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CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JUNE 18, 1998 A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, June 18, 1998 at 11:43 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.
Councillor Sam Sullivan
Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
Nancy Largent
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
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
June 18, 1998
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: 1998 Childcare Grants Allocation - Report 1 of 3
Cl.2: Mountain View Cemetery Study
Cl.3: Cemetery Schedule of Fees
1998 Childcare Grants Allocation - Report 1 of 3
(Clause 1)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 1 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
Clauses 2 and 3
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 2 and 3 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. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy ,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY The Council adjourned at 11:45 a.m.
* * * * * REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
JUNE 18, 1998
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, June 18, 1998, at 2:00 p.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario, Vice-Chair
Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy (Clauses 2 and 3) Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price (Clauses 1 and 2) Councillor Sam SullivanJudy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
Nancy Largent
RECOMMENDATION
1. 1998 Childcare Grant Allocation - Report 1 of 3 File: 2402
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated June 2, 1998 (on file), in which the Director of Community Services, Social Planning, recommended approval of four City-wide Childcare Support Service grants and one Administration of City-owned Childcare Facilities grant. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval, as reflected in the recommendations of this report.
cont'd
Clause No. 1 (cont'd)
The Committee was amenable to the recommended grants, and the following motion by Councillor Sullivan was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT Council approve four City-wide Childcare Support Service grants totalling $252,294 as listed in the Administrative Report dated June 2, 1998; source of funds to be 1998 Childcare Grants Funds, 1998 Operating Budget.
B.THAT Council approve one Administration of City-owned Childcare Facilities grant of $64,100 to the Vancouver Society of Children's Centres; source of funds to be 1998 Childcare Grants Funds, 1998 Operating Budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
2. Mountain View Cemetery Study File: 5127
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 25, 1998 (on file), in which the Manager of Non-Market Housing sought:
·Council approval of the vision to revitalize Mountain View Cemetery set out in A Vision for Mountain View Cemetery (on file), prepared by the consulting team of Philips Wuori Long Inc. in association with Harris Hudema Consulting Group Ltd. and Pechet + Robb Design;
·authorization to contract with the aforementioned consulting team to develop the Master Plan and a comprehensive Development, Marketing, Business and Financial Plan; and
·approval to remove barriers to the renewal process which would transform Mountain View into a viable commercial enterprise.
The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval, as reflected in the recommendations of this report.
Shirley Chan, Manager of Non-Market Housing, reviewed the history of Mountain View Cemetery, various statistics related to its operation, and terms of reference for the study. Ms. Chan also briefly reviewed the Vision Plan developed in consultation with the community, and steps to be taken to draw up a master plan in accordance with the vision, as well as interim conduct of cemetery business.
cont'd
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
Bill Pechet, Pechet + Robb Design, showed slides of various cemeteries throughout the world, illustrating the wide variety of options in landscaping, memorialization, grieving sites and interment, as well as comparative slides of Mountain View Cemetery. Mr. Pechet also discussed the historic and cultural significance of cemeteries. Because Mountain View developed incrementally rather than being planned, it is crossed by arterial roads and includes a variety of landscaping styles. There are opportunities to incorporate a greenway, to commemorate Brewery Creek, and otherwise reinforce its historic significance.
Margot Long, Philips Wuori Long Inc., reviewed the goals and objectives of the study including the public consultation process. There is tremendous public interest in Mountain View, and a Citizen Advisory Committee was instrumental in developing the Vision Plan. Economic advisors were also involved from the beginning to ensure that the vision was feasible. Ms. Long also reviewed a number of maps indicating a variety of the cemeteries features, layout, topography etc.
Blake Hudema, Harris Hudema Consulting Group Limited, reviewed economic factors including 10-year burial and cremation projections. There is strengthening interest in cremation and memorialization options, and there are opportunities to offer a wider variety of services. Additional space for gravesites or other memorialization options can be obtained through reclamation of vacant graves, some road closures, or unused perimeter areas. A preliminary review of revenues and expenditures over the next ten years suggests that the cemetery could move from deficit to self-sufficiency within five years.
Summing up, Ms. Chan reviewed the recommendations and rationale for their approval. Once Council has adopted the Vision Plan for Mountain View Cemetery in principle, more detailed planning can begin in consultation with the community. The Master Plan developed will be reported for Council's approval.
Bonnie Friesen, Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC), advised theat the CAC, which represents a broad spectrum of interests and concerns, strongly supports the recommendations put forward. The consultation process has been participatory and the study has taken community views into account. The CAC has become very conscious of the heritage value of the cemetery, and passed the following resolution accordingly:
"BE IT RESOLVED THAT the recommendations of the Manager of Non-Market Housing be implemented in such a way that the heritage value of the cemetery is recognized and preserved in perpetuity" (Ms. Friesen clarified that the Advisory Committee is satisfied this will be the result of the plan as written.)
cont'd
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
Speaking as an area resident, Ms. Friesen indicated that persons living in the vicinity of the cemetery are concerned about the possible locations of any structures and should be consulted accordingly.
The following speakers generally supported the recommendations:
Lorraine Irving, BC Genealogical Society
Harley Felstein, Citizen Advisory Committee member representing the Jewish Cemetery
Tom Crean, Family Funeral Home Association
Mary Roaf, Community Arts Council of Vancouver
Following are some of the comments made by the foregoing:
·560·historic stones and landscapes should be preserved, and graves and monuments should not be disturbed or moved;·560
·560·Council should recognize the heritage, historic and cultural value of the cemetery;·560
·560·there should be a firm commitment to the establishment of an advisory board, as recommended, and a definite time frame should be set for doing so;·560
·560·it is time to properly maintain and beautify the cemetery;·560
·560·beautification and upgrading work should begin at the perimeter of the cemetery to raise public awareness and encourage donations to the new Cemetery Foundation;·560
·560·services such as cremation and niche walls are becoming more popular with the public and should be available;·560
·560·many persons prefer the services offered by independent funeral homes, which need non-profit cemeteries to support;·560
·560·it would be reasonable for the City to charge more for maintenance of more elaborate monuments.·560
The following speakers expressed various concerns:
Graham Williams, Department of Veteran’s Affairs and Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ken Davidson, CUPE 1004
Patrick Britten, area resident
George Carver
cont'd
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
Following are some of the comments made by the foregoing:
·gravesites in the veteran's sections should not be reclaimed, since it would be inappropriate for anyone who is not a veteran to occupy graves in those sections of the cemetery;
·the public has very strong feelings about Mountain View, and Council should not value cost-effectiveness more highly than the public's desires for the cemetery;
·the community values the open green space provided by the cemetery and would like to see it preserved as a park-like setting, so many commercial options would likely be inappropriate;
·there have been many trees lost at Mountain View; unclaimed gravesites should not be resold as interment sites, but used as planting sites for memorial trees;
·elaborate memorials take up too much space, and there are health, aesthetic an psychological concerns about mausoleums;
·Mountain View Cemetery should not be privatized, but remain under the City's control.
Ms. Chan provided clarification on the foregoing concerns:
·The intent is to reclaim only unused gravesites which have been vacant for 50 years or more, and whose owners cannot be located. The City will advertise for the owners before reclaiming any sites, and will retain some sites for use by owners who may reappear later. In the case of the veterans' sections, the owner is the Department of Veteran's Affairs, so there is no question of the sites being reclaimed.
·There will be a further planning process to prepare the Master Plan, which will include options with respect to structures, open space, and so forth. The community will be involved in the planning, and the Master Plan will be reported back to Council for approval before work begins.
·Council has already made the decision not to privatize Mountain View Cemetery. The City may seek some private capital investment; for example, partnering with an ethnic or service organization to build mausolea or memorial walls.
The Committee was prepared to adopt the proposed vision and have work proceed to the master planning stage. It was felt that the Mountain View Cemetery Study adequately addresses the cemetery's heritage significance, and that this will be fully identified and preserved in future reports. The Committee also confirmed there is no intention to privatize the cemetery; it will remain in City hands.
cont'd
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT Council receive for information the report A VISION FOR MOUNTAIN VIEW CEMETERY prepared by the consulting team of Philips Wuori Long Inc. in association with Harris Hudema Consulting Group Ltd. and Pechet + Robb Design.
B.THAT Council approve the following recommendations with expenditures totalling $405,000:
1.adopt, in principle, the Vision Plan for Mountain View Cemetery prepared by the consultants;
2.commission a detailed physical/legal survey of the Cemetery lands in digital format to locate and document gravesites, trees, topography, City roads and right-of-ways relative to Cemetery boundaries, roads and paths, utilities, etc.; at an estimated cost of $20,000;
3.undertake a systems review to determine requirements of the Cemetery's commercial operations, and convert Cemetery records to computerized data base at an estimated cost of $100,000; and report back on additional requirements, if any;
4.appoint the current consulting team with the addition of commercial cemetery management expertise, to develop and report back with a detailed Master Plan and a comprehensive Development, Marketing, Business and Financial Plan to address site design and implementation strategy; sales, product and pricing strategies; managing the Perpetual Care Fund; and an inventory and analysis of existing plant materials, at an estimated cost of $220,000;
5.maintain the existing management structure during the Master Plan phase with a report back to Council on future management, operational and maintenance issues; and the possibility of contracting with others--including, but not limited to, the Vancouver Parks Board--for operational aspects;
cont'd
Clause No. 2 cont'd)
6.the Manager of Non-Market Housing to notify the Province and advertise to acquire unclaimed, vacant and unused grave sites for resale, at an estimated cost of $5,000;
7.the Manager of Non-Market Housing to initiate discussions with the Province concerning ash interment vs. burial for indigents
;8.the Cemetery By-law and Council policy prohibiting surface adornment of graves be revised to permit above-ground memorialization and upright markers in designated areas according to the Master Plan guidelines and at the discretion of the Manager of Non-Market Housing and Manager of Mountain View Cemetery;
9.the Cemetery to review and revise operations and fees on an annual basis and report results to Council;
10.defer implementation of the Pilot Projects recommended by the consultants until after the Master Plan but proceed with installations (cul-de-sac, berms, plantings) that confirm physically and visually the closure of 37th Ave. for the Greenway at an estimated cost of $25,000;
11.release a limited number of in-ground, double-depth plots at the discretion of Cemetery management where it does not compromise the Master Plan process;
12.direct the Manager, Non-Market Housing to report back on the Terms of Reference and selection criteria to establish a Cemetery Advisory Board appointed by Council
;13.direct the Manager, Non-Market Housing to report back on the Terms of Reference and mandate of a Cemetery Foundation for receiving charitable donations;
14.upgrade the administration office and caretaker suite to bring the building to acceptable health and safety standards, at an estimated cost of $25,000;
15.install gates to secure the cemetery at night, at an estimated cost of $5,000;
cont'd
Clause No. 2 (cont'd)
16.approve travel for Cemetery management to visit other cemeteries to see first hand, activities in other jurisdictions at an estimated cost of $5,000;
17.direct the Manager of Non-Market Housing to investigate and report back on partnership opportunities for the construction of cemetery installations such as mausolea, columbaria, niche walls, etc.
C.THAT the source of funding be a loan from the Capital Financing Fund (Solid Waste Capital Reserve) at terms to be determined by the Director of Finance, to be repaid from future earnings of the cemetery.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Cemetery Schedule of Fees File: 5127
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated May 28, 1998 (on file), in which the Manager, Mountain View Cemetery, and the Director of Finance sought Council approval to increase the fees charged by Mountain View Cemetery to the level charged by other Lower Mainland municipal cemeteries. The General Manager of Community Services recommended approval, as reflected in the recommendations of this report.
Ian Shepherd, Manager of Mountain View Cemetery, advised fees have not been reviewed since 1992. Traditionally, Mountain View Cemetery has been operated on a cost recovery basis. However, the Perpetual Care Fund has not grown since the City stopped sale of gravesites in 1986. If the new services proposed in the Master Plan proceed (Clause 2 of this report refers), new revenues will be provided.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A .THAT Council approve the revised Cemetery Fees Schedule, as set out in Appendix B of the Administrative Report dated May 28, 1998.
B.THAT Council instruct the Director of Legal Services to prepare the necessary By-law amendments accordingly.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The meeting adjourned at 11:43 a.m.
* * * * *
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