CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on
Thursday, June 27, 1996, at 10:05 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, Clarke, Hemer,
Ip, Price, Puil and
Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Chiavario) - Conflict of
Councillor Kennedy ) Interest
Councillor Kwan - Leave of Absence
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Tarja Tuominen
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
June 27, 1996
Council agreed to vary the agenda to consider the recommendation
of the Committee, as contained in the following clause of the attached
report:
Cl. 3: KidSafe Funding Request
Kidsafe Funding Request
Clause 3
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause
2 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT Council approve a one-time emergency grant of $6,280 for the
1996 KidSafe Summer Program.
- LOST, NOT HAVING RECEIVED
THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
(Councillors Bellamy and Puil opposed)
* * * * *
The Council adjourned at 10:10 a.m., and reconvened at 11:05 a.m., all
members present, except for Councillor Ip, to consider the remainder
of the recommendations of the Committee.
* * * * *
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
Cl. 1: New Trade and Convention Centre Facilities -
Property Tax Implications
Cl. 2: Tender No. 28-96-03 -
Optical Scan Vote Tabulation System
Cl. 4: 1996 Grant Requests - Major Facilities
Cl. 5: 1996 Grant Requests -
Vancouver Art Gallery Association
Cl. 6: 1996 'Other' Grant Requests
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
June 27, 1996 (Continued)
Clauses 1 and 2
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clauses 1 and 2 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clauses 4 and 5
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clauses 4 and 5 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
1996 'Other' Grant Requests
Clause 6
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT Recommendations A to D of the Committee, as contained in
Clause 6 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT Recommendation E of the Committee, as contained in Clause 6
of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Hemer, Price and Puil opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT a grant of $2,500 be approved to the Sanctuary Foundation.
- LOST, NOT HAVING RECEIVED
THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
(Councillors Clarke, Hemer and Puil opposed)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
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
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Costco-Price Club, 2685 Grandview Highway File: 2605-3
Appeal for Extension of Time-Limited
Development Permit
Councillor Puil noted that as new premises for Costco- Price Club
were not ready yet, up to 225 employees of the company may be out of
work. Therefore, it was
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT staff be advised Council would favour approval of the appeal
by Costco-Price Club for an extension of its time-limited development
permit for a further three years.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JUNE 27, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, June 27, 1996, 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 (Clauses 1 and 3)
Councillor Kennedy
Councillor Price
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kwan (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Tarja Tuominen
RECOMMENDATION
1. New Trade and Convention Centre Facilities - File: 6007
Property Tax Implications
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated May 28, 1996
(on file), in which the Director of Finance, in consultation with the
Director of Central Area Planning, sought consideration of a property
tax exemption for the proposed new Trade and Convention Centre
facilities.
The City Manager supported a property tax exemption for the new
facility as it is a tangible and meaningful way for Council to
participate in the project. The development of the expanded
facilities will have a significant economic benefit primarily to the
local economy and to senior governments through increased activity and
new tax revenue. The City will not share directly in these benefits.
However, in proceeding with the facility, the developer will pay all
of the related infrastructure and ancillary public amenity costs so
that there will also be no direct costs involved for the City.
Hugh Creighton, Director of Finance, reviewed the report and
advised it is before the Committee at this time because the proponents
will be including property tax implications as part of their financial
proposals in the Stage Two Requests for Proposals.
During discussion, the Committee pointed out ownership of the new
facility, i.e., private or public, is not known at this time.
Therefore, consideration of property tax implications should be done
at such time when ownership is known.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT consideration of the issue of property tax implications
discussed in the Policy Report dated May 28, 1996, be
deferred until such time as the question of private or
public ownership of the new Trade & Convention Centre is
resolved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
At this point in the proceedings, the Committee agreed to vary
the agenda and deal with Item 3.
* * * * *
3. KidSafe Funding Request File: 2401-3
Terry Bland, Corporation Counsel, was present to advise on
Conflict of Interest policy. He advised members of Council who
voluntarily serve on an Advisory Board of an Association, which gives
advice on the operation of the Association, are in personal conflict
and disqualified from voting on a grant request for the Association.
Noting they were in conflict of interest because of their
positions on the KidSafe Advisory Board, Councillors Chiavario and
Kennedy left the proceedings at this point and did not return until
after the conclusion of this item.
* * * * *
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June
17, 1996 (on file), in which the Director of Community Services,
Social Planning, recommended approval of a $5,000 Program
Stabilization grant for the 1996 KidSafe Summer Program. The source
of funds would be the 1996 Childcare Grants Program.
The Director also submitted for consideration a request from the
1996 KidSafe Summer Program for a one-time emergency grant of $25,000.
If the emergency grant is approved, the Director suggested the
following conditions apply:
(i) release of funds be subject to confirmation of receipt
of matching contributions from the Province of British
Columbia; and
(ii) the KidSafe Board agrees to forward an end of summer
report to Council about the services provided, the
number of children served, the partnerships developed
and the expenses incurred.
Penny Coates, Childcare Coordinator, presented a brief background
to the grant request.
Al Stusiak, representing the KidSafe Project Society, presented
an overview of the program to be provided by KidSafe during the summer
months and the required funding for it. A large component of the
budget is for provision of meals. The mandate of the Society is to
provide services three times a year: summer, Christmas and Spring
Break. The Society has received funding from the Ministry of
Education for lunches, which reduces the amount of the requested
emergency grant. Mr. Stusiak requested favourable consideration for
approval of a grant for the remainder of the required funding of
approximately $6,000.
During discussion, the Committee supported the Program
Stabilization Grant of $5,000. Many members also supported approval
of the remainder of the requested funding. The Vancouver School Board
and the Park Board have given significant support. Others expressed
concern the City is taking on more and more that is the responsibility
of the Province.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve a Program Stabilization grant of $5,000
for the 1996 KidSafe Summer Program. Source of funds: 1996
Childcare Grants Program, 1996 Operating Budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
The following motion by the Mayor was put and LOST.
THAT Council approve a one-time emergency grant of $6,280
for the 1996 KidSafe Summer Program.
- LOST, NOT HAVING RECEIVED
THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
(Councillors Bellamy and Puil opposed)
(Councillors Chiavario and Kennedy
not present for the vote)
* * * * *
The Committee adjourned at 10:05 a.m. to convene as Regular
Council to approve the recommendation of the Committee, and reconvened
at 10:10 a.m. with Councillor Ip absent.
* * * * *
2. Tender No. 28-96-03 - File: 131-3
Optical Scan Vote Tabulation System
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June
13, 1996 (on file), in which the City Clerk and Manager of Purchasing
Services recommended the purchase of a new Optical Scan Voting System
from Global Election Systems Inc. to replace the City's existing
voting equipment, for use in the 1996 General Local Elections.
Gil Mervyn, Deputy City Clerk, briefly reviewed the report and
noted Steve Knecht of Global Election Systems Inc. was present to
answer questions.
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve the award of a contract to Global
Election Systems Inc. for the supply of 160 Optical Scan
Voting machines, related equipment and software, at a cost
of $798,000, plus the 7% Goods and Services Tax (less any
municipal rebate received) and the Provincial Sales Tax.
Source of funds to be a loan from the Capital Financing
Fund, with repayment from the City Clerk's Department future
operating budgets, beginning in 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. 1996 Grant Requests - Major Facilities File: 2204
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June
10, 1996 (on file), in which the Director of Finance recommended
approval of operating grants of $276,000 to the Vancouver Maritime
Museum Society, $460,600 to the Pacific Space Centre Society, and
$655,900 to the Vancouver Museum Association.
The General Manager of Corporate Services also recommended
approval.
Ted Leung, Deputy Comptroller of Budgets & Research, briefly
reviewed the report.
John Dickenson, Managing Director, Pacific Space Centre,
expressed thanks for the City's ongoing support of the Centre and
advised he was present to answer questions.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT an operating grant of $276,000 be approved to the
Vancouver Maritime Museum Society; source of funds to
be the 1996 'Other Grants budget.
B. THAT an operating grant of $460,600 be approved to the
Pacific Space Centre Society; source of funds to be the
1996 'Other Grants budget.
C. THAT an operating grant of $655,900 be approved to the
Vancouver Museum Association; source of funds to be the
1996 'Other Grants budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
5. 1996 Grant Requests - File: 2204
Vancouver Art Gallery Association
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June
10, 1996 (on file), in which the Director of Finance recommended
approval of a 1996 operating grant of $1,861,300 to the Vancouver Art
Gallery Association. The Director also recommended approval of a
one-time grant of $23,462 to the Association for reimbursement of the
cost of escalator repair.
In addition the Director submitted for consideration requests
from the Vancouver Art Gallery Association for a one-time grant of
$24,000 to fund one-third of the cost of a loading dock project and a
grant of $60,000 to fund the first year of a five-year Closed Circuit
Television Security System replacement program.
The General Manager of Corporate Services recommended approval of
the operating grant and the grant for the escalator repair. However,
the General Manager noted there is no signed operating agreement
between the City and the Art Gallery showing a clear division of
responsibilities between the two parties. In his opinion, the
consideration items relate directly to the tenant's occupation of the
building and should clearly remain their responsibility. On the other
hand, both parties have put funds into maintenance items over the
years.
He suggests, however, that security of the collection is a higher
priority for the City.
Garth Therber, President, Board of Trustees, Vancouver Art
Gallery, urged approval of the grant request for renovation of the
loading dock, as currently it is quite a threat to the people who
operate, load and unload trucks. The ramp is narrow and material has
to be transported quite a distance. There have been a number of
accidents.
Ken Stoke, General Manager of Corporate Services, responded to
questions on the operating agreement, noting there has never been a
signed operating agreement. However, both sides have a clear
understanding on the operation of the Gallery.
Ken Dobell, City Manager, concurred there are no unclear areas on
either side, and the agreement has not been a huge priority for either
side.
Ted Leung, Deputy Comptroller of Budgets & Research, confirmed
the closed circuit television security system is a higher priority on
the City's side as the Art Gallery collection is owned by the City.
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT a 1996 operating grant of $1,861,300 be approved
to the Vancouver Art Gallery Association; source of
funds being the 1996 'Other' Grants budget.
B. THAT a one-time grant of $23,462 be approved to the
Vancouver Art Gallery Association for reimbursement of
the cost of the escalator repair; source of funds to be
Contingency Reserve.
C. THAT a grant of $60,000 be approved to the Vancouver
Art Gallery Association to fund the first year of a
five-year Closed Circuit Television Security System
replacement program; source of funds to be Contingency
Reserve.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
6. 1996 'Other' Grant Requests File: 2204
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June
10, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of Corporate Services
and Director of Finance, in consultation with the Director of Permits
& Licenses, recommended approval of grants of $47,162 to the Vancouver
City Planning Commission, $6,000 to Cycling British Columbia, $75,000
to the University of British Columbia for the continuation of the Fire
Protection Engineering Program, and $100,000 to the Vancouver Symphony
Society.
In addition, the General Manager and Director submitted for
consideration grant requests from the SPCA-Vancouver Regional Branch,
Chinese Benevolent Association of BC, Motorcycle Toy Run, Vancouver
Block Parent Program and Sanctuary Foundation.
Professor Jim Mehaffey, Department of Chemical Engineering,
University of British Columbia (brief on file), provided a brief
progress report on the Fire Protection Engineering Program, noting
that during the 1995/96 academic year the total enrollment was 16;
three were from the City. City of Vancouver employees are permitted to
attend free. A late resolution has been submitted to the Union of
B.C. Municipalities convention asking for its support in principle.
Tom Littlewood, Director of Programs, Sanctuary Foundation,
distributed pamphlets on the Foundation's current programs (on file)
and requested continued support for its training program. In 1996,
the Foundation will be offering its program from a portable classroom
near the Aquatic Centre. The Park Board has given permission for the
Foundation to operate the program on the Park Board site for three
months. The Foundation has approached the Vancouver Foundation and
the Ministry of Environment for funding as well, and has a number of
other sponsors for its programs.
During discussion, the Committee noted the absence of support for
the Fire Protection Engineering Program from other areas and the BC
Fire Chief's Association.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT a grant of $47,162 be approved to the Vancouver
City Planning Commission, with the source of funds
being 1996 'Other' Grants budget.
B. THAT a grant of $6,000 be approved to Cycling British
Columbia, with the source of funds being 1996 'Other'
Grants budget.
C. THAT a grant of $100,000 be approved to the Vancouver
Symphony Society to offset the rent payable under the
lease with Civic Theatres for the period of January 1,
1996 to December 31, 1996, with the source of funds
being 1996 Cultural Grant - Theatre Rent budget.
D. THAT the following grants be approved, with the source
of funds being the 1996 'Other' Grants budget:
1. SPCA - Vancouver Regional Branch $26,700
2. Chinese Benevolent Association of BC 3,500
3. Motorcycle Toy Run 1,500
4. Vancouver Block Parent Program 2,800
$34,500
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
E. THAT consideration of a grant of $75,000 to the
University of British Columbia, for the continuation of
the Fire Protection Engineering Program, be deferred to
September 1996, pending a response from the Union of B.
C. Municipalities regarding its support for the
program.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Hemer, Price and Puil opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and LOST.
THAT a grant of $2,500 be approved to the
Sanctuary Foundation.
- LOST, NOT HAVING RECEIVED
THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
(Councillors Clarke, Hemer and Puil opposed)
The meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m.
* * * * *