CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
FEBRUARY 20, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, February 20, 1997 at 4:20 p.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 Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Daniel Lee
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell
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 Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
February 20, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: 1997 Operating Budget: Revenue and Expenditure Proposals
Cl.2: Re-issuing of Meter Checkers' Tickets
Cl.3: Neighbourhood Integrated Services Teams - Staffing
Cl.4: Councillors Secretariat Office - Receptionist Position
Cl.5: 1997 Community Safety Grant Allocations
Cl.6: City Owned Off-Street Parking Facilities
Cl.7: 1997 Funding for On-going Interim Zoning Program
1997 Operating Budget: Revenue and Expenditure Proposals
(Clause 1)
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1
of this report, be approved.
(Councillors Bellamy and Chiavario opposed to B1, B2, B3)
(Councillor Herbert opposed to B3)
Councillor Puil opposed to B9)
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT the Library be instructed to reduce its budget by $475,000 in
1997 or find alternate sources of revenue to recover the $475,000.
- LOST
(Councillors Clarke, Daniel Lee, Don Lee,
Price, Puil, and the Mayor opposed)
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
1997 Community Safety Grant Allocations
(Clause 5)
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 5
of the report, be approved.
- CARRIED BY THE REQUIRED
MAJORITY
(Councillor Puil opposed)
Clauses 6 and 7
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses
6 and 7 of the report, be approved.
- 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 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
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Puil
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT Councillor Puil be given Leave of Absence for the Public
Hearing on February 20, 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Leave of Absence - Councillor Clarke
MOVED by Cllr. Price
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy
THAT Councillor Clarke be given Leave of Absence for the period of
March 25 to 27, 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Downtown Vancouver Terminus of the New Burnaby Express Bus
Councillor Price referred to a letter dated February 17, 1997 from
Cllr. D. Evans, Chair, Traffic and Transportation Committee, City of
Burnaby requesting City of Vancouver co-operation in assisting BC
Transit to expedite the process of finding a suitable site in the
Pacific Place/Yaletown area for an on-street terminus for the North
Burnaby express bus service.
Councillor Price requested staff to provide a report on the issue
to the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic.
The Mayor so directed.
4. Blackout - West End
Councillor Bellamy referred to a recent blackout which occurred in
the West End and expressed concern with the length of time it took to
return the power to the area.
Councillor Chiavario noted it was her understanding there were
serious safety concerns related to getting the power back on.
The City Manager agreed to discuss the matter with the Chair of BC
Hydro and report back.
The Council adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
FEBRUARY 20, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, February 20, 1997 at 9:30
a.m. in Committee Room No. 1 Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor George Puil, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Tarja Tuominen
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
meeting of January 30, 1997, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. 1997 Operating Budget: Revenue and Expenditure Proposals File: 1605-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
12, 1997 (on file) in which the Director of Finance recommended $4.265
million in revenue increases and $3.075 million in expenditure
reductions. The Director also recommended all service cuts approved
this day be implemented immediately and new revenues, fees and charges
approved this day be implemented as soon as possible. The General
Manager of Corporate Services recommended approval.
Hugh Creighton, Director of Finance, provided a brief introduction
to the report and circulated a document consolidating the recommended
revenue and expediture reduction proposals (on file). Mr. Creighton
and Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets and Research responded to
questions.
Nick Losito, representing the Vancouver Health Board (brief filed),
opposed the proposed dismantling of the Special Office for the
Environment (SOE) by the elimination of two staff positions. Mr. Losito
suggested the SOE be reduced by the one Engineering Department position,
leaving the Community Services Department staff position to keep the
SOE function viable. He emphasized the importance of the work that the
SOE does to address the City's stated objectives of protecting and
improving the environment, and highlighted some of the initiatives
undertaken by the Office.
Rick Gates, President, CUPE 15, referred to a list of savings or
revenue increases identified by CUPE 15 members as alternatives to
budget cuts which was distributed at the January 30 Special Council
meeting. Mr. Gates noted some have appeared in the proposals before
the Committee today. Employees are a valuable resource and have been
cut from the budget management process. Reducing middle and upper
management in some departments would result in considerable savings.
Mr. Gates requested reconsideration of the proposed elimination of the
employee home computer purchase program. The employee rebate has
enabled employees to purchase their computers and many do work on their
home computers.
In addition, the loan program through payroll deductions has been a
convenient way for employees to purchase a computer.
Ken Davidson, CUPE 15, expressed concern with the proposed cuts in
the level of service provided to the public. The public forums showed
residents are happy with the level of service provided. The City should
be focussing on those options which are profit generating. A lot of
money goes to private contractors. The process review needs to take a
closer look at whether there are cost savings to do work in-house.
Employees should be more involved in the review of how the City is
delivering services to the public.
Heather Inglis, CUPE 391 (brief filed), outlined concerns with the
proposed expenditure reduction to the library. The Library has already
streamlined and become efficient to cope with increased demands. There
is no fat left in the organization. After the reduction to the book
budget in 1994, the current expenditure reduction proposes an $80,000
reduction to the Bindery which preserves what is left of the collection.
The Library provides many services to the public. In 1996, Library
Services accounted for 6% of the civic budget; why are 15% of the
expenditure reductions proposed for the Library?
Joe Arnaud opposed the increase in Residential Parking Permit Fees
to the West End. The West End residents shouldn't have to pay more
than other residents. He is sure they would be willing to pay the same
fees as in other areas. Perhaps doubling of parking fines would be a
better source of revenue.
The following speakers opposed the proposed elimination of the
Heritage Planner II position and the reduction of the heritage program
to manage designated "A" buildings, and not "B" and "C":
Brad Alberts
Jo Scott-B, Heritage Vancouver
Lynn Bryson, Chair, Vancouver Heritage Commission
Stuart Howard
Charlotte Murray, Iredale Partnership
Alan Diamond
Henry Thom
The speakers' points are summarized as follows:
75% of current heritage preservation projects are to "B" and "C"
category buildings;
Support of a full heritage program gives the City its sense of
history;
Heritage developments represent a substantial economic demand in
the community and represent millions of dollars of income generated
in the community;
Area residents value the little jewels which are the "B" and "C"
category buildings;
A lot of staff time is taken up responding to complex heritage
issues;
Need a heritage intervenor to get involved in planning projects;
the City's regulations do not support heritage preservation;
Need relaxations, trade-offs, buy-ins from the community;
The proposal is potentially not a savings but a shift in costs onto
people who do not have the focus and expertise to deal with
heritage issues and may increase costs;
It has taken 20 years to build up the heritage program; it works
well and is fair; "A"'s are important in a very different way;
"B"'s and "C"'s are also very important, they are the
neighbourhood;
Stewardship of the city's heritage is important; government leads
by example.
Trevor Boddy, Community Arts Council, opposed the proposed cuts in
grants to large arts organizations and exhibiting institutions and to
the heritage planning department. Reduction in the heritage planning
department will mean more community confrontation on issues. What
Vancouver sells to the world is its quality of life and its cultural
identity.
The Committee agreed to defer discussion and decision on this
report to later in the meeting following consideration of other agenda
items.
2. Re-issuing of Meter Checkers' Tickets
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
10, 1997 (on file) in which the General Manager of Engineering Services
presented information on the Parking Enforcement Program. At a recent
public meeting on the budget, one delegation raised an issue of
inefficiency caused by the fact Parking Checkers must re-issue tow-away
tickets originally issued by Meter Checkers.
Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation Division,
described the current trial procedure in which Meter Checkers have had
the authority to issue tow-away notices in rush routes. The trial
program will be complete shortly and staff will be reporting back on the
results. The re-issued tickets in 1995 represent only 1% of the work of
the Parking Enforcement Branch, and only $42,000 per year. However, the
current trial procedure gives better service to the public, with fewer
delays.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT staff report back on the effectiveness of a change in impound
authorization procedures following completion of the current trial
procedure.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Neighbourhood Integrated Services Teams - Staffing File: 1008-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January
17, 1997 (on file) in which the City Manager sought approval for the
continuation of the full-time staff position for the Neighbourhood
Integrated Service Teams.
Ken Dobell, City Manager, advised the funding for the staff
position has been provided in the current budget estimates.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
That Council approve the continuation of the full-time technical
position for an additional year in 1997, to provide support for the
development and coordination of the Neighbourhood Integrated
Service Teams (NIST). Funding for the position, $41,000, will be
provided on a 50/50 split from the existing departmental operating
budget of the City Clerk s Office and the Police Department.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Councillors' Secretariat Office - Receptionist PositionFile: 1306-9
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated December
4, 1996 (on file) in which the City Clerk recommended the temporary
position of Councillors' Secretariat Receptionist, first established in
June 1995, be converted to a regular full-time position.
On December 10, 1996, Council deferred consideration of the
recommendation pending its decisions in response to the Provincial
budget reductions.
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT the temporary position of Councillors' Secretariat
Receptionist be established as a regular full-time position,
effective January 1, 1997, 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.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. 1997 Community Safety Grant Allocations File: 2152-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated January
31, 1997 (on file), in which the Chief Constable, Manager of Community
Services - Social Planning, and Director of Finance recommended approval
of the 1997 Community Safety Grant allocations to 15 Community Safety
Offices to deliver crime prevention programs and community safety
activities.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve 15 grants totalling $300,000, as listed in
Appendix A of the Administrative Report, dated January 31, 1997,
including conditions on the grants, where noted in Appendix B of
the report, with cost to be shared on a 50/50 basis between the
City and the Province. The source of funds for the City s portion
being 1997 Other Grants budget, to be approved in advance of
approval of the 1997 Operating Budget.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed)
1. 1997 Operating Budget: Revenue and
Expenditure Proposals (cont'd)
Ted Droettboom, General Manager of Community Services, noted the
expenditure reduction proposals submitted by him and totalling $480,000
should read $380,000 as the Secondary Suite Program is fully funded by
a general increase in permit fees. A reduction of $100,000 in the
program would have no direct impact on the tax rate and would result in
longer waits for applicants.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A1 THAT Council approve the revenue proposals as detailed in
Appendix A of the Administrative Report, dated February 12,
1997, and totalling $4.28 million on an annual basis; and THAT
the finalized estimates of these revenue items and any
associated start-up or ongoing costs be referred to Budget
Review and reported back to Council in the Interim Estimates.
A2 THAT Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to
prepare and present a By-law increasing the demolition fee for
single family dwellings from $500 to $1,000.
A3 THAT Council direct the proceeds from the Residential
Demolition Fee to the Operating Budget and THAT the Director
of Finance report back with the Interim Estimates on the
disposition of the balance of funding in the Demolition Fee
Reserve.
A4 THAT Council approve a fee for appeals to the Board of
Variance of $75.00 and instruct the Director of Legal Services
to bring forward the necessary By-law amendments.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A5 THAT staff report back on establishing graduated Resident
Parking Permit fees in other areas of the City to better
respond to parking conditions in the areas and reduce the
discrepancy in fees between the West End and the other areas.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B1 THAT Council approve a reduction in the funding to the Police
Department totalling $300,000 in 1997.
B2 THAT Council approve the expenditure reduction proposals of
the General Manager of Fire and Rescue Services totalling
$200,000 in 1997.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy and Chiavario opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and LOST.
THAT the Library be instructed to reduce its budget by $475,000 in
1997 or find alternate sources of revenue to recover the $475,000.
(Councillors Clarke, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Price, Puil and the Mayor
opposed)
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B3 THAT Council approve a reduction in the funding to the Library
budget totalling $475,000 in 1997.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario and Herbert opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B3(i) THAT the Library Board be requested to research the
possibility of charging a fee for individual library
cards.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B4 THAT Council approve the expenditure reductions proposals from
the General Manager of Corporate Services as detailed in
Appendix A of the Administrative Report dated February 12,
1997, and totalling $450,000.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B4(i) THAT the financing of computer purchases by employees
through payroll deductions be continued.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B5 THAT the effective date for termination of the Employee Home
Computer Program be February 19, 1997, and that any
applications received up to close of business on that date, be
honoured.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B6 THAT Council approve the expenditure reduction proposals
submitted by the director of Human Resources as detailed in
Appendix A of the Report, and totalling $78,000.
B7 THAT Council approve the addition of two, two year term
positions in the Staff Training and Development section with
funding from the City s existing training budget.
B8 THAT Council approve the expenditure reduction proposal
submitted by the City Clerk including the elimination of
1.0fte Deputy City Clerk position at a savings of $76,000.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Kennedy not present for the vote)
The following motion by Councillor Sullivan was put.
THAT Council approve the expenditure reduction proposals submitted
by the General Manager of Community Services, and totalling
$310,000, as detailed in Appendix A of the Administrative Report
dated February 12, 1997 , with the exception of the following
position:
- 1 FTE Special Office of the Environment
- amended
(Councillors Clarke, Herbert and Puil opposed)
The following amendment by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried.
THAT the expenditure reduction proposals submitted by the
General Manager of Community Services be decreased by $80,000
and the 1 FTE Heritage Planner position not be eliminated.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Dan Lee and Puil opposed)
The amendment having carried, the motion, as amended, was put and
the Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B9 THAT Council approve the expenditure reduction proposals
submitted by the General Manager of Community Services, and
totalling $230,000, as detailed in Appendix A of the
Administrative Report dated February 12, 1997 , with the
exception of the following positions:
- 1 FTE Special Office of the Environment
- 1 FTE Heritage Planning
- CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed)
The Committee requested the General Manager of Engineering Services
to report back in the afternoon on a further $200,000 expenditure
reduction in the Engineering Services Department.
* * * * *
The Committee adjourned at 12:30 p.m. to reconvene at
2:00 p.m., with the same members present.
* * * * *
Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, submitted a
list and rationale for the following additional expenditure reduction
proposals (on file):
a reduction in manhole enlarging of $51,000
a reduction in yard security at Manitoba Yard of $50,000
a reduction in emergency preparedness development of $88,000
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B10 THAT Council approve the expenditure reduction proposals
submitted by the General Manager of Engineering Services as a
savings of $366,000 annually, including the reduction in
Manitoba Yard security.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
C. THAT all service cuts approved by Council on February 20, 1997
be implemented immediately and be subject to the layoff
provisions in the respective collective agreements between the
City and its Unions, if applicable.
D. THAT all new revenues, fees and charges approved by Council on
February 20, 1997 be implemented as soon as possible in order
to reduce the amount of transition funding required in 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. City Owned Off-Street Parking Facilities
At its meeting on February 4, 1997, Council deferred the following
motion to the February 20, 1997 meeting of the City Services and
Budgets Committee, and requested staff to report back and clarify the
issue of potential revenue increases through enforcement, and the
potential impacts on Civic departments:
THAT Council confirm that the Parking Corporation of Vancouver
shall operate, maintain and fix rates for any 'City owned'
off-street parking facility.
Accordingly, before the Committee was an Administrative Report
dated February 14, 1997 (on file), in which the General Manager of
Engineering Services provided information on the motion and recommended
the General Manager and the Director of Legal Services finalize the new
operating agreement with the Parking Corporation of Vancouver with the
terms previously approved by Council on July 11, 1995. In addition,
staff recommended further study and a report back on City policy for
fines and enforcement in the off-street City lots.
Bruce Campbell, Brian Lees, and Alec Caruth, representing the
Parking Corporation of Vancouver (VPC), with the aid of overhead
slides, presented information to support a proposal that VPC manage
all "City-owned" off-street parking facilities, with the exception of
Parks Board and Civic Theatres. VPC would be responsible for: the
establishment of contract parking provisions and hours of operation, in
consultation with the General Manager of Engineering Services; the
establishment of parking rates, in consultation with the General Manager
of Engineering Services and report to Council as necessary; and
budgeting requested capital improvements up to $100,000, in consultation
with the General Managers of Engineering and Corporate Services.
Approval of the proposal would allow the VPC to respond to the market
and take advantage of revenue opportunities. Non- monetary benefits
would include uniformity of standards, increased influence on private
sector practices, and an enhanced ability to influence transportation
management goals.
Doug McNicol, representing CUPE 1004, spoke in support of the
proposal presented by the Parking Corporation of Vancouver. The
labour/management relationship at VPC is a good one. The proposal put
forward by the Corporation will increase opportunities for its employees
and provides a framework for future city-owned parking facilities.
Ken Dobell, City Manager, stated he could not agree with some of
the numbers put forward by the Corporation and questioned some of the
proposed policy changes. Mr. Dobell suggested Council may want to have
a report back on the implications of the proposed changes to the
existing agreement between the City and the VPC.
The following motion by Councillor Price was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council defer consideration of the Administrative Report
dated February 14, 1997 on City Off-Street Parking Facilities,
pending a report back within one month by the City Manager on
the proposal by the Parking Corporation of Vancouver for a new
operating agreement.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7. 1997 Funding for On-going Interim Zoning Program
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
14, 1997 (on file) in which the Director of Community Planning sought
approval for a budget of $117,000 to cover the estimated costs
associated with conducting the Interim Zoning Program in a further
potential 10 areas in Vancouver. The Director also sought approval for
additional funding of $70,000 to conduct independent telephone surveys
in 10 neighbourhoods.
The General Manager of Community Services noted in the report that
the benefits of the program flow to specific neighbourhoods but costs
are borne by the City as a whole through general revenue. As potential
zoning changes are contentious, the level of public consultation
associated with the program is also unavoidable, and it is costly --
particularly when the staff costs not detailed in the report are
factored in. Given the City's present budget problems, the General
Manager submitted the recommendations for consideration.
Jacquie Forbes Roberts, Director of Community Planning, and Bob
McGilvray, Planner, reviewed the report and responded to questions.
Staff are ready to proceed with the Interim Zoning program in another 10
areas, with another 15 expressing interest in participating. Not all
neighbourhoods will proceed into Phase II of the program, the telephone
survey, which will save some money.
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve funding of $117,000 to cover general
program costs of the 1997 RS Interim Zoning Program for
10 neighbourhoods.
B. THAT Council approve funding of $70,000 to cover costs
for independent telephone surveys for 10 neighbourhood
phone surveys as part of the Phase II programs in 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
* * * * *