Council Meeting
November 15, 2022 · 09:30 am
Partial documents. 13 of 14 supporting files downloaded; 1 could not be retrieved from the city's website.
This page is based on incomplete source material.
Summary
- FIFA World Cup extended hours: Bars, pubs, and Downtown Eastside restaurants approved to operate outside normal hours during the 2022 FIFA World Cup (Nov 20 – Dec 18), to align with provincial liquor policy and accommodate Qatar's 11-hour time difference.
- BC funding applications: Approved applications for $10M (flood mitigation around Still Creek), $500K (Granville Interim Connector cycling link), and $500K (e-bike charging infrastructure).
- Business licence hearing panels: Delegated panels of councillors established for November and December licence hearings.
- 32 by-laws enacted: Including 2023 fee updates across multiple by-laws, housing agreements for four properties, two rezoning by-laws, and an amendment easing energy upgrade requirements in the Building By-law.
- Four development forms approved: 1405 East 15th Avenue, 477 West 42nd Avenue, 1881 East 11th Avenue, and 2488 Granville Street.
- IHRA antisemitism definition: Motion to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism referred to committee for public speakers and debate.
- Chinatown uplift: Motion directing staff to develop an urgent action plan for Chinatown, including enhanced cleaning, graffiti removal, a satellite City office, and engagement with community and police, referred to committee.
- Accessibility audit: Council directed staff to report back by end of Q1 2023 with an update on the Accessibility Strategy and a plan to audit all remaining City facilities.
- 100 police officers and 100 mental health nurses: Motion to allocate $4.5M for new VPD officers and $1.5M for Vancouver Coastal Health nurses to expand mental health programs referred to committee.
- Transport pricing suspension: Motion to halt all City work on transport pricing (road pricing/congestion charges) referred to committee.
- Council schedule and roles: December 6 public hearing cancelled; Acting Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and Duty Councillor roles adjusted due to Councillor Bligh's absence; Mayor Ken Sim granted leave November 22.
- FCM endorsement: Councillor Rebecca Bligh confirmed as 3rd Vice-President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, with a path to President by 2026.
Minutes approved
- Adoption of October 25 Minutes
Motions
Appointment of External Auditor 2023
- Council is asked to formally appoint KPMG LLP as the City's external auditor for the 2023 fiscal year, as required annually under Section 230 of the Vancouver Charter.
- KPMG was awarded a five-year contract in 2020 covering audits for fiscal years 2021–2025, with an option for four additional one-year extensions.
- The audit fee for 2023 is set at $114,500 (excluding taxes), consistent with the pre-negotiated fixed-fee schedule in the contract.
- Total fees across the five-year contract are $573,100 (excluding taxes); fees can only be adjusted if material scope changes occur or auditing standards change.
- Funding for the 2023 audit fee is already included in the 2023 operating budget, with no additional budget impact.
- Staff recommend approval, and the City Manager concurs with the recommendation.
Quarterly Capital Budget Adjustments
- Council is asked to approve quarterly adjustments to the City's capital budget, resulting in no net change to the overall 2019–2022 Capital Plan (valued at approximately $2.9 billion) but an $18.0 million increase to multi-year capital project budgets.
- Key reasons for adjustments include cost escalations (notably for the West Fraser Lands childcare project due to higher material and shipping costs), receipt of new external and development funding (e.g., for Water & Sewer Connections, Burrard Bridge Structural Reviews via the Sen̓áḵw Development partnership, and a future youth centre), emerging technology needs, and revised project scopes (e.g., Marpole Civic Centre renewal and Cambie Corridor Complete Streets).
- Additional adjustments outside the Capital Plan include initiating procurement for end-of-life fleet replacement, design work for Vancouver Landfill Phase 5 closure, and completing remaining scope for Landfill Phase 4 closure and gas works projects.
- Council is also asked to approve the closeout of three completed capital projects with surpluses exceeding $200,000, and to receive for information the surplus/deficit details for voter-approved capital projects completed this period.
- The total approved multi-year capital project budget across all open projects currently stands at $2.4 billion; the net effect of this report's adjustments results in a decrease of $76.1 million when closeouts are factored in.
- Staff and the City Manager recommend approval of all proposed adjustments and closeouts.
Vancouver Heritage Register 2022 Update
- Council is asked to approve routine housekeeping amendments to the Vancouver Heritage Register, which has been maintained and updated annually since its adoption in 1986.
- Five buildings are nominated for addition to the Register: three as B-listings (1998 Matthews Avenue, 1967 Napier Street, 1685 Nelson Street) and two as C-listings (2637 Carolina Street, 1024 Keefer Street); all property owners have voluntarily consented, and three additions were conditions of development permits.
- Four deletions are proposed: one B-listed building (102–108 Water Street / Hotel Winters) destroyed by fire in 2022, two C-listed buildings demolished in 2021, and one parcel discharged from a Heritage Revitalization Agreement.
- Seven address adjustments are also recommended to reflect changes to city street files, with no impact on the heritage status of those properties.
- The Vancouver Heritage Commission has reviewed and endorsed all proposed additions; there are no financial implications associated with these amendments.
- A broader Vancouver Heritage Register Upgrade project is underway, including engagement with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and equity-denied communities, with a revised Heritage Register System Plan to be brought to Council upon completion.
BIA Renewals 2023 Approval
- Two Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) — Dunbar Village and Robson Street — are up for renewal as their current 5-year terms expire March 31, 2023.
- The Dunbar Village BIA, first established in 2007, is seeking a shorter 3-year renewal (April 2023–March 2026) with a funding ceiling of $500,000; the cautious term and budget reflect lingering pandemic uncertainty expressed by members.
- The proposed Dunbar Village year-1 budget is $155,250, at a levy rate of $0.33 per $1,000 of assessed property value; the funding ceiling represents a 12% decrease over the previous term when adjusted for length.
- The Robson Street BIA is seeking a 5-year renewal (April 2023–March 2028) with a funding ceiling of $3,916,894; property owners and tenants within each BIA boundary will be formally notified and given opportunity to submit objections.
- Both BIA managing societies have completed member outreach, including consultation with property and business owners and approval of renewal resolutions at their Annual General Meetings.
- Staff recommend Council confirm each BIA's managing society as sponsor, approve the renewal initiatives, forward applications to the Court of Revision, and approve the proposed funding ceilings.
Miscellaneous CD-1 By-law Amendments Referral
- Staff are proposing minor technical amendments to five existing CD-1 zoning by-laws to correct inadvertent errors and omissions; no substantive policy changes are involved.
- 443 Seymour Street (CD-1 835): A section reference for floor area exclusions is incorrect and needs to be fixed to accurately reflect the approved 29-storey office building by-law.
- 8460 Ash Street / 8495 Cambie Street (CD-1 823): The amendment clarifies height descriptions and adds mechanical appurtenances and rooftop access as elements eligible for discretionary additional height, with no change to actual building heights for the mixed-use social and rental housing development.
- 1837–1863 East 11th Avenue / 2631–2685 Victoria Drive (CD-1 828): The permitted dwelling uses need to include "Multiple Conversion Dwelling" so that the retained heritage house in this rental residential development can legally accommodate multiple dwellings.
- 1335 Howe Street (CD-1 643): Restrictions on ground-floor commercial uses in this occupied 40-storey mixed-use building will be loosened to allow a wider range of business types, consistent with more recent rezonings; incompatible uses will still be screened through development permit and business licensing processes.
- 810 Kingsway (CD-1 809): A minor site area figure is corrected from 2,305 m² to 2,311 m²; none of the five amendments materially affect floor space, development cost levies, or community amenity contributions.
BC Funding Programs Applications
Carried Details
- The City is applying for up to $10 million from the Province's Adaptation, Resilience and Disaster Mitigation (ARDM) Program to fund the first phase of nature-based flood mitigation work along Still Creek, between Renfrew and Rupert Streets.
- Updated 2021 flood mapping from Metro Vancouver shows that climate change will significantly expand flood risk in the Still Creek area, threatening 100+ buildings, 3,000+ workers, and critical road, rail, transit, and wastewater infrastructure.
- The proposed project would widen the creek corridor and restore up to 1,600 square metres of riparian and floodplain wetland habitat, reducing flood exposure through a phased, long-term approach tied to land use change.
- The City is also applying for two separate $500,000 grants under the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program: one for Phase 1 of the Granville Interim Connector (adding walking and cycling lanes on Granville Bridge) and one for installing power connections at approximately 20 locations across Vancouver to support shared e-bikes and potentially e-scooters.
- All three projects align with the City's Climate Emergency Action Plan and Transportation 2040 goals, and are part of the upcoming 2023–2026 Capital Plan; the City has applied for the maximum available funding under each program.
- Staff recommend Council approve all three funding applications, as the City's capital strategy relies on leveraging senior government contributions toward priority infrastructure projects.
FIFA World Cup Extended Hours
Carried Details
- The BC Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) issued a policy directive on October 31, 2022 allowing bars and pubs (Liquor Primary licence holders) to open early during the 2022 FIFA World Cup (November 20 – December 18), accommodating game broadcasts from Qatar, which is 11 hours ahead of BC time; alcohol service hours remain unchanged, but food and non-alcoholic beverages can be served during extended hours.
- Vancouver's existing Business Premises Regulation of Hours By-law does not currently align with the Province's extended hours, meaning local bars and pubs cannot legally take advantage of the provincial allowance without a by-law amendment.
- Staff recommend amending the by-law to allow all Liquor Establishments across Vancouver to operate under the extended hours permitted by the provincial directive for the duration of the tournament.
- Additionally, staff recommend temporarily lifting the existing 2:00am–6:00am closure requirement for restaurants in the Downtown Eastside during the World Cup period, since this restriction does not apply to restaurants in the rest of the city.
- The extended hours would be strictly temporary, reverting to normal rules on December 19, 2022; staff acknowledge some risk of late-night noise and neighbourhood impacts but note potential financial benefits to businesses and community benefits for sports fans.
- The Director of Legal Services was instructed to bring forward the necessary by-law amendment in accordance with the recommendation.
Enactment of By-laws 1–32
Carried Details
- Enacted 32 by-laws, including: an amendment removing energy upgrade requirements from the Building By-law (effective January 1, 2023); the FIFA World Cup extended hours by-law; 2023 fee updates for building, electrical, gas, miscellaneous, noise, tree protection, secondary suite, sign, green demolition, subdivision, and zoning fees; two rezoning by-laws (6031 Dunbar St and 1477 West Broadway/2488 Granville St); amendments to development cost levy by-laws for low operational cost housing; and four housing agreements (1130 Pendrell St, 1332 Thurlow/1065 Harwood, 1066–1078 Harwood, 8420 Ash St, 8491 Cambie St).
Form of Development 1405 East 15th Avenue
1405 East 15th Avenue and 3077 Maddams Street Carried Details
- Approved the form of development for 1405 East 15th Avenue and 3077 Maddams Street as illustrated in Development Application DP-2021-00845, prepared by Fabric Living Developments.
Form of Development 477 West 42nd Avenue
477 West 42nd Avenue Carried Details
- Approved the form of development for 477 West 42nd Avenue (formerly 441–475 West 42nd Avenue) as illustrated in Development Application DP-2021-00991, prepared by Urban Solutions Architects.
Form of Development 1881 East 11th Avenue
1881 East 11th Avenue Carried Details
- Approved the form of development for 1881 East 11th Avenue (formerly 1837–1863 East 11th Avenue and 2631–2685 Victoria Drive) as illustrated in Development Application DP-2022-00073, prepared by RWA Group Architecture Ltd.
Form of Development 2488 Granville Street
2488 Granville Street Carried Details
- Approved the form of development for 2488 Granville Street (formerly 1477 West Broadway) as illustrated in Development Application DP-2022-00383, prepared by Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership.
Accessibility Audit City Assets
Carried Details
- Directed staff to report back by end of Q1 2023 with an Accessibility Strategy update, including audits completed to date and an action plan with costs to complete accessibility audits of all remaining City facilities and assets.
- Framing: City's first Accessibility Strategy was adopted July 2022; motion aims to accelerate progress toward making Vancouver "the most accessible city in the world."
FCM Representative Endorsement
Carried Details
- Confirmed Councillor Rebecca Bligh's endorsement as 3rd Vice-President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), with a planned progression to 2nd Vice-President, 1st Vice-President, President, and Past-President through June 2026. FCM travel costs for Bligh and Councillor Peter Meiszner to be covered through the Councillors' Travel Budget.
Agenda documents (24)
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Changes to 2022 Council Meetings Schedule
REPORTS
1. Appointment of External Auditor for 2023
2. Business License Hearing Panels – November and December 2022
3. Quarterly Capital Budget Adjustments and Closeouts
4. Vancouver Heritage Register 2022 Update
5. Approval of Council Initiatives – Business Improvement Area (BIA) Renewals 2023
6. Applications to Government of British Columbia Funding Programs
7. Extended Hours for Liquor Establishments and Restaurants During the 2022 FIFA World Cup
REFERRAL REPORTS
1. Miscellaneous Amendments Concerning Various CD-1 By-laws
BY-LAWS
A. Administrative Motions
1. Approval of Form of Development: 1405 East 15th Avenue and 3077 Maddams Street
2. Approval of Form of Development: 477 West 42nd Avenue (Formerly 441-475 West 42nd Avenue)
3. Approval of Form of Development: 1881 East 11th Avenue (Formerly 1837-1863 East 11th Avenue and 2631-2685 Victoria Drive)
4. Approval of Form of Development: 2488 Granville Street (Formerly 1477 West Broadway)
B. Council Members’ Motions
1. Requests for Leaves of Absence
2. Adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism
3. Urgent Measures to Uplift Vancouver’s Chinatown
4. Accessibility Audit of all City-Owned Assets
5. Enabling the Requisitioning and Hiring of 100 New Police Officers and 100 Mental Health Nurses
6. Transport Pricing – “Stopping the Road Tax”
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ken Sim🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Christine Boyle🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adriane Carr🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lisa Dominato🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Sarah Kirby-Yung🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Mike Klassen🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Peter Meiszner🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Brian Montague🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Lenny Zhou🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sean Orr🥜 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lucy Maloney🥜 |