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REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
FEBRUARY 15, 2005 |
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at 9:30 a.m., in Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: |
Councillor Fred Bass, Chair
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Pat Boomhower, Meeting Coordinator |
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of November 30, 2004, and January 18, 2005, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Chilco Bikeway and Cardero Bikeway (File 5553)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 26, 2005, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the General Manager of Parks and Recreation, sought Council’s approval and funding to implement the Chilco Bikeway and the Cardero Bikeway.
Doug Louie, Downtown Transportation Engineer, provided an overview of the report and noted that both bikeways are part of the 2002 Downtown Transportation Plan.
The following spoke in support of the bikeways:
Brent Granby, West End Residents Association
David Pritchard, Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition
Jack Becker
Speakers’ comments included:
· over 50% of West End residents commute using modes other than private automobile;
· the designs would be a valuable addition to the City’s bike network and help encourage more people to cycle;
· tourists from bike rentals benefit as well;
· there is already a lot of cycling traffic so need to delineate the routes more; and
· there are situations of congestion, night cycling is difficult, Lagoon Drive route is affected by ice, and Chilco Street is not really cycleable with the current “barrier”.
The following spoke in opposition to staff recommendations:
Eleanor Hadley
Paul Gilmore (brief submitted – on file)
A summary of their comments follows:
· concern that pedestrian safety is jeopardized by creating a bicycle “highway”, especially given cyclists who don’t follow rules and the number of pedestrians;
· bikeways would be a great disruption, making it unsafe after residents worked hard to make the West End safe;
· unfair for property owners, meanwhile cyclists are not required to be licensed;
· strongly opposed to having a bike path through the existing Robson Street cul-de-sac as this would create unnecessary danger for pedestrians and this violates the City’s policy of having pedestrians as the first priority; and
· by removing the need to dismount, there is nothing to deter cyclists, roller bladers, skateboarders, and motorcyclists from speeding through.
Doug Louie, Downtown Transportation Engineer, responded to questions relating to possible measures to address pedestrians’ concerns in relation to cyclists and skate boarders.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the Chilco Bikeway be constructed as detailed in the Administrative Report dated January 26, 2005, entitled “Chilco Bikeway and Cardero Bikeway”, at a cost of $39,000 with $19,500 funded from the 2003 Streets Basic Capital for Bicycle Network and the remaining $19,500 cost sharing from either the 2005 TransLink Bicycle Program or the Province’s Cycling Infrastructure Partnership Program (CIPP).
B. THAT the Cardero Bikeway be constructed as detailed in the Administrative Report dated January 26, 2005, entitled “Chilco Bikeway and Cardero Bikeway”, at a cost of $256,000 with $128,000 funded from the 2004 Streets Basic Capital for Bicycle Network and the remaining $128,000 cost sharing from either the 2005 TransLink Bicycle Program or the Province’s Cycling Infrastructure Partnership Program (CIPP).
C. THAT commencing in 2006, the annual Streets Operating Budget for Signage be increased by $3500, without offset and subject to 2006 Budget Review, for maintenance of the route.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Valley Drive and 29th Avenue Bike Routes (File 5553)
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 24, 2005, in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought Council’s approval to establish bicycle routes on Trafalgar Street and Valley Drive between West 10th and West 33rd Avenues and on West 29th Avenue, Eddington Drive, Nanton Avenue, West 28th Avenue and Midlothian Avenue, between Imperial Drive and Ontario Street.
Jim Hall, Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, provided an overview of the report and noted these routes have been endorsed by the Bicycle Advisory Committee and that public consultation will be carried out with regard to design details. Mr. Hall responded to questions regarding initiatives related to the Engineering portion of the Community Amenity Contributions fund.
MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT a bicycle route be established along Trafalgar Street and Valley Drive, from West 10th Avenue to West 33rd Avenue, subject to consultation regarding design details with neighbours abutting the route.
B. THAT a bicycle route be established along West 29th Avenue, Eddington Drive, Nanton Avenue, West 28th Avenue and Midlothian Avenue, from Imperial Drive to Ontario Street, subject to consultation regarding design details with neighbours abutting the route.
C. THAT $190,000 of the estimated $380,000 cost for these cycling improvements be provided from Community Amenity Contributions generated from 1925 West 33rd Avenue (Arbutus Gardens), with the remaining $190,000 funded from TransLink cost sharing contribution.
D. THAT, commencing in 2006, the Traffic Operating Budget be increased by $1500, the Streets Operating Budget be increased by $1500, and the Traffic Signal Maintenance Budget be increased by $2500, without offset, subject to the 2006 Budget Review.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. City of Vancouver initiatives related to the recommendations in Practicing Democracy: A Legislative Theatre Project (File 4657)
On October 19, 2004, Vancouver City Council postponed consideration of this matter to a future Standing Committee meeting to hear from speakers. Accordingly, the Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January 27, 2005, in which the City Manager submitted to Council information on current and ongoing City initiatives related to the recommendations contained in the report Practicing Democracy – a Legislative Theatre Project dated April 21, 2004, from Headlines Theatre.
Wendy Au, Manager, Special Projects, noted the work on these initiatives is being done by a number of staff and responded to questions from Council regarding the “C2” category of recommendations, the referencing of the origin of those recommendations, and estimate of staff costs to date.
The following speakers spoke with regard to follow-up on recommendations from the Practicing Democracy Theatre Project:
David Diamond, Headlines Theatre
Jamie Lee Hamilton, Change the Code Canada
Ingrid Steenhuisen
Sandra Pronteau
Carrie Gallant
Comments provided by the foregoing speakers included the following:
· “participatory democracy” asks the public to frame the questions, determine the agenda and recommendations, and provides the opportunity for elected officials to listen and then fashion solutions;
· the Theatre project was a conduit for the public to communicate to City government and did not receive special funding from the City;
· a great cross-section of community members participated in something new and unique, contributed highly personal aspects of their lives, and are anxious to see the results but have been disheartened to see nothing to date;
· while the document outlines initiatives undertaken by the City, it does not detail other innovative ideas from the public that could become civic policy;
· this week-long workshop was a powerful tool to ensure that decision-makers look after people from all walks of life;
· strongly urge to act on the recommendations of Headlines Theatre which was created by a collective voice and suggest that some participants be part of the task force;
· concern expressed for the safety of children and youth and the need for them be free from bullying;
· sex trade worker and homelessness issues go together, as there is the vulnerability when having to sacrifice one’s body in order to have a place to sleep;
· concern for sex trade workers’ safety when they are put into shelters with men;
· there is a shortage of shelters and there needs to be follow-up; and
· urge that a Homeless and Sex Trade Worker Advocate staff position be created and that the position not reside in the police department.
Ms. Au, together with Judy Rogers, City Manager, and Cameron Gray, Director - Housing Centre, responded to questions regarding the Vancouver Agreement and groups the City is currently working with, projects related to safety and issues for sex trade workers, emergency shelters accommodating men, women and youth, jobs opportunities for residents of Downtown Eastside, and the role of the Child and Youth Advocate and the Women’s Task Force.
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the following actions be taken on the recommendations contained in Appendix C of the Administrative Report dated January 27, 2005, entitled “City of Vancouver initiatives related to the recommendations in Practicing Democracy: A Legislative Theatre Project”:
· Support C2 recommendations 153, 154, 155, 156 and all C2 Housing Recommendations be forwarded to the staff preparing the Homeless Action Plan for consideration;
· C2 Support Recommendations 157 and 158 be forwarded to the Food Policy Council for consideration;
· C2 Recommendations 113 and 116 be forwarded to the City’s Child and Youth Advocate for consideration;
· Recommendations 145 – 151, inclusive, be referred to the Women’s Task Force; and
AND FURTHER THAT, Council request all of the above recipients to report back to Council on the outcome of the above-noted C2 recommendations.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Louie
THAT the word “Support” be struck from the beginning of the first bullet and inserted after “C2” and the word “Support” be inserted after “C2” in the third bullet to specify the Recommendation category being referred to the respective bodies.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
A. THAT the following actions be taken on the recommendations contained in Appendix C of the Administrative Report dated January 27, 2005, entitled “City of Vancouver initiatives related to the recommendations in Practicing Democracy: A Legislative Theatre Project”:
· C2 Support Recommendations 153, 154, 155, 156 and all C2 Housing Recommendations be forwarded to the staff preparing the Homeless Action Plan for consideration;
· C2 Support Recommendations 157 and 158 be forwarded to the Food Policy Council for consideration;
· C2 Support Recommendations 113 and 116 be forwarded to the City’s Child and Youth Advocate for consideration; and
· Recommendations 145 – 151, inclusive, be referred to the Women’s Task Force.
AND FURTHER THAT, Council request all of the above recipients to report back to Council on the outcome of the above-noted C2 recommendations.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Councillor Louis
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
B. THAT City Council ask the City Manager to report back on the feasibility of creating a “Homeless and Sex Trade Worker Advocate” position, similar in structure to the Child and Youth Advocate. The mandate of this position would include, but not be limited to:
· helping navigate the relationship between individuals in this sector of the population and the Vancouver Police Department; and
· making linkages between people and agencies to facilitate care, outreach, etc., regarding addiction, health, shelter, food, etc.
AND FURTHER THAT this staff person have the ability to send reports in the name of the advocate to any relevant body advocating for the safety of the homeless and sex trade workers. This would include reports to bodies such as the Vancouver Police Board, the Police Complaints Commission and the Solicitor General.
amended
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Sullivan
THAT the motion be amended by striking out the words “ask the City Manager to report back” and inserting the phrase “refer to the appropriate bodies for their consideration and to report back in their reporting cycle”.
LOST
(Councillors Bass, Cadman, Green, Ladner, Louie, Louis, Roberts, Stevenson and Woodsworth opposed)
AMENDMENT MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the words “in conjunction with the staff preparing the Homeless Action Plan and the Women’s Task Force” be inserted following the phrase “Council ask the City Manager”.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
MOTION AS AMENDED
THAT the Committee recommend to Council
B. THAT City Council ask the City Manager, in conjunction with the staff preparing the Homeless Action Plan and the Women’s Task Force, to report back on the feasibility of creating a “Homeless and Sex Trade Worker Advocate” position, similar in structure to the Child and Youth Advocate. The mandate of this position would include, but not be limited to:
· helping navigate the relationship between individuals in this sector of the population and the Vancouver Police Department; and
· making linkages between people and agencies to facilitate care, outreach, etc., regarding addiction, health, shelter, food, etc.
AND FURTHER THAT this staff person have the ability to send reports in the name of the advocate to any relevant body advocating for the safety of the homeless and sex trade workers. This would include reports to bodies such the Vancouver Police Board, the Police Complaints Commission and the Solicitor General.
CARRIED
(Councillor Sullivan opposed)
The Committee adjourned at 12:15 p.m.
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CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 15, 2005 |
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, February 15, 2005, at 12:15 p.m., in Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting, to consider the recommendations and actions of the Committee.
PRESENT: |
Deputy Mayor Raymond Louie
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ABSENT: |
Mayor Larry Campbell (Leave of Absence) |
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: |
Judy Rogers, City Manager |
CITY CLERK'S OFFICE: |
Pat Boomhower, Meeting Coordinator |
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Deputy Mayor Louie in the Chair.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic
February 15, 2005
Council considered the report containing the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic. Its items of business included:
1. Chilco Bikeway and Cardero Bikeway
2. Valley Drive and 29th Avenue Bike Routes
3. City of Vancouver initiatives related to the recommendations in Practicing Democracy: A Legislative Theatre Project
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the recommendations and actions taken by the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic at its meeting of February 15, 2005, as contained in
Items 1 - 3, be approved.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Councillor Cadman
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NEW BUSINESS
1. Leave of Absence – Mayor Campbell (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Stevenson
SECONDED by Councillor Bass
THAT Mayor Campbell be granted Leave of Absence for February 15, 2005.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Leave of Absence – Councillor Woodsworth (File 1254)
MOVED by Councillor Roberts
SECONDED by Councillor Louis
THAT Councillor Woodsworth be granted Leave of Absence for Civic Business from the City Services and Budgets Committee meeting of February 17, 2005.
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 12:17 p.m.
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