Agenda Index City of Vancouver

1

CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES

October 31, 2000

PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen

PRAYER

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

1. Regular Council - October 17, 2000

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee
SECONDED by Cllr. McCormick

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Federation of Canadian Municipalities- Municipal Leaders' Statement on Climate Change

MOVED by Cllr. Puil
WHEREAS 1990 to 1999 was the warmest decade of the millennium;

WHEREAS a global reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) is necessary to slow climate change and reduce the risks to human health, the physical environment, economy and quality of life;

WHEREAS the 1998 ice storm cost the City of Montreal $116 million, Baie Comeau more than $2.5 million and the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton $6.32 million, while the Red River flood cost Winnipeg $32.3 million;

WHEREAS these weather-related expenses are creating an additional financial burden for municipalities at a time when responsibilities are increasing as a result of devolution;

WHEREAS reducing greenhouse gases makes good economic sense. New and improved infrastructure, energy efficiency, building retrofits, water conservation, more effective wastewater treatment and distribution, renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, better fleet management, etc. reduce municipal operating costs and help maintain community services, while having a positive impact on the environment;

WHEREAS industrialized countries, realizing initial commitments were inadequate to protect the Earth's climate system, agreed in December 1997 to the Kyoto Protocol which, if ratified, commits Canada to reducing greenhouse gas emissions six percent below 1990 levels between 2008 - 2012;

WHEREAS in November, national governments will meet in The Hague, Netherlands to negotiate terms and conditions for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. It is critical that Canada has the support it needs to conclude negotiations;

BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT mayors and municipal leaders responsible for the well-being of communities across Canada urge federal and provincial/territorial governments to make climate protection a priority; and

THAT the City of Vancouver in the Province of British Columbia endorse this MUNICIPAL LEADERS' RESOLUTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

AMENDMENT MOVED by Cllr. Bass:
THAT the words after "BE IT RESOLVED" be deleted and substituted with the following:

THAT the Mayors and municipal leaders of communities across Canada encourage federal, provincial, and municipal governments to:

1) Reduce Canada's domestic pollution directly, rather than gaining reduction credits from other countries;

2) Take specific actions domestically to reduce greenhouse emissions

3) Create national and provincial standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from the production of natural gas, oil coal, and electricity.

Members of Council requested that clauses 1,2 and 3 be voted on separately.

CLAUSE 1 PUT:
1) Reduce Canada's domestic pollution directly, rather than gaining reduction credits from other countries;

CLAUSE 2 PUT:
2) Take specific actions domestically to reduce greenhouse emissions

CLAUSE 3 PUT:
3) Create national and provincial standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from the production of natural gas, oil coal, and electricity.

MOTION AS AMENDED PUT:
THAT Council approve the Municipal Leaders' Resolution on Climate Change, as follows:

WHEREAS 1990 to 1999 was the warmest decade of the millennium;

WHEREAS a global reduction in emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) is necessary to slow climate change and reduce the risks to human health, the physical environment, economy and quality of life;

WHEREAS the 1998 ice storm cost the City of Montreal $116 million, Baie Comeau more than $2.5 million and the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton $6.32 million, while the Red River flood cost Winnipeg $32.3 million;

WHEREAS these weather-related expenses are creating an additional financial burden for municipalities at a time when responsibilities are increasing as a result of devolution;

WHEREAS reducing greenhouse gases makes good economic sense. New and improved infrastructure, energy efficiency, building retrofits, water conservation, more effective wastewater treatment and distribution, renewable energy technologies, waste reduction, better fleet management, etc. reduce municipal operating costs and help maintain community services, while having a positive impact on the environment;

WHEREAS industrialized countries, realizing initial commitments were inadequate to protect the Earth's climate system, agreed in December 1997 to the Kyoto Protocol which, if ratified, commits Canada to reducing greenhouse gas emissions six percent below 1990 levels between 2008 - 2012;

WHEREAS in November, national governments will meet in The Hague, Netherlands to negotiate terms and conditions for ratifying the Kyoto Protocol. It is critical that Canada has the support it needs to conclude negotiations;

BE IT RESOLVED:
THAT the Mayors and municipal leaders of communities across Canada encourage federal, provincial, and municipal governments to:

1) Take specific actions domestically to reduce greenhouse emissions

2) Create national and provincial standards to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that come from the production of natural gas, oil coal, and electricity.

CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

1. Submissions to the Canada Transportation Act Review Panel (by Translink)

MOVED by Cllr. Louis

Council agreed that the letter to Translink also encourage Translink to recommend that the Review Panel address the following issues:

a. the use of the term "one time" in Recommendation # 4;
b. the use of the term "without undue interference" in Recommendation # 5;
c. the issue of discontinuance including the need to advertise and the valuation to be placed on the line to be discontinued;
d. the need for federal funding support for rapid bus infrastructure.

2. Re-appointment of External Auditors

MOVED by Cllr. Puil

3. 2000 Debenture Program

MOVED by Cllr. Puil

B. THAT the Director of Finance be empowered to act and instruct the City's Fiscal Agent to proceed with the issue, after consultation with the Mayor, the Chair of the City Services and Budgets Committee, and the City Manager, or a majority of them, and to set the rate, price, and other terms on which the debentures will be marketed.

4. New Position: Manager, Information Technology Security

MOVED by Cllr. Clarke

5. The Renovation of the Central Residence - 42 E. Cordova St.

It was noted that the reference in the report to "42 E. Hastings St." was incorrect and should be changed to "42 E. Cordova St."

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy

6. SAP 4.6C Upgrade

MOVED: Cllr. Clarke

POLICY REPORTS

1. Revised Arrangements for the Pacific Racing Association for the Racetrack at Hastings Park

MOVED by Cllr. Puil
THAT this matter be postponed to a future City Services and Budget Committee meeting to hear from delegations.

2. Miscellaneous Text Amendments: Zoning and Development By-law, Official Development Plan By-laws, Parking By-law, Sign By-law, Zoning and Development Fee By-law and Design Guidelines

MOVED by Cllr. Louis

3. Text Amendment - Zoning and Development Fee By-law [RS-7S]

MOVED by Cllr. Louis
THAT if the application of the Director of Current Planning to create an RS-7S District Schedule and rename areas from RS-1A or RS-2 is approved at Public Hearing, the Zoning and Development Fee By-law No. 5585 be amended to reference RS-7S generally in accordance with Appendix A; and

FURTHER THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to bring forward the necessary by-law at the time of enactment.

4. Liquor Store Sunday Openings

Paul Teichroeb advised that the references to "1655 Davie Street" in the second last and last paragraphs on page 2 of the report dated October 30, 2000 should be deleted andreplaced with "1191 Robson Street" in the two occurrences in the second last paragraph, and "1716 Robson Street" in the last paragraph on page 2.

MOVED by Cllr. Louis

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. McCormick
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan

BY-LAWS

1. A By-law to amend By-law No. 5574, being a By-law which amended the Zoning and Development By-law by rezoning an area to BC Place/Expo District (BCPED)

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee

MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee

MOTIONS

1. Refund to Taxpayers for Services Not Provided During the Civic Workers' Strike

At the Council meeting held on October 17, Councillor Bass gave notice of the following motion.

MOVED by Cllr. Bass
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis
WHEREAS the citizens and businesses of Vancouver have paid for the municipal services they receive through their municipal taxes;

AND WHEREAS the cost of services not being provided during the strike amount to approximately $152 million annually; these services include Parks and Recreation, Community Centres, Engineering, Sanitation and Recycling, Community Services and Public Library Services;

AND WHEREAS the $152 million divided by 366 days amounts to approximately $415,301 worth of services not provided each day that the strike continues;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver

AMENDMENT MOVED by Cllr. Louis
SECONDED by Cllr. Bass

MAIN MOTION PUT:
WHEREAS the citizens and businesses of Vancouver have paid for the municipal services they receive through their municipal taxes;

AND WHEREAS the cost of services not being provided during the strike amount to approximately $152 million annually; these services include Parks and Recreation, Community Centres, Engineering, Sanitation and Recycling, Community Services and Public Library Services;

AND WHEREAS the $152 million divided by 366 days amounts to approximately $415,301 worth of services not provided each day that the strike continues;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver

MOVED by Cllr. Price:
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy
That the City Manager report back to Council on costs incurred, savings made, and net financial consequences of the strike, with particular respect to impacts on property tax & solid-waste utility charges in order to give a financial accounting to the taxpayers.

2. CPR Spraying of Roundup Pesticide on Arbutus Corridor

At the Council meeting held on October 17, Councillor Bass gave notice of the following motion:

MOVED by Cllr. Bass
SECONDED by Cllr. Louis
WHEREAS on Oct. 4, 2000 the Canadian Pacific Railway posted notices of intent to spray the pesticide Roundup on CPR property along the Arbutus Corridor;

AND WHEREAS up to 1998 the CPR employed steam treatment, mechanical cutting and other non-pesticide vegetation control methods along the Corridor;

AND WHEREAS the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, has been recognized as being potentially harmful to the environment and ecology of areas adjacent to Roundup applications;

AND WHEREAS questions have been raised about a link between glyphosate and adverse effects on human health;

AND WHEREAS the Arbutus Corridor is adjacent to at least one pre-school, one day care, two community gardens, one elementary school, one high school and is widely used by cyclists and pedestrians;

AND WHEREAS when the CPR sprayed Roundup on Oct. 6, 2000, citizens living and working near the Corridor met with CPR officials to express concerns about the spraying of Roundup and negotiated an agreement whereby the CPR refrained from spraying adjacent to community gardens, a pre-school and a daycare between Burrard and Broadway;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver ask the CPR to refrain from using pesticides on the Arbutus Corridor and instead resume non-pesticide vegetation control practices.

REFERRAL moved by Cllr. Clarke
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy
THAT this motion be referred to Nick Losito, Director of Environmental Health and Dr. Blatherwick, Medical Officer of Health for a report.

MOTION PUT
WHEREAS on Oct. 4, 2000 the Canadian Pacific Railway posted notices of intent to spray the pesticide Roundup on CPR property along the Arbutus Corridor;

AND WHEREAS up to 1998 the CPR employed steam treatment, mechanical cutting and other non-pesticide vegetation control methods along the Corridor;

AND WHEREAS the active ingredient in Roundup, glyphosate, has been recognized as being potentially harmful to the environment and ecology of areas adjacent to Roundup applications;

AND WHEREAS questions have been raised about a link between glyphosate and adverse effects on human health;

AND WHEREAS the Arbutus Corridor is adjacent to at least one pre-school, one day care, two community gardens, one elementary school, one high school and is widely used by cyclists and pedestrians;

AND WHEREAS when the CPR sprayed Roundup on Oct. 6, 2000, citizens living and working near the Corridor met with CPR officials to express concerns about the spraying of Roundup and negotiated an agreement whereby the CPR refrained from spraying adjacent to community gardens, a pre-school and a daycare between Burrard andBroadway;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver ask the CPR to refrain from using pesticides on the Arbutus Corridor and instead resume non-pesticide vegetation control practices.

1. Global Warming
Councillor Price referred to an item from the Internet which referred to the recent storm in Britain and Europe and the cost of the damage. Climate change was to blame and it is anticipated that the number and severity of storms will increase as global warming continues to take place.

2. Road on Lost Lagoon
Councillor Kennedy asked if the road being constructed on the northeast side of Lost Lagoon would be permanent. Piet Rutgers, Parks and Recreation, advised that the road was temporary in nature to allow for access by construction vehicles, and that the shape of Lost Lagoon would return to its original state on completion. He further indicated that a biofiltration marsh would also be built in the Lagoon to take the runoff from the causeway.

3. Community March on Kingsway, between Fraser and Knight Streets
Councillor Don Lee referred to the recent successful march by the community against prostitution and drug use. A small group protested against the march and police were cooperative.

4. Public Process for Grand Casino Relocation
Councillor Bass questioned the need for a formal public hearing for the Grand Casino relocation to satisfy BC Lottery Corporation's requirements. Jeff Brooks, Director of Social Planning responded that the public hearing referred to in the BC Lottery Corporation's guidelines applies only to the relocation of a casino from one municipality to another municipality and not within a municipality. Judy Rogers, City Manager confirmed that the Administration had met with BC Lotteries, and that the City has met its obligations to BC Lotteries and to the applicant and that no further public hearing is required in respect of this application.

The Council adjourned at 4:50 p.m.
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ag001031.htm

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