2
CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
OCTOBER 10, 1996
A Regular Meeting of Vancouver City Council was held on Thursday,
October 10, 1996, at 5:30 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 Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke,
Hemer, Ip, Price and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kennedy (Sick Leave)
Councillor Kwan (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Puil
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
October 10, 1996
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl. 1 Official Community Plan for Part of Electoral Area "A"
UBC
Cl. 2 Langara College - Pay Parking Proposal
Cl. 3 Intranet - QUICKFIND
Cl. 4 a) B.C. Transit Five Year Plan and Funding Strategy
Cl. 5 b) 1997/98 Conceptual Transit Service Plan
Report of Standing Committee
on Planning and Environment
October 10, 1996
Clauses 1, 3, 4 and 5
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clauses 1,
3, 4 and 5 of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Langara College - Pay Parking
Proposal (Clause 2)
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as set out in Clause 2
of the attached report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Price opposed to A)
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF 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
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Capital Plan Brochures File: 1611-3
Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets and Research, distributed copies
of the newly completed brochure on the 1997-1999 Capital Plan for
Council members' information.
* * * * *
Council adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
October 10, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Planning
and Environment was held on Thursday, October 10, 1996, at 2:00 p.m. in
Committee Room No.1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Price, Chair
Mayor Owen
Councillor Bellamy
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Hemer
Councillor Ip
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kennedy (Sick Leave)
Councillor Kwan (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Puil
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK: Nancy Largent
1. Official Community Plan for
Part of Electoral Area "A" UBC File: 5551-3/8037
At the commencement of this item, Councillors Clarke and Price
excused themselves from active discussion, noting they will participate
in the GVRD meeting on the OCP. The Councillors remained in the gallery
to hear the discussion. The item was chaired by Mayor Owen.
At its previous meeting on September 26, 1996, the Committee was
advised that the University of British Columbia (UBC) would be
submitting a formal response to the City's position on the proposed
Official Community Plan (OCP) for UBC. The Committee now had before it
a letter from the President of UBC dated October 9, 1996 (on file),
commenting on issues raised by the City including housing mix,
transportation, provision of amenities and open space, and timing with
respect to the governance issue.
Clause No. 1 (Cont d)
Ann McAfee, Director of City Plans, provided an oral commentary on
the university's response, and submitted for consideration an additional
recommendation acknowledging commitments expressed in the President's
letter, reflected in Recommendation D of this report. Dr. McAfee also
noted a written submission will be made to the GVRD Public Hearing on
the OCP, and enquired whether Council wished staff or a Council member
to attend to present the submission on the City's behalf.
Peter Judd, Acting Assistant City Engineer - Transportation
Project, drew Council's attention to Recommendation C (i) approved on
September 26th, which referenced "measures required to accommodate the
OCP housing and job targets with no net increase in vehicle traffic;".
Mr. Judd advised the City's forthcoming transportation plan will likely
recommend a 20% decrease in traffic to and from UBC, and suggested that
Council may wish to amend Recommendation C accordingly.
The Committee was amenable to Dr. McAfee's additional
recommendation. It also agreed to amend its previous recommendation in
accordance with Mr. Judd's suggestion with respect to vehicle traffic.
In view of the significance of UBC's development to the City, it was
felt staff should attend to present the City's position, not just convey
it by a written submission.
The following recommendation by Councillor Hemer was put and
carried (Recommendations A, B and C were approved on September 26,
1996). Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
D. THAT Vancouver City acknowledge the University of British
Columbia's commitment (conveyed by letter from President
Strangway on October 9, 1996) to:
i. work with the City and other stakeholders to set up a
transportation group to tackle issues ranging from the
provision of better transit to consideration of a form of
U-pass system for UBC; and
ii. establish a "pass system" to provide access to UBC
cultural and recreational facilities for residents on the
campus as a way to reduce demand on similar facilities
provided by the City of Vancouver;
and look forward to participating in the preparation of
Transportation and Infrastructure Plans which we believe
should proceed prior to the adoption of the OCP.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(cont d)
Clause No. 1 (Cont d)
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
E. THAT staff appear at the GVRD Public Hearing to represent the
City's position on the Official Community Plan for UBC.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Sullivan was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
THAT recommendation C (i) be amended to read as follows:
C. THAT, in further preparation of the OCP and related
documents, the recommendations of the Task Force on
Transportation Access to UBC and UEL be incorporated
to the greatest extent possible, with particular
reference to the following issues:
i. preparation of an access plan demonstrating a
firm commitment by UBC to a strengthened
Transportation Demand Management program and
implementation of a U-Pass system, with the
measures required to accommodate the OCP
housing and job targets with an overall 20%
reduction from 24-hour vehicle traffic to and
from UBC and UEL Community;
*Underlining denotes amendment
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Langara College - Pay Parking Proposal File: 5553-3
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
September 24, 1996 (on file), in which the General Manager of
Engineering Services reviewed a request by Langara College to implement
pay parking. The General Manager recommended no decision be made on
this request until a public consultation process can be completed and
appropriate mitigating measures identified. It was also recommended
that the college be asked to complete a Travel Demand Management Plan as
part of this process.
(cont d)
Clause No. 2 (Cont d)
Bob MacDonald, Parking Engineer, reviewed the report and
recommendations. Mr. MacDonald stressed that area residents are very
concerned about the impact on street parking in their neighbourhood if
Langara College converts to pay parking, particularly since there is
already an overspill problem. Resident Parking Only should be
implemented first in a portion of the neighbourhood to give residents
the opportunity to evaluate how effective such mitigating measures
should be. A public consultation process should also be completed
beforehand to ease concerns. In addition, transit will have to be
better utilized by staff and students, hence the requirement for traffic
management planning.
Julia Marzol, Peter Joyce and Penny Noble spoke on behalf of
Langara College. The speakers asked the Committee to approve pay
parking immediately, as provided for under the college's rezoning. It
would not be implemented before the beginning of the new semester in
January but lead time is required to inform students and staff of the
change. They felt resident parking measures would be effective, and
indicated the college is committed to public consultation on this issue,
and to work with B.C. Transit to improve service. The revenues will
also be helpful in this time of government cutbacks, and pay parking
will help achieve environmental goals of less auto use, decreased
pollution, etc.
Jack Meredith and Ted Smith, area residents, urged the Committee to
defer a decision as recommended by staff. There are already serious
parking problems in their neighbourhood, but they expected problems will
be far worse if pay parking is implemented on the campus. Students have
little disposable income, and will walk considerable distances to avoid
parking charges. They also recalled unpleasant incidents when pay
parking was previously implemented on the campus.
The Committee also recalled a previous period when pay parking was
in effect and the resultant negative impacts on the neighbourhood, which
led to the existing arrangement under which the City pays a portion of
the college's parking costs. While recognizing that pay parking will
come to pass eventually, members were not prepared to approve it before
completing public consultation due to the neighbourhood's legitimate
concerns. Engineering was asked to expedite mitigating measures to
begin alleviating concerns and signal to the college that the City will
move on its request quickly.
(cont d)
Clause No. 2 (Cont d)
The following motions by Counccillor Hemer were put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT no decision be made on pay parking at Langara
College until completion of the public process and
identification of appropriate mitigating measures.
B. THAT, as part of this ongoing process, the College be requested to complete a Travel Demand Management Plan to
document plans for the site and establish targets for
alternative modes of travel.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Price opposed to A)
3. Intranet - QUICKFIND File: 1006-3
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
September 24, 1996 (on file), in which the City Manager recommended
approval of the Intranet - QUICKFIND project described in the report.
This proposed on-line information system will enable civic staff to
access accurate current information via the City's internal "Intranet",
and will also be available to the public through the City's Internet
web-site.
Christine Warren, Social Planner, briefly discussed the genesis and
aims of the project. Ms. Warren and Laurie Baranyais, Permits and
Licenses, then gave a slide show illustrating a variety of scenarios
which Quickfind will address. Its use is expected to improve the level
of information available to staff and the public, and increase customer
satisfaction.
Martin Crocker, Manager of Technology Planning, Solange Pinard,
Employee Relations Advisor and Scott MacRae, Director of Communications,
responded to queries regarding potential for Park Board staff to use
QUICKFIND, hardware and training requirements, Internet accessibility,
time frame for implementation, and systems in other cities.
The Committee expressed enthusiastic support for the QUICKFIND
project, and felt it should also be brought to the Park Board's
attention.
(Cont d)
Clause No. 3 (Cont d)
The following motions by Councillor Bellamy were put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve the Intranet-QUICKFIND project at an
estimated cost of $376,500, in advance of approval of the
1997 Operating Budget, with interim financing from
Revenue Surplus.
B. THAT Council approve an addition of $25,000 to the annual
operating budget of the Information Technology Department
to fund the on-going technical maintenance cost of the
Intranet-QUICKFIND project, starting 1997, without
offset.
C. THAT Council approve an addition of $23,000 to the annual
operating budget of the City Clerk's Office to fund the
information coordination cost of the Intranet - QUICKFIND
project, starting 1997, without offset.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
Therefore, the Committee
RECOMMENDED
D. THAT Council request the Park Board to review the
Intranet QUICKFIND project, and that the Intranet
Steering Committee make its presentation to the Board to
assist with the Board's information management strategy.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. a) B.C. Transit Five Year Plan
and Funding Strategy
b) 1997/1998 Conceptual Transit
Service Plan File: 5551-3
The Committee had before it two Administrative Reports each dated
October 1, 1996 (on file), dealing with B.C Transit's first Five Year
Plan as well as transit service concepts for 1997 and 1998.
With respect to the Five Year Plan, the General Manager of
Engineering Services noted Council's outstanding requests for new routes
and improvements to existing service are largely provided for in the
plan. However, the level of funding from the Province is uncertain and
may not be in place. Nor does the plan meet the level of transit
service required to achieve Transport 2001 goals.
With respect to the 1997/98 Conceptual Transit Service Plan, the
General Manager of Engineering Services noted B.C. Transit has provided
concepts rather than a detailed Annual Service Plan for review, thereby
virtually eliminating the opportunity for substantive municipal comment.
In view of the lack of detail, the City Manager recommended Council
simply receive the plan for information, and request an opportunity for
the City to comment on specific proposed service changes prior to
Vancouver Regional Transit Commission (VRTC) approval. The General
Manager also recommended Council reiterate previous requests for
improvements.
Wayne Pledger, Transit Engineer, reviewed the reports and
recommendations. The Five Year Plan does provide some improvements,
although not enough to meet latent demand, and the move to longer range
planning is a positive step. The plan does attempt to address problems
such as overcrowding rather than just expand the system to meet
development. Productivity continues to be an issue, and civic staff
believe some of the resources allocated to meet suburb to suburb demand
should be reallocated to inner city demand. Mr. Pledger acknowledged it
is difficult for B.C. Transit to cut less productive services, but many
feel it is carrying too many underutilized services.
Martin Kobayakawa, B.C. Transit, responded to questions on a
variety of topics including various bus routes, common corridors, West
Coast Express, articulated buses and use of alternative fuels, transit
improvements planned for the Fraser Lands and service to the Downtown
core, and Transport 2001 and Transport 2021 goals. Funding strategy was
also referenced including difficulties created by lack of a guaranteed
funding source.
(Cont d)
Clause No. 4 (Cont d)
The Committee was concerned that Transport 2001 goals will not be
met, and feared this calls into question even the possibility of
achieving Transport 2021. Frustration was also expressed because the
City has been unable to obtain information regarding the capital and
operating costs or ridership figures for West Coast Express, but it was
felt the sums involved are considerable for the number using the service
and could be far more effectively used for additional bus service.
With respect to the 1997/98 Plan, Mr. Pledger advised transit staff
will come up with a detailed document for presentation to the VRTC in
December. Unfortunately, Council will have no opportunity to comment on
it beforehand. Hence, the recommendation to reiterate previous requests
and areas of concern about Vancouver's transit service.
Mr. Kobayakawa indicated Transit staff will be meeting to discuss
the content of the detailed document with the Municipal Advisory
Committee, which includes planning and engineering staff from all
municipalities. Ann McAfee, Director of City Plans, advised that to her
knowledge, there are no Vancouver Planning Department staff on the
committee referenced.
Mr. Kobayakawa also responded to questions regarding the
consultation process carried out by B.C. Transit, including focus groups
and customer surveys. Council members asked to be advised when and
where public consultation meetings are to take place in order that they
may have the opportunity to attend, noting similar requests in the past
have not been met.
The Committee then heard from two delegations generally in support
of the staff recommendations before the Committee.
Nathan Davidowicz supported the recommendations of the General
Manager of Engineering Services, but made additional points with respect
to both plans. Regarding the Five Year Plan, Mr. Davidowicz did not
agree that there is no need to acquire a third seabus, recalling Council
has previously supported a third vessel. The existing vessels are over
twenty years old, and heavy use during recent construction work on the
Second Narrows Bridge clearly demonstrated their importance.
Regarding annual service, Mr. Davidowicz felt that the 1st Avenue
bus route and the No. 22 Dunbar bus route both should be addressed as
priorities. Bus service on Richards between Hastings and Davie should
also be added.
(cont d)
Clause No. 4 (Cont d)
Jim Houlahan, Independent Canadian Transit Union, agreed with many
areas of concern cited by City staff as well as recommendations for
improved service guidelines. Pass-ups have been an ongoing problem
since the late 1980s, and many routes are operating at less than 1970s
levels. Infrastructure is a mess and numerous inefficiencies inflate
cost per service hour; examples were offered including problems and
increased deadheading time caused by the closure of the Downtown garage.
The union prepared a detailed submission to the VRTC in 1990, but it
went nowhere.
Committee members felt there is a need to restructure Transit so it
will be clear who is responsible. It was also felt Transit needs to
have a guaranteed revenue stream upon which it can rely in future
planning.
The Committee's recommendations on the two plans are listed under
separate headings for clarity.
Five Year Plan
The following motions by Councillor Chiavario were put and carried.
Therefore the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council receive the TransAction 2002 Service Plan
and Funding Strategy for Information.
B. THAT Council recommend to the Vancouver Regional Transit
Commission, the BC Transit Board and the Province that
they provide sufficient resources and funding to meet
Transit's obligation to Transport 2021, the Regional
Transportation Plan.
C. THAT Council recommend to the Vancouver Regional Transit
Commission that generally, the first few years of the
Five Year Plan focus resources into the inner area of the
Regional Growth Concentration Area.
D. THAT Council recommend to BC Transit that operating
improvements be aggressively pursued to enhance regular
services and to establish more innovative
neighbourhood-based services.
E. THAT the Province be requested to give negotiating
governance and funding of the Vancouver Regional Transit
System the highest priority.
(cont d)
Clause No. 4 (Cont d)
Five Year Plan (cont d)
F. THAT the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission be urged
to not increase its local share of transit funding until
there is a commitment from the Province to negotiate a
new governance and funding arrangement for Regional
transportation services.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1997/1998 PLAN
The following motions by Councillor Chiavario were put and carried.
Therefore the Committee
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council receive for information the 1997/98
Conceptual Service Plan, and request the Vancouver
Regional Transit Commission to provide an opportunity for
the municipalities to comment on specific proposed
service changes in the Annual Service Plan in advance of
its approval.
B. THAT the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission
concentrate the allocation of new resources for the
1997/98 Annual Service Plan in the City of Vancouver in
order to deal with historical under-funding and service
cutbacks, with the following focuses:
- Service to the high density Riverside/Fraser
Lands/Champlain Heights South, and North Shore
False Creek areas
- Overcrowding/passups and schedule reliability
- Granville Rapid Bus - including consideration of
letting Vancouver riders board the existing suburban
buses at the major transfer points on Granville
Street, in advance of introducing the full RapidBus
concept
- A general route restructuring and innovative fare
policy for Vancouver s Central Area, including
introduction of the following routes:
- West End Loop
- Central Broadway To Downtown Loop
- the local Downtown Vancouver portion of the
North Burnaby transit changes
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
The Committee adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
* * * * *