CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
APRIL 10, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, April 10, 1997, at 1:10 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 Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
ABSENT: Councillor George Puil (Civic Business)
Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Tarja Tuominen
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
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
April 10, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1(a): Better City Government Development and Building Review
Timelines, Improvements, Efficiencies and Cost Savings
Cl.1(b): Development and Building Regulation Review -Rezoning,
Permitting and Inspections Redesign
Cl.1(c): Interim Reorganization
Cl.2: Tourism Vancouver - 1997 Business Plan, Budget, and
Publication and Distribution Contract
Cl.3: Better City Government - Implementation of Fire and
Rescue Services Apparatus and Staff Deployment
Cl.4: A.S.T.C. Science World Society
Clauses 1(a), 1(b) and 1(c)
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses
1(a), 1(b) and 1(c) of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Tourism Vancouver - 1997 Business Plan, Budget, and
Publication and Distribution Contract
(Clause 2)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2
of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Chiavario, Herbert, and Kennedy opposed to C)
Better City Government - Implementation of Fire and Rescue
Services Apparatus and Staff Deployment
(Clause 3)
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3
of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario and Herbert opposed to A)
A.S.T.C. Science World Society
(Clause 4)
This item was deferred to the Standing Committee of Planning &
Environment meeting held the afternoon of April 10, 1997.
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
SECONDED BY Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
APRIL 10, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, April 10, 1997 at 9:30 a.m.,
in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor George Puil, Chair
Mayor Phillip 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
meetings of February 27 and March 13, 1997, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
Items 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) were dealt with concurrently, but for
ease of reference have been minuted separately.
1(a). Better City Government Development and Building Review
Timelines, Improvements, Efficiencies and Cost Savings
File: 1006-1
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February
28, 1996 (on file) in which the General Manager of Community Services
responded to Council's resolution of January 28, 1997:
THAT staff provide a report within thirty days establishing time
lines for achieving "Better City Government" Development and
Building Review improvements and efficiencies, and identifying the
cost savings achieved.
Ted Droettboom, General Manager of Community Services, briefly
reviewed the report and introduced the companion reports: Item 1(b),
entitled "Development and Building Regulation Review - Rezoning,
Permitting and Inspections Redesign" and Item 1(c), entitled "Interim
Reorganization."
The reports identify changes in the processes which the City uses
to regulate development and building. The processes are centered in the
Planning and Permits & Licences Departments and also involve eight to
nine City departments, the City Manager, the Public Hearing process, 300
to 400 City staff and approximately $20 million. The processes also
involve City by-laws, the community and a multi-million dollar industry.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee therefore
RECOMMENDED
THAT the Administrative Report dated February 28, 1997 on Better
City Government Development and Building Review Timelines,
Improvements, Efficiencies and Cost Savings be received for
information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1(b) Development and Building Regulation Review -
Rezoning, Permitting and Inspections Redesign
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March
27, 1997 (on file) in which the Service Improvement Manager and
Rezoning, Permitting & Inspections Team describe the core principles of
the newly designed Rezoning, Permitting and Inspections process, a
program for developing and refining a prototype of the new process and a
process to move from the prototype to full implementation with
supporting technology. The Manager and Team also sought approval for
funding and proceeding with the program.
Joanne Baxter and Pat Wotherspoon, members of the Rezoning,
Permitting & Inspections Team, with the aid of a slide presentation and
handout material (on file), described how the Team developed the new
process, what is in the new process, what it looks like, the
implementation targets and the projected benefits of the new process.
The following speakers expressed concerns from the industry's
perspective with the proposed process:
- Robert Turecki, representing the Architectural Institute of
B.C. (brief filed)
- Peter Simpson, Greater Vancouver Homebuilders' Association
- Brian Palmquist, Pro Pacific Group
The foregoing speakers identified a number of concerns, some of
which were:
- The new process is heavy on theory, and rather than making the
process more simple, it may become more complex;
- Many problems are created by the City; there is on-going chaos, and
a multitude of processes;
- As defined in the new process, most projects would be in the
"complex" stream, resulting in a more bureaucratic, time-consuming,
and costly process than the current one;
- Industry and the public are always concerned they are not listened
to;
- The new process does not focus on the many problems raised by small
and medium sized projects; most projects are small or medium
sized;
- The City has made many promises in the past to do something;
- The City does not have a Director of Planning to give more clarity
in administering discretionary zoning and the development permit
process;
- It is hoped the new process will not end up being unmanageable;
- Concerns are expressed about the added cost involved in the new
process;
- The new process has to prove it is a significant improvement to
industry;
- The proposed complex stream shouldn't mean more hoops to jump;
- The new process may have more rules and regulations which will eat
up the proposed time savings;
- The process needs targets;
- Would like to be informed throughout process;
- Concerned about the fixation on cycle time;
- A clear shared vision of the process remains a mystery;
- The Architectural Institute of B.C. requests to have an opportunity
to speak to Council at length about its concerns and recommends an
independent Mayor's Task Force be set up to look at zoning and
permit issues.
The following speakers expressed concerns with the process from a
community and neighbourhood viewpoint:
- Jan Pierce, West Kitsilano Residents' Association
- Lynne Kent, Kits Point Residents' Association
- Sean McEwen
The foregoing speakers identified one or more of the following
concerns:
- Early and focused community involvement is positive and gives some
certainty to applicants;
- The new process seems to emphasize speed and greater efficiency;
community support is not emphasized;
- Residents and community involvement come into the process too late;
- Involve the community early on in a productive and positive way;
- If residents come into the process earlier, the developer is clear
what the problems are early on in the process and it will be good
for residents to hear what is or is not possible, i.e what market
and design constraints are;
- Residents are more reactive when involved late in the process.
The following speakers expressed concerns the Certified
Professionals Program will not be included in the new proposed process:
- Martin Bruckner
- Glenn Gibson
- Ed MacKinnon
The foregoing speakers supported continuation of the Program, on
one or more of the following grounds:
- The Certified Professional Program is worth considering, as it is a
way to improve service to the public;
- The Certified Professional Program is designed to reduce cycle
times and has benefits to the development process;
- The Program expedites approvals and frees up staff to implement
initiatives;
- The Certified Professional Program works.
Mr. Droettboom assured the speakers there was no intent to
eliminate the Certified Professional Program; the Program will remain
part of the process. He advised he will continue to report to Council
on how the process is proceeding. In response to a question on what
other cities have achieved in redesigning their zoning and development
processes, Mr. Droettboom advised San Diego has achieved a 50% reduction
in process time.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve funding to develop and implement a
prototype for the first phase (1997) of a new rezoning,
permitting and inspections process at a cost of $750,000 with
a loan from the Service Improvement Reserve, repayable to the
satisfaction of the Director of Finance. (The total cost to
fully implement a successful prototype is currently estimated
to be $6.5 million and will be brought forward to Council for
approval at the conclusion of each phase of implementation.)
Repayments will be generated through a future one time
estimated 10% increase in permitting fees.
B. THAT Council approve a two year extension to the existing
contract for the Service Improvement Manager to oversee the
implementation of the Review and other service improvement
initiatives in the Community Services Group. Funding in the
amount of $40,000 is required for 1997 from the Strategic
Initiative Fund.
C. THAT Council accept and allocate to the Development & Building
Regulation Review, a $10,000 ACT grant from Canada Mortgage
and Housing Corporation to improve the efficiency of the
inspection process.
D. THAT Council authorize the Development & Building Regulation
Review (DBRR) Team to identify requirements for systems that
will support the new process and begin the search for new
technology. Funding required for the search is included in
Recommendation A.
E. THAT the General Manager of Community Services report back to
Council at the conclusion of the first phase of prototype,
estimated to be in early 1998, with measurements of expected
outcomes and an updated implementation schedule.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1(c) Interim Reorganization
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated March 5,
1997 (on file) in which the General Manager of Community Services sought
approval to implement one in a series of organizational changes
resulting from the alignment of four departments into the Community
Services Group and the facilitation of continuing Better City Government
initiatives.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. That the position of Director of Permits and Licenses be
deleted, at an annualized salary, benefits and car allowance
cost reduction of $131,575.
B. That a Manager of Financial Services position be created at an
annualized salary and benefits cost of $73,889, subject to job
evaluation by the Human Resource Services Department.
C. That Community Services retain the residual funds total of
$57,686, subject to a report back to Council on further
organizational changes.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Tourism Vancouver - 1997 Business Plan, Budget, and File: 6008
Publication and Distribution Contract
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 2,
1997 (on file) in which the Director of Finance recommended approval of
the Greater Vancouver Convention and Visitors Bureau's (Tourism
Vancouver's) 1997 Business Plan and a contract with Tourism Vancouver
for publication and distribution of tourism related material for 1997.
The Director also submitted for consideration a recommendation that
Tourism Vancouver be directed to fund at least 50% of any additional
City costs associated with the Asia Pacific Economic Conference (APEC),
to be taken from the Hotel Tax portion of Tourism Vancouver's 1997
business plan.
Sam Kuzmick, Director of Operations Support, was present to respond
to questions. Mr. Kuzmick advised the City's costs associated with APEC
may go above the $700,000 limit set by Council. The City cannot avoid
paying for increased policing and security costs, and would have no
recourse but to pay.
John Winter, Chair, Tourism Vancouver, and Ted Lee, Vice-President,
Finance, Tourism Vancouver, supported Council's decision to cap the
City's APEC costs at $700,000. Tourism Vancouver has agreed to fund 50%
of those costs. However, Tourism Vancouver has a problem with the
principle of directing Tourism Vancouver to fund 50% of additional costs
over the $700,000. There may be other APEC's down the road, and Council
may again arbitrarily direct Tourism Vancouver to help fund those
costs. That will affect Tourism's ability to make long range plans and
market products. APEC is not something new and costs associated with it
could be funded from other kinds of sponsorships. It is not just the
hospitality industry which will benefit from APEC. There has been no
effort to find alternate sources of funding. In response to a question,
Mr. Winter advised the city's hotels would be full in November with or
without APEC.
Ken Dobell, City Manager, pointed out Tourism Vancouver received a
radical increase in funds in 1996 from the 2% Hotel Tax revenues,
whereas the City s budget is constrained.
Shaughn Schwartz, (brief filed) stated the City has no plan for
urban tourism. The City should develop its own community based tourism
plan. There needs to be a dialogue with Vancouverites to create an
image of what the city is.
During discussion, the Committee requested Council be kept apprised
of the costs associated with APEC.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve the Greater Vancouver Convention and
Visitors Bureau s (Tourism Vancouver's) 1997 Business Plan in
the amount of $7,950,000 being the portion funded by the 2%
hotel tax; and,
B. THAT Council approve a contract with Greater Vancouver
Convention and Visitors Bureau (Tourism Vancouver) for
publication and distribution of tourism-related material for
1997, in an amount not to exceed $400,000 before GST, as
requested, subject to an agreement satisfactory to the
Director of Legal Services.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Puil opposed to A and B)
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and LOST.
THAT the Prime Minister's office be advised Council prefers all
monies channelled into the legacy program at U.B.C. instead be
channelled into the City to cover the costs of paying for APEC.
(Councillors Bellamy, Clarke, Daniel Lee, Price, Puil and the Mayor
opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
C. THAT Council direct Tourism Vancouver to fund at least 50%
of the additional City costs associated with the Asia Pacific
Economic Conference (APEC), taken from the Hotel Tax portion
of Tourism Vancouver's 1997 business plan.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Chiavario, Herbert, Kennedy and Sullivan opposed)
* * * * *
Councillor Puil left at this point in the proceedings due to civic
business, and Councillor Chiavario, Vice-Chair, assumed the Chair.
* * * * *
3. Better City Government - Implementation of Fire and File: 1006-1/
Rescue Services Apparatus and Staff Deployment 1306-8
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated March 27, 1997
(on file), in which the General Manager, Fire and Rescue Services
recommended approval of a staffing and equipment redeployment strategy
completed by TriData Corporation for the Fire Department, which was
approved in principle by Council on April 25, 1996. The General
Manager also sought approval for a series of recommendations that will
improve operating procedure in the Fire Department at no additional
cost.
Glen Maddess, General Manager, Fire and Rescue Services, briefly
reviewed the report. Approval of the recommendations in the report
will allow the Fire Department to better meet all hazards. If not
approved, the Department will have to come back for increased funding
for apparatus. Although the proposed initiative is financially frugal,
it will enable the Department to meet all risks in the city and will be
an effective means of responding to the needs of the citizens.
* * * * *
The Committee recessed at 12:10 p.m. to enable the delegation to
prepare a slide presentation and reconvened at 12:20 p.m. with the
same members present, with the exception of Councillor Sullivan.
* * * * *
Rod MacDonald, President, Firefighters' Union, with the aid of a
slide presentation, disputed the claims of the TriData report regarding
response times, response capability, secondary response effectiveness,
and cost effectiveness. The multi-purpose "quints" are too big, and
during major alarms, the Department will run out of fire trucks. The
Union questions the issue of safety for citizens and for union members.
The Union also questions TriData's financial projections. The Union
cannot endorse a program where efficiency of suppression drops 26%. The
"Life Safety Units" won't have the apparatus to put out fires.
Fire Chief Maddess and Assistant Fire Chief Paul MacDonnell
responded to concerns raised by the Union presentation. The number of
fires per year is dropping even with increased population, due to the
sprinklering requirement in new buildings. Response time with the
proposed deployment initiative is not increased, but will be the same or
better. It is not necessary to have every piece of apparatus arrive at
the same time to a fire. Approval of the initiative will improve
protection and will give Vancouver a good chance of getting back into a
Class 1 Commercial Fire Insurance Rating.
Mr. MacDonald reiterated the Union has two issues: how many
firefighters will be delivered to the scene and their response time;
and, how many firefighters will be left to respond to other fires.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council provide the final approval of the fire apparatus
and staff redeployment recommended by the consultant and staff
(Option 6 of the TriData Report) contained in Appendix A of
the Policy Report dated March 27, 1997.
B. THAT Council approve the apparatus replacement schedule
contained in Appendix C of the Policy Report (which supports
the recommended redeployment and a 15 year average first-line
service life standard) and the supporting funding from the
Equipment Plant Account.
C. THAT Council authorize a delay in the disposal of two engine
trucks (in addition to the two currently retained) to be used
as multiple alarm reserve hose wagons on an ongoing basis.
D. THAT Council authorize a delay in the disposal of one engine
truck and one ladder truck for use as training vehicles at
Fire and Rescue s Chess Street Training Facility on an ongoing
basis.
E. THAT Council authorize the General Manager of Fire and Rescue
Services to request that the Province of B.C. fund an
additional firefighter position at U.B.C. (under our present
service contract). This will maintain a standard that is
consistent with the level of fire protection service which
will be provided to the rest of the City.
F. THAT Council authorize the addition of one Battalion Chief
position (per shift) contingent on sufficient annual savings
being realized as a result of the approved redeployment.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario and Herbert opposed to A)
4. A.S.T.C. Science World Society
Due to time constraints, consideration of this item was deferred to
the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment meeting, to be held
at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon (April 10, 1997).
The meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.
* * * * *