CITY OF VANCOUVER

REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL ON
CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

DECEMBER 3, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Thursday, December 3, 1998, at 11:20 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 Nancy A. Chiavario Councillor Jennifer Clarke Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price
ABSENT:	Councillor Don Bellamy (Sick Leave) Councillor George Puil (Civic Business) Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
CLERK TO THE COUNCIL:	Denise Salmon

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Herbert
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke

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
December 3, 1998

Council considered the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in the following clauses of the attached report:

Cl.1: Tourism Vancouver - Interim Payments of 2% Hotel Tax
Cl 2: 1998 Operating Budget - September Review
Cl.3: 1998 Cultural Grants: Project, Organizational Development,

and Diversity Initiatives

Cl.4: Residential Can Limit Reduction and Establishment of

1999 Solid Waste Utility Fees

Clauses 1 and 2
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clauses 1 and 2 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

Clause 3
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 3 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AND BY THE REQUIRED
MAJORITY

Clause 4
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT the recommendations of the Committee, as contained in Clause 4 of this report, be approved.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Chiavario opposed to Recommendation B.)

RISE FROM COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,

THAT the Committee of the Whole rise and report.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

ADOPT REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

MOVED by Cllr. Herbert,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,

THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Council adjourned at 11:27 a.m.

* * * * *

REPORT TO COUNCIL

STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

DECEMBER 3, 1998

A Regular Meeting of the Standing Committee of Council on City Services and Budgets was held on Thursday, December 3, 1998, at 9:30 a.m. in Committee Room No. 1, Third Floor, City Hall.

PRESENT:	Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario, Deputy Chair Mayor Philip Owen Councillor Jennifer Clarke (Present for Items 2-4) Councillor Alan Herbert Councillor Lynne Kennedy Councillor Daniel Lee Councillor Don Lee Councillor Gordon Price
ABSENT:	Councillor Don Bellamy (Sick Leave) Councillor George Puil (Civic Business) Councillor Sam Sullivan
CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE:	Judy Rogers, Deputy City Manager
CLERK TO THE COMMITTEE:	Denise Salmon

ADOPTION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of November 5, 1998, were adopted.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Tourism Vancouver - Interim Payments of 2% Hotel Tax File: 6008

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 9, 1998 (on file), in which the Director of Finance recommends that the 2% Hotel Tax revenues applicable to the first three months of the 1999 business year again be released to Tourism Vancouver in order to accommodate their up-front commitments for the 1999 business year. The General Manager of Corporate Services recommends approval.

Clause 1 Cont'd

Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets & Research, provided Council with a brief overview of the report.

The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

THAT the Director of Finance be authorized to remit the first three months of the 2% Hotel Tax revenues for 1999, the amounts of each remittance not to exceed actual receipts from the Province of the 2% tax, in advance of Council's consideration of the Association's 1999 Business Plan.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

* * *

Councillor Clarke arrived at this point during the meeting.
* * *

2. 1998 Operating Budget - September Review File: 1605

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated October 29, 1998 (on file), in which the Director of Finance, in accordance with Council's standing instructions, reviews the status of the revenue and expenditure appropriations in the 1998 Operating Budget at September 30, 1998, and seeks Council approval to make adjustments that reflect revised expectations. The General Manager of Corporate Services recommends approval.

Ken Bayne, Comptroller of Budgets & Research, provided Council with a brief overview of the report and responded to questions regarding the Civic Theatres shortfall, Pacific Centre appeal, parking revenues and the Park Board's Global Budget.

The following motion by Mayor Owen was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT the proposed adjustments to the 1998 Operating Budget revenue and expenditure appropriations as outlined in the Administrative Report, dated October 29, 1998, be approved.

Clause 2 Cont'd

B. THAT the provision for debt charges related to the 1998 debenture program, in the amount of $1.157 million, be transferred to the Debt Repayment Reserve.

C. THAT any shortfall in the 1998 Operating Budget at the end of the year be funded first from the Capital Reserve, including any deficiencies in the Park Board revenue programs as contemplated in the Global Budget agreement.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

3. 1998 Cultural Grants: Project, Organizational Development,

and Diversity Initiatives File: 2051

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 17, 1998 (on file), in which the Director of Cultural Affairs makes recommendations for one Project grant, one Organizational Development grant, and eleven grants for Diversity Initiatives. The General Manager of Community Services recommends approval.

The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT Council approve a Project grant of $1,540 to the Vancouver Multicultural Society for the Britannia World Music Program; source of funds to be the Project Grants category of the 1998 Cultural Grants budget, leaving an unallocated balance of $7,700 in the Projects budget.

B. THAT Council approve a grant of $4,500 to the Vancouver East Cultural Centre for its youth audience development initiative; source of funds to be the Organizational Development category of the Cultural Grants budget, leaving an unallocated balance of $10,100 in the Organizational Development budget.
C. THAT Council approve the transfer of the unallocated $7,700 in the Project Grants budget and $10,100 in the Organizational Development budget to the Diversity Initiatives budget, bringing the total in Diversity Initiatives to $67,800.

Clause 3 Cont'd

D. THAT Council approve Diversity Initiative grants totalling $67,800 to the 11 groups listed in Table I of the Administrative Report, dated November 17, 1998; source of funds to be the Diversity Initiatives grants budget. Approval of this recommendation will leave no unallocated balance.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
AND BY THE REQUIRED
MAJORITY

4. Residential Can Limit Reduction and Establishment of 1999 Solid

Waste Utility Fees File: 3756

The Committee had before it an Administrative Report dated November 19, 1998 (on file), in which the General Manager of Engineering Services recommends the establishment of the 1999 Solid Waste Utility fees and the lowering of the residential garbage collection limit from three to two cans per collection period as a further waste reduction initiative and as a step towards a true user pay system.

Brian Davies, Assistant City Engineer, Solid Waste and Information Services, provided Council with an overview of the report, and noted a reduction in the can limit will provide further incentive for residents to reduce, reuse and recycle, and assist in achieving Council's 50% waste reduction goal. It was also noted a major impact on personnel is not expected; however a report back will be prepared for Council if major change does occur. In response to a question from Council, Dave Rudberg, General Manager of Engineering Services, advised some increase in abandoned waste is anticipated, and a budget is in place to address this issue. Abandoned waste has been, and will continue to be monitored.

Staff responded to questions regarding impact of new beverage container recycling initiatives, cost implications of separate pick up of green waste, and the need to further educate and assist residents with the City's waste reduction initiatives. Suggestions included provision of information on where over-limit garbage stickers can be purchased, and free green waste pickup during the summer months, similar to the fall and winter leaf and Christmas tree collections. A number of Council members also expressed concern with the apparent reduction in service, and increased cost to residents.

Clause 4 Cont'd

Ken Davidson, CUPE 1004, and Doug McNichol, Business Manager, raised the following points:

· can limit should not be reduced until other options are explored at i.e. separate pick up of green waste to allow for composting rather that landfill; this would provide residents with additional service, while working toward the City's 50% waste reduction goal
· vehicles and staff already exist for the leaf collection and Christmas tree pick-up programs; these resources could be extended to include green waste pick up
· two can limit will result in increased abandoned waste; some residents will attempt to fit more into each can, and could exceed weight guidelines
· use revenue from increased purchase of stickers to provide service for green waste pick up

The following motion by Councillor Kennedy was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

A. THAT the 1999 Solid Waste Utility Fees be set at $145 per customer unit ($97 for garbage and $48 for recycling) as shown in amended Schedule `B'(attached) of the Administrative Report, dated November 19, 1998.

B. THAT the basic garbage collection limit be set at two cans per collection period effective February 1, 1999.

C. THAT $10,000, funded from user fees, be provided for publicizing the can limit reduction.

D. THAT the Director of Legal Services be instructed to bring forward the necessary amendments to the Refuse By-law for approval.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Chiavario opposed to Recommendation B.)

Clause 4 Cont'd

The following motion by Councillor Clarke was put and carried. The Committee, therefore,

RECOMMENDED

E. THAT the City engage in a program to promote the sale of composters concurrent with implementation of Recommendations A-D above; and

FURTHER THAT the City include for every household one free sticker for an additional can of garbage with information on how more stickers can be obtained;

F. THAT the $10,000 funded from user fees also be used to promote the sale of composters as an alternative to garbage disposal of yard waste and to provide information on how to obtain additional stickers for refuse; this information (as noted in E above) to be distributed as a package to all households.

G. THAT staff be instructed to determine the cost of doing some summer pick-up of yard waste, with report back or memo, on the feasibility of such pick up.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The Committee adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

* * * * *

REFERS TO RECOMMENDATION A
ITEM NO. 4
CITY SERVICES & BUDGETS MEETING
DECEMBER 3, 1998

REVISED SCHEDULE `B'

RATES FOR COLLECTION/RECYCLING

I. GARBAGE CAN AND RECYCLING SERVICE

A. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

1. Basic Customer Unit

(a) First Basic Customer Unit, per calendar year (consisting of 2 cans, 1 blue box, l blue bag and 1 yellow bag per collection period) payable concurrently with each year's real property taxes................................................................ $145.00

(Consisting of $97 for garbage collection and $48 for recycling)

(b) Each Additional Basic Customer Unit, per calendar year................. $145.00

2. City Sticker Service

Each additional can with a city sticker affixed to the contents................. $1.50

3. Can Account Service (Excluding Rental Apartments) to Residential Property

additional cans of garbage collected on each collection day	fees if City provides garbage can collection but no blue box service	fees if City provides garbage can and blue box service
2 can limit 1 to 2 3 to 4 5 to 6 7 to 8 over 8	1 x $1.94 = $1.94 2 x $1.94 = $3.88 3 x $1.94 = $5.82 4 x $1.94 = $7.76 $1.94 for every set or partial set of 2 cans collected	1 x $2.90 = $2.90 2 x $2.90 = $5.80 3 x $2.90 = $8.70 4 x $2.90 = $11.60 $2.90 for each set or partial set of 2 cans collected

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver