CITY OF VANCOUVER REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC MAY 6, 1997 A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, May 6, 1997, at 12:50 p.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic 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 Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan ABSENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Denise Salmon COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke, THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY COMMITTEE REPORTS Report of Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic May 6, 1997 Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report: Cl.1: Status of Lions Gate Crossing - Policy Discussion Cl 2: City Hall Pay Parking Proposal to Reduce Auto Commuting MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 2 of this report, be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, SECONDED by Cllr. Chiavario, THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS 1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Bellamy File: 1251-1 MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario, SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert, THAT Councillor Bellamy be granted Leave of Absence for May 14 and 15, 1997. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY The Council adjourned at 12:55 p.m. * * * * * REPORT TO COUNCIL STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON TRANSPORTATION AND TRAFFIC MAY 6, 1997 A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on Transportation and Traffic was held on Tuesday, May 6, 1997, at approximately 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall. PRESENT: Councillor Gordon Price, Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan ABSENT: Councillor Lynne Kennedy CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE: Denise Salmon ADOPTION OF MINUTES The Minutes of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic meeting of March 25, 1997, were adopted. RECOMMENDATION 1. Status of Lions Gate Crossing - Policy Discussion File: 5751-2 The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated April 30, 1997, (on file) in which the General Manager of Engineering Services provided information on the status of the Lions Gate Crossing since the recent announcements by Premier Clark and Minister Boone. Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, reviewed the City s established positions arrived at over the last several years and then introduced Doug Hibbins, Vice-President, Transportation Financing Authority. Prior to Mr. Hibbins presentation, Council discussion ensued on the following points: although more costly, a mid-harbour crossing would avoid Stanley Park, and Georgia Street would not be impacted; although a number of Vancouver s east side neighbourhoods would be alternate forms of transportation such as rail linkages to an expanded SeaBus and additional ferry service need review in anticipation of future growth of the North Shore and Whistler areas, in relation to Vancouver if the tunnel option is chosen, location of the portal is key; if located in Stanley Park, Lost Lagoon could be impacted, a location further east could impact residential areas Mr. Hibbins introduced Ian McLeod, Director of Communications, BCTFA, Tim Stevens, Project Director of the Lions Gate project and Russ Anthony, senior member of the Lions Gate team. He advised the Provincial plan for the crossing, announced April 18, was to either replace or rehabilitate the bridge. An invitation has been sent to the City of Vancouver, City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver, District of West Vancouver, Vancouver Park Board, Greater Vancouver Regional District and the Squamish Nation (who s land the current bridge bisects) to take part in the development of the proposal call and selection of a winning proposal. The preferred Provincial option is for a four-lane First Narrows crossing, which would address safety concerns and relieve congestion in off-peak traffic direction, resulting in improvements to transit cycling time. It was further noted any successful proposal must: - utilize the existing corridor - reduce surface traffic in Stanley Park - have no net detrimental impact on the Park - reduce traffic impacts on the West End neighbourhood in Vancouver - pass a formal environmental impact process Mr. Hibbins noted the regular inspections and repairs needed to keep the bridge in safe condition are indicative of the need to move ahead either on its rehabilitation or replacement. Seventy million dollars will be contributed by the Province to the project, with the remainder to be financed in a manner not to add to the Provincial debt, with some type of user fees introduced. Construction is expected to commence in 1999. Discussion ensued on possible alternatives for the crossing, cost of bridge rehabilitation and rebuilding, financing options, and the subject matter of the consultation process. A Council member suggested consideration be given to a mid-harbour crossing in addition to the First Narrows crossing, in anticipation of fast ferry connections to Vancouver Island, and future expansion of Whistler area ski resorts. Specifically, related to the tolling issue, Council members enquired on the nature of dedication of any bridge tolls, as it is contrary to G.V.R.D. policy to use tolls for a specific project--although this appeared to be the Minister s intent. Some members felt monies collected should be reallocated to transit and projects specifically targeted at providing viable alternatives to car use. In response to a question from Council, Mr. Hibbins suggested tolls would not apply to buses, cyclists, or pedestrians. In conclusion he advised the government s focus is to better utilize existing infrastructure, not build additional capacity into, and out of, Vancouver. Council members thanked Mr. Hibbins and his associates for their presentation. Commissioner Duncan Wilson, advised the Park Board supports a tunnel under Stanley Park along the existing alignment, with decision still outstanding on either a tunnel or bridge connecting to the North Shore. He requested Council s deference in respect to the Park Board s position. Council acknowledged the Board s concern on this matter. The following motion by Cllr. Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore, RECOMMENDED, THAT the Policy Discussion on the Status of Lions Gate Crossing, presented by Doug Hibbins, Vice-President, Transportation Financing Authority, and the Administrative Report dated April 30, 1997, be received for information - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY 2. City Hall Pay Parking Proposal to Reduce Auto Commuting Files: 5653-1/1307-1 The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated February 11, 1997 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Human Resources, General Manager of Corporate Services and General Manager of Community Services outlined measures required to implement a pay-parking system for approximately 1060 City Hall precinct employees. At the request of CUPE Local 15 the report was deferred from the March 11th and April 22nd meetings of the Committee to permit Civic employee representatives to meet with Human Resource Services. This meeting has now taken place, and as a result, staff will be given 60 days notice following Council approval of any pay parking proposal. Ian Adam, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation, provided Council with an overview of the report, and noted the pay parking program forms part of an overall Travel Demand Management program to reduce vehicle use and subsequently automobile emissions. He advised the proposed vehicle rate of $2 per day, is less than half that charged in the Central Broadway corridor to the west. Those using vehicles for City purposes would be reimbursed. In answer to questions from Council, Mr. Adam noted: the report suggests Councillors vehicles would be exempt from payment, as would disabled parking, Mayor s office, loading zones, press, day-care and mixed fleet and auto allowance parking; revenue generated could go toward incentives to reduce auto dependence such as improvements to bicycle facilities, and subsidized transit passes; only the stalls for employee use found in the 10th Avenue surface lot and the two levels of the City Square parkade would be initially included in the program; the incentive to car poolers is the reduction in rate due to people sharing the cost, and the guarantee of a dedicated car pool space. In response to a question from Council, Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager, advised management is comfortable with the current Collective Agreement and feels any pay parking decision could be defended if challenged in Court. Paul Faoro, 1st Vice President, CUPE Local 15, on behalf of the Union, discussed his concerns with the report. He noted the language in the Collective Agreement for CUPE Local 15 is similar to that of Langara College, where a recent Arbitration Award for paid parking was decided in the Union s favour. As legal proceedings are not yet complete, he urged Council not make a decision on pay parking prior to resolution of the Langara issue. Mr. Faoro, also stated the report s recommendations do nothing to reduce auto emissions as no turn down in cars was anticipated when estimating parking revenues. He further noted employees are urged to use alternative modes of travel, but the report offers no alternatives nor incentives. A comprehensive plan was called for, with data and information on travel methods used by those employees who are not single occupant vehicle users. Reference was made to the Seattle U-Pass system, VGH incentives and the G.V.R.D. s parking program. Mr. Faoro cited the compressed work week as the biggest City reducer of daily traffic, and highlighted the need to make car poolers exempt from any parking fee. He concluded key components for reducing auto use are not provided in the staff report and CUPE is willing to look at, and participate in, a complete proposal that would encourage alternatives to single-occupant vehicle use for City employees. Jim Anderson, Shop Steward, CUPE Local 15, (brief filed) highlighted the following issues and concerns: creation of car pool space has not resulted in any increase in car pools for 2 ´ years the quoted market value of pay parking along the Central Broadway corridor is not comparable to the City Hall precinct the report makes no reference to a resident permit parking fee report approved by Council on April 22, which sets the value of parking adjacent the Central Broadway area at approximately $200 per year or $16.66 per month a number of discrepancies were highlighted in projected pay-parking revenue figures the report does not recommend senior staff pay fair market value for their reserved parking spaces Mr. Anderson expressed the hope these issues would be addressed and presented to the Union for review. After hearing the foregoing delegations, some Council members felt further review of this matter was required. The following motion by Cllr. Chiavario was put and lost. THAT this matter be deferred. - LOST (Cllrs. Bellamy, Clarke, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Price, Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed.) Discussion continued briefly, and again Council members expressed the need for a report back from staff to include further study/clarification on: - cash flow and numbers discussed in both the Administrative Report dated February 11, 1997, and the brief submitted by Mr. Anderson, CUPE Local 15 - comparable parking rates on other sites in the Mount Pleasant area - how the issue compares to the Langara situation - further details on the tax deductibility issue for Councillors and Form 2200 The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore, RECOMMENDED THAT this whole matter be deferred to allow for further study. - CARRIED (Cllrs. Bellamy, Price and Puil opposed.) The meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m. * * * * *