CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 20, 1996
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held
on Tuesday, February 20, 1996, in the Council Chamber, commencing at
approximately 2:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Owen
Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario,
Clarke (arrived at 3:50 p.m.)
Hemer, Ip, Kennedy, Kwan,
Price, Puil and Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL: Maria 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 civic appointments, legal and property matters.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
(City Services & Budgets)
January 18, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
(Planning & Environment)
January 18, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
(City Services & Budgets)
February 1, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
January 30, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPTION OF MINUTES (CONT'D)
5. Minutes of Special Council Meeting
(Club NRG)
January 23, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Ip,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Minutes of Special Council Meeting
(Welcome Hostel Ltd.)
January 30, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Sullivan,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7. Minutes of Special Council Meeting
(Nelson Park)
December 12, 1995, January 16/30,
and February 6, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8. Minutes of Special Council Meeting
(Public Hearing)
January 18 and February 6, 1996
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor
Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
REPORT REFERENCE
1. Lions Gate Crossing - Status File: 5751-3
Before Council was an Administrative Report dated January 16, 1996,
in which the General Manager of Engineering Services provided
information concerning studies by the Ministry of Transportation and
Highways on the rehabilitation or replacement of the Lions Gate Bridge.
The General Manager of Engineering Services submitted the following
recommendations:
A. THAT public input be sought by the Ministry after the
release of the short list of Lions Gate Crossing Options.
B. THAT to support this, the Ministry of Transportation and
Highways (MOTH) be requested to prepare a discussion
paper on transit options including queue jumpers, bus or
HOV lanes, rail systems to 2021 and beyond.
In addition, Council also had before it a memorandum dated February
8, 1996, from Mr. Peter Judd, Assistant City Engineer - Transportation
Planning Project, recommending the addition of an HOV lane to the
existing bridge proposals not be considered further.
cont'dREPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
Lions Gate Crossing - Status (cont'd)
Mr. Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, provided
opening comments prior to a presentation by the Ministry of
Transporation and Highways on the various options under consideration
and the associated issues. Mr. Rudberg noted there have been a wide
range of options considered, and the Ministry is proceeding with studies
to narrow down the number of viable options. Mr. Rudberg reviewed the
previous Council motions with respect to the proposed new Lions Gate
Bridge, together with the Ministry's response to those motions to date.
Mr. Rudberg also addressed a number of specific issues including the
number of traffic lanes, HOV lanes, transit corridors and the tunnelling
option.
Mr. Joe Jensen, Acting Assistant Deputy Minister, Ministry of
Transportation and Highways, with the aid of a visual presentation,
provided Council with a review of the work completed by the Ministry to
date in addressing the various options for the Lions Gate Bridge, as
well as the public involvement process. More than 20 crossing
variations, in six corridor categories, have been considered. These are
as follows:
(a) Existing alignment
- Rehabilitated 3 and 4-lane bridges
- New 4, 5 and 6-lane bridges
- Double decking treatments
- Twin bridges
- Bored and other tunnel options
(b) Eastern First Narrows
- A variety of tunnel options
(c) Brockton Point Alignment
- Three tunnel proposals
(d) Mid-Harbour Alignment
- Tunnel proposal
(e) Second Narrows Bridge
- Various expansion proposals
(f) Enhanced Ferry Services
- Detailed evaluation of three routes
cont'd
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
Lions Gate Crossing - Status (cont'd)
Mr. Jensen advised the Lions Gate Bridge is aging and the road deck
is deteriorating. There is an increasing safety concern and an
expectation on the part of public that something will be done. The time
is approaching when a major repair commitment must be made if the Lions
Gate Bridge is to be retained. Any solutions must recognize the
special nature of Stanley Park. The Vancouver City streets and the
North Shore approaches limit the number of lanes on a crossing.
The following sample of costs was provided:
$90 million Rehabilitate and widen existing 3-lane bridge, with
no changes through Stanley Park.
$116 million Expand existing bridge to 4 lanes, with widened
surface causeway through Park.
$135 million New 4-lane bridge with surface causeway and
improvements to north approaches.
$345 million New 4-lane bridge, plus transit lane, with bored
tunnels through Park.
$750 million Tunnel at Brockton Point alignment.
The Ministry is expecting to short-list the options within the next
couple of months, and it is expected a final decision on the Lions Gate
Crossing will be made within approximately one year.
Mr. Brian Wallace, N.D. Lea Consultants Ltd., responded to a
question from Council concerning the existing Lions Gate Bridge, and
advised the Province is currently spending in the order of $2-3 million
annually on the repair and maintenance of the Bridge. If the Bridge were
rehabilitated for pedestrian and bike use only, at a cost of $27
million, the maintenance cost would be reduced substantially to
somewhere in the order of $500,000-$1 million per year.
In regard to additional ferry capacity, Mr. Wallace noted BC
Transit is looking at corridor options. However, additional ferry
service is not considered as a replacement to the Lions Gate Bridge but
rather as a supplement to the road system.
cont'dREPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
Lions Gate Crossing - Status (cont'd)
Council members expressed concern regarding tunnel portals, and Mr.
Wallace stated his firm had looked at possible options including those
at the end of Georgia Street. This will be finalized in the next round
of decisions, however, there is still time to look at other options.
Ms. Betty Nicholson advised that the Ministry's reports are
available at the libraries in Vancouver and the North Shore, as well as
the West End Lions Gate Information Centre. Ms. Nicholson stated that
the heritage value of the Lions Gate Bridge was not an issue in the view
of the Focus Group she has been working with on this project. The North
Shore residents who have participated in the public process this far
have indicated an interest in adding up to six lanes of traffic on a new
bridge.
Mr. Ed Hull, Urban Systems, provided information concerning the
South Shore Traffic Impact Study conducted by his firm. Much of the
data used in the study was existing data obtained from the City of
Vancouver and others, or was data which the Province already had. Mr.
Hull advised the findings in the study show that a new crossing would
have a minimal impact on the West End neighbourhood. The condition of
the existing bridge drives the need to move to a new bridge or tunnel,
and not the increase in traffic demand.
Council members expressed concern that a new crossing could
negatively impact West End traffic by increasing traffic in off-peak
hours.
* * *
Councillor Clarke arrived at the meeting
during the foregoing presentation.
* * *
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT recommendation A of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report and quoted below, be approved:
THAT public input be sought by the Ministry after the release
of the short list of Lions Gate Crossing Options.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
cont'dREPORT REFERENCE (CONT'D)
Lions Gate Crossing - Status (cont'd)
MOVED by Cllr. Kwan,
THAT recommendation B of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report and quoted below, be approved:
THAT to support this, the Ministry of Transportation and
Highways (MOTH) be requested to prepare a discussion paper on
transit options including queue jumpers, bus or HOV lanes,
rail systems to 2021 and beyond.
- CARRIED
(Councillor Price opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the Ministry of Transportation and Highways and the City
report back on the impact on off-peak growth from a new bridge or
tunnel, and options towards minimization of traffic impact.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the Ministry of Transportation and Highways be requested to
work with the City and the Lions Gate Bridge Focus Group to verify the
study data prior to the public consultation process.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * * * *
Councillor Clarke arrived at 3:50 p.m.
during the foregoing presentation.
* * * * *
The Council recessed at 4:05 p.m. for an "In Camera"
meeting in the Mayor's Office and reconvened at 4:35 p.m.
with all members present except Councillors Price and Sullivan.
* * * * *
MANAGER'S REPORTS
1. Administrative Report
(January 30, 1996)
FCM and UBCM Membership Fees: 1996-1997 File: 3052-5/3253-5
Council agreed to defer consideration of this item until later in
the meeting.
For Council action, see page 14.
2. Administrative Report
(January 25, 1996)
Strata Title Conversion -
1831-1839 West 14th Avenue File: 5313
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Administrative Report
(February 1, 1996)
Form of Development:
2880 Southeast Marine Drive
D.E. 400545 - CD-1 By-law No. 6533 File: 2607-3
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)
4. Administrative Report
(February 6, 1996)
Burrard Landing - Proposed Closure
of Portions of Unnamed Roads North
of Hastings Street and
West of Burrard Street File: 5753-3
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * *
Councillor Price returned prior to the vote on the above motion.
* * *
5. Administrative Report
(February 9, 1996)
Consultant Award - Cultural District
Parking and Transportation Study File: 1801-5
In an Administrative Report dated February 9, 1996, the General
Manager of Engineering Services requested approval for additional
funding to complete the parking and transportation study in the sports
and cultural district downtown. The report also provided information on
the status of private financial participation in this study.
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT recommendation A of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be amended and approved as
follows:
THAT the Cultural District Parking and Transportation study be
awarded to Bunt and Associates.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
cont'd
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
Administrative Report
(February 9, 1996)(cont'd)
Consultant Award - Cultural District
Parking and Transportation Study (cont'd)
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT recommendation B of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report and quoted below, be approved:
THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services and the
Director of Legal Services be authorized to enter into a
contract with Bunt and Associates for consulting services as
outlined in the Administrative Report dated February 9, 1996.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT recommendation C of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report and quoted below, be approved:
THAT the maximum fee be set at $52,000 (plus GST), with
additional funding in the amount of $13,560 approved in
advance of the 1996 Operating Budget.
- LOST
(Councillors Bellamy, Chiavario, Clarke, Hemer, Ip, Kwan,
Price, Puil and the Mayor opposed)
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT recommendation D of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report and quoted below, be approved:
THAT Council authorize funding of $5,000 from the Parking
Sites Reserve in recognition of the City's role as a major
parking operator within the study area.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
cont'd
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
Administrative Report
(February 9, 1996)(cont'd)
Consultant Award - Cultural District
Parking and Transportation Study (cont'd)
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the study scope be scaled back to suit available funding of
approximately $35,000 to $40,000, as outlined in the Administrative
Report dated February 9, 1996.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT the Mayor be authorized to write, on behalf of Council, to
those organizations that have not contributed to the cost of the study,
highlighting the importance of the work and urging their financial
participation.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Administrative Report
(February 7, 1996)
Award of Tender No. 54-96-01
The Supply of Parking Meters File: 1804
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)
7. Administrative Report
(February 9, 1996)
Councillor Puil: Attendance at Seminar
on New Terms of Reference
for Municipal Government File: 1254
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the recommendation of the City Manager, as contained in this
report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
8. Administrative Report
(February 13, 1996)
Eligibility Criteria for Civic Agencies File: 3000
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,
THAT the recommendation of the City Manager, as contained in this
report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Administrative Report
(February 12, 1996)
Award of Tender No. 57-96-02 -
Supply and Delivery of
610mm Steel Water Pipe File: 1801-5
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
10. Administrative Report
(February 12, 1996)
Award of Tender No. 57-95-05 -
Supply and Delivery of High
Performance Fire Hydrants File: 1801-5
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Engineering
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
1. Administrative Report
(January 30, 1996)
FCM and UBCM Membership Fees: 1996-1997 File: 3052-5/3253-5
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT grants to the following organizations for the 1996-1997
membership fees be approved, the source of funds being the 1996
Operating Budget:
(a) Federation of Canadian Municipalities $45,297.02
(b) Union of British Columbia Municipalities $33,272.28
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AND BY THE
REQUIRED MAJORITY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
1. Policy Report
(January 31, 1996)
Changes to Administrative Authorities File: 1000
As a delegation request had been received, this item was referred
to the appropriate Standing Committee.
2. Policy Report
(February 6, 1996)
CD-1 Rezoning - 2750 East 18th Avenue File: 5304-3
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Policy Report
(February 9, 1996)
Arbutus Gardens File: 2604-3
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
THAT the recommendation of the General Manager of Community
Services, as contained in this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
MANAGER'S REPORTS (CONT'D)
4. Policy Report
(February 13, 1996)
Public Involvement Review Process File: 1008-3
Before Council was a Policy Report dated February 13, 1996, in
which the City Manager, in consultation with the General Manager of
Community Services, General Manager of Engineering Services, Director of
Social Planning, City Clerk, Chief Constable and General Manager of
Parks & Recreation, submitted for information an overview of the Better
City Government public involvement review process. The proposed review
process will proceed in two stages, with the first stage chronicling and
evaluating the public involvement currently undertaken by the City. The
second stage will involve changes to the involvement processes and
practices where required.
Ms. Jacqui Forbes-Roberts, Associate Director - Community Planning,
provided a presentation on the proposed review process. Council was
advised that every City department is involved with the public in one
way or another, and the community is becoming increasingly diverse, with
different cultures and competing values. The review process will show
how the City is conducting public involvement at this time, what is
working and what is not, and will look for ways in which the public can
more comfortably participate and respond. Consultants will be engaged
to carry out the work to ensure a neutral review. A guide to City
public involvement will be prepared and available in approximately two
to three months describing the ways in which the City currently involves
the public in its decisions concerning services and programs.
Responding to a question from Council, Ms. Forbes-Roberts advised
that in Stage One, the consultants will be looking at the "best
practices" of other cities. Council members suggested the consultants
also look at what does not work in other cities so as to learn from
their mistakes. Ms. Forbes-Roberts also noted there will be a decision
on the Wards Review prior to the completion of Stage One of this work.
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT this report be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMISSIONS AND OTHER REPORTS
I. Report of Special Advisory Committee
on Public Art
(January 8, 1996) File: 3130
The Council considered this report which contains two clauses
identified as follows:
Cl. 1: Annual Report
Cl. 2: Highlights
Clauses 1 and 2
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
THAT clauses 1 and 2 of this report be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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. Clarke,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
1. A By-law to amend By-law No. 7200,
being a By-law which amended the
Zoning and Development By-law
by rezoning an area to CD-1
(300 Cardero Street)
MOVED by Cllr. Hemer,
SECONDED by Cllr. Ip,
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. Ip,
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 BELLAMY AND KENNEDY WERE EXCUSED
FROM VOTING ON BY-LAW 1)
BY-LAWS (CONT'D)
2. A By-law to amend By-law No. 6510,
being the Sign By-law
(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 2)
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Heritage Week
Councillor Kennedy reminded Council this is Heritage Week and
advised the Mayor had presented 19 Heritage Awards at a special ceremony
on Monday, February 19, 1996.
* * * * *
The Council adjourned at approximately 5:30 p.m.
* * * * *