CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on
Thursday, September 14, 1995, at 11:45 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1,
Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City
Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations of the
Committee.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario,
Clarke, Hemer, Ip, Kwan
Puil and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
Councillor Price
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Tarja Tuominen
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole,
Mayor Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
September 14, 1995
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clause of the attached report:
Cl. 1: City of Vancouver Economic Development
Task Force - Final Report
.../2
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
September 14, 1995 [Continued]
City of Vancouver Economic Development
Task Force - Final Report
Clause 1
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause
1 of this report, and quoted below, be approved.
A. THAT the report of the Economic Development Task Force be
received for information, and the Task Force members be
thanked for their effort;
FURTHER THAT the staff of the Economic Development Division
be thanked for their forbearance while awaiting Council's
decision.
B1. THAT Council approve in principle the formation of an
Economic Development Commission, as described in the
Administrative Report dated April 11, 1995, under Option 3,
which does not include a new Economic Development Department
or the current Economic Development Office.
B2. THAT Council fund the Commission with an annual grant with
a May 1 to April 30 fiscal year, to be reviewed and set
annually upon receiving an application and annual report of
the activities of the Commission, and that Council approve
an initial grant of $200,000 to the Commission for 1996, and
a pro-rated amount based on the above for 1995.
- LOST, NOT HAVING RECEIVED
THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
B3. THAT the Economic Development Task Force and staff report
back within three weeks on the structure and reporting time-
frame of the Interim Economic Development Commission;
FURTHER THAT the Interim Economic Development Commission be
expanded to include current Task Force members and
representatives from a broad spectrum of interests.
.../3
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
September 14, 1995 [Continued]
City of Vancouver Economic Development
Task Force - Final Report (Continued)
B4. THAT Council instruct the Interim Economic Develop-ment
Commission, in consultation with the City Manager and other
stakeholders, to report back on the proposed structure of
the Economic Development Commission, including terms of
reference, role, number of members, appointment of two
liaison Councillors, protocol, objectives, reporting
relationships, initial work plan, budget, and staffing
measures, along with a list of potential candidates,
representing a broad spectrum of interests, to serve on the
Commission.
B5. THAT the General Manager of Corporate Services be named as
the senior staff liaison to the Economic Development
Commission.
C1. THAT Council approve the closure of the Economic Development
Office effective October 31, 1995, and that union employees
be issued appropriate lay-off notice.
C2. THAT Council abolish the following union positions made
redundant by closing the Economic Development Office:
Position # 3379 Clerk Typist II (Vacant)
Position # 3041 Clerk Steno III
Position # 0241 Research Assistant
Position # 3380 Economic Development Officer
The position of Director of Economic Development will be
eliminated after an appropriate transition period to be
funded out of Budget Management transition funds.
.../4
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONTINUED)
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
September 14, 1995 [Continued]
City of Vancouver Economic Development
Task Force - Final Report (Continued)
C3. THAT Council defer approval of the transfer of the BIA
(Business Improvement Area) function, staff position #4373,
and delegation hosting function, along with related funding
($83,300 in 1995), pending a report back from staff on
appropriate location of the function.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy, Kwan and
Sullivan opposed to B and C)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at approximately 11:50 a.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
SEPTEMBER 14, 1995
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, September 14, 1995, at 9:30
a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Puil, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Bellamy
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Price
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
Councillor Price
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Tarja Tuominen
Recorded Vote
Unless otherwise indicated, votes of the Committee on all items
are unanimous.
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services & Budgets
meetings of July 20 and 27, 1995, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. City of Vancouver
Economic Development Task Force - Final Report
At its meeting on April 25, 1995, Vancouver City Council had
before it an Administrative Report dated April 11, 1995 (on file), in
which the General Manager of Corporate Services submitted the report
of the Economic Development Task Force, dated February 1995, and
provided four options for the Economic Development function and the
City's role. Council received the report and requested it be widely
distributed in the community and submitted to a future Standing
Committee meeting once public input had been received.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it the relevant Extract
from Council's meeting of April 25, 1995, the Administrative Report
dated April 11, 1995, and the Report of the Economic Development Task
Force dated February 1995 (on file).
Also before the Committee was a memorandum dated August 30, 1995,
from Mr. Sid Fancy, Director of Economic Development (on file),
submitting a fifth option to accommodate all the elements required for
an effective Vancouver-specific economic development program and
providing an annual saving of $92,000.
Mr. Sam Kuzmick, Deputy Director of Finance, noted the options
put forward in the April 11th Administrative Report required some
changes in dates and funding amounts due to the length of time between
the writing of the report and consideration at today's meeting.
Mr. Sid Fancy, Director of Economic Development Office, was
present to answer questions.
Ms. Carol Railton, Cornerstone Academy, supported the options
which included the retention of the Economic Development Office. Ms.
Railton did not support private funding of the Economic Development
function. It was important to have unbiased staff able to represent
many sectors, assist new small business owners to develop contacts,
provide opportunities globally, and provide information on process and
protocol.
Mr. Larry Cantrell, Staff member, Economic Development Office
(brief on file), presented his view as a staff member of the Economic
Development Commission office, and discussed the four options proposed
in the Administrative Report. Mr. Cantrell proposed an alternate
option for consideration:
a) create a volunteer Commission from a variety of sectors
as an economic development advisor, forum and early
warning system, to undertake proactive activities, to
monitor the economic progress of the City and to
publish annual reports; and,
Clause No. 1 Continued
b) retain the existing Economic Development Office,
relocate it to City Hall or nearby, have it report
directly to a more senior level, and re-instate the
teaming of the Economic Development Office with the
Commission.
Ms. Donalda Viaud, representing the V.M.R.E.U./CUPE Local 15,
pointed out the Union wants to maintain the five workers in the
Economic Development Office, but will support not filling the
currently vacant Clerk Typist II position in order to save the other
four positions. Moving the Economic Development Office to City Hall
and not filling the Clerk Typist position will be a significant
savings. The focus of the Task Force report tends to look at big
business; small businesses are very important. An Economic Devel-
opment Commission should have representation from organized labour,
government, arts, and other interest groups.
Mr. Shane Simpson suggested the recommendations in the Adminis-
trative Report and the Task Force report were too narrow in scope.
The composition of the Task Force is composed of larger business
interests and government. The Task Force report contains a lot of
anecdotal information but not strong evidence to support its view.
The Economic Development Office obviously serves a function businesses
can draw on, and is a small operation. The Economic Development Task
Force composition is not broad enough and has too narrow a focus.
Mr. Peter Fraser, President, Pacific Corridor Enterprise Council,
supported the relocation of the Economic Development Office into City
Hall, which would give the Office a higher profile. The City should
be more open to partnerships with private enterprises.
Mr. Raymond Kwong, President, Eidewa Enterprises Ltd. (letter
filed), supported the continuation of the Economic Development Office.
A continued partnership of the Economic Development Office with the
private business community will help promote Vancouver in interna-
tional trade.
Ms. Audrey Martin, Mount Pleasant Commercial Improvement Society,
represented over 200 small businesses. The Society has appreciated
the support of the Economic Development Office. A less effective and
efficient office would do irreparable harm to Vancouver. Ms. Martin
supported retention of the Economic Develop-ment Office and the
Commission.
Clause No. 1 Continued
Mr. Bruce Riddick, Chairperson, GVRD Economic Development Commit-
tee, supported retention of the Economic Development Office.
Businesses in Vancouver will suffer if the Office is closed. Local
businesses receive advise on City regulations. City Departments rely
on economic background in community planning and property matters.
The Economic Development Office can provide an overall economic vision
for the city. It should be given a new mandate and relocated to City
Hall. In response to a question, Mr. Riddick advised the GVRD's
Letters Patent do not provide for an economic development function.
Mr. Phil Yacht, member, Robson Street Business Improvement
Association, supported retaining the BIA position, which has been
invaluable for the Association. Mr. Yacht expressed concern the
Economic Development Task Force had only large business representa-
tion.
Mr. Bruce Campbell, Member, Economic Development Task Force,
advised it was never intended to exclude small business representation
from the Task Force. Of the 11 members, 3 were from small business.
The option (Option 5) circulated by the Director of the Economic
Development Office is different from that developed by the Task Force.
The membership of the Economic Development Commission, as proposed by
the Task Force report, will be strictly voluntary. In response to a
question, Mr. Campbell felt designated Council liaison to the
Commission would work well.
Mr. Paul Daynes, Daynes & Associates, noted his company is a
private sector trade and business development organization. Mr.
Daynes supported Option 3 in the report. Visiting delegations could
be handled by private firms providing a better business focus. He
felt there were too many players in the economic development field
within the province.
During discussion, some Committee members supported Option 3 in
the report, however suggested the proposed Economic Development
Commission membership be expanded to include representation from a
broader spectrum of interests, e.g., the labour sector, small business
outside of the downtown core, the industrial sector. Appointment of
two Councillor liaisons to the Commission would provide a more effec-
tive link to Council. Other members felt the current Economic
Development Office staff have proven the value of their work. Other
Advisory Committees or Commissions do not have the same budget as that
proposed for the Economic Development Commission.
Clause No. 1 Continued
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the report of the Economic Development Task Force
be received for information, and the Task Force members
be thanked for their effort;
FURTHER THAT the staff of the Economic Development
Division be thanked for their forbearance while
awaiting Council's decision.
The following motions by Councillor Ip were put and CARRIED. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B1. THAT Council approve in principle the formation of an
Economic Development Commission, as described in the
Administrative Report dated April 11, 1995, under
Option 3, which does not include a new Economic
Development Department or the current Economic
Development Office.
B2. THAT Council fund the Commission with an annual grant
with a May 1 to April 30 fiscal year, to be reviewed
and set annually upon receiving an application and
annual report of the activities of the Commission, and
that Council approve an initial grant of $200,000 to
the Commission for 1996, and a pro-rated amount based
on the above for 1995.
B3. THAT the Economic Development Task Force and staff
report back within three weeks on the structure and
reporting time-frame of the Interim Economic
Development Commission;
FURTHER THAT the Interim Economic Development
Commission be expanded to include current Task Force
members and representatives from a broad spectrum of
interests.
Clause No. 1 Continued
B4. THAT Council instruct the Interim Economic Develop-ment
Commission, in consultation with the City Manager and
other stakeholders, to report back on the proposed
structure of the Economic Development Commission,
including terms of reference, role, number of members,
appointment of two liaison Councillors, protocol,
objectives, reporting relationships, initial work plan,
budget, and staffing measures, along with a list of
potential candidates, representing a broad spectrum of
interests, to serve on the Commission.
B5. THAT the General Manager of Corporate Services be named
as the senior staff liaison to the Economic Development
Commission.
C1. THAT Council approve the closure of the Economic
Development Office effective October 31, 1995, and that
union employees be issued appropriate lay-off notice.
C2. THAT Council abolish the following union positions made
redundant by closing the Economic Development Office:
Position # 3379 Clerk Typist II (Vacant)
Position # 3041 Clerk Steno III
Position # 0241 Research Assistant
Position # 3380 Economic Development Officer
The position of Director of Economic Development will
be eliminated after an appropriate transition period to
be funded out of Budget Management transition funds.
C3. THAT Council defer approval of the transfer of the BIA
(Business Improvement Area) function, staff position
#4373, and delegation hosting function, along with
related funding ($83,300 in 1995), pending a report
back from staff on appropriate location of the
function.
(Councillors Bellamy, Kwan and Sullivan opposed)
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:45 a.m.
* * * * *