ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: March 9, 1999

Author/Local: Estelle Lo/7610

RTS No. 00591
CC File No. 3139

Council: March 30, 1999

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	General Manager of Corporate Services
SUBJECT:	Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee Negotiations

RECOMMENDATION

THAT the Mayor notifies the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee (LMTAC) that the City of Vancouver has information on land/property within the city boundary and that it will respond to specific requests through the LMTAC.

COUNCIL POLICY

There is no Council Policy related to this matter.

PURPOSE

This report discusses the City of Vancouver’s approach to dealing with requests for information in treaty negotiations.

BACKGROUND

At the September 29, 1998 Council meeting, Council deferred the following motion concerning the development of a corporate interest inventory related to the Lower Mainland aboriginal treaty negotiations:

“THAT Council request City staff to begin the process of interest identification and inventory to be completed within 12 months, and that the Park, School, and Library Boards, as well as the Departments of Fire & Rescue Services and Police, be requested to participate in developing the interest inventory.”

Council approved the following motion:

“THAT consideration of Councillor Herbert’s motion be deferred to the Council Meeting of November 3, 1998 at which time Council will receive a report back from the City Manager on the implications of staff time to carry out the directions in the above motion.”

The Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee

The mandate of the Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee (LMTAC) is to coordinate and represent the interests of local government jurisdictions and their constituents in Lower Mainland Treaty Negotiations. The LMTAC is comprised of elected officials and senior staff representing 23 municipalities and three regional districts.

The LMTAC has suggested that “...local governments represented on LMTAC need to identify their own individual interests by developing a detailed interest inventory that includes, but is not limited to municipal assessment boundaries, water service sites, proposed greenways, libraries and community centre operations, community planning processes, and legacy/heritage programs.” (Source: Council of Councils Presentation Summary, July 11, 1998)

What is an “Interest Inventory”

An interest inventory is a comprehensive list of municipal lands, resources, and infrastructure, both existing and proposed. It also includes boundaries, land uses, service agreements, and other key documents.

Council/Staff Briefing on Treaty Negotiations

On February 1, 1999, a joint Council/staff briefing was held to discuss treaty negotiations and the LMTAC request for an “Interest Inventory”. This meeting was attended by staff from Lower Mainland Treaty Advisory Committee and the Greater Vancouver Regional District. They presented City Council and city staff with treaty updates, an overview of the Interest Development Approach, and the Interest Inventory (as illustrated in Appendix A).

DISCUSSION

The City of Vancouver (COV) has information on the land and properties within the municipal boundary, as well as information on COV land use designations and service agreements. It is available in various Vancouver departments.

While there will not be specific staff assigned to prepare an inventory list, we will participate in the negotiation process by responding to specific requests through LMTAC. For example: if a particular piece of land in the COV is the topic of negotiations, or if there are any specific issues, LMTAC, acting as the COV’s representative at the treaty table, will convey this to City Council which will in turn provide the information and respond to LMTAC.

LMTAC coordinates and represents Lower Mainland local governments at Lower Mainland treaty negotiations. As the representative of the COV, they liaise with other parties involved in treaty negotiations. To observe the proper referral process, it is important that staff do not respond directly to individual requests from the Federal Government, Provincial Government, or First Nations.

LMTAC is preparing a consideration paper which will be available for Council’s comment in April 1999. The Consideration Paper will cover topics such as the treatment of fee-simple lands.

CONCLUSION

The General Manager, Corporate Services recommends that the Mayor notify the LMTAC and that the COV Council will provide information on land/property within its boundaries when in receipt of a specific request via LMTAC. Staff will provide Council with specific information regarding COV lands, infrastructure and resources when specific requests are directed to Council through the LMTAC. This approach will best optimize COV staff resources in relation to treaty negotiation issues. The COV will respond in a timely manner to specific information requests received from the LMTAC, but will not undertake a comprehensive interest inventory as set out in Appendix A.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver