CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Tuesday, October 24, 1995, in the Council Chamber, commencing at
approximately 2:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke,
Hemer, Ip, Kwan, Price,
Puil and Sullivan
ABSENT: Councillor Kennedy (Leave of Absence)
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: D. Back
PRAYER
The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with prayer
read by the Deputy City Clerk.
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
Council was advised there were items to be considered "In Camera"
later this day including appointments, legal and property matters.
ITEMS ARISING FROM "IN CAMERA"
MEETING OF OCTOBER 17, 1995
Council was advised the following items were considered at the "In
Camera" meeting on October 17, 1995:
- Council approved the estimated date of January 31, 1996 for
the final report back on the Economic Development Commission.
- Council appointed the membership of the Interim Economic
Development Commission.
- Council also appointed Councillors Clarke and Ip as Council
representatives to work with the Interim Commission.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting (with the
exception of the 'In Camera' portion) of October 17, 1995, be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,
THAT the Minutes of the Special Council Meeting (Public Hearing)
of October 17, 1995, be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole,
Mayor Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
REPORT REFERENCE
1. Transportation Plan Status File: 5551-2
Mr. Peter Judd, Assistant City Engineer, Transportation Planning
Project, provided Council with a verbal progress report on behalf of
the Transportation Planning Staff Team which was established in May
1995. It was noted that Mayor Owen, together with Councillors Clarke
and Price, has been participating on the Steering Committee which is
leading the development of the transportation plan.
Mr. Judd advised the transportation plan is an extension of
CityPlan, and will determine the future direction for transportation in
the city. CityPlan made broad recommendations on transportation, and
the transportation plan will take them a step further. It will be
specific about issues such as how to increase transit use, how to
promote walking and cycling, car use and how to make better use of city
streets. The transportation plan will likely contain recommendations
on traffic calming and HOV lanes, as well as a review of the truck
route within the city. The draft report of the Transportation Planning
Staff Team is expected to be completed by the end of June 1996. There
will be a process to receive public input prior to completion of the
report.
With the aid of a slide presentation, Mr. Judd reviewed the
findings of previous transportation studies and the transporation plan
work to date. It was noted that while there has been a growth in auto
demand since the mid-1960s, there has been very little change in the
travel time. This is due to improvements which have been completed,
including street widening, left turn bays and preferential
signalization. In addition, parking has been removed from certain
streets during peak traffic periods. During the same period, employment
in the Downtown area has increased by about 30%, while traffic volumes
entering the city in the peak period have increased about 50%. The
City's existing policy of not expanding the vehicular capacity of roads
leading into the city is a major contributing factor into why travel
time within the city has not increased.
Information was also provided regarding average commuting time to
work in Vancouver and other cities around the world, and by comparison,
Vancouver rates very well.
cont'dREPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
Transportation Plan Status (cont'd)
The City's transportation plan must take into account regional
initiatives such as Transport 2021, the Regional transportation plan,
and activities at the Vancouver Airport and the Port.
Mr. Judd advised there are a number of assumptions which have been
made in the development of Transport 2021, including:
- establishment of tolls on the Lions Gate and Second Narrows
Bridge, as well as the bridges crossing the Fraser River;
- parking costs in the Downtown area will increase by up to
50%;
- increase in gas taxes;
- improved transit from Richmond and along Broadway;
- HOV lanes will encourage carpooling; and
- telecommuting will increase.
The peak hour vehicle volumes projected by the Transport 2021
study are not expected to be dramaticly higher than current volumes
during the morning peak period. However, the focus of Tranport 2021
and past transportation planning has been on the morning peak hours.
In future, the morning peak periods will be constrained but the mid-day
traffic will not, and as such mid-day trips will not be as easily
served by conventional transit service.
As a result, pressures on neighbourhoods and commercial shopping
strips will increase during the mid-day period in the future.
Therefore, traffic calming and the viability of these commercial areas
will be an important focus of the transportation plan.
Responding to questions from Council, Mr. Judd advised the
transportation planning has not yet been linked to the UBC traffic
planning, and it will depend on the timing of the work of the task
force which is addressing that issue. Mr. Judd was requested to ensure
there is communication with those who are organizing the task force
work.
cont'dREPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
Transportation Plan Status (cont'd)
A member of Council suggested the transportation plan should
anticipate what has to be done to maximize the carrying capacity of
city streets to meet the increased growth and demand if the constraints
were taken off of the bridges leading into the city. It was also
suggested the City's transportation plan needs to be linked to BC
Transit's long term plan.
A member of Council suggested that information concerning the
transportation plan be made available on Internet and to the media, and
that Council be provided with a further report reference once the
report has been prepared.
Mr. Dave Rudberg, City Engineer, responded to a question
concerning the status of the Lions Gate Bridge expansion project, and
advised that the Ministry of Transportation & Highways has indicated an
interest in meeting with Council in the near future to discuss the
status of this project. To date, there has been no indication of a
decision with regard to the expansion of the present bridge or the
construction of a new bridge.
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the foregoing presentation be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS
1. Administrative Report
(October 3, 1995)
Pilot Vanpool Program File: 5551-2
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
2. Administrative Report
(October 10, 1995)
Agreement for Gas Main on Burrard Bridge File: 5806-2
In an Administrative Report dated October 10, 1995, the General
Manager of Engineering Services requested Council's approval for the
City to enter into a legal agreement with BC Gas for the gas main on
the Burrard Bridge. It was noted that Council, at its meeting on June
27, 1995, had directed this report be deferred pending a review of the
issue of fees in connection with the proposed agreement with BC Gas.
This matter has been reviewed by the Engineering Services staff, and
based on this review, it was recommended that BC Gas be permitted to
construct and maintain a new gas main on the bridge without paying the
City a fee. The reasons for this recommendation were contained in the
report.
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kwan opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT staff be requested to report back concerning the matter of
taxing BC Gas and others on the same basis as those companies currently
taxed pursuant to Section 398 of the Vancouver Charter.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Administrative Report
(October 10, 1995)
Waterworks Capital Funding File: 1603-2
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
4. Administrative Report
(September 26, 1995)
Tender No. 35-95-07 File: 1801-4
Supply of 200 HP Landfill Bulldozer
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
5. Administrative Report
(October 5, 1995)
Tender No. 39-95-07 File: 1801-4
Supply of Conventional Cab & Chassis
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Administrative Report
(September 21, 1995)
Environmental Audit Update File: 3501-2
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,
THAT this report be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
7. Administrative Report
(October 11, 1995)
Grant Request - Association of File: 2004-2
Public-Safety Communications Officials
(APCO) Conference
MOVED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Fire & Rescue
Services and Chief Constable, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED BY THE
REQUIRED MAJORITY
(Councillor Puil opposed)
8. Administrative Report
(October 10, 1995)
License Agreement for Pedestrian Pathways File: 5701
at Ann Street and Aberdeen Street
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Administrative Report
(October 13, 1995)
1996 Pound Fee Review File: 1755-2
MOVED by Cllr. Ip,
THAT the recommendation of the General Managers of Corporate and
Community Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
1. Policy Report
(October 6, 1995)
Update on the Annual Review File: 2150
and Adjustment of the
Community Services Grants Process
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report and quoted below, be approved:
A. THAT Council adopt, as City policy, the revised criteria
and priorities for Community Services Grants, as
described in Appendix A of the Policy Report dated
October 6, 1995.
B. THAT the Core Short-form process, described in Appendix
B of the Policy Report dated October 6, 1995, not be
implemented.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kwan opposed to recommendation "B")
RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
1. A By-law to amend By-law No. 2280,
being a By-law for Preventing the
Firing or Discharge of Firearms within
the City, By-law No. 2807, being the
Second-hand Dealers By-law, By-law No.
4338, being the Motor Vehicle Noise
Abatement By-law, By-law No. 4450, being
the Licence By-law, By-law No. 4548,
being the Untidy Premises By-law, By-law
No. 4781, being the Street Vending By-law,
By-law No. 5462, being the Standards of
Maintenance By-law, By-law No. 5563, being
the Electrical By-law, By-law No. 5964,
being the Plumbing By-law, By-law No. 6134,
being the Building By-law, By-law No. 6510,
being the Sign By-law, By-law No. 6555,
being the Noise Control By-law, By-law No.
6580. being the Health By-law, and By-law
No. 7111 being the Security Alarm System
By-law (Amendment of Various By-laws to
Increase the Amount of the Minimum Fine)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer
declared the By-law open for discussion and amendment.
There being no amendments, it was
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor
and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS (CONT'D)
2. A By-law to amend By-law No.
6059, being the Parking By-law
(Relaxation and Payment-in-Lieu
- 799 Homer Street)
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the By-law be introduced and read a first time.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The By-law was read a first time and the Presiding Officer
declared the By-law open for discussion and amendment.
There being no amendments, it was
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the By-law be given second and third readings and the Mayor
and City Clerk be authorized to sign and seal the By-law.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS
A. Acceptance and Allocation of File: 5807
Lands for Lane Purposes
(The south 2.5 feet of Lot 11
of Lot 4, Blocks 12 to 21,
D.L. 666, Plan 1378 - 1076 E. 40th)
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT WHEREAS the registered owner will be conveying to the City of
Vancouver for lane purposes land in the City of Vancouver, Province of
British Columbia, more particularly known and described as follows:
City of Vancouver
Parcel Identifier: 013-474-189
The South 2.5 feet of
Lot 11 of Lot 4
Blocks 12 to 21
District Lot 666
Plan 1378
AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient and in the public interest to
accept and allocate the said lands for lane purposes;
BE IT RESOLVED that the above described lands, upon conveyance,
are hereby accepted and allocated for lane purposes and declared to
form and to constitute a portion of a lane.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
NOTICE OF MOTION
The following Motion was submitted by Councillor Kwan, however,
Notice was called and it was recognized by the Chair:
Province of Quebec File: 6009
- Separatist Referendum
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT WHEREAS the unity and very existence of Canada is seriously
threatened by the separatist referendum taking place in the Province of
Quebec;
AND WHEREAS a propaganda tool employed by the separatist forces is
the assertion that Canadians no longer care whether Quebec separates or
not;
AND WHEREAS another powerful propaganda tool being employed is the
assertion that the system of Canadian Confederation is incapable of
change and that the only alternative to a separate Quebec is the rigid
status quo;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That Vancouver City Council is strongly supportive of a
united Canada, a nation which has earned international
recognition as being one of the best countries in the world,
and believes that continued Quebec membership in the Canadian
Confederation is essential for maintaining that quality of
nationhood. Indeed, separation of Quebec would not only
deprive us of an important national quality but would also
seriously threaten Canada with disintegration.
2. That Vancouver City Council assert the belief that rejection
of proposals for constitutional change which has occurred
during the past few years, does not mean that Canadians
refuse to recognize that change and reform of confederation
is both necessary and desirable. British Columbians, along
with people from all regions of Canada, recognize the need
for change.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Vancouver City Council send a warm
message to the people of Quebec, telling them that they are very much
wanted and needed as part of Canada, a nation which will have the
capacity to grow, evolve and change in order to meet the needs of its
citizens in all of its varied and different parts.
- Notice
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Enforcement - Illegal Activity File: 3701-4
Cllr. Bellamy expressed concern regarding individuals in the
Downtown area who are attempting to wash
vehicle windows at intersections. They are
demanding payment for this service and
becoming abusive if payment is not received.
There is a concern this could escalate into a
problem, and Cllr. Bellamy requested the
Vancouver Police Department to increase
enforcement against such individuals.
Cllr. Price added his support to the call for enforcement
with respect to this activity, and requested
the Mayor to communicate back to Council what
action the Police Department take in this
regard.
The Mayor undertook to follow up on this
matter.
GVRD Board Meeting - File: 3201-8
October 27, 1995
Cllr. Ip noted that Councillor Kennedy will be unable
to attend the GVRD Board of Directors Meeting
on Friday, October 27, 1995. Cllr. Ip advised
that as the Alternate, she is also unable to
attend.
MOVED by Cllr. Ip,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT Cllr. Chiavario be appointed to represent Cllr. Kennedy at
the October 27, 1995 GVRD Board Meeting.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT'D)
24-Hour Businesses - File: 2501-2
East Hastings
Cllr. Clarke referred to correspondence she has received
regarding new 24-hour businesses which are
operating on East Hastings. Cllr. Clarke
suggested the City's Licensing By-laws may
need to be amended to more clearly regulate
these businesses.
Fire Department Strategic Plan File: 1306-8
Cllr. Chiavario advised that the Fire Department has requested
Council input with respect to the development
of the Fire Department's 1996 Strategic Plan.
Cllr. Chiavario suggested it may have been
preferable for the Fire Department to provide
Council with a Report Reference on the
Strategic Plan and to obtain Council input in
a collective way, rather than individually.
* * * * *
The Council recessed at 4:10 p.m. for an "In Camera"
meeting in the Mayor's Office.