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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
MAY 6, 2004
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A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, May 6, 2004, at 9:30 a.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT:
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*Councillor Tim Louis, Chair
*Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
Councillor Peter Ladner
*Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Anne Roberts
Councillor Tim Stevenson
*Councillor Sam Sullivan
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, Vice-Chair
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ABSENT:
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Councillor Jim Green (Leave of Absence - Civic Business)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
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Judy Rogers, City Manager
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
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Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator
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*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Councillor Sullivan advised of his opposition to Motion L in Item No. 5 on the April 8th City Services and Budgets Minutes. Councillor Cadman noted the recording of minutes, as originally circulated, had been confirmed as correct and therefore it was
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of April 8, 2004, as originally circulated, be adopted.
CARRIED
(Councillors Ladner, Stevenson and Sullivan opposed)
(Councillor Louie and the Mayor not present for the vote)
VARY AGENDA
The Committee agreed to vary the Agenda in order to add an additional item number 4 to hear from members of the public present at this meeting who wish to speak regarding the reconsideration of the community grant application process.
INFORMATION
1. Northeast Sector Rapid Transit Alternatives Project (File 5559)
The Committee had before it for information a memorandum dated April 13, 2004, from the General Manager of Engineering Services, which provided an update on the most recent technical work and next steps for the Northeast Sector Rapid Transit Alternatives Project.
Dale Bracewell, Engineer, Strategic Transportation Planning, introduced Clive Rock, Director, Strategic Planning & Policy, TransLink.
Mr. Rock, with the aid of an overhead presentation, provided Council with key findings of the consultant's report on rapid transit options for the Northeast Sector, which included both a Northwest and Southeast alternative, and responded to questions related to:
· impact of the Southeast Route on the Livable Regional Plan;
· details of cost and ridership models;
· dollar costs per new passenger for each of the proposed technologies;
· Port Moody's referendum regarding impacts of SkyTrain on their heritage area;
· impact to Westcoast Express ridership and differences in expected new ridership between the two route options;
· reasons for the difference in travel times between the two routes; and
· impacts on residential and economic development of each option.
Council members thanked Mr. Rock for his presentation.
RECOMMENDATION
2. 2500-2600 Block East 43rd Avenue - Avalon Neighbourhood Greenway (File 5767)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 15, 2004, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommended Council approve the construction of the Avalon neighborhood greenway including a permanent pedestrian-oriented community space and pathway in the 2500-2600 Block of East 43rd Avenue.
Angela Morin, Landscape Designer, Greenways, with the aid of an overhead presentation, provided Council with an overview of the report, and distributed copies of the Neighbourhood Greenways Guide (on file). Ms. Morin also responded to questions related to the current/future use of the adjacent School Board nursery lands' potential for connecting the greenway with the Ridgeway Bikeway.
Ken Ross, Chair, Avalon Neighborhood Greenway Committee, spoke in support of the project, and if approved, invited Council to the opening ceremony scheduled for September 12th.
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT Council approve the construction of the Avalon Neighbourhood Greenway as shown in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated April 15, 2004, and entitled "2500-2600 Block East 43rd Avenue - Avalon Neighbourhood Greenway" at an estimated cost of $60,000 with funding to be provided from the 2003 Greenways Street Basic Capital, CB1EA2H.
B. THAT commencing in 2005 the Streets Operating Budget be increased by $1,700 for horticultural maintenance without offset and subject to annual budget review.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Sullivan absent for the vote)
3. Animal Control Services Strategic Plan (File 1363)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 29, 2004, in which the Chief License Inspector presented a comprehensive five-year Animal Control Strategic Plan and requested funding to implement the Plan. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, provided Council with a brief overview of the plan, stressed education is key to the public understanding the responsibility around dog ownership, and responded to questions related to the five specific issues around which the Plan is organized:
· Public safety around vicious and/or nuisance dogs;
· Shared use of parks/public spaces by dogs and public, including off-leash areas;
· Animal welfare and cruelty;
· Shelter programs and equipment; and
· Dog licensing (low rate of licensing; low revenue).
Susan Mundick, General Manager, Park Board, spoke in support of the plan in terms of managing animal control over the next five years, and advised the Park Board is looking toward expanding its off-leash program. Craig Daniell, CEO of the SPCA applauded the plan for its innovative and responsible approach, which could serve as a model for other municipalities.
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At this point in the proceedings Councillor Louis left the meeting on Civic Business and Councillor Woodsworth, Vice-Chair, assumed the Chair.
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The following delegations spoke in support of the proposed plan and a summary of their comments is provided below:
Sandra Martin Lee (brief filed)
Katherine Taylor (brief filed)
Lois Millington
Margaret Newton, Board Member, Vancouver Dog Owners Association
Judy Stone, Executive Director, Animal Advocates Society (brief filed)
Marion Postgate (pamphlet filed)
· full support for all the Strategic Plan's proposals - the sooner the better;
· proposals will help address the issues of dogs not under the control of their owners;
· enforcement is the most urgent need;
· take immediate action to implement this report's recommendations;
· playgrounds and beaches need to be identified as no-dog zones, and this incorporated into public education;
· designate specific fines and penalties for doggie daycare operators that are found not to be in compliance with leashing and other dog control requirements;
· more off-leash parks are required to allow people to exercise their dogs off-leash near their residences;
· the justice institute would be a valuable resource in training staff how to approach a difficult situation;
· the education portion of the Strategic Plan needs the greatest emphasis;
· with regard to animal welfare and cruelty - do what is right for the dog and safety will follow;
· dog owners should pay for dog control, but the fee for an intact dog should be far greater than for a sterilized dog - statistics show it is unsterilized male dogs that most frequently attack people and create discord among other dogs; and
· the public needs to be aware of a suitable standard for their dogs behaviour.
Donna Liberson, Animal Rights Coalition, (material filed) requested Council not endorse the plan until all data has been analyzed, as there is not sufficient evidence to warrant an increase in the budget for animal control staff and policing power. Ms. Liberson suggested contracting out would be a more cost-effective alternative and concluded by noting the increased funding will not benefit the animals.
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. That Council endorse the five-year Animal Control Strategic Plan for the City of Vancouver, outlined in Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated March 29, 2004, entitled "Animal Control Services Strategic Plan", as a guide for staff action to improve Animal Control Services.
B. That Council approve in principle, additional funding, outlined in Appendix B of the Administrative Report dated March 29, 2004, entitled "Animal Control Services Strategic Plan", for additional staffing resources and program costs, to implement the Animal Control Strategic Plan, with specific funding for each fiscal year as follows:
i) That for 2004 Council approve additional funding of $301,300 (pro-rated to $178,300). Source of funds to be $149,300 from Contingency Reserve and $29,000 from increased dog license fees. For 2005 additional funding of $122,000 be approved, with the source of funds to be $58,000 added to the Animal Control Services operating budget without offset and $64,000 from increased dog licenses.
ii) That Council instruct staff to report back on the second phase of the Animal Control Services Strategic Plan (years 3 to 5) in June 2005. This will provide an update on program implementation, further funding for additional staff and equipment, and a strategy for raising additional revenue.
C. That Council approve the following positions, as funded by Recommendation B1, to be added to Animal Control services.
In 2004;
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1.0 Animal Control Officer
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$47,500
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1.0 Clerk
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$39,900
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1.0 Program Coordinator
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$50,000
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0.9 Kennel Attendant
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$35,900
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In 2005;
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Animal Control Officer
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$47,500
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Duty Driver
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$40,500
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CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Louie absent for the vote)
(Councillor Louis on Civic Business - absent for the vote)
INFORMATION
4. Reconsideration of Grants Applications (File 2151)
At the commencement of this meeting, the Committee agreed to vary the Agenda in order to add an additional item number 4 to hear from members of the public who wish to speak regarding the reconsideration of the community grant application process.
Andrea Kiss, Coordinator, Business and Finance, North Shore Counselling Centre Society, requested the grant reconsideration process be reviewed and her organization and perhaps others be given the opportunity to ask for reconsideration of their refused grant application. Ms. Kiss noted Council has agreed to fund a number of groups whose applications were not initially recommended for approval.
Members of Council confirmed all groups whose applications had been turned down received a letter advising of the opportunity to apply for reconsideration.
Brian Rees noted his continued demand for an independent forensic accounting and support for a related motion to be dealt with later this day.
The Committee adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
MAY 6, 2004
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A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, May 6, 2004, at 1:15 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations and actions of the Committee.
PRESENT:
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Mayor Larry Campbell
Councillor Fred Bass
Councillor David Cadman
**Councillor Jim Green
Councillor Peter Ladner
*Councillor Raymond Louie
Councillor Anne Roberts
Councillor Tim Stevenson
Councillor Sam Sullivan
Councillor Ellen Woodsworth, Deputy Mayor
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ABSENT:
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Councillor Tim Louis (Civic Business)
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CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:
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Judy Rogers, City Manager
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CITY CLERK'S OFFICE:
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Denise Salmon, Meeting Coordinator
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*Denotes absence for a portion of the meeting.
**Denotes absence on Civic Business for a portion of the meeting.
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
May 6, 2004
Council considered the report containing the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets. Its items of business included:
1. Northeast Sector Rapid Transit Alternatives Project
2. 2500-2600 Block East 43rd Avenue - Avalon Neighbourhood Greenway
3. Animal Control Services Strategic Plan
4. Reconsideration of Grants Applications
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets at its meeting of May 6, 2004, as contained in Items 1-4, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Roberts
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
1. A By-law to levy rates on all taxable real property in the City of Vancouver to raise a sum which, added to the estimated revenue of the city of Vancouver from other sources, will be sufficient to pay all debts and obligations of the City of Vancouver falling due within the year 2004 and not otherwise provided for (By-law No.8843)
2. A By-law to levy a rate on property to raise monies required to be paid to the Greater Vancouver Regional District (By-law No.8844)
A. Administrative Motions
1. Tax Levies for Provincial Schools (File 1552)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT WHEREAS pursuant to Section 119(3) of the School Act, the Surveyor of Taxes for the Province of British Columbia in each year levies a tax on the net taxable value of all land and improvements in the City of Vancouver;
AND WHEREAS on April 21, 2004 by Orders-in-Council No. 0398 and No. 0399, the Lieutenant-Governor in Council levied the following tax rates on Class 1 - Residential and Class 6 - business and other:
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Class 1 - residential
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2.5937
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Class 6 - business and other
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9.9000
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being dollars of tax for each one thousand dollars of taxable value, for the 2004 taxation year, which when applied to the net taxable value of all land and improvements in the respective Classes in the City of Vancouver would raise the following sums:
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Class 1 - residential
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$ 168,908,133
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Class 6 - business and other
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$ 142,044,855
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AND WHEREAS on March 25, 2004, pursuant to provisions of the Vancouver Charter, Council approved Bylaw 8822 which authorized adjustment of the net taxable value of land in Class 1 - residential and Class 6 - business and other, within the City of Vancouver;
AND WHEREAS the net taxable value and the adjusted taxable value pursuant to the Council by-law of March 25, 2004, of land in the above-noted Classes subject to taxation under the School Act for the year 2004 are as follows:
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Net Taxable Value
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Adjusted Taxable Value
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Class 1 - residential
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$ 65,122,463,395
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$ 61,230,556,701
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Class 6 - business & other
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14,347,965,159
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13,718,414,109
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AND WHEREAS Council is obliged to vary the rate set by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council in order to produce the same amount of revenue that would have been raised if the net taxable value of the specified land had not been adjusted;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in the case of Class 1 - residential, the rate of 2.75856 is hereby substituted for the rate of 2.5937; and in the case of Class 6 - business and other, the rate of 10.35432 is substituted for the rate of 9.9000 for taxation pursuant to the School Act within the City of Vancouver for the 2004 taxation year.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Green and Louie absent for the vote)
2. Tax Levies for British Columbia Assessment Authority (File 1552)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
AND WHEREAS on March 2, 2004, the Authority, levied the following tax rates on Class 1 - residential and Class 6 - business and other:
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Class 1 - residential
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0.1057
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Class 6 - business and other
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0.2959
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being dollars of tax for each one thousand dollars of taxable value, for the 2004 taxation year, which when applied to the net taxable value of all land and improvements in the respective Classes in the City of Vancouver (excluding property taxable for school purposes only by special act) would raise the following sums:
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Class 1 - residential
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$ 6,883,375
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Class 6 - business and other
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$ 4,228,956
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AND WHEREAS on March 25, 2004, pursuant to provisions of the Vancouver Charter, Council approved Bylaw 8822 which authorized adjustment of the net taxable value of land in Class 1 - residential and Class 6 - business and other, within the City of Vancouver;
AND WHEREAS the net taxable value and the adjusted taxable value pursuant to the Council by-law of March 25, 2004, of land in the above-noted Classes subject to taxation under the British Columbia Assessment Authority Act for the year 2004 are as follows:
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Net Taxable Value
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Adjusted Taxable Value
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Class 1 - residential
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$ 65,121,806,195
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$ 61,229,899,501
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Class 6 - business & other
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14,291,843,359
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13,665,520,977
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AND WHEREAS Council is obliged to vary the rate set by the British Columbia Assessment Authority in order to produce the same amount of revenue that would have been raised if the net taxable value of the specified land had not been adjusted;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in the case of Class 1 - residential, the rate of 0.11242 is hereby substituted for the rate of 0.10570; and in the case of Class 6 - business and other, the rate of 0.30946 is substituted for the rate of 0.29590 for taxation pursuant to the Assessment Authority within the City of Vancouver for the 2004 taxation year.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Green absent for the vote)
3. Tax Levies for Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia (File 1552)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT WHEREAS pursuant to Section 17 and 18 of the Municipal Finance Authority Act, the Municipal Finance Authority of BC in each year levies a tax on the net taxable value of all land and improvements in the City of Vancouver (excluding property that is taxable for school purposes only by special act);
AND WHEREAS on March 25, 2004, the Authority, with the approval of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council, levied the following tax rates on Class 1 - residential and Class 6 - business and other:
Class 1 - residential
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0.00030
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Class 6 - business and other
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0.00010
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being dollars of tax for each one thousand dollars of taxable value, for the 2004 taxation year, which when applied to the net taxable value of all land and improvements in the respective Classes in the City of Vancouver (excluding property taxable for school purposes only by special act) would raise the following sums:
Class 1 - residential
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$ 19,537
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Class 6 - business and other
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$ 1,429
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AND WHEREAS on March 25, 2004, pursuant to provisions of the Vancouver Charter, Council approved Bylaw 8822 which authorized adjustment of the net taxable value of land in Class 1 - residential and Class 6 - business and other, within the City of Vancouver;
AND WHEREAS the net taxable value and the adjusted taxable value pursuant to the Council by-law of March 25, 2004, of land in the above-noted Classes subject to taxation under the Municipal Finance Authority Act for the year 2004 are as follows:
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Net Taxable Value
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Adjusted Taxable Value
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Class 1 - residential
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$ 65,121,806,195
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$ 61,229,899,501
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Class 6 - business & other
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14,291,843,359
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13,665,520,977
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AND WHEREAS Council is obliged to vary the rate set by the Municipal Finance Authority in order to produce the same amount of revenue that would have been raised if the net taxable value of the specified land had not been adjusted;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in the case of Class 1 - residential, the rate of 0.00032 is hereby substituted for the rate of 0.00030; and in the case of Class 6 - business and other, the rate of 0.00010 is substituted for the rate of 0.00010 for taxation pursuant to the Municipal Finance Authority Act within the City of Vancouver for the 2004 taxation year.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Green absent for the vote)
4. Tax Levies for Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority (File 1552)
MOVED by Councillor Woodsworth
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT WHEREAS pursuant to Section 25(9) of the Greater Vancouver Transportation Act, the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority in each year levies a tax on the net taxable value of all land and improvements in the City of Vancouver (excluding property that is taxable for school purposes only by special act);
AND WHEREAS, on March 23, 2004, the Authority levied the following tax rates on Class 1 - residential and Class 6 - business and other:
Class 1 - residential
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0.27520
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Class 6 - business and other
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1.63600
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being dollars of tax for each one thousand dollars of taxable value, for the 2004 taxation year, which when applied to the net taxable value of all land and improvements in the respective classes in the City of Vancouver (excluding property taxable for school purposes only by special act) would raise the following sums:
Class 1 - residential
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$ 17,921,521
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Class 6 - business and other
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$ 23,381,456
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AND WHEREAS on March 25, 2004, pursuant to provisions of the Vancouver Charter, Council approved Bylaw 8822 which authorized adjustment of the net taxable value of land in Class 1 - residential and Class 6 - business and other, within the City of Vancouver;
AND WHEREAS the net taxable value and the adjusted taxable value pursuant to the Council by-law of March 25, 2004, of land in the above-noted Classes subject to taxation under the Greater Vancouver Transportation Act for the year 2004 are as follows:
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Net Taxable Value
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Adjusted Taxable Value
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Class 1 - residential
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$ 65,121,806,195
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$ 61,229,899,501
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Class 6 - business & other
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14,291,843,359
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13,665,520,977
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AND WHEREAS Council is obliged to vary the rate set by the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority in order to produce the same amount of revenue that would have been raised if the net taxable value of the specified land had not been adjusted;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, in the case of Class 1 - residential, the rate of 0.29269 is hereby substituted for the rate of 0.27520; and in the case of Class 6 - business and other, the rate of 1.71098 is substituted for the rate of 1.63600 for taxation pursuant to the Greater Vancouver Transportation Act within the City of Vancouver for the 2004 taxation year.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Green absent for the vote)
B. Motion on Notice
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At this point in the proceedings, the Mayor stepped down as Chair in order to participate in the debate and Councillor Bass, and subsequently Councillor Woodsworth, Deputy Mayor, assumed the Chair.
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1. Call For Independent Inquiry into Vancouver's Sponsorship Program (File 2151)
At the Regular Council meeting held May 4, 2004, the following Motion was moved by Councillor Sullivan and seconded by Councillor Ladner. Councillor Stevenson called Notice under Section 5.4 (c) of the Procedure By-law.
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
WHEREAS,
The City of Vancouver has established a grant program in which trained and competent staff review applications for sponsorship from non-profit groups and conduct due diligence to ensure that citizens of Vancouver receive the benefits from these sponsorship dollars.
The recent "celebration" grants program featured a panel of 5 highly regarded community volunteers who spent significant amounts of personal time aiding our staff in their recommendations.
There is a reconsideration process in place to provide an opportunity for applicants whose requests were rejected by staff to appeal to Council with arguments as to why they should receive funding. These appeals for reconsideration take place in public to ensure there is proper and transparent process for disbursement of public funds.
During the April 8th community service grants reconsideration meeting, no delegations publicly presented any rationale as to why they should have their grants reconsidered.
Staff recommended in their report to Council that Council should not grant sponsorship money to a number of organizations that do not provide adequate service or were outside the mandate for Council grants, yet those organizations received money under the reconsideration process.
Some organizations that were deemed by staff to provide significant benefits to the city, and who should be funded if money were available, did not receive communications advising them of Council's intention of funding all applicants and so were excluded from the reconsideration process.
City Councillors made comments at the reconsideration meeting that indicated Councillors were communicating with a number of the organizations.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT,
Staff report back on the creation of an independent inquiry to determine the following:
· Did Council knowingly approve giving public funds to groups that:
· do not adequately provide services they claim to provide;
· whose services fall outside the mandate of city council funding;
· charge out at rates staff believe are unreasonable;
· do not have the organizational capacity to provide the services they claim to provide.
· Did any Councillors or representatives of Councillors communicate with groups staff considered ineligible for sponsorship about Council's intention to approve all requests and not communicate the same information to eligible and worthy groups.
· What actions can Council take to restore confidence in our sponsorship programs.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Louie, Roberts, Stevenson, Woodsworth and the Mayor opposed.)
MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
SECONDED by Councillor Ladner
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Louie
SECONDED by Councillor Cadman
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
The amendment having carried, the motion as amended was put and CARRIED with Councillors Ladner and Sullivan opposed.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Louis (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Bass
SECONDED by the Mayor
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
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