CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Tuesday, January 16, 1996, in the Council Chamber, commencing at
approximately 2:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke,
Hemer, Ip, Kennedy, Kwan,
Price, Puil and Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: M. Kinsella
PRAYER
The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with prayer read
by the City Clerk.
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
Council was advised there were items to be considered "In Camera"
later this day including property matters.
VARY THE AGENDA
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the agenda be varied to add the 1996 Operating Budget -
Preliminary Report (Administrative Report dated January 11, 1996) for
consideration under Manager's Reports.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AND BY THE
REQUIRED MAJORITY
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT the Minutes of the Regular Council Meeting (with the exception
of the 'In Camera' portion) of January 9 and 11, 1996, be approved
following an amendment on pages 27, 28 and 29 to record Councillor Kwan
as being opposed to the readings of By-laws 5, 6 and 7.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
REPORT REFERENCE
1. BC Transit Ten-Year Development Plan File: 5551-2
Mr. Derek Corrigan, Chair, BC Transit, with the aid of a slide
presentation, provided Council with an overview of BC Transit's Ten Year
Plan, along with a review of Vancouver's current transit service and
proposed service and area improvements.
The annual operating budget for BC Transit is $546 million, and the
corporation employs 4,065 staff (4,503 including BCRTC - SkyTrain). The
Vancouver Regional Transit System, which is the largest service area in
Canada, covers 1,800 square kilometers. There are an average of 430,000
passengers per weekday ride Vancouver's multimodal system. Last year,
ridership increased by 14% on SkyTrain and 6% overall. A 9% increase in
SkyTrain ridership is estimated for the first 7 months of this fiscal
year, largely due to people using SkyTrain to travel to GM Place.
cont'd
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
BC Transit Ten-Year Development Plan (cont'd)
BC Transit's Ten-Year Development Plan, In Transit - People Moving
People, is designed to support the GVRD's Livable Region Strategic Plan
and Transport 2021. It is also a key component of the comprehensive
provincial transportation plan Going Places: Transportation for British
Columbians.
BC Transit's Ten-Year Plan has three fundamental goals:
- to increase the number and proportion of people who use
public transit;
- to support the growth management and land use strategies
of the GVRD and other regions; and
- to ensure people are well served by transit, especially
people who do not have cars or have difficulty getting
around.
For the Vancouver region, the Plan calls for the development of an
Integrated network of expanded and new transit services. These new
services include:
- the West Coast Express commuter rail service between
Mission and Vancouver;
- a new type of bus service known as Rapid Bus, operating
in the Richmond-Vancouver, Broadway-Lougheed and
Coquitlam-New Westminster transit corridors in the next
two to four years;
- Light Rail Transit (LRT) system in the Broadway-Lougheed-
Coquitlam Centre corridor by 2005; and then
- from Lougheed Mall Town Centre to New Westminster by
2008.
Rapid Bus features:
- low-floor, articulated buses;
- boarding through all doors;
cont'd
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
BC Transit Ten-Year Development Plan (cont'd)
- automated voice announcements, on board, to indicate the
next stop;
- on-line schedule information; and
- limited stops (average 1 km to 1.5 km)
Rapid Bus Shelters will have digital signs at bus stops that count
down next-bus arrival time; local area maps; and fare pre-payment at
bus stop ticket machines.
The Light Rail Transit is essentially a modern version of the
streetcar, and is similar to what is in use in the City of Calgary. LRT
is flexible and can operate either on its own right-of-way, on street in
mixed traffic, elevated, at-grade, depressed or underground. The
Vancouver region's LRT will be predominately an at-grade system using
existing street, highway and rail rights-of-way. LRT is about 40% less
costly to construct than SkyTrain and will provide frequent, comfortable
and reliable service. Mr. Corrigan explained the various alignment
options proposed for the City of Vancouver, including:
- a line along Broadway operating on either the south side
or median until it reaches Broadway Station, or
- along the BN Railway alignment entering the Grandview
Cut. Stations could be located at Rupert, Renfrew and
Nanaimo to ensure a high level of local access.
- in the Central Broadway Business District, LRT could
operate in the middle two lanes of the street until it
reaches a terminus on Granville. This would require a
major change to the way Broadway functions. Priority
would be given to transit and pedestrians creating a
vibrant, people oriented street.
- at Granville, the LRT could connect with bus service to
UBC as well as the Richmond-Vancouver rapid bus route on
Granville Street.
cont'd
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
BC Transit Ten-Year Development Plan (cont'd)
The planning, preliminary design, engineering and public
consultation for the LRT will proceed at the same time for all segments
of the line from Coquitlam Centre to central Broadway and through to New
Westminster. Actual station locations and route alignment will be
determined following planning and design studies and public and
stakeholder consultation. Neighbourhoods along the route will need
input into the location and design of the system, and municipalities
will be concerned with ridership, traffic, impact on neighbourhoods and
business, costs, and municipal land use issues. There are other
stakeholders including business, transit customers, the disabled,
seniors and students. It is important that all stakeholders are
provided with the opportunity and information to adequately assess all
options.
Mr. Corrigan noted that Vancouver has the lowest car ownership rate
in the GVRD, and the highest percentage of trips (16%) by transit. Over
40% of travel into downtown Vancouver during peak periods is on transit.
In Vancouver, 81% of transit trips are to destinations within the City.
Downtown, Central Broadway and UBC are major destinations for Vancouver
transit riders. Over half the routes are operated by electric trolley
buses. Transit in Vancouver has the highest revenue-to-cost ratios and
require the least amount of public subsidy.
By the year 2006, Vancouver is projected to grow by 12.8%. Much of
the residential growth will be in the form of the higher density
development at Pacific Place, Downtown South, Coal Harbour, Central
Broadway and False Creek. The number of jobs is projected to increase
by 16%, which is half the rate of growth projected for the region as a
whole. As a consequence, Vancouver's share of regional employment is
projected to decline. However, even with the decline, Vancouver will
continue to be the largest employment centre in the region.
Vancouver's current bus service suffers from reliability problems
including "bunching" and the resultant "gaps" in service. Some buses
are overcrowded during peak times and in the middle of the day. There
is a growing reverse-peak travel from Vancouver to inner suburban
employment centres such as Burnaby and Richmond, which is not well
served by the existing bus network. Much of the new development in
downtown Vancouver is not well served by existing bus routes.
cont'd
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
BC Transit Ten-Year Development Plan (cont'd)
Mr. Corrigan highlighted the various short term improvements
(within 5 years) proposed for the Vancouver transit system, including:
- increased peak and off-peak frequency on major downtown
routes and east-west crosstown services;
- frequent east-west shuttle along Georgia Street; and
- new service into developing areas of the downtown
peninsula.
- Rapid Bus service from Vancouver to Richmond.
- Rapid Bus service from Central Broadway to Lougheed Mall.
- Express Bus service from Central Broadway to UBC.
- low-floor, articulated buses.
Twenty additional SkyTrain cars arrived in November 1995, and
another 40 cars are called for as part of BC Transit's Ten-Year
Development Plan to meet projected increases in demand.
Longer term transit improvements (6-10 years) include:
- LRT from central Broadway to Coquitlam Centre;
- an east-west route along First Avenue;
- local bus service to False Creek;
- "transit friendly" streets on Main Street, Fraser Street
and Victoria Drive;
- trolley bus service to Pacific Place;
- north-south connection from Burrard and Broadway to
downtown Vancouver;
cont'd
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
BC Transit Ten-Year Development Plan (cont'd)
- increased peak and off-peak frequencies on all routes;
- restructuring of local bus services to support LRT along
the Broadway-Coquitlam corridor.
B.C. Transit's Ten-Year Development Plan represents a major
commitment to public transit. Financing the Plan will require an
average of $200 million in each of the next 10 years. This is
approximately the amount of money as was spent on transit over the past
10 years, but this time will not be concentrated on a single project.
The Plan fits within the provincial government's debt management plan.
Responding to questions from Council, Mr. Corrigan indicated that
municipalities will have input into the way in which BC Transit
undertakes its public consultation. Safety on transit is a major issue
to the public and a business issue to BC Transit. There is proposed to
be a 50% increase in the number of transit police. BC Transit will be
asking the Vancouver Police Department to place a high priority on
public transit offenses.
Mayor Owen thanked Mr. Corrigan and BC Transit staff for attending
this meeting and the information provided in the presentation.
* * *
CIVIC RECOGNITION
The Council recognized nine employees who recently retired from the
City with varying lengths of service in excess of 20 years.
The Mayor presented each employee with a certificate on behalf of
the City, and thanked them for their long and faithful service.
* * *
Council recessed at 4:10 p.m. and reconvened
at 4:35 p.m. with all members present.
* * *
MANAGER'S REPORTS
1. Administrative Report
(January 11, 1996)
Award of Tender No. 58-96-04 -
Supply and Delivery of Mineral Aggregates File: 1804
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
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
(January 3, 1996)
By-law Fines - Use of An Outside
Contractor for Telephone Follow-up
on Outstanding Fines File: 1801-5
In an Administrative Report dated January 3, 1996, the General
Manager, Corporate Services, requested approval to tender for a contract
to implement a telephone follow-up process for outstanding fines.
Mr. Hugh Creighton, Director of Finance, and Ms. Penny Bruin, City
Treasurer & Collector, responded to questions from Council and explained
the rationale for the proposal to engage a contractor to undertake
telephone follow-up on outstanding by-law fines. It was noted the City
does not have the staff, time or resources, and this work would be
better handled by an outside contractor who specializes in this
business. Council was advised that approximately 50,000 tickets are
issued each year for by-law fines, of which approximately 30% are not
paid. This represents a very significant revenue loss to the City.
It was suggested by a member of Council that the City proceed to a
request for proposals rather than a tender call. Staff concurred that
this may be a preferable approach to determining the interest of the
private sector in performing this work on behalf of the City.
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Corporate
Services, as contained in this report, be amended and approved as
follows:
THAT the City proceed to a request for proposals for a
contract to implement a telephone follow-up process for
outstanding fines, with funding to be provided from increased
fine revenues. The results of the request for proposals
process will be reported back to Council for approval.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Kwan opposed)
*underlining denotes amendment
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
3. Administrative Report
(November 28, 1995)
Elimination of Personnel Regulations File: 1301-2
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Human Resource
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Administrative Report
(November 24, 1995)
Central Library Staffing: Report File: 4004-2
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT this report be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
In response to a question from a member of Council, Ms. Madge
Aalto, Director of Vancouver Public Library, advised that the Central
Library is open 25 Sundays per year generally from the end of September
to the end of April. In 1996, the Central Library was not open on
Sunday, January 7, however, it was open again commencing Sunday, January
14. Ms. Aalto confirmed there has been no cut-back in the number of
Sunday openings over the course of the year for the Central Library.
5. Administrative Report
(January 9, 1996)
Demolition of Dangerous Building
5370 Taunton Street
Lot 11, Block 18, 19 and 22,
District Lot 37, Plan 2220
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
6. Administrative Report
(January 11, 1996)
1996 Operating Budget - Preliminary Report File: 1607-1
Before Council was a report from the Director of Finance, prepared
in consultation with the Corporate Management Team, concerning the 1996
Operating Budget.
The City Manager and civic staff submitted the following
recommendations:
A. THAT Council approve the financial strategy for the 1996
Operating Budget, as detailed in the Administrative
Report dated January 11, 1996, which establishes a target
general purposes tax increase not to exceed 1%.
B. THAT any decreases in funding from the senior governments
be added to the general purposes taxes in 1996 only and
that the impacts of these reductions in future years,
including any potential program adjustments, be reviewed
with Council developing the 1997 Operating Budget.
In the report, the City Manager noted these recommendations
establish a cap on the 1996 general purposes tax increase at 1%. This
recommendation reflects a budget position in which departmental budgets
will be developed based on a 0% tax increase, but acknowledges there are
several outstanding issues that may require Council to choose between
making service reductions or moving away from the 0% tax increase
objective. The City Manager noted this is a realistic budget position
at this stage of the process and reiterated the commitment of staff to
move the final position as close to a 0% tax increase as possible.
Following a discussion of various issues related to the 1996
Operating Budget, Council deferred a decision to the Standing Committee
on City Services & Budgets meeting of January 18, 1996.
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. 3575,
being the Zoning & Development By-law
(Rezoning RM-5A to CD-1 -
1100-1114 Burnaby Street)
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
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. Puil,
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
(COUNCILLOR CHIAVARIO WAS EXCUSED FROM VOTING ON BY-LAW 1)
BY-LAWS (CONT'D)
2. A By-law to Authorize Council
Entering into a Heritage
Revitalization Agreement with the
Owner of Heritage Property
(Authorization to Enter into a
Heritage Revitalization Agreement
with Pacific Palisades Hotel Ltd.
(1202-1292 West Georgia Street)
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. Bellamy,
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
(COUNCILLORS IP AND PUIL WERE EXCUSED FROM VOTING ON BY-LAW 2)
MOTIONS
A. Approval of Form of Development
CD-1 - 1100-1114 Burnaby Street File: 5304-1
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the approved form of development for the CD-1 zoned site known
as 1100-1114 Burnaby Street be approved as illustrated in plans prepared
by Harry LeBlond, Architect and approved by the Director of Planning in
Development Permit No. 30363 issued October 27, 1964 and as illustrated
in plans prepared by Harry LeBlond, Architect and approved by the
Director of Planning in Development Permit No. 94456 issued March 3,
1983, and any subsequent minor amendments approved prior to April 28,
1995, provided that the Director of Planning may approve design changes
which would not adversely affect either the development character and
livability of this site or adjacent properties.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
B. Acceptance and Allocation of
Land for Road Purposes
(All that portion of Lot A,
Block 9, South 1/2 of Section
35, THSL, Plan 7289) File: 5807
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT WHEREAS the registered owner will be conveying to the City of
Vancouver for road purposes lands in the City of Vancouver, Province of
British Columbia, more particularly known and described as follows:
All that portion of Lot A, Block 9, South 1/2 of Section 35,
Town of Hastings Suburban Lands, Plan 7289, shown heavy
outlined on reference plan completed on the 4th day of
January, 1996, attested to by Fred Wong, B.C.L.S. and
marginally numbered LD3256.
AND WHEREAS it is deemed expedient and in the public interest to
accept and allocate the said lands for road purposes.
BE IT RESOLVED that the above described lands to be conveyed are
hereby accepted and allocated for road purposes and declared to form and
to constitute a portion of a road.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS (CONT'D)
1. Replacement or Reform of GST File: 1555
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
WHEREAS the Federal Government has indicated that it intends to
harmonize the GST with the PST; and
WHEREAS municipalities currently pay 7% GST on all purchases, but
receive a rebate of 57.14% based on the principle that they should carry
no greater burden under GST than they experienced under the previous
Federal Sales Tax;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:
(a) THAT Vancouver communicate immediately with Prime
Minister Jean ChrÇtien, Finance Minister Paul Martin, and
local Members of Parliament to seek assurance that the
municipal governments will have no greater federal and
provincial tax burden imposed on them through replacement
or reform of the GST.
(b) THAT Vancouver communicate immediately with the
provincial Premier to seek assurance that municipal
governments will have no greater federal and provincial
tax burden imposed on them through replacement or reform
of the GST.
(c) THAT Vancouver use all means available to highlight to
the local media that they are calling upon the federal,
provincial, and territorial governments to ensure that no
greater federal and provincial tax burden is imposed on
municipal governments, and hence property taxpayers
through replacement or reform of the GST.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOTIONS (CONT'D)
2. Infrastructure Program File: 5750-1
At the Council meeting on January 9, 1996, Councillor Puil
submitted a Notice of Motion, which was recognized by the Chair,
concerning the Canada Infrastructure Works Program.
Councillor Puil's motion was brought forward at this meeting for
consideration, together with a memorandum dated January 11, 1996, from
Mr. Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services. In the
memorandum, Council was advised that the Federal Government has
announced it will be extending the infrastructure program for a further
two years, but with no new funding. The Province has indicated it is
prepared to contribute another $225 million to extend the program, but
that no response to this offer has been received from the Federal
Government. Therefore, the General Manager of Engineering Services
submitted a further recommendation:
THAT the Mayor write immediately to the Members of Parliament
for the City of Vancouver urging them to communicate with
Cabinet Ministers on the Federal Job Strategy Committee
underlining support for a new Canada Infrastructure Works
Program.
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
WHEREAS the Canada Infrastructure Works Program has generated more
than $4 billion in matching commitments from other levels of government
and initiated 12,000 projects which created 100,000 jobs;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED THAT the City of Vancouver urge the
Federal Job Strategy Committee to renew the Infrastructure Program under
the following guiding principles:
- municipal sponsorship must be retained and projects must
be identified by municipal governments;
- the program must be accessible to all municipal
governments;
- the three orders of government should be equal partners
in the management of the program;
cont'd
MOTIONS (CONT'D)
Infrastructure Program (cont'd)
- the program should build on the success of the National
Infrastructure Program including the allocation formula
for the provinces;
- spending should be incremental; and
- criteria for eligibility must be reasonable as not to
preclude municipal governments from participating.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the Mayor write immediately to the Members of Parliament for
the City of Vancouver urging them to communicate with Cabinet Ministers
on the Federal Job Strategy Committee underlining support for a new
Canada Infrastructure Works Program.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Community Action Program
for Children File: 4102-5
Councillor Chiavario referred to correspondence received from
non-profit groups who had applied and
received funding approval for the
Community Action Program for Children, but
were unable to access the funding as the
time frame had lapsed. Information was
requested on the status of this funding.
The Mayor so directed.
Damage and Thefts from auto-
mobiles parked around City Hall
and in staff parking lots File: 3701-5
Councillor Kennedy advised of damage and thefts from
automobiles parked around City Hall and in
staff parking lots. A report back was
requested on specific security issues
surrounding City Hall.
The Mayor so directed.
City Policy re one Blue Box
per household File: 3758-3
Councillor Puil drew Council's attention to the City
policy of only collecting one blue box per
household. This policy appears to be at
odds with the City's goal of reducing the
volume of household garbage.
The Mayor requested that staff be asked to
review the existing limits.
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT'D)
City Policy re Garbage Collection File: 3756-3
Councillor Price advised that single-family houses are
entitled to three garbage cans and one
blue box, while single-family dwellings
which are converted into duplexes and
strata-titled are still only entitled to
the same limit.
Staff were requested to review this policy
from an equity point of view.
The Mayor so directed.
Stamps Landing Yacht Club
Councillor Sullivan referred to a letter received from Stamps
Landing Yacht Club and requested this
correspondence be forwarded to the Chief
Electrical Inspector.
The Mayor so directed.
* * *
The Council adjourned at approximately 5:50 p.m.
* * *