CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Tuesday, January 30, 1996, in the Council Chamber, commencing at
approximately 2:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Hemer,
Ip, Kennedy, Kwan, Price, Puil and
Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Clarke (Sick Leave)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: M. Kinsella
PRAYER
The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with prayer read
by the City Clerk.
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
Council was advised there were items to be considered "In Camera"
later this day including property matters.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting (City Services &
Budgets) of January 11, 1996, be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting (Planning &
Environment) of January 11, 1996, be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the Minutes of the Vancouver Traffic Commission Meeting of
January 11, 1996, be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting (with the exception
of the 'In Camera' portion) of January 16, 1996, be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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
REPORT REFERENCE
1. Emergency Shelter During the Cold Snap File: 4659
Ms. Shirley Chan, Manager, Non-Market Housing Division, updated
Council on facilities available for the homeless during the current cold
weather period.
Since 1989, the City operated Evelyne Saller Centre at 320
Alexander Street, has occasionally opened to provide emergency overnight
shelter, from midnight to 7:30 a.m. This winter, the Centre has opened
for six nights already and has housed between 13 to 48 persons on a
given evening. The Evelyne Saller Centre is expected to remain open
during the current cold period.
The Downtown Eastside is well served and has adequate capacity for
this type of overnight shelter. There are facilities in the City which
provide ongoing emergency accommodation and excellent support services,
such as Lookout and Triage. If they are filled to capacity and turn
people away, the City opens its emergency accommodations. Other
facilities such as the Union Gospel Mission and Crosswalk also open in
these circumstances. Also on standby in the Downtown Eastside is the
Carnegie Centre.
This year for the first time, the Downtown South Gathering Place
opened its doors for emergency accommodation and it immediately filled
to capacity, which is an indication of a need for additional space
outside the Downtown Eastside. Staff are presently exploring
opportunities for emergency accommodation with other agencies south of
False Creek. The chosen space must have sufficient rooms and services
and not be disruptive to the surrounding neighbourhood.
Ms. Chan, along with Judy Graves, Co-ordinator - Tenant Assistance
Program, and Mr. Ray Stensrud, Manager - Evelyne Saller Centre,
responded to questions from members of Council. It was clarified that
the City has not had to turn anyone away, and there is sufficient
emergency accommodation to ensure access to emergency shelter for
whoever chooses to sleep indoors.
A member of Council enquired about the number of homeless people in
Vancouver. Ms. Judy Graves advised this information is not available at
present, but discussions have been ongoing with the Police Department in
an attempt to get a count on the number of homeless in Vancouver. In
general, there does appear to be a greater number of younger people and
females among the homeless population. Experience also shows that
people are unwilling to leave their neighbourhoods to use emergency
accommodation in other neighbourhoods, and this has given rise to the
need for identifying new emergency accommodation spaces outside of
Downtown Eastside.
MANAGER'S REPORTS
1. Administrative Report
(January 11, 1996)
Strata Title Conversion -
518 Beatty Street File: 5313
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Administrative Report
(January 11, 1996)
Strata Title Conversion -
1050 Nicola Street File: 5313
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Administrative Report
(January 11, 1996)
Proposed Closure of Portion of the
Lane West of Joyce Street, between
the Lane North of Vanness Avenue
and the Dead-end South File: 5753-3
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
4. Administrative Report
(January 18, 1996)
Hospitality Grant to Pan Pacific
Hazards '96 Conference File: 2004-3
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendation of the City Manager, as contained in this
report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AND BY THE
REQUIRED MAJORITY
5. Administrative Report
(January 11, 1996)
Strata Title Conversion:
427-445 Glen Drive File: 5313
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Administrative Report
(January 16, 1996)
Lease for Collingwood Neighbourhood
House, including the Community Gym
and Childcare Centre File: 5118
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AND BY THE
REQUIRED MAJORITY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
7. Administrative Report
(January 15, 1996)
Flow-Through Funding -
Vancouver Foundation Grant File: 2001-3
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8. Administrative Report
(January 17, 1996)
Strata Title Conversion -
233 Abbott Street File: 5313
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Administrative Report
(January 22, 1996)
Replacement Pound By-law File: 2501-3
MOVED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
10. Administrative Report
(January 18, 1996)
Form of Development:
1202-1292 West Georgia Street
D.E. 400433 File: 5301-3
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. Policy Report
(January 5, 1996)
Public Realm Treatment -
Library Precinct File: 8010-32
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the recommendation of the General Managers of Community
Services and Engineering Services, as contained in this report, be
approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
A member of Council enquired about the status of the block along
Hamilton Street between Smythe Street and Nelson Street and its role in
connecting the Library Square precinct to Yaletown. Staff were asked to
look at the role of this block and some of the options which could be
pursued when development proceeds in order to maximize the private and
public benefits of this area. Staff were asked to report back when
development options for this block are being considered.
Members of Council also commented on the poor design of the
existing bike racks and the increasing demand for additional bike
parking at Library Square. Staff were also asked to investigate the
possibility of locating additional bicycle parking in the underground
parking lot.
Mr. Michael Gordon, Planner, advised staff would review the
appropriateness of the bicycle racks at Library Square, as well as the
need for additional bicycle parking.
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
2. Police Report
(January 22, 1996)
Heritage Density Transfers
in the Central Area File: 5051-5
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
A member of Council requested staff bring forward at the Public
Hearing additional information on potential increase in population which
may result from these measures.
COMMISSIONS AND OTHER REPORTS
I. Report of Special Advisory Committee
on Disability Issues
(November 30, 1995)
Contracting an External Consultant
to Review City Hiring Practices
(Clause 1) File: 3053-9
Before Council was a report dated November 30, 1995, from the
Special Advisory Committee on Disability Issues which recommended that
an external consultant be contracted to conduct an entire systemic
review of the policies and procedures aimed at achieving representative
hiring and promotion of persons with disabilities in the civic workforce
in Vancouver.
cont'd
COMMISSIONS AND OTHER REPORTS (CONT'D)
Report of Special Advisory Committee
on Disability Issues
(November 30, 1995)(cont'd)
Contracting an External Consultant
to Review City Hiring Practices
(Clause 1)(cont'd)
The City Manager recommended deferral of this recommendation until
an information report from the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity
Program is considered by Council. This report is expected by late
February and will provide a review of all EEO programs and policies,
including several initiatives specifically related to the hiring of
persons with disabilities.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the City Manager, as contained in this
report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kwan opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
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. Sullivan,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
1. A By-law to designate heritage
property, and to amend By-Law No.
4837, being the Heritage By-law
(720 Jervis Street)
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared
the By-law open for discussion and amendment.
There being no amendments, it was
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor
and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(COUNCILLORS IP AND PUIL WERE EXCUSED FROM VOTING ON BY-LAW 1)
BY-LAWS (CONT'D)
2. A By-law to amend By-law No. 3575,
being the Zoning & Development By-law
(Rezoning DD to CD-1
1202 -92 West Georgia Street)
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer declared
the By-law open for discussion and amendment.
There being no amendments, it was
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor
and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(COUNCILLORS IP AND PUIL WERE EXCUSED FROM VOTING ON BY-LAW 2)
NOTICE OF MOTION
The following Notice of Motion was submitted by Councillor Kennedy
and recognized by the Chair:
Protected Area Strategy File: 5300
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the City of Vancouver strongly urges the Province of British
Columbia to enter into meaningful consultation with local government in
the Lower Mainland Region and commission socio-economic impact studies
on the individual communities that will be affected by the Protected
Area Strategy prior to any decision or announcement of additional
protected areas.
- Notice
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Solid Waste Utility File: 3756-3
Councillor Puil advised he has heard from many
citizens regarding recent changes in
the tax system resulting from the
introduction of the solid waste
utility. There is still a great deal
of confusion concerning the changes,
and Councillor Puil suggested the
City needs to improve the manner in
which it has communicated these
changes.
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT'D)
Report of Taskforce on Dogs File:3507-5
Councillor Ip shared with Council the report of the
Taskforce on Dogs and advised the
Pound By-law and Canine Waste By-law
will be consolidated into a new
Animal Control By-law which should be
available February 1996.
Council was also apprised that the
City has set up a dog line where
residents can call 871-MUTT (871-
6888) where complaints about dogs
off-leash, dogs biting, or
emergencies about dead or injured
dogs in City streets. A fact sheet
addressing issues with dogs has been
prepared and is available for
distribution.
Deputy Mayor Schedule File: 1051
Councillor Chiavario requested Council approval to change
the schedule of the Deputy Mayors to
permit Councillor Kennedy and herself
to trade months.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT the Deputy Mayor schedule be amended to allow Councillor
Chiavario to act in July and Councillor Kennedy to act in April of 1996.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT'D)
Thomas Clark Building -
243 East 5th File: 5051-5
Councillor Chiavario requested that staff advise Council
about the status of the Thomas Clark
Building at 243 East 5th, which is
currently vacant.
The Mayor so directed.
Internal Trade Agreement File: 6001
Councillor Kennedy advised she had appeared before a
panel regarding proposed changes to
the Internal Trade Agreement by the
Federal Government. There was a
reluctance among the panel to
acknowledge the point of view being
put forward by Vancouver and the
Provincial Government, and the City
Manager was requested to ensure the
interest of Vancouver continues to be
advanced.
The City Manager advised the
Provincial Government is refusing to
sign this agreement, and this is the
best protection for the City in this
instance.
The City Manager agreed to follow up
on this matter to ensure the
viewpoint of the Provincial
Government has not changed.
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT'D)
Solid Waste Management Plan File: 114/3756-3
Councillor Kwan queried whether the City has received
the necessary Charter amendments to
implement the Solid Waste Management
Plan.
The Mayor requested that staff report
back on this matter.
* * * * *
RECOGNITION OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES File: 1306-17
Council acknowledged approximately 40 staff from all units of the
Health Department. This group represented some 1,000 full and part-time
staff in the department, who recently moved from City service to the
Vancouver Health Board. The City has operated the Vancouver Health
Department for 110 years.
Each employee was presented with a certificate and commemorative
mug.
Mayor Owen thanked Dr. John Blatherwick, Medical Health Officer,
and his staff, for their excellent contribution over the years.
* * * * *
The Council recessed at 4:00 p.m. for an "In Camera"
meeting in the Mayor's Office.
* * * * *