STANDING COMMITTEE OF COUNCIL
ON CITY SERVICES AND BUDGETS

C O U N C I L A C T I O N S

DATE: Thursday, December 10, 1998

TIME: 9:55 a.m.

PLACE: Committee Room No. 1

Third Floor, City Hall

*FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT TARJA TUOMINEN, 873-7191*

Adoption of Minutes

The Minutes of the Standing Committee on City Services & Budgets meeting of November 19, 1998, were adopted.

1. Renewal of Musqueam Service Agreement File: 1203

A. THAT Council approve the renewal of the Musqueam Service Agreement (which expires on December 31, 1998) on the same terms and conditions for a two-year term (January 1, 1999 - December 31, 2000) as an interim measure in recognition of the ongoing negotiations taking place between the City and the Musqueam Band to achieve a long-term service agreement.

B. THAT Council authorize the Director of Legal Services to approve and execute the renewal agreement on behalf of the City.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

2. Vancouver Economic Development Commission - File: 3143

Contract Renewal

A. THAT Council approve renewal of the annual contract with the Vancouver Economic Development Commission for the 1999 fiscal year at a cost of $200,000 (plus applicable net GST); source of funds to be the 1999 Operating Budget.

B. THAT the following motion be deferred to the first meeting of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets in January 1999:

THAT Council extend the contract with the Vancouver Economic Development Commission to include participation in the plan to revitalize the business (plus applicable GST) sector in the Downtown Eastside, as detailed in the VEDC 1999 Business Plan at a cost of $50,000, source of funds to be the 1999 Operating Budget.

C. THAT Council instruct the Vancouver Economic Development Commission to report back with details on plans to utilize Asia Pacific Legacy Funds to undertake the International City Project.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Puil opposed to A and C)

3. Vancouver Police Board - 1999 Operating Budget File: 1605

A. THAT Council confirm the Board's intention to include the E-Comm levy in its revised budget proposals, to be submitted prior to March, 1999.

B. THAT Council request the Board to operate within the multi-year budget planning cycle and timing established by Council, noting that this provides more time for budget planning by all departments and Boards, including Police.

C. THAT Council urge the Police Board to accelerate its consideration of measures necessary to achieve budget limitations, and further urge that the Board give positive consideration to accepting its $1.2 million share of responsibility for the tax limitation program.

D. THAT Council request the Police Board to agree to the policing component of the DTES revitalization program on the reduced basis reflected in the submission to the Police Board, requiring a City contribution of $3.2 million for the three year period, and

FURTHER THAT the Board agree that the officers funded through the program be allocated only to the Downtown Eastside and any areas affected by the relocation of criminal activity, with any excess available funding, if the Downtown Eastside and any adjacent areas affected by the policing program are stabilized in less than three years, to be allocated to reduce police budget requirements rather than increase general policing.

- CARRIED

(Councillor Sullivan opposed to D)

4. Funding Request for Central Stores Upgrade File: 1002

THAT Council approve upgrades to the City's Central Stores facility, at an estimated capital cost of $335,000 with funding from a loan from the Service Improvement Reserve, to be paid back from operating savings.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

5. Sam Kee Building: Encroachment Fees File: 5807

WHEREAS on November 28, 1996 Council reduced the areaway encroachments of the Sam Kee Building at 8 West Pender Street on city lands to a nominal fee, leaving in place the encroachment fee for overhanging bay windows;

AND WHEREAS the Building is a protected heritage `A' building, designated by the Province, and recognized as the "World's Thinnest Building";

AND WHEREAS the owners have agreed to pay all outstanding fees and payments regarding the encroachments to the City;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the annual fee for all encroachments of the Sam Kee Building be established at $1.00, which rate will be effective on the payment of all outstanding encroachment fee arrears and payments.

- CARRIED

(Councillors Sullivan and Puil and the Mayor opposed)

ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS

1. Leave of Absence - Councillor Clarke File: 1254

THAT Councillor Clarke be granted Leave of Absence for the latter part of the Standing Committee on City Services and Budgets meeting of December 10 and the Council meeting immediately following the Standing Committee meeting.

- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY

The meeting adjourned at 12:10 p.m.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver