CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

DECEMBER 10, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, December 10, 1998 at 12:05 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 Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Civic Business) Councillor Jennifer Clarke (Leave of Absence) Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence)
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
December 10, 1998

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:

Cl.1: Renewal of Musqueam Service Agreement
Cl.2: Vancouver Economic Development Commission - Contract Renewal
Cl.3: Vancouver Police Board - 1999 Operating Budget
Cl.4: Funding Request for Central Stores Upgrade
Cl.5: Sam Kee Building: Encroachment Fees

Clauses 1 and 4
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 4 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 2
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,

THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 2 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Puil opposed to Recommendation A and C)

Clause 3
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,

THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Sullivan opposed to Recommendation D)

Clause 5
MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 5 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Puil, Sullivan and the Mayor opposed)

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. Bellamy,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Clarke File: 1254

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT Councillor Clarke be granted Leave of Absence for the Council meeting immediately following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

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REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

DECEMBER 10, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, December 10, 1998 at 9:55 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor George Puil, Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Don Bellamy Councillor Jennifer Clarke (Items 1 to 3) Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price Councillor George Puil Councillor Sam Sullivan
ABSENT:	Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Civic Business) Councillor Daniel Lee (Leave of Absence)
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 meeting of November 19, 1998, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Renewal of Musqueam Service Agreement File: 1203

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated November 27, 1998 (on file) in which the General Manager of Corporate Services recommended an extension of theexisting service agreement between the City and the Musqueam Band as an interim measure until a long-term service agreement is achieved.

Estelle Lo, General Manager of Corporate Services, responded to questions on the current service agreement.

The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council approve the renewal of the Musqueam Service Agreement (which expires on December 31, 1998) on the same terms and conditions for a two-year term (January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2000) as an interim measure in recognition of the ongoing negotiations taking place between the City and the Musqueam Band to achieve a long-term service agreement.

B. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to approve and execute the renewal agreement on behalf of the City.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Vancouver Economic Development Commission - File: 3143

Contract Renewal

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated December 7, 1998 (on file), in which the General Manager of Corporate Services sought renewal of the City's annual contract with the Vancouver Economic Development Commission for 1999, extension of the contract to include participation in the revitalization of the Downtown Eastside, and approval to instruct the Commission to report back with details on plans to utilize Asia Pacific Legacy Funds to undertake the International City Project.

Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets and Research, briefly reviewed the report.

Barbara Crompton, Chair, Vancouver Economic Development Commission, outlined the Commission's business plan priorities for 1999 and the projected funding of the projects (hand-out on file). Ms. Crompton also presented the Commission's plans to assist in the economic revitalization of the Downtown Eastside. Ms. Crompton requested support for the request to extend the Commission's contract by $50,000 to allow it to develop a strategy to revitalize the Downtown Eastside area and provided a copy of a draft business plan outline (on file).

During discussion, Committee members suggested it may be more beneficial for the Commission to work with Council's initiatives for the revitalization of the Downtown Eastside. Members requested the Commission to present more detailed information on its plan and proposed use of the requested funding in January, 1999.
The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council approve renewal of the annual contract with the Vancouver Economic Development Commission for the 1999 fiscal year at a cost of $200,000 (plus applicable net GST); source of funds to be the 1999 Operating Budget.

B. THAT the following motion be deferred to the first meeting of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets in January 1999:

THAT Council extend the contract with the Vancouver Economic Development Commission to include participation in the plan to revitalize the business (plus applicable GST) sector in the Downtown Eastside, as detailed in the VEDC 1999 Business Plan at a cost of $50,000, source of funds to be the 1999 Operating Budget.

C. THAT Council instruct the Vancouver Economic Development Commission to report back with details on plans to utilize Asia Pacific Legacy Funds to undertake the International City Project.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Puil opposed to A and C)

3. Vancouver Police Board - 1999 Operating Budget File: 1605

The Committee had before it the Minutes of the Vancouver Police Board meeting of November 30, 1998 (on file) at which the Police Board approved its provisional 1999 budget. Also before the Committee was a memorandum, dated December 8, 1998 (on file) in the City Manager presented recommendations for discussion and confirmation with the Police Board in order to conclude discussions on the 1999 Police budget successfully.

Ken Dobell, City Manager, briefly reviewed the recommendations presented in his memorandum.

Elizabeth Watson, representing the Vancouver Police Board (brief filed), reviewed the Police Department's 1999 provisional operating budget and responded to the City Manager's memorandum. The Police Department budget as presented is essentially a "status quo" budget. The Board has requested a study on staffing levels and authorized the Chief Constable to strike a working group to find further efficiencies. Both studies are expected back in February. Before the Board can finalize the budget, it needs to see the results of the studies. Before the Board could consider any budget reduction, the Board would have to beconvinced a reduction would not negatively affect crime and safety in the city. The Board has resolved to make recruiting a priority for 1999.

The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council confirm the Board's intention to include the E-Comm levy in its revised budget proposals, to be submitted prior to March, 1999.

B. THAT Council request the Board to operate within the multi-year budget planning cycle and timing established by Council, noting that this provides more time for budget planning by all departments and Boards, including Police.

C. THAT Council urge the Police Board to accelerate its consideration of measures necessary to achieve budget limitations, and further urge that the Board give positive consideration to accepting its $1.2 million share of responsibility for the tax limitation program.

D. THAT Council request the Police Board to agree to the policing component of the DTES revitalization program on the reduced basis reflected in the submission to the Police Board, requiring a City contribution of $3.2 million for the three year period, and

FURTHER THAT the Board agree that the officers funded through the program be allocated only to the Downtown Eastside and any areas affected by the relocation of criminal activity, with any excess available funding, if the Downtown Eastside and any adjacent areas affected by the policing program are stabilized in less than three years, to be allocated to reduce police budget requirements rather than increase general policing.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Sullivan opposed to D)

4. Funding Request for Central Stores Upgrade File: 1002

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report, dated November 20, 1998 (on file) in which the Manager of Purchasing Services sought approval of upgrades to the City's Central Stores facility at an estimated capital cost of $335,000.

Hugh Creighton, Director of Finance, and Carol Wyatt, Manager of Purchasing Services, briefly reviewed the report and recommendation.

Ken Davidson, President, CUPE 1004, requested deferral of the proposed upgrade until a Degelder/KPMG study is completed. The Union is concerned the proposed efficiencies will hinder operations. Mr. Davidson also expressed security concerns with the proposal for direct delivery of stock to the site. The proposal will reduce 5 full-time positions.

Ms. Wyatt explained the 5 full-time positions will be reduced over 2 to 3 years, with three positions reduced through attrition; one is a temporary position. There is a need to shake up the way inventory is managed.

The following motion by the Mayor was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT Council approve upgrades to the City's Central Stores facility, at an estimated capital cost of $335,000 with funding from a loan from the Service Improvement Reserve, to be paid back from operating savings.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Sam Kee Building: Encroachment Fees File: 5807

At its meeting on December 1, 1998, City Council called notice that a Motion to establish the annual fee for all encroachments of the Sam Kee Building at $1.00 will be considered at the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of December 10. Council also requested staff to provide a report on the background related to the Sam Kee building.

Accordingly, before the Committee was the relevant Motion and an Administrative Report, dated December 4, 1998 (on file), providing a summary of previous actions related to the Sam Kee building encroachments and a background on the Notice of Motion.

Rod Chow, owner, (brief filed), spoke in support of the Motion and provided a history of the Sam Kee building.

The following motion by Councillor Don Lee was put and carried. The Committee, therefore, recommended Council approve the following motion:

WHEREAS on November 28, 1996 Council reduced the areaway encroachments of the Sam Kee Building at 8 West Pender Street on city lands to a nominal fee, leaving in place the encroachment fee for overhanging bay windows;

AND WHEREAS the Building is a protected heritage `A' building, designated by the Province, and recognized as the "World's Thinnest Building";

AND WHEREAS the owners have agreed to pay all outstanding fees and payments regarding the encroachments to the City;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the annual fee for all encroachments of the Sam Kee Building be established at $1.00, which rate will be effective on the payment of all outstanding encroachment fee arrears and payments.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Sullivan and Puil and the Mayor opposed)

The meeting adjourned at 12:05 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver