1
CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
November 28, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was
held on Thursday, November 28, 1996, at 10:55 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
Councillor Bellamy
Councillor Chiavario
Councillor Clarke
Councillor Kennedy
Councillor Price
Councillor Puil
Councillor Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Tarja Tuominen
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
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
November 28, 1996
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
cont d
COMMITTEE REPORTS (CONT D)
Report of the Standing Committee
on City Services and Budgets
November 28, 1996 (cont d)
Cl. 1: Status of Proposed Charter Amendments
Cl. 2: Establishment of a City of Vancouver
and Ministry of Attorney General
Community Safety Funding Program
Cl. 3: Grant Request for a Temporary Winter Shelter
Cl. 4: 1996 Community Public Art Grants
Cl. 5: Staffing Required to Improve By-Law
Enforcement for Licensed Establishments
and for Problem Premises
Cl. 6: 1997 Business License
Fees and Liveaboard Fees
Cl. 7: Freedom of Information & Protection of
Privacy Act: Staffing Requirements
Clauses 1, 5, 6 and 7
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clauses 1, 5, 7 and 7 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Clauses 2, 3 and 4
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in
Clauses 2, 3 and 4 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
MANAGER'S REPORTS
1. Administrative Report
November 19, 1996
Proposed Closure of Portions of Carrall Street, File: 1150-3
Cordova Street and the Lane South of Cordova Street
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
cont d
MANAGER S REPORTS CONT D
A. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services
to sign on behalf of the City Reference Plans attested
to by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S., representing a survey
completed on October 30, 1996, marginally numbered
S-9237 and representing a survey completed on November
13, 1996, marginally numbered S-9257 defining the
horizontal limits of the encroachments onto Carrall
Street, Cordova Street and the lane south of Cordova
Street (see Appendix "A" & "B") by the building at 8
East Cordova, and apply to raise title to the portions
of Carrall Street, Cordova Street and the lane South of
Cordova Street defined on the said Reference Plans in
the name of the City of Vancouver.
B. THAT all those volumetric portions of Carrall Street,
Cordova Street and the lane South of Cordova Street
included within the heavy outlines and illustrated
isometrically on plans prepared by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S.,
dated October 30, 1996 and marginally numbered S-9238
and S-9239 and dated November 13, 1996 and marginally
numbered S-9258 and S-9259, reduced copies of which are
attached hereto as Appendix "C", "D", "E" & "F", be
closed, stopped-up, and that an easement be granted to
the owner of abutting Parcel "B", Block 8, District Lot
196, Plan LMP 24609, to contain portions of the
existing building which encroaches onto Carrall Street,
Cordova Street and the lane south of Cordova Street.
The easement to be for the life of the encroaching
portion of the existing building on said Parcel "B",
and to be to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal
Services.
C. THAT the fees for document preparation, registration
and use of the easement referred to in Recommendation
"B" are to be in accordance with those charged for in
an agreement prepared pursuant to the Encroachment
By-Law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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
BY-LAWS
1. A By-law to amend By-law No. 6510, being the
Sign By-law (Amendments to Regulate Billboards)
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer
declared the By-law open for discussion and amendment.
There being no amendments, it was
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor
and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS
A. Closure of Portions of Carrall File: 5753-3
Street, Cordova Street and the
Lane South of Cordova Street
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT WHEREAS:
1. The City of Vancouver is the owner of all the streets and
lanes lying within the limits of the City of Vancouver;
cont d
MOTIONS CONT D
2. Portions of the building constructed on Parcel "B", Block 8,
District Lot 196, Plan LMP 24609, encroach onto Carrall
Street, Cordova Street and the lane South of Cordova Street;
3. The portions of Carrall Street, Cordova Street and the lane
South of Cordova Street were dedicated by the deposit of
Plan 184;
4. To provide for the registration of an easement to contain
the said encroachments, as required by Section 7 of the
Condominium Act, it is necessary to raise title to the
portions of streets and lane encroached upon;
5. To enable Council to grant the required easement to contain
the encroachments, it is necessary for Council to close and
stop-up the volumetric portion of streets and lane
encroached upon.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Director of Legal Services be
authorized to make application on behalf of the City of Vancouver, to
raise title in the name of the City of Vancouver to:
FIRSTLY
That portion of Cordova Street, dedicated by the deposit of Plan
184, included within the heavy outline and that portion of the
lane South of Cordova Street, dedicated by said Plan 184,
included within the heavy outline and hatched, both on a
Reference Plan, attested to by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S., representing a
survey completed on October 30, 1996, marginally numbered S-9237,
a copy of which is attached hereto; and
SECONDLY
That portion of Carrall Street, dedicated by the deposit of Plan
184, included within the heavy outline and that portion of
Cordova Street, dedicated by said Plan 184 included within the
heavy outline and hatched, both on a Reference Plan, attested to
by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S., representing a survey completed November
13, 1996, marginally numbered S-9257, a copy of which is attached
hereto; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT all those volumetric portions Carrall
Street, Cordova Street and the lane South of Cordova Street dedicated
by the deposit of Plan 184, described as follows:
cont d
MOTIONS CONT D
FIRSTLY
That volumetric portion of Cordova Street, included within the
heavy outline and illustrated isometrically on a plan certified
by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S., dated October 30, 1996 and marginally
numbered S-9238, a copy of which is attached hereto; and
SECONDLY
That volumetric portion of the lane South of Cordova Street,
included within the heavy outline and illustrated isometrically
on a plan certified by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S., dated October 30, 1996
and marginally numbered S-9239, a copy of which is attached
hereto; and
THIRDLY
That volumetric portion of Carrall Street included within the
heavy outline and illustrated isometrically on a plan certified
by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S., dated November 13, 1996 and marginally
numbered S-9258, a copy of which is attached hereto; and
FOURTHLY
That volumetric portion of Cordova Street included within the
heavy outline and illustrated isometrically on a plan certified
by B.J. Oke, B.C.L.S., dated November 13, 1996 and marginally
numbered S-9259, a copy of which is attached hereto;
be closed, stopped-up and an easement be granted to the abutting owner
of Parcel "B", Block 8, District Lot 196, Plan LMP 24609, to contain
the portions of the existing building which encroach onto the said
streets and lane.
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Provincial Revenue Sharing Cuts File: 1756-3
Councillor Bellamy distributed copies for information of a Union
of British Columbia Municipalities Member Release advising the
Provincial revenue sharing cuts are closer to 30%.
The Council adjourned at 11:05 a.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
NOVEMBER 28, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, November 28, 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 Kennedy
Councillor Price
Councillor Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Hemer (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Ip
Councillor Kwan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
CLERK: Tarja Tuominen
Adoption of Minutes
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services & Budgets
meeting of October 24 and November 7, 1996 were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Status of Proposed Charter Amendments File: 114
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
October 28, 1996 (on file) in which the City Manager advises of the
status of the City's outstanding requests for amendments to the
Charter, and recommends such amendments be pursued at the staff level,
and through continued communication between the Mayor and the Minister
of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
The Administrative Report had been scheduled for Council's
meeting on November 5. As a delegation request was received, the
report was referred to a future Standing Committee meeting.
cont d
Clause No. 1 cont d
Merrilee Robson, Member, Citizens Advisory Group on Property
Taxation (letter circulated), expressed concern some neighbourhoods
would be facing a 30% increase in taxes with the introduction of flat
charges for sewer, solid waste and blue box services. An another way
to encourage conservation and charge fairly should be looked at, such
as limiting households to two cans.
Michael Walker, Member, Citizens Advisory Group on Property
Taxation, also expressed concerns with the proposed establishment of
the solid waste utility. If the City only changes the way it charges
for garbage, sewage and recycling services, it will not reduce the
amount of sewage or garbage. Staff should be requested to look for
real conservation methods to reduce the flow of sewage from homes.
Flat charges will not help conservation and will have an effect on
lower value properties.
In response to questions, Ken Stoke, General Manager of Corporate
Services, advised the City is attempting to receive the power to be
able to levy user fees for the consumption of services in the same
way it can levy fees for the consumption of water. The Citizens
Advisory Group on Property Taxation is looking at the issue of
consumption of services and the effect of a flat rate on lower value
homes. The entire issue will be brought back to Council. The earliest
the City would be able to implement the collection of fees for garbage
is January 1998, and for sewer, January 1999. The requested Charter
changes do not bind Council to any method of collecting for utilities,
it simply gives the legal ability to collect through a utility. Staff
are looking at alternate methods. Mr. Stoke also advised the GVRD is
conducting a study on universal metering of services.
In response to a question on the impact on tenants of collecting
through a utility, Mr. Walker reported the Citizens Group has asked
staff to prepare a similar detailed look at tax impacts on multifamily
dwellings as was prepared for the residential class.
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried.
The Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the City Manager and the Director of Legal
Services be instructed to request and pursue passage of
the Charter amendments attached to the Administrative
Report dated October 28, 1996 as Appendices "A" and
"B".
cont d
Clause No. 1 cont d
B. THAT the Mayor be requested to continue communication
with the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing,
stressing the importance of the Charter amendments
requested and outstanding at this time, and asking that
the Minister support the advancement of these critical
amendments to the Provincial Legislature for enactment
during the Spring 1997 legislative session.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Establishment of a City of Vancouver File: 1756-3/
and Ministry of Attorney General 3701-6
Community Safety Funding Program
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
October 25, 1996 (on file) in which the City Manager, Chief Constable,
Director of Community Services-Social Planning, and General Manager of
Corporate Services recommend approval of the establishment of a joint
City of Vancouver and Ministry of Attorney General Community Safety
Funding Program and an annual grant program budget of $150,000.
The Administrative Report had been scheduled for Council's
meeting on November 5. As a delegation request was received, the
report was referred to a future Standing Committee meeting.
Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager, advised the Province has given
a commitment to match the annual grant program budget of $150,000. In
response to questions on securing core funding , Ms. Rogers confirmed
the province is particularly interested in program funding for the
Community Safety offices. Another viable option for the individual
Community Safety Offices is to secure private core or program funding.
The delegation was not present.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and
carried. The Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve establishment of the joint City of
Vancouver and Ministry of Attorney General Community
Safety Funding Program.
cont d
Clause No. 2 cont d
B. THAT Council approve an annual grant program budget of
$150,000 to the Community Safety Funding Program for a
minimum of three years. A matching fund of $150,000 per
year for the next three years has been confirmed by the
Ministry of Attorney General. The $150,000 for the
grant program to be provided in the 1997 Operating
Budget, without offset.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Grant Request for a File: 2204/4659
Temporary Winter Shelter
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
November 13, 1996 (on file) in which the Manager of the Housing Centre
recommends approval of a grant of up to $50,000 for a temporary
shelter to be operated by Lookout Emergency Services Society at 8982
Hudson Street, between December 1, 1996 and May 31, 1997. The grant
is to be subject to a matching grant, and free rent, from the Province
and approval of the necessary permits.
Karen O Shannacery, Executive Director, Lookout Emergency Aid
Society, advised the Society is seeing a new homeless person, i.e.
young teenagers. The Society will be participating with other
Downtown organizations in conducting a homeless count in February.
Sam Campbell spoke in support of the recommendation.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve a grant equal to 20% of the final
budget to a maximum of $50,000 for a temporary shelter to be
operated by Lookout Emergency Services Society at 8982
Hudson St. between Dec. 1, 1996 and May 31, 1997, subject
to a matching grant from the Province (plus free rent), and
subject to approval of the necessary permits, with funding
to be provided from the Demolition Fee Reserve.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. 1996 Community Public Art Grants 2154-2
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
November 13, 1996 (on file) in which the Director, Office of Cultural
Affairs outlines 24 applications received for 1996 Community Public
Art grants, describes the evaluation process, and recommends grants to
13 community projects.
Bryan Newson, Public Art Program Manager, and Lorenz von Ferson,
Cultural Planner, briefly reviewed the report and recommendations and
responded to questions.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve grants totalling $ 83,000 to 13
organizations listed in Table 1 of the Administrative
Report dated November 13, 1996, source of funds to be
$58,000 of City funds and $ 25,000 of Vancouver
Foundation, in the Public Art Unallocated Capital
Account.
B. THAT funds be released on the authority of the
Director, Office of Cultural Affairs after Park Board
approval of projects intended for Park sites, and after
civic staff have resolved any outstanding technical or
administrative concerns.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Staffing Required to Improve By-Law File: 306-12
Enforcement for Licensed Establishments
and for Problem Premises
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated November 19,
1996 (on file) in which the Directors of Permits and Licenses and
Central Area Planning, in consultation with the Directors of Social
Planning, Finance, Legal Services and the Chief Constable recommend
the creation of five new positions in the Law and Permits and Licenses
Departments to coordinate enforcement for problem premises. The
Directors recommend the funding of the positions come from a Business
License fee increase.
cont d
Clause No. 5 cont d
Paul Teichroeb, Assistant Director of Licensing, Permits &
Licences Department, presented an overview of the report. Currently,
there are no dedicated staff to be proactive in following up on
problem premises. The requested overtime budget of $30,000 is required
for follow-up after 9:00 p.m. Extensive record keeping would be
required to monitor premises to set sliding fee rates for problem
premises. Once the new business licensing technology is up and
running in March, staff will have the ability to report back on action
taken with premises.
In response to a question, Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager,
reported the City is moving well using cross-departmental resources to
deal with problem premises.
During discussion, the Committee noted the importance of having a
link with the Law Department and the Neighbourhood Integrated Service
Teams. Members also suggested license fees for pubs and bars should
be higher than those currently proposed.
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried.
The Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve a License Coordinator and two
clerical support positions in the Permits and Licenses
Department, and a Lawyer and one half clerical support
position in the Law Department, as regular full-time
positions as set out in Appendix A of the Policy report
dated November 19, 1996, at a 1996 cost of
approximately $309,800;
FURTHER THAT the staff positions outlined in Appendix A
be approved subject to job evaluations by the Director
of Human Resource Services;
AND FURTHER THAT an annual overtime budget of
$30,000 be allocated to the Permits and Licenses
Department for evening and weekend inspections by
the Property Use Inspectors.
B. THAT the ongoing costs for this program expansion be
recovered through Business License fees as proposed in
the accompanying report on 1997 Business Licenses.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Bellamy not present for the vote)
6. 1997 Business License File: 1755-3
Fees and Liveaboard Fees
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated
November 12, 1996 (on file) in which the Directors of Finance and
Permits and Licenses seek approval for an inflationary increase in
business licenses and a zero percent increase in liveaboard fees for
1997. In addition, the Directors provide options for funding five new
positions for liquor license and problem premise coordination at an
annual cost of $339,800.
During discussion, the Committee noted the Provincial government
is cutting grants to municipalities, but the cost of providing
municipal services keeps increasing.
In response to questions, Hugh Creighton, Director of Finance,
advised an additional 5% would probably recover the administrative
costs of handling business licenses.
Francie Connell, Director of Legal Services, confirmed the
Vancouver Charter allows fees to be set to recover costs.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and
carried. The Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT business license fees be increased for 1997 as
outlined in the Administrative Report dated November
12, 1996 and detailed in Appendix A of the report,
representing a general inflationary increase of 1.0%,
except for those fees for non-profit activity as listed
in Appendix B.
B. THAT the fees for liveaboard boat owners not be
increased in 1997.
C. THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to
prepare the necessary By-law to implement the
revised fee schedule for January 1, 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and
carried. The Committee therefore
cont d
Clause No. 6 cont d
RECOMMENDED
D. THAT business license fees recommended
above be increased an additional 4.0%,
plus an 18.0% increase to business license
fees for liquor-related establishments as
listed in Appendix C, to offset the cost
of five new positions for liquor license
and problem premise coordination.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7. Freedom of Information & Protection of File: 1150-3
Privacy Act: Staffing Requirements
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report
dated November 18, 1996 (on file) in which the City Clerk
provides an update on the City's experience under the Freedom
of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and recommends a
new full-time position of Coordinator of Information and
Privacy be established.
The Administrative Report was scheduled for Council's
meeting on November 26. As a delegation request was received,
the report was referred to the City Services & Budgets
Standing Committee meeting.
Jeanette Black, representing C.U.P.E. Local 15 (brief
filed), opposed the recommendation that the position of
Coordinator of Information and Privacy be an excluded one. In
1996, only 5 out of 103 Freedom of Information (FOI) requests
were from unions. The report states the Coordinator would be
responsible for policy development; the Records Manager for
the City of Vancouver and Planners also develop policy and are
unionized staff. In addition, Council dictates policy. The
previous incumbents were in the Bargaining Unit. Excluded
staff cost more for the City. Exclusion is generally based on
being responsible for hiring and firing. Should the position
be approved as excluded, the Union will have no recourse but
to appeal to the Labour Relations Board.
Maria Kinsella, City Clerk, stated there are many support
staff positions in the City which are excluded and do not cost
the City more in wages. The position will be established at
the same pay-grade level whether it is an excluded position or
not. The FOI Coordinator will be asked to examine files of
fellow City employees and may be dealing with information
which may put the Coordinator in a conflict of interest
position.
cont d
Clause No. 7 cont d
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and
carried. The Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the temporary position of Coordinator of
Information and Privacy not be extended beyond
December 31, 1996. In its place, a regular
full-time exempt position be established to
deal with the Freedom of Information and
Protection of Privacy Act, subject to job
evaluation by the Director of Human Resources.
B. THAT the costs associated with this position be
funded from within the existing City Clerk s
Department Operating Budget, without offsets.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 10:55 a.m.
* * * * *