|
|
CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, March 3, 1998, at 2:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber , Third Floor, City Hall.
Ken Dobell, City Manager
Ulli S. Watkiss
PRAYER
The proceedings in the Council Chamber were opened with a prayer read by the City Clerk.
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
Council was advised there were legal matters to be considered "In Camera" later this day.
WELCOME
The Mayor introduced Ms. Estelle Lo, the City’s new General Manager, Corporate Services. He welcomed Ms. Lo to Vancouver and explained she has had an extensive background in financial matters and corporate services over the past 21 years in Ontario.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
1. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
(City Services and Budgets)
February 5, 1998
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the foregoing minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
(Planning & Environment)
February 5, 1998
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the foregoing minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Minutes of Regular Council Meeting
February 17, 1998
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT the foregoing minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADOPTION OF MINUTES (CONT’D)
4. Minutes of Special Council Meeting
(Public Hearing)
February 19, 1998
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the foregoing minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY REPORT REFERENCE
1. Richmond Rapid Bus File: 5559
In response to Council’s request for a report reference on the proposed Richmond Rapid Bus, arrangements had been made for staff of Engineering Services and B.C. Transit to provide information on the subject matter.
Also before Council was a memorandum dated February 17, 1998, from Dave Rudberg, the General Manager of Engineering Services, which provided a brief explanation of the history around this project and the public process undertaken to date.
Cont’d
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT’D)
Richmond Rapid Bus (cont’d)
Wayne Pledger, Transportation Engineer, recalled that in December 1997, B.C. Transit put forward a recommended route alignment, station locations, a proposed series of priority measures, and a proposed public process which would determine the level of support by stakeholders along Granville Street. B.C. Transit has expressed its desire to continue to work with the community to develop a solution that is workable for all concerned. However, outside of the Downtown there has been only limited success in developing acceptable transit priority measures. Staff have been careful to advise members of the public, that Council, not B.C. Transit or the Province, will make the final decision on the priority measures, following further public process by B.C. Transit to deal with the community’s concerns.
Glen Leicester, Executive Director of Strategic Planning, B.C. Transit provided an overview of the proposed transit priority measures for the Richmond/Vancouver Rapid Bus project. Mr. Leicester explained that "Rapid Bus" means frequent, limited stop, bus service, using low floor articulated buses, translating into improved reliability and reduced travel times for customers by implementing transit priority measures. It is not a high speed busway and the most comparable existing bus service is the B-Line on Broadway. It will replace most of the Richmond Express bus service now in place. Using visual aids, Mr. Leicester presented more information on the reasons for proposing Granville Street as the major route; the daily volumes; the entire proposed route; proposed services for the City Centre and the Airport; priority measures for the route, including parking restrictions and elimination of existing parking spots; transit "smart" signals; costs associated with traffic congestion; the need for "Rapid Bus"; and the next steps, which include analysing suggestions from the community and businesses along the proposed route, seeking a compromise, and putting forward recommended solutions to Council in late April or early May. B.C. Transit would like to commence service in late 1999.
Council members expressed a desire to be provided with information on the following when staff reports back:
-What can be done to replace parking spots that are eliminated, particularly in the area from Broadway to 16th Avenue? Are there any opportunities for a City-sponsored parking lot or could parking be found in the new Vancouver School Board property at Broadway and Granville?
-Can some of the through car traffic be removed from Granville Street by upgrading Fir and Hemlock Streets to improve traffic flow?
Cont’d
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT’D)
Richmond Rapid Bus (cont’d)
-What are the service needs of the Airport Authority and people who use transit to get to the airport?
-What number of private sector buses use Granville Street?
-What percentage of people living downtown or in the South Granville area expect to use bus service to reach the Airport?
- How much capacity is still available on Granville Street for cars and buses?
-What are the destinations of transit users on Granville Street and people coming from the Airport?
-How might a net increase in parking be configured for this area using the redesign of the Barnett people mover through the Heights as an example?
-What configurations and alternatives for transit use have been looked at for the downtown core?
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the verbal report reference on the Richmond Rapid Bus be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
* * *
CIVIC RECOGNITION
Mayor Owen presented a Freedom of the City Award and medal to Marguerite Ford, a former City Councillor, for her tireless community advocacy work over the past 46 years as a resident of Vancouver.
This was immediately followed by a reception in the foyer.
* * *
Council recessed at 4:00 p.m., and following an In Camera meeting in the
Mayor’s Office reconvened at 5:10 p.m., with the same members present.
* * *
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT’D)
2. 1998 Engineering Basic Capital Plan File: 1602
An introduction of the report reference was provided by the General Manager of Engineering Services, following which, Don Brynildsen, Assistant City Engineer, Streets and Sheri Plewes, Assistant City Engineer, Water, Sewers and Yards provided an overview of the Basic Capital Budget for the Engineering Department, using visual aids.
Also before Council for its consideration was an Administrative Report dated February 17, 1998 which recommended approval of the 1998 Street, Sewers, Waterworks, Street Lighting and Communications Basic Capital Budgets, as summarized in the report, as well as other ancillary recommendations. The General Manager of Engineering Services recommended:
A.THAT the 1998 Street, Sewers, Waterworks, Street Lighting and Communications Basic Capital Budgets, as summarized in the Administrative Report dated February 17, 1998 and detailed in Appendix 1 to the report, be approved, with the funding to be provided from the following sources;
(1)$56,274,000 from borrowing authority as approved as part of the 1997-1999 Capital Plan; and
(2)$3,000,000 from 1998 Revenue Capital, subject to the approval of the 1998 Operating Budget.
B.THAT a temporary Electrical Technician position in the Street Lighting Design Branch be made permanent, at an annual cost of approximately $60,000, to be recovered from Street Lighting Capital through the existing overhead loading rate.
C.THAT the transfers of Capital Funds, as detailed in Appendix 2 to the Administrative Report dated February 17, 1998, for Waterworks and Sewers Capital closeouts, be approved.
D.THAT the public sewer connection fees for 1998 be increased by approximately 1% as shown in Appendix 3 to the Administrative Report dated February 17, 1998.
Cont’d
REPORT REFERENCE (CONT’D)
1998 Engineering Basic Capital Budget (cont’d)
E.THAT the Director of Legal Services be requested to amend the Plumbing By-Law in accordance with Recommendation "D" of this report.
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT recommendations A through E be approved.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Council also requested that a report back be provided on general staffing levels in the City work force.
CITY MANAGER'S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS 1. Director Purchase of 24" Ductile Iron Water Pipe
February 12, 1998 File: 1805
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT Council approve the direct purchase of 24" ductile iron water pipe from Canada Pipe Company Limited without the calling of formal tenders, at an estimated cost of $545,700, plus the 7% Goods and Services Tax (less any municipal rebate received) and the Provincial Sales Tax.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITY MANAGER’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT’D)
2. Award of Tender No. 58-98-06 -
Supply and Delivery of Mineral Aggregates (Item 21)
February 12, 1998 File: 1805
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT Council accept the low bid from Lafarge Canada Inc. for the supply and delivery of mineral aggregates (Item 21) as, if and when required for a 12-month period from the date of the purchase order at an annual estimated cost of $425,688, including the 7% Goods and Services Tax (less the anticipated receipt of the municipal rebate) and the Provincial Sales Tax, where applicable, subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Award of Tender No. 57-98-04 -
Supply and Delivery of 610mm Steel Water Pipe
February 12, 1998 File: 1805
MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
THAT Council accept the low bid from Itochu Canada Ltd. for the supply and delivery of 3,000 metres of 610mm steel water pipe, at a total cost of $641,801 plus the 7% Goods and Services Tax (less any municipal rebate received) and the Provincial Sales Tax, subject to a contract satisfactory to the Director of Legal Services.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
4. Civic Theatres Ticket Surcharge Increase
February 17, 1998 File: 4251
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT Council approve an increase in Civic Theatres’ Ticket Surcharge of $0.25 per ticket, on tickets over $12.00 in face value, effective July 1, 1998 and a further $0.25 per ticket, effective July 1, 1999; revenues to accrue to the Civic Theatres Capital Reserve.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITY MANAGER’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT’D)
5. Civic Theatres Capital Upgrades - Phase 2
February 10, 1998 File: 4251
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
THAT Council approve implementation of Phase 2 of the Civic Theatres upgrades (detailed in Appendix "A") at an estimated maximum cost of $4.1 million. Source of funds to be the Property Endowment Fund, to be repaid from the Civic Theatres capital reserve, terms to be on the same basis as Phase 1 and acceptable to the Director of Finance and Director of Civic Theatres.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
6. Warning to Prospective Purchasers
1685 East 14th Avenue, Lot A and B of
52 and 53, Block 170, District Lot 264A
February 19, 1998 File: 2701-1
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of Title to the property at 1685 East 14th Avenue in order to warn prospective purchasers that there is a contravention of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
7. Bus Stop - Knight and 20th
February 17, 1998 File: 5554
MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
A.THAT a bus stop on northbound Knight Street at 20th Avenue be approved.
B. THAT the bus stop on northbound Knight Street at 21st Avenue be cancelled.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
CITY MANAGER’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT’D)
8. Award of Contract No. 9803 for Marine Structures
and Ground Improvements for the New Asphalt Plant,
Aggregate Handling Facility and Materials Testing Laboratory
February 18, 1998 File: 1805
MOVED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,
A.THAT Contract No. 9803 for the construction of Marine Structures and Ground Improvements be awarded to the low bidder, Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd., for a total tender price of $1,987,919.90; with the source of funds being the $15,482,000 funding in account #60/30/3762/531 earlier approved by Council for the New Asphalt Plant, Aggregate Handling Facility, and Materials Testing Laboratory.
B.THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services, in consultation with the Director of Legal Services be authorized to enter into a construction services contract with Vancouver Pile Driving Ltd., for Contract No. 9803, for the construction of Marine Structures and Ground Improvements.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
9. Proposed Transfer of Rechlorination Stations
to the Greater Vancouver Water District
February 16, 1998 File: 3206
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
A.THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services be authorized to negotiate and enter into an agreement, to the satisfaction of the Director of Legal Services, with the Greater Vancouver Water District to transfer the ownership, operation and maintenance of the Chilco & Alberni and the Boundary & Eton rechlorination stations to the Greater Vancouver Water District.
Cont’d
CITY MANAGER’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT’D)
Proposed Transfer of Rechlorination Stations
to the Greater Vancouver Water District
B.THAT, subject to the above agreement and appropriate City of Vancouver permits, the Greater Vancouver Water District modify the Chilco & Alberni and the Boundary & Eton rechlorination stations so that they will feed into District mains, upstream of their present feed points.
C.THAT the City decommission its Bridgeway & Skeena rechlorination station after the District begins operation of the modified Boundary & Eton station.
D.THAT Engineering Services reduce its Waterworks Operating Budget by $144,000 per year when the City of Vancouver stops operating the stations.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
10. Warning to Prospective Purchasers
2215 Stephens Street
Lot C of 1, Block 16, District Lot 192, Plan 4207
February 19, 1998 File: 2701-1
MOVED by Cllr. Bellamy,
THAT the City Clerk be directed to file a 336D Notice against the Certificate of title to the property at 2215 Stephens Street in order to warn prospective purchasers that there is a contravention of the Zoning and Development and Vancouver Building By-laws related to this building.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
11. Urban Safety Commission
February 24, 1998 File: 3144
As a delegation request had been received, this report was referred to the March 5, 1998 Planning & Environment Committee meeting. It will be reported back to Council on March 10, 1998, for decision.
CITY MANAGER’S ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT’D)
12. Sponsorship of Cascadia Forum
February 24, 1998 File: 1008
Councillor Kennedy noted that the dates for this Forum, included in the Administrative Report, had been changed.
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT Council approve the City of Vancouver’s Co-sponsorship of Building Partnerships", an invitation only forum to be held April 15, 16 and 17, in Vancouver, at a cost of $2,500; source of funds to be the 1998 Operating Budget.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
Underlining denotes amendment
CITY MANAGER'S POLICY REPORTS
1. City of Richmond Regional Context Statement
February 12, 1998 File: 5320
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the Mayor, on behalf of Council, thank the City of Richmond for forwarding the Richmond Official Community Plan (OCP) Bylaw No. 5400, Amendment Bylaw No. 6839 (Regional Context Statement), for comment, and notify the City of Richmond:
(i)THAT the City of Vancouver supports the City of Richmond’s land use and transportation policies and measures which act to strengthen transit services and reduce reliance on the car for trips between the two cities.
(ii)THAT the City of Vancouver may have concerns about possible long term increases in housing and employment if these contribute to automobile trips to and from Vancouver, and offers to participate in further discussions with Richmond and GVRD to review the regional transportation implications before increased population and employment capacities are adopted in the City of Richmond's revised OCP.
- 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 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. 5064,
being a By-law which created the
Vancouver City Planning Commission
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
BY-LAWS (CONT’D)
2. A By-law to amend By-law No. 3844,
being a by-law to establish a Board of Variance
and By-law No. 5664, being the Miscellaneous
Fees (Planning) By-law (Addition of Board of
Variance Appeal Fee)
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
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. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Bellamy,
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)
3. A By-law to amend By-law No. 3575,
being the Zoning and Development By-law
(RT-5/5A/5N/5AN Districts Schedule [Multiple Dwelling])
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 CHIAVARIO, KENNEDY AND PUIL EXCUSED
FROM VOTING ON BY-LAW 3)
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Canron Building File: 5102
Councillor Chiavario referred to resolutions passed by Council in 1997 and a subsequent memorandum dated February 13, 1998 from the City Manager to members of Council, providing additional information on matters related to the demolition of the Canron Building. She noted that Mr. Dobell put forward three remembrance options that could be considered should Council so desire. Upon receiving clarification from the City Manager about the anticipated cost required to allow staff to identify some desired features and arrange for their retention, using the options in the memorandum as examples, the following course of action was agreed upon.
MOVED by Cllr. Chiavario,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
A.THAT staff from Central Area Planning and an Historian identify appropriate features of the Canron Building for salvaging and preservation, and explore the following examples included in the City Manager’s memo of February 13, 1998, up to a maximum of $100,000 including limited retention and delay costs, to be provided from the Property Endowment Fund:
i)Salvage structural and mechanical components used in the building. There is a wide range of components available for salvage, such as support columns, steel and wood beams, truss assemblies, gantry cranes, a single armed crane, a sliding doorway structure where boats were moved into the building on rails, a large chemical storage tank and associated pipes and valves.
ii)Mapping the building’s footprint and location of its primary activities so that its presence on Vancouver’s waterfront could be reflected in urban designs for the new Southeast False Creek community. A preliminary search did not locate any maps or plans of the building drawn to scale in an accurate manner and the services of a surveying company or the Engineering Department would be required to record and document the building’s footprint.
B.THAT the demolition contractor, Quantum Environmental, be asked if they would consider accepting a tax receipt in lieu of payment for any artifacts that are salvaged.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Puil absent for the vote)
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT’D)
2. Gaming File: 2633-1
Councillor Clarke acknowledged that the Honourable Minister Michael Farnworth has just released a report prepared by Frank Rhodes in the aftermath of the Court decision on gaming handed down on January 14, 1998 which found that the method implemented by the provincial government for the collection and distribution of charitable gaming money was invalid. The Rhodes Report identified six potential models for the collection and distribution of charitable gaming proceeds, and recommended the government implement one of two models. The government will be reviewing the implications of the models with stakeholders to determine which model to adopt by March 31, 1998. As the models may have repercussions in terms of the regulation of casinos in Vancouver, the Councillor requested a report back from staff.
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT social planning staff provide a report back to Council at its meeting of March 10, 1998 providing information on the following:
1. The implications of the two models identified in Frank Rhodes’ report for:
a)gaming regulations in the Province as currently understood;
b)charities;
c)City social service grants;
d)the City’s Zoning and Development Bylaw and other applicable bylaws; and
e)any other relevant issues that may impact on the City.
2.Where electronic bingo cards are currently being used and whether the use of these cards complies with the City’s Zoning and Development Bylaw.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillors Chiavario and Puil absent for the vote)
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT’D)
3. Memorial Recognition File: 3603
Councillor Kennedy noted that Vancouver Police Inspector Steve Foster had recently passed away and as Insp. Foster had been instrumental in the new E-COMM building project, suggested that a suitable memorial to him should be included in the building.
The City Manager agreed to carry out this request and the Mayor requested a letter of condolence be sent to Insp. Foster’s family.
4. Council Chamber File: 1252
Councillor Kennedy observed that the Council Chambers required considerable updating, notwithstanding its heritage status, and requested the City Clerk to report back on ways and means of providing a more modern facility for Council’s meetings, particularly with respect to delegations and audio-visual presentations. The Mayor so directed.
The Council adjourned at 6:35 p.m.
* * * * *
![[City Homepage]](/graphics/footnava.gif)
|
![[Get In Touch]](/graphics/footnavb.gif)
|
|
|
|
(c) 1998 City of Vancouver