CHAPC Funding Request - Dr. David Lai

I

REPORT TO COUNCIL

CHINATOWN HISTORIC AREA PLANNING COMMITTEE

September 14, 1999

RECOMMENDATION

1. CHAPC Funding Request

Dr. David Lai's Visit re Chinatown Gate Proposal

At its meeting on October 7, 1997, Vancouver City Council instructed the Director of Finance to provide an allocation of $3,500 in the Operating Budget beginning in 1998, to be reserved for grant requests for local conference expense from Council-appointed bodies without direct access for funding. Access to this funding is by way of individual committee requests to Council.

Following CHAPC's Chinatown Gate presentation to Council on July 27th, the Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association, Chinatown Business Association, and other groups met with the Chair of CHAPC to continue discussions on the proposal. It became apparent the groups had been mulling over the idea of a gate over the past couple of months in relation to applying for a Millennium Grant. The sketches, prepared by the Chair of the Committee and developed since the July Council meeting, generated a great amount of enthusiasm and a surprising amount of support for a non-traditional arch. Architect Hin Fong Yip, the promoter of the Lions Club arch ten years ago, and now a director/advisor to VCMA, was especially enthusiastic. There was general agreement to pursue the project under some umbrella group, with CHAPC participating. After further discussion with affected parties, it was agreed to invite Dr. David Lai, from the University of Victoria, to speak at a special meeting of the Committee held on August 23rd. Dr. Lai has broad experience in a number of Gate projects in North America. He recommended, and the associations agreed, that CHAPC would actually be in the best position to spearhead the project, because we are a neutral group more likely to bring diverse Chinatown interests to the same table.

Staff who attended the August 23rd session agreed it was useful, as it put the gate issue into perspective and got all involved parties (CHAPC, CMA, etc.), thinking along the same lines, where they were previously on different wavelengths. Staff note Dr. Lai was very knowledgeable and it is fortunate that he is nearby and can assist with this project. It is further noted the Committee would again like to invite Dr. Lai to continue the discussions at a meeting scheduled for September 21st.

Clause 1 Cont'd

Accordingly, the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee requests funds in the amount of four hundred dollars ($400.00) to cover expenses for time and travel to Vancouver, from Victoria, by Dr. Lai as follows:

· Dr. Lai's visit to Vancouver from Victoria at the Committee's invitation to address an ad hoc August 23rd CHAPC meeting in relation to his work on other Canadian Chinatown Gate projects, including the one in Victoria.

His fee is $200, mainly to defer travel costs.

· We have invited Dr. Lai to conclude his address to CHAPC and the Chinatown Gate Subcommittee on September 21, 1999, again for a fee of $200.00.

Therefore, as a result of these considerations, the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee

RECOMMENDS

THAT Council approve funds, in the amount of four hundred dollars ($400.00), to cover expenses for Dr. David Lai's visits as follows:

· August 23rd visit and session with the Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee ($200.00); and

· two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a follow-up visit by Dr. Lai, scheduled for September 21, 1999.

Funds to be taken from the City Clerk's Operating Budget.

(Signed) "Ronald Bijok"

Ronald Bijok, Chair

Chinatown Historic Area Planning Committee

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

Comments or questions? You can send us email.