CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on
Thursday, December 14, 1995, at 11:20 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,
Hemer, Ip, Kennedy,
Kwan, Price, Puil
and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Clarke (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Tarja Tuominen
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
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
December 14, 1995
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Street Vending
Cl. 2: Law Representation at Council
Cl. 3: Transfer of Business Improvement Area
(BIA) Function
Cl. 4: Barriers-to-Bridges Neighbourhood
Development Grants
Cl. 5: Civic Capital Public Art Project Allocations
Street Vending
Clause 1
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT Recommendation D of the Administrative Report be deferred
pending a report back on how the Business Improvement Association
vending locations will work.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Hemer, Ip,
Kennedy, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
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 several evening locations be established that replace
existing locations within the limit of 120 total locations
set by Council.
B. THAT when new vending locations are identified, existing
vendors be given the first opportunity to trade locations
through a mini-lottery. (Guidelines shown in Appendix I of
the Administrative Report dated November 29, 1995.)
C. THAT the criteria given in Appendix II of the Administrative
Report dated November 29, 1995, for assessing and
establishing vending locations, be approved.
FURTHER THAT the criteria be in addition to existing
criteria.
D. THAT up to three locations, in addition to the 100 downtown
vending locations, be managed by the Downtown Vancouver
Business Improvement Association to sell merchandise or
promote Downtown business; and
FURTHER THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be
authorized to assign up to six locations, in addition to
existing locations, for the use of other BIAs, where
appropriate.
E. THAT the City Engineer report back on City's ability to
confiscate illegal vending goods for up to 30 days, and
registration of vendors for taxes.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kennedy opposed to A)
(Councillors Chiavario, Kennedy and Sullivan
opposed to up to 3 locations in Recommendation D)
Law Representation at Council
Clause 2
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause
2 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kwan opposed)
Clauses 3, 4 and 5
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clauses 3, 4 and 5 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at approximately 11:25 a.m.
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REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
DECEMBER 14, 1995
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, December 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 (Clause 1)
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kennedy
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Price
Councillor Sullivan
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 November 9 and 16, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Street Vending File: 2630
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
November 29, 1995 (on file) in which the General Manager of
Engineering Services recommended several changes to the Street Vending
Program.
Mr. Don Brynildsen, Assistant City Engineer, Streets Division,
and Mr. Bob Macdonald, Parking Engineer, reviewed the report and
responded to questions.
Staff Sergeant Doug Mackay-Dunn, District 1, Vancouver Police
Department, responded to questions on illegal street vending. The
primary responsibility of the area's bike patrols is to deal with
street activities, including illegal street vending. The Police
Department is waiting for a facility to store confiscated goods.
Mr. Macdonald advised the facility will be available in a few
months.
Mr. Steve Duff, representing Mr. Tubesteak, generally supported
the report's recommendations. This has been a good year for street
vending; a lot of issues have been sorted out. Controlled evening
vending is a better way of dealing with illegal vending. Evening
vending should be expanded to areas such as GM Place and BC Place.
Vending should also be expanded into parks.
Mr. Langley Damonse, President, Vancouver Vendors' Association,
generally supported the recommendations. The Association appreciated
the input it was allowed into the report. Vendors provide a colourful
presence on the street, are unofficial tourist ambassadors, and
provide security on the streets. However, Mr. Damonse noted
individual vendors are allowed a maximum of three locations and are
only allowed to sell handicraft goods; the BIA's should have to follow
the same guidelines.
Mr. Mike Atkins, noted Recommendation D in the report would allow
up to 12 vending locations to BIA's from the 120 total allowable
vending locations. Only 2 of the 120 locations are currently not
being used. Approval of the recommendation will mean a loss to the
vending program. The Downtown Vancouver BIA should only have a
maximum of 3 locations, the same as individual vendors.
Mr. Charles Gauthier, representing the Downtown Vancouver BIA,
advised the Association has been working quite closely with the City
and the police on illegal vending. One solution to deal with illegal
vending is to seize the goods for 30 days; however, he understands
that is not permissable under the Charter. In addition, vendors
should be registered to pay the appropriate taxes. Mr. Gauthier
supported most of the recommendations in the report. Any vending
locations given the Downtown Vancouver BIA should be in addition to
the 100 downtown locations.
Responding to questions, Mr. Macdonald advised escalating fines
are possible for repeat illegal vendors.
Ms. Francie Connell, Director of Legal Services, agreed to look
at Charter provisions regarding impoundment of goods.
Mr. Ken Dobell, City Manager, advised the City would be able to
require vendors to be registered for taxes. Regarding escalating
fines, the City has the authority to recover costs, but not impose
heavy fines.
Ms. Leonore Sali, representing the Gastown BIA, suggested the
vending program works differently in each community. Owner-operated
vendors work better, and work with the community. Regarding evening
vendors, food items do not necessarily work, 200 feet from residential
does not always work. The Gastown BIA wanted to have purpose to the
vending program; the BIA's vending spots have an information split and
benefit the area. In addition, the Association is looking at opening
up Blood Alley for a limited period during the year for vending.
The following motion by Councillor Kwan was put and LOST.
THAT Recommendation D of the Administrative Report be
deferred pending a report back on how the Business
Improvement Association vending locations will work.
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Hemer, Ip,
Kennedy, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT several evening locations be established that
replace existing locations within the limit of 120
total locations set by Council.
(Councillor Kennedy opposed)
The following motions by Councillor Kennedy were put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B. THAT when new vending locations are identified,
existing vendors be given the first opportunity to
trade locations through a mini-lottery. (Guidelines
shown in Appendix I of the Adminis-trative Report dated
November 29, 1995.)
C. THAT the criteria given in Appendix II of the
Administrative Report dated November 29, 1995, for
assessing and establishing vending loca-tions, be
approved.
FURTHER THAT the criteria be in addition to existing
criteria.
The following motion by Councillor Kwan was put and CARRIED. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
D. THAT up to three locations, in addition to the 100
downtown vending locations, be managed by the Downtown
Vancouver Business Improvement Association to sell
merchandise or promote Downtown business; and
FURTHER THAT the General Manager of Engineering
Services be authorized to assign up to six locations,
in addition to existing locations, for the use of other
BIA's, where appropriate.
(Councillors Chiavario, Kennedy and Sullivan
opposed to up to 3 locations in Recommendation D)
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
E. THAT the City Engineer report back on City's ability to
confiscate illegal vending goods for up to 30 days, and
registration of vendors for taxes.
The Committee requested staff to report back on the results of
the changes to the Street Vending program.
2. Law Representation at Council File: 1251-2
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
November 15, 1995 (on file), in which the City Manager and Director of
Legal Services sought endorsation in a change to not require the
attendance of legal staff at Council.
Mr. Ken Dobell, City Manager, noted a real difficulty in giving
legal answers on the spot. Questions often require review of the law
and precedents.
Ms. Francie Connell, Director of Legal Services, advised legal
staff will continue to attend when required.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council not require the attendance of the Director of
Legal Services at Council meetings except for specific
agenda items where Legal Services advice may be required.
(Councillor Kwan opposed)
3. Transfer of Business Improvement File: 1306-6/1306-9
Area (BIA) Function
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
November 30, 1995 (on file), in which the General Manager of Corporate
Services recommended the relocation of the Business Improvement Area
(BIA) function to the Planning Department and to provide operating
funding for the City Clerk's Office to establish a hosting function
for visiting delegations.
Mr. Ken Stoke, General Manager of Corporate Services, responded
to questions on where the BIA function will be located in the Planning
Department.
Ms. Leonore Sali, representing Gastown Business Improve-ment
Area, supported the recommendations in the report and thanked staff
for addressing initial concerns with placement of the function in the
City Clerk's Office.
The following motions by Councillor Kennedy were put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT in recognition of the current work requirements
for the BIA function, the existing 1.0 FTE position be
changed to a .75 FTE position, at a cost-savings of
$16,600 including fringe benefits.
B. THAT Council approve the transfer of the BIA function
to the Planning Department, including the .75 FTE
position funding of $49,600 and associated operations
funding of $9,700.
C. THAT the $16,600 savings resulting from Recommendation
A, including the hosting budget of $7,400 in the
Economic Development Office, be transferred to the City
Clerk for purposes of establishing a delegation hosting
capability in the Clerk's office.
4. Barriers-to-Bridges Neighbourhood File: 2001-2
Development Grants
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated November 29,
1995 (on file), in which the Acting Director of Social Planning sought
approval of a new grants program, the Barriers-to-Bridges
Neighbourhood Development Grants, intended to assist in the fight
against racism and discrimination.
Ms. Wendy Au, Social Planner, was present to answer questions.
Ms. Eleanor Atienza, Chair, Special Advisory Committee on
Cultural Communities, was present to express support for the
establishment of the grants.
During discussion, the Committee requested staff to report back
at the end of the year with more detailed information on the grants
program, and the criteria used to select and evaluate the
applications. The Committee also noted the fund-ing is not to be
connected to the community services grants.
The following motions by Councillor Bellamy were put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve the establishment of the Barriers-
to-Bridges Neighbourhood Development Grants program, as
described in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated
November 29, 1995.
B. THAT Council approve, without offset and in advance of
the approval of the 1996 Operating Budget, a 1996
budget allocation of $15,000 for the Barrier-to-Bridges
Grants Program, subject to the normal budget review
process.
5. Civic Capital Public Art File: 4001
Project Allocations
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
November 27, 1995 (on file), in which the Director of Cultural
Affairs, in consultation with the Director of Community Planning and
the City Engineer, recommended approval of public art expenditures on
nine civic capital public art projects totalling $243,000.
Mr. Bryan Newson, Public Art Program Manager, was present to
answer questions.
The following motions by Councillor Price were put and CARRIED.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve budgets totalling $140,000 for
public art projects listed in Table 1 of the
Administrative Report dated November 27, 1995, as
follows:
- $45,000 to Greenways Local Connectors;
- $45,000 to the Residential Street Design
Program;
- $50,000 for Civic Infrastructure Design;
with detailed budgets reported back for approval;
source of funds to be the Public Art Unallocated
Budget.
B. THAT Council approve budgets totalling $103,000 from
the Public Art Unallocated Account for public art
projects listed in Table 2 of the Administrative Report
dated November 27, 1995, as follows:
- $30,000 to the Greenways Ridgeway Project;
- $23,000 to the Public Art Maintenance Reserve;
- $12,000 to the Victoria Drive Bridge alcove;
- $13,000 to the 901 West Hastings process;
source of funds to be the Public Art unallocated
Budget.
C. THAT Council approve a grant of up to $25,000 to the
West End Community Centre Association, for public art
on the West End Community Centre.
The meeting adjourned at approximately 11:20 a.m.
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