CITY OF VANCOUVER SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES COURT OF REVISION June 17, 1997 A Special Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, June 17, 1997, at approximately 7:30 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor City Hall. PRESENT: Deputy Mayor Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Sam Sullivan Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil ABSENT: Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Lynne Kennedy (Leave of Absence) CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Gary MacIsaac MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this Council resolve itself into a Court of Revision for the purpose of hearing complaints against the proposed assessments or the accuracy of frontage measurements, or any other complaint which persons interested may desire to make and which is by law cognizable by the Court, Deputy Mayor Chiavario in the Chair. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY COURT OF REVISION LOCAL IMPROVEMENTS Projects by Petition Court #579 Streetlight Standards Lane Lighting Pavement, Curbs & Trees - Arterial Pavement, Curbs & Trees - Higher Zoned Pavement, Curbs & Trees - Local Residential Lane Pavement - Higher Zoned Lane Pavement - Local Residential Speed Deterrent Humps Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks Sidewalk Reconstruction Projects by Initiative Court #580 Pavement, Curbs and Trees - Higher Zoned Pavement, Curbs and Trees - Local Residential Pedestrian Collector Sidewalks Sidewalk Reconstruction Project by Petition Court #581 Street Beautification Before Council was a report from the Collector of Taxes with respect to Local Improvement Court of Revision Numbers 579, 580 and 581. COURT NO. 579 - PROJECTS BY PETITION June 17, 1997 The Collector of Taxes certified that the projects in this report have been requested by the majority of the assessed owners by means of a sufficiently signed petition. The Collector of Taxes also advised in Appendix A of the June 17 Report that two signatures were withdrawn from Project 17, thereby reducing the number below the required amount, and staff recommend this project be reballoted. In addition, in a further report dated June 17, 1997, the Collector of Taxes advised that five signatures were withdrawn from Project 20, with the result that it does not have the required number of signatures, so staff recommend it be reballoted. COURT NO. 580 - PROJECTS BY INITIATIVE March 27, 1997 In the report from the Collector of Taxes, it was noted that Projects 16 and 44 were objected to by at least one-half the owners of the properties who represent at least one-half the total value of all the properties on each project. Therefore, these projects were defeated. In addition, Projects 10, 12, 13, 16, 17, 21, 24, 32, 33 and 34 were objected to by at least one-half the owners of the properties who represent at least one-half the total value of all the properties on each project, but staff recommend these projects proceed on Special Grounds. In a further report dated June 17, 1997, the Collector of Taxes noted that late objections were received for Projects 26 and 32. There were insufficient signatures to defeat Project 26 and Project 32 is recommended to proceed on Special Grounds. Court No. 581 - Project by Petition June 17, 1997 The report from the Collector of Taxes also certified that Project 1 had been requested by the majority of the assessed owners by means of a sufficiently signed petition. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT the report of the Special Assessment Roll for Court Nos. 579, 580 and 581, submitted by the Collector of Taxes, dated June 17, 1997, be approved, with the corrections and changes as noted herein. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY RISE FROM COURT OF REVISION MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy THAT the Court of Revision rise and report. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY COUNCIL RECEIVE REPORT OF COURT OF REVISION MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan, THAT the report of the Court of Revision be received. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY City Manager's Administrative Report Local Improvements Subsequent Procedure March 5, 1997 Prior to considering the recommendations in the Administrative Report dated June 2, 1997, it was agreed that the agenda would be amended to consider Court 581 first. The following delegations were heard and actions taken as follows: Project No. 581/001 C.D. Rae, property-owner, advised the beautification is an integral part of reviving this strip and allowing the small community-based stores to compete against big box retail stores. Mr. Rae clarified that this beautification project is entirely independent of the proposal to locate residential development at this location. MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, SECONDED by Cllr. Price, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/002 Gay Hahn, 4700 Block Slocan Street, expressed support for this project because the lane lighting will help to deter prostitution and other problems occurring in the lane. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/003 Margaret Chan, 2100 Block East Pender Street, urged Council to approve the project. MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, SECONDED by Cllr. Puil, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/008 Glen Warren, 1400 block East 10th Avenue, spoke in favour of the project as it will assist in reducing crime. Beverley Hunter, 1300 block East 10th Avenue, spoke in opposition to the project, noting that the lane lighting will attract the criminal element and provide them with a place to carry on illegal activities. Julie Hunter, 1300 block East 10th Avenue, opposed the project noting that it will encourage the criminal element, and advising of the withdrawal of a signature from the petition. Staff confirmed that one petitioner had withdrawn her signature, leaving an insufficient number of signatures to approve the project. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be reballoted. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/13 Stephane Nadeau and John Benetti, 400 block East 48th Avenue, registered support for the project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/17 Ted Batty, Streets Design and Local Improvements Engineer, referred Council to Appendix A of the report from the Collector of Taxes which advised of a late withdrawal of a signature, and recommended the project be reballoted. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, That this project be reballoted. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/19 Peter Trant, 3200 block West 34th Avenue, advised of irregularities involved with the collection of names for this petition, and provided documentation necessary to withdraw one signature. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be reballoted. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/20 Council was advised of a late withdrawal of a signature resulting in insufficient signatures for this project, and a staff recommendation to reballot. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be reballoted. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 578/23 Margaret Chan, 2100 block East Pender Street, registered support for the project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, SECONDED by Cllr. Puil, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 578/24 Ken Uyeyama, 2700 block Alamein Street, raised concerns about the levy allocations to his strata complex, and suggested that previous contributions of the strata complex should be factored into the levy calculation. Mr. Uyeyama also advised that Moura Quayle, UBC professor, is a resident in this strata complex and has volunteered her services for a pilot residential lane greenway project. Joshua Wong, 2700 block Oliver Crescent, expressed support for the project, noting that the petitioner had attained the required number of votes necessary to proceed. Geoffrey Mah, 2700 block, Oliver Crescent, expressed support for the project. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 578/25 Nina Bombara, 6000 block Victoria Street, registered support for the project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/28 William Green, 1300 Chestnut Street, spoke in favour of the application. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/30 Lila Little, 4100 block Balkan Street and Victor Bowser, 400 block East King Edward, registered support for the project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy, SECONDED by Cllr. Puil, THAT this application be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/35 Alan Mackworth, 4400 block West 9th Avenue, requested deferral of this project until a rezoning application in this area is resolved. Mr. Mackworth advised that recent plans indicate the rezoning applicant wishes to use this lane for access. A list was submitted with signatures of a number of property owners who had signed the original petition, requesting this matter be deferred. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project not be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/36 Julie Hunter, 1300 block East 10th Avenue, advised of the withdrawal of her signature from the petition. Staff confirmed the withdrawal of this signature which resulted in an insufficient number of signatures to approve this project. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, THAT this project be reballoted. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/38 William McLennan, 2500 block East 28th Avenue, opposed the project and suggested this money could be better spent if it was dedicated toward policing in the area. MOVED by Cllr. Clarke, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/42 MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be approved. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 580/9 William Higgins, 6300 block Dunbar Street, registered opposition to this project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 580/10 The Administrative Report dated June 2, 1997 from the General Manager of Engineering Services noted this project had received sufficient opposition to be defeated but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds, which is permissible under the Vancouver Charter. In this instance, projects are recommended on Special Grounds to allow the construction of collector sidewalks in areas which either contain bus stops or provide connections to bus stops is desired. The Clerk to Council advised that resolutions to proceed on Special Grounds, require eight votes of Council. Ted Batty, Streets Design and Local Improvements Engineer, advised project 580/10 is recommended on special grounds because this sidewalk is along the #14 Hastings/Arbutus bus route serving Downtown from this area. A bus stop is located at each end of the project. Anthony Westbridge and Christopher Bowell, both of 7800 block Angus Drive, registered opposition to this project, but did not address Council. Ronald Pousette, (map on file), opposed the project, noting it will not succeed in making access to bus stops easier. Paving a two-block portion at the end of the street does not make sense. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 580/12 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report advised this project received sufficient opposition to be defeated, but recommended it proceed on Special Grounds, as this sidewalk is along the #14 Hastings/Arbutus bus route serving downtown from this area. Donna Lavinge and Patricia Aders, both of 7800 block Angus Drive, registered opposition to this project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY Project No. 579/13 Thomas Williams, 4400 block Arbutus Street, registered opposition to this project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan, SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke, THAT the foregoing motion be rescinded. - LOST NOT HAVING RECEIVED THE REQUIRED MAJORITY (Cllrs. Bellamy, Don Lee, Puil and Deputy Mayor Chiavario opposed) The motion to rescind having lost, Councillor Puil s motion stands unchanged. Project No. 580/16 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report noted this project received sufficient opposition to be defeated, but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds, because this sidewalk is along the #15 Cambie Downtown bus route serving downtown from this neighbourhood. Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, advised this is the only missing piece of sidewalk in this area. Also drainage problems result in the gathering of snow and ice which leads to a hazard for pedestrians. Betty Ho and Wayne Smyth, both of 4900 block Cambie Street, registered opposition to this project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - LOST (Cllrs. Clarke, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Price and Sullivan opposed) The motion by Cllr. Puil having lost, Council took no action on the recommendation of staff to proceed on Special Grounds. Project No. 580/17 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report advised that sufficient opposition was received to defeat this project, but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds, as this project would complete missing concrete sidewalk along the #25 King Edward lift accessible bus route. John McLean, 2900 block King Edward, registered opposition to this project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED (Cllrs. Clarke, Daniel Lee, Price and Sullivan opposed) Project No. 580/21 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report advised that sufficient opposition was received to defeat this project, but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds, as this project provides a concrete sidewalk along the #100 Airport/New Westminster Station lift accessible bus route. Irma Matheson, 1700 block South East Marine Drive, registered opposition to this project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED (Cllrs. Clarke and Sullivan opposed) Project No. 580/24 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report advised that sufficient opposition was received to defeat this project, but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds. This project will complete concrete sidewalk linkage along the south side of S.E. Marine Drive from Victoria Drive to the #22 Knight/MacDonald/Downtown lift accessible bus route at the Knight Street bridge, two blocks away. Julianna Davis, 1700 block South East Marine Drive, opposed the project on the basis that no one walks in this area at present. This is the fourth time this project has been proposed and the neighbours do not want it. Michael Steele, 1700 block South East Marine Drive, opposed the project on the basis that no one walks in this area. The money could be better spent on speed control enforcement. Kostas Kaounas, 1800 block South East Marine Drive, spoke in favour of the project, noting that the area is a mess and needs to be cleaned up. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED (Cllrs. Clarke and Sullivan opposed) Project No. 580/32 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report advised that sufficient opposition was received to defeat this project, but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds. This project will provide a concrete sidewalk along the #4 UBC/Powell bus route and the #85 bus route providing lift accessible morning service to UBC, when in session. Peter Staiger, Colin Harricks and Wayman Crosby, 4600 block West 4th Avenue, opposed the project. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED (Cllrs. Clarke, Price and Sullivan opposed) Project No. 580/33 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report advised that sufficient opposition was received to defeat this project, but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds. This project provides a concrete sidewalk along the #4 UBC/Powell bus route and the #85 bus route providing lift accessible morning service to UBC, when in session. Sylvie Langlois, 4500 block West 4th Avenue, opposed the project on the basis that the current gravel sidewalk is well maintained and does not prohibit disabled access. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED (Cllrs. Price and Sullivan opposed) Project No. 580/34 The June 2, 1997 Administrative Report advised that sufficient opposition was received to defeat this project, but staff recommend it proceed on Special Grounds. This project provides a concrete sidewalk connection along the north side of 29th Avenue from Slocan Street to the 29th Avenue SkyTrain Station. Piara Singh, 2700 block East 29th Avenue, spoke in favour of the project, noting there are only three blocks in this area without sidewalks. Aimee Lam, 4400 block Slocan opposed the project and raised concerns about the additional requirement for snow removal after sidewalks are installed. Angelo Zuccolin and Dorothy Beatty, 2700 block East 29th Avenue, registered opposition to the project, but did not address Council. MOVED by Cllr. Puil, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT this project be defeated. - CARRIED (Cllr. Sullivan opposed) Council then considered the Administrative Report dated June 2, 1997. MOVED by Cllr. Clarke, SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy, THAT Recommendations A and B of the General Manager of Engineering Services, as contained in the Administrative Report dated June 2, 1997, and quoted below, be approved, taking into account the specific actions taken this day: A. THAT the projects "by petition" in Court #579 and Court #581 be approved. B. THAT projects by "Initiative Principle" in Court #580 be approved except for the defeated items. - CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY MOVED by Cllr. Herbert, SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan, THAT additional information be provided to future Courts of Revision including more complete addresses for the projects, and more detailed information regarding the rationale for proceeding on Special Grounds, including pedestrian counts. - LOST (Cllrs. Clarke, Daniel Lee, Don Lee, Price and Sullivan opposed) (Cllrs. Bellamy and Puil absent for the vote) * * * * The Council adjourned at 9:45 p.m.