CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JULY 24, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Thursday, July 24, 1997 at 11:20 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 Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
ABSENT: Councillor Don Lee (Sick Leave)
Councillor Sam Sullivan (Sick Leave)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, 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 Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
July 24, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as
contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: Allocation Plan and Lease of a Donated Artist Studio -
2050 Scotia Avenue (325 East 5th Avenue)
Cl.2: Grants Equal to Theatre Rent: 1997/98 Season
Cl.3: 1997 Grant Requests - Major Facilities
Cl.4: 1997 Health Grants to AIDS Organizations
Cl.5: 107-109 E. Hastings Street:
Seabreeze Cafe Restaurant-Class 1
Clauses 1, 2 and 3
MOVED by Cllr.Puil ,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses
1, 2 and 3 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
1997 Health Grants to AIDS Organizations
(Clause 4)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4
of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED BY THE REQUIRED
MAJORITY
(Councillor Puil opposed to Recommendation B)
107-109 E. Hastings Street:
Seabreeze Cafe Restaurant - Class 1
(Clause 5)
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 5
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. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 11:25 a.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JULY 24, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City
Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, July 24, 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 Gordon Price
ABSENT: Councillor Don Lee (Sick Leave)
Councillor Sam Sullivan (Sick Leave)
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
of June 26, 1997, were adopted.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Allocation Plan and Lease of a Donated Artist Studio -
2050 Scotia Avenue (325 East 5th Avenue) File: 4663
The Committee had before it a Policy Report dated July 8, 1997 (on
file) in which the Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs, in
consultation with the Directors of Finance, Land Use & Development, and
Legal Services, and the Manager of Real Estate Services, recommended
approval of the acceptance of a gift of an artist studio at #141, 325
East 5th Avenue, from the Aragon Group. The Director also recommended
issuing a municipal Income Tax receipt to the Aragon Group on
registration of title and leasing the studio to the Public Dreams
Society for a period of ten years.
The General Managers of Community and Corporate Services submitted
the recommendations for consideration.
Jackie Crossland, Dolly Hopkins and Stuart Anderson, Public Dreams
Society, thanked the Committee for considering the Society as the
recipient of the lease for the artist studio. They outlined how the
Society will use the facility and enable it to contribute to the
community. They also described the background of the Public Dreams
Society, how the Society has involved the community in mounting
productions and its ten year history of community events. The space
will give the Society stability as it has been hampered by having to
move from space to space. The Society will be able to provide meeting
space to local community groups and looks forward to continuing to work
with local groups.
The Committee recognized and thanked Lenny Moy, of the Aragon
Group, for the gift of the artist studio.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council accept the gift of an artist studio, #141, 325
East 5th Avenue from the Aragon Group to be held as a Capital
Asset, and on registration of title, staff issue a municipal
Income Tax receipt to The Aragon Group accordingly; and
B. THAT Council approve the lease of the City-owned artist
studio, #141, 325 East 5th Avenue to Public Dreams Society for
a period of ten (10) years at a nominal rate ($1), subject to
the terms and conditions being to the satisfaction of the
Director of Legal Services in consultation with the Director
of the Office of Cultural Affairs.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
2. Grants Equal to Theatre Rent: 1997/98 Season File: 2055
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated July 8,
1997 (on file) in which the Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs
recommended approval of grants equal to theatre rent to cultural
organizations for the Fall 1997 and Spring 1998 season. The Director
also submitted for consideration a request from the Vancouver Playhouse
Theatre Company for an increase of $24,305 for the Fall 1997 season to
accommodate the shifting of one production from Spring 1998 to Fall
1997.
Alice Niwinski, Cultural Planner, was present to answer questions.
Chris Wootten, Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, explained the
Company has a six play season: four in the Spring and two in the Fall.
The Company prefers to present three plays in each season. To make the
change this year, it will be presenting seven productions, and therefore
the Company asks for consideration of a one-time grant to enable it to
make the change to its production schedule. In 1998, the schedule will
have changed to the three plays in the Spring and three in the Fall.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT Council approve decreases in the base level
uses of the following organizations, to adjust for
the reduction in the Grants Equal to Theatre Rent
budget approved by Council as part of the 1997
Operating Budget Review process:
- Ballet B.C.: 1 rehearsal
- Vancouver Opera: 1 performance
- Vancouver Playhouse: 6 performances
- Vancouver Symphony: 2 performances/1 rehearsal
B. THAT Council approve rental grants to 9 organizations, not
exceeding base levels and totalling $553,970, for uses of the
Civic Theatres in Fall 1997, as listed in Table 3 of the
Administrative Report, dated July 8, 1997; source of funds to
be the 1997 Grants Equal to Theatre Rent budget.
C. THAT Council approve in principle, subject to the 1998
Operating Budget Review process, rental grants to 12
organizations, within base levels and totalling $844,225, as
listed in Table 3 of the Administrative Report, dated July 8,
1997, for uses of the Civic Theatres in Spring 1998.
D. THAT Council approve a one-time grant of $24,305 to the
Vancouver Playhouse Theatre Company, within its base level,
toward uses of the Playhouse Theatre in Fall 1997; source of
funds to be Contingency Reserve.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
3. 1997 Grant Requests - Major Facilities
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated July 3,
1997 (on file) in which the Director of Finance recommended approval of
1997 operating grants to the Maritime Museum Society, Pacific Space
Centre Society and Vancouver Museum Commission, and a supplementary
grant of $200,000 to the Vancouver Museum Commission.
The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval.
John Dickenson, Managing Director, Pacific Space Sciences Centre,
advised he was present to answer questions.
The following motion by Councillor Chiavario was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT an operating grant of $262,800 be approved to the
Vancouver Maritime Museum Society, with the source of funds to
be the 1997 'Other' Grants budget.
B. THAT an operating grant of $438,600 be approved to the Pacific
Space Centre Society, with the source of funds to be the 1997
'Other' Grants budget.
C. THAT an operating grant of $624,600 be approved to the
Vancouver Museum Commission, with the source of funds to be
the 1997 'Other' Grants budget.
D. THAT a supplementary operating grant of $200,000 be approved
to the Vancouver Museum Commission, with the source of funds
to be the 1997 'Other' Grants budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
4. 1997 Health Grants to AIDS Organizations File: 2202
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 24,
1997 (on file) in which the Director of Finance recommended terminating
grants to AIDS Vancouver, McLaren Housing Society of B.C. and B.C.
Persons with AIDS Society to cover the three month period of January 1
to March 31, 1997.
The Director also submitted for consideration an extension of the
terminating grants for an additional three months to June 30, 1997.
Hugh Creighton, Director of Finance, stated that as the Province
has taken over funding for health related issues and cut back funding to
the City in 1997, Council, on February 4, 1997, affirmed the referral of
remaining City grants in the Health field to the Vancouver/Richmond
Health Board for funding as of April 1, 1997.
The following expressed appreciation to the City for its support
over the years and expressed concern with what will happen to their
organizations without the continuation of City funding:
Rick Marchan, AIDS Vancouver
Ian McEwen, McLaren Housing Society of B.C.
Ross Harvey, BC Persons with AIDS
Wayne Campbell, BC Persons with AIDS
Following are some of the points made by the foregoing speakers:
The AIDS organizations are caught in between the Province and the
City;
Meetings have been held at various levels to try to resolve the
situation to no avail;
The organizations have received no money this calendar year yet,
and are now having an unanticipated shortfall in their budgets;
The shortfall is not of their own making and has severe
consequences;
Vancouver is getting tagged as one of the hot spots for the AIDS
epidemic in the world;
The organizations hope to get half of their funding for this year
from the City and will try to deal with the problem of budget
cutbacks;
People are still experiencing discrimination and stigmatization;
the City needs to continue to show leadership and support the
organizations, such as help with property taxes, assistance in
finding another building for office space;
The organizations save a lot of dollars for governments because of
the services they provide;
The Vancouver-Richmond Health Board will not fulfill this budget
gap;
The organizations are doing everything in their power to secure
alternative funding.
Moffatt Clarke, Director, Provincial AIDS Strategy, advised the
Province is committed to resolving the funding situation. Meetings have
been scheduled to discuss outstanding issues. The Provincial
government has made a considerable investment to AIDS and will endeavour
to resolve the issues satisfactorily. Mr. Clarke is interested in
finding out what the City is able to provide other than direct financial
support. The Province will not hand off AIDS funding to the Health
Board until all pieces and consensus are in place.
During discussion, the Committee expressed concern that if only
mainstream AIDS organizations will be funded, some of the unique
services provided by smaller organizations will be lost. The Committee
also questioned whether the Province was looking at a regional strategy
to provide services, what will happen in the interim until the
provincial and municipal issues are resolved, and how other
municipalities will be providing funding. It was suggested the Province
look at a comprehensive, holistic way of resolving the outstanding
issues.
The following motion by Councillor Herbert was put and carried.
The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A. THAT, consistent with its resolution of February 4, 1997,
Council approve terminating grants to the AIDS organizations
totalling $50,150 to cover the three month period January 1,
1997 to March 31, 1997, as follows:
AIDS Vancouver $21,500;
McLaren Housing Society of B.C. $7,750;
B.C. Persons with AIDS Society $20,900;
source of funds to be the "Other" grants allocation.
B. THAT Council approve an extension of the terminating grants to
the AIDS organizations totalling $50,150, representing an
additional three months funding to the AIDS organizations to
June 30, 1997, to be allocated as follows:
AIDS Vancouver $21,500;
McLaren Housing Society of B.C $ 7,750;
B.C. Persons with AIDS Society $20,900;
source of funds to be 1997 Contingency Reserve.
- CARRIED BY THE REQUIRED
MAJORITY
(Councillor Puil opposed to B)
5. 107-109 E. Hastings Street:
Seabreeze Cafe Restaurant-Class 1 File: 2640
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated July
17, 1997 (on file) in which the Chief License Inspector advised that,
unless Council instructs otherwise, it is his intention to issue
business licenses for a Restaurant-Class I and a Retail Dealer to Sher
Pari Khan and Chandra Sharma doing business as Seabreeze Cafe at 107-109
East Hastings Street.
Paul Teichroeb, Chief License Inspector, responded to questions on
the lease, business plan, proposed operation and safety issues related
to the application. The owners will be required to meet with Crime
Prevention Officers to deal with potential safety issues. The
applicants have been able to put together a good business plan and
clearly appear to know how to operate such a business.
Sher Pari Khan, applicant, also responded to questions on the
proposed operation of the Seabreeze Cafe.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The
Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT the Administrative Report dated July 17, 1997 from the Chief
License Inspector be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Committee adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
* * * * *