Prime Minister Harper made several announcements March 10 in Yellowknife on his Northern Strategy including: the procurement of a new Polar class icebreaker; carrying out comprehensive mapping of our Arctic and Atlantic seabed in support of Canada's submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf; a commercial harbour to be built in Pangnirtung; support for geological mapping, primarily focused in Canada's North.

>  There are a lot of cultural events under the banner of the Olympics in 2010.  An unusual one I really enjoyed was "Mined over Matter", classical music at the BC Museum of Mining (Britannia Beach, March 16).  Flute, voice, piano, and clarinet in the mechanics shop, a walk through some tunnels, and more music in the historic 1923 gravity-fed concentrator mill.  The mill is a National Historic Site and Provincial Historic Landmark.

>  Enjoyed Beethoven's sole opera, Fidelio (to Mar 29); wish we cd go to all nine symphonies by VSO on now

Here's what I wrote as soon as I heard about it -- compromise and to try to please everyone:

http://www.abc.net.au/australiawide/stories/2008/200803/s2190009.htm

>  May the Easter holiday mark the rebirth of hope and love as an approach to the tasks ahead here and around the world.

>>>  Don't forget Budget 2008 -- The Proposed 2008 Budget and Five Year Capital Plan are available on-line: http://www.westvancouver.ca/article.asp?a=5520&c=911  with second reading on agenda for Apr 7th

Yes, there's an update on the DWV website, but for some reason the cost of the whole project is not there.

>>>  The District Welcomes New Director of Planning, Lands, & Permits

Bob Sokol -- March 12th --  http://www.westvancouver.ca/article.asp?a=5614&c=677

        An amusing collection for cat lovers:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvo-g_JvURI

Last issue had a review of the Fortune Cookie Chronicles.  Since then Jennifer 8 Lee has been twice in the VSun, on TV, and CBC radio on Jian Ghomeshi's Q.  The 'greatest' Chinese restaurant outside China turns out to be in Richmond.  Zen Fine Chinese Cuisine in Richmond has gone from no one coming, so down to the owner and his wife, that now it's doing really well.  Several write-ups in the VSun too.

===   Pi DAY   === 2008 Mar 14 [no room in last WVM wch was almost finished when I saw this]

from BBC wch at http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/magazinemonitor/ has:

------  so of course, I clicked on pi (no 2) -- here's the URL: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/7296224.stm

btw, the dolphin story is precious (no 9); and was curious about Cuba (7) b/c didn't notice they were banned whenever we visited.

===   NEWSWATCH   ===  BBC

The Iraq decision -- The men who argued for - and against - war, five years ago

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7297592.stm -- Friday, 14 March 2008, 21:19 GMT

===  A CORRESPONDENT'S CORNER  === Received re WVPD's DARE and Library's RFID

     There has been considerable concern about the announced plan to terminate the DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program in West Vancouver schools. Police Chief Kash Heed made it clear shortly after he was appointed that he felt that the DARE program was ineffectual and that it would be better to develop a replacement program that maintained the critically important police presence in the schools but incorporated more grades than the DARE program. He made the decision to terminate the program effective the end of the 2007/2008 school year and embarked on an aggressive program to develop a replacement to be in place for September 2008. During the early stages of developing the replacement program, the School District [No 45, WV] made it clear that they wanted to develop and deliver the replacement program, but that they did not have resources available to have this program ready for September.

     So it would appear that unless the Mayor is able to resolve this turf war, there will be no organised program to put police officers in the schools this fall. One can only wonder at the wisdom of announcing the termination of the DARE program before having all stakeholders signed on to the replacement.

    The WV Memorial Library recently asked for (and received) early approval for $650,000 for the "purchase and installation of an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) materials handling system".  The memo (little more than two pages) justified the purchase because it will allow the Library to handle items "much more efficiently" without any quantitative information from other libraries to back up this assertion.  It went on to claim, also without any supporting evidence, "improved security" and the ability to reassign staff to other "high demand areas".

     The lack of any substance in this memo caused Cclr Vaughan to ask for information on the Return on Investment (ROI) analysis to which Paul Tutsch, Library Board Vice Chair, bafflegabbed and avoided the question by saying there are things more important than ROI (true, but one would hope you could also justify a $650K expenditure on more than arm waving and good feelings, but apparently not). The Chief Librarian, Ann Goodhart, when pushed by Cclr Vaughan, admitted she did not have any hard numbers on the efficiencies that might accrue from this purchase but offered to work them up (after the purchase is approved, of course). Truly amazing that no one in Finance had thought to ask last year when this request was first added to the budget.

     Also disappointing was the total lack of any mention of the serious privacy concerns that many have about RFID in libraries. One has merely to google "library RFID privacy" to find literally thousands of articles on the very real concerns and issues surrounding the use of RFID technology in public libraries. One might have hoped that if our Library had done its homework it would have anticipated this might be a concern and put at least one paragraph in their memo reassuring us that they understood the risks but no such luck.

==  Wed Mar 27th ~ 7pm ~ WVHS: Fish in WV Creeks (50s and 60s) by Roger Fox at the Srs' Ctr

==  Thurs Mar 27th ~ National Theatre Day! (it's Theatre Week)

        ~ 5pm ~ NASCDI, DNV M Hall

        ~ 5:30pm ~ Police Bd mtg in Police Dept Boardroom

==  Sun Mar 30th  ~ 10am - 6pm ~ Iranian Family Picnic in Ambleside Park

        ~ 2:30pm ~ Pacific Baroque Orchestra, WV United (21st): Thoroughly Modern Mozart

~ 9am - 2pm ~ Srs' Flea Market at WV Arena {and see below, in Vancouver a ginko walk}

In fact, April 16th starts with the COHO AGM at the Chamber of Commerce breakfast at 7:30am, the sp ccl mtg at 9am, then the Library Board at 7pm at the Library and the Bd of Variance at 7pm in Ccl Chambers.

+++  WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY +++ see www.westvanlib.org

John Dowler, Paula Fodchuk, June Harman, Neda Mardkar, Gordon Montgomery, Albarosa Simonetti

Group exhibition of artists from Arts Connection Networking Salon

+++ SILK PURSE (1570 Argyle) www.silkpurse.ca

=== There are many concerts, check out the Silk Purse website for the whole list; here's one:

=Sat Apr 12 ~ 1:30pm ~ Talk on Architecture: Duncan McNab and West Coast Modernism

Duncan McNab became well-known in BC for his residential and institutional designs.  This talk highlights McNab's role in the devt of a regionally distinct West Coast Modern architecture.

+++ Cherry Blossom Zen  Features two events held at Seasons Hilltop Bistro Caf=E9 in Queen Elizabeth Park

===   COUNCIL Mtg NOTES  Mar 17th   ===[best efforts] ===

1.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA -- Item 14.1 added (sp ccl mtg Apr 16)

2.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES -- Mar 3rd ccl mtg adopted.

Mayor: Before we start, wd like to welcome a new face to the corporate team

Bob Sokol, our new Director of Planning, Lands, and Permits

originally from NY, educated at Columbia and Tufts, in Engg and Urban Planning

moved to the West Coast at the beginning of the 90s

pleasure to welcome you to WV

you've joined the organization at a time when we're looking at a really ambitious agenda in this spring wrt renewal in Ambleside, Ev Dr Devt Permits, the Rodgers Crk Devt Plan, the Heritage Registry

 -- these are things that the cmnty has been working on for couple of years coming to fruition under your leadership.

Sokol: thank you; excited and thrilled to be here; looking forward to working with the Ccl and the WV cmnty to help make those plans a reality and I know a lot of good work has gone into them; move forward to the next step.  Thank you.

Mayor: heavy agenda tonight, wch I will be timing to ten minutes, beginning with Paul Berlinguette and Wetland Partners.  Not here yet? Then switch order and go to 4, Helmets.

RKinar:  successful to FCM and wrt helmets, safety

injuries, $14.7B a year (cost to taxpayers for all preventable); mathematically predictable so preventable, going relatively unaddressed

hope this Ccl wd ask (by resolution) fed govt to devp a Nat'l Injury Prevention Strategy for Youth

resoln that WV took to FCM re standards for ski and snowboard helmets was heard so loudly across this country; Ccl cd take a leadership role again

BC statistics, lose over 2000 ppl ea yr; cost of preventable injuries

bottom; more die than all other causes

discussion as to whether or not to go to FCM in May

cd be a late recommendation

Kinar: national strategy; hope FCM issue; when WV last took to FCM went to H of Commons

60K chn; becoming active

being ignored, trying to reduce risk in chn; talking about preventable injuries

Jeff Anderson:  since 2004; www.nswetlandpartners.com

brochure for everyone...

started with purple martin project; grassroots stewardship projects, NV; WV Sway'wey, Larson Crk and other Sea to Sky projects, workshops and public fairs

help us track frogs and amphibians across the NSh; mapping

you always get 'invites'; app help; look forward to year

A green FROG got up to speak: St Patrick's day; drove snakes out of Ireland

JC: understand the African hog frog, nuisance, replacing rats, carrying a fungus, dries the skin; apparently transferring to salamanders and any wet-skinned amphibian -- has this turned up on NSh

PB: just heard about it from Aquarium; no reason why in BC

PF not yet; they're taking 60 endangered species; breeding prog

proposed a budget scenario for Ccl to consider; a 3.5% tax increase

add up and produced balanced budget at 3.5%; Ccl asked staff to bring forward and that's what's before you.

Mayor: it's good to have the questions before the debate at second reading.

CR: and when's the debate on second reading?

Mayor: I believe Apr 7th

Mayor: thank you

RL: sorry, cd you repeat question

Sop repeats: as reflected here

Sop: will remuneration of District staff be in front of us prior to conclusion of the Op Budget wch is reflected in this five-yr capital plan, financial plan?

Mayor: remuneration of staff

Sop: just a couple of summations, then I'll be satisfied; well, I won't be satisfied but I'll attempt to understand it.

what really bothers me is tools of process, one of wch was the year-long info that we received from the last few years from cmte [Finance], b/c gave us valuable advice, and then within last four months they've disappeared, and at this v difficult time of summation, they're not available

same in exhausting by staff ways and means to look at bringing the budget level down, the area that was not looked at was salaries, and you have stated a doc not to be looked at and draw any conclusions from

what I'm interpreting from that, Mr L, if in fact we're going to be looking at reasonable 3%, union negotiations, and similar for non-exempt staff, then that's going to be every year, if a doc stating certain rises in income, where wd we ever know whether salaries at 3% or higher? or if they are higher, what makes them higher; that type of information really shd be before us while we're determining, not only the five-yr wch is part of the consideration of the

RL: are you going by FIA reports or what's in financial plan?

{hm.  same method???}

Sop: app that; feeling is that that decision shd come before public and this Ccl -- what are the determiners? increased in salaried staff other than the 3%?

what makes it diff, salaries that go higher or lower -- we're not aware of that

not talked about it in past; how do we get there? How do we answer when a salary portion gets higher?

Mayor: may I suggest we come prepared to debate that on Apr 7th

obviously that's the bulk of what our Op Budget is comprised of, v important

Sop: app that, my point is that if these procedural tools in front of us, makes it  our job easier to understand; I've said we want to look at new directions/diff procedures in future

final part for me in acceptance of this bylaw is the necessity to pay off Cmnty Ctr, wch I'm supportive of; acceptance of this means we're obligated to sell Wetmore site, and my position is we have alternates viable; we already have, Mr Sokol, word is out for requests of interest; find ourselves in a bit of a bind b/c, I guess [is] taking prime M property owned by the citizens and funding a depreciating building over a period of time, yet we have not looked at our other valuable assets, look for investments or selling in future

I ask this Ccl to be aware of this on basis, if this goes through we're almost obligated here

not looked at, realistic

take a v hard look at Wetmore in another context; this is a rush to judgement

absolutely opposed to looking at a biz plan without looking at all the other options; we have an example right across the street from us, a tremendous asset that we haven't look at

Sop: I was asking about land sales, it includes $4.9M from prov, other land sales, fire hall sales out west, other land sales wch cd include sale of Wetmore prop.

That's what I was led to believe was going to happen; a big bite of money needed -- is that what is true or not?  I don't like double standards

told sell, now told all within confines of EF, wch is true?

RL: five-yr cap plan talks about the Cmnty Ctr being paid for by EF; in background it talks about resources flowing in and out; talks about certain land sales, may be Wetmore, firehall site; there's also discussion of some mbrs of Ccl maybe altering amt of threshold; was a lot of discussion about that; for the moment this bylaw is silent on the particular source, just says EF will pay for the Cmnty Ctr; not committed to any land sales, a background discussion

Mayor: Cclr Sop the other mbrs of ccl showing great restraint in not diving into this debate; may we have this discussion in full force at second reading Apr 7?

Sop: I'll start all over again, sure.

PASSED with Sop and VV opposed

KP: report outlines three awards; awards in past but these in particular in 2007 -- the architect for the Aq Ctr attended a mtg in Germany of the Int'l Facilities Assn to two awards for Aq Ctr: one from the Olympic Cmte and the Facilities Assn for exemplary design and function of a sport and leisure facility; the second from Int'l Paralympic Assn and the Facilities Assn for a sport facility suitable for ppl with disabilities

particularly proud of these

the third is interesting as well b/c several years ago both were featured in a gallery presentation on sustainable architecture in Cambridge ON

that booklet, presentation, exhibit, selected to be shown at Venice Bienniale of Architecture in the latter part of this year and will be a candidate for entry

particularly pleased with both of these; sustainable examples of architecture being given an award

provided that info to you; something this cmnty can be particularly proud of

Mayor: regionally....; locally....;  quite an accomplishment

PASSED

Ross McColman [sp?]: happy finally going forward; like former speaker, continually asking each other what's going on

golfing ev week, see bldg being gutted but nobody sure; didn't plan on speaking tonight

some questions; particularly re mtg room

one of the drawings, 300sf; another one looks like 440sf?

all along asked for a min of 600sf; b/c former site used for many years' have up to 50 players a day four times a week, particularly in summer season

not sure what's going in that room--- chairs, computers, records,...

host ppl from other clubs not able to; not too many keen to come b/c of facility

if suitable wd do that (invite)

3 - 400 ft not much room; particularly for catering

understand not just for golfers, don't intend for golfers only but also feel a larger area wd serve other ppl using the area as well

can the south wall be moved 15 to 20ft into the dance area wch currently has over 1000sf

don't know how movable, and if it is, then 600sf, used five times a week or more, that cd be its main position and move us back when a big dance party shows up

also see if some assurance these requests will be given some assurance

don't know if finalized; keep us posted; keen on providing input on design and location; ready willing and able

KP: Mr Leavers, and we have Mr Tom Bowen here, the architect on the project

DL: since we last met, Ccl asked staff to provide three things

fin plan, funding, new construction

you'll see in the report the Fin Dept has provided info from five-yr cap plan, expansion can .... one project....

second to look at H Conservation plan; with Heritage Register Project, worked with cmnty and consultant to write a SOS for the Grt Hall wch attests to the H values that will be protected at this facility

don't think it's a secret we worked v closely with golf and residents in planning

to last Thursday, design that met the budget, a key driver in this ...

in this last moment I called the two reps to my office men's and women's golf to my office to make sure satisfied..... for so

massaged sev design options

always been v v cognizant of both golfers and cmnty in this facility

didn't get a hint of any dissatisfaction since that last mtg, nor any ph calls

and was proceeding with a bit of a smile on my face so disappointing to hear those comments tonight

wrt the wall, shown as a sliding wall and does open and reveals the entire Grt Hall -- tournaments, turns into larger space, ...

this again was discussed with reps of the Club

Mayor: on process; really labyrinthine; pull together

... Cmnty is looking for that articulated from Ccl... that's what's taken some time

before motion on the floor

enjoy seeing finally progress

wondering if that's the case; going to be implementing immed?

DL: considerable done already; inside removed

have had money in devt fund; tying two projects as one

removal of drywall, utilities; not open to public now

investigation foundation and under knapsack {? I must've misheard}

... reuse those

investigation of the roof; any who have seen it -- fenced off, demolition bins

workers there for last week; been holding them off

get info back to Ccl tonight so we can proceed at full speed

VV: can we receive brief monthly reports on this?

DL: certainly

Sop: staff report, excellent

Ccl's decision...  true if hadn't... ev congratulated

ask Mr Laing on financial side, what is considered under administration fees?

RL: to Parks and Cmnty Services Division b/c of mgmt ...

Sop: does it have to be that high?

RL: judgement

helps us to service; debt going to take on

Sop: golf then ...  looking at Golf as sep entity?

RL: yes

Sop: then rev to 2010 - 12; not go to gen fund but to ?

RL: for [X] years have operated as a sep fund

segregated and as a golf devt fine, source for Grt Hall

JC: the motion passed Feb 18

asked wrt Great Hall, prep of biz plan and budget wch I don't see; no cashflow projection

in the five-yr, MFA loan over ten years, who chose the number?

throughout Metro, a min of 15 was used

RL: I set that term; we cd consider 15 years; we were trying to present as conservative a case as we cd

number of rounds

our starting point to demonstrate to ourselves we cd proceed in that fashion

JC: expressed concern in Feb

there are 40 seats in report, and 48 on the plan; one of the busiest restaurants in Amb is 50 seats

they go hell-bent

really think this as blue sky; want the project to go forward; rushing

did not .. immediately on restoration

concern build too big a restaurant and it'll sit there

DL: we relied on prev studies, there've been sev

depending on recommendations of ppl in the biz and the golf pro who has background experience in this area

to make a year-round facility work, all I've been told, at least 40 seats

new rec ctr , provides quite a few patrons when food service moves to this location

don't have a specific number; highly speculative

JF: the Grt Hall and the historical significance, is there potential to receive funding?

DL: yes, there definitely is

Steve Mikicich has identified two or three funds; some $10 to $25K to what this is called is a rehabilitation of the bldg; will be on our H Register, used for the assessment of grant applic

some av only once a year, some can be applied to sev times a year

make sure they go in as soon as we can

always be things to ... whether displays...  history of golf devt

adornments, lighting, windows that cd mt H aspects

JF: have you given thought how to keep the user groups, golf, WRA, apprised as you go forward?

DL: certainly; pace to get this to Ccl this week might have precluded those mtgs; happy to meet again wrt timing schedule

contractor documenting a lot as he's taking it apart; can only see that continuing

JF: great; certainly it was a grass roots

to see it renewed; anxious to be abreast and be of assistance

they may apply for grants themselves

Sop: viable you'll approach ...

space is what is leased and operator will suggest what he can do to make it viable

DL: correct

Sop: you still have to make sure a v gd biz case good for all

DL: any operator doing it will be asked for a req for proposal...

JC: glad to hear that, about RFPs, don't you think a better idea to put out to see what's required before...

doesn't take much time

DL: some months ago, expression of interest some months ago so we cd do that

timing we were facing

exp with our own golf pro provided us with ample info without going to that step

that's on e ot he more immed next steps

if opp to work with whoever comes in

as we proceed with design-build wd be great...

JC: restaurant most volatile ...

relying on out-dated studies and a golf pro, I mean, my goodness -- we can do better than that

DL opp to create some flexibility

generate its demand through opps that are there; golfing and cmnty rec fac

or through location and increasing demand for restaurant facilities in that area

if a keen op can do that ... that's what we wd look to

Mayor: think Ccl is

DL: wd really like to get an RFP out ... to plan that space accordingly ...

Mayor: drivers for this project...  heritage... and golfers

really Ccl here to serve

been long...think we've got the best of all possible worlds

PASSED

Tom Wardell, Chair of Heritage WG [text supplied]:  Thank you, Madam Mayor

On behalf of the Heritage Working Group, I would like to provide a brief overview of our accomplishments on the Community Heritage Register.  As outlined in the staff report this evening,

The initial time-line for completion of the Register was March 31st, which was dictated by the terms of the District's funding agreements with the BC Heritage Branch.

Staff have negotiated an extension of these contracts beyond March 31st, to enable us to develop a more comprehensive document, and complete our public involvement program

Our work to date has included:

  o  Preparation of an information newsletter, which was distributed to all West Vancouver households in November

  o  Information displays at various community events and venues

  o  An introductory workshop on Community Heritage Registers and Statements of Significance in December

  o  A follow-up workshop on Writing Statements of Significance in February

  o  A call for public nominations for the Register

We have developed a thematic framework and selection criteria (which are included as appendices A and B to the staff report).   Together with a heritage context statement (which is currently being prepared), these documents will provide the context and framework for understanding West Vancouver's heritage resources, and will provide a formal introduction to the Heritage Register document.

The Register itself will be a 'list' of officially recognized heritage resources, supported by a series of Statements of Significance (SOSs) for a number of individual resources.  This list is being compiled by updating our existing inventories and adding additional nominations from the public.

While the District is contractually obligated to produce 15 Statements of Significance as part of this project, we are hoping to produce 25 or 30 SOSs - through the combined efforts of the Working Group, community volunteers, consultant, and staff.

The Next Steps in this process will involve:

  o  Finalizing the draft list of resources for the Register (March)

  o  Preparing additional Statements of Significance (March - April)

  o  Hosting a Public Information Display (April)

We thank you for this opportunity, and look forward to:

  o  Presenting the completed Register at a Council Workshop (targeted for May 12th); and

  o  Council's consideration for adoption of the Register (targeted for May 26th)

Mayor: questions?

JF: want to thank the HWG; found report absolutely thorough and even I understood it; looking forward to implement

TW: thank you

RD: work over years; been a long process, back to 1990s when we started it; thx, Tom, Steve

TW: Stephen has done all of the hard work

CARRIED

GB: not doing a presentation; saving up

what you have is a proposal from the proponents; advocacy of the WG

RD: thx for all the hard work; Rodgers Crk devt plan goes back to around 2000 Upper Lands Report by Planning Dept, and OCP 2004 necessity of area devt plans for above the Upper Levels hwy -- the first such devt area is Rodgers Crk, 215 acres.  The OCP put great emphasis on strong and diverse cmnties; on sensitivity to the natural environment, esp the mountainside; thirdly on environmental and economic sustainability

BPP started, exhaustive; draining, etc, did a sieve analysis; tremendously detailed study of the terrain

led to unprecedented cooperation, staff, BPP, and WG

55% will remain natural, green; 45% devpd, footprint smaller than sgl fam

mountain pathway wch will link all six RCrk areas; village ctr will be built just west of the RCrk area, wch we are planning already; encourage pedestrians, bicycle traffic, facilities, shopping,  in the area so ppl won't have to drive down the hill

discuss in workshop Apr 10, two options: A: 538 units at 2.5upa; and B: 736 units but on same footprint; IOW same size either way

A: units wd be larger, averaging 2255sf; B: smaller ~1600sf

In B, slight more density to enable pathway, village ctr, and so forth and it wd probably be envtally more sustainable as well, but that's up for public discussion as well; up to public

Mayor: discussion?

Sop: I'd like to make stmt; reviewed doc and watched process

worked on Whitby four years, think we learned; in those days thought progress from previous devt

listened to WG from time to time; paid attn to some areas of concern to me; save questions to workshop

excellent job paid to envmt, creeks; booklet has a lot of merit

still a little puzzling; if we go through with this and Ev Dr, what number of units for delivery in first five years

see quality; homes beautifully done

hope in these layouts, WYSIWYG; wrt clearing, truly green rather than [artist rendering] as we saw before

do see there's space; layout of roofs, not only great effort front to back but east to west

will save comments on benefits and so on till day of mtg so in support of moving forward

GB: that's the plan; the WG's view of the plan;  also a presentation on the traffic impact and the fiscal impact study by consultants and presentation of Cmnty/Amenity Benefits pkg

Mayor: wkshop Ccl's opp to learn, then will come back to Ccl for decision and direction, so bit of a process

Mayor: special request of the Lib

Ann Goodhart: ... have been moving forward; key is implementation is RFID; first step in entire plan; worked closely with DNV and CNV

almost a year ago the District went out for RFP, then CNV and DWV worked with us

feel we have the best provider of that ...  three working together ... WV last ...

we will be the last ppl in line to get this

the District has implemented in their new building and CNV has signed contract; good through Nov

I secured first extn to Jan, second to Feb, third ext to discount guarantee to end of March

it's worth about $53K to make that timeline; ask for approval to contract with that company

RD: introduce motion and thank Ann Goodhart, and Harry Greenwood and Paul Tutsch; Harry is the Chair of the Library Bd, and Paul is the vice-chair

Mayor: and chair of Fdn as well

RD: chair of Fdn as well; v fortunate volunteers in this cmnty; dedication, ability, can't say too much about them

60% being paid by the Library Fdn, 60% is $1M; $400K is already budgeted saving $53K, so we're only looking at about $275K of add'l funding for what is going to save us a lot of money over the years.

The RFID technology is going to be more efficient, better use of personnel we have, and it also means going to have downstairs, a small concert hall downstairs that can be divided into mtg rooms, extremely convenient.  Reading room will be upstairs, the old Peters Room; and all the facilities the public uses will be centralized right near the desk

much more convenient as well as for personnel, nothing but progress; library going to be even better than it was, on this happy note [makes MOTION]

VV: have a question in line with our new attitude to fiscal responsibility

AG: we plan to employ staff in other ways; we won't be laying off

library services have been expanding over last decade; we're stretched

in terms of actual payback, number of studies from other libraries, and cd devp that fig for you

potential number of staff moved into other services; happy to do that

normally a policy that will give us a payback in two or three years, maybe move to a four or five; just a key number that makes a biz case

wd like us to be in habit of seeing it; a step forward to mechanize

Paul Tutsch: Ccl V, I'd like to answer that question as best I might, having come from a biz background; no question you want to see a return

also like to say, to surpass the expectations of our clients in this case users of the library

we know internally what that means; toll that takes on staff we have

not always ROI; a straight ROI doesn't nec give a better service to your client base

the taxpayers who pay a majority; that's what they're asking for

Sop: Ms Goodhart, along with larger room construction cost; you won't be coming back to Ccl for more money

AG: when Bd and I drew up the budget; the contingencies on construction will all be borne by Fdn

PASSED

Karl Gustavson (applicant/architect for owner/dvpr): hope referring this to Public Hearing

good bit of diligence with public; four units on Pat's restaurant site

consideration of height and adjacent nbrs to north down the lane; Design Panel gave great referral

we were ready to come before you in Dec of last year, held off for this referral b/c of wanting to understand Amenity contribution policy

this four-unit project is the guinea pig, what policy is about

do want to remind Ccl other projects in this cmnty we've done have had benefits though may not be directly tangible to the cmnty at large, but tangible as a long-term vision

this project's features: green, thermal heating

b/c of concern of Cmnty Amenity contribution, Public Benefit, public art on site

had discussion with staff well before Dec; what we do in NV is 3% for public art, contribution guideline thought reasonable, then we backed off

we let staff move forward with an analysis of the uplift value of this particular site

uplift value based on a number of factors, outside consultant

conclusion they came to, believe correct on these v small sites, 1.25FAR, four units, most based on above-ground density, storage etc. some spaces not included 7300sf, 1000 is actually underground for storage; look of it, so really less than 1.25

b/c of difficulty of small sites, coming up with comparable value, cd be less, cd be less or more than you can build in this site

basically doing what intended for site; 3% is a good guideline, agree, support that for these small projects

Sop: b/c of the site and the limitations on number of units, and gas stn in front of you

why wd you advance this early when cd be a larger bldg in front of you in future

KG: good question; I approached my client, who is here, we have to understand a wall in front of us

cd be bldg, accept that possibility

excellent location for a family-type devt; close to transit, schools, services; that's why we decided to proceed; what today will not be there tomorrow

Sop: support, but where is a child going to play? on some grass? going to play in lane

not viable to chn; laneway, busy street, patio nothing

KG: half a block from the park; shd debate at PH

VV: I have a question -- can we estimate prop taxes for this? we know for RCrk Devt, shd that devt be built

scribbled out a comparison; got no conclusion in that

did for 15-unit proposal before

looked at annual report for 2006; looked at number of staff -- 30 households for one M employee

averaging $80K then 40K for ofc, car, equipment

so if we want to maintain quality, maintain ratio of staff to residents

keep ratio to residents for services or staff stretched thin

.1 unit of staff wch is about $12K

are we going to get more that $12K for those four units? .... approx each?

don't know what current price for dwellings in that area but have you tested this formula yourself yourself?

KG: increase in density, and use, and as a result tax increase

that base, factor into as well, contribution other benefits; gateway concept; sidewalks, watermain; all have to be factored in; have to look at broader picture

Mayor: good questions for PH; tonight setting date

Sop: Mr Sokol, if you don't want to answer--

lacking public amenity; when we come to the public hearing, look at assessment before, then after; if that private for some reasons then we in camera shd be given

reasoning behind, look at delivery -- forget the word, but all sites not going to be same; public amenity is going to vary

I'm asking Mr Sokol how formulas will work in future; this is still ahead of Amb plan, be valuable for us; if that's not too tough a question for the first time around

[JF MADE MOTION "with pleasure"]

Sop: point of order; to be considered separately

Mayor: yes, we were advised to consider separately

Sop: why? when going to a public mtg, outline of a report, why accepting that this is sufficient for LGA in this document?

Sokol: not familiar with Section 879 of LGA; in this report it lays out that a number of opps for consultation, some already done, some for future; and once all done in total, sufficient opp for consultation with the public

Sop: Mr Sokol,  I've never seen this type of interpretation, is it new?

Mayor: I haven't either.  Ms Scholes, will you comment on Section 879 and this wording?

SSch: I was just going to look for Geri Boyle

{laughter}

GB: not sure what the questions is

Mayor: wording that Ccl hasn't seen before

GB: this specific wording, actually we have used it in recent years, but it's quite irregular

usually things are exactly as per the OCP

This wording has been used in two projects since I've been here: one was Ev Dr project, where we had to change the OCP, zoning change; secondly in conjunction 24th and Dundarave

to ensure no confusion; if ppl wanted to debate whether or not within OCP, we felt best to say we had a lot of consultation and feel approp

Sop: so can't argue we haven't consulted on OCP, statement? -- there b/c of confusion?

GB: statement; the LGA does talk about the requirement to consult on OCP changes, number one

type -- doesn't tell you what you have to do

big project, probably ideally more consult

but leaves it up to M&Ccl to decide if approp to question at hand

Mayor: going into PH, public mtg, ample opp; first motion on floor

CARRIES

JF second part

CARRIES

third part

Sop: what is reference to financial plan?

SILENCE!

RL: it is reflected in the current fin plan; one-line item; changes in detail but not in total

Sop: combination of infrastructure that wd be needed

RB: standard requirement for OCP amendments; assure been

make sure sufficient dollars; that has been confirmed

waste mgmt, safeguard

Sop: then DCC charges?

RB: those are sep from this requirement

JF: first time in short form

THAT and ALL REST PASSED

Raymond Fung: Plan is regularly reviewed; current priorities and issues; identified that priorities in our plan need to be adjusted

This is in response to two issues that have come up; one, in respect to the two water reservoirs in our distribution system, and the second the treatment plant that is currently under construction.

first, external cracks were observed at Bonnymuir reservoir, determined not imminent threat of collapse

its twin, Craigmore reservoir, same design and age, consultant recommended both these structures be replaced at $2M

The second relates to the Eagle Lake membrane filtration facility

goal here is to optimize use of Eagle Lake water

treating own water cheaper than purchasing from Metro V and provides some redundancy in our system so we have backup

Medical Health Office permit on condition we meet new anticipated standards coming out

attention to pH adjustment and corrosion control, as well as concerns identified by public to be imp

cost-benefit analysis showed plant economically viable up to a max cost of $19M and plant capacity of 21M litres per day.

last time to Ccl approved $15.5M budget, however have seen some drastic increases in material and construction costs, specifically the membranes themselves and pH facility

staff propose budget increased by $800K

original increase proposed was in excess of this amt; major efforts by staff, reduced to amt currently being suggested tonight

cross-country main extension imp to Eagle Lake, allows more distributed by gravity; imp but not critical to filtration plant

we're suggesting a change in the funding formula, able to offset first two items so we can accomplish those two projects.

recommend this be endorsed and incorporated into five-yr plan

Sop: this year alone reduction of water bought from Metro Vancouver

work on Lake for capacity, to serve more, to buy less

bygone days you presented a time we'd saw off on this?  cost-effectiveness will be at $18M, by the time we're done with this -- at $23.4M now -- how long do you think before a payback to the cmnty by buying less water?

we broke that down into looking at each component separately, so I just want to clarify this case just for the treatment plant

in terms of payback is what you compare it to; the price of treated bulk water from MetroV is going up as a result of the $600M Seymour Capilano Treatment Plant

if not proceeded with Eagle Lake, we'd just accept all increases from MetroV and they've been higher than was first envisioned, and since then they've also implemented seasonal pricing

want to make it clear that payback not necessarily that at some point suddenly expenditures decreasing, but it's comparing what we wd have had to pay if we hadn't proceeded with project

Sop: want assured on right track; finalization of Seymour/Capilano, think water costs will ever go down? where does that leave us with buying less water?

RF: don't think for foreseeable future price of water will go down; also affected by drinking water mgmt plan; see a plateauing of increases in future as cost to underwrite Seymour/Cap plan tapers off

Sop: if looking at cross-country main extension, is by contribution in this plan?

RF: yes, looking at alternate funding strategy and that cd be a combination of the devpr cost-shared project; perhaps wd be a v good candidate for some infrastructure grant program that is, the Build Canada program is about to be announced.  We've received some interest from BPP as we talk about the Cmnty Benefits package.  That might also be a project they'd be interested in participating on.

JC: move the plan be amended as outlined...

Mayor: first class job, Mr Fung, from managing the whole package from the installation of the water meters to the Eagle Lake and the membrane and the-- don't forget, when Vancouver experienced the worst in years during the storm last year, our Eagle Lake water was perfectly fine, so being charge of your own water supply may become increasingly important, so thank you

CARRIED

CARRIED

Sop: pay consultant to say leaky -- $15K to tell us what we already know?

RF: est non-rev water

flushing reservoir cleaning; leaking mains; amt of water leaking on services as well

till metering was an unknown qty; during metering process some of that came to light

how best to address each of those components

20.       Correspondence List  [in previous newsletter]

21. REPORTS from MAYOR/COUNCILLORS [None]

CR: Just a couple of quick questions.

Will, if it's on Apr 7th, we still have some time to discuss it b/c I wondered if the Apr 16th mtg had to do with the budget or not.

I've got your question about public tenders over $100K, and the question about whatever that book is, that you--

CR: {unintelligible} and so the third reading, if that were April 14th, you cd still adopt the budget in May.  I'm just wondering why the 16th mtg.

Mayor: Well, I don't know what's going to happen.  We're going for Apr 7th for second reading

CR: and the second question was -- Cclr Sop said something about assessed values or appraisals and that it might be private or not to be public, but assessed values or appraisals wd be public, so I just want to know; was worried when I heard that b/c of I've heard of mtgs being closed when they really shd be open, so maybe you can explain that later.

The third thing is, the workshop on Apr 10 on Rodgers Crk, will be v v important as I heard the presentations are going to be made then, so I know a lot of the public will be interested but might not all be able to attend, so I wondered if that was going to be televised.

SSch: it will be videostreamed, so the livestreaming will be available on the website.  We're also speaking with Shaw TV about having them come in to record.

CR: oh, that's really great.  In the meantime, have a great spring break and holiday.

Thank you.

Mayor: motion to adjourn, Cclr V

VV: Yes; I'm not sure if there's an individual signing up to speak or if I shd make the motion to adjourn.

Mayor: mtg is adjourned

23. ADJOURNMENT [9:19]

Received a plea for help.  It is shocking that they plan to cancel the CBC Radio Orchestra!  We went to the "Love Lost, Love Found", the Valentine's concert at the Chan in February and it was great.  How cd they cancel it when they used it in their presentation re Olympics?

-----------------

Dear Sirs:

It is with great alarm and disappointment I learned of the pending cancellation of CBCRO so I hasten to write and request that this be reconsidered and that the CBCRO continue after November.

The cost it is said, is to be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars, and surely this could be addressed, if finances are uppermost in Mr Steinmetz's and the Corporation's minds, by raising revenue.  Let us explore ways to do this.  Perhaps used elsewhere? on other programmes? rented? Welcome public input as to ways to raise revenue, or even trim other areas with minimal effect -- the costs of the orchestra must be a small part of the CBC's overall budget.

The CBC is a defining element of Canadian society.  So is its radio orchestra -- for over 70 years and the only one in North America.  Part of our heritage!

Yours truly,  Carolanne Reynolds  ------------ call CBC or write to cbcinput@cbc.ca ---------------

        ===  HAIKU  ===  [English Bay (West End) Sun Mar 16th; seventh version; might settle down soon!]

        ===  TANKA  ===   [Tuesday March 18th]

When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion.

                        -- Abraham Lincoln, 16th president of the U.S. (1809-1865)

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

                        -- William James, psychologist (1842-1910)

When the oak is felled the whole forest echoes with its fall, but a hundred acorns are sown in silence by an unnoticed breeze.

                        -- Thomas Carlyle, historian and essayist (1795-1881)

It is almost impossible to carry the torch of truth through a crowd without singeing somebody's beard.

                -- George Christopher Lichtenberg, scientist and philosopher (1742-1799)

If you speak the truth, have a foot in the stirrup.     -- Turkish proverb