ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: October 4, 1999
Author/Local: J.W. McLewin/

323-7706

RTS No. 1029

CC File No. 2251

P&E: October 21, 1999

TO:	Standing Committee on Planning and Environment
FROM:	General Manager of Engineering Services
SUBJECT:	Grant to `Save Our Living Environment'

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve a grant of $50,000 for twelve (12) months to Save Our Living Environment (SOLE) for the micro cleaning of City sidewalks, lanes and parks in the Downtown Eastside, Gastown and Chinatown as outlined in this report, with funding provided by the Solid Waste Capital Reserve.

POLICY

On July 25, 1998, City Council approved an Environmental Grant of $50,000 to SOLE for micro street and lane cleaning in the Downtown Eastside (DTES), Gastown, and Chinatown. The source of funds was the Solid Waste Capital Reserve.

Approval of grants requires eight affirmative votes.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this report is to seek Council's approval to have SOLE expand upon its recently completed street cleaning services in the DTES, Gastown and Chinatown. In July, 1998, SOLE commenced supplementing the City street cleaning services there by helping clean City sidewalks and lanes. A grant of $50,000 is necessary from the City of Vancouver to undertake this expanded program. An additional $50,000 would be contributed by others.

BACKGROUND

In July of last year, City Council approved a $50,000 Environmental Grant to SOLE for micro cleaning city sidewalks and lanes. A 21 block area was serviced weekly in this street cleaning program over the past 14 months. Residents from the inner city and DTES with barriers to traditional employment were utilized in this program. The program was regularly monitored by city staff and was found to be effective. The result has been a cleaner street scape in the challenging area in and near the DTES. Favourable remarks on this program have been received from City staff and members of the Vancouver Police Department.

PROPOSED STREET CLEANING

As a result of the high volumes of pedestrian traffic in and on the periphery of the DTES throughout the day and night, (possibly associated with activities surrounding substance abuse and housing problems there), street cleaning needs remain high.

To supplement the City's street cleaning activities over the next year, SOLE (also known as United We Can) proposes this program to undertake an expanded street cleaning initiative defined as follows:

A. Micro Cleaning of City Sidewalks - picking up small litter such as cigarette butts and potentially hazardous wastes such as condoms and needles.

B. Lane Cleanups - picking up material in the lanes more frequently than City crews normally provide.

C. Park Cleanups - Oppenheimer Park

- Crab Park
- Victory Square
- Pigeon Park

D. Graffiti Removal - along major streets (trial work initially)

- at lane ends near streets

E. Power Wash Sidewalks - opportunity to address smelly locations

The area of geographic coverage would be expanded from Cambie and Gore Streets by one block to the east to Dunlevy Avenue, three blocks to the west to Richards Street and to the north from Hastings Street to Burrard Inlet (refer also to attached map). The scheduled cleanups would be once per week. The total blocks to be cleaned would increase from 21 to 34.

SOLE advises that this expanded program is estimated to cost $100,000 with the proposed, shared funding as follows:

1. $ 50,000 - City of Vancouver
2. $ 25,000 - Provincial Government

(anticipated through changes in regulations on GAIN)

3. $ 15,000 - Private Foundation(s)
4. $ 10,000 - SOLE/United We Can contribution

$100,000 TOTAL

As noted above, the City of Vancouver is requested to contribute $50,000 in the form of a grant with the source of funds being the same as previously, namely the Solid Waste Capital Reserve. An added benefit this time is that the City is being requested to fund just 50% of the costs, whereas the last time it funded 100% of the costs. City staff will continue to monitor the effectiveness of the program and will advise Council if changes are required.

The Downtown East side Policy and Core Staff Committees, as well as the City Manager, support this proposal using SOLE.

CONCLUSION

Recognizing the many challenges facing the City in and near the DTES, and the considerable benefits of this proposal (i.e. improved street cleanliness and enhanced employment opportunities for inner city residents), it is concluded that a grant to SOLE of $50,000 for the purposes described can be recommended.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver