CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, April 25, 1996, at approximately 5:45 p.m., in Committee
Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on
Planning and Environment meeting, to consider the recommendations of the
Committee.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer,
Kwan, Price, Puil and
Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Sick Leave)
Councillor Ip (Sick Leave)
Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
April 25, 1996
The Council considered the recommendations of the Committee as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1 MC-1/Welwyn Street Planning Policies
Cl.2 Better City Government Initiative - Review of the
Deployment of Fire and Rescue Services Emergency
Apparatus and Staff
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT'D)
MC-1/Welwyn Street Planning Policies
(Clause No. 1)
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clause 1
of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Better City Government Initiative - Review of the
Deployment of Fire and Rescue Services Emergency
Apparatus and Staff
(Clause No. 2)
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT Councillor Hemer's motion be deferred and referred back to
relevant parties to review disputed figures and report back.
- LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Hemer, Price, Puil,
Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clause 2
of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kwan opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
Council adjourned at approximately 5:50 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
APRIL 25, 1996
A meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning and
Environment was held on Thursday, April 25, 1996, at 2:00 p.m., in
Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Price, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Kwan
Councillor Puil
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Sick Leave)
Councillor Ip (Sick Leave)
Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Nancy Largent
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
meeting of April 4, 1996, were adopted as circulated.
RECOMMENDATION
1. MC-1/Welwyn Street Planning Policies File: 8002
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated April 11, 1996
(on file), in which the Director of Community Planning recommended
approval of proposed policy directions for the MC-1/Welwyn Street area
set out in Appendix A of the Policy Report. The Director also
recommended approval of a number of implementation actions listed in
recommendation B of this report.
The General Manager also recommended approval, as reflected in
recommendations A and B of this report.
Clause No. 1 Continued
Heike Roth, Planner, reviewed the study area and objectives and
outlined the planning and public consultation processes which have taken
place to date. Ms. Roth also summarized the proposed policy directions
and steps to be taken in their implementation. Ms. Roth responded to
queries with respect to street trees, streetscape, bicycle linkages and
greenways, and commented on the diversity of design and ages of
buildings in the area.
Mr. Dana Weber, Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood Association, advised
the Association is generally satisfied with the results. Mr. Weber also
commented on the potential for retail use, types of housing, community
services and facilities, and a potential linkage to the bikeway system.
It was noted that while the neighbourhood is generally supportive of
affordable housing, it feels their area already has enough institutional
uses. The need to promote the area as an artist precinct was also
referenced. Mr. Weber also commented on the process, noting community
input into the initial planning proceeded with a fairly small group, and
suggested there could have been more opportunity for broader public
input.
In response to queries, Trish French, Planner, advised the historic
house located at 22nd and Welwyn has been brought to the attention of
the heritage planners who will be made aware of any development
application received on this building.
The following motions by Councillor Clarke were put and CARRIED.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the proposed policies in the attached document entitled
"Cedar Cottage MC-1/Welwyn Street Planning Policies" (Appendix
A of the Policy Report dated April 11, 1996), be adopted by
Council, as a guide to implementation of B.
B. THAT Council adopt the following implementation actions:
(i) THAT the Director of Community Planning be instructed to
report back with proposed amendments to the existing
MC-1 zoning, including guidelines.
(ii) THAT the Director of Community Planning be instructed to
report back on Development Cost Levies in the area.
Clause No. 1 Continued
(iii) THAT the Manager of the Housing Centre, in consultation
with the Director of Community Planning, be instructed
to develop and implement a process for the development
of a demonstration housing project on the Greater
Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) site, once the site
has been acquired.
(iv) THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services, in
consultation with the Director of Community Planning, be
instructed to undertake the development of a conceptual
design for the proposed streetscape improvements
outlined in the attached Policy document, and approve
$10,000 for consultant services and related expenses for
this purpose, to come from 1996 Contingency Reserve.
(v) THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services, in
consultation with the Director of Community Planning,
and General Manager of Parks and Recreation be
instructed to report back on the funding mechanisms and
timing of implementation of the street tree and sidewalk
restoration on Commercial Street between 18th and 22nd
Avenues described in this report.
(vi) THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be
instructed to pursue the paving of the lane west of
Commercial Street, between 18th and 20th Avenues,
through a Local Improvement Initiative.
(vii) THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be
instructed to conduct a review of on-street parking in
the study area, including the consideration of parking
relaxations for change-of-use in existing buildings, and
report back, if necessary, with recommended changes to
the Parking By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Better City Government Initiative -
Review of the Deployment of Fire and Rescue
Services Emergency Apparatus and Staff File: 1306-8
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April
11, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of Fire and Rescue
Services summarized the findings of a major review of the deployment of
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services firehalls, apparatus and staff. The
Vancouver Fire and Rescue Service Deployment Study Final Report, April
1996, by fire service management consultant TriData Corporation, is on
file in the City Clerk's Office.
The General Manager of Fire and Rescue Services recommended
approval in principle of a new resource deployment strategy making
expanded use of multi-purpose fire apparatus, more effective vehicles
for medical responses, and an increased number of rescue vehicles and
technical rescue support. The personnel currently utilized on aerial
ladder trucks will be used to provide four-person crews on all primary
fire suppression vehicles and two-person life support units for many
medical responses.
The recommendations of the General Manager of Fire and Rescue
Services are reflected in recommendations A and B of this report.
The Committee also had before it a memorandum from the City Manager
dated April 17, 1996 (on file), noting a significant shift in the
deployment of Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services resources is being
proposed. The Provincial Government has the mandate to provide
emergency medical response through B.C. Ambulance. For the first time,
the General Manager of Fire and Rescue Services proposes to deploy City
resources as an integral part of the emergency medical response. Under
these circumstances, local government should be an equal partner in
structuring the emergency medical response and operations must be
coordinated between Vancouver and the ambulance service. The City
Manager's recommendations are reflected in recommendations C and D of
this report.
Glen Maddess, General Manager of Fire and Rescue Services, reviewed
the objectives and fundamental areas of this review, noting the
overriding goal was to improve efficiency and effectiveness while
maintaining firefighter and citizen's safety. Chief Maddess drew the
Committee's attention to statistics showing that while the number of
fires is remaining virtually the same, medical emergency calls have
increased considerably, and hazardous material and other calls have also
increased. At the same time, there is a decreasing
Clause No. 2 Continued
trend in annual fire loses per capita and in fire deaths. Council's
policy to sprinkler buildings and better fire prevention have
contributed to changes which make it incumbent upon the department to
find a new deployment strategy. Summing up, Chief Maddess felt this is
an extremely positive initiative which will improve services delivery
and provide a more proactive response to the needs of citizens.
Mr. Gordon Routley, TriData Corporation, gave an extensive slide
presentation reviewing standards for service delivery, deployment,
personnel, and apparatus to meet current and projected needs. Among the
topics referenced were locations of firehalls and their associated areas
of coverage, insurance grading, and the results of the resource
deployment survey. Mr. Routley also referenced the area of regional and
inter-agency coordination. The recommended plan provides equal or
improved response capability under all conditions, delivered with fewer
vehicles.
Chief Maddess and Mr. Routley responded to queries regarding
emergency medical dispatch, disposition of existing apparatus, fire
suppression in high-rise and mid-rise buildings, areas identified as high risk, and various statistics.
Mr. Ken Dobell, City Manager, responded to queries with respect to
B.C. Ambulance participation, sprinklering policy, and statistical
trends. Regarding source of funds for new equipment, Mr. Dobell noted
regular fire apparatus replacement funding has been reserved for three
years awaiting the outcome of this study. Mr. Dobell confirmed the $1.2
million approved for a fire platform in this year's budget has also been
reserved and will not be spent before reporting back to Council on
implementation.
Rod MacDonald, Vancouver Firefighters Union Local 18 (brief filed),
recommended Council reject the proposed new deployment strategy.
Following are some of the Union's reasons for recommending against the
proposal:
- proposed manpower requirements for multi-purpose apparatus are
too low;
- firefighters attending a fire in an emergency medical response
vehicle will not be in a position to provide effective rescue
and suppression services;
Clause No. 2 Continued
- the proposed multi-use fire apparatus ("quints") are quite
large and present problems of access and moveability;
- estimated average speeds used in modelling are erroneously
high and have skewed the results;
- suppression resources should not be reduced when the number of
fires remains at the same level;
- only calls with no unusual delays were used as models for
extrapolation, and therefore the results are unrealistic;
- the study has not taken into account that up to five fire
trucks are in secondary response mode during training periods
and this will effect response times; and
- the number of firefighters arriving at a fire scene is crucial
for the safety of both firefighters and citizens, and the
proposed option would average 13 firefighters for a number of
apparatus for which NFPA standards recommend 15 to 16
personnel.
Mr. MacDonald recognized the need for medical emergency response
vehicles, but not at the cost of less fire trucks.
With respect to the foregoing, Chief Maddess and Mr. Routley
responded to queries respecting statistics, numbers of personnel
deployed, methods of modelling response times, and sizes and
maneuverability of proposed apparatus. Chief Maddess reiterated that in
his view, Fire and Rescue Services capabilities will not be diminished,
but rather enhanced by the proposals. Mr. Dobell indicated his
agreement with this position.
The following speakers did not support the proposed new deployment
strategy:
- Elizabeth Grant, paramedic and ambulance dispatcher;
- Bob Penhale, paramedic; and
- Don Devine, Ambulance Paramedics of B.C.
Clause No. 2 Continued
The speakers felt the Administrative Report contained
misinformation about emergency medical services and emergency medical
dispatch. They also felt emergency medical service is a provincial
responsibility, and if the City feels ambulance response is inadequate,
it should address the Province to provide more coverage. While not
denying the Fire Department's role is a useful one, the speakers did not
think emergency medical services should be taken over by the Fire
Department.
Representing the Union, Mr. Devine indicated the Union has been
advised as part of its contract negotiations that there will be an
increase in service levels and in training. He felt the City should
ascertain how much increase is contemplated before implementing any
expansion plan.
The City Manager reiterated the City is proposing a coordinated
response, not taking over. Because of the distribution of firehalls
across the City there is certainly a role for the Fire Department in
emergency response. If the coordination option does not work out, it
may ultimately be necessary to consider other options.
In response to queries, Chief Maddess confirmed the B.C. Ambulance
Services has declined to use the lock box service itself, preferring to
use the Fire Department's resources to gain entry to locked buildings.
The Committee was generally supportive of Chief Maddess and the
City Manager's recommendations, noting that needs are changing and the
proposals are expected to result in very little job loss (proposed two
positions) and more capability at a financial savings. However, some
members expressed frustration over conflicting statistics put forward by
the consultant and the Union.
The recommendations of the General Manager of Fire and Rescue
Services and the City Manager were moved by Councillor Hemer.
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT Councillor Hemer's motion be deferred and referred back to
relevant parties to review disputed figures and report back.
- LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Hemer, Price, Puil,
Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)
Clause No. 2 Continued
Councillor Hemer's motion was then put and CARRIED. Therefore, the
Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council endorse, in principle, the Fire and Rescue
Services apparatus and staff re-deployment proposal as
outlined in the TriData Study (Appendix A of the
Administrative Report dated April 11, 1996), Option 6, and the
Administrative Report.
B. THAT the General Manager of Fire and Rescue Services report
back with a detailed implementation plan for the proposed
re-deployment of fire apparatus and staff.
C. THAT the City Manager and General Manager of Fire and Rescue
Services approach the Director of the B.C. Ambulance Service
to discuss how best the operations of the two departments can
be coordinated to ensure the highest level of service to the
community.
D. THAT in reporting back on a detailed implementation for the
redeployment proposed in this report, the General Manager,
Fire and Rescue Services include terms of reference for an
overall review of the administrative structure of the
Department and the allocation of staff resources to meet the
needs previously identified by the Department and reiterated
in the TriData study.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kwan opposed)
* * * * *
The Committee adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
* * * * *