CITY OF VANCOUVER
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES
MAY 4, 1999
A Regular Meeting of the Council of the City of Vancouver was held on Tuesday, May 4, 1999, at 2:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, Third Floor, City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor Philip Owen
Councillor Jennifer Clarke
Councillor Alan Herbert
Councillor Lynne Kennedy
Councillor Daniel Lee
Councillor Don Lee
Councillor Gordon Price
Councillor George Puil
Councillor Sam SullivanABSENT: Councillor Don Bellamy
Councillor Nancy A. Chiavario (Civic Business)
CITY MANAGER'S
OFFICE: Judy Rogers, City ManagerCLERK TO THE
COUNCIL:Ulli S. Watkiss, City Clerk
PRAYER
The proceeding in the Council Chamber were opened with a prayer read by the City Clerk.
"IN CAMERA" MEETING
Council was advised there were matters to be considered "In Camera" later this day.
ITEMS ARISING FROM "IN CAMERA" MEETING
OF APRIL 27, 1999· Vancouver Museum Commission
Council approved the appointment of Darrell J. Wickstrom to the Commission, and the reappointment by the Commission of Ernst & Young as auditors for the VMC 1998 fiscal year. In addition, Council approved the terms of all Vancouver Museum Commissioners.
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
1. Regular Council Meeting
(City Services & Budgets)
April 15, 1999MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
SECONDED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
2. Regular Council Meeting
(Transportation & Traffic)
April 27, 1999MOVED by Cllr. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Herbert,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
3. Regular Council Meeting
April 27, 1999
MOVED by Cllr. Kennedy,
SECONDED by Cllr. Don Lee,
THAT the foregoing Minutes be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
MOVED by Cllr. Don Lee,
SECONDED by Cllr. Price,
THAT this Council resolve itself into Committee of the Whole, Mayor Owen in the Chair.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
REPORT REFERENCE
1. Dedicated Fire Protection System File: 3601
Sheri Plewes, Assistant City Engineer, Water, Sewers & Yards Division, using visual aids, provided a verbal briefing on the history, status and construction schedule for the Dedicated Fire Protection System. Ms. Plewes advised that the 1999 construction schedule will involve main construction on Pender street from Broughton to Homer over the period May 17 to September 3 and every effort will be made to ease the disruption and minimize the inconvenience to the public and businesses. Only two blocks at a time will be under construction, sidewalks will remain open, and Translink has agreed to provide alternate bus routes.
Council members requested staff to ensure that appropriate signage is in place to explain the purpose of the construction and to provide information on new bus routes and bus stops. The General Manager of the Park Board was requested to look at the possibility of improving Pender Street with the use of street furniture, and planting more trees.
MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT the report reference on the City's Dedicated Fire Protection System be received for information.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Kits Point Access, Traffic, and Parking Study File: 8014/RTS: 428
Councillor Puil explained there is a perceived conflict of interest as he is a resident in the Kits Point area and excused himself from the chambers at 2:55 p.m.. The Councillor did not participate in either the discussion or the voting of this item.
At the April 27, 1999 meeting of the Standing Committee on Transportation and Traffic, speakers were heard in reference to the Administrative Report dated April 14, 1999, which recommended solutions to mitigate neighbourhood traffic impacts in the area of Kits Point. At the conclusion of hearing speakers, the Committee referred a decision on the matter to Council. Accordingly, both the minutes of the Standing Committee meeting and the Administrative Report were before Council for consideration.
Doug Louie, Assistant Neighbourhood Transportation Engineer, provided a brief overview of the background leading to the hiring of the consultant charged with assessing the issues in the area. Stakeholders have arrived at a mutual agreement which is reflected in the recommendations contained in the report. Mr. Louie noted this is the beginning of the process which will require significant review and follow up to carry out the recommendations.
During discussion, Council members were of the opinion that spending $300,000 to carry out an extension of Fir Street into Vanier Park, would not make sense, even in principle, especially while CPR has retained the right to give 30 days cancellation notice for access to its property. Accordingly, Council did not take action on recommendation `A' contained in the staff report.
MOVED by Cllr. Price,
THAT the following motions be approved (formerly `B' through `Q' of the Administrative Report dated April 14, 1999):
1. THAT the Vanier Park attractions stop for regularly scheduled bus tours be located at the Vancouver Museum / Pacific Space Centre only.
2. THAT the scheduled bus tour route in Kits Point remains on Cypress, Greer, and Chestnut (excluding the section of Chestnut from McNicoll Avenue to Ogden Avenue) until the Fir Street Transit Route extension is realized; and
FURTHER THAT the Motor Carrier Commission be requested to modify the existing scheduled bus tour licenses to reflect the above route change.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (CONT'D)
Kits Point Access, Traffic, and Parking Study (cont'd)
3. THAT an upgraded walkway and signage system between the Vancouver Maritime Museum and the Vancouver Museum/Pacific Space Centre be approved in principle subject to a report back this year on details and funding from the Manager of Building Management in consultation with the Vanier Park stakeholders.
4. THAT improvements to pedestrian access from Chestnut Street to the Marina, and from the Vancouver Museum/Pacific Space Centre parking lot to the Vancouver Academy of Music be approved in principle subject to a report back on details and funding from the Manager of the Building Management, in consultation with the Vanier Park stakeholders.
5. THAT modifications to the City-owned parking lot outside the Vancouver Museum /Pacific Space Centre, to provide appropriately located bus parking spaces and to improve bus access, be approved in principle subject to a report back on details and funding from the Manager of Building Services, in consultation with the institutions.
6. THAT funding of $15,000 be approved from Contingency Reserve to carry out the concept development, design, and quantity surveying required to seek project
approvals as described in motions 3, 4, and 5.
7. THAT a right-in-right-out diverter on Whyte Street west of Chestnut be approved in principle subject to a survey of affected residents and a report back.
8. THAT changes to the intersection of Cornwall and Chestnut be reviewed to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, with improvements implemented immediately where possible, and report back if necessary.
9. THAT additional traffic and directional signs be installed, in consultation with stakeholders, to direct traffic to and from Kits Point destinations as generally recommended in the consultant study, at an estimated cost of $5,900 to be funded from the Streets Basic Capital Unappropriated Account # 30000326 (traffic calming); and,
FURTHER THAT the annual sign maintenance budget be increased by $800, without offset, starting in year 2000.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (CONT'D)
Kits Point Access, Traffic, and Parking Study (cont'd)
10. THAT the Manager of Building Management and Vanier Park cultural institutions be requested to take measures to restrict park and ride activities and overnight parking (not related to activities of the institutions) at the City-owned parking lots outside the Vancouver Museum / Pacific Space Centre, City Archives, Academy of Music, and Maritime Museum.
11. THAT should the interested cultural institutions develop a joint business plan to institute pay parking at Vanier Park parking lots, a further report on the feasibility and impact of such a plan will be prepared, including a review by the Manager of Building Management, Director, Office of Cultural Affairs, and City Clerk.
12. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services request a "good neighbour agreement" from the scheduled bus tour operators (Vancouver Trolley and Gray Line) operating within Kits Point that confirms their operations to be only every 30 minutes with the minimization of overflow buses, between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 5:45 P.M., and a commitment to provide driver education to respect the sensitivity of the community; and
FURTHER THAT the scheduled bus tour operators be confirmed as operating between April and October for this year only (without prejudice); and
FURTHER THAT the Motor Carrier Commission be advised of the above request.
13. THAT the Vanier Park cultural institutions consult City staff and notify the Kits Point Residents Association in advance of any special events or programs after midnight which might generate significant traffic and parking impacts.
14. THAT the General Manager of Engineering Services review the parking enforcement operations in Kitsilano to ensure that an adequate level of service is provided, with a report back if necessary.
15. THAT the Vanier Park cultural institutions, the Kits Point Residents Association, and the scheduled bus tour operators (Vancouver Trolley and Gray Line) be thanked for working together to reach an agreement in several areas of long standing grievances;
UNFINISHED BUSINESS (CONT'D)
Kits Point Access, Traffic, and Parking Study (cont'd)
AND THAT the Kits Point stakeholders (including the scheduled bus tour operators) be requested to meet regularly, with City staff as necessary, to continue to work cooperatively.
16. THAT Council's decision on these matters be conveyed to the Park Board, with a request that the Board support the consensus plan to address traffic impacts in Kits Point.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
(Councillor Puil absent for the vote)
Councillor Puil returned to the Chambers at 3:35 p.m.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1. City-owned 1200 Block Seymour Street Site - Lease Terms
and Other Arrangements for Development of a Non-Market
Housing Project and a Social Service Centre File: 5104 / RTS: 533
April 21, 1999MOVED by Cllr. Puil,
A. THAT Council approve the ground lease of the City-owned 1200 Block Seymour Street site, legally described as, LOT "E", BLOCK 103, DISTRICT LOT 541, PLAN LMP38156 (PID 024-161-071) (the "Site") for 60 years at nominal rent, to the Affordable Housing Non-Profit Rental Association ("Affordable"), for the purpose of developing a non-market housing project for low-income singles in Downtown South, in accordance with the terms described in this report, including the Letter of Understanding between the City and its development partners (Appendix A of the April 21, 1999 Administrative Report).
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT'D)
City-owned 1200 Block Seymour Street Site - Lease Terms
and Other Arrangements for Development of a Non-Market
Housing Project and a Social Service Centre (cont'd)
B. THAT Council approve a sublease of the Social Service Centre on a portion of the ground and second floors of the Non-Market Housing Project for 60 years less one day at nominal rent, to the Coast Foundation Society (1974) ("Coast"), for the purpose of operating a drop-in centre oriented to people with mental health problems living in Downtown South, in accordance with the terms described in this report, including the Letter of Understanding between the City and its development partners (Appendix A of April 21, 1999 Administrative Report).
The sublease shall include the City. The City shall give Affordable its commitment to take over the sublease and cure any of Coast's outstanding obligations, should Coast be in default of the Centre's share of the building mortgage and common building expenses in excess of 90 days, at any time during the 35-year amortization period.
C. THAT Council approve the transfer of $1,278,750, the amount of the forgone 60-year prepaid ground rent for the Project, plus 75% of the net cost of soils remediation after B.C. Housing recoveries have been applied, from the Downtown South Development Levy Reserve to the Property Endowment Fund, 30 days after issuance of the City occupancy permit for the Project.
D. THAT Council approve a density bonus of 0.81 FSR (10,877 sf.) to allow development of the Social Service Centre on a portion of the ground and second floors of the Non-Market Housing Project (1221/1225 Seymour Street -DE403244 - Zone DD), which was approved by the Development Permit Board at their meeting of June 29, 1998 under Section 6.II of the Downtown District ODP.
E. THAT Council approve a budget of $82,000 to undertake the soils remediation program, including obtaining a Certificate of Compliance to residential standards from the Provincial Ministry of the Environment (MOE), for the City-owned 1200 Block Seymour Street site, legally described as LOT "E", BLOCK 103, DISTRICT LOT 541, PLAN LMP38156 (PID 024-161-071), with source of funds to be PEF Account (64/80/8004/160).
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT'D)
City-owned 1200 Block Seymour Street Site - Lease Terms
and Other Arrangements for Development of a Non-Market
Housing Project and a Social Service Centre (cont'd)
F. THAT Council approve for the Site:
1. Reciprocal construction easements for shoring, underpinning and overhead cranes, with the neighbouring owners to the north and south and across the lane to the west, without charge to any owner; and,
2. An easement in favour of the neighbouring development site to the north for access to its as yet unbuilt underground parking garage and for the minor encroachment of its existing building foundation, at no charge to the neighbour except fair share of on-going maintenance.
G. THAT no legal rights or obligations are hereby created and none shall arise hereafter except upon signing of all of the agreements by all parties. All agreements shall be on the terms hereby approved and such other terms as satisfy the Director of Legal Services in consultation with the Directors of Housing and of Risk Management and the Manager of Real Estate Services.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS (CONT'D)
2. 1005 Beach Avenue - Site Rezoning
(Daycare Relocation)
April 19, 1999 File: 5303 / RTS: 593MOVED by Cllr. Clarke,
THAT Council approve the following budgets in order to create a daycare site at the northwest corner of Beach Avenue and Burrard Street ("Daycare Site") as illustrated in Appendix A of the April 19, 1999 Administrative Report, and to satisfy the prior-to conditions for zoning enactment of 1005 Beach Avenue:
(i) $235,000 for the relocation of utilities, source of funding to be the PEF;
(ii) $500,000 for Burrard Street Bridge (Bent 24) seismic upgrade, the source of funding to be $43,000 from the PEF and $457,000 from Streets Basic Capital Account No. 10000446.
FURTHER THAT the funding only be spent if capital funding is secured for the proposed daycare building and a development permit for its construction has been issued.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
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. Price,
SECONDED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,
THAT the report of the Committee of the Whole be adopted.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
BY-LAWS
1. A By-law to Undertake the Improvement of Watson Street in the
Mount Pleasant area as a Local Improvement Project and to
Provide the Procedure and Basis of Assessment Therefor
(Mount Pleasant [Watson Street North] 1999 Beautification) By-law 8026MOVED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,
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. Daniel Lee,
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)
2. A By-law to Undertake the Improvement of Watson Street
in the Mount Pleasant area as a Local Improvement Project and
to Provide the Procedure and Basis of Assessment Therefor
(Mount Pleasant [Watson Street South] 1999 Beautification) By-law 8027MOVED by Cllr. Daniel Lee,
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. Daniel Lee,
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
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
1. Leave of Absence File: 1254
MOVED by Cllr. Sullivan,
SECONDED by Cllr. Kennedy,
THAT Councillor Daniel Lee be granted Leave of Absence for the period May 26 to June 14, 1999.
- CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS (CONT'D)
2. Club Mora, 6 Powell Street File: 3755/RTS: 714
Councillor Kennedy requested that staff investigate whether or not a business can operate without a telephone. The Councillor understands that neighbours in the area of Club Mora cannot reach the operator of the Club to complain about the noise level.
3. Cambie and Hastings Area File: 8106/RTS: 715
Councillor Kennedy advised she had received a telephone call from a merchant in the Cambie and Hastings Streets area of the Downtown Eastside complaining about drug-related activities taking place in front of her store, and the slow response by the police to her calls about the problem. The Councillor requested the City Manager ask the Chief Constable to provide information on the deployment of officers in this area, specifically advising whether or not there are police officers on bicycles, and suggesting better ways to deal with complaints of this nature.
The Council recessed at 3:55 p.m., to reconvene "In Camera" in the Mayor's Office.
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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver