CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on
Thursday, July 11, 1996, at 11:40 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 Chiavario, Clarke,
Hemer, Price, Puil
and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Civic Business)
Councillor Ip (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Kennedy (Civic Business)
Councillor Kwan (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. Clarke,
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
July 11, 1996
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1: Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy
Cl. 2: Better City Government Presentation
Cl. 3: 1997-1999 Capital Plan -
Public Information Process
Cl. 4: 5055 Connaught Drive -
Emissaries of Divine Light
Cl. 5: Start-Up Funding for the
Economic Development Commission
Cl. 6: Centre for Municipal Aboriginal Relations
Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy
Clause 1
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause
1 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Chiavario, Hemer and Puil
opposed to Recommendation B[11])
Clauses 2 to 5 inclusive
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clauses 2 to 5 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Centre for Municipal-Aboriginal Relations
Clause 6
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause
6 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
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. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Ivy Montessori Pre-School and File: 5302-6
St. Mary's Church CD-1 Zoning
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
A. THAT Council advise the Ivy Montessori pre-school and St.
Mary's Church to make an application to amend the CD-1
zoning for the site.
B. THAT staff be instructed to withhold enforcement upon
receipt of this application, noting this is without
prejudice as to Council's disposition of such a CD-1
amendment.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JULY 11, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, July 11, 1996, at 9:30
a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Puil, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Kennedy (Clause 1)
Councillor Price
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Bellamy (Civic Business)
Councillor Ip (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Kwan (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Tarja Tuominen
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services & Budgets
meeting of June 13, 1996, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy File: 2610-3/8007-15
At its meeting on June 11, 1996, City Council deferred decision
on the Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy to allow additional time for
discussion of the various issues.
Accordingly, the Committee had before it the following material:
- Extract from Report to Council of the Planning &
Environment Standing Committee meeting of May 9/15, 1996;
- Policy Report dated April 26, 1996, on Downtown Liquor
Licensing Policy - Enforcement Issues and New Types of
Establishments;
- Policy Report dated April 26, 1996, on Downtown Liquor
Licensing Policy - Proposals for Theatre Row, Yaletown
and Other Areas.
Also before the Committee was a Memorandum dated July 5, 1996 (on
file), from the Director of Central Area Planning reorganizing the
recommendations in the two Policy Reports dated April 26, 1996, on
Downtown Liquor Licensing Policy.
Nathan Edelson, Central Area Planner; Paul Teichroeb, Deputy
Director of Licensing; Jeff Brooks, Director of Community Services -
Social Planning; Larry Beasley, Director of Central Area Planning;
and Inspector Dave Jones and Staff Sergeant Doug MacKay-Dunn,
Vancouver Police Department, responded to questions on the proposed
policy and recommendations.
During discussion, the Committee thanked staff for the memorandum
reorganizing the recommendations from the two Policy Reports. It was
noted Boston's model for dealing with line-up and sound mitigation
relating to licensed establishments is a good one, and a copy was
provided to Mr. Beasley. With respect to the review of policing
strategy for late-night establishments, it was suggested the review
would provide an opportunity to look at how to pay for on-going
operating costs of policing, i.e., differential licensing fees, annual
license fees, etc.
The Committee was divided on the issue of the moratorium on new
licensed establishments in the Gastown area. Some felt an adjustment
to the moratorium would enable the Vancouver Liquor Licensing
Commission to have some latitude in supporting establishments who are
revamping or changing their operating styles. Others felt the
Commission already had the flexibility in supporting those
establishments; lifting the moratorium may cause problems.
The following motions by Councillor Kennedy were put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
Enforcement Issues and New Types of Establishments
A. THAT the Mayor, the Chair of the Vancouver Liquor
Licensing Commission and other designated members of
Council meet with appropriate Provincial elected
representatives regarding adjustments needed to the
existing legal framework and policies for liquor
licensing in carrying out the following and that these
be referred back to Council after completion of the
discussions:
1. THAT the Director of Permits & Licenses, in
consultation with appropriate City and Provincial
enforcement agencies, report back with ways to
ensure better co-ordination of enforcement
resources so that licensed establishments which
are having significant negative impacts on their
neighbours are dealt with under existing
regulations in a timely manner, and include
recommendations to:
a) ask the Province to provide additional Liquor
Control & Licensing Branch Inspectors to
ensure adequate monitoring of licensed
premises (currently one inspector covers the
Gastown, Downtown Eastside and Downtown South
areas); and,
b) ask the Province to use the current
provisions to roll back hours or reduce
seating on problem premises in or near
residential areas.
2. THAT an intergovernmental task force, including
representatives from the City, Province and
Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), be struck to
review existing regulations and appeal procedures,
in consultation with the industry and general
public, to ensure that:
a) outdated regulations are eliminated or
revised, so enforcement can focus on
significant issues of life-safety, health,
and neighbourhood impacts;
b) the evidence required to document infractions
is obtainable in a reasonable period of time;
c) penalties are strong enough to discourage
infractions;
d) appeal procedures cannot be abused to
minimize the effectiveness of penalties; and,
e) an establishment which repeatedly incurs
serious infractions can have its license
cancelled, and that its premises must be
re-approved by the City and the Province,
should another operator apply for a new
license.
3. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission, in
consultation with the Directors of Legal Services
and of Permits & Licenses, and the UBCM, enter
into discussions with the Province to enable
Council to endorse extending hours of operation or
adding seating capacity, subject to a probationary
period.
4. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission, in
consultation with the Directors of Legal Services
and of Permits & Licenses, and the UBCM, enter
into discussions with the Province to enable
Council to endorse or to refuse applications for
licenses for special events lasting more than one
day, and for premises holding more than one
special event per quarter (i.e., 90 days).
5. THAT if a licensed establishment, which is
non-conforming to the Zoning and Development
By-law, has been discontinued for more than 90
days, the Director of Permits & Licenses will
notify the Liquor Control & Licensing Branch that
the status of non-conforming use has been lost,
and that staff will take action on what has become
an unlawful activity.
6. THAT the Liquor Control & Licensing Branch
continue to require cabarets to stop serving
alcohol and providing amplified music and dancing by 2:00 a.m., but allow cabarets to remain open
until 3:00 a.m., to reduce the number of patrons
exiting onto the street at one time;
FURTHER THAT the 3:00 a.m. closing time be allowed
initially in the Theatre Row Entertainment
District.
7. THAT favourable consideration be given to relaxing
the one mile minimum distancing requirement for
endorsing several applications for Class D "local
pubs" on Theatre Row, Robson Street (Howe to
Homer), or Yaletown, subject to a legal agreement
indicating there will be no outdoor patio seating,
off-site sale, exotic dancing, amplified music or
a dance floor on the premises, and that it will
not be operated in conjunction with an adjacent
restaurant.
8. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission, in
consultation with the UBCM, the Directors of
Permits & Licenses, Social Planning and Central
Area Planning, and the Chief Constable, enter into
discussion with the Province to establish new
license categories for smaller drinking
establishments, with fewer than 65 seats.
9. THAT favourable consideration be given to
endorsing one larger cabaret, up to a maximum of
1,000 seats in a non-residential area of the
downtown, preferably one identified as appropriate
for an entertainment focus, subject to the
applicant providing research from other cities
demonstrating the economic feasibility of such an
establishment, an analysis of the effect it would
have on other entertainment venues in Vancouver,
and an analysis and strategy to deal with any
social or neighbourhood impacts.
B. THAT the following be adopted now to foster better
enforcement under existing laws, regulations and
policies:
1. THAT the Director of Permits & Licenses, in
consultation with appropriate City and Provincial
enforcement agencies, report back with ways to
ensure better co-ordination of enforcement
resources so that licensed establishments which
are having significant negative impacts on their
neighbours are dealt with under existing
regulations in a timely manner, and include
recommendations to:
a) determine the need and source of funding for
a co-ordinator who would monitor problem
premises, co-ordinate evidence, interview new
licensees and provide liquor license
information; and
b) provide funding for evening and weekend
inspections by the Property Use Inspectors to
allow for joint inspections with the police.
2. THAT the City continue to work with Bar Watch, a
voluntary association of licensed establishments
which shares information 6about the behaviour of
difficult customers, encourage Bar Watch to form
organizational linkages with local community and
business groups, and facilitate participation by
licensed establishments in Bar Watch.
3. THAT licensed establishments be encouraged to work
directly with their neighbours to resolve
outstanding issues and that the City continue to
support cooperative arrangements which result in
public benefits (e.g., the intention of the Roxy
Cabaret to provide soundproofing and secure rents
for the residents of the Siesta Hotel).
4. THAT the Downtown Integrated Services Team develop
a strategy to discourage the practice of creating
artificial line-ups outside of licensed premises
and to encourage establishment owners to work
co-operatively with surrounding residents and
property owners to adjust the location and
management of line-ups to minimize impacts.
5. THAT Engineering Services initiate discussion with
liquor industry associations, BC Transit and
operators of private transportation services to
investigate the possibility of more comprehensive
late-night transportation alternatives.
6. THAT the Vancouver Health Board be requested to
examine existing services for alcoholism and to
report back, in consultation with the Director of
Social Planning, on a strategy, including funding
alternatives, for treatment services in the
downtown.
7. THAT the Chief Constable, in consultation with the
Director of Social Planning, Bar Watch and local
residents, report back on a strategy, including
sources of funding if needed, to monitor and
address the impacts of patrons leaving drinking
establishments in or near residential areas after
12:00 midnight.
8. THAT favourable consideration be given to
proposals which encourage licensed establishments
in residential areas to reduce their impacts or to
relocate to non-residential areas, i.e., changes
to hours of operation, seating capacity, or type
of license.
9. THAT Council not support, at this time, proposals
to create a new Provincial Licensing Class or to
amend the Provincial Class D regulations to
accommodate more billiard tables.
10. THAT Council not support, at this time, proposals
to amend Provincial regulations to accommodate
liquor licenses for establishments which enable
their customers to participate in active sports
activities on their premises, and that this be
reviewed after the City has secured additional
enforcement powers and amended the Noise By-law as
described in the Policy Report dated April 26,
1996, on Enforcement Issues and New Types of
Establishments.
11. THAT the Director of Central Area Planning, in
consultation with the Directors of Permits &
Licenses and of Legal Services, restaurant owners
and the public, report back on regulating the
location of restaurants accommodating more than
about 150 to 200 people.
12. THAT the Directors of Central Area Planning and of
Permits & Licenses, in consultation with the
Director of Legal Services, restaurant owners and
the public, report back on regulations to permit
small dance halls or restaurants which cannot be
issued a liquor license but which have live or
recorded music and dance floors for up to 50
people.
C. THAT the following be deferred until completion of
discussions with the Province on liquor licensing:
1. THAT the Director of Permits & Licenses, in
consultation with appropriate staff, monitor the
impacts of "local pubs" and report back on whether
additional Class D licenses should be endorsed
under these conditions.
2. THAT the Directors of Central Area Planning and of
Permits & Licenses, in consultation with
appropriate staff, report back with a specific
work program and staffing requirements to
implement approved recommendations on liquor
licensing and associated by-law amendments in the
Downtown, emphasizing the priorities established
by Council.
D. THAT the following be deferred until the Noise Task
Force has completed its report to Council:
1. THAT the Noise By-law be amended to enable decibel
level readings to be taken within a building and
that property owners be required to provide
adequate soundproofing to prevent noise generated
within a building from affecting residents in
other parts of that building.
2. THAT a new set of decibel levels be established
for the residential areas of the downtown which
would result in residents being exposed to lower
decibel levels at nights, possibly the same
quieter standards as residential areas outside the
downtown after 12:00 midnight.
3. THAT all new licensed establishments within 50
metres of residential uses be designed to preclude
the need to open doors and windows for
ventilation, and so sound does not affect
neighbours when patrons enter or leave the
premises; in addition, existing licensed
establishments be encouraged to meet these design
standards.
4. THAT the approval of a licensed facility to use
amplified sound be conditional upon satisfactory
mitigation of noise on the surrounding area, and
that the City be empowered to cancel this approval
for establishments which are consistently
affecting their neighbours.
5. THAT the minimum fine for creating noise impacts
in residential areas be increased to $200 per
incident, and that an establishment which
consistently violates the by-law face a show-cause
hearing wherein it may lose its license or ability
to amplify music.
E. THAT Council acknowledge the work of the Downtown South
Liquor Licensing Task Force and thank its members for
the many hours of voluntary work they have contributed.
Proposals for Theatre Row, Yaletown and Other Areas
A. THAT the Mayor, the Chair of the Vancouver Liquor
Licensing Commission and other designated members of
Council meet with appropriate Provincial elected
representatives regarding adjustments needed to the
existing legal framework and policies for liquor
licensing in carrying out the following and these be
referred back to Council after completion of the
discussions:
1. THAT special incentives, including the following,
be considered, if requested by applicants, to
attract licensed establishments to Theatre Row:
- asking the Province to allow earlier (5:00
p.m.) opening hours for cabarets or to allow
premises to have dual licenses for cabarets and
restaurants, or to create a new class of
licensed establishment which could operate like
a restaurant during the day, and like a cabaret
during the evening.
B. THAT the following be adopted now to reduce the impacts
of licensed establishments on housing in the
residential areas of Downtown South, Granville Street,
and Robson Street (Howe to Homer) and to defer changes
to liquor licensing policy in Victory Square and
Gastown until the completion of community plans:
1. THAT cabarets in the emerging residential areas of
Downtown South remain non-conforming to the
zoning, due to the high impacts on nearby housing
and the public costs of dealing with the resulting
complaints.
2. THAT favourable consideration be given to
proposals which encourage cabarets in the
residential areas of Downtown South to reduce
their impacts or to relocate to non-residential
areas. This could include changes to hours of
operation, seating capacity or type of license.
3. THAT the Director of Central Area Planning, in
consultation with the Director of legal Services,
report back with zoning amendments to:
a) delete housing as a permitted use on the 700 to
900 Blocks of Granville Street; and
b) permit SRO residential hotel units in the
Gresham and Siesta Hotels as conforming uses,
until these buildings are redeveloped for other
uses.
4. THAT the Director of Land Use & Development ensure
any housing developed immediately adjacent to
Theatre Row is designed to minimize noise and
other impacts of licensed entertainment uses.
5. THAT the Director of Central Area Planning, in
consultation with the Director of Legal Services
and the Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver,
report back on mechanisms to inform people
interested in purchasing or residing on sites
adjacent to Theatre Row that the area is near an
entertainment district and they can expect some
increased noise and other impacts.
6. THAT the Chief Constable, in consultation with
appropriate City staff, report back on a policing
strategy, including options to cover any
additional policing resources, needed to help
implement the Theatre Row Entertainment District
and to help ensure public safety in nearby
Downtown South residential areas.
7. THAT the Director of Central Area Planning, in
consultation with the Director of Legal Services,
report back on deleting cabaret as a permitted use
(in Yaletown) and that the Vancouver Liquor
Licensing Commission give favourable consideration
to endorsing possible proposals to transform the
Bar None Cabaret into one or more establishments
which have earlier closing hours.
8. THAT any new housing in or immediately adjacent to
Robson Street (Howe to Homer) be designed to
accommodate the impacts of licensed establishments
and that a mechanism be established to inform
people interested in purchasing sites or residing
in or near this area that entertainment uses are
permitted and that they can expect some impacts.
9. THAT the Director of Central Area Planning, in
consultation with the Manager of the Housing
Centre, local residents, property owners and
organizations, report back with a detailed
analysis of the mix of entertainment and housing
uses most appropriate for Robson Street (Howe to
Homer) and until the study is completed, no
applications for cabarets be approved.
10. THAT, in Victory Square, no cabarets be permitted
until staff report back on policies to create an
appropriate mix of licensed liquor establishments,
as part of the community planning process for that
area.
11. THAT the moratorium on new licensed establishments in Gastown be adjusted as soon as possible to
permit changes to licenses of existing
establishments which reduce their impacts on
nearby residents on a case-by-case basis, subject
to consultation with nearby residents and property
owners.
C. THAT the following regarding designation of
entertainment districts be endorsed as a policy
direction, subject to the outcome of discussions with
the Province on liquor licensing and they be referred
back to Council upon completion of the discussions:
1. THAT the 700 to 900 Blocks of Granville Street be
designated as the Theatre Row Entertainment
District and the Director of Central Area
Planning, in consultation with the Director of
Legal Services, report back with appropriate
recommendations to amend the Downtown Official
Development Plan.
2. THAT the following measures be adopted to enhance
the 1100 to 1300 Blocks of Granville as a local
commercial focus for the surrounding residential
community, with the 1000 Block as a transition
area; to help integrate existing hotels into the
emerging community; to encourage entertainment for
all residents; and to secure housing affordable to
low-income residents:
a) THAT the Director of Central Area Planning,
in consultation with the Director of Legal
Services, report back on amendments to the
Downtown Official Development Plan to help
establish the 1100 to 1300 Blocks of
Granville Street as the local shopping core
for the surrounding residential community and
to help establish the 1000 Block of Granville
Street as a transition area with some
entertainment and some local shopping by:
i) deleting neighbourhood pubs and cabarets
as permitted uses;
ii) limiting the number of Class A (pub and
lounge) seats endorsed for new hotels;
iii) deleting Class 2 restaurants (which
require food be served with alcoholic
beverages, and can provide live
entertainment and dancing) as a
permitted use on the 1100 to 1300 Blocks
of Granville Street; and
iv) permitting Class 2 restaurants on the
1000 Block of Granville Street.
b) THAT staff continue to work with the
Entertainment District (formerly Theatre Row)
Business Association and other groups in the
area to revitalize Granville Street, monitor
the balance of entertainment and shopping
requirements of the community, and report
back if policy changes are needed, especially
with respect to neighbourhood pubs as well as
the possible need for inexpensive "living
room" establishments for low-income
residents.
c) THAT the Manager of the Housing Centre
continue efforts to secure the affordability
and to upgrade or replace existing low-cost
SRO housing on the 800 to 1300 Blocks of
Granville Street through a variety of
mechanisms, including purchasing, management
and/or leasing agreements, bonusing and
development of new low-income housing.
d) THAT Council give favourable consideration to
endorsing applications for increased seating
capacities in existing licensed
establishments, subject to legal agreements
to secure the affordability and to upgrade
low-income housing.
3. THAT the following measures for Yaletown be
adopted to endorse applications for neighbourhood
pubs and Class 2 restaurants (limited to 150
seats) and to reduce the impacts of cabarets:
a) THAT favourable consideration be given to
endorsing applications for neighbourhood pubs
and that the minimum distancing requirement
be waived in Yaletown on a case-by-case
basis, subject to polling nearby residents
and property owners.
b) THAT favourable consideration be given to
endorsing applications for Class 2
restaurants (in Yaletown) limited to 150
seats on a case-by-case basis, subject to
polling nearby residents and property owners.
4. THAT favourable consideration be given to
endorsing applications for hotel pubs and lounges,
Class 2 Restaurants and neighbourhood pubs on a
case-by-case basis along Robson Street (Howe to
Homer), subject to polling of nearby residents and
property owners.
5. THAT consideration be given to endorsing new
cabarets in the Plaza of Nations on a case-by-case
basis, subject to the neighbourhood referendum
process and completion of appropriate zoning.
6. THAT consideration be given to a pub or lounge in
the Plaza of Nations if proposed in conjunction
with a new hotel, which will require rezoning, and
be subject to evidence demonstrating support by
nearby residents and property owners.
7. THAT the Director of Central Area Planning, in
consultation with appropriate staff and the
public, report back on designating the Plaza of
Nations as an entertainment district in the Zoning
and Development By-law.
8. THAT favourable consideration be given to
proposals for entertainment uses in the Central
Business District.
9. THAT the Director of Central Area Planning, in
consultation with appropriate staff, local
property owners, merchants, business organizations
and the public, review and report back on the
entertainment uses in the Central Business
District, with special emphasis on an analysis of
the suitability of the area to the south of Canada
Place near Hastings, Pender and Hornby Streets,
and the "Cultural Precinct" near Homer, Beatty,
Robson and Dunsmuir Streets.
D. THAT the following regarding implementation of the
Theatre Row Entertainment District be deferred until
completion of discussions with the Province on liquor
licensing:
1. THAT the Directors of Central Area Planning and of
Permits & Licenses, in consultation with the
Directors of Legal Services and of Social
Planning, the Manager of the Housing Centre and
the General Manager of Engineering Services,
report back with procedures for a Proposal Call
for up to 1,000 licensed Class A, C or D seats,
initially limited to applications which would
result in a reduction of existing cabaret seats in
the residential areas of Downtown South, as
described in the Policy Report dated April 26,
1996, on Proposals for Theatre Row, Yaletown and
Other Areas.
a) THAT the Proposal Call for up to 1,000 seats
on Theatre Row be limited during the first
year to relocating existing seating (Staff
recommendation).
OR
Should (a) not be approved, staff put forward options
(b), (c) and (d) for Council's consideration:
b) THAT the Proposal Call for up to 1,000 seats
on Theatre Row be open to any interested
parties.
OR
c) THAT an increase of up to 1000 seats be
endorsed on Theatre Row on a first come,
first serve basis under existing zoning.
OR
d) THAT up to 1000 existing Downtown South
cabaret seats be allowed to relocate to
Theatre Row (no net increase in seating in
Downtown South).
2. THAT special incentives, including the following,
be considered, if requested by applicants, to
attract new licensed establishments to Theatre
Row:
a) not requiring each applicant to go through
the formal polling process;
b) permitting one or more neighbourhood pubs;
c) as part of the overall review of the Building
By-law, examining ways of phasing in Building
Code upgrading of code requirements to
accommodate entertainment uses in existing
buildings; and
d) other incentives which result in a net
benefit for the community.
3. THAT the Vancouver Liquor Licensing Commission
consider endorsing applications for liquor
licenses proposed on Theatre Row based on the
response to a neighbourhood notification as an
alternative to formal polling.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Chiavario, Hemer and Puil
opposed to Recommendation B[11])
2. Better City Government File: 1006-3
At its meeting on June 25, 1996, Council received an overview of
the Better City Government Program, and a detailed update on five of
the 15 projects from the respective project teams.
Council also received a request from the civic unions to speak on
the Better City Government Program at a Standing Committee meeting.
Accordingly, before the Committee was an extract from the Minutes
of the Vancouver City Council meeting of June 25, 1996 (on file).
Donalda Viaud, representing seven civic unions (brief on file),
requested the Committee to consider reaffirming Council's recognition
of unions as exclusive bargaining agents and instructing the Corporate
Management Team to halt discussions regarding terms and conditions of
employment within Better City Government without authorized union
representation; authorizing and funding a union-sponsored survey of
employees to ascertain their feelings about the current initiative;
and a halt to all consultant manipulation including psychological
testing and implementation of a democratic process that will allow
staff to choose their own representatives.
Ken Davidson, President, CUPE 1004, reiterated a concern with
Better City Government work teams examining impacts on jobs. The
members on the workteams do not take the time to look at the full
picture. The cost of consultants could be saved by using
management/worker/union teams. The Park Board is just getting started
with Better City Government; Park Board employees are concerned a
systematic down-sizing is taking place.
Rick Gates, President, CUPE 15, had some concerns with how the
Better City Government workteams are set up. He would like to see at
the beginning of each new process, a commitment in writing that
unionized staff not be outnumbered by management; back-up coverage for
team members; representatives from other affected departments on the
workteams; training available if jobs changed; no jobs lost; job
security to be addressed; all cost savings to be turned back to better
service; keep lines of communication open; management and consultant
agreements made public.
Brenda Champagne, President, CUPE 391, stated Vancouver Public
Library workers are proud of the quality of work and service provided
to the customers. The taxpayer has no assurance money spent on
consultants provides better service. Money spent on consultants would
be better spent on parks. Union members working on teams are not
legitimate union representatives. CUPE 391 will not condone less
workers, but sees only less employees in the Strategic planning.
During discussion, the Committee pointed out the increases to the
Vancouver Public Library's budget over the past few years, including
additional increases in staff and books.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the presentations on Better City Government be
received.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. 1997-1999 Capital Plan - File: 1611-3
Public Information Process
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June
26, 1996 (on file), in which the Director of Finance sought approval
of the components of a two phase public information program to be
conducted for the 1996-1999 Capital Plan, at an estimated cost of
$125,000. The source of funds would be the 1996 Operating Budget.
The General Manager of Corporate Services recommended approval.
Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets & Research, was present to
answer questions.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve the components of the two phase public
information program related to the 1997-1999 Capital Plan as
detailed in the Administrative Report dated June 26, 1996,
at an estimated cost of $125,000; source of funds to be the
1996 Operating Budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. 5055 Connaught Drive - File: 2701-6
Emissaries of Divine Light
At its meeting on July 9, 1995, Council referred an
Administrative Report dated June 27, 1996 (on file) to the Standing
Committee to hear delegations. In the report, the Director of Permits
& Licenses and General Manager of Community Services recommended the Corporation Counsel be instructed to initiate the necessary
enforcement action to ensure the premises at 5055 Connaught Drive are
prohibited from holding any further functions/events such as parties,
wedding receptions or any other activity not recognized as being
acceptable under the approved non-conforming use for the property.
The following representatives of the area residents spoke in
favour of the enforcement action:
Mik Ball, representing the Shaughnessy Heights
Property Owners' Association
Fred Moore
Mrs. Donald Clark and Ross Clark
Thomas Rust
The following points were made by the foregoing speakers in
support of the recommendation:
- the current owners have created a convention centre at
the property at 5055 Connaught Drive;
- the owners have not consulted the neighbours or the
Property Owners' Association;
- the use of the premises as a convention centre is
unacceptable in the middle of a residential
neighbourhood;
- the activities at the premises have been disruptive to
the neighbours;
- the neighbours feel the current owner is untrustworthy;
- the area residents will not barter the use of the
premises for commercial purposes; any redevelopment will
not be much of a problem given the current design
guidelines in the area;
- the events at the premises do not involve just a few
people, but involve large groups, drinking, rock bands
until late at night, and the noise of guests departing
early in the morning; and
- the current use of the property is completely
unacceptable.
The Committee was sympathetic to the resident's concerns, but
noted the owner and his representative were unable to attend the
meeting. Both would be available on July 12, 1996. The Committee
explained it is Council's policy to hear from both sides prior to
making a decision.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council give legal authority to the Mayor and available
Council members to make a decision at a meeting on July 12,
1996, on the matter described in the Administrative Report
dated June 27, 1996
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NOTE FROM CLERK:
As the Charter requires eight votes to give Power to Act, and there
are only seven members present, any decisions reached at the July 12th
meeting will be submitted to Council on July 23 for ratification.
5. Start-Up Funding for the File: 3143
Economic Development Commission
The Committee received this day a memorandum dated July 8, 1996
(on file), from the City Manager recommending release of a $10,000
advance on the previously approved $200,000 grant to the Economic
Development Commission.
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve the release of a $10,000 advance on the
previously approved $200,000 contract to the Economic
Development Commission, as outlined in the City Manager's
memorandum dated July 8, 1996.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Centre for Municipal-Aboriginal Relations File: 3139
The Chair referred to a letter dated February 8, 1996, from Mr.
John Les, President, Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) (on
file), describing a proposal to establish a Centre for
Municipal-Aboriginal Relations. The City of Vancouver was requested
to approve a grant of $6,000 toward the centre. At its meeting of
March 12, 1996, Council approved the requested $6,000 grant towards
the proposed centre.
The Chair advised it has come to his attention the centre will be
located with the Department of Indian Affairs in a federal building in
Ottawa. This, in his opinion, would negatively impact the
effectiveness of the centre.
The following motion by Councillor Hemer was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council rescind its motion of March 12, 1996 to approve
a grant of $6,000 towards the proposed Centre for
Municipal-Aboriginal Relations.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
The meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m.
* * * * *