I

REPORT TO COUNCIL

BICYCLE ADVISORY COMMITTEE

September 20, 1999

RECOMMENDATION

1. Bicycle Advisory Committee - Appointment ProcessCC File: 3062-1
RTS: 1017

BACKGROUND

The Bicycle Advisory Committee, formerly a sub-committee of the then Standing Committee on Environment & Traffic, was established by Resolution of Council on July 30, 1985. On April 12, 1988, Council restructured the representation on the Bicycle Advisory Committee to provide that Council, the School Board and the Park Board would each appoint five (5) members as follows:

- 1 political representative (non-voting);
- 1 staff representative (non-voting); and
- 3 community representatives appointed by each of the respective organizations

In subsequent years, two additional voting members were added:

- 1 Cycling British Columbia representative (self appointed); and
- 1 In-line Skate representative (Council appointed).

The Committee's mandate is to provide input on Capital improvement projects, to promote bicycling as a viable form of urban transportation and recreation, to evaluate bicycle facilities and to promote motorist and cyclist awareness, competence and safety.

DISCUSSION

The Bicycle Advisory Committee, at its meetings on July 21 and September 15, 1999, discussed the current Committee structure. It was noted there is often a delay in acquiring a full complement of 11 members during the transition period between the adjournment of the previous Committee's term and the beginning of the next three year term. This delay results in lost meetings and lack of continuity from one term to the next. It was agreed this delay in process was in large part due to the current structure in which members are appointed by Council, Park Board, School Board and Cycling BC. For example, if there is a delay in receiving appointees from the School Board and/or the Park Board, it creates a difficulty in achieving the necessary quorum required to hold meetings.

The Committee also discussed the issue of interim vacancies which sometimes occur due to resignations or terminations. Currently, the Committee is only able to appoint interim members into a position vacated by a Council-appointee. It is felt the process of filling interim vacancies would be speeded up and simplified if the Committee were able to directly appoint all interim vacancies, regardless of the original appointing organization.

The Committee agreed on the need to provide more continuity during the transition between terms, and to speed up the process for appointing interim members.

Therefore, the Vancouver Bicycle Advisory Committee,

RECOMMENDS

THAT Vancouver City Council consider a change in the Bicycle Advisory Committee's appointment process as follows:

At the beginning of each term of the Committee, Council will invite the Park Board and the School Board to each appoint three members to the Committee; said members to be appointed within three months of the beginning of the term;

if all members have not been appointed within this three month period, then Council will appoint a designated person for each remaining vacant position; and

FURTHER THAT the Bicycle Advisory Committee requests the ability to directly appoint all interim members in the event of mid-term vacancies arising due to resignations or terminations, regardless of the original appointing organization.

(Signed) "Robert Delahanty"

Robert Delahanty, Chair

Bicycle Advisory Committee

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager notes for Council that all Advisory Committees are suspended at the end of Council's term. Once a new Council is in place, the new Council reviews the committee appointments, as well as the scope and function of each committee. The City Manager recommends that Council defer the recommendations of the Bicycle Advisory Committee to the new Council for their consideration.

(c) 1998 City of Vancouver