WVM2009-28r
Dec 14 & 18 Ccl Mtg NOTES
Calendar to Jan 12th
by
Carolanne Reynolds, Editor
www.WestVan.org
Treasure your Christmas
presents.....
Yesterday is
history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift - that is why it
is called the present.
IN THIS ISSUE:
NB:
The next Ccl mtg will be in 2010, January 11th
= Vive le Canada (HM Queen's Christmas msg);
ANIMALWATCH (those incredibly intelligent octopi; a puppy's handy
cellphone; a flexible man; an absolutely adorable hippopotamus --
sleeps with a pillow!); from the EDITOR'S DESK (WV Order of Canada!;
Imponderables re money for health vs war, global warming; steep tax
increase in Vanc); WVPD (do you know who?); UPDATES (Budget 2010;
Sustainable Malmo; Maxine's Hideaway; Christmas Trees; Dec 14
Subscriber Summary)
= CALENDAR to Jan 12th; CULTUREWATCH
(Theatre, Music including Early Music Vancouver and
Entomophonix)
= Ccl Mtg NOTES Dec 14th and 18th:
o 14th: Housing Pilot Projects (2614
Ottawa and 6801 Hycroft) -- My remarks in red/bold include hoping
for omitted Uplift info; 2009 Budget Amendment Bylaw; Fees
and Charges Review/Bylaw; Utility Fees -- Solid Waste (way up!),
Water, Sewer; Sp Ccl Mtg 8:30am Fri Dec 18; Adoption of bylaws for
HBBiz and Sec Stes; DVPs 1313 Fulton Jan 11, 4726 Woodvalley Jan 25;
PQP, a question of process wrt $7M taken from Endowment Fund when it
wasn't there?
o 18th: Ccl/Cmte Appointments; Snow Removal
on 18th between Rosebery and Queens; Letters re oil tank charges,
devt on Esquimalt/20th (from ADRA re increased density); Answers
re 15th & Mathers and Westmount calming; Answers re $7M resulting
in more questions...... And why does it take over three months to
reply to an enquiry about a bylaw when it's supposed to be answered
within seven days according to the Cmnty Charter?
= INFObits (Kwanzaa Dec 26 to Jan 1, Cricket
Weatherforecasting); WOMANWATCH (Malaysia, Japan); NEWSWATCH (Iraq;
Electricity denied); BOOKWATCH (gifts); Initialization vs Acronyms;
WORDWATCH (Word of the Year) & NEWWORDWATCH from World Wide Words;
MAIKU (Christmas); QUOTATIONS, Christmas Quiz, & PUNNY
ANSWERS
o What do you call fear of Santa
Claus?
. . . and here are a few more
Christmas puns/puzzles/riddles:
- What do monkeys sing at Christmas
time?
- What is green, covered with tinsel and says, "Rabbit,
rabbit"?
What would you get if you ate the
Christmas decorations?
What kind of motorcycle would Santa
ride?
- How do Santa and Mrs. Claus travel?
What language does Santa Claus
speak?
- How do sheep in Spain say Merry
Christmas?
=== Vive le Canada
===
= Really enjoying the torch's trip showing us all those
different parts of Canada.
= The Queen's Christmas Message:
".....It is 60 years since the
Commonwealth was created and today, with more than a billion of its
members under the age of 25, the organisation remains a strong and
practical force for good.
Recently I attended the Commonwealth
Heads of Government Meeting in Trinidad and Tobago and heard how
important the Commonwealth is to young people.
New communication technologies allow
them to reach out to the wider world and share their experiences and
viewpoints. For many, the practical assistance and networks of the
Commonwealth can give skills, lend advice and encourage
enterprise.....
I have been closely associated with
he Commonwealth through most of its existence. The personal and living
bond I have enjoyed with leaders, and with people the world over, has
always been more important in promoting our unity than symbolism
alone.
The Commonwealth is not an
organisation with a mission. It is rather an opportunity for its
people to work together to achieve practical solutions to
problems.
In many aspects of our lives,
whether in sport, the environment, business or culture, the
Commonwealth connection remains vivid and enriching. It is, in lots of
ways, the face of the future. And with continuing support and
dedication, I am confident that this diverse Commonwealth of
nations can strengthen the common bond that transcends politics,
religion, race, and economic circumstances.....
I wish you all, wherever you may be,
a very happy Christmas."
The video and text of the whole speech can be found
at:
=== ANIMALWATCH
===
* An Octopus's Garden
Well, it was a fascinating clip on the BBC news Mon Dec 14th [
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8408233.stm ] and then it appeared on
CBC and CNN on Tues (15th). Maybe you saw it. They are v
intelligent creatures and can solve problems but now they've found
they can use tools. In this case it's footage of an octopus
taking advantage of coconut shells humans discard and using them as
protection or even a nest. Running with them is called
'stilt-walking'.
* Cute Puppy [click on 'skip this
ad' right away!]
* Snakeman
His contortions are amazing -- looks impossible and makes you
squirm wondering how he does it.....
* Adorable Hippo, Jessica
What a story. Found when a day old. Keep in mind
hippos kill more humans than any other animal in Africa does.
This one opens the door to go in the house, is handfed, sleeps on the
porch with a pillow (and dogs cuddle), and enjoys massages. Not
in cage, can join pod up the river but comes back. (Who wdn't
with that treatment? one spoiled hippo!) See video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3NueKXS6dk
=== from the EDITOR'S DESK
===
ORDER OF CANADA:
Congratulations to WV resident Michael Audain awarded the
Order of Canada Dec 30.
IMPONDERABLES:
= Is it unbalanced reporting in the US media that Americans are
v upset health care might cost money while spending billions and
billions on wars in Iraq and Afghanistan (either on false premises
and/or ineffectively/poorly), or is that really the (incredible)
case?
= why waste time arguing over global warming when the Earth has
gone through these swings, and there's no doubt Man's practices may be
exacerbating this trend -- major, minor, or marginally a detail --
why not curb, control, and prepare?
= TAXES -- can any biz cope with some recent
increases in taxation and the mill rate?
For example, in a letter to the editor in the VSun Dec 22, the
owner of Art Works Gallery of Vancouver reports her annual biz prop
taxes:
$28,158.04 in 2002
$36,470.77 in 2003
$43,983.34 in 2004
$53,745.25 in 2005
$60,745.25 in 2006
$71,826.69 in 2007
$78,204.34 in 2008
$96,804.56 in 2009
From a bit more than $2K a month to $8K a month, more than
three times what she was paying! Has her biz's income
increased that much? Inflation's increase was ~15% -- but
this difference represents an increase of 243%, from a mere seven
years ago!
Well, Vancouver can fight their own battles. WV decided to
be primarily residential about 1926 so our small biz cmnty's share is
tiny while over 92% of our taxes raised from residents.
=== WVPD ===
E-POLICING ALERT
West Vancouver Police Department, 1330 Marine Drive, West
Vancouver, BC V7T 1B5
Ph: 604 925 7300 | Fax: 925 5938 Web: http://wvpd.ca | E-Mail: cs@wvpd.ca
Date: 2009 December 22
Contact: Cst. Jeff Palmer
Telephone: 925 7348
Can you give us the gift of information? West Vancouver
Police have an updated summary of persons to identify in relation to
reported offences.
Suspects To Identify @ wvpd.ca
Please review photos on our website at the link below and
contact our investigators if you are able to identify the individuals
that appear there.
wvpd.ca/breaking-stories/296-suspects-to-identify-can-you-help-us
The 'Suspects to Identify' page is regularly updated and we will
notify you by e-policing alerts if there are new persons of interest
that we are seeking to identify.
West Vancouver Police thank you for your visits to wvpd.ca and
your prompt attention to e-policing alerts.
E-policing alerts and identification of persons through
distribution of security camera images played a key role in
concluding two recent West Vancouver Police investigations, and helped
identify a suspect in a Vancouver fraud investigation.
=== UPDATES / INFO
===
Cclr Lewis on mend! He's fine and was at the ccl mtg
Friday 8:30am (Dec 18), the last mtg of the year.
* Budget 2010
Well, we'll be offered crumbs after Ccl and staff have digested
the draft Budget 2010. IMHO unreasonable to release Budget
2010 on Jan 11 and hold the mtg for public input a mere week later
(Jan 18). In the past there's usually been at least a month
for residents to read about, expenditures, increases, changes.
This year of decreased revenues (for DWV and citizens) and a sizable
utility rate increase, Ccl needs the suggestions from the cmnty as to
where cuts (if any) and where to generate more revenue (user fees,
partnerships, sponsors, funding campaigns, etc). Let Ccl know
how much time you want -- or we cd wait until we see it to ask for
more time.
* World's First Sustainable
City?
Climate Action! CBC's the National Tu Dec 15 at
about 10:30pm had a news item on Malmo, Sweden, after conference in
Rio (1992), aiming to be the world's first sustainable city explaining
various measures they've taken from solar power to the recycling of
waste and use as fuel; 50% of the rain is absorbed, gardens on roofs.
The wave of the future all in Copenhagen hope......
* Maxine's Hideaway
Vancouver has just voted to replace it (on Bidwell in West End,
~100 years old) with a 20-storey highrise, but may leave the front
(facadism). Will Millennium do it sensitively with due attention
to a piece of Vancouver's heritage?
* Christmas Trees
Studies show that farmed Christmas trees are more environmentally
sound than artificial trees, even if used for many years.
Howe Sound Lions Club and WV Boy Scouts
Annual Christmas Tree Sales
The West Vancouver Boy Scouts are
selling trees daily at the corner of Taylor Way and Clyde Ave beside
Park Royal.
The Howe Sound Lions Club are
selling trees from 9am to 8pm daily at the entrance to Ambleside
Park.
Annual Christmas Tree Chip Up is January
10, Sunday 10am - 3pm
* Ccl Mtg HIGHLIGHTS Dec 14
from summary sent out to subscribers just after the ccl mtg
Just at 7pm and the mtg was about to start, we all heard the
smash of glass and tinkling. Turns out that Cclr Lewis had
broken the plate glass to the right of the door, after tripping and
hitting it with his hand and head. He was stabilized and rushed
off. Once satisfied all handled, the mtg started
(7:25).
...
= Debate on having more than the two housing pilot
projects (2614 Ottawa, 6801 Hycroft) noted in the memo was
interesting. The cost of staff time will have to be in the
budget. (Amount for each was never mentioned. See list of
properties and proposals in the staff memo.)
No one asked about the relative acceptance for the proposed
projects but on hearing the Mayor say she favoured the two rather than
including some other projects wch, while good, were not as accepted by
the nbrhds, Cclr Smith quite rightly reacted to being put in the
position of making a decision when others had more complete
information. You know me, the opinion of the nearby nbrhd shd hv been
sought before coming to Ccl, AND if mbrs of Ccl did not see that
information on each of the five 'serious' ones presented, they shd hv
asked for it.
BTW, I thought the addresses shd hv bn public earlier -- happy
at least they now are with nbrhd consultation planned --, and was
positively elated to hear something I'd suggested at a WG mtg now
being considered. At a mtg (I had not gone to the ones at the
beginning -- you may recall that this WG bolted out of the gate the
end of July without going through the process of establishment by the
CEC with terms of reference and approval by Ccl) I mused that the
experts, the WG with staff, maybe shd have described the kinds of
alternative housing that wd be desirable for WV, made those types
public, and then invited nbrhds to offer to have one. That wd
assure an area's acceptance before starting and remove a major element
in plunking pilots into a block midst surprised nbrs. This way,
and they are interesting choices, for any of the proposals, there is
considerable cost for the applicants and it isn't fair IF, after
listening to the nbrhd's objection, stopped. Sort of seems to me
most nearby shd accept the experiment before anyone, whether DWV or
applicant, spends any more time, money, or energy.
Don't get me wrong. I think this is a great concept to
explore a variety of housing types, have residents see them, and then
it's practical, demonstrated, and a more informed decision as to
whether or not we want more of these in WV or some of another type.
Instead of foisting diversity on us, it's an inclusive and considerate
approach to have us see what may be suitable for WV and for the many
who want to downsize, have smaller units, and stay in WV -- so full
marks for this effort.
...
= Appointments deferred to Friday; DVP dates set for
January
= Announcement Budget to be released to public at mtg
Jan 11, public input Jan 18, aim to pass Budget 2010 by end of January
(mtg Jan 25 follows the one on the 18th)
= PQP: A resident asked for the details of
Council's authorisation for the $7 million that was borrowed from the
Endowment Fund to pay for the Civic Centre, and why staff have
not responded to frequent emails and phone calls over the past three
months requesting a copy of the relevant bylaw. It was, however
about 9:58 and the Mayor cut him off before he got out his second
question, asking he come back to Friday morning's ccl mtg. Stay
tuned. (A case of whatever it takes to pay off the cmnty ctr? --
maybe we all wd agree with doing it that way but wd prefer to know
beforehand about the options and prefer it done in public and
according to Hoyle, so to speak.)
== 2010 CALENDAR to Jan 12th
=====
{Pls note that ALL mtgs are at M
Hall (usually in the MFCR, Main Floor Conference Room, but
sometimes in the chamber) unless indicated otherwise.
Additions and changes can occur at any time so best to check the DWV
website calendar wrt cmtes and WGs that are of interest to you.
Often cmte/WG mtgs are not posted or confirmed until a couple of days
beforehand so this is a moving target!}
May have been missed (went to subscribers but not in
newsletter?), hope an annual tradition:
~ 6 to 8pm ~ Thursday Dec 10 = Lantern Parade &
Carols
Starts at St. Monica's Church down Nelson and Royal to beach.
Bring your lanterns and your whole family. Sponsored by
Horseshoe Bay Business Association and supported by Western Residents'
Assn, St Monica's Church, and Gleneagles Cmnty Ctr
~ 10am ~ Friday Dec 11th -- Holiday Music in the Lobby of
the Gleneagles Cmnty Ctr
Carol
Singing in Horseshoe Bay? and come for coffee.....
2010!
= Wednesday Jan 6th ~ 5:30pm ~ Housing Pilot Prog WG
= Thursday Jan 7th ~ 7:30am ~ Field Sports Forum WG at
Cmnty Ctr (Mtn Rm)
= Tuesday Jan 12th
~ 7pm ~ MetroV Regional Growth Strategy Public
Consultation Mtg; Eagles Club, 170 W 3rd, NV
+++ WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY
+++
- for Events and Programs: http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/index.php?page=5
- for Event Calendar: http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/event/calendar.php
Italian Bel Canto Opera
-- Lecture Series (at WVML in the Welsh Hall)
The Library presents a six-week course that
will explore the lives, works, and influence of the three great
Italian bel canto composers: Gioacchino Rossini, Gaetano Donizetti,
and Vincenzo Bellini. The operas discussed will include the popular
comedies Il Barbiere di Siviglia and L'elisir d'amore, tragic
operas such as Lucia di Lammermoor and Norma, and a few lesser-known
masterpieces.
Wednesdays, Jan 6th - Feb
3rd from 10:30am - 12:30pm; call 925-7400 for more
information
--
closed Dec 20 to Jan 4; reopening Jan 12
MIXED MESSAGES -- January 12 - 24
Mixed Media / Artists: Anni Hunt, Bahram Javahry,
Fariba Mirzaie, Aileen Marie Vantomme, Claire Sunok Choi
Opening Reception: Tuesday, January
12, 6 - 8 pm
Artists in Attendance: Saturday, January 16,
2 - 3 pm
-- next exhibition, MONSTER, from Feb 4 to May
8
+++ KAY MEEK CENTRE
+++
o To get onto the mail list: the
simplest method is to call the box office (913 3634) or email
tickets@kaymeekcentre.com
Marc Destrube and Alex
Weimann
Vancouver's Leading Baroque Musicians Perform
All-Bach Program
3pm Sunday January 10
Supported by Pacific Baroque
Orchestra; presented by EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER
Violinist Marc Destrubé, a founding
member of the Tafelmusik Orchestra, has appeared with leading
period-instrument orchestras in North America and Europe including the
Academy of Ancient Music and the Hanover Band. Harpsichordist
and conductor Alexander Weimann, one of the world's leading
Baroque interpreters, is one of the most sought-after ensemble
directors, soloists, and chamber musicians of his generation.
This programme features Sonatas by Bach, including his Suite BWV 1025
- a transcription of a Lute Sonata by Leopold Weiss.
+++ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 60, West
Vancouver +++
The Winter Issue of "The Torch"
is now available.
To view the newsletter, just click the
following link for direct access:
Best regards,
Janice Mackay-Smith, The Torch
>>>
Hi Everyone!
Soon it will be New
Year's Eve, and if you do not already have plans, maybe you will
consider coming down to Branch 60 to ring in 2010! We had a sellout
crowd of 70 people last year, and a good time was had by
all!
At 8pm on
Thursday, December 31st, the party begins! (Please note the lounge
will be closed between 7 and 8pm for setting up).
For $25 there
will be party favours, appetizers, dancing to the music of Ray
O'Toole, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are now
on sale behind the lounge bar.
Merry
Christmas to you all, and a healthy, happy, prosperous, New
Year!
> Post Olympic/Paralympic Legacies -
Economic and Health
Tuesday, Jan 12th ~ 7 to 9pm in Atrium, Park Royal
South
MP John Weston Invites you to join him with
Minister of State Gary Lunn, Senator Nancy Greene Raine, and
Olympic/Paraplympic athletes so YOU can influence the post Games
health and economic legacies. Pre-registration
is free but please pick up your
ticket during office hours at our WV office between Monday, January
5th and Friday, January 10th,
> CHAMBER BREAKFAST
Join us for this Special Olympic Breakfast
with Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones who will share plans for the Games
and beyond. Also included in this discussion will be new Chief
of Police Peter Lepine who will discuss security during the
Games.
~ 7:30 - 9am ~ Wednesday
January 20th, 2010 -- The Capilano Golf and Country
Club
Sponsored by the West Vancouver Community
Foundation.
Come
Celebrate West Vancouver as an Olympic Venue City! We will have
special Olympic give-a-ways and a door
prize!
Please RSVP by 5pm Thursday January 14th on our
secure website www.westvanchamber.com or call 604 926 6614. Our host,
Capilano Golf and Country Club, requires advance number for
preparation. Please also note that we are unable to give a refund
without 48 hours' notification; however a delegate substitution is
welcome at any time.
=== CULTUREWATCH
===
.. and don't forget Vancouver's
cultural event -- the Polar Bear Swim on New Year's Day at 2:30pm in
English Bay....... :-) A WVM correspondent will be daring
to dunk.
*
THEATRE
+ BLACKBIRD THEATRE at the
Cultch: Albee's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
Dec 28 to Jan 16
Visit TicketsTonight.ca or call 604 251
1363
+ THE ARTS CLUB (687
1644)
Irving Berlin's White Christmas at the
Stanley until Dec 27
It's a Wonderful
Life on Granville Island until Jan 2
+ VANCOUVER
PLAYHOUSE -- Dirty
Rotten Scoundrels until Dec 27; tix 873
3311
+ Jericho Arts Centre,
1675 Discovery
THEATRICS AT
MANSFIELD PARK created & directed by Joan
Bryans
January 2 - 9 (excl Monday), Matinee 2pm on Sat
Jan 9th
Vital Spark
Theatre
Back by popular demand!
You are once again invited into the Jane Austen household to
experience the warmth of a Regency winter entertainment.
In this play, inspired by
the Austens who regularly put on entertainments for their family and
friends to brighten the dark winter days, you will be welcomed into
the warmth -- a blazing fire, a hot drink, and above all, the wit and
cheer of the entertainment itself. Join the Austen family as
they entertain you with music, song, poetry, and a theatrical -- this
one based on the work of Jane's Mansfield Park:
Meet the
Bertram family. While father is away the play's the thing. Behind the
guise of theatricals.
romance,
temptation and indecorum reign. Will Edmund, with Fanny Price's
help, win the battle
against such
goings-on or will he succumb to the oh-so-tempting Miss Mary
Crawford?
Theatrics at Mansfield
Park is created and directed by Joan Bryans whose
previous winter entertainments include the popular Looking for
Mr. Darcy, Regency Revels, and A Jane Austen
Holiday Fayre. Joan also wrote and directed the very
well received Birthright (subsequently published by
Playwrights Press), Two Years in Nicola,
and By Some Divine Mistake, the story of Alma
Rattenbury which ran at the Jericho Arts Centre last
season.
Banish old Winter! Thrill to
Austen's wit and wonderful characters! Hot mulled drinks and regency
treats provided!
*
MUSIC
+ VSO -- See
www.vancouversymphony.ca -- way to go, support Bramwell Tovey at the
Olympics!
+ Vancouver Opera -- Salute
to Vienna!
Join the Vancouver Opera
Orchestra in celebrating the new year with Salute to Vienna as it
returns for another sensational performance! Inspired by
Vienna's world-famous New Year's Concert, Salute to Vienna brings
the same charm and beauty to Vancouver. Fall in love with Vienna's
"Waltz King", Johann Strauss Jr., in an uplifting performance of
music, song, and dance! Enjoy a cast of over 75 musicians,
European singers and dancers: a brand new cast and a new program
features operetta excerpts, popular waltzes, polkas and marches.
Guaranteed to inspire and delight!
+ National Broadcast Orchestra
-- Benefit Concert Gala at Chan Ctr, 8pm Friday Jan
8th
Presented by the National
Broadcast Orchestra in partnership with the Chan Centre
The National Broadcast
Orchestra is the new
Canadian ensemble formed to carry on the 70-year legacy of the CBC
Radio Orchestra. The benefit concert on January 8 is the NBO's
inaugural performance in its home venue, the Chan Centre for the
Performing Arts. Special guest pianist Anton Kuerti and trumpet soloist Jens Lindemann join the NBO and conductor Alain Trudel for this premiere performance, to be
recorded for broadcast on CBC Radio 2.
+ GETTING A
BUZZ
from BBC Music Magazine (Dec
09 p12)
If Robert Jarvis wins a
British Composer of the Year Award on 1 December for his
Entomophonix, we hope that he'll be inviting some of his
performers along to accept the prize. Admittedly, this might be
a little difficult, as said performers all have six legs and measure
less than an inch. Entomophonix saw Jarvis figuring out
how to record the noise of insects, from a fly cleaning its wings to
the bustle of an [ant] nest, and then combining the results into a
single work. The piece is shortlisted in the Sonic Art Category
at the British Composer Awards.
UPDATE: No, he didn't win,
but if you're curious and want to hear this most unusual
piece:
===== CCL MEETING NOTES
Dec 14th =====
Smash! Bang! Tinkle, tinkle! Concern, much scurrying, gallery
quiet but unsettled
[7:25] Mayor: I apologize for the delay this
evening. Cclr Lewis has had a fall and he's all right but he
won't be with us tonight
1. Approval of December 14, 2009 Regular Council Meeting
Agenda
Amended by adding new Item 14.1:
a verbal report from the Chair of the Finance Committee titled
"Finance Committee Report"; adding to Item 19: report from the
Community Planner titled "DVP Application (4726 Woodvalley Place);
adding to Correspondence List item (7.1).
2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES -- No
items.
DELEGATIONS
D Peters: was here in May, Forum has come and gone, a great
success; thank you for our support last year; thank Cclrs Lewis, Panz,
and Evison who attended, thank also Stephen Mikicich.
watched Housing Action Cmte, Lionsview, and others; have
participated
Clear the issue of variety of housing was becoming a bit
thing
aim to bring ppl together; housing continuum; concern of ppl who
live here and I mean the North Shore and who want their chn to live
here
Your Cmnty Dialogue.... [great] and it has continued, it has
'legs' as they say.
We'll continue these forums across the NSh and certain themes: we
must have a greater number of facilities for the ageing, infirm, and
homeless
increase stock and preserve stock
nasty in July crunch with HST and rent price controls
devprs will be building market housing wch for most will be
unaffordable
low cost; many willing to be flexible
three key questions: who owns the land, whom can I partner with,
and how
answer does not lie in Big Govt -- they gave up on us in
1993
still haven't opened their eyes to the crisis
can't give up, can't wait for them
renewal and protection of rental stock -- and I see that in all
the documents
by working together, listen, can work together [new ways]
more balanced, caring cmnty
at centre of school crisis, and....
applaud your efforts to provide a diversity of types.
esp seniors -- the over-80 group fastest growing
applaud your approval of secondary stes
applaud infill housing, lane houses, two small houses on one
large lot
across the NSh, 80% of those 65 and over moved into duplexes,
townhouses, and apartments
Those who move to other Ms, move into attached
housing
housing for seniors is most sorely needed across the
NSh
over 80% of ppl are concerned about future housing
affordability
three or four forums and next is Jan 20
look forward to opp to learn from each other
Mayor: tyvm and I think our local effort was v well-timed across
the North Shore
Sop [motion]: thank delegation.... carry on with the good work
you're doing
Mayor: next we have a brief update on the Olympic Games
the Leisure Guide has just come out, appropriate to have
Charlene [Warrington] highlight our plans
CW: as you indicated, pleasant opp to update
some weeks ago honoured the chn who designed the pins; I have
them here -- the kids will have them first; will begin for public in
January
let the pin-collecting and trading begin.
[slides]
My second update, Leisure Guide, distributed
primarily evening events; honour our cmnty leaders, ....etc; one
of our leaders is Frank Kurucz, we can inspire others to embrace the
spirit of cmnty and the Games
{Note from Editor: Frank was Director of Parks in WV for many
years}
Olympic Torch Relay celebration likely to be the largest single
cmnty celebration during the Games time; Feb 10; official opening of
the Cdn Space Agency's debut of Sports in Space; it's an exceptional
Olympic tradition, expect 8 - 10K cmnty mbrs during the
celebration
Following the Torch Relay celebation, the cmnty will be invited
to come and enjoy a whole variety of activities at the Cmnty Ctre,
Space Exhibit,....., meeting athletes, to watching CTV live feed,
outstanding performances, Inuit and Dene
Schools stand down so opps to explore sports.... 2010 Explorer
Camps for kids (from age six) and youth 8am to 4pm
for those kids outside Lower Mainland, running educational
outreach progs, opps for them
Other facilities activating cultural presentations
At our Museum, we have the Cultural Olympiad MONSTER [Exhibition]
featuring works from across Canada; FBG, Library, Silk Purse, all
profiled in this guide
Spirit Square comes alive for 17 days; this guide is a map as to
what's going to happen -- encourage everyone grab a copy
Mayor: tyvm; in meeting with NBC they said doesn't really ramp up
till after the Super Bowl
{looked it up, it's Feb 7}
so Leisure guide something to look through, hope you'll come back
then, in January
REPORTS
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1. Proposals to undertake housing pilot projects
at 2614 Ottawa Avenue and 6801 Hycroft Road be selected as
"pilot projects" for 2010; and
2. Staff proceed to advance the Housing Pilot
Program including working with proponents of the two selected pilot
projects to initiate required development
applications.
Jacquie Gijssen: Chair of the WG, here with Christine Banham and
staff, Stephen Mikicich, and some mbrs in audience
Here not long ago, Nov 16th, and this is the moment we've been
looking for
SM will speak to two; WG wants to endorse four
Goal to expand housing options; greater choice
[SLIDES]
regulations for new housing types not av in WV now
real-life examples to understand what works and what can be
replicated
exploration of housing options
Selection criteria: seven proposals, looked at a couple of key
aspects -- including proponents' capability (skills, experience,
and frankly financial capability)
cd this get built?
fit with cmnty Plan; demonstrated understanding of goals and
structure
address a defined housing gap in WV?
is the site approp?
transportation
did the project fit within the nbrhd's character, not fake
heritage or replication, and did it fit,
replicable -- can be in the M?
innovative aspects worthy of note?
17 EOIs, WG evaluated and asked seven to come forward with more
detailed proposals
wd like to thank all those who participated in the 17 and the
seven; an enormous amt of work and enthusiasm
great credit to our cmnty eagerness and willingness to
respond
all seven highly regarded by the WG... wd also like to thank the
WG
not easy to evaluate such high quality, imaginative, and
wonderful opps
came in range of stages from conceptual to ready-to-go
difficult to find right ones ..... explore the options
addressed limited housing choice and affordability in different
ways; respond to Cmnty Dialogue on Nbrhd Character
most in the 1K to 1.5K sf units each one or more add'l housing
unit on one lot
five add'l units on sgl fam, two proposed multiple units on one
lot
each wrt ageing in place
flexibility as owner, occupant changes in needs over time
WG is recommending four, staff two
{Editor's Note: the WG was requested to provide three.
As you see they want to recommend four, and the staff recommendation
to Ccl for this item is two -- one from WG and one from
staff}
The first three the WG recommended most closely matching the
goals and objectives as result of rigorous evaluation process are 2614
Ottawa, 1155 Keith, 6035 Marine Drive
The WG also supports the addition of a fourth, 6801
Hycroft
a number of ways of looking at the goals and proposals; feel
these four most closely match
recognize staff caught in a resource question, how much they
can take on and do
we feel shd be a minimum of three projects, have ranked them
in order, and ideally four
feel it's critical that we [not] stop at two; critical to
moving this project forward
stagger implementation, a layering of engagement with cmnty,
perhaps matches resources availability of staff time
want to make sure critical mass in this prog, not the time to
dwindle ourselves down {uh?}, time to ramp up the engagement with the
cmnty and the dialogue, interest and exploration
the WG has spent quite a bit of time
encourage all of us to think in larger context
the pilot prog has just begun to tease out ideas from the cmnty;
first two, another two, then two after that.....
ideas we are familiar with and ideas we haven't even begun to
imagine
opp something unique and that works for our cmnty
think of the dialogue the passionate, if not fierce, attachment
to their nbrhd; we might even think about a pilot project per nbrhd,
to realize those opps specific to each, the character of the
nbrhd
We're not recommending that today however
{Well, I was ecstatic over this. Did they really
listen to my suggestion? Well, part of it anyway, glad to say.
Maybe the rest soon. At a WG mtg I had suggested to get the
nbrhd on board, to send out an invitation to the nbrhds, to the
ratepayer/cmnty groups, for them to reply saying if they'd like a
pilot project and what kind. Examples cd be given, but not
limited to them, to provide the greatest range of experimentation.
That's a way to engage citizens, make them feel part of the planning
and exploring rather than having them imposed. I groaned over
the secrecy the WG/staff delaying making the addresses of the
applications public, but at last now you have them. I hear
residents saying, why not include us, don't you trust us? And
any Ccl wd be relieved to have pilot projects presented to them that
already have general acceptance, maybe even eagerness, rather than
looking at the hurdle of area opposition. Great all round -- for
citizens and Ccl!
Don't get me wrong. Having the pilot projects is a
great step forward for DWV, with refinement maybe we can 'lead by
example'.
Don't leave the people out -- as said, ppl in WV are
passionate, even fierce, about the character of their nbrhd and
quality of life.}
Turn over to Christine to look at the four
Christine Banham:
* 2614 Ottawa by prop owners and designers, Susanna and
Lewis Morris, in Upper Dundarave
concept to devp a detached two-level unit of approx 1Ksf in the
rear yard of the prop
rear lane access; retention of 1930s' carriage heritage
house
opp for owners to age in place, to accommodate their family's
changing needs
two houses on one lot, retain nbrhd character rather than larger
sgl-fam home; considers view impact,...
[slide with drawings, explained]
* 1155 Keith, by prop owner Adrian Rowland and Don
Stewart, architect
detached infill unit of approx 1100sf; proposed either for rear
yard or rear lane with retention and renovation of a modest bungalow
on a long narrow lot (33 x 200ft)
prop located in a mixed area of sgl-fam and duplex units, close
proximity to Amb Town Ctr
existing house includes a sec ste in the basement
key focus of this proposal is to provide a devt alternative to
one larger replacement house, by providing two modest-sized houses on
one lot
currently in duplex zone so meets wrt total sq ftg of the lot but
narrow 33ft width wd not meet minimum reqmts
proposal wd accommodate three modest-sized dwellings and three
modest-sized households: two households in existing house and one in
new detached unit
[slide, pix]
* 6035 Marine: by CamCon Construction and Fritz
Devries, architect
odd-shaped vacant lot; three or four modest-sized houses ranging
from 1000 to 1500sf; all detached units, as an alternative to a
large sgl-fam home wch cd be up to 5Ksf
near golf course, quite level
the site itself is challenging: wide yet narrow, shallow, steeply
sloped
focus is to provide new ownership housing, to enable downsizing
or ageing in place or for younger households to purchase a more modest
house/unit in an established nbrhd
opp for District to explore site-specific design, sustainable
devt practices; massing for nbrd context
* 6801 Hycroft by prop owner Rick Bruno and architect
Barry Downs
to devp detached modest-sized dwelling of ~1400 to 1500sf on
an enlarged remnant lot; infill housing on its own fee simple
lot
adjacent to Whytcecliff Park and adjacent to owner's existing
home on the lot nbring it at 6803
the subject site, where they wd proposed to build, remnant lot of
just over 2Ksf and adjacent to lot ~11,700Ksf, with common ownership,
proposes lot-line adjustment such as a subdivision to create a
buildable lot to build a house on the smaller lot
highlights, provides opp for empty nesters to stay in nbrhd and
to downsize into more appropriate-sized housing
will retain an existing 3Ksf home and allow for infill for up to
1500sf
new home up to 1500sf; as an alternative to replacing the
existing home with one that cd be up to 4500sf
{Oh, that long-playing record.
Flash a boogieman in front of our eyes so we're more likely to
agree with whatever is being proposed.
Steady, folks, here's some
context.
If 'monster' homes can still be
built in WV, then amend the zoning! Just having this one case to
avoid one hardly protects the rest of WV!
Happy to say I was on Ccl when we
reduced the maximum .45FAR to .35FAR to address monster houses.
Unfortunately, when staff drew up the bylaws they left gaps devprs
took advantage of (such as not counting basements, decks, balconies in
certain circumstances). Some of this was addressed by the last
Ccl (a nbrhd presentation/submission, getting at-the-time Cclr Day,
whom I sat next to when we reduced the FAR, to commit to and introduce
closing that loophole). Clearly more has to be done to prevent
the monsters we are seeing today -- but that needs residents to
express that opinion to Ccl and then mbrs of Ccl to carry
through.
It is so blatant that there are
examples of houses on lots where they're only allowed something like
3Ksf being advertised for sale citing 5Ksf!
A bylaw closer to the intent of that
Ccl when we reduced FAR, and staff dedicated to the spirit of what
nbrhds want is needed. Start your campaign
now!
My POV is simply that if you want
a bigger house, buy a bigger lot!
Monster is really a question of
proportion.}
can be design with nature concept on a challenging site, steep
terrain
Will turn over to Stephen
Stephen Mikicich: before I begin, wd like to bring to your
attention a late item of correspondence, circulate
Staff fully endorse WG recommendations, wd be excellent pilot
projects
in moving from recommendations to implementation
staff have to consider resources re all four at the same
time
overview of prog
following selection by Ccl, proponents will ... sign an MoU, how
process will unfold; what role of ... will be
a collaborative design, in first quarter of 2010; bylaw stage
second quarter, with public hearings held before Ccl's summer
break
... working toward a target of beginning construction by end of
year
opp time for public edu and consultation; timeline an ambitious
one
staff have had to assess District's ability to deliver the prog
in light of deptal work progs for 2010, and found there is capacity
for only two at this time without add'l $$/resources and realignment
of priorities
in recommending two, difficult task to choose from four meeting
objectives... broad range; char; demonstrated nbrhd interest in
support for undertaking; haven't been subject to nbrhd opposition and
controversy; completion by year's end
based on this, staff are recommending 2614 Ottawa and 6801
Hycroft, but it does present Ccl with options
one is to select all four and have staff report back wrt resource
requirements; cd include longer time line, staggering projects; or
other suggestions WG may have
the report does speak to current apptmts to WG, WG runs to Jan
2010
CEC will need to consider new apptmts beyond this date in order
for the WG to complete mandate
TofRef, est and evaluation, monitor, construction and
completion
public engagement
evaluation, .....review progress at key implementation
JG: I've been involved in a lot of M activities, been around a
long time
the Housing Dialogue WG evolved to Pilot Proj such an important
topic not just to WV, globally
passion, expertise brought to bear, as well as mbrs of the
cmnty
Many said time; 81% supported pilot projects integrated; 84%
spoke Synovate of housing variety
opp following on Housing Dialogue; set standard for
engagement
no piece will be easy, so important to move forward with vigour
and strength
WG strongly urges Ccl to support not only two but the four
opp to leverage ourselves to next phase
WG feels important continued engagement to implementation -- our
term ends in Jan but urge you to seek public engagement, continue WG
model
eval process not taken lightly; how succeed
need to assess, to understand what outcomes are
also the engagement -- the Dialogue really set the tone taking
perspectives to a policy place
to where we can learn b/c that's what we're doing, learning about
options and opp
learning, this is new territory for WV and we must modernize our
housing approaches; those we know and those we haven't begun to
imagine
have an opp to build something v innovative unique to our M and
our cmnty; we look forward to working with you in those stages coming
forward.
Mayor: tyvm, any questions, Ccl?
Sop: a project worthwhile devping, continuing
caution, in early stages urge you to take some small steps ...
render some decisions, we'll see some examples
have you looked at what impact on what this cmnty was built
on, sgl fam?
in nbrhd character, did you witness, have an impact -- alter face
of WV forever?
did you ever consider the fact that if one wanted to really
make this work properly after it's said and done, that you wd come to
the cmnty with a referendum asking if that was the right thing to
do?
JG: not for I to challenge Cclr Sop's knowledge of history b/c he
and I have worked closely on this in the past
resid character came in 1926, resource-based before
that
Mayor: were you on Ccl then, Cclr Sop?
[laughter]
JG: No but he and I have had many experiences in the museum
together
{Editor's Note: JG used to be the curator of
WVMuseum}
answer in two ways: cmnties, change 1926 from resource to
resid
nothing ever stays the same; engage with change or witness it
happening around you
we prefer to engage with it, moving forward in that
way
wrt nbrhd character, sensitivity -- absolutely, not an
imitation
nbrhd character defined by many things, landscape, massing,
and scale
we're powerless
{must interject here -- Ccl/you/we
are NOT powerless!!! Fix the dang zoning bylaws as I explained
in my insert context note above. You speak, if Ccl agrees, then
action taken. If think helpless, of course nothing will
happen.}
to stop the onslaught on nbrhd currently by the taking down of
smaller modest homes and building v v large homes and I think nbrhd
char is under assault and this an opp to help mitigate and preserve
and enhance it into the future.
Sop: there's logic in that but 80% of 600 ppl surveyed who
supported the idea
some still look at WV as sgl fam, and cherish, that's how we grew
and built; to question asked what you like today or what do you like
about WV
{Right, Sop. Will you take the
lead to protect, preserve, nbrhds? or who? or who will join
you? The nbrhds have different characters. Remember, 40%
of WV residents live in high-rises, we also have duplex and other
zones. It's a question of where sgl-fam is wanted. Again,
as I said above, size of homes can be regulated by the zoning.
If a nbrhd wants to go further than that to try to keep character,
then it shd form a cmnty group and draw up the guidelines they want to
see in their area. It can be addressed by having a Conservation
Area. It requires residents to get together, agree, and then
present -- unlikely any Ccl wd turn down what residents (read: voters)
want! And we all know how important residents feel their nbrhds
are. Comes tops in surveys.}
re impact of change, don't know if you addressed this --
basically from hwy down
BPP above, different row to hoe work well with us
this is below UL hwy
end result, say, finished, up to staff and Ccl to consider a
future, when these in place, is it staff to give us a report to
allow that zoning to take place
Geri Boyle: when projects finished, evaluation, WG participate in
drawing up checklist
aim to inform our policies; hope totally positive experience;
what things you shd do to provide for change in future
Rick Bruno: two comments
Mayor: may we have your address?
RB: we reside at 6803 Hycroft Rd and we have one of the
proposals
two comments, when my wife and I purchased our house 20 years ago
bought a remainder lot next door; at that time, thought not allowed,
we dreamed that we might build a small little jewel in the woods
thank Ccl for potential make that dream a possibility
second comment, more abstract, 40 years ago I graduated with an
undergraduate degree in Urban Geography and I was going to become a
Planner. My career took me in a different direction and this
process brought out the planning side of me that has been suppressed
for a long time
Along the way had good fortune to meet and become quite close
friends with Barry Downs, one of WV's treasures in terms of architect,
architecture, and design
if this pilot process is the sort of thing encouraging dialogues
with nbrs, ppl come over and discuss
calls, nuclear power plant {!}, we're with you
opened up discussions with ppl we've barely talked to; kind of
cmnty-building exercise
plsd to have this recommendation
look forward to continuing to talk about the passions we
have
I think our proposal is a throwback, modest sgl-fam dwellings on
small lots ..... with lovely gardens and natural landscape -- that's
our vision and our project
Mayor: motion on the floor
ME made motion, then: what I wd like to do first of all; the
chair mentioned a number of cmte mbrs here and I wd like to publicly
acknowledge [listed]
All of those ppl have done just an outstanding job
passion in whole project has come forward so clearly this
evening
in this process, I wd like to propose we amend somewhat the
second part to strengthen the process and guiding principles we've
established so far
Mayor: amendment? wording and seconder, otherwise go with this
motion
ME: rather than wording here, that we direct staff -- when third
and fourth projects be undertaken
Mayor: maybe better as a third part, b/c second works with
proponents, Ms Scholes?
SSch: yes
ME: I wondered why one and two were separated
Mayor: staff to?
ME: identify when third and fourth and other projects proceed;
important to have this continuum
Mayor: Cclr Panz, do you accept the third?
TP: I will
Mayor: and I think we shd vote on them separately
ME: want to reflect continuity, work done, not just two projects
and step back in sev months or sometime later on; crucial continuity
and passion; we're developing a new culture
confronted with, housing under siege, is changing; the indiv
character changing b/c of monster housing
this attempts to change that course, to allow indiv nbrhds to
be protected, not destroyed
{...however, Cclr Ev, you can go
further than a structure here and there replicating a pilot project
throughout the M -- see my previous notes above -- you can work with
Sop to make sure our zoning bylaws prohibit monster housing and with
nbrhd groups to come up with their own special character
guidelines.
What about it?}
TP: want to start with what's in front of us; two for 2010
needs more discussion; all four are innovative, don't want to
lose any of them; tricky decision-making we have to go through
Looking at Keith Rd in ctr of cmnty, part is educational part;
critical piece; understanding that public process and what we
learn
my theory is we do what we do well, explore, and the other piece,
quite new for WV, carriage houses
WV approaching this in a sensitive fashion is really working well
within this cmnty
These two, not wanting to lose, understanding staff
start of an incredible journey; must do extremely well and learn
from it; support
My sense is Ottawa and Keith is what shd be done first
Mayor: that varies from what's on floor, see how that motion
does, or alternate; we'll see
Sop: Mr Mikicich, Ms Boyle -- what amt of money involved?
who will be paying?
GB: wchever nominated/chosen, the actual construction costs
totally resp of owners/proponents, will have to file devt
applications, a bit of a special branding, so applic fees for zoning,
subdivisions
standard application fee costs
there is a District resource allocation, but there'll be a higher
level of staff involvement
collaborative design; wd sit down with their team, Planning,
Bldg, Engg staff, add'l involvement of staff, how this all fits
together
the number of the projects part of staff's concern/angle more
than your standard applic
exciting public and working with WG
Sop: we have some v good planners in our staff but I don't know a
lot, how many; efforts in Amb
don't think there's a WG out there we don't support been on
several
one coming in Jan; looking forward exciting, better be
listening
not going away I wd only support these two at this time
education, get feeling from public, if positive will move
forward; wise
staff know better what capabilities at this time
Cclr Ev, not to put damper, but I'm only going to support
two
SW: what criteria was Hycroft judged on to put it second in
line?
SM: all the projects were evaluated against the same
criteria
Hycroft, WG quite split, some ranked highly, some thought didn't
stand out as well as others
staff felt interesting proposal and brought back; WG didn't want
to supplant any of the other three but felt worthy of add'n to the
list
SW: what I read from report, WG felt first was Ottawa, second was
Keith, Marine Dr third, and Hycroft was fourth; and staff came in and
said they felt Hycroft presentation strong therefore No. 2
did staff feel Hycroft further along, easier, faster to get it
running?
SM: staff did add'l evaluation, how advanced concepts; relative
complexity and public input to date
the two before you most likely able to go through process and
commence within timeline
SW: imp to get moving on this; Dialogue been going on far too
long; v supportive of staff
... start with first two; for ME's next two in next quarter
all this interest and only two; not fair to evaluate on only two
projects; four quite interesting
re CEC, part of the focus for 2010 is supposed to be educational
component, residents, hope can run parallel; take off staff resources;
CEC and WG, work in tandem
v imp from a Ccl perspective respect the budget out find way, WG
worked far too hard and too long, app time they put into it
MS: the report is quite clear, the WG recommended three, and wd
like to see four go forward, and only one of the three is on the list,
staff's recommendation two
agree with Cclr Panz, as I usually do; got four....
sensible to defeat the three parts of this motion on floor and
pass option B to select three and ask staff to report back on resource
requirements in 2010 to allow more
WG says A, B, and C, and now we have D
no logical explanation why D instead of B and C
think what we shd do, as Cclr SW said imp subject cmnty
wants to see pilot projects to move ahead
if just a question of staff time, can deal with that; instead of
choosing, say all four and have Mr McRadu to figure out how to make it
work
Mayor: let's go with on floor, then see
GB: perhaps clarification in the staff examination of the four
projects, really felt best of
fell into two groups
one group well-devpd, consultation with immediate nbrs, support
from nbrhd
another group, some well-developed but some with no site plans or
details but interesting both applicants went to nbrhds to appraise
them of the project, one went forward after receiving petitions
against, the other took initiative to meet with nbrhd
these two have some concerns b/c obviously some opposition out
there
tough on private project to go forward knowing some immediate
nbrhd concerns
that differentiates the four projects from staff's
perspective
MS: don't want to debate with Ms Boyle, wd get my head on a
platter, won't go down that route
your concern re public valid but that addressed when in PHs
if one of the projects has signif opposition then delayed or even
fall out, wch is an even stronger argument for going forward with all
four, I wd say
SW: a caveat to Cclr Smith's recommendations wch I agree with;
from my POV it's not with add'l resources b/c we all know how tight
resources are so it has to be staggered to achieve throughout the year
with resources we have
Sop: ah
Mayor: we're in debate now, ask question then we'll decide
Sop: Ms Boyle okay? if strong opposition, how will that be
handled?
early Feb now, Transportation WG looking at alternate modes --
walking, bus -- with sust ideas for future
did you look at feasibility? did you look at biz areas, ppl cd
walk? be close to
impact on this nbrhd, Amb? did you look at all those
components?
GB: as to how wd opposition be handled, do know two of the four
nbrhd opposition, not saying wdn't happen with the other ones but road
looks smoother than with those
wd devp projects better and have a nbrhd info mtg, devpd better;
PH, maybe another public mtg, tweak the project; that's when Ccl wd
formally weigh in
ME: listening to my colleagues here and trying to assimilate from
WG; importance of going forward with the four projects
need to learn, if a fault, need to find out why; won't go there a
second time
speculate, a restricted debate here; shd broaden debate to learn
from those experiences
much as I respect staff's issues, having to judge what they can
do and when
by same token, imp for this Ccl is to lead, point of motion we
direct staff to proceed with a number
Mayor: I'm going to insert myself into this discussion; am
completely in favour of motion on the floor
reason is what comes shining through, for those two pilots is
love for those residents of their nbrhd, desire to stay in WV, and to
continue to improve WV, wch is what we need
For me, you lead with with your best foot
this is new -- you can hear Ccl's support for the WG, so to not
go ahead with all four tonight, does not mean we don't value that
work
certainly I was at a v heated mtg for one of the applications
in the second half of the list; there was NOT cmnty support;
partly perhaps proposal not well-formed maybe so ppl don't know
what it means -- more so, it seems like a lot
these two exciting b/c mostly about the character of WV and the
char of WV is beginning to be about the ppl
the ppl, designs, homes, and families are what we're
legislating about
the other two not as far down the line and don't enjoy same
kind of support in the cmnty
we're taking a bold step, adapting to families that live
there
not there
wd caution Ccl about not going too far too fast out of
abundance of interest in this issue, respect for the WG, and gratitude
to cmnty
.... can also have another ccl mtg
your motion Ccl Ev, that staff report back to us, I'd say
rather than two more, make it future projects
exercise caution
Sop: may I have a polled vote?
Mayor: remind me, you say yay and nay?
Sop: yes
Mayor :-): he's been here since 1926!
TP: clarification, motion re Ottawa and Hycroft
Mayor: yes; go round horseshoe; Ccl, whenever requested must
do
[ME in favour, SW in favour, Sop aye, Mayor aye, TP aye, MS
aye]
[passes unanimously]
Mayor: Part Two?
{all ayes}
Now thirdly, staff report back re third and fourth projects, and
future?
I'd make an amendment: staff report back how future
projects will proceed
have mover and seconder on amendment
Sop: wch first?
Mayor: amendment: how future projects proceed -- amending 'third
and fourth' to 'future'
Sop: just want to be clear; Cclr Ev motion on floor
Mayor: I've proposed an amendment; suggest just say future
projects
His was just third and fourth
MS: I'll speak to the amendment
troubles me that you seem to have information not in
report; I wasn't aware of
not aware of opposition; nothing about that in the
report
as a matter of common sense, how are we supposed to deal
with factual matters at this ccl when not all the facts in the
report?
really troubles me
GB: in terms of detail, you're correct, there is no specific
note on this project there was nbrhd opposition
general statement at bottom of page five when we talk about
why these two stand out
simply saying they've demonstrated nbrhd interest in and
support of for undertaking a pilot project or have not been subject to
preliminary nbrhd opposition
Mayor: wch is v couched, I felt, but you make a good
point
{'couched' is perhaps a euphemistic way
of putting it.
As a way of helping/clarification, maybe
that's why the Mayor felt it important to let Ccl know what happened
at the nbrhd mtg on that pilot project, esp since
negative.
Some have expressed the view that the
way staff can manipulate Ccl and get the decisions/directions they
want is by controlling the information provided. In this case,
giving the full information wd have bolstered staff's recommendation,
but that is not always so.
Some staff don't even give Ccl the
documentation they ask for!
Whatever, maybe the CAO can
inspire/convince staff to of the excellence of FULL and COMPLETE
details/documentation/information on topics PLUS anything else Ccl or
a WG/Cmte wd like to see.}
GB: it is a good point, thank you
Mayor: Amendment, future projects? All in favour
[Ayes/carries]
on main motion?
SSch: do you wish a polled vote?
Sop: I asked, I wanted polled vote on the issues, and thought all
through
new process, want to be v clear we're supportive; normally
carries name of unanimous or carried
things come up, quite unique, time for polled vote
Mayor: so far we've had unanimity; ask for polled vote again; on
third
[Ayes all round]
passes unanimously and thank you to WG
{v good point, Cclr Smith. Possible remedies: go to
the WG mtgs (anyone can, they're open, and that way you get the latest
info); and attend the local nbrhd mtgs (but that wd require they be
put on the DWV Calendar, something I've advocated but they don't do --
yet. Wise for the WG to have the nbrhd mtgs to get an idea of
acceptance/suitability -- maybe staff didn't want to report
negativity/resistance and just decided not to recommend that project
preferring others more accepted and to provide time for possible
changes nbrs wd like.}
NB
IMPORTANT OMISSIONS:
UPLIFT and CBs!
hope this information will be provided
ASAP.
As you know, a lot that can have one
house on it is worth less than a lot with more
units.
It's so frustrating that in so many
devts staff omit reporting what the UPLIFT is (the increase in
the value of the lot (or lots, ie property involved) As you know
it took about 15 years of my harping for Ccls to admit there was such
a thing even though every realtor can tell you how much more such a
property is worth (more for the owner but can lower the value of
adjacent properties), and other places have other terms (Windfall i
nthe US). A stroke of the pen increases the value of a
property. A gift from the M, the ppl of WV. We must keep
reminding Ccl to ask for that if ever left out of a
report.
Then, it took about another five
years to try to get Ccls to then mention it or ask for it, and
establish a formula -- ballpark 75%? -- for COMMUNITY BENEFITS
in return so that while the owner doesn't have to pay the full amount
that he'd have had to pay if buying the property, he gets about a 25%
discount and the cmnty gets about 75% of the value (in 'benefits',
sometimes it's two thirds, sometimes projects and sometimes
cash).
Don't these properties now with
increased density have a higher value?
The question is, how
much.
Ask.
Then how much do we
get?
This is not meant as a money-making
project for owners, though that's obviously what wd be part of the
motivation, however if they do get that windfall/profit as a result,
let's share.
Cclrs Lewis and Smith concern
themselves with finance -- maybe they will speak up. Cclr Smith
has in the past.}
[8:45]
RECOMMENDED: be introduced and read a first, second, and third
time.
RECOMMENDED: be introduced and read a first, second, and third
time.
RL: 2009 Budget challenge; in midst of recession; pressure on
operations and wd need to monitor closely
midyear review (operating results to June 30, projections to
end of year) resulted in a 37-page doc posted to website in late
July
That identified $280K of add'l resources wd need to be provided
from surplus in order to cover certain financial challenges that had
arisen
challenges two main issues: $130K add'l to Engg b/c of extreme
winter weather, and anticipated $215K shortfall in bldg permit
revenues due to reduced building activity
Since report in June, staff have continued to monitor
operations, successfully instituted a number of measures to eliminate
that shortfall: eg deferred hiring of two ppl in Finance, deferred
filling of certain vacancies in Police Dept, and identified additional
revenue eg from accelerated traffic fines in rev-sharing prog, and now
with three months of add'l data projecting bldg revenues will recover
to within $45K of original budget. All and other details
described on pages 2 and 3 of the report.
no longer a requirement for add'l resources from surplus, so
amended budget continues to be balanced, does not require amendment,
but does require some line-item reallocations
In add'n, some new decisions occurred subsequent to 2009
budget adoption and we propose to include the in the amendment before
you.
add'n, activity for 2010 leadership team, and I believe Mr McRadu
will speak to that.
CAO: the Dir/Finance deals with detailed numbers and I get to
talk about exciting projects and news
In amendment there's a figure of $2.3M that is offset by an equal
amt of expenditure; think needs to be explained
Adjustment is first part of the story
first line of our vision statement says WV will inspire
excellence and lead by example; this is truly one WV can be proud of
and WV is truly leading by example
The $2,350,000 is really contributed, and we can congratulate
the leadership team and DWV staff in raising money to allow us to
celebrate Olympics
The leadership team has raised over $2M and of wch $1,240,000 was
raised this year, 2009, and that's part of this budget amendment of
$2.3M
The second is $250K, contribution by Vanoc, for completion of the
temporary parking lot at McGavin field
The third part, the most rewarding, District has raised almost
$600K through various grants and in-kind donations, wch is over and
above the money that the leadership team has raised, thus only
looking at $54K cost to our taxpayers (and being worked on), and
staff under direction of Ccl looking to lower that
Thus the $54K out of a budget of $2,350,000 wch is within budget
amendment
Even though shows that amt of money, v gd news for District and
citizens
Mayor: Mr Laing, concludes your report?
RL: a couple; new solid waste contract signed effective July 1st,
and the impact on the six months is $392K of add'l contract costs; at
that time Ccl decided rather than raise user fees, decided to use rate
stabilization fund -- and that's why that fund exists in the first
place
There are two new capital items that need to be reflected,
McGavin field wch will be partially constructed in 2009 and that's the
$250K contribution from Vanoc, and lastly there's an increase to the
Gleneagles golf project budget to support the new biz model
Submit that for Ccl's consideration, three readings
MS made motion: Think report's clear, Mr Laing in his usual way
shown all puts and takes, and if you took your calculator out, and if
you add up all the pluses and minuses you'd end up close to zero so
housekeeping matter, really
Mayor: and shows efficacy of midyear review to help us stay on
budget
Sop: so we taxed for 2009 then there was overages, such as
snowclearing wch rose, and comes from a fund, is that substantial to
meet demand?
Mayor: is your question about--
Sop --stabilization fund? reserve that's where we take it
from?
RL: solid waste increase?
Sop: yes
RL: for last few years our contract, known in a competitive
market, we learned it was probaby less than what we were going to
renew at; during those years we had accumulated surpluses each year so
set aside deliberately in what we called a Rate Stabilization Fund b/c
we knew on renewal of next contract wd be facing large increases, that
has happened and we have more than sufficient reserves to cover what
we needed to cover for 2009
2010 will be increases and will see them later this evening
that contract was a combined contract for the three NSh Ms so
we're all in
Sop: seems to be the spike upward, years coming up appear not the
same
Mayor: think we shd focus on the budget amendment b/c we have
subsequent items wch address your concerns
Sop: this is taking out of five-year financial plan, talks about
taking money out to meet--
Mayor: no, that's not correct; this is amending the 2009 Budget
so we're straight with the public on monies we have spent, and we are
showing we have reallocated as the year went by so we are presenting a
balanced budget.
Sop: just going by what's in the report. It says Solid
Waste
Mayor: Item No 5?
Sop: took a hike [spike] so wondered where that money came from;
you'll see next report levels off
RL: that correct
CARRIED [8:55]
RECOMMENDED: be read a first, second, and third
time.
{Sop made motion, SW seconded}
Sop: over the years we've done this; give credit to staff, work
out assumptions, highs and lows, difficulties some years
nobody likes to see increase; what wd be favourably to us in
future wd be to give indicators of those that are going to be, and
that's going to be communications; no problem looking at these
realistically
don't go by line items in our system been used to date; logically
have certain increases; we demanded a few years ago wanted to see
higher prices in certain areas; and staff came back and said
provincial limitations, fines for certain things, so we got that
straightened out.
Today we're getting a little bit of flack in a couple of areas,
if those things going to be hotspots, we as a Ccl, shd have an
indicator, that's only consideration that I have for the future
or due diligence going through line by line
SW: I hope next year when we review the fees and charges we take
a v innovative approach to some admin fees we currently utilize;
instead of continually addressing inflation and adding to the cost of
the fees
....start to look at doing things differently; know we've talked
about e-govt, know processing biz fee online make simple for
residents, and perhaps lower costs to our budget
CARRIED [8:58]
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1. Solid Waste utility fees be
increased for 2010 to the amounts set out in Schedule A as
attached to the report dated Nov 5 from the Manager, Engineering
Services;
2. ...Amendment Bylaw be introduced
and read a first, second, and third time.
{Wait till you read the above report!
"...solid waste user fees for sgl-fam homes will rise
to 53% to $211.80 (net of discount), while multi-fam homes will
experience a 119% increase to $61.43 per unit (net of
discount)."....
Staff recommend a rate revenue increase of 63% be approved
for 2010...
[my abbreviations; look at rate increases for water and
sewer in next two agenda items]}
RF: presentation, then each bylaw individually
SLIDES: 2010 Utility Rates
WATER
remind Ccl it's a standalone Utility Fund; two M sources, Eagle
Lake and Montizambert -- mains, hydrants, pumping stations,
reservoirs, capital and xxx
success story of the Eagle Devt plan Awards: 2009 APEGBC, and
xxx
MetroV Bulk Water Rate graph 9
looked at biz case, in second one MetroV rates higher; expand to
full membrane capacity
our biz case a positive one for devping the M source; cd have
abandoned and then 100% by MetroV then cost that red line
Universal Metering [slide with graph]
Sgl-Fam Consumption
since we started water-metering, sgl-fam consumption has
dropped 20%
Metering Benefits [slide; median consumer has benefited paying
less than under prev flat rate]
29% of expenditures for bulk treated water; want to try cut that
down
Capital 19% for renewal of water mains
Water Infrastructure Renewal [graph on slide]
last week suggesting a higher level of investment as it ...
Water Utility Cost Drivers
11.9% increase in 2010 then 17.4%, 8.7, x, 6.6
successful in grants for Montizambert CF project
{CF: Canada Fund?}
means we pay 1/3 of the $2.6M
Water Utility Rate Approach
what staff proposed and Ccl endorsed is that we pass on MetroV
increases
accommodate infrastructure grant project accelerated
requires a reven....
median sgl-fam user $81, a 25% increase to what they wd hv paid
last year
Median Bill Impacts [slide graph]
how it pushes our rates up
Mayor: wd you like questions?
RF: no at end; put it all together, have a summary slide;
Sewer Utility -- drain and storm
Citrus Wynd stormwater treatment plant in Sunset.. area
Sanitary and Storm Accomplishments
new cclrs may not know
2005 ... construction award for that year
lower xxx bio swale and xxx
Metering Benefits
since 2007 basis of charge is winter 1st and 4th quarters
that's how sanitary charge is based
2007 was last year flat rate was charged
median family home lower last two years than flat rate
Sewer Utility
60% is a GVSDD Sewer Levy
Combined capital only 16%
sanitary Infrastructure Renewal [slide graph]
done in 20 years so xxx
call it a nec cure, quite typical of a lot of Ms in NAm
av annual req $4M current annual just $1.3M
check
Storm Infrastructure....
Sewer Utility Cost Drivers
regional sewer levy 11% 6% 5.5% 9%
SOLID
pass on MetroV increases
accommodate, accelerate, defer to 2011, use that time to engage
the public
the results
median sgl-fam increase $84, a 21% increase over last
year
capital needs from 2011 onwards
Solid Waste Utility
also standalone; garbage and yard trimming pickup NSh recycling
prog in partnership with other two NSh Ms
colln services external contractors, reviewed ev five years; just
renewed
Note rates unchanged since 1998; favourable contracts and
realignment now so need to look at increases
Solid Waste Accomplishments
Ccl has endorsed a commitment to a 70% diversion target,
zero-waste challenge
participation in food waste composting pilot
graph shows declining volume wrt garbage tonnage
WV's diversion rate is about 52%
Solid Waste -- Expenses
[slide] due to contract increases, 35% for recycling and 31% for
garbage and organics; those two alone more than half of all the
expenditures, then add garbage tipping fees and organic tipping fees
charged to us from MetroV, that really is the bulk of all the
expenditues
Solid Waste - Cost Drivers Impacts
75% increase for garbage and organics with this new five-year
contract and 225% increase for Recycling colln
MetroV Garbage Tipping fees for 2010 a 15% inceaase
means an increase for a sgl fam $73, represents 53% over last
year; keep in mind hadn't increased for ten years; staff still
exploring options for future cost mitigation b/c differential between
garbage and organics tipping rate -- if we cd find way to expand the
foodwaste colln to District-wide in a cost-effective manner then we wd
also mitigate some of our expenditures on the tipping fee side wch wd
be quite favourable
Another way considering, change service, bi-weekly or change one
can limit; staff will be investigating that
organic pilot finished in March
2010 Median Residential Summary SLIDE
for median consumer $1,106 per year (~$277 a quarter),
represents $238 increase
we bill quarterly; for those metered will be dependent on
consumption patterns
~$153 increases just for MetroV and contract increases for
solid waste; those direct flow-through
conclude; staff recommend three readings as in the
schedules
Staff in audience to answer questions: John McMann, Mgr of
Utilities, and Phil Bates, Mgr of Engg Services here
re Cclr Sop's question: item no 7, look at Appendix C p 177 of
ccl pkg, believe he's alluding to line at top of page, solid waste
fee 53% increase in 2010, levels off to 6% for years after
reason we've been able to do that b/c Ccl endorsed earlier in
summer not going to increase for 2009, pass to 2010
even with plateauing, there is a gradual erosion of stabilization
reserve; mitigate the impact
with that will go back to horseshoe
Mayor: ask from there?
RF: here for now, then go back
Sop: wrt water, annual rate 14% increase constant to 17%....
through to 2014 down 6%... fluctuations
variables .... from 11.9%, 17.9%
actual operations almost equals amt of water purchased from
GVRD
next four years will still see need to purchase from
GVRD
some questions I get, b/c we did the metering, less from
consumer, but all in all the investment for membrane, in lake, wd hv
to make significant decrease from GVRD, when will that ever
occur/decrease, if ever?; it's up well over $3M just to operate
the system
increases why not do everything we can to increase capacity of
Eagle Lake to keep bill reasonable?
RF: staff in general are in agreement with your approach;
constraint is hydraulics; there are a number of xxx pumpers
Brit Prop close to feed from MetroV side; hydraulically possible
from Eagle Lake but wrt pressure zones, still need to rely on MetroV
source
we have seen increase from 44 to 55% from Eagle lake
comb of conservation and optimization, higher? we're
hopeful
wrt dollar, the MetroV increases are at a rate higher than what
we can provide from Eagle Lake so see overall numbers still
increasing..... b/c of steepness of curve
try to offset that as much as possible ... rate of increase in
future years
Sop: frustration is, as I've been asked sev times, when we went
on this exercise--
Mayor: --we're one at a time, don't want to do water until we get
to water
Sop: we did them all and now one at a time
water, 55% now, will it ever be 100%?
RF when we first discussed the biz case, don't think we ever
suggested that MetroV purchase ever reduced to zero; there was an
optimum size for Eagle Lake
beyond that wd hv been higher than purchasing; knowing we can
always buy at the peak to reduce overall; exactly what we're working
toward
ME: I'd like to wrap up, for all the pain--
Mayor: have you got a question? we're not in debate now, just
technical or procedural questions for Mr Fung
MS: I'd like to ask on Schedule B of the Water Utility, the
debt services for 2009 is $858K, it's going to go to $1,629K and up to
$1,871K in next two years; wondering why doubling of the debt
service for the water utility
RF: try to answer, then Mr Laing add supplementary
agreed to underwrite the Eagle Lake devt plan as a debt-supported
type of project, and also the universal watermetering was
debt-supported
we have not drawn down all the loans to support those two
projects
some ramping up that you see is due to carrying on with the orig
plan to draw down that debt through loans
{???}
RL: there are still capital expenditures for the Eagle Lake
project being incurred and all funding for Eagle Lake by debt; now
essentially finished; may be add'l projects six, seven years out
for the moment that project is finished so that debt shd be
capped at this point
MS: I'm confused, how much is our debt?
figure in here that says we borrowed $20M so at 4% that's
$800K, I'm just wondering why we ramp it up to $1.6M, $1.8M in the
next couple of years
is our debt $50M then?
RL: it's related to year wch we draw the debt down; spring of
2010 is when debt gets drawn down, and then first payments don't
commence until about a year after that.
we've been paying interest only to the general fund; large amts
will be drawn down in 2010
we've held off as long as we can, want to offset what other
reserves we have, DCC colln and other things; minimizing amt lock in,
once locked in, in it for the long term
MS: I see you're including the debt repayment as an expense,
now I'm following you
TP: in this waste contract locked in for five years; if one can,
how much save or too early to discuss
RF: Yes, too early to talk about that; we do have a contract with
some unit rates for some various scenarios; we're looking at diff
alternatives; we need to respect that
at this point, staff's recomm is just to wait and see effect of
food waste pilot is completed to see what impact that might have on
the utility; then look at maybe District-wide, then look at ways of
mitigating
TP: lots of ppl only put out [one] can now and some put out two
and they pay the same
some flexibilty in system, incentive for generating less
waste?
RF: will try to structure that type of rate structure but has to
do with contract's plan re trucks, routes, technologies, etc
so even if we offer them that way may not work out to
savings
Mayor: tyvm; now to Item 7
[9:33]
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1. Water Utility fees be increased for
2010 to the amounts set out in Schedule A as attached to the report
dated Nov 23 from the Manager, Engineering
Services;
2. ... Amendment Bylaw be introduced and
read a first, second, and third time.
{AFTER moved; here are great comments by the
Mayor:}
Mayor: wd like to add, looking at how much blue box and blue
cart recycling costs have gone up; shd serve as a warning to ppl that
M taxpayers shd not be paying for that; producers shd be paying for
that. And that's what extended producer responsibility is all
about
To be blunt, they have been passing the cost of their garbage
onto us, and we feel fairly virtuous putting things in the blue box,
but we're paying for it, and we really shd be starting to insist on
ppl not packaging so much or at the v least, their paying or how that
ends up getting recycled or re-used
So I think these have been hidden costs this fee structure is
not hiding any more
It is a call to action and I hope this is the last five-year
contract
b/c ppl who collect our garbage need to get a strong msg from
the public, they're not in charge, we are
Item No 8 is the Water Utility fees
[9:35]
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1. Sewer Utility fees be increased
for 2010 to the amounts set out in Schedule A as attached to the
report dated Nov 23 from the Manager, Engineering
Services;
2. ...Amendment Bylaw be
introduced and read a first, second, and third
time.
MS: the three fees represent a $238 increase to the average
home
we argue about budget increase 2.9 or 2.6% and this
represents a 4% increase
a signif increase in taxes and fees for the av
homeowner
in the water utility fund, the reserve is to grow to $4M;
means the current users are paying more so that future users will pay
less
too late this year but next year we have to look
at.....
don't know why needing $4M, so someone down the road paying
less
something must be done here
doesn't make sense
Mayor: think that .... exactly b/c we're overtaking ...
2011
RF: definitely but the reason that reserve is showing that
right now
replacement of all is over $333M now and some of those assets
quite expensive
faced with that last year, accelerated replacement plane, two
reservoirs, $1m each and if not much in reserve not xxx
we'd be looking at an appropr level
ME: an omnibus comment, from all the pain we've understood
tonight
appreciate the diligence, thoroughness, xxx of staff
we are, as a M, leading by example
for all the pain, we are in a better shape that we wd otherwise
be; recogn staff for those efforts
Mayor: Sewer Utility fees, Cclr Smith
MS: don't know why I always do sewer
CARRIES
Item no 10
[9:40]
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1. Road ... Dedication Bylaw be read
a first, second, and third time in short form;
2. Council authorize staff to
issue statutory notices of Road Closure and Removal of Highway
Dedication Bylaw 4626, 2009 setting February 1, 2010 as the deadline
for written and oral submissions.
CARRIED [9:41]
11. Appointment of Ccl
Representatives to Metro Vancouver Board/Cmtes for 2010
(File: 0185-01)
Information to be provided.
Mayor: ready or Friday?
Ans: Fri
Mayor: then on Dec 18
---
DEFERRED to Dec 18:
12. Appointment of Council Representatives to
Boards/Committees for 2010 (File: 0115-01)
Information to be provided.
13. Appointments of Citizens to Boards and Committees for
2010 (File: 0115-01)
Information to be provided.
---
14. Change to Council Meeting Schedule
(File: 0120-01)
RECOMMENDED: THAT a Special Ccl Mtg be scheduled for Friday,
Dec 18, at 8:30am ...
CARRIED
ADDED: 14.1 -- Report from Chair of Finance
Cmte
Mayor: a verbal update
SW: been a year since elected and think for the four of us been a
steep learning curve; experience of working together and with
staff
bn a fairly ambitious year from my perspective, starting in April
mtg at Wosk Ctr re outreach for Strat working plan
out of the Strat Plan, a number of corporate goals to work on for
2010
devpd BSC, had never used by Ccl before; worked with Value for
Services; working with both cmtes, hoped draft 2010 budget and the
three-year capital plan
Ccl and staff recogn difficulties in coming years we have to be
strategic in how we spend our taxpayers' dollars, evident in Mr Fung's
presentation
residential tax base accounts for 92% of our revenue,
obviously not enough to sustainable to care for ageing
infrastructure or for services required to deliver to our
residents
have to look at other means of user-pay models and be more
entrepreneurial and maximizing our land assets, esp not embracing the
status quo
this Ccl is stepping up to the plate; demanding more of our staff
and our expectations
staff is delivering on those expectations
we're about to present the BSC and the draft 2010 budget and
V4S WG findings all within the Strategic Plan
will be bringing that forward Jan 11, public Finance Cmte
mtg on Jan 18 so public chance to let their input be known;
shortly thereafter adopting
believe first time in history of WV done before end of first
quarter
{er, nope; but it is not usual}
exciting time; have to recogn all the work staff has put into
Balanced Working Card [sic] and the Strategic Planning; exceptionally
ambitious, hoping when residents see what staff has come up with, will
be plsd with plans for next three years
Mayor: will you move a public mtg in Chamber Jan 18 -- 5 or
7pm?
SW: move public Finance Cmte mtg at 5pm
Mayor: wondering if 7pm wd be better, b/c that's our
routine
[AGREED]
looking forward to that then; motion to receive and set
dates.
9:46
BYLAWS for ADOPTION
This bylaw was the subject of a Public Hearing
held on October 5, 2009 and reconvened and closed on November 2,
2009. Council is not permitted to receive any further
submissions on this bylaw until after the bylaw is
adopted.
[DONE]
This bylaw was the subject of a Public Hearing
held and closed on November 16, 2009. Council is not
permitted to receive any further submissions on this bylaw until after
the bylaw is adopted.
TP: move third reading on Dec 7 be rescinded
Mayor: just moving date out (to March); on rescission?
[PASSES]
TP: amending part 7 as follows; effective on March 1st,
2010
Mayor : allowed rescission at third reading?
Sop: Ms Boyle, as to how encourage -- want them to come
forward
have been some indicators that there's not a certainty as to how
a ste will be viewed, as to send someone out to look at safety; wdn't
be spelled out; someone from Bldg Dept to go out and scrutinize
one that concerns me, as I mentioned to the Mayor today
assuming more liability by .. sec stes than if we had not
what about those challenged who need ramps, wheelchair
lifts
as to looking at safety
Mayor: can see, answer that pls
GB: will ask the Mgr of Permits
requirement for an individual is different from a unit
indiv reqmts might be higher
Liz H: certainly will be inspected by bylaw and fire, may
included electrical and xxx
for the existing stes already in place, insp won't be required
b/c onerous, usu cannot be met
sprinkling, etc far too onerous
life safety issues, those standards will be met
{hm? legal?}
Sop: if you were to inspect a ste and have a narrow
doorway,
to rent, I'm challenged can't go
partly market
Liz: safety issues, windows so all can
hallways; must be a doorway; smoke detectors; all those will be
met
there are some stes for access, those the market meets
not necessarily reqmts of District
Mayor: setting to Mar 1st is time to work these things out
[9:53]
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
17. Consent Agenda Items - Reports and
Correspondence
RECOMMENDED: THAT the Consent Agenda items 18 to 24 be
approved
REPORTS FOR CONSENT AGENDA
RECOMMENDED: THAT the M Clk give notice that proposed DVP for
1313 Fulton Avenue, to allow an existing dwelling with an addition to
the main floor and basement, will be considered on Monday, January
11th, 2010.
RECOMMENDED: THAT the M Clk give notice that proposed DVP for
4726 Woodvalley Place, to allow construction of an addition to an
existing dwelling and to retain a non-complying shed, will be
considered on Monday, January 25th, 2010.
RECOMMENDED: be received for information.
RECOMMENDED: be received for information.
RECOMMENDED: be received for information.
RECOMMENDED: be received for
information.
Mayor: anything to discuss?
Sop: item 2
CORRESPONDENCE LIST FOR CONSENT AGENDA
24. Correspondence List
(File: 0120 24)
...
No Action Required
Sop: looked at this letter and looked at his bill that he's
trying to promote
wd the substance abuse WG want to look at this?
AMooi: v good suggestion
advocate solutions and cmnty awareness; leadership; First
Nations; co-ord approach
think that wd be a v good
{Fuller remarks provided:
"The North
Shore Substance Abuse Working Group represents Leaders across the
North Shore who take a coordinated approach to address the issues of
substance abuse across the North Shore.
The North Shore
Substance Abuse Working Group acts as a catalyst to bring together
those in the community who are working to reduce the impact and
incidence of substance abuse. The Leaders that make up the North
Shore Substance Abuse Working Group recognize the opportunity and
responsibility they have to advocate for solutions, and to raise
community awareness and include community
partners.
If Council wishes,
Leanne Sexsmith, who is responsible for social services in West
Vancouver will bring this important request forward to the NSSAWG at
their January meeting".}
Sop: a staff recommendation?
Mayor: Ccl cd refer the letter to the WG
AM: Leanne Sexsmith, can take this letter to next mtg in
January
[9:56]
25. REPORTS from MAYOR/CCLRS
ME: you and I attended the opening of the First Nations Ctr at QE
plaza
splendid structure and opp to demonstrate; extend their
culture
also, by coincidence you and I attended the Northern Canada
House
Mayor: Northern House
ME: northern house ... wonderful art
Mayor: 2010 is starting to open up
TP: Sports Field WG, coming up with a funding model; be
presenting in Jan
Sop: Strat Transp WG needs a bit of an extension, to Feb
make sure everyone will be here b/c will be an incredible
presentation
[9:58]
26. PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
Mayor: George Pajari, and I'm looking at the time
GP: only need three minutes
Mayor: three minutes, perfect, made for you.
{Well, he'd timed it b/c aware that's what's
allowed}
GP: 545 Clyde
Your Worship
I was reading the 2008 Annual Report and noted that it states
that the Endowment Fund has dropped well below the minimum permitted
threshold because of loans to the Municipality for the Civic Centre.
As you well know, when the Endowment Fund was set up by Council, they
were particularly concerned that this nest egg not be touched
except in certain carefully prescribed circumstances.
In particular, the Bylaw that set up the Endowment Fund requires
that such loans be authorized by bylaw and be limited in size.
The 2008 Annual Report implies that the $7 million taken from the
fund was authorized yet the Report does not mention the bylaw and
an extensive search of the municipal website did not reveal any such
authorisation bylaw. Also, the $7 million amount appears to be much
larger than allowed.
So the first questions I have are related to this authorisation.
When did Council authorise these loans, and given that the loans
appear to exceed the maximum amount that may be borrowed from the
Endowment fund, when did Council amend the loan provisions of
Endowment Fund to make such large loans legal?
The second question is what process should concerned
citizens follow to obtain timely answers to these types of
questions. I wrote to the Municipal Clerk on September 25th,
almost three months ago, requesting this information. She forwarded my
request to the Director of Finance who in turn kindly confirmed
receipt of the request five weeks later, saying he would have an
answer by the end of that week.
Two weeks later, having heard nothing, I wrote back to the
Director of Finance. No response. I wrote to the Municipal Clerk
formally requesting a copy of the bylaw under S. 148 (d) of the
Community Charter. No Response. Last week I started leaving voicemail
messages almost every day. No response.
This request is not a Freedom of Information request. I'm not
asking staff to dig back through files looking for documents--
Mayor: --may we answer your question?
GP: All I want is a copy of the bylaw
Mayor: So I think what wd be best b/c it's 10 o'clock at night
and I doubt I'm going to get a motion from Ccl to continue, but that's
not b/c those aren't v good questions. We're reconvening here
Friday at 8:30, and may we provide you a response in public
then?
GP: That wd be gratefully accepted. Thank you, Ccl.
Mayor: Just before we adjourn, just want to wish everybody on
behalf of Ccl a v merry Christmas and a happy winter holiday with your
family and friends, and also, support our NSh Rotary Clubs and
Operation Red Nose wch is sponsored by ICBC and CTV for travelling to
and from parties this weekend and on New Year's Eve. All you
need to do is go to operationrednose.com and make a charitable
contribution, and you'll have a safe ride home. It's a wonderful
service supporting the wonderful Rotarians on the NSh.
Cclr Sop has a special wish
Sop: don't have my hat, think Cclr Clark absconded with it, but
Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
27. ADJOURNMENT
=== Special Ccl MTG NOTES
Dec 18th ===
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA [8:30am]
Added to Item 6: Report from the
Deputy CAO titled "Council Appointments to Boards, Committees,
Working Groups, and Task Forces".
BYLAWS ADOPTED
Bylaws are passed by a simple majority affirmative vote unless
otherwise noted.
This
bylaw received three readings at the December 14, 2009 Council
Meeting.
(File: 1610-20-4615)
This
bylaw received three readings at the December 14, 2009 Council
Meeting.
4. Utility Fees for 2010: Solid Waste Utility Bylaw No. 4118,
1998, Amendment Bylaw No. 4610, 2009; Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No.
4490, 2006, Amendment Bylaw No. 4622, 2009; and Sewer and Drainage
Utility Fee Bylaw No. 4538, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 4623,
2009
(File: 1610-20-4610/4622/4623)
These bylaws received three readings at the December 14, 2009
Council Meeting.
This bylaw was the subject of a Public Hearing held and closed
on November 16, 2009. This bylaw received third reading as amended on
December 14, 2009.
APPOINTMENTS
Information to be provided.
Mayor: before putting motion on floor, have a change in that Ccl
Walker is not being recommended on the Cmnty Engagement Cmte (CEC) in
spite of her excellent contribution over the past year, and I will
continue on that given its focus and the time that will be
required.
With that change, Cclr Smith, wd you be prepared to put the
motion on the floor as printed?
MS: happy to do so as soon as I find the motion
Mayor: as printed
ME: this has I'm sitting on Grants cmte, but have had a
discussion with Cclr Panz--
Mayor: --oh, that's right; this is not; thought we had gone over
that; updated one?
BL: updated one; this morning
Mayor; oh, slipped in there
BL: this went through Admin Services Dept yesterday; had a change
yesterday afternoon, and so tabled one is the one with the
change
Mayor: thank you for drawing attention to that, Cclr Ev; Cclr
Panz will be on the Cmnty Grants Cmte, wch had been discussed
previously.
We're looking at the white copy, only other question
CARRIES
and that includes regional govt recommendations for Ccl; all
purview of Board Chair Jackson; good role for everyone, and I always
push hard for those:
6. Council
Appointments to Boards, Committees, Working Groups and Task
Forces (File: 0115-01)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the Council appointments
to Boards, Committees, Task Forces and
Working Groups as set out in the report
dated December 14, 2009 from the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
be approved.
Mayor Pamela
Goldsmith-Jones
* Finance & Audit
Committee
* Chair, WV Police
Board
* 2010 Leadership
Team
* Community Engagement
Committee
Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones: Regional
Boards
* Metro Vancouver Board of
Directors
* Metro Vancouver Waste
Committee
* Metro Housing
Committee
* Metro Mayors
Committee
* [TransLink] Mayors'
Council
* E-Comm Board
Councillor Bill Soprovich (Acting Mayor
- December 2009 / January 2010)
* Finance & Audit
Committee
* Community Engagement
Committee
* [Seniors' Activity Centre]
Board
* Coho Festival
Society
* Strategic Transportation Working
Group
* Spirit Trail Consultation
Working Group
Councillor Michael Evison (Acting Mayor
- February/March 2010)
* Finance & Audit
Committee
* Family Court and Youth Justice
Committee
* Community Engagement
Committee
* Lower Caulfeild Advisory
Committee
* North Shore Emergency Management
Office
* Design Review Panel
(Alternate)
* Land Trust Task
Force
* Housing Pilot Project Working
Group
Councillor Shannon Walker (Acting Mayor
- April/May 2010)
* Design Review
Committee
* Parcel Tax Roll Review
Panel
* Land Trust Task
Force
Councillor Michael Lewis (Acting Mayor -
June/July 2010)
* Finance & Audit
Committee
* NS Advisory Committee on
Disability Issues
* NS Substance Abuse Task
Force
* Awards
Committee
* Chamber of Commerce Board
Appointment
* School Traffic Safety
Committee
Councillor Mike Smith (Acting Mayor -
August/September 2010)
* Finance & Audit
Committee
* Community Centre Services
Society Board
* Parcel Tax Roll Review
Panel
* Land Trust Task
Force
* Childcare Working Group =01 Youth
Working Group
Councillor Trish Panz (Acting Mayor -
October/November 2010)
* Finance & Audit
Committee
* Library
Board
* Parcel Tax Roll Review
Panel
* Field Sports
Forum
* Climate Action Working
Group
* Community Grants
Committee
Regional Government: Recommendations for
Council
Councillor Bill
Soprovich
* Metro Vancouver Environment &
Energy Committee
* Metro Vancouver Labour Relations
(alternate)
Councillor Michael
Evison
* Metro Vancouver Lower Mainland
Treaty Advisory Committee
Councillor Shannon Walker *
[TransLink] Mayors' Council (Alternate)
Councillor Michael
Lewis
* Metro Vancouver Finance
Committee
* Metro Vancouver Board of
Directors (Alternate)
Councillor Mike Smith * Metro
Vancouver Labour Relations
Councillor Trish Panz *
Metro Vancouver Parks Committee
Mayor: Item 7 is Citizen
Appointments:
7. Citizen Appointments to Boards and Committees (File:
0115-01)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the following appointments and reappointments
be confirmed:
Library Board (for a two-year period ending December 31,
2011):
Paul Tutsch (reappointment); Mary-Jo Campbell; Zia
Rahimi
Design Review Committee: (reappointments for a one-year
term ending January 31, 2011)
Alexandra Bennett, Tom Bunting, Stuart Hood, Eric Lees,
Jennifer Marshall, Donal O'Callahan, Karl Ray, Michael Richardson,
Duane Siegrist
North Shore Advisory Committee on Disability Issues
(reappointment for a two year term ending December 31, 2011):
Jean Chambers; Additional information to be
provided.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
8. Consent Agenda Items - Reports and Correspondence
CORRESPONDENCE LIST FOR CONSENT AGENDA
9. Correspondence List
(File: 0120 24)
RECOMMENDED: THAT the Correspondence List be received for
information.
Sop: Mr Fung
Mayor: item 2?
Sop: yes, Rosebery
{Full list here b/c not in last newsletter}
Requests for Delegation -- No items
presented.
Action Required
Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for
consideration and response.
Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for
consideration and response.
Sop: Mr Fung, know work done by staff in Rosebery area, bin there
for salt
steepness of road, getting there difficult task
even out; a lot of hardship on that road
work is done; steepness; difficult at best of times; ask that
area be looked after a little more than last year
RF: we have a hierarchy; various priorities for road network in
ploughing, consistent throughout NV as well: arterials first,
stabilize then local roads
Ccl has affirmed that approach given our budget, equipment, and
resources we have; recogn many roads in WV have particular
circumstances similar to Rosebery
Others, perhaps writers have not weighed in on; even though we
have not specified roads after arterial and collector roads, we
recognize diff circumstances and try to respond as best as possible to
those
You can have every assurance we shall try to provide best
services possible and work with the nbrhd to try to respond the best
we can even within the local road networks, given slightly higher
priority with how we address them, however wrt formalizing a certain
level of service expectation within that framework is v difficult for
us to guarantee. Every assurance staff will work with the nbrs
and residents, work within budget expectations, best we can given
resources
Sop: tyvm
Referred to Fire Chief for consideration and
response.
Referred to Mayor and Council for consideration and
response.
Referred to Chief Administrative Officer for
consideration and response.
Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for
consideration and response.
Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for
consideration and response.
No Action Required
Attachments available for viewing in the Legislative
Services Department.
Responses to Correspondence
Responses to Questions in Question Period
-- No items presented.
PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
10. Public Questions and Comments (3 minutes per
speaker)
Mayor: Beginning with George Pajari
GP: tyvm
Mayor: you asked some questions; have you the letter from
us?
GP: yes, tyvm
Mayor: for the benefit of Ccl and the general public, I wd just
like to state that the Five-Year Financial Plan Bylaw, we've provided
a certified copy of that for you, and that the the M auditor expressly
considered the transaction you referred to and determined that the
$3.9M was expended as a loan, under Section 6 of the Endowment Fund
Bylaw under the authority of a provision in the Financial Plan
Bylaw.
{UPDATE: Apparently after an initial search for this GP
cdn't find a provision in the Financial Plan saying this is a Section
6 Loan, so for the time being, this is still to be
clarified.}
GP: Thank you, Your Worship
Was Ccl in receipt of a legal opinion that supported that
interpretation that passing a bylaw that mentions nothing about
borrowing or lending is actually an authority to borrow and
lend?
Mayor: ask Mr McRadu to respond further.
CAO: not sure of your question
{hm, what part of legal opinion made him unsure? or is it
the authority part?}
GP: the bylaw that created the Endowment Fund required money that
was lent from the EF to be authorized by bylaw. The bylaw that's been
provided to me does not mention that any of the funds that were to be
taken from the EF were a loan or constituted borrowing below the
threshold, and so I was asking Her Worship if you were in receipt
of a legal opinion that said that a bylaw that says nothing about
borrowing is an authority to borrow.
CAO: I'm not quite sure the questions -- and I can have a
discussion with Mr Pajari directly.
I believe what is being asked clearly is that are our auditors
supportive of the actions that have been undertaken, and the auditors
are.
{perhaps he didn't hear GP say a legal opinion, or he's
confusing/equating lawyers with auditors?
Rather than ask yet again, hv bn told that GP has written
to M&Ccl asking about a legal opinion.}
And so I'll certainly have a discussion with you off-line on
this, and I can report back to Ccl
Mayor: okay, thank you
GP: My second question from last mtg, was the question of the
fact that under the Cmnty Charter, requests for copies of the bylaw
must be satisfied within seven days, and my request was still
unanswered after three months and required a personal appearance at
Ccl before I got a copy of the bylaw. I was wondering how I
cd hv approached this differently, and does Ccl have any concerns
about the duration it takes to obtain copies of the bylaw when the
Cmnty Charter does require staff to respond in seven days.
Mayor: Mr McRadu?
CAO: I'm not quite sure exactly the problem, and I'll certainly
speak with Mr Pajari, but I believe the bylaw is a public document,
and so I'm not quite sure why you had difficulty receiving it
when it's a public document.
GP: I have no idea why I had difficulty receiving it either, but
I'd be happy to discuss it with you. TYVM, Your Worship
CAO: It's a public document
Mayor: Exactly.
{Well, with all due respect, not exactly.
Clarification: Whether or not a bylaw is on the website or
public is NOT the issue.
If citizens cannot find a bylaw authorizing something
they're asking about, they can ask the MClk for a copy.
Sometimes it's difficult for them to find and sometimes it doesn't
exist.
The reason GP asked is b/c he cd not find the bylaw and now
wrt the bylaw he's been given, he does not think it in fact is
sufficient or legal authorization according to the EF conditions,
hence repeated requests. Maybe staff had trouble finding it too
b/c there was no reply until he asked at the Dec 14th ccl mtg, and
indeed it is not certain the bylaw cited at this mtg meets the
requirements.
IOW, the issue never was about obtaining a copy of Bylaw
4569, the question that took three months for staff to answer was
WHICH bylaw authorised the loans from the EF -- and since no such
authorisation bylaw was passed, they had to determine if they could
present the budget bylaw as sufficient, rather than admit/reveal that
there had not been authorisation (protocol followed) before borrowing
the money.
Carolanne Reynolds?
CAO: Madam Mayor, just as a follow-up on that. I believe
the bylaw is on our website.
Mayor: shd be.
CAO: yes
CR: I just wanted to-- It was late the other night and I just
wanted to wish you all a v Merry Christmas. I'm glad to see Cclr
Lewis is back with us, hale and hearty.
Mayor: so are we. Thank you.
Sop: move mtg end and the stocking was hung by the Christmas
{?} with care you know and of course we all have to say Merry
Christmas all and to all a good morning.
Mayor: we're adjourned and have a wonderful time over the
holidays!
13. ADJOURNMENT [8:44am]
=== INFObits ===
+ Google gets 3B hits a day!
+ Bethlehem was 80% Christian; in the 70s
it was 60% just heard it is now 12%
+ Entirely Esoteric
+ Kwanzaa
=== WOMANWATCH
=== Price/Pillow = Equality for
Women?
+ MALAYSIA
Of course that is for most a goal. So it was with great
interest I read the story in the VSun (Mon Dec 14 pC8). The
Islamic Religious Dept in the Malaysian State of Selangor has decided
one improvement in the status of women wd be to increase the value of
the dowry women must be paid by prospective husbands. The rates
have not been changed since 1968 and currently stand at the equivalent
of $25 for a single Muslim woman and $12.50 for one who has been
previously married. There will now be an across-the-board
dowry rate equivalent to $93.
+ JAPAN
=== NEWSWATCH ===
= Iraq insurgents 'hack
into video feeds from US drones'
Drones can be
remotely controlled from thousands of miles away
Insurgents in Iraq have
hacked into live video feeds from unmanned American drone aircraft, US
media reports say.
Shia fighters are said to have used off-the-shelf software programs
such as SkyGrabber to capture the footage. The hacking was possible because the
remotely flown planes have an unprotected communications
link.
= Subject:
[cpthebron] UPDATED Video: At-Tuwani's efforts to bring electricity to
their village.
CPT reports: The last link we sent out regarding this video
contained some glitches. This link below is for a version of the
video without the glitches. Please feel free to spread this
video through your networks. CPT At-Tuwani has put together a
video that documents the village's struggle to be connected to the
Palestinian electrical grid. You can watch it at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qknYiNTKZ-c
=== BOOKWATCH === Give
a book or free subscriptions!
To subscribe, send a blank message to
drmardy-on@mail-list.com
Books by Dr. Mardy Grothe:
"Ifferisms: An Anthology of Aphorisms That Begin with
the Word 'If'" (2009)
"I Never Metaphor I Didn't Like" (2008);
"Viva la Repartee" (2005)
"Oxymoronica: Paradoxical Wit & Wisdom"
(2004)
"Never Let a Fool Kiss You or a Kiss Fool You"
(1999)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Quinion asks: NEED A LAST-MINUTE PRESENT?
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Then there's Anu Garg's AWAD:
The gift of words Send a gift subscription in less
than a minute!
Books: A Word A Day, Another Word A Day, The Dord, The Diglot,
and an Avocado or Two
=== INITIALIZATION vs ACRONYMS
===
* CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION
First of all some typo leprechaun put in the present year.
Of course this Ccl was elected in Nov of 2008.
Secondly, you all know what an abbreviation is but what about
those infernal initials? If those initials can be said as a
word, then it's an acronym, if they can't then it's just
initialization.
* ADDED:
CF = Canada Fund (fed stimulus $)
GVSDD = Greater Vancouver Sewerage and Drainage
District
* Quinion in WORLD WIDE WORDS writes:
3. What I've learned this week
REDD AGAIN It turned up in reports about the UN
climate-change conference in Copenhagen. It's among the many
jargonistic acronyms created by negotiators; according to my newspaper
it stands for "Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest
Degradation in Developing Countries". Surely that makes REDFDDC?
But a look online shows that REDD is based on a mercifully shortened
form of that unwieldy phrase -- "Reducing Emissions from
Deforestation and Degradation". That ought to save a few trees by
itself.
Swarming around the delegates in Copenhagen were large numbers of
observers, mostly members of non-governmental organisations, NGOs.
UN bureaucrats grouped them acronymically. There were BINGOs
(business and industrial NGOs), ENGOs (environmental NGOs), RINGOs
(research-oriented and independent NGOs) and TUNGOs (trade union
NGOs). To be complete, we should add the IPOs (indigenous peoples'
groups) and the LGMAs (local government and municipal authorities).
There were also youth organisations, who came to call themselves
YOUNGOs, presumably in satirical commentary rather than slavish
imitation.
=== WORDWATCH === Sic!
section from World Wide Words e-newsletter
Isthmus Magazine of 30 October discussed a public Halloween bash,
Marjorie Van Handel tells us. It wrote, "The desire to strut your
Sexy Noun outfit can be powerful stuff." She wrote, "Most
people prefer a Sexy Nun, except perhaps those wild and crazy English
majors."
We've been here before, I think, but Charles Patrick felt that
the London Free Press of Canada put it so pithily on 5 November:
"All pregnant women urged to get shot". Child control,
as practiced in Medford, Oregon: Seymour Collins came across this
reference in the Mail Tribune of 11 November: "If you own guns
and have children, it is important you store them in a locked
cabinet."
=== NEWWORDWATCH ===
WOTY TIME
Language purists might feel similarly about a term that has just
been chosen as Word of the Year by the New Oxford American Dictionary.
It's UNFRIEND, a verb meaning to remove a person as a "friend"
on a social networking site such as Facebook. Christine Lindberg, who
is senior lexicographer for Oxford's US dictionary programme, was
quoted as saying "Unfriend has real lex-appeal." She wrote
in the Dictionary's blog: "It has both currency and potential
longevity. In the online social networking context, its meaning is
understood, so its adoption as a modern verb form makes this an
interesting choice for Word of the Year." For more, and to
discover some other terms that were considered (including
"hashtag" and "intexticated"), go via
http://wwwords.org?UNFR.
=== MAIKU ===
2009 December 17 Vancouver
In
the glow of the Christmas lights
her
bright eyes glisten
then
tears start to flow
silver and tinsel
kaleidoscope Christmas lights
smiles with sparkling eyes
My thoughts realizing sad for some and a happy time for others.
Here's a romantic version:
silver and tinsel
/ reflect Christmas lights
/ his smile and her eyes
sparkle
=== QUOTATIONS/PUNS
===
I will honour Christmas in my
heart, and try to keep it all the year.
--
Charles Dickens, English author, from 'A Christmas Carol'
(1812-1870)
Remember, if Christmas isn't
found in your heart, you won't find it under a
tree."
--
Charlotte Carpenter.
The bad news: we often find ourselves in
trouble. The good news: in trouble, we often find
ourselves.
--
Dr Mardy Grothe, American psychologist and writer
Christmas at my house is always at least six or
seven times more pleasant than anywhere else. We start drinking early.
And while everyone else is seeing only one Santa Claus, we'll be
seeing six or seven.
--
W. C. Fields, American actor and writer (1880 - 1946)
THEN there's Charles Dana who wrote:
Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists
as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exists, and you know
that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and
joy.
-- Editorial in the New York Sun, 1897,
responding to a letter from eight-year-old Virginia
O'Hanlon
* CHRISTMAS
QUIZ
Down the
Chimney What's red and white and black all over? Santa Claus
entering a home through a chimney. He loves sliding down chimneys
because it soots him. But he actually has a fear of getting stuck.
That fear is called Santa Claus-trophobia. The way to get him out of
the chimney is to pour Santa Flush on him. Occasionally Santa falls
down a chimney. Then he's Santa Klutz. Since Santa has to go up and
down a wide variety of chimneys on Christmas, should he have a yearly
flue shot?
Many thanks to Richard Lederer.
=== PUNNY ANSWERS
===
- What do monkeys sing at Christmas
time? -- Jungle Bells, Jungle Bells
- What is green, covered with tinsel
and says, "Rabbit, rabbit"? -- A
mistle-toad
- What would you get if you ate the
Christmas decorations? -- Tinselitis
- What kind of motorcycle would
Santa ride? A Holly Davidson
- How do Santa and Mrs. Claus
travel? -- On an icicle built for two
- What language does Santa Claus
speak? -- North Polish
- How do sheep in Spain say Merry
Christmas? Fleece Navidad
