Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities (Test)
May 31, 2023 · 09:00 am
Sessions
Session 1 Wed, May 31, 2023 · 09:00 am–09:25 am Watch
- Transportation & Public Space Update: Engineering staff presented an annual update on Vancouver's transportation network, covering Broadway Subway construction progress, bus priority improvements, cycling and walking trends, and sustainable mode share targets. Councillors asked a second round of questions after the initial presentation.
- Towing rates increase (on consent): Council approved increases to towing fees and fuel surcharges for vehicles impounded from public and private property, aligning rates with ICBC's updated schedule; also approved a modernized Impounding By-law to clarify and streamline impoundment processes.
- Water Works & Drinking Water Conservation By-law amendments: Council approved temporary exemptions allowing five specific Park Board decorative water fountains (including Barclay Heritage Square, Davis Fountain, and others) to operate without recirculation until they can be retrofitted; Councillors Carr and Fry opposed.
- Fire By-law notice delivery amendments (on consent): Approved updated administrative forms and processes for fire watch orders, making enforcement clearer and allowing more Fire Rescue staff to issue fire watch orders on behalf of the Fire Chief.
- Quarterly Capital Budget adjustments: Approved a $3.2 million increase to the 2023–2026 Capital Plan and a $31 million increase to multi-year project budgets, largely driven by cost escalations in sewer renewal, sewer upgrades, and park construction; three completed capital projects with surpluses or deficits over $200,000 were closed out.
- Supervised consumption spaces: After public speakers and debate, Council passed a resolution not to enforce the Health By-law's indoor smoking ban for two years at federally approved supervised consumption sites that have Health Canada approval for indoor inhalation and meet WorkSafe BC requirements, with the advice of the Medical Health Officer. The motion was amended twice before passing unanimously.
- Leaves of absence: Approved upcoming leaves of absence for Councillors Bligh and Fry for civic business commitments.
- Ensuring healthier climate-smart homes: Council directed staff to report back on a plan to update the Vancouver Building Bylaw for new residential buildings to adopt the top step of the BC Zero Carbon Step Code, aligning with the provincial government and Metro Vancouver; a Kirby-Yung amendment replaced specific gas hookup language with broader alignment wording and added a requirement to consider equity impacts on cultural and equity-denied groups. Councillors Carr and Fry opposed the amended motion.
Session 2 Wed, May 31, 2023 · 09:30 am–11:30 pm Watch
- Transportation & Public Space update: Engineering staff presented on progress toward Vancouver's 2040 sustainable transportation targets; sustainable mode share is rebounding post-pandemic (47–56% of trips by foot, bike, or transit); traffic fatalities are declining; Broadway Subway on track for 2026 opening; bus priority improvements delivering up to 10 minutes of roundtrip travel time savings on several routes.
- Towing rates (Report 1, on consent): Approved in principle increases to tow truck rates and fuel surcharges to align with updated ICBC schedules; also approved repeal and replacement of the Impounding By-law to clarify and modernize impounding procedures.
- Water features by-law amendments (Report 2): Amended Water Works and Drinking Water Conservation By-laws to allow five specific non-recirculating Park Board fountains to operate temporarily until they can be retrofitted; carried with Councillors Carr and Fry opposed.
- Fire By-law notice delivery (Report 3, on consent): Approved amendments to improve fire watch order forms and allow additional VFRS members to issue fire watch orders on behalf of the Fire Chief.
- Quarterly capital budget adjustments (Report 4): Approved a $3.2 million increase to the 2023–2026 Capital Plan and a $31 million increase to multi-year project budgets, addressing cost escalations in sewer renewal, park construction, and other projects; three completed projects closed out.
- Supervised consumption spaces (Report 5): Approved a two-year non-enforcement of the Health By-law's indoor smoking ban at federally approved supervised consumption sites that also have WorkSafe BC compliance and the advice of the Medical Health Officer, enabling pilot indoor inhalation spaces to reduce overdose deaths.
- Leaves of absence (Members' Motion 1): Granted leaves of absence for Councillors Bligh and Fry on specified future dates.
- Ensuring healthier climate-smart homes (Members' Motion 2): Directed staff to report back on a plan to update the Vancouver Building Bylaw to adopt the top step of the BC Zero Carbon Step Code for new residential buildings, eliminating all gas hook-ups; amended to align language with provincial framing and to require consideration of equity impacts on cultural and equity-denied groups; carried with Councillors Carr and Fry opposed to the amendment.
From official documents
- Transportation & Public Space Update: Engineering staff presented an annual update on Vancouver's transportation network, covering Broadway Subway construction progress, bus priority improvements, cycling and walking trends, and sustainable mode share targets. Councillors asked a second round of questions after the initial presentation.
- Towing rates increase (on consent): Council approved increases to towing fees and fuel surcharges for vehicles impounded from public and private property, aligning rates with ICBC's updated schedule; also approved a modernized Impounding By-law to clarify and streamline impoundment processes.
- Water Works & Drinking Water Conservation By-law amendments: Council approved temporary exemptions allowing five specific Park Board decorative water fountains (including Barclay Heritage Square, Davis Fountain, and others) to operate without recirculation until they can be retrofitted; Councillors Carr and Fry opposed.
- Fire By-law notice delivery amendments (on consent): Approved updated administrative forms and processes for fire watch orders, making enforcement clearer and allowing more Fire Rescue staff to issue fire watch orders on behalf of the Fire Chief.
- Quarterly Capital Budget adjustments: Approved a $3.2 million increase to the 2023–2026 Capital Plan and a $31 million increase to multi-year project budgets, largely driven by cost escalations in sewer renewal, sewer upgrades, and park construction; three completed capital projects with surpluses or deficits over $200,000 were closed out.
- Supervised consumption spaces: After public speakers and debate, Council passed a resolution not to enforce the Health By-law's indoor smoking ban for two years at federally approved supervised consumption sites that have Health Canada approval for indoor inhalation and meet WorkSafe BC requirements, with the advice of the Medical Health Officer. The motion was amended twice before passing unanimously.
- Leaves of absence: Approved upcoming leaves of absence for Councillors Bligh and Fry for civic business commitments.
- Ensuring healthier climate-smart homes: Council directed staff to report back on a plan to update the Vancouver Building Bylaw for new residential buildings to adopt the top step of the BC Zero Carbon Step Code, aligning with the provincial government and Metro Vancouver; a Kirby-Yung amendment replaced specific gas hookup language with broader alignment wording and added a requirement to consider equity impacts on cultural and equity-denied groups. Councillors Carr and Fry opposed the amended motion.
Motions
Towing Rates By-law Amendments
- Approved in principle increases to tow truck rates and fuel surcharges under the Impounding By-law and Vehicles for Hire By-law, aligning with ICBC's updated July 2022 rate schedule.
- Also approved repeal of the existing Impounding By-law and enactment of a new, streamlined version to clarify impounding procedures; no substantive policy changes proposed.
- Rate increases apply to charges to the public and to the City itself (e.g., moving City equipment).
- Responds to a contractual obligation to consider rate change requests from the City's tow contractor (Busters Towing) within 120 days of notification.
Water Works & Drinking Water Conservation By-law Amendments
Carried Details
- Approved amendments to the Water Works By-law and Drinking Water Conservation By-law to temporarily exempt five specific Park Board water features from the prohibition on non-recirculating fountains.
- Affected features: Barclay Heritage Square Fountain, Davis Fountain, Haro and Bute Street Fountain, Helmcken Park Fountain, and Laurel Street Landbridge Fountain.
- Exemptions apply until the Park Board can retrofit features to recirculating systems or repurpose them to not use drinking water.
- Follows a Council direction from April 26, 2023 recognizing public health, wellness, and enjoyment value of these fountains.
- Councillors Carr and Fry opposed, citing water conservation concerns.
Fire By-law Notice Delivery Amendments
- Approved in principle amendments to the Fire By-law to update prescribed forms for fire watch orders, creating a separate, clearer "Fire Watch Order – Notice of Violation and Order to Comply" form.
- Also authorizes any VFRS member with fire suppression, inspection, or investigation duties to issue fire watch orders on behalf of the Fire Chief.
- Aimed at improving enforcement tools and public safety communication.
Quarterly Capital Budget Adjustments and Closeouts
Carried Details
- Approved a $3.2 million increase to the 2023–2026 Capital Plan and a $31 million increase to multi-year project budgets.
- Key adjustments driven by construction cost escalations: sewer renewal in the Hastings Sunrise basin (+$7 million), sewer upgrades at Oak Street and West 49th/54th (+$8.2 million), and new park at Main and 7th Avenue (+$1.7 million).
- Closed out three completed capital projects with surpluses or deficits exceeding $200,000.
- Total approved multi-year capital project budgets across all open projects now stand at approximately $3.1 billion.
Council Resolution – Supervised Consumption Spaces
Carried Details
- Directed the City not to enforce the Health By-law's ban on indoor smoking for two years at supervised consumption sites that hold Health Canada approval for indoor inhalation services, meet WorkSafe BC requirements, and have received the advice of the Medical Health Officer.
- Responds to a shift in overdose patterns: smoking has become the most common mode of consumption among overdose deaths between 2017 and 2021, while injection has decreased.
- Four federally approved supervised consumption sites operate in Vancouver; one has applied for a permit to build six indoor inhalation booths.
- Outdoor inhalation spaces are limited; indoor spaces would enable a fuller range of harm reduction services.
- Staff to report back with findings and recommendations for permanent regulation by June 30, 2025.
- Three speakers appeared in support; no speakers in opposition at committee.
Ensuring Healthier Climate-Smart Homes
Carried Details
- Directed staff to report back as soon as possible on a plan to update the Vancouver Building Bylaw for new residential buildings to adopt the top step of the BC Zero Carbon Step Code.
- Grounded in IPCC findings on accelerating climate change, the health risks of gas appliances (including increased childhood asthma rates), and BC's new Zero Carbon Step Code enabling local governments to set GHG limits.
- Vancouver's current Building Bylaw already prohibits gas for space and water heating in new buildings but still allows gas stoves and fireplaces; this motion seeks to close that gap.
- Other BC municipalities including Victoria, Saanich, and Burnaby have already adopted or are adopting the highest Zero Carbon Step Code level.
- Plan must include consideration of equity impacts on cultural and equity-denied groups.
- Four speakers in support; ten speakers in opposition appeared at committee.
- Councillors Carr and Fry opposed the final amended motion; Councillors Dominato and Klassen absent.
Agenda documents (9)
PRESENTATIONS
1. 2023 Transportation & Public Space Directors' Update
REPORTS
1. Amendments to Impounding and Vehicles for Hire By-laws – Towing Rates
2. Water Works & Drinking Water Conservation By-law Amendments
3. Proposed Fire By-law Amendments for Notice Delivery
4. Quarterly Capital Budget Adjustments and Closeouts
5. Council Resolution – Supervised Consumption Spaces
COUNCIL MEMBERS’ MOTIONS
1. Requests for Leaves of Absence
2. Ensuring Healthier Climate-Smart Homes
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peter Meiszner🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Adriane Carr🥜 | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y |
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | N | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | N | N | Y | Y |
| Sarah Kirby-Yung🥜 | 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 |
| Lenny Zhou🥜 | 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 | |||
| Mike Klassen🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | |
| Ken Sim🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | ||||||
| Christine Boyle🥜 |