Council Meeting
June 27, 2023 · 09:30 am
Summary
- 2024-2028 Budget Outlook: Staff presented a five-year financial forecast showing costs outpacing revenues due to inflation, labour market pressures, and supply chain issues. Without further action, an average ~9% annual property tax increase would be needed to maintain current service levels. Capital spending projected at ~$730 million/year. Council received the report for information.
- Fraser Academy Ground Lease: Council authorized a 60-year nominal ground lease ($100 pre-paid) of City-owned land at 2294 West 10th Avenue to Fraser Academy, an educational centre for dyslexia. The grant value is approximately $27.5 million inclusive of renewal options. Acting Mayor Pete Fry declared a conflict of interest and left the room for this item.
- Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House Redevelopment Grant: Council approved a $9.7 million one-time capital grant to the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC for redevelopment at 4065 Victoria Drive, including 37 new childcare spaces.
- Homelessness Services Grants: $43,000 approved for 16 organizations supporting people experiencing homelessness; $20,000 for a Dugout Drop-In Centre pilot; $500,000 from Empty Homes Tax Reserve directed to 2024 Renter Services Grants.
- Vancouver Community Sport Event Grants: $39,300 approved for seven community sport events (Summer 2023 intake).
- Plaza and Parklet Street Cleaning Grant: $180,000 grant to Mission Possible MP Maintenance to expand micro-cleaning services in plazas and parklets.
- Neighbourhood Energy Utility Rate Review: Council adopted updated rate design for the False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility following a comprehensive 13-year review, including new benchmarking and capacity levy changes.
- 2023 UBCM Resolutions: Council endorsed two resolutions for submission to the UBCM convention: one on provincial funding for maintenance of municipally owned childcare facilities, and one on accessibility concerns with the federal plastic straw ban.
- By-laws: Most by-laws on the agenda enacted, including Building By-law amendments (once-through cooling, drains, public health), Water Works By-law amendments, Broadway Plan industrial zone amendments, and Housing Agreements for three sites. The Vacancy Tax By-law amendment was referred to the June 28 Standing Committee meeting for language revisions.
- Broadway Plan Guideline Updates: Council adopted updated guidelines to accompany previously enacted Broadway Plan zoning amendments, including new Industrial Spaces Guidelines, updated Mount Pleasant light industrial rezoning policy (I-1C), and updated C-2 residential rental tenure guidelines.
- BC Hydro Distribution Extension Policy (UBCM Resolution): Council endorsed a resolution for UBCM submission urging BC Hydro, the provincial government, and the BC Utilities Commission to adopt a per-dwelling-unit charge model (Option 3) for distribution system upgrades, to reduce costs and support missing middle housing.
- Form of Development, 8433 Ash Street: Council approved the form of development for a project at 8433 Ash Street (formerly 622-688 SW Marine Drive).
- Leaves of Absence: Leaves of absence approved for Councillor Rebecca Bligh (September 12-14) and Mayor Ken Sim (July 4 afternoon).
Minutes approved
- June 13 2023
- Special Council June 13 2023
- City Finance Services June 14 2023
- Public Hearing June 15 2023
Motions
Receive 2024-2028 Budget Outlook
Carried Details
- Council received the 2024-2028 Budget Outlook for information.
- Staff reported that maintaining current service levels without further action would require an average ~9% annual property tax increase over five years.
- For a median strata property, that equates to roughly $116/year more; for a median single-family home, roughly $304/year more.
- Capital expenditures projected at ~$730 million/year, focused on delivering the 2023-2026 Capital Plan ($3.5 billion total).
- Cost pressures driven by inflation, collective agreement contingencies, full-year costs of 2023 Budget initiatives (e.g., additional police officers), infrastructure renewal, and Metro Vancouver utility levy increases.
- Staff flagged revenue risks in parking and recreation fees due to pandemic-related behavioural changes.
- Council discussion to inform the 2024 Budget process; public engagement (Talk Vancouver survey) planned for August-September 2023.
2023 Homelessness Services Grants
- Council is asked to approve $43,000 in Homelessness Services grants to 16 organizations for short-term events and projects that support people experiencing homelessness, raise awareness, and reduce stigma.
- A separate $20,000 pilot grant is proposed for the Dugout Drop-In Centre to fund a six-month referral program connecting DTES residents to other services and spaces, as the Dugout's capacity is exceeded by demand.
- An additional $500,000 remaining from the Empty Homes Tax Reserve is proposed to fund a 2024 Renter Services Grants program, extending support to non-profits helping Vancouver renters at risk of displacement.
- The Homelessness Services Grant Program has operated since 2009 and has consistently funded community-led initiatives engaging residents in homelessness awareness and solutions.
- The Renter Services Grants program has previously distributed $1.5 million between 2020 and 2022, and $750,000 was approved for 2023; the 2024 extension would use remaining unspent funds after the Renter Office closed May 31, 2023.
- Staff and the City Manager recommend approval of all recommendations; grants to non-registered charities require a two-thirds affirmative Council vote under the Vancouver Charter.
Vancouver Community Sport Event Grants Summer 2023
- Council is asked to approve seven Vancouver Community Sport Event Grants totalling $39,300 to support local and regional sporting events taking place between July 2023 and February 2024.
- Funded events include the Tsleil-Waututh Nation Whey-ah-Wichen Canoe Festival, two BC School Sports provincials (volleyball and football), BC Summer Swimming championships, UBC Weightlifting and Powerlifting Championship, and Wrestling Provincials, with grants ranging from $2,000 to $10,000.
- The program supports non-profit community sport organizations by providing financial assistance for events that generate economic, social, health, and community development benefits for Vancouver.
- This is the second of three grant intake cycles for 2023; the total annual program budget is $235,021, with $121,421 remaining after this round's recommended disbursements.
- Applications are reviewed by a panel including representatives from the Park Board, City of Vancouver, and sport hosting community stakeholders.
- The City Manager concurs with the recommendations; grants to organizations not registered as charities require a two-thirds Council vote under the Vancouver Charter.
Plaza and Parklet Street Cleaning Grant
- Council is asked to approve a $180,000 grant to Mission Possible Compassionate Ministries Society (MP Maintenance) to expand the 2023 Plaza and Parklet micro-cleaning pilot program across Vancouver's public spaces.
- This funding supplements $284,150 already approved in February 2023 for the same program, bringing the total plaza and parklet micro-cleaning investment to $464,150 for 2023.
- The expanded grant will increase service levels including daily litter and needle collection, seasonal powerwashing, additional leaf removal, and maintenance of new plazas and parklets added in 2023.
- The program currently covers 26 plazas and public spaces and three social service parklets outside the Downtown Eastside, with micro-cleaning performed on foot using hand tools — work that is outside the scope of City crews.
- Beyond cleanliness, the grant supports low-barrier employment and life skills training for DTES residents facing employment barriers, aligning with Council priorities around poverty reduction and inclusivity.
- Mission Possible was selected to receive the additional funds as the existing grant recipient already delivering this service; funding is confirmed as available from the approved 2023 Plaza Management operating budget.
Fraser Academy Ground Lease Authorization
2294 West 10th Avenue Carried Details
- The City proposes to enter into a legally binding Development Agreement and a minimum 60-year ground lease (plus two renewal options totalling 39 years) with Fraser Academy Association for a City-owned property at 2294 West 10th Avenue, at a nominal cost of $100.
- Fraser Academy is a non-profit independent school (grades 1–12) that has occupied the site since the mid-1980s, specializing in education for students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences — services that address gaps in the public school system.
- The existing building is nearing end of life, with an estimated $3.5M in repairs needed; the proposed redevelopment would expand the facility to include day school programs, childcare spaces, and community literacy services.
- A legally binding Development Agreement (rather than the previous non-binding Letter of Intent approved in 2021) is recommended to help Fraser Academy secure fundraising and equity investment for the project.
- The below-market lease and waived property taxes represent an estimated public subsidy valued at approximately $27.5 million over the full lease term, requiring a two-thirds Council majority to approve.
- As a condition of the ground lease, Fraser Academy must submit a Public Benefit Plan outlining how it will improve access for students from lower-income families and equity-deserving communities, including Indigenous, racialized, and students with other disabilities.
Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House Redevelopment Grant
4065 Victoria Drive- Council is asked to approve a one-time capital grant of $9.7 million to the Association of Neighbourhood Houses of BC (ANHBC) to support the redevelopment of Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House (CCNH) at 4065 Victoria Drive in the Kensington-Cedar Cottage neighbourhood.
- The redeveloped facility will include 37 new licensed childcare spaces for children aged 0–4 and approximately 15,000 square feet of social-serving community space, addressing a citywide shortfall estimated at over 15,000 licensed childcare spaces.
- Funding will be drawn from two existing 2023 Capital Budget allocations: $5.2 million for childcare capital grants and $4.5 million for neighbourhood house capital project grants; ANHBC has also secured $13.5 million from provincial and federal governments.
- CCNH serves as a community hub providing social connections, programs, and supports for residents of the Kensington-Cedar Cottage area, which is experiencing increasing densification and growing demand for services.
- The grant aligns with two key City strategies: "Spaces to Thrive" (Vancouver's Social Infrastructure Strategy) and "Making Strides" (Vancouver's Childcare Strategy), and supports equity-deserving populations.
- The grant requires a two-thirds affirmative Council vote under the Vancouver Charter; staff and the City Manager recommend approval.
Neighbourhood Energy Utility Rate Review
- The City commissioned an independent consultant (Midgard Consulting) to conduct a comprehensive rate review of the False Creek Neighbourhood Energy Utility (NEU) — a City-owned low-carbon district energy system — 13 years after it began operation, and 8 years since the last full review.
- The NEU has nearly doubled in size since 2015, now serving 44 buildings, and its service area has expanded into Mount Pleasant, Northeast False Creek, and the False Creek Flats; total connected floor area is forecast to reach 1.9 million m² by 2040.
- Key recommended rate design updates include: establishing a separate 25-year deferral account for NEU expansion costs; using multi-year averages when benchmarking rates against BC Hydro; updating capacity levy calculations for new high-efficiency (zero-emissions) buildings to charge based on subscribed capacity rather than floor area.
- The review also recommends phasing out the past practice of disproportionately escalating variable energy charges as a conservation signal, in favour of evaluating other conservation measures.
- The NEU has faced cost pressures from natural gas price volatility, federal carbon taxes, capital cost escalations, and COVID-related revenue disruptions, though it remains within established rate-setting performance targets.
- These updates were endorsed by the independent Neighbourhood Energy Expert Panel and will guide annual NEU rate-setting going forward; by-law amendments are required to implement some changes.
2023 UBCM Resolutions Endorsement
- Council endorsed two resolutions for submission to the 2023 UBCM Convention: (1) asking the Province to fund ongoing maintenance, repair, and replacement of municipally owned childcare facilities; (2) asking UBCM and the Province to request the federal government amend plastic straw ban regulations to protect accessibility for persons with disabilities before December 20, 2023.
Enact By-laws 1 3 5-14
Carried Details
- By-laws 1, 3, and 5 through 14 enacted, covering Building By-law amendments (once-through cooling, drains, public health), By-law Notice Enforcement amendments, Energy Utility System fees, local improvement debentures, parking and lane improvement assessments, a rezoning at 5670 Cambie Street, three Housing Agreements (2970 Kingsway, 1515 West 49th Avenue, 4875 Victoria Drive), and Broadway Plan industrial zone zoning amendments.
Enact By-law 2 Water Works
Carried Details
- By-law 2 (Water Works By-law amendments regarding non-recirculating connections and backflow prevention) enacted separately, as it was contingent on By-law 1 passing first.
Approve Form of Development 8433 Ash Street
8433 Ash Street (formerly 622-688 SW Marine Drive) Carried Details
- Form of development approved for 8433 Ash Street (formerly 622-688 SW Marine Drive), based on plans prepared by Musson Cattell Mackey Partnership.
Broadway Plan Guideline Updates Adoption
Carried Details
- Council adopted updated guidelines to accompany Broadway Plan zoning amendments enacted the same day, including: new Industrial Spaces Guidelines; updated Mount Pleasant Employment-Intensive Light Industrial Rezoning Policy and Guidelines (I-1C), restricting Creative Products Manufacturing to upper-floor industrial spaces; and updated C-2/C-2B/C-2C/C2C1 Guidelines for Residential Rental Tenure Buildings with a revised map.
UBCM Resolution BC Hydro Distribution Policy
Carried Details
- Council endorsed a resolution for submission to the 2023 UBCM convention calling on UBCM to support BC Hydro's Distribution Extension Policy Option 3, which would spread electrical servicing upgrade costs equitably across new and upgraded connections using a per-dwelling-unit charge.
- The resolution responds to provincial plans to allow up to four units on single-family lots, which under current BC Hydro policy could require developers to pay $75,000-$100,000 for a pad-mounted transformer.
- Motion arose from a June 14 staff report on Climate Emergency Action Plan accelerated measures that identified BC Hydro electrical servicing as a barrier to missing middle housing.
Agenda documents (17)
ADOPTION OF MINUTES
REPORTS
1. 2024-2028 Budget Outlook
2. 2023 Homelessness Services Grants, 2023 Dugout Pilot Project Grant, and 2024 Renter Services Grants
3. Vancouver Community Sport Event Grants – Summer 2023 Intake
4. Allocation of Additional 2023 Plaza and Parklet Street Cleaning Grants
5. Authorization to Negotiate a Development Agreement and Ground Lease with Fraser Academy Association at 2294 West 10th Avenue
6. Funding Approval and Legal Agreement Authorization for Cedar Cottage Neighbourhood House Redevelopment
7. Comprehensive Rate Review – Neighbourhood Energy Utility
8. 2023 UBCM Resolutions
BY-LAWS
ADMINISTRATIVE MOTIONS
1. Approval of Form of Development – 8433 Ash Street (Formerly 622-688 SW Marine Drive)
2. Zoning and Development By-law Amendments to Facilitate Broadway Plan Implementation
ENQUIRIES AND OTHER MATTERS
Vote matrix
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pete Fry🥜 | Y | Y | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Y |
| Mike Klassen🥜 | 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 | 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 | Y |
| Ken Sim🥜 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rebecca Bligh🥜 |