building owners and occupants about the benefits and methods of built heritage conservation.
4. Promoting public, neighbourhood and industry involvement in heritage activities
(Updated September, 2003)
In 2004, the Vancouver Heritage Foundation will achieve its goals through:
Fundraising & Resource Development
1. Maintain and further develop public profile of the VHF through:
a. Marketing the OPEN VANCOUVER: Heritage House Tour
b. "Old News" newsletter twice / year to 2500 homes
c. Publish an annual report for the public
d. Set up a VHF booth at the BC Home & Garden Show
e. Attend select related conferences and community programs.
f. Continue to work with related community organization such as SFU City Program, the Vancouver Museum.
g. Ensure that the VHF website is maintained with current information.
h. Establish contact with owners of homes on the heritage register, beginning with the A & B listed houses.
i. Examine the efficacy of establishing a physical presence / office space for the VHF.
2. Continue the endowment fundraising begun in 2003 and deposit a further $100,000 into the Vancouver Heritage Conservation Fund at the Vancouver Foundation.
3. Provide stewardship to the Founding Pillar donors by including them on a complementary basis to all VHF events, provide them with educational opportunities and by maintaining their names as the Founding Pillars of the VHF in the Old News newsletter.
4. Continue to cultivate the existing donors who have expressed interest in the work of the VHF by giving small donations and encourage major or planned gifts from these individuals.
5. Hold the OPEN VANCOUVER HERITAGE HOUSE TOUR June 6, 2004 and raise $40,000.
6. Promote the sale of the Vancouver Historical True Colours colour card produced by Benjamin Moore Paint Co. in collaboration with the VHF. Proceeds of $ .50 from the sale of the $1 cards will go to the VHF. Benjamin Moore printed 15,000 cards, 9000 of which were sold in 2003.
7. Fulfill the requirements of the VHF Operating Agreement with the City of Vancouver and secure a new operating agreement for 2005 - 2007.
Education & Awareness Programs
1. Publish a guidebook with financial assistance from event sponsor Benwell Atkins printers for OPEN VANCOUVER HERITAGE HOUSE TOUR which contains historical and architectural information about the 12 houses on the tour.
2. Open up to 12 houses to 1500 ticket holders for the Open Vancouver Heritage House Tour.
3. Partner with related community organizations on public heritage related events such as Wales St. Heritage Day and Gastown Heritage Day.
4. Plan the VHF's participation in the BC Home & Garden Show, February 23 - 27, 2005.
Granting Programs
1. True Colours exterior paint program
· Administer the program by:
1. coordinating the application process;
2. communicating with the homeowners both unsuccessful and successful applicants;
3. coordinating the colour scheme decision making process involving both VHF Directors who volunteer their time to scrape & determine the colour schemes and homeowners.
4. maintain good relationship with Benjamin Moore, the program's corporate sponsor;
5. document the program through photography;
6. ensure successful completion of the 5 selected paint projects by December 31, 2004 or, alternatively arrange for unclaimed grants to be held for 12 months.
· Investigate sources of funding for the compilation of the original research done in the True Colours documentation into an academic study.
· Promote the availability and sale of the Vancouver Historical True Colours colour card.
2. RESTORE IT! exterior fabric program
· Work with the 5 homeowners who received Restore It! grants to complete their roofing, masonry and porch detail projects before December 31, 2004.
· Administer the application process for 2004 grants in the late fall of 2003.
3. Special Project
· Work with Board Members to find an appropriate restoration project currently underway in Vancouver to which a special project grant of $5,000 from the VHF will give the Foundation community profile and will make a difference on a heritage restoration project.
Administration & Operations
1. Ensure electronic backup of all VHF computer files on a weekly basis.
2. Maintain day to day financial records.
3. Ensure the annual report to City Council is completed in compliance with the VHF Operating Agreement with the City.
4. Ensure the audit, conducted by Wolrige Mahon, is completed.
5. Make written report of Executive Director activities to Board of Directors prior to each Board Meeting.
6. Maintain a VHF operations manual.
7. Oversee the transition to the new VHF website and ensure it has current information.
Miscellaneous
· Work with a private donor who would like to facilitate restoration work on the Burrard Bridge and follow up with consultants who have responded to the request for proposals for a lighting study for the bridge.