City Services & Budgets Ctte Minutes

CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
OCTOBER 30, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, October 30, 1997 at 11:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall, following the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting, to consider the recommendations of the Committee.
PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor George Puil

ABSENT: Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COUNCIL: Tarja Tuominen
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Report of Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets
October 30, 1997
Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:
Cl.1: Allocation of 1997 Cross-Cultural Expertise Grants
Cl.2: 1997 'OTHER' Grants
Cl.3: 1997 Operating Budget - September Review
Cl.4: Partnership Negotiations with the Municipality of Richmond
Clauses 1 and 2
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 2 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY AND
BY THE REQUIRED MAJORITY
1997 Operating Budget - September Review
(Clause 3)
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendation of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Partnership Negotiations with the Municipality of Richmond
(Clause 4)
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy and Kennedy opposed to Recommendation A)
(Councillors Bellamy, Puil and the Mayor opposed to Recommendation B)
COMMUNICATIONS AND/OR PETITIONS
1. Report on City Solid Waste Container Services File: 3756
October 23, 1997
Council had before it a letter from Ken Davidson, President, CUPE 1004, dated October 23, 1997 (on file), requesting the report on City Solid Waste Container Services be deferred from consideration at the November 6 City Services & Budgets Standing Committee meeting to provide the union time to prepare a presentation. Also before Council was a response from the General Manager of Engineering Services dated October 23, 1997 (on file) recommending against deferral.
Circulated this day was a letter dated October 29, 1997 from the City of Vancouver Foremen's Association also asking the report be deferred as the Association will not have adequate time to review the report in full.
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the letters from CUPE 1004 and the City of Vancouver Foremen's Association be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED BY Cllr. Herbert,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Kennedy File: 1254
MOVED by Cllr. Herbert,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT Councillor Kennedy be granted a Leave of Absence from November 4 to 6, 1997.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The Council adjourned at 11:35 a.m.
* * * * *
REPORT TO COUNCIL
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS
OCTOBER 30, 1997
A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, October 30, 1997 at 9:30 a.m., in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor George Puil, Chair
Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee

ABSENT: Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Ken Dobell, City Manager
CLERK TO THE
COMMITTEE: Tarja Tuominen
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of October 9, 1997, were adopted as circulated.
RECOMMENDATION
1. Allocation of 1997 Cross-Cultural Expertise Grants File: 2051
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated September 30, 1997 (on file), in which the Director of Community Services, Social Planning recommended approval of Cross-Cultural Expertise Grants to three organizations. The General Manager of Community Services submitted the grant requests for consideration.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
THAT Council approve Cross-Cultural Expertise Grants to the following organizations, the source of funds being a $20,000 reserve in the 1997 Community Services Grants Budget:
a)a grant of $ 6,700 to South Vancouver Family Place, in partnership with Westcoast Childcare Resource Centre;
b)a grant of $6,794 to Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House, in partnership with Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House, and Eastside Family Place;
c)a grant of $6,000 to Pacific Immigrant Resources (PIRS), in partnership with Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. 1997 'OTHER' Grants File: 2202
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 10, 1997 (on file) in which the Director of Finance, in consultation with the Assistant Director, License & Property Use, submitted requests for grants from the Vancouver City Planning Commission, Cycling British Columbia, SPCA-Vancouver Regional Branch, Chinese Benevolent Association of BC, Vancouver Block Parent Program, Motorcycle Toy Run and Sanctuary Foundation under the 'Other' Grants category, and a request from the Vancouver Symphony Society for a grant under the Cultural Grant-Theatre Rent category.
cont’d
Clause No. 2 (cont’d)
The General Manager of Corporate Services recommended approval of grants to the Vancouver City Planning Commission, Cycling British Columbia and the Vancouver Symphony Society, and submitted the other requests for consideration.
Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets & Research, briefly reviewed the recommendations and responded to questions.
The following motion by Councillor Bellamy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT a grant of $47,014 be approved to the Vancouver City Planning Commission; source of funds to be the 1997 ‘Other’ Grants budget.
B. THAT a grant of $6,000 be approved to Cycling British Columbia; source of funds to be the 1997 ‘Other’ Grants budget and THAT the Licence Branch explore with the organization ways to fund this program on a self-sustaining basis.

C. THAT a grant of $100,000 be approved to the Vancouver Symphony Society to offset the rent payable under the lease with Civic Theatres for the period of January 1, 1997 to December 31, 1997; source of funds to be the 1997 Cultural Grant - Theatre Rent budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
D.THAT a grant of $26,800 (1996 funding level) be approved to the SPCA -Vancouver Regional Branch; source of funds to be 1997 ‘OTHER’ Grants budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
cont’d
Clause No. 2 (cont’d)
The following motion by Councillor Don Lee was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
E.THAT a grant of $3,500 (1996 funding level) be approved to the Chinese Benevolent Association of BC; source of funds to be 1997 ‘OTHER’ Grants budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
F. THAT a grant of $2,800 be approved to the Vancouver Block Parent Program; source of funds to be 1997 ‘OTHER’ Grants budget.
G.THAT a grant of $1,000 be approved to the Motorcycle Toy Run; source of funds to be 1997 'OTHER' Grants budget.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. 1997 Operating Budget - September Review File: 1605
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 20, 1997 (on file) in which the Director of Finance reviewed the status of the revenue and expenditure appropriations in the 1997 Operating Budget at September 30, 1997 and sought approval to make adjustments to reflect revised expectations.
Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets & Research, presented an overview of the report, and with Hugh Creighton, Director of Finance, responded to questions on the Park Board global budget, overtime costs related to the strike action, and the status of Contingency Reserve. Mr. Creighton advised the City's revenue surplus is at an historical low and should be three to four times higher.
cont’d
Clause No. 3 (cont’d)
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT the proposed adjustments to the 1997 Operating Budget revenue and expenditure appropriations as outlined in the Administrative Report, dated October 20, 1997, be approved.
B. THAT any budget surplus as a result of the 1997 labour disruption be held in the Current Surplus on Revenue Account.
C. THAT any shortfall in the 1997 Operating Budget at the end of the year, including any deficiencies in the Park Board revenue programs as contemplated in the Global Budget agreement, be funded, first, from the net savings from the 1997 labour dispute and, then, from the Capital Reserve.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Partnership Negotiations with the Municipality of Richmond File: 1756
The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated September 22, 1997 (on file) in which the General Manager of Engineering Services sought authorization to pursue a partnership agreement with the City of Richmond, and other municipalities, for a capital contribution for the new asphalt plant in exchange for asphalt supply.
The Administrative Report had been scheduled for City Council's meeting of October 7 but was withdrawn in response to a delegation request.
Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, advised the property for the new asphalt plant has been purchased and contracts have been entered into to design services and purchase equipment. A partnership with Richmond may be good value to the City of Vancouver taxpayer, and may be best value to Richmond. However, Richmond may decide a partnership is not in its own best interest. It is not expected that Richmond would purchase a large amount of asphalt, perhaps 5 to 10% of the total produced.
cont’d
Clause No. 4 (cont’d)
Ken Dobell, City Manager, confirmed the asphalt plant proposal is economic and free standing without Richmond's partnership. Mr. Rudberg is proposing pursuing the partnership to provide some cost reduction to the City and to provide value to another city. Partnership proposals might be more typical in the future.
Ken Davidson, President, CUPE 1004, supported the City pursuing the partnership with Richmond. Mr. Davidson was aware of more and more Canadian municipalities getting together for partnerships, such as for garage facilities. Some municipalities are opting for public to public partnerships with provincial ministries. Mr. Davidson hoped discussions with Richmond will continue.

The following opposed the City pursuing a partnership agreement with other municipalities:
·70·Andrew Pottinger, B.C. Hot Mix Association·70
·70·Glenn Young, Vancouver Board of Trade·70
·70·Tony Tennessy, Union of Operating Engineers·70
·70·John Schubert, Columbia Bitulithic·70
·70·Anthony Toth, B.C. Roadbuilders & Heavy Construction Association (brief filed)·70
Following are some of the points made by the foregoing speakers:
·70·an industry which employs 1000 people in the Greater Vancouver area is feeling most threatened by the City's pursuing of partnership arrangements;·70
·70·private companies are more economic and the City could save money by contracting out the supply of asphalt ;·70
·70·there is a strong case for the proposal to be submitted for an independent review before making a decision;·70
·70·the industry does not agree the City can produce asphalt more cheaply than private companies when on a level playing field;·70
·70·the primary concern is that the City is intruding into the asphalt industry as another supplier, and going into direct competition with private sector companies;·70
·70·the trend today is towards privatization, with strong movement to private/public partnerships; why is the city going in the other way?·70
·70·private sector jobs will be lost, and an anti-investment message sent to the investing community, thereby harming Vancouver's economic prospects;·70
·70·progress with the Vancouver City asphalt plant should be halted pending an independent review of the project as there has been no external review of cost figures or numbers. ·70
cont’d
Clause No. 4 (cont’d)
The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
A.THAT Council obtain an independent financial analysis of the viability of the full costs and benefits of an asphalt plant with or without a partnership with Richmond, to include:
·70 ·the impacts of the proposal to the City; and·70
·70·the impact of the partnership to the City of Richmond.·70
- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy and Kennedy opposed)
The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,
RECOMMENDED
B.THAT the City Manager provide a report back on:
·70 ·a brief analysis of public/public and private/public partnerships; and,·70
·70·on any such arrangements the City of Vancouver may be pursuing in the future. ·70

- CARRIED
(Councillors Bellamy, Puil and the Mayor opposed)
The meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
* * * * *

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