WVM2011-14
Ccl NOTES July 4
AGENDAS July 11
Calendar to July 25
by
Carolanne Reynolds, Editor
www.WestVan.org
Farewell Will and Kate * Stanley Park 125th
Anniversary Weekend
MAIN ITEMS on the ccl mtg AGENDAs July
11: v funny
The sp ccl mtg starts at 4pm, goes in camera, and says it will
adjourn after the in camera part.
Then the other day a Finance Cmte mtg appeared on the DWV site.
It will start at 5:30 and is about the budget.
= Vive le Canada (Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors in
name of Duke/Duchess of Cambridge); from the EDITOR'S DESK (Main
points, notable qtn in NOTES); BUDGETWATCH (the ITACker view); PH
RULES (letter re process); WVPD (Suspects); UPDATES & INFO
(HBAY INTERSECTION; LPPS; Giant Hogweed
Removal)
= CALENDAR to July 25th; CULTUREWATCH (Theatre; Art;
Music); SUBSCRIBER HEADSUP (Updates )
= Ccl Mtg NOTES July 4th: PH on Zoning Housekeeping
Amendments; WVPD 2011-2013 Strategic Plan and Mid-Year CompStat
Report; Construction Impacts on Nbrs; 2011 Five-Yr
Financial Plan Budget Amendment Bylaw (see G Polman's five
questions on AmbNOW); Firearm Regulations; Water Utility Loan
Authorization; Adoption of 20th/Esquimalt devt bylaw (PH process
comments); Water Shortage Plan; Add'n of July 11 and 25 to
Ccl Mtg schedule; AmbNOW PSB Expense Report to May 31;
Correspondence re GLH House (demolition?)
= AGENDAs July 11th: Sp Ccl Mtg and Finance
Cmte
= ANIMALWATCH (Tickling/Laughter, Banff Nat'l Park; Polar
Bear Cub crawls); INFObits (Canada UN Conference nix; Tea; Health;
Facebook); CANCERWATCH (whither donations?); HSTWATCH (UBC; NB);
PEACEWATCH; ROADWATCH; WATERWATCH (Amniyr again); FLOTILLAWATCH;
OBAMAWATCH (G&S); CANADAWATCH (WVite's Canada Day in
Ottawa); ROYALWATCH (Photos; Rockies; Skoki); HERITAGEWATCH (GLH;
RoyalTea-by-the-Sea; Walks); HUMOURWATCH (Exercise); MAIKU;
QUOTATIONS/THOUGHTS/PUNS
PM announces Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors Program in honour
of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
July 7, 2011 -- Calgary, Alberta
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the creation of
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors
Program, a special gift in honour of the couple's first Royal Tour
of Canada and to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of Parks
Canada. The program will inspire young Canadians from across the
country to enjoy Canada's great outdoors.
"Canada is blessed with unparalleled natural
beauty," said the Prime Minister. "This program will see youth
ambassadors travelling across the country to promote our magnificent
national parks. The gift will remind The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
of the time they spent here together enjoying Canada's natural
wonders and forever connect them to the young people participating in
the program that bears their name."
As part of this annual summer program, two youth ambassadors will
travel across Canada connecting with Canadian youth in their schools,
communities, and at Parks Canada locations.
The first two ambassadors will begin their duties
in spring 2012. They will visit Canada's national parks, national
historic sites and national marine conservation areas, and share their
experiences and ideas through social media. The ambassadors will also
encourage other young Canadians to connect with them and share their
own outdoor Parks Canada experiences online.
"The Parks Canada Youth Ambassadors Program is
very much in keeping with the environmental and youth initiatives that
Their Royal Highnesses support. It is a fitting gift to mark their
first Royal Tour and the 100th anniversary of Parks Canada," added
the Prime Minister.
=== from the EDITOR'S DESK
=== Lots
happening.
> Do read the captivating
account written by a WV resident on his trip to Ottawa for Canada Day
-- what a great experience!
> re ccl mtg
AmbNOW expenses and plans (an initial
amt for $3.1M and we don't even know the size of the PSB, plus
apparently they've already decided where it will go; many questions
asked). Do read about it -- either higher taxes or sale of M
land assets -- the devil or the deep blue sea -- and cost has gone
from $20M to $37M to $50 - 65M to over $70M.
PH process queried.
GLH in danger (see Correspondence,
Reports from Mayor/Cclrs, PQP)
+ Notable excerpt from
transcript of ccl mtg:
Mayor: Can I come
back to you after Ccl Reports?
Sop: No, b/c I'll
lose my train of thought, I just want to comment
Mayor: well, I'm in
charge of keeping the train of thought going in one
direction
=== BUDGETWATCH === the ITACker
Report
Subject: Property taxes - ITAC - DWV
operating expenses for 2010
Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2011 11:49:52 -0700
Today being the deadline for paying one's property taxes in BC,
I thought you might be interested in ITAC's latest analysis of
District of West Vancouver operating expenses, including changes in
employee remuneration.
{see the three tables:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/59750054/ITAC-Analysis-of-DWV-Annual-Operating-Expenses-2003-2010
http://www.scribd.com/doc/59750039/ITAC-Analysis-of-DWV-Staff-Over-100K-2003-2010
http://www.scribd.com/doc/59750008/ITAC-Annual-Summary-of-DWV-Budget-2005-2010 }
These calculations have been done by ITAC's resident number
cruncher, Garrett Polman, a man who spent a large portion of his
professional career either as a Treasury Board analyst in Ottawa or as
a senior financial administrator with JP Morgan-Chase in either
Chicago or Tokyo.
Even though West Vancouver's population has remained
essentially static over the past five years, and Greater Vancouver's
CPI has climbed a total of only 9.5% over the same period, the
operating expenses of our District government have continued to
increase in dramatic fashion. In particular, the remuneration for
District staff has gone up by 32% overall, for an average of over 6%
per year, with those making over $100K per year having received an
average of 7% per annum increase during these five years
(the District's unionized employees, other than firemen or police
officers, have, I believe, been restricted to increases of 4% or less
per annum during this period). As of 2010, our local government had
40% of its 640 employees being paid in excess of $75K per year, with
9% earning in excess of $100K per year. This is exclusive of the
WVPD's top paid employees, specifics of whose income is not reported,
but that is another story.
To put things in context, according to StatsCan census
data, in 2005 the median household income for West Vancouver was
$84,672, a drop of some 14% from 2000. As of 2009, again according
to StatsCan, the median household income for Metro Vancouver
was $67,550. Presumably, this figure remained somewhat higher
in West Vancouver but most likely rather less than it was in 2005
given the market meltdown circa 2008/09. And, as at 2005, some 23%
of West Vancouverites were classified by StatsCan as belonging
to so-called "senior economic families", with an astonishingly low
median household income of just over $25,000. Finally, according
to the Canada Revenue Agency, as reported in the National Post,
in 2009 some 74% of Canadian income tax-filers reported income of less
than $50,000, with fully 94% reporting income of less than
$100K.
To sum up, in West Vancouver we have what is essentially a
bedroom community of some 44,000 souls, almost a quarter of whom
are income-strapped seniors, with a local government that has 192
employees being paid in excess of $75K and 55 being paid more than
$100K (ie. in the top 6% of Canadian income tax-filers). Shockingly,
employee remuneration now consumes over 80% of the tax revenue
collected by the District.
I believe it is fair to claim that ITAC's efforts have been in
part responsible* for keeping the property tax rate increase in West
Vancouver to zero per cent in 2009 and 1.1% in 2010, by far the lowest
in Metro Vancouver during this period. However, the District's
operating expenditures have continued to rise significantly, with
utility rates increasing sharply (the latter due in part to Metro
Vancouver capital projects). The trend-lines point clearly to a
rapidly approaching situation in which the total tax burden imposed by
our local governments will become unsustainable for more and more West
Vancouverites.
My colleagues and I in ITAC hope and expect that the issue of
financial and operational management in our local government will be a
central topic for debate in the upcoming civic election in West
Vancouver. This will most likely be so if enough residents demand that
candidates for council focus their attention on this matter and make
their views known publicly as to what ought to be done to reverse the
current trend in District spending.
Please forward this...
Thank you. David Marley
{* yes, they spoke out, as did ADRA, this newsletter, and
others.}
=== PUBLIC HEARING RULES fyi
=== This was discussed at Item 13 and
PQP
{NB: DWV lost a
PH challenge in 2003 (just an example; were
others)}
Date: Sun, 03 Jul 2011 15:19:31 -0700
From: George Pajari
To: mayorandcouncil@westvancouver.ca
Subject: Problems with Public Hearing/Public Meeting related
to OCP Amendment and Rezoning on Esquimalt
Dear Mayor and Council:
There is reason to believe that the recent Public Hearing/Public
Meeting related to the amending of the OCP and the rezoning of the
three lots on Esquimalt has been irreparably compromised by the
actions of some councillors.
During Council's discussion immediately following the closing of
the PH/PM, one councillor stated she had met privately with residents
to discuss the development (with the obvious implication that this
meeting had happened after the first PH/PM). Another councillor said
she had discounted the value of the letters opposing the development
based on discussions during "lunch with a client" who had
signed one of the form letters.
It has long been held by the courts that it is highly improper
for councillors to receive information related to the matter being
considered during a PH/PM outside of the PH/PM and a number of bylaws
based on such compromised PHs/PMs were invalidated as a result.
The Honourable Madam Justice S.S. Stromberg-Stein, in
Hubbard et al v. District of West Vancouver (2003) BCSC
1678:
Council had a clear obligation to disclose to the
public prior to the public hearing all information upon which council
would consider and rely upon in the course of adopting, or deciding to
adopt or reject, the bylaws. If council considers new
information, which addresses the issues and offers fresh facts and
opinions, then this information should be available to the public even
if council acquired the information after the public hearing.
Procedural fairness involves disclosure of all such relevant
information and material... This is essential to a fair and
transparent public process.
Mr. Justice Wallace in Karamanian v. Richmond
(Township of) (1982), 138 D.L.R. (3d) 760 (B.C.S.C.):
Leaving homeowners ignorant of pertinent information in
the possession of council frustrates the objective of a public meeting
and denies those homeowners whose property is affected by the by-law a
full opportunity to be heard at a fair and impartial public
hearing.
It would be prudent for council to postpone final adoption of the
bylaws related to the OCP Amendment and rezoning until it has had time
to investigate this matter further and has received legal advice on
whether it is necessary to re-convene the PH/PM to remedy the problem
of councillors' being influenced privately without a fair opportunity
for others to consider and respond to the information received in
secret.
To continue to final adoption without at least considering the
admissions by councillors of having met privately to discuss the
matter before the PH/PM would be an offence to natural justice and
give support to those who think staff and council are so enthusiastic
about this development that details such as natural justice, proper
process, and overwhelming neighhbourhood opposition are mere details
to be trampled in the rush to experiment with new housing forms.
Yours truly, George Pajari
=== WVPD ===
Suspects!
Suspects to identify Date: 2011 July
07 Contact: Cpl. Jag Johal
Please follow the link below to our website to view persons to
identify in relation to recent West Vancouver Police
Investigations.
=== UPDATES & INFO
===
> Intersection
Upgrade for Marine Drive at Keith Road in Horseshoe
Bay
The intersection of
Marine Drive at Keith Road has been of concern to the neighbourhood
for several years. The traffic control is confusing, the pedestrian
signal is old, and speeding is an issue.
An Open House was held at Gleneagles Community Centre on June 22, 2011
where information was provided to parent advisory committee from
Gleneagles School and local residents associations on options for the
intersection upgrade. The community was invited to attend and provide
input. The District has recommended a roundabout to improve traffic
flow and safety in the intersection.
Further information
will be posted here as the project progresses.
http://www.westvancouver.ca/Level3.aspx?id=34998
> Lighthouse
Park Preservation Society
The newsletter:
http://www.westvancouver.ca/uploadedFiles/Parks_and_Environment/Stewardship/Newsletter15.pdf
has info on bees, woodpeckers, Klootchman Park, mtg, events, and
more.
Photo contest details:
http://www.nsps.ca/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/LPPS-Photo-Contest-info-1.pdf
>
Public Safety Bulletin - Giant Hogweed
Thursday July
07 Is there
a giant in your backyard or along your stream edge? The WV Parks Dept
has recently noticed increasing populations of the 'Giant Hogweed',
a plant that is known to cause redness and irritation of the skin.
While the District is currently taking measures to remove this weed
from municipal property, we wish to provide information on its
identification and removal, work with the community, and bring it
under control.
Origin
-- A member of the parsley family, Giant
Hogweed is a large dramatic plant from Asia that was introduced as an
ornamental. Now also found on public land, the plant prefers moist
soil and thrives in ravines, wooded open spaces, ditches, vacant lots,
and along railway tracks.
Description
The most
impressive characteristic of the Giant Hogweed is its size. It can
reach heights of 8 to 15 feet (2.4 to 4.5 m) when in flower, and its
stout, hollow stems are 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) in diameter. The
stems are covered in coarse white hairs and purple blotches. The large
leaves are 3 to 5 feet (90 to 150 cm) wide and deeply
lined.
This plant
flowers from mid-May through July, and its large blossom
consists of numerous white flowers clustered in an umbrella shaped
head that is more than 2 feet (60 cm) in diameter. In the fall,
shoots die down and its tall stems mark the location of this plant
during the winter.
Impact
The Giant
Hogweed's clear, watery sap causes a skin reaction that may cause
redness, swelling, heat, and irritation. Exposure to sunlight
increases this reaction, which varies from person to person. People
often get sap on their skin while clearing plants, and children are
exposed to sap when they use the long, hollow stems for telescopes,
blowguns or swords.
Treatment
-- If sap gets on the skin, wash thoroughly
with soap and water. Keep the affected area out of the sun, and treat
it as you would a surface burn.
Management -- DWV will be removing this weed from
municipal property manually, without the use of herbicides, and will
be working with BC Rail to identify and remove plants along the
railway tracks. If you discover this plant on municipal property,
contact us and we will arrange for its removal.
Photo, details
on removing from your own property, and more information call 925 7192
and see:
http://www.westvancouver.ca/Government/Level3.aspx?id=29564
======= CALENDAR to July
25th =======
All mtgs are at M Hall
unless indicated otherwise. NOTE: below are mtgs known at
this date; often there are additions, changes, cancellations after WVM
goes out. Check the DWV Calendar:
http://www.westvancouver.ca/Calendar.aspx .
Notices/mtgs/changes too late for an issue or too early for the next
are sent to subscribers as updates. They then appear in the next
newsletter.
> Salsa by the Sea
June 23 to Aug 25 on Ambleside Landing from 6:30 to
8:30pm on Thursdays; $6 drop-in
Open to all; ph 925 7290; see
http://ferrybuildinggallery.com for info.
> Weekly
Farmers' Markets all summer
Saturdays 9 to 3
- Dundarave Farmers'
Market, 2400 Marine
Drive
Sundays 10 to
3 - Ambleside
Farmers' Market - Bellevue
Ave & 13th St.
> This Summer
join us for FREE Sunset Family Yoga Classes!
Located on the
Great Lawn of the Community Centre -- July & August only --
A gentle Hatha Style class. Everyone is welcome. Bring
your own yoga mat. Weather permitting - For up-to-date
scheduling information:
http://westvancouver.ca//uploadedFiles/Recreation/Schedules/WEB_SPIRIT_PASS_SCHEDULE.PDF
> Posted too late for last
WVM:
== Monday July 4 ~ 5:30pm ~
Parks Master Plan WG [MOVED FROM JULY 5]
== Wednesday July 6 ~ 9:30am ~
Ambleside Revitalization Commission
== Thursday July 7 ~ 7pm ~
Design Review Cmte [CANCELLED]
== Monday July 11 ~ 4pm ~ Special Ccl Mtg
Closed Session; ~ 5:30 ~ Finance Cmte [BUDGET]
== Tuesday July 12 ~ 7pm ~ Parks
Master Plan WG
== Friday July 15 ~ 9am ~
Cmnty Grants Cmte, Cmnty Ctr (Cedar Room)
== Tuesday July 19 ~ 7pm ~ Parks
Master Plan WG
== Wednesday July 20 ~ 7pm ~ Bd of
Variance; and Library Bd at Library
== Thursday July 21 ~ 4:30pm ~ Design
Review Cmte
Closed
Sundays in July and August. Note parking and parking limit
changes (details in WVM13)
SUMMER
CINEMA:
~ 6:30 - 9pm ~ Join
us on Tuesday evenings for an in-house screening of some wonderful
films.
True Grit -
July 12 and Last Station - July 19
+ Wednesday July
13
~ 7:30pm
~ A New Yorker's Sense and Sensibility
Author Cathleen
Schine will read from her most recent book, The Three Weissmanns of
Westport.
+ Tuesday July 19
~ 1:30pm
~ Raptor Rescue with O.W.L. Rehabilitation Society (Grades
1-7)
Meet and learn about
the birds of prey which live in the Lower Mainland. Drop-in, but space is
limited.
+
West Vancouver Memorial Library Foundation
Celebrating its 25th Anniversary this year! For 25 years
the Foundation has supplemented the funding of the Library through
donations, mail campaigns, and special events. Later in the year an
event with an international flavour is planned. Watch for our July
e-newsletter!
=
The Smith Collection ~ June 9 to August
27
A
selection of works by leading Canadian artists from Gordon Smith's
private collection
Immersed in the visual art world,
West Vancouver artist Gordon Smith and his late wife Marion collected
a number of interesting works by leading Canadian and international
artists. The wealth of their art collection is evidence of the lives
the Smiths touched and conversely those who influenced Gordon
Smith's artistic practice. Through examining the Smiths' influence to
the Canadian art world, this first exhibition of the Smith Collection
includes works by Rodney Graham, Douglas Coupland, Jack Shadbolt, and
Ann Kipling among many others.
West Vancouver artist Gordon
Smith and his late wife Marion collected a diversity of artworks from
leading Canadian artists over their decades-long immersion in the
Canadian art world.
This exhibition includes
important works selected by Ian Thom, Senior Curator, Vancouver Art
Gallery.
+++ FERRY BUILDING GALLERY
+++ http://ferrybuildinggallery.com ~ 925 7290
13th International MINI ART EXCHANGE ~
July 5 - 24
Brazil/Canada Opening
Reception Tuesday July 5 from 6 to 8pm
+++ SILK PURSE +++
http://www.silkpurse.ca/gallery2.html
July 12 - 24 -- "Sunrise"
Employing three distinct visual approaches
to some of the rudimentary property features of the Hastings Sunrise
neighbourhood, photographer Morgan Applewood invites us to consider
how the East Van area has come to represent decorum amidst Vancouver's
high-priced housing market & what it means to have the premium of
space.
Opening reception Tuesday
July 12th from 6 - 8pm
+++ KAY MEEK CENTRE
+++
Complete list of events: http://kaymeekcentre.com/on_stage/events_calendar
Electronic newsletter: http://kaymeekcentre.weebly.com
Simplest way to get on email list, call
913 3634 (also for tix) or email
tickets@kaymeekcentre.com
+++ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 60, West
Vancouver +++
"Where Volunteers make the difference."
Chartered November 17th, 1926
The Winter Issue
of "The Torch" is now available
To view
the newsletter, just click the following link for direct
access:
For those of you who use Twitter, you can follow us, Tweet us and
keep up to date with our events.
Follow us: @westvan60 -- Reid Anderson, Branch Secretary
+++ WV CHAMBER of COMMERCE + 926
6614 + http://www.westvanchamber.com
Jul 12 - Chamber Breakfast Club 2
-- Delany's Coffee House | Dundarave Village
Jul 19 - Chamber Breakfast Club
-- Cafe TrafiQ, Ambleside
=== CULTUREWATCH
===
*
THEATRE
+ BARD ON THE
BEACH http://www.bardonthebeach.org/ June 2nd to Sept
24
As You Like
It
Great acting by Lois Anderson,
on stage nearly the whole time; and
The Merchant of
Venice
a difficult play, an excellent
production; even with humour: John Murphy and Ryan Beil
:-)
Henry VI, Wars of the
Roses
opened Wed July 6, a
complicated story of royal intrigue clarified by the
performance
Richard III opens
Saturday July 16.
Tix: book online or call Box Office M-F 9am to 4pm, 739 0559; reserved
seating this year.
+ ARTS
CLUB 687 1644
http://www.artsclub.com/shows/index.htm
- Revue Stage on
Granville Island -- Mom's
the Word: Remixed; now playing to July 23
-
Granville Island Stage -- A Closer Walk with Patsy Cline,
to July 30
+ Metro Theatre 266
7191 -
Harvey by Mary Chase; June 18 to July 16
* ART
+ VANCOUVER ART
GALLERY
~ VAG PUBLIC PROGRAMS
-- All Programs free for Members.
Current exhibition:
"The Colour of my Dreams".........
~ Out for Lunch
-- Eine Kleine Lunch Musik Select Fridays, 12:10 -
1pm
* MUSIC
+ Vancouver Symphony
Orchestra 876 3434
=== COUNCIL MTG NOTES
Monday July 4th ===
REGULAR COUNCIL Meeting
6pm in M HALL MAIN FLOOR CONFERENCE
ROOM; 7pm in COUNCIL CHAMBER
(PUBLIC HEARING at 7pm in CHAMBER, FOLLOWED BY
REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING)
6:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER OPEN SESSION
2. EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
THAT in the public interest, mbrs of the public
be excluded under the following section of the Cmnty
Charter:
90. (1) A part of a ccl mtg may be closed
if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of
the following:
d. the security of the property of the
municipality;
e. the acquisition, disposition or
expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that
disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the
municipality; and
k. negotiations and related discussions
respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at
their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could
reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the
municipality if they were held in public.
3. ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION Council
will then proceed with the closed session.
At 7pm the PH re Zoning Amendment Bylaw will be
held. The open session of the Ccl mtg will reconvene immediately
following the conclusion of the PH.
PUBLIC HEARING
NOTES MUNICIPAL HALL COUNCIL CHAMBER
7:00 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PUBLIC HEARING
Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 4679,
2011 (File: 1610-20-4679)
The Director of Planning, Lands and Permits will describe the
subject application.
Applicant: The District of West Vancouver
Affected Lands: All lands in West Vancouver
Purpose: To introduce various housekeeping amendments to
Zoning Bylaw No. 4662, 2010.
Proposed Zoning Bylaw Amendment: The proposed amendments
are technical and do not create new "policy" directions. In
general terms, the proposed amendments correct minor formatting
issues, text, and metric conversions and clarify regulations and
language.
3. PUBLIC HEARING PROCEDURE [described]
4. REPORTS/WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS
1) Reports received up to June 30, 2011:
TITLE /
DATE / DATE FOR
CONSIDERATION / NO.
2) Written submissions received up to June 30, 2011:
AUTHOR / DATE / DATE FOR
CONSIDERATION / NO.
-- None to date.
On June 20, Council set the date for the Public
Hearing. The statutory notice of PH was published in the NSN on June
26 and June 29. The M Clerk will note written submissions received for
the July 4 PH.
Sokol: January, Ccl adopted new zoning bylaw and alerted may
be revised after use.
Minor changes from the past five months.
Sop: Under the new zoning wd there ever be the ability for
land assembly on any given street for a devpr to come to Ccl wch wd
alter its character? nbrhd, multi-fam
Sokol: if area zoned sgl-fam, cd come but wd need a PH for
rezoning
Sop: so cd come where not covenant?
Sokol: wd need rezoning and probably OCP amendment
right to assemble land whether old or new zoning
bylaw
has not been changed
Mayor: bylaw not changing that; hardly comes under
housekeeping amendments wch is what this bylaw is about.
Sop: well, it's full of word changes and everything
else
I'm asking a v simple question. My goodness.
The second question is--
Mayor: it's a v simple answer
Sop: no, but it wasn't b/c my determination, my experience is,
what is coming to Ccl and, is the fact that land assembly in the
future, is going to be a positioning when we're looking at alternate
housing forms. If we're looking at alternate housing forms, my
position has been, and I think that it has to be clarified, that staff
make recommendations to Ccl outside the OCP of a plan that designates
areas.
is the designation throughout this entire cmnty? and
will we see nine houses on three small lots in future? that's my
question
so I'm asking through the zoning if applicable and guess I'm
hearing that it is.
Second, can an applicant in a duplex make application for a
secondary suite if they follow the rules?
Mayor: may I suggest that these questions are not the subject
of a PH and it's quite confusing.
What we're trying to do is convene a PH for public
input.
If, when we return this for second reading, these are
questions that perhaps these amendments lead you to, and I think
that's fine
but you're making some statements that many mbrs of Ccl may wish
to debate you around the appropriateness of, or the content of.
Sop: I have no prob debating this. I wanted to just clarify
that when we make these zoning changes -- as we've had this presented
to us before -- now there's some housekeeping wch opens the door to
talk about it, and asking if in fact one can do a land assembly
anywhere in this cmnty other than those controlled by covenant.
and the answer is yes, they can
Mayor: wch is nothing to do with the housekeeping amendments that
we're trying to have a PH about, I wd think. Is that correct, Mr
Sokol?
Sokol: yes, that's correct.
Mayor: all right. Now I'll ask to hear from the
public.
5. PUBLIC INPUT
{someone wanting to speak about
GLH in Correspondence; Mayor says that wd be at
PQP.
Mayor called three times and
there was no one.}
6. CLOSURE OR ADJOURNMENT OF PUBLIC HEARING
Ev moved: THAT all written and verbal submissions ... be received
and that the PH be closed
PASSES
Mayor: when next?
Sokol: second and third readings at next ccl mtg
Council Members are not permitted to receive further
submissions once the Public Hearing is closed.
Following conclusion of the Public Hearing, the following items
will be considered:
4. RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
REGULAR COUNCIL MTG
NOTES
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
amend
by withdrawing Item 11 re Fees and Charges re Fire
Rescue/Service
6. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
June 20, 2011 Special Council Meeting; and June 20, 2011 Regular Council Meeting.
PRESENTATIONS
7. West Vancouver Police Board 2011-2013 Strategic Plan and
Mid-Year CompStat (Comparative Statistics) Report (File:
2900-01) PowerPoint presentation to be provided.
Mayor: pleasure to welcome Chief Lepine and the Strategic
Plan
Lepine: on behalf of WVPD, honoured to be here to introduce [it];
thank Ccl and cmnty for their participation.
Feedback to ensure right direction.
balance between cmnty priorities, stakeholder needs, and the
WVPD's capacity and skills.
Four goals: [to enhance] public safety, the core function of
your Police Dept; to increase cmnty engagement and improve
communication, as it integrates us as an integral part of the cmnty as
we strive for solutions; to strengthen leadership and governance as we
build on our public confidence and cmnty support; [to have] effective
resource management as we attempt to move forward in a most innovative
way as we lead the way through the most challenging times.
Won't delve into measurables at this time.
Wd encourage citizens to download a copy of the plan from our
dept's website (www.wvpd.ca)
if you want a hard copy, contact the dept, wd be happy to send
one
work on goals and measurables has already been done
will be presenting our workplans at our next bd mtg, as well as
the schedule for communicating outcomes
timelines will also be on the website
regular updates will be provided
a safer and more vibrant cmnty for all; this plan maps out our
part
before I hand over to Michelle to do our midyear CompStats, any
questions?
Mayor; none? Michelle
M: plsd to present report for first six months of 2011
compared semi-annual average over past five years; important for
trending
1% increase in calls for service; prop crime decrease of 35%; 31%
increase in drug offences (later on will describe how our pro-active
work is driving these up); injury accidents down 20% and non-injury
accidents down 26%
slide of summary: no 1 prop crime is mischief, no 2 is
shoplifting, and no 3 is theft
ten commercial B&Es, 27 residential B&Es, ten stolen
vehicles, and 90 thefts from vehicles
CHART (slide)
prop crime down shoplifting up 1% -- compared to five-yr
average
residential B&Es down 44%, other B&Es down 43%,
commercial B&Es decrease 70%; theft of vehicles down 66%, theft
from vehicle down 22%, and no 1 prop crime mischief down 54%
Summary of Violent Crime Slide
no 1 assaults, followed by uttering threats; next category mixed
{listed them includes extortion and assault of a police officer}
2% increase in assaults, 186% increase in sexual offences (seven
cases were historical)
domestic violence is 13% of all violent crime.....
Traffic related this year, no fatal ones this
year..........
26 down from 32 of injury collisions; 181 non-injury
collisions.....
number of roadblocks and checkstops up 250% {so more drugs
caught?}
also catch commuter criminals
impaired driving, IRPs (Immediate Roadside Prohibition) 70 and 99
three-month suspensions,
final slide
Pls visit our website at wvpd.ca
Mayor: Ccl, questions?
Ev: commend you
under prop category, what is the profile of the offenders? is
there a trend? some from the riots in Vancouver?
need to be more pro-active?
M: we don't make a lot of arrests when it comes to mischief;
mixture of adult and youth; often get report the next morning
wrt the evening of the riot, not sure we can attribute any to
what was going on in Vancouver
Lep: last time we did an in-depth review, about two years ago, a
signif portion were adults as opposed to youths (windows, broken,
..... graffiti)
education -- damage to schools so info, collaboration with Sch
Dist, damage was down; cost to what considered a practical joke
Sop: what %age of shopowners go after shoplifters?
M: I don't know -- the major chains in the mall hire loss
prevention ofcrs who are regularly in contact with us but don't have a
solid number.
Sop: I have a family mbr involved in loss prevention; in three
years he came across hundreds and v few got anything more than don't
come back to the store
no penalty; some stores will take action; just wondering why on
the increase
Second question
somewhat misleading -- 186% increase in sex crimes in WV; doesn't
bode well for tourism or anything else
a bit misleading in how stats presented; wdn't want to see that
in the paper tomorrow, an increase in almost 200% in sex crimes!
Mayor: the numbers are small as well
Lepine: thank you for opp to respond to that, latter first
correct, large %age disturbing but we're dealing with smaller
numbers
when we come to Ccl we have an opp to better explain why these
things happen
Stats Canada will print 186% and leave it blank; hope media will
leave the rationale
half, 7 out of 12, were historical events, sometimes decades;
victims finally came forward
M: five-yr av for sexual offences is 4.2 so if we took the 7 off
we'd be just over the av at 5
Mayor: Ccl, your support for the Police Dept, CompStat and the
crime analyst -- important, relevant, helpful tools -- enabled reduce
crime, improve safety
WVPD and Bd operate under this legislative, regulatory,
policy-driven, and legal decision-making environment that is
completely out of our control
also managed new drinking laws, integrated policing; independent
investigation ofc and I'm on a sp cmte of the BC Assn of Police Bds on
that arising from the Braidwood investigation
world of policing increasingly complex
our independent, locally focused dept has managed to reduce crime
at the same time and participate as resp partners in the broader
cmnty
thank you for support of the WVPD during the riots; will say more
during Reports
our Public Safety team did its best; perhaps not enough but know
you were there right from the beginning
[Motion thanking the WV Police Board and Chief Constable Lepine
for the presentation]
REPORTS [7:32]
Mayor: in response to a piece of correspondence we had a while
back
{Pause for the commercial
break; it only took me nine months to get Correspondence back on the
ccl mtg agendas....}
Sokol gave background: construction in WV, exacerbated on narrow
streets
past two months reviewing and comparing with other Ms ...
Ev: 500 construction sites? how many bldg sites are in progress
at any one time
Sokol: new sgl-fam sites, primarily up in Brit Prop or new bldg
where house has been demolished probably about 100, loose number
Ev made motion: THAT
1. Council receive for information the June 20 report
from the Dir/Planning and
2. Council direct staff to complete a review of
its bylaws and procedures related to minimizing construction impacts
on neighbours and to report back to Council by September 30, 2011 with
specific proposals for bylaw amendments.
Ev: take issue with Dir/Planning but you suggested a large number
proceed without inconvenience or irritation to nbrs.
I'd somewhat challenge that
it's one of the biggest irritants to nbrs; quiet as a rule and
don't protest
some cases construction lasts for months, year, longer .......
noise, dust, xxx ......
I'd categorize as major problem
appalling lack of civil respects for nbrs
two types of construction:
one, building a house for himself, more inclined to
respect nbrhd
another simply building for profit
and if we were asked if we cd put a building shop/shed? next to
us for two years, we'd say no way
spec builder
but concurrent, an accelerated lack of resp for nbrhd
encroachment, disrespect, staff be diligent about comments
Mayor: anything you wish to add that's not here?
{ML laughs}
Mayor: one of the things we've looked at is the time frame;
minimal disruption
that's the point you're trying to make
Sokol: we'll certainly do that and look at other Ms re
duration
Sop: over the years, this report will be well-received by the
public
many of the calls I've received over the years
the length of time, the noise in many cases -- rather than
pneumatic drill look at rotary
look at way cars parked diff for emerg vehicles to get
through
sometimes protection over drainage, sawdust, mud, sometimes two
years and that's what nbrs look at ev day
timely, v serious, ... xxxx
Mayor: see the benefits of writing to Ccl!
Sop: but nothing came to a head
Mayor: ...
Sop: then let's take the noise bylaw. And blasting? were
fines given?
now we're getting down to some smart moves
ML: think this is v timely; number of permits up
the housing stock is starting to age so renos, knockdowns
three areas articulated to me 7:41
if two or three houses, you can't get through, garbage trucks,
huge concern on my street; emerg too
certain expectation of civility
too often that line has been crossed on the wrong side
MS: the need for this can't be demonstrated any more clearly
than when 21st closed; had to go over to Queens
blocked pouring concrete 21st and Queens
wonder why you wdn't have to get a permit to close for the
day; Chief here
second part, as Sop has said, this has been around as long as
I've been on Ccl, not just noise but what about impact on new
nbrhds
follow existing footprint
these things we promise at ev election
if start on noise, nd parking, phase two what impact on nbrhd is
-- house built in a diff place, impacts ev views
dig into and xxx
Mayor: interesting this arose through the Housing Dialogue
make more nbrly; maybe way to power it more xxxx
Sokol: will bring in September this and maybe more
continue and our work on nbrhd character
[7:46]
9.
2011 [Five-]Year Financial Plan Budget Amendment
Bylaw No. 4693, 2011 (File: 1610-20-4693)
2011 [Five-]Year Financial Plan Budget
Amendment Bylaw No. 4693, 2011
(File: 1610-20-4693)
See:
http://www.westvancouver.ca/uploadedFiles/Your_Government/Agendas_and_Minutes/2011/July/11jul4-9.PDF
{NB: this memo/report from Nina
Leemhuis is not shown as from NL, Director of Finance, rather from the
"Chief Financial Officer".
Will this go further? the M Mgr
is now called the CAO and the Dir/Fin now CFO?
think I heard the Mayor is the
CEO.}
NL: the purpose of this report and bylaw is to recog
changes
changes in revenues and expenses
one of the changes is a reallocation of funds from one xxx to
another
from roundabout 21st and Queens to intersection at MDr and
Keith {HBay}
the second change refers to Amb Revit, $3.1M budget devpd by the
Director of the Amr Revit Comm;
{but but but but but -- the
Director has resigned!!!}
been reviewed by Commission, Fin Cmte, Ccl, xxx [7:48]
{almost 100% out of public's
eyes..........}
professional expertise and xxxx
budget on a monthly basis will be brought forward
xxx, transparent
ML: wd be imp if you wd articulate where that money is coming
from
NL: in the early stages, $3.1M from sale of surplus lands:
Ottawa, Firehall, certain defined
{firehall references re sale is the
prop in HBay, made into three lots; been for sale for some
time}
ML: lane-ends?
don't want public to understand fire hall, prop down to xxx
NL: absolutely
all will be brought forward to Amb Revit, Fin Cmte, and Ccl
{after the fact or before for
approval? and then to public at what stage?}
Sop: one question wrt AmbNOW
divided into sections; one, sale of M lands
if we look at the cost of the PSB, agree architect to go ahead
and give size and cost of bldg
if we're not going to move until 2015, wdn't it be prudent not
to do anything with the lands over here
shortfall??? don't know size of it yet
how much we're going to need in the shortfall
ask not go through with any cost any lands around here until
we finalize how much bldg will cost -- if we're looking three or four
years from now
NL: we certainly are going to be doing this in a phased and
thoughtful approach
determine the size of the bldg
will bring forth all of the options; sale of M lands is one of
the options
.... Cclr Sop expressed concern about
Sop: wd it be open and transparent to the public other than a
ccl mtg?
Mayor: to what?
Sop: PSB; public process wrt to lands around here -- public
process!
Mayor: absolutely, or Nina; this is v broad
Sop: it's a moving
Mayor: why we want to approve this is xxx.....
Sop: there are other questions
NL: at least on a monthly basis bringing forward xxxx
to commission, Fin Cmte, Ccl ... public process
MS: have a question on Ms Leemhuis's report
wrt Marine Dr and Keith Dr .... went through [7:55]
$150K b/c not spending it somewhere else -- why?
not spending in location A, spending in location B
Mayor: refer to Mr Fung
RF: District has a School Safety Cmte; interface wrt improving
traffic safety around schools
when this was first identified, seemed to have the interest of
school and cmnty, four-way stop at that location
also b/c the Ministry decided to redecking
besides funds to Gleneagles overpass
Ministry had opp to take advantage of synergies to improve the
intersection
public consultation, favoured by the cmnty was a roundabout
design
soln???
do that work on heels of Min's redecking proj
21st & Queens, part of 2011 Cap Facilities Fund
so we cd construct this improvement
so that nbr not inconvenienced a second time in about a year's
time
unusual situation; asking Ccl to reallocate to take
advantage
Mayor: believe this was discussed at the FinCmte, so that's why
it's in front of us now
MS: I'll move to my second question
don't understand why we're not stating we're going take this
money from the Endowment Fund rather than, or use our Capital
Facilities Reserve Fund wch is designed for this type of
expenditure
don't know how you can plan on raising money selling those HBay
firehall lots, bn for sale for six years
proper flow, all land sales are supposed to go into the End
Fund, and from EFund, Ccl can decide where they want to spend the
money
why are we not clearly stating that we're going to--, I wd
like to see this transferred from End Fund to Cap Fac Res Fund and
spend money as Ccl determines for the PSB
Mayor: so you're satisfied with answer to Q 2, on reallocating
money from 21st to Gleneagles, to finish
MS: finished and moved on
Mayor: wanted to make sure; this is first part of the
motion
MS: we're going to take money from sale of lands, specifically
targeting this project and what it shd be, IMO, shd be coming open,
clean, straight from EFund to Cap Fac R Fund, and then we shd be
spending the money, rather than creating this special Land Stewardship
Fund or whatever we're doing
{but but but they
referred to the LSF in January with $950K but wdn't say where the
money came from or what it was for!}
Mayor: that also came up at the FinCmte mtg. Ms L
NL: the last part of the question
The LSF account was set up as a mechanism just to track revenues
and expenditures related to the AmbNOW project and other devt projects
that the District may undertake.
{why was this simple
answer not given in January??? I asked then, was first told
probably better to be answered at the next mtg (see the transcript of
that ccl mtg in Jan), and then no reply received. This certainly is
most interesting to hear so I'll have to ask why the secrecy till
now.}
That is purely an accounting function that just keeps track of
those transactions so that it does not muddy the EFund with hundreds
of transactions potentially that cd go through it
Ultimately what you're suggesting is exactly what we're
doing. All proceeds from land sales do need to go directly into
the EFund and from there they fund the expenditures that relate to, in
this particular case, AmbNOW.
The only reason we brought forward the sale of Ottawa and HBay
firehall lots and other land-ends {think she means lane-ends} is just
as a source of funds going into the EFund to clearly identify we
aren't using funds that have been sitting there for a period of time
but they have been targeted for the AmbNOW proj, but clearly do flow
through the EFund.
Mayor: more questions?
MS: I just want to clarify one comment
as the public can clearly hear, I was not at the last Fin Cmte
mtg
{Mayor laughs}
to make sure the record is crystal clear, I schedule my
out-of-town commitments and my biz commitments around scheduled Ccl
and FinCmte mtgs, of wch I think I've only missed one this
year.
I planned my trip based on the fact there was a Fin Cmte mtg
scheduled for June 13, so I cancelled my trip and went after the last
ccl mtg on the 20th, only to find out that the June 13 mtg was
cancelled and rescheduled for the 27th, so that is why I was not in
attendance at the June 27 Fin Cmte mtg.
Mayor: you'll be pleased that we're all on the same page; we
realize not all seven can be there all the time. I don't want to
get into a debate yet.
there's someone waiting to speak, uh Ms L?
ML: motion
Mayor: she's not part of the debate, she's helping us
will come back to you then?
ML: I'm ready for the motion
Mayor: one mbr of the public wishing to speak
Garrett Polman: {TEXT SUPPLIED, check against delivery; my
bolding}
Early this year the
vision of AmblesideNOW was that the sale of municipal land would pay
for a Public Safety Building plus various amenities for arts and
culture. A press release of January 26th stated, "AmblesideNOW
can all be realized with no burden to the taxpayer." I thought
this was an innovative approach, but I was curious how this would be
achieved as no estimates were provided of either the revenues or the
construction costs. That seemed like going to your bank and
say, "You know, I have this great idea. It'll take me a few
years to figure out my revenues, and I'll need more time to finesse
my costs, but in the meantime, why don't you give me a loan."
Promising this project would be "expense neutral" inherently has
risks. First, the tendency of our community to oppose high
density often results in such projects being scaled back. In
this case that means lower revenues. Secondly, putting Police
and Fire in the same building creates logistical complexities, and so
a common building is a sure recipe for escalating costs.
In June the risks
started showing. On June 6th the AmblesideNOW
Revitalization Commission estimated construction costs would be just
under $37 million. On June 17th, a mere 11 days later, the
NSNews reported costs had escalated to between $50 and $65
million. I'm told that since then there's even an estimate
of $70 million and that consideration is on the table of funding the
project through debt.
By now I was really
curious, and here are some questions:
1. What
happened to the promised vision a mere six months ago of "no burden
to the taxpayer"?
2. With
cost estimates continuing to escalate do we really have a good handle
on this project?
3. Is it
prudent to proceed when revenues depend on densification, an
inherently controversial issue that is by no means assured of public
support? What if the revenues turn out to be not
enough?
4.
What is the rationale for a public safety building? Yes,
it may withstand a medium level earthquake, but is it prudent to put
all our eggs in one basket? Should an earthquake destroy the
building, we'll have neither police protection nor a fire
department. [B/c of having] lived in Japan for 12 years I
know the BC building code does not meet Japanese earthquake building
standards.
5. What
is the business case for a single public safety building rather than
two separate buildings? Was Council informed of the stand-alone
costs of police stations and fire halls? Prince George is
currently building a state of the art police station with various
forensic facilities, at $600 a sq. ft. That would suggest a cost
of $15 to $18 million for West Vancouver. And just in April Port
Moody approved a new 28,000 sq. ft. fire hall with four bays, probably
larger than what we're looking at, for between $12 to $16 million.
That adds up to a range of $27 to $34 million, well below the
estimates for the West Van public safety building.
It doesn't looks
like AmblesideNOW is going to be "expense neutral". The
project is no doubt the delight of consultants but what if the
residents say stop putting the cart before the horse, we want you
to apply sound project management, develop the options, the revenue
and cost scenarios and put them on the table for public debate.
And while you wait for an answer from the taxpayer, is it really
prudent to spend $3 million?
I thank you for the
opportunity.
Mayor: thank you for the questions; let's put the motion on the
floor and see.........
ML moved: be read a first, second, and third time.
wd like to know some of those answers
to be clear, all land sales, lane ends, ??????? xxxx,
......
this is v early in the process and we keep talking about the
SALE of land; the District has a good record of leasing lands --
Pacific Arbour and south of TWay; need to be careful about that;
infers a decision has been made when analysis hasn't
I'll await Ms Leemhuis's answers to Mr Polman's questions
Sop: I'll wait for those answers before questions, as a good cclr
shd
Mayor: we're here to debate the budget, I'm happy to go first if
you don't want to
Sop: ladies first
Mayor: the reason for debating this is to get to the tough
questions we got tonight and asking ourselves
no doubt AmbNow ambitious
Ccl serious about returning it to some vibrancy; ... some housing
needs; our PSB for Police is inadequate, becomes even a recruitment
issue, looking at bringing it up to standards compared with costs of
new one
don't know if best to put together, but again we have a fire hall
that needs upgrading probably for as long as I've been on Ccl
budget will give us a way; provide info to public
besides, BSC, FinCmte we've been asked to look at land base; land
doing nothing; maximize waterfront or PSB
these are big questions; absolutely intend to manage each
soundly
need to assess pieces of the puzzle tonight
quite a bit of energy around the cmnty to get this one
not wishing to push too hard, but to take resp for the village,
for public safety, and for housing, and for the long-term stability of
the cmnty -- that's why I'm supporting this budget
for sure, the most transparent process of any Ccl
{and that was said
with a straight face!}
welcome for the public to be with us every step of the otherwise
we won't get there
{only four AmbNOW cmte
mtgs this year on the Calendar; you can bet your sweet bippie that
there have been more than four mtgs/workshops/ccl
discussions...........}
Ms L, have you anything more about transparency, accountability,
and Ccl's decision-making
NL: appreciate the ability for us to be as transparent as
possible
wrt Mr Polman's questions, be happy to respond at next ccl mtg
or by email
the process we're following allows lots of input from the public,
it's a v thoughtful process [8:14] we're engaging with lots of
experts and lots of expertise, not only construction but also
functional programming
I'm excited about the project, about the questions
Mayor: Cclr Sm
Sop: I thought I was next, right after you. I let you go
first
Mayor: I thought you were waiting for answers to the
questions
Sop: I--
MS interjects: --age before beauty yet again
{similar comment was made earlier; so
laughter}
Sop: Insertion today was AmbNOW and the $150K
also in the Consent Agenda is AmbNOW so wd rather talk about it
now [See Item 15.2 below]
curious, p 201, on Consent Agenda, all about AmbNOW
says surplus lands -- are those the lands surrounding M
Hall
NL: correct, Fulton precinct
Sop: rather than $459K now hold off on that b/c three, four,
years to get to that decision
Tell me why we paid $56K for urban art? what is that? cost to
date, 75% of the budget for that
NL: one of the components to the AmbNow and Revit is the arts
facilities strategy
consultant been meeting with many cmnty mbrs and been doing a
lot of investigation and consultation as it relates to the arts and
how the facilities for the arts will be intertwined with the AmbNOW
project
{my ears pricked up at this! art?
we don't even know what bldg will look like! usu a decision later,
no?
is it about public art or is it
about having an arts facility, the Ctr of Modern Art that's been
bruited about?}
Sop: so after consulting that's not the only process, that a
consultant will go out and do a few surveys
that's not going to be a public process, I take it; that's
fine
budget itself, v limited growth in last five years
hoping to be supportive of Ms Leemhuis
have seen in past and will see tremendous increase in Metro
costs
have seen a decrease in salaries to many ppl in this cmnty; many
finding it v v difficult to pay $12 - $15K tax bill ev year; only out
is to defer taxes; at this rate to 2020; diff ability to pay
limited land, supply and demand
comeback is if you're living in a $1 - 2M home, if you can't
afford it, what shd you do, buzz off?
Mayor: is this going to come back to the budget for AmbNOW for
2011?
Sop: I was referring to the five-yr plan itself
Mayor: Well, the motion on the floor is that
Sop: is wch?
Mayor: to approve the 2011 budget for AmbNOW and the $150K for
the roundabout at Gleneagles
Sop: well I got over the AmbNOW, I'm just commenting on the
budget itself, b/c you brought that in and you opened the door of the
five-yr budget
Mayor: it's not really a courtroom
{laughter}
I hope. Can I come back to you after Ccl
Reports?
Sop: No, b/c I'll lose my train of thought, I just want to
comment
Mayor: well, I'm in charge of keeping the train of thought
going in one direction
Sop: I wd like to comment on the basis of this alarming
escalation of Metro wch I know you've worked hard on
Mayor: at the Reports, I will remember that.
MS: good points by Mr Polman; echoed really all over the
cmnty
need to keep control of what we're doing here; we run the risk of
too many projects happening simultaneously; to some degree we have to
keep them separate
yes, we need a new Police bldg; yes, we need to redevp the
1300block and create some housing there; it's a question of how we do
it and how we sell what we're doing to the cmnty so they accept
it
{sell it? IOW fait accompli! not
out to cmnty for input and ideas!}
putting your marketing hat on, right now we're asking the
cmnty to finance $3.1M for things like $40K for collateral
material, $203K for contingency, and we're not able even at this
point to justify the $3.1M to explain the benefits of merging Pol and
Fire vs making sure the roofs on the four existing firehalls don't
collapse so we have four halls in the event of an earthquake
all of these questions being asked and we don't have any
answers
don't know how we can approve a $3.1M budget when we can't look
taxpayers in the eye and give them the answers to these
questions
at least tell them how we're going to get the answers
I think possibly what we shd do is pass a motion that we're
going to review this on Sept 30
{so they know they've got to
make sure it's spent by then or it might get cut or
modified?}
and look at what we've spent and look at the information that
we have, and then we can advance add'l funds as we deem
necessary
just to approve this $3.1M with the current facts on the
table -- I don't think is responsible; I think it's irresponsible
-- we don't have enough info
{this will
have to be clarified, hard to understand. Can see he may have
changed his view from the earlier mtgs, but these are serious concerns
being expressed here -- so why was the vote unanimous at the
end???}
I don't see why need to spend $3.1M to get enough
information to make some basic decisions like whether or not it makes
sense to merge Pol & Fire, and whether it's nec to spend $60 or
70M on a new Police/Fire bldg -- seems by anyone's
standards, an exorbitant amt of money
my alarm bells are ringing here b/c I think haste makes
waste
and we shd by all means proceed with the projects but do it in a
v cautious and careful manner, making sure we're not wasting the
taxpayers' dollars.
Ev: like to focus back on the issue
app comments by Mr Polman
if I were to sit down with him I feel confident and competent
to answer most of his questions
[Puzzling.
Hanging on the edge of our seats with breathless anticipation to hear
the answers to some, even one, of Mr Polman's five questions -- but,
no joy, alas.
Why doesn't he
tell us? a great opportunity! we're all
listening........}
through Fin Cmt, Ccl, endless weeks, debate, staff have
presented us, like a smorgasbord, punctuated constantly by let's
go to the next step
the $3.1M is not a carte blanche approval for staff to go
out and spend this sum of money tomorrow or this day, or the next
day
been clearly set out that to move forward we need to gain
add'l info and background so we can make those next steps
concurrently with those next steps will be a commitment to
spend money wch is nec
We are not being asked to approve the total sum to be spent
within the next few weeks
{not only appears that way,
impression that it was approved at last ccl mtg!}
it will be staged and if at any stage Ccl is not comfortable,
we will be put in the position where we can halt, can take advantage
of options staff will be presenting to us
SW: I completely agree with what Ev said
we've gone through this step by step by step
had this discussion about this budget in the FinCmte and the last
ccl mtg where we did question the total amt b/c it's a lot of money to
be spent in the next six months and it won't be spent
esp b/c of where we are in the process
we won't have the answers to Mr Polman's questions unless we
go through the process and have the experts come in and do the
functional programming and establish what it is we need
{excuse me, does this mean not
knowing yet what we need but talking about $70M,
etc?}
questions being raised are valid, need to keep this moving
forward, otherwise another Ccl will be here in ten years, and
Ambleside will still look like it does and the Police stn will be
falling down
{the Chicken Little
argument}
incumbent on us b/c we have approved ev step of the way and staff
has been completely transparent with us, that we continue to move
forward and see this through
TP: want to -- trying to recall amt we've already spent in
2010
already spent a fair amt of public money getting to this point
and this is the next phase
we've all agreed, voted in support of this to this point, and we
also did approve it June 16
important questions in front of us; absolutely no question about
it
but I feel comfortable that we are being cautious in this
process
trying to refresh my memory -- I think we actually approved of
establishing the stewardship fund as a Ccl and were open about
that
{ooooooo! gasp,
choke, sputter!
approved the LSF
when in January at least half the Ccl I asked had no idea what it
was? First discussion about it tonight when told an answer wd be
given then at the next ccl mtg.
Dear Readers,
there may be many who don't remember or recall timelines, etc, that's
natural.
Fortunately you
just need to look at transcripts from WVMs and you can see what was
said and what was not.
Those
watching/listening who have no WVMs (but they can be accessed at
www.westvan.org) wd probably believe these
claims.}
but there's been some thoughts on how that works, making sure
that it is transparent as possible
imp all of the lands, public, do go into the End Fund, and the
Stewardship Fund is simply an opportunity for us to be v forthright
how that money is moving
curious we didn't have more of this discussion when we approved
this on June 6, but I appreciate the questions and I think it just
speaks to the rigour this Ccl is using in order to come up with a
thoughtful cautious way forward
reality, have a Police bldg that needs to be replaced
actually v innovative exploring Pol & Fire together
it is a bit challenging but in WV we do lead on many issues, here
we're leading again.
don't think we've changed in the vision there were to be no
burden to taxpayer is the goal, having changed
{several have
mentioned the aim not to be a burden to the
taxpayer.
Two
responses.
Their view
appears to be in the short term, not the long term (loss of land
assets).
Disappointed
decision made without cmnty engagement, not to mention input,
openness, transparency, consultation, etc.}
clarification on some of the numbers for a Police bldg, Mr
Polman, don't really think the numbers for the Pol stn have changed,
as far as I'm concerned. Sometimes there's misinformation out
there and it may be worthwhile clarifying that point b/c I think we
can answer that
{unaware of numbers bandied
about from $20M to $50M in NSN and even $65M, and latest $70M?
Even fact there are rumours or uncertainty about the final amt
highlights lack of information given to cmnty.}
CAO: don't think any of the questions raised are not questions we
haven't asked ourselves
{but didn't give Ccl/us/cmnty the
answers???}
Ccl took the position to go forward with Police bldg and also
made the decision probably not in the best interests of the public to
have sgl-use bldgs any more
{those decisions were NOT made
in public, not at Ccl and not at a WVPD board
mtg.}
the direction was that we wd investigate sharing the bldg of Pol
& Fire
sensitivity, immediate cap costs and operating over next 50 to 60
years
what this budget allows Ccl and the public to learn is what it's
going to cost to move forward not only neg of 1300 block but also what
it will cost to have a PSB both combined but also individually
look at all the questions raised tonight, same we're asking
ourselves
{if so, why not give us the
answers???}
we're bringing in the experts right now;
{have taxpayers been told what they
say? the options or the reasons for (recommended)
choices? btw, not all experts agree.
In a democracy the ppl sort of like
to think they can be involved in the decision-making even if in a
modest way -- not faced with surprises and faits
accomplis.}
Ccl remembers the costs we're talking about are
order-of-magnitude dollars
{er, um -- order of magnitude is
a factor of 10! cd it be ten times more than the
estimate???}
what we're doing now, this budget whether spent over the next
months, Ccl has its finger on the pulse at least three times a month.
It'll go through the Commission, Fin Cmte, come to Ccl
will be under a magnifying glass, how your dollars being
spent
also be advised what moving forward with
{advised? so after the
fact?}
completing functional review of PSB, also looking at what new Pol
bldg wd require
to compare WV construction costs and land values with Pr Geo or
Pt Moody is unreasonable. We're talking about v valuable land
here in WV,
{pardon?
but Polman wasn't talking about
land costs!!! So that's not the point. The CAO said construction
costs wch surely wdn't vary that much from Port
Moody.
Why bring up land?
to distract? b/c of course there is
difference there.}
and the idea of going underground, so we're going to undertake
that review and see how much that wd cost, and put in a fire component
into that
wd be doing some ground-proofing if we pulled it out
if we did not sell or long-term lease the lands where the
firehall is then start looking at amortization costs over next 50
years
information undertaking now and that was the whole purpose of
approving this $3.1M
as we go along and mbrs of Ccl ask, we're going to continue to
answer those questions to the satisfaction of Ccl b/c you're the final
arbitrators
{and continue not to make them
public?
Come to think of it, however,
why not think of the questions ahead of time instead of waiting for
citizens (or Ccl) to ask and provide all the
info/answers?}
we also have v experienced and professional group of advisers
through the Commission
{yes. One, a devpr who wanted
an upzoning saying the prop was not for sale and a resident pointed
out it was; another on a body apparently unaware of its
financial/budgeting decisions, ......
And have heard the $145/hr Director
has resigned...... no news about replacement}
also advising us on this and guiding us forward
Ccl is right asking these questions, and the consultants
weekly almost, bringing information to Ccl
{hm. It sounds as if
weekly is something that will be done rather than has been
done.
If done, why so many
questions?
Where's the list of decisions
made?
Why are we
mushrooms?}
this is a big project but intertwined
{maybe too big?}
can't move forward on 1300 block, the east portion, unless we
move the Police Bldg and Ccl said wanted to move it to this
block
{so Ccl has already made this
decision??? irrevocable?
no public input or
discussion?
Police don't need downtown
storefront office. Have they considered putting it just above
the Upper Levels where the M Cypress worksyard
is?
And, isn't there more space
there? Police rarely parked at the police stn but if they are,
convenient to get onto the Upper Levels in seconds and go wherever.
In any case, police usually stationed throughout the
cmnty.}
Moving Pol bldg is fundamental to this; Ccl said wanted to move
to this site. All intertwined; all will be answered to the
satisfaction of Ccl.
{will be? in the fullness of time
no doubt, but what about final decisions made?}
Sop: am I in line now?
Mayor: yes
Sop: sensational
Mayor: second time
Sop: Mayor, Cclr Panz, figs were bandied about, exactly what Mr
Polman stated
no doubt a v positive thought process that we cd build a new PSB
and cd do it on land we already owned
sustainable, so wdn't go off and put it somewhere wd cost extra
land values
attractive, along with AmbNOW to put some spirit, looked at an
outfit coming in
b/c a sliding scenario, I can't accept without some
concrete facts
when approached by citizens saying what kind of goof are
you
for allowing something with a sliding scale
look at surplus lands, put that out in the pasture for a little
bit, and look at what we're faced with
we'll soon know size and cost and how much we'll get for our
old bldg and what's the difference
If diff is X, then we're going to have to fund it
we had conversations around this Ccl table, we were going to see
our End Fund grow and grow, to $50M beyond
It's at $30M+ now
Are we going to go back and use the End Fund up? We got
chastised by some mbrs of this Ccl for using some for the Cmnty
Ctr
Facts I look for: the cost of the bldg, size, how it's going
to be paid for
We haven't even examined borrowing, whether that be a good
alternative
set the ball rolling; where we're going to get our strong msg
from, the sooner the better
I follow Cclr Smith, want all these answers, don't want a quick
fix
know the loud msg we're sending is we're going to have a v
transparent and open public process on each one of these steps.
I'm assured that, am I not?
{Well, m'dear, has that happened to
date? some indication of how it will be? or a
change?}
Mayor: You are.
Sop: thank you
Mayor: I'm going to speak up for taking resp for doing our
homework and putting it in front of the public
I wd appreciate that, if all mbrs of Ccl when they're at a
prev ccl mtg or at a FinCmte mtg or an AmbRevitComm mtg approving this
wd raise their concerns every step of the way, b/c it is irresponsible
to change the point of view,
{hm -- rather
strong and someone attending said to me
reprehensible.
of course ppl
can change their minds.
When something
comes to Ccl and more information and other perspectives are
introduced, it is natural and reasonable to change one's
view.
Is it democratic
values to insist someone not change his POV and/or to intimidate one
from contemplating to do so?}
wch at the moment is that we've got to do this homework and
we've got to put it in the hands of the public
b/c what we're trying to do from the beginning is lay the
groundwork for the future of WV
this really is the next 20 yrs of planning; it is on many
levels
We know it's challenging
what is not challenging is to sit on the sidelines and accept
the status quo and watch the Pol stn crumble around your
ears
{my, Chicken Little is busy
tonight.}
and ask the RCMP to run our communications for three and
a half weeks.
Nobody missed a glitch, but we can't actually function that
way
similarly to watch 30 years of planning for Amb and Ccl after Ccl
saying they're going to tackle it
this is the Ccl that is starting and is going to pass the torch
with confidence to the next one and the one after that
that's what this $3M is going to get us to, and that's when the
real debate come wrt scale and scope of a PSB or redevt in Amb
some of the range of the PSB is how it integrates with this
heritage bldg, wch Ccl has made a commitment to preserve. It has
a special spot in WV and the region for what it represents
we cd have many cmnties {????? I listened three times and
that's the word}, Surrey's on its second city hall in as many
years practically. We don't think that wd fit with this cmnty.
We think this makes an important statement about who we are.
so there will be a variance
{much laughter}
[in due course?] and how that integrates with the PSB, and
that cd be as much as $10 - $13M add'l expense or we cd say not
nec this ccl chamber's just fine
lots of good questions
Ccl, I really encourage us to stick together to get to the point
where we can say to the cmnty, here's our options
MS: I'm not going to let that remark about being irresponsible
pass without comment
Mayor: I cdn't let you do that either
MS: I don't think it's a fair comment
I've asked questions on the Amb Comm, in FinCmte mtgs, and in
this ccl chamber; the same, similar questions: how are we going to
decide the size of this bldg, how are we going to determine the
benefits of merging the Pol/Fire; all legitimate questions
I keep hearing the same answer that this info is
coming
Now we're going to hire a consultant to give us the
info
Well, a consultant, I know from 42 years in biz, the first
rule of a consultant: tells a customer what he wants to hear
So the consultant is going to tell us how big we think the Pol
bldg shd be, whether we think it shd include the Fire Dept, and that's
probably what the recommendation is going to be
am I not entitled to use my brain once in a while?
I do support a new Pol bldg and I do support redevping the
1300block when I still don't see answers to questions to stick my hand
up and say what is the process we're going to follow
I hear from other ccl mbrs don't nec have to spend this
$3.1M; I totally accept that but what is the process?
at some point in time, say spend $1.7m but not the add'l
$1.4M?
show me the process and I'll support it,
{ooo, maybe a bit
hasty -- give yourself the option to vote against what is or isn't
approved.}
but I don't see any process
I am not going to accept a remark that I am irresponsible. I
don't think I am irresponsible.
I take my responsibility, protecting the taxpayers' pocket;
this is my 14th year in public ofc and I take the responsibility v
seriously and I'm not going to accept that I'm being
irresponsible.
Mayor: so the first three approvals of this budget were not
approvals on your part?
but amending the budget itself is where this comes up, not the
outcomes of all of the research -- wch I totally agree with you,
you've bn asking the same questions as have we all
MS: I'll let it go at that
Mayor: I do think AmbNow Revit Comm and the Fin Cmte are
avenues where we take approvals seriously, so if that wasn't the
intent, I must have misunderstood the unanimous votes at those
times.
{snap.
ouch!}
I'm going to call the question on the motion then, wch is to
amend the budget in accordance with the recommendations of this Ccl's
FinCmte and AmbRevitComm
PASSED -- and they all voted for it!
{It doesn't say above but the memo says first, second, and
third reading.}
[8:41]
MOVED and CARRIED:
1. The report dated June 13 from the Mgr,
Bylaw and Licensing Services be received for information; and
2. be read a first, second, and third time.
MS: to control pellet guns and my kudos to the citizen who
brought this forward
WITHDRAWN:
RECOMMENDED: be read a first, second, and third time.
BYLAWS
Mayor: all at once?
SSch: yes
Sop moved: THAT
1. Third reading be rescinded;
2. be amended by deleting Part 3 and renumbering the
remaining parts accordingly; and
3. be read a third time as amended.
CARRIED
(File: 1010-20-08-041/1610-20-4619/4678)
These amendment bylaws received first
reading at the April 18 Ccl Mtg, were the subject of the Public
Hearing/Public Meeting held and adjourned on May 16, and a Reconvened
PH/PMtg held and closed on June 6 and received second and third
readings at the June 6 Ccl Mtg.
Ccl is not permitted to receive any
further submissions on these amendment bylaws.
{NB: This is in reply to the letter
wrt Public Hearing Rules wch appears at the beginning of the
newsletter.}
Mayor: As this is a closed PH, I
can't entertain any public comment, and it's for adoption so we don't
generally debate at adoption either, but I did want to
comment.
We have had questions about the process
wch we have looked into.
Ccl takes public hearing processes v
seriously obviously.
We've examined the transcripts and I
want to assure the public that the public input and the public debate
corresponds entirely with our policy, and our
standards.
Both Cclr Panz and Cclr Walker made
comments referring to their own work in understanding public opinion
prior to the close of the PH, wch is exactly what the public expects
of us all.
So with that I'll ask Cclr Walker to make the motion.
SW moved: THAT
1.
OCP Bylaw be adopted; 2. Zoning Bylaw be adopted; and 3.
Devt Permit be approved.
CARRIED with Smith, Sop, Lewis opposed
[8:43]
This
bylaw received three readings at the June 20, 2011 Council
Meeting. ADOPTED
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
15. Consent Agenda Items
15.1. Change to Council Meeting Schedule (File:
0120-01)
AMENDED scheduling special Ccl mtgs
for Monday July 11 at 4pm and Monday July 25 at
7pm.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CITIZENS, PLS READ --received for
information
ASK YOURSELVES: did you have input into these
decisions? did you hear Ccl discuss these choices? do you agree
with the expenditures?
These are the forms/reports Sop was
referring to: couple of hundred thousand dollars for contract
services, $500K for architect and planning, 100s of thousands of
dollars for engineering,... Smith also asked about some of the
expenditures. See their questions and concerns in Item 9
above.
Did you hear campaign promises about
openness and transparency? quite apart from consultation.
and fiscal restraint?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.3. Correspondence List
Council Correspondence Update to June 17, 2011
(up to 12:00 Noon)
Referred for Action
(1) J. Carter, West Vancouver Historical Society, June 15,
2011, regarding Concern over the future of Gertrude Lawson
House
(Referred to Director of Planning, Lands and Permits for
consideration and response)
{why not Ccl?
haven't they got opinions or preferences or
wishes???}
Mayor: letter from Jim Carter of the Historical Society; two ppl
to speak to No 1
Annette Reid: live on Duchess wch overlooks Gertrude Lawson
[House], wonderful museum and art gallery
I gather that, was under the impression, it is a heritage bldg
and so it shd be b/c if WV owes anything to any of our forebears, it
is to John Lawson. That wonderful park. And that was his
house, and I gather that he built it, his time in Scotland; brought
out the wonderful stones that we see and admire
I just feel v strongly that this is one avenue of fund-raising
that shd not be even considered.
That bldg shd never ever be considered to be part of
fundraising for AmbNOW.
I'm not alone in this but I felt I had to come to the ccl mtg
this evening.
I have been listening and reading all the things that hv bn said
about fundraising, and frankly it was alarming and [for] many of my
friends and I'm just going to leave you with that.
When I saw this, Mr Carter of the Historical Society regarding
concern over the future of GLH, it certainly made me feel I just have
to come and speak my piece.
That's all I have to say. I wd ask you all to really,
seriously, consider maintaining that beautiful piece of property and
not giving it to devprs to devp and tear down into what wd be a v ugly
bldg.
So I'm leaving you with that and I shall be listening with great
intrest to your comments and decisions.
tyvm
Mayor: one more mbr of the public wishes to speak
CR: tyvm, Mayor and Ccl, Carolanne Reynolds, Editor of West Van
Matters, and as a matter of fact, I was the councillor who moved
that the Gertrude Lawson House be designated heritage, so I feel v
strongly about the building as well.
It's unfortunate right now, apparently we have no heritage
liaison mbr on Ccl that I know of. We have not had a heritage
cmte for some time, and I wd think that when you're considering what
to do with GL House, wch is about the second bldg ever designated,
that there wd be some, at least information and perhaps welcoming
some input, into what can be done.
I know there are some ppl who don't want it ever moved, I know
there are other ppl who wd be happy to have it moved. As a
matter of fact when I moved it to be designated, what I explored at
the time -- but the majority of Ccl wasn't in favour -- was that it be
moved to the waterfront to give it a prime place for ppl to see and
visit, and that the money from leasing that prop (wch was already
zoned hi-rise) be used to start a Heritage Fund to do even more
things-- to restore and maintain bldgs -- b/c we're losing for example
Klee Wyck some say we can't save it b/c it hasn't been maintained.
We almost lost Gleneagles Clubhouse b/c it wasn't
maintained.
We have to have a formula for maintaining our heritage
resources. That's also why with [x] Uplift and cmnty benefits I
suggested that if you get, say, $100 (for the sake of ease [of
calculation]) to be Cmnty Benefits, you know: $10 to Sports, $10 to
Arts, $10 to the Environment, and $10 to Heritage, and that wd build
up a fund for those things. Then you don't have to argue
about every little penny when it comes to the budget and you've got a
fund you can use.
{The aim is not just to restore
but also, critically, and GLH is an example of lack of repair -- see
Cclr Sop's comments under reports -- loss through neglect. Must
have a policy. Esp since in some cases staff's motivation is a
new, bigger facility if they don't want to stay in the one they're
in. We shd be flexible and heritage shd not be felt as an
albatross around one's neck.}
But again, I'm surprised, that there were no -- as far as I know
-- and I take that from Mr Carter's letter also, that before you
started saying what you were going to do -- and I've had some ppl say,
"oh no, it's just going to be demolished; we need the
money", and I know these are rumours; but I'm surprised that
if you were considering changing the status of the GLH that somebody
wdn't have come out and told Heritage West (I'm Chair), Jim Carter
(President of the WV Historical Society), Peter Miller (NSh [Heritage]
Preservation)
There are lots of ppl in the heritage cmnty who wd be
happy to discuss practical solutions. It's a little upsetting to
be knocked over the head with something that's a surprise that sounds
like demolition.
So I hope you will go out to the cmnty, esp those groups that are
interested in this, to discuss the choices.
Thank you.
Mayor: Yes, we will, and esp so that we can weigh them across
many criteria. No one further wishing to speak.
--------- rest
deleted; full list is on agenda in previous WVM
----------
16. OTHER ITEMS No items.
17. REPORTS FROM MAYOR/CCLRS
Mayor: I know, Cclr Sop, you want to talk about the budget,
perhaps a process of some kind
Sop: just curious on the GLH; we've made no decision; we paid a
lot of money for that house to the family, with it, the beautiful
family that they were
the heritage of that family name is signif in this cmnty and
always will be
that bldg one way or another, has been leaking for years,
{in the heritage world, it's
well-known: loss through neglect.
Precisely why having a heritage
fund to ensure maintenance is critical.
Note I said earlier that I was
not against moving the bldg. (See the comments to the first
letter in Correspondence, from Prez of WVHS.)
I'm not against a new museum and
an arts ctr the curator has said was wanted. The GLH cd be used
for something else.
If, however, a cmnty decides to
designate a structure heritage, IMO there ought to be strict
regulations as to preserving it to prevent demolition -- otherwise
what value is a heritage designation? what does it mean? what is
it worth?}
it is not a stone bldg, it is stone-faced
the museum, I put some stuff in there as I'm a collector, is v
small; great job done by the curator over the years
we have a lot of things that cd be shown not there
In looking at that land regardless of sale to make money, we need
a museum somewhere
one of the thoughts were to make arts and culture, and the
museum, function well was to look at a scenario that wd allow
possibly on that site, maybe arts and culture on bottom; same size apt
scenario that's in the area
wd keep Lawson Museum, name in forefront; better museum
and better for Arts & Culture
one of the scenarios but no decision made
back to the budget; know a five-yr budget can be
altered from time to time
if we continue on a scenario with no growth, and see
rising costs from Metro; our own costs have risen signif in
last five years
other than deferred taxes -- a person sitting on prop gone
from $700K to $1.5M in last five or six years suddenly in a
position to either have to defer their taxes or find their taxes so
high that they won't be able to meet the demand b/c 50% of the ppl
starting to be on pensions and other plans
in WV with a high assessment doesn't mean ability to
pay
if sustaining our future, what can we do with our own budget, the
size of our staff, or size of what confronted with from Metro -- know
you, Madam Mayor, you and Mr McRadu, and Cclr Lewis out there
supporting
somewhere something's going to break; hypothetical at this point;
incredible costs only four years away
Mayor: care to respond?
NL: appr opp to respond to Cclr Sop.
I take into consideration already the low growth and the rising
costs that the cmnty faces relative to Metro
looking forward to a robust discussion in the fall re the
budget
executives in the District continue to look at functions, how our
operations are currently configured, process improvement reviews, all
across the org, and I think it's really imp to recog the work that's
done, level of service cmnty expects of us and all of those will be
discussed, as we go fwd in the fall
Mayor: the challenge, but we will also be outlining our 2012
budget process, when?
NL: hoping, planning to bring forward next Monday
evening
Mayor: thank you. Cclr Lewis, Canada Day
ML: pleasure of representing Ccl, beautiful day
Cclr Evison was there, our MLA Joan McIntyre was there
lovely honour guard, West Vancouver Youth Band [8:56]
guess 400 ppl if not more; know ev enjoyed it; after O Canada
cupcakes
Mayor: tyvm for doing that on our behalf
attended along with Cclr Ev, the official opening of DNV's
section of the Spirit Trail
really getting connected -- NV, WV, First Nations -- nbrhd in
Norgate, v active cmty
not entirely certain at first, all in favour now, beautifully
landscaped and well lit
run over by ppl on their bicycles, well used
app to DNV, third piece opened
Sop: was an overpass further down; is that going to be a
connector going over the rlwy tracks?
Mayor: defer to Mr Fung
RF: if Harbourside West overpass at the boundary of CNV and DNV,
that official opening happened a couple of weeks before the Norgate;
supposed to get one from the road across the utilities, railways, over
to Hbrside Park
18. PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS [8:58]
CR: tyvm again
When I heard some of the budget discussion, some questions came
up wch you can maybe add to Mr Polman's.
Cclr Sop asked about some art thing, some consulting for about
$50K spent. Maybe this is again a question of the cart before
the horse. I think you might want to embellish and do the art
things, of course have it, but after you know the bldg size and where
it's going to be -- and that's not an inconsiderable amt of
money.
and so I hope you do work through the questions Mr Polman asked,
and even if you don't have the exact figures, it wd be really v v
appreciated if you wd have rough figures so that there's some way we
know where we're going.
{Readers: the
estimates for the building have gone from $20M to
$70M.}
But it reminded me, and Cclr Sop asked this question and Mr
Polman did and Cclr Smith did, but in January I asked in this
budget what is this LSRF [LSF: Land Stewardship Fund, sometimes
Reserve is used]? it's $900K. I asked it right here.
I was told, oh well that's a little complicated, we'll explain
it to you next week.
It was never explained to me, and I do have the
transcripts of all the mtgs, as you know
{pointing to the laptop I'd brought
up on wch all the WVM newsletters are stored}
and I do know it was asked, I know it was not answered -- and
that was $900K.
{Turns out it's $950K; at that time we were looking to cut $600K to
get tax rate down to zero.}
From the conversation I heard tonight, it sounded as if it was
some money that was used for AmbNOW.
I don't know but I think it wd be helpful if that wd be made
clear.
and also the other question I had is--
I didn't quite understand your explanation before adopting the
bylaw earlier
Is it not true that for any cclr to have a conversation with
anyone in the cmnty, even Ccl, and certainly another resident, esp
about a PH issue, that they're not allowed to do that outside of this
chamber?
and as you said, two mbrs of Ccl said they did have.
In fact, one said that the cclr changed [the] opinion b/c of
the conversation outside of this chamber.
So obviously that sort of falls into the category of new
information that shd be in a public venue, so cd you pls make it v
clear that -- I thought the law was, and I cd be wrong -- that no cclr
can speak to any resident about the subject, the decision, or the
facts between the public sessions of the PH.
Mayor: Mr McRadu or Mr Sokol
Sokol: During a PH, particularly when adjourned, Ccl can engage
in discussions in the public.
If new information comes forward that indeed affects their
decision, that is something, probably the best way to handle that is
for that cclr mbr to ask that mbr of the public to come forward at the
PH and make that stmt when it's continued, however if no new
information is brought forward during that discussion, or the same
information that is brought forward through the testimony that is
heard at the PH, there is no need for that cclr to disclose that
information.
CR: but one of the questions was that the resident had signed
a form letter and then over lunch told the cclr to disregard it.
I think this might have some effect on some ppl's uh -- you yourself,
Your Worship said to someone that you didn't pay much attention to
form letters. I--
Mayor: --I'm--
CR: --I didn't know that, that's what someone said to me so I
think we'll have to check that.
Mayor: they may have, they say lots of things out
there
{both chuckle}
CR: yes, we all do on occasion
but b/c of that I was going to ask whether form letters or
petitions wd be better, and I'm not talking about that particular
subject, I was talking about any issue that comes. Wd you prefer
a form letter or a petition?
Mayor: you know we accept public input in all sorts of ways;
and ev mbr of Ccl has a diff way, I'm sure, of looking at that, and I
cdn't speak for any of us, nor do I intend to.
Obviously, the key thing in all of this is that all seven mbrs
of Ccl arrive with an open mind to the PHs, and keep that open mind
when debating with one another, and so, our understanding of our
obligation is that we met that in this last entire process around
Esquimalt. And so, I think I'll leave it at that.
I hope that satisfies you.
CR: Well, anybody can say afterward that it didn't affect
them!
Cd I pls find out what LSRF is then, finally?
Mayor: thank you for the question
NL: I wd ask for clarification in terms of the doc you might
have, and I'd be happy to respond to that.
My sense is that it was a preliminary budget, it was not part of
a final budget but it--
Mayor: --I think it's the Land Stewardship Fund, wch is really
more of an account, as was explained earlier so that everybody can see
the money that is going into it and being expended.
CR: it's precisely b/c it was referred to tonight that I recalled
I had not been told when I asked in January. I brought my
computer. I'm not going to take your time now, but I can show Ms
Leemhuis the mtg at wch it was asked--
Mayor: --Well, I've just answered the question.
CR: it was -- say again what it was?
Mayor: It's the account that funds flow into in order to be
expended on AmbNOW, and we addressed that earlier this evening.
I believe that's what it is.
{Well, the Mayor
is getting a bit impatient, however quite apart from not being told
what the money in the LSF was going to be spent on, the BIG question
that must be asked is:
WHERE DID THE
MONEY THAT WENT INTO THE LSF FOR AMBNOW COME
FROM???}
CR: so we didn't know in January that that was funds going to be
spent for AmbNOW?
Mayor: No, I wdn't say that at all, but I'm sorry it's taken this
long to get you the answer.
Next on the list--
CR: thank you
Mayor: Klaus/Claus Jensen [sp?}
KJ: sorry I didn't bring enough copies; resident for 35 years,
went to WV High School
my purpose is to request that you amend Bylaw 4414, speaks to a
Bldg Permit extension fee
doesn't look like a whole lot of discussion on the bylaw
comprehensive, gazillion of pages
Ccl may not have appreciated at the time the signif of this
bylaw
ask to amend the extension fee to a flat $200
right now fee is the greater of -- it's based on the value of the
outstanding work times the normal bldg permit permutations.
The absolute minimum is 25% of the orig bldg permit, then
$200
on June 24, 2009, we were issued a Bldg Permit, we commenced
construction five days later
every legal working day we've had trades working on the
house
I hope the house will be substantially completed by the end of
August
The permit you all know is valid for 18 mos then an extension is
required.
Recently I had to get two six-month extensions in order to get
inspections required, and these inspections of course were all paid
for in the orig permit
I paid $7K for an extension of a Bldg Permit for wch I'd
already paid a whole slew of money in 2009. It's simply
outrageous and unreasonable.
Kelowna, for the same thing is $40, Surrey is $58, Abbotsford is
$65, Vancouver is $285, and you can see by the attached table, I've
done some research. Some Ms charge 10%.
I'm asking bylaw be amended to a flat fee of $200 retroactive to
the first of January 2011.
Mayor: I recall the debate, Cclr Sop, don't know if you do, and
your timing is v good b/c we've just approved a report that won't be
coming to Ccl until Sept, looking at this and other aspects of
renovation and construction in WV. My recolln is that we were
really struggling with projects that were taking forever.
Not knowing the circumstances of why you require an extension,
and that's something we probably need to look at b/c we can
differentiate between stalled projects, construction sites, projects,
you know, ppl out of money so on-again off-again, and ones where it's
legitimately, everything is moving as quickly as you can
Ccl, at this point we can refer this to staff and ask staff to
report back to us
KJ: Victoria for example, their rule is as long as an inspection
has taken place within the last six months, the Bldg Permit never
expires. I'm sure there's some reasonableness involved in that,
but 18 mos is a challenge to build a house sometimes, esp when the
first three weeks we discovered we had to pile. That's the joys
of construction
Mayor: Ccl, what wd you like to do?
Sop: I think Mr Jensen deserves an answer from staff
think the price is a little heavy duty--
Sokol: I'm not familiar at all with Mr Jensen's situation but can
roll response into what we bring forward the end of September
Sop: does that require a motion?
Mayor: Mr Sokol, pls respond to Mr J immediately and also bring
forward to Ccl what you think wd work
so many things to consider and we're at the stage -- one size
maybe does not fit all, wd be my suggestion, not knowing the situation
and how this applies throughout the District.
19. ADJOURNMENT [9:10]
=== CCL MTG AGENDAs
Monday July 11th ===
>
SPECIAL COUNCIL MTG AGENDA, MAIN FLOOR CONFERENCE
ROOM
At 4:00 pm the
special Council Meeting will commence in open session and will be
immediately followed by a motion to exclude the public in order to
hold a closed session pursuant to section 90 of the Community
Charter.
4:00
PM CALL
TO ORDER OPEN SESSION
1. Call to Order.
EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
2.
RECOMMENDED:
THAT in
the public interest, members of the public be excluded from part of
the June 20, 2011 special Council Meeting on the basis of matters to
be considered under the following section of the Community
Charter:
90. (1) A
part of a ccl mtg may be closed if the subject matter being considered
relates to or is one or more of the following:
(d) the
security of the property of the municipality;
(e) the
acquisition, disposition or expropriation of land or improvements, if
the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to
harm the interests of the municipality;
(i) the receipt
of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including
communications necessary for that purpose.
Purpose
of meeting: to discuss legal and land matters.
ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
3.
Council will then proceed with the closed session.
>
FINANCE COMMITTEE
5:30 PM IN
MUNICIPAL HALL, MAIN FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
4. REPORTS
4.1 Budget 2012 - Strategy and Guiding
Principles
5. PUBLIC QUESTION
PERIOD
6. RESOLN RE EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC PURSUANT TO s.90 of THE
CMNTY CHARTER (if required)
7. ADJOURNMENT Queries: please contact
Kristi Merilees 604-925-7008
=== ANIMALWATCH ===
Tickling; Banff Nat'l Park; Polar Bear cub crawls
Penguins and rats laugh when tickled! Amazing and
hilarious.....
+ Fascinating year!
12 months. Four seasons. One revolution of
the sun. Parks Canada used a remote wildlife camera, in Banff National
Park, to assemble a year's worth of images from a single location for
this time-lapse video posted on YouTube. Read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/Amazing+time+lapse+video+Wild+Year+Banff+National+Park/5060988/story.html
+ Baby Polar Bear learns to
crawl
Meet Flocke the baby polar bear, who is
being taught to crawl by the zookeepers at Nuremberg Zoo.
only 58 seconds:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e3M93QWIQE&NR=1&feature=fvwp
== INFObits ===
Canada UN Conference nix, Tea, Health, Facebook
> Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird will announce Monday
that Canada is boycotting the United Nations Conference on Disarmament
over North Korea's involvement, Postmedia News has learned.
[July 10]
> Rooibos Tea ~ If you
haven't heard of it, you will soon.
http://www.slate.com/id/2296644/
> Health Care ~
N.C. Man Allegedly Robs Bank of $1 to Get Health Care in Jail
> Facebook = No-Fly
Subject: Facebook Helps Israel Keep Activists Out of Israel
Israel blocks airborne protest, questions dozens
By JEREMY LAST, Associated Press - 2 days ago; Photos July
8
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) - Aided by Facebook, Israel on Friday
prevented scores of pro-Palestinian activists from boarding Tel
Aviv-bound flights in Europe, questioned dozens more upon arrival at
its main airport and denied entry to 69, disrupting their attempts to
reach the West Bank on a solidarity mission with the
Palestinians.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5glrdg_c6lwx69-q_kxRP4tTyOq9Q?docId=130fba4a666f4cbab884d27ff122dae6
=== CANCERWATCH
===
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/canada/breakingnews/125090844.html
The Canadian
Press - ONLINE EDITION
Cancer Society
research spending knocked, but donors advised to look beyond
numbers
By: Sheryl Ubelacker, Health
Reporter, The Canadian Press Posted: 07/6/2011
Last Modified:
07/6/2011 4:36 PM
TORONTO - People who give
to the Canadian Cancer Society in the belief they're primarily
supporting research could start questioning their donations after
learning a far higher proportion of dollars goes to fundraising and
administration costs than to scientists, says the head of a
consumer advocacy group.
Bruce Cran said he was shocked
to learn that the Cancer Society is allocating less than 22 per
cent of its $200-million-plus revenues to research, while fundraising
efforts are claiming almost 43 per cent of the venerable charity's
donation pie.
Yet it's well-known that a
primary reason consumers donate to health charities is to support
research aimed at defeating the diseases they represent, Cran said
Wednesday from Vancouver.
"Obviously, it's gone
quite in the other direction and I'm sorry to see the Cancer Society
doing what a number of other organizations have been tempted to in
past years, and that's spending more money dragging a few dollars out
of us and not spending it on what we think it's being used for,"
he said. "And I think that's quite sad."
Cran was reacting to a media
report showing that over the last decade, the share of Canadian Cancer
Society revenues set aside for research has steadily shrunk while
the proportion for fundraising programs and events has continually
grown.
The CBC program
"Marketplace" analyzed the charity's financial reports and
found that money spent on research has been nearly cut in half -
dropping to about 22 per cent this year from 40.3 per cent in
2000.
The reports also show
that fundraising is getting the greatest portion of donor dollars -
this year reaching 42.7 per cent of money taken in compared with 26
per cent of the donor pot in 2000.
"The problem that we run
into is when people become aware that they're only using 20 per
cent on research, which is the big factor that people believe they're
contributing to, when that depreciates and it becomes publicly
known, their funds are liable to dry up very quickly," said Cran,
referring to Cancer Society donations.
"So where they are at the
moment is not where I suggest they should be."
...However, donations also
target the society's other "profound responsibilities" -
reducing the risk of Canadians developing cancer and providing support
to those living with the disease.
..."So what we tell
Canadians and donors and funders and volunteers is you're not going to
find that magic number that's going to tell you whether that
organization is using its dollars effectively or not. You have to look
at what it's doing and the results it's having: Are they reporting
back on what they're doing? Are they transparent? And at the end of
the day, do you like where they're going and what they're
doing?"
Lauziere said increasing the
share of donor dollars allocated to fundraising isn't necessarily a
bad move if the strategy ends up bringing in more donations, which in
turn could mean more money directed towards research.
Imagine Canada will soon start
accrediting all types of charities in Canada - there are 85,000
across the country - and launching an online portal in the fall that
will provide financial and other pertinent details about various
charities for public scrutiny.
== HSTWATCH === (forwarded to
me)
+ Subject: FW: The HST Broken Down
Videos put together by a UBC
student. Very informative and very well done.
http://youtu.be/nZXu3LXNwEg &
http://youtu.be/frnBgX9QRZM
+ B.C. take note: HST serves New
Brunswick well
By Frank McKenna
British Columbia's referendum over the harmonized sales tax has
caught my interest. Many of the arguments being used today were made
in New Brunswick, when my government introduced the tax back in
1997.
In hindsight, the evidence is clear. The benefits far outweigh
the costs. The HST has created a positive climate for economic
prosperity. And it has done so without imposing a significant tax
burden on consumers....
Indeed, businesses passed on some of their cost savings to
consumers. This helps explain why prices rose much slower in Atlantic
Canada than anywhere else in the country in the years following HST
implementation.
Opponents were skeptical of this potential outcome. But
competitive pressures had the effect that economists had predicted.
You just can't run a business if your competition consistently offers
better prices.
To be sure, there was a period of adjustment for those who were
economically vulnerable. Efforts were made in New Brunswick to reduce
the transition to the new system, though we could not have offered the
same level of credits and exemptions delivered by the B.C. government.
Moreover, Premier Christy Clark's commitment to reduce the HST to 10
per cent by 2014 would go a long way in serving the interests of
consumers, including those in greatest need. B.C. is already home to
the lowest HST in Canada. This move would further extend its
leadership position.....
None of the benefits [has] been lost on six Canadian provinces,
where 80 per cent of the population resides, and the 140 countries or
so that have a similar tax structure. Globalization has intensified
regional competition for new investment and jobs. Lower, simpler and
more efficient tax systems, like the HST, offer distinct advantages
over the previous system used in B.C.....
No leap of faith is required to evaluate the levy's impact on
B.C. The effect of the HST is well documented for Atlantic Canada. The
New Brunswick experience has been positive. It has served the people
well. We are better for it.
Frank McKenna was premier of New Brunswick from 1987 to
1997.
=A9 Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun; from the Vancouver Sun
=== PEACEWATCH
===
+1+ Peace and Dignity
Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2011 15:55:37 +0300
At-Tuwani: Palestinians protest expansion of Havat Ma'on
Outpost; Israeli Military responds with violence
Carrying a large banner that read "We want to live in
Peace and Dignity", over one hundred Palestinians,
internationals, and Israeli activists marched in protest of an
extension to the illegal Israeli settlement of Havat Ma'on on the
morning of July 9th.
In response to the nonviolent march, Israeli soldiers declared
a closed military zone, fired tear gas and threw sound grenades.
One Palestinian man suffered minor burns on his legs when a sound bomb
landed at his feet.
The extension of the Israeli outpost consists of a tent that
settlers built about two months ago. Settlers built the tent on ground
that belongs to families in the nearby Palestinian village of
At-Tuwani.
The police detained one Palestinian and one international, but
released them when activists refused to leave the area without
them.
CPT-Palestine in At-Tuwani, South Hebron Hills 0542-531-323; 0595-980-718;
Twitter@cptpalestine
+2+ Pal'n Police try to control their
fundamentalists
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 01:34:33 +1200
Many people injured in clash between Hizb-ut Tahir demonstrators
and Palestinian police
By Courtnay Wilson, 6th July 2011
HEBRON/AL-KHALIL
On July 2nd, the radical Islamic political organization, Hizb-ut
Tahir (The Party of Freedom), staged a last-minute
demonstration in Hebron after the Palestinian Authority blocked a
planned demonstration in Ramallah. Over 1000 demonstrators descended
upon the Palestinian-controlled area of the city in the late
afternoon. Subsequent clashes with Palestinian police, with protestors
throwing stones and police responding with tear gas and shots fired
into the air, resulted in about 30 casualties, including one person in
intensive care.
Onlookers, including four CPTers, watched in shock as Palestinian
police, dressed in full riot gear, brutally pushed back onlookers in
an attempt to clear the area. Dismayed by the violence of Palestinians
beating fellow Palestinians, one Palestinian bystander remarked of the
police: "they are not humans, they are Daytons". "Dayton" is a
reference to General Keith Dayton who, as the US Security Coordinator
for the Palestinians, is the one responsible for the training of the
PA "security forces".
A CPTer positioned herself between the baton-wielding police and
bystanders. When the police commander approached, she scolded him for
ordering his officers to behave in such a violent fashion. He was
apologetic but defiant, and invited the CPT team to meet with him at a
later date.
The demonstration marked the 90th anniversary of the fall of the
last caliphate. The Hizb-ut Tahir is committed to re-establishing the
caliphate, or Islamic state, across the Muslim world.
http://www.cpt.org/cptnet/2011/07/08/al-khalil-hebron-many-people-injured-clash-between-hizb-ut-tahrir-demonstrators-an
=== ROADWATCH ===
seeking freedom to ride
Israeli Forces Halt Hebron Bicycle Action
Jessie Smith -- 7 July 2011
On Tuesday June 28 sixty bicyclists gathered for a group ride
from Hebron to Al Bweireh to demonstrate that Palestinians, too, must
have freedom of movement on any of the roads to their neighbors. The
Palestinians participating in the demonstration live primarily in the
Hebron area, and twenty internationals accompanied them. Many people,
cheering the bicyclists, lined the streets along the way.
Before coming to the first checkpoint, at least 15 of the Israeli
Military refused to allow any of the group to cross the checkpoint.
Two policemen were also with the Military. Razor wire had also been
put in place to prevent any other creative way for anyone to enter the
blockaded zone. The Military said it was a closed military zone,
but they could not prove that the paper they showed from a distance
was current for this action.
After a standoff and much conversation the bicyclists turned
around. Although the demonstration did not breach any physical
barriers needed to reestablish Palestinians' right for access and
freedom of movement, the ride rallied activists for peace and
exhibited innovative resistance that may inspire more creative
nonviolent actions in the West Bank in the future, inshallah.
For
photos check out this web site:
http://cpt.org/index.php?q=gallery&g2_itemId=23661
=== WATERWATCH ===
Amniyr again
Date: Wed, 6 Jul 2011 14:06:22 +0300
Subject: [cpthebron] South Hebron Hills: Israeli Army Destroys 9
Water Tanks in Palestinian Village of Amniyr
Late Tuesday morning, around 11:30, a convoy of Israeli Army,
civil administration, and border police arrived in the Palestinian
village of Amniyr accompanying a flat bed truck with a front end
loader and a backhoe. Israeli settlers having a picnic at the
settlement outpost next to the Susiya archaeological site looked on as
the army destroyed nine large tanks of water and a tent.
Amniyr is a small village of 11 families in the South Hebron
Hills, just northeast of the Palestinian village of Susiya and the
Israeli settlement of the same name. The village of shepherds and
farmers, like most villages in the area, is totally dependent in the
summer on tanks of water.
Nor does that water come cheap. Costs of transportation, due
to the poor infrastructure in the area - Palestinians are normally not
permitted to build roads in Area C of the West Bank and have
restricted access to Israeli roads - mean the cost of water is much
higher than normal. A cubic meter of water in the nearby town of Yatta
costs 6 shekels. In Amniyr it cost 35. The tanks themselves cost 1000
shekels each, and each tank held 2 cubic meters of water, yielding a
total of over 10,000 shekels in damage, which for many in the area is
equivalent to a half year's work.
This is the fifth demolition in Amniyr in the last year,
according to village residents and Nasser Nawaja, a B'Tselem*
worker. One month ago the army destroyed 11 houses and two cisterns
full of water. The cisterns had also been destroyed 5 months ago and
rebuilt with the help of Israeli activists from Ta'ayush.* The
ruins of houses from previous demolitions are still present; broken
stones and twisted metal. Located just south of the archaeological
site of old Susiya, the Israeli government claims it is state
land.
Ten of the families now sleep in Yatta and come during the day to
tend to their olive and almond trees as they have no place to sleep
and no water. One couple though has refused to move. Mohammed Hussain
Jabour and his wife Zaffra refuse to leave. The morning after the
demolition they were making tea on an open fire next to their tent.
"I've been here with my father and our sheep since I was a little
boy," he said, with visible indignation. "Now I'm an old man.
And now Israel tells me I can't be here. I'm not leaving."
"What are we supposed to do?" his wife Zaffra asked. "What
will we drink? We can't live without water."
The demolition comes on the heels of the demolition of 6 tent
homes and a toilet in the village of Bir al Eid, just two kilometers
to the south, two weeks ago. Both incidents are the latest in a
long history of demolitions of Palestinian homes and buildings in the
area by the Israeli army, affecting both these villages and the
villages of Susiya and nearby Imneizel.
*
Both B'Tselem and Ta'ayush are Israeli groups
Also at
http://palsolidarity.org/2011/07/19302/
=== FLOTILLAWATCH
===
+++ Subject: Senator Wants US-Israeli Op Against
Flotilla
Veterans slated to sail aboard the U.S.-flagged flotilla vessel
include Ann Wright, a retired Army colonel turned State Department
Foreign Service officer who resigned from her job in 2003 in protest
of the U.S. invasion of Iraq; Ray McGovern, a former Army officer
and CIA analyst who prepared daily security briefings for Presidents
Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush; Ken Mayers, a former Marine
intelligence officer who served with NSA detachments in Vietnam before
taking a Reserve commission in 1966 and retiring as a major in 1978;
and Joe Meadors, a former Navy signalman aboard the USS Liberty,
which Israel attempted to sink* during the Six Day War in
1967.
{* 34 crew mbrs killed, 170
injured; little reported and whitewashed; no wonder this American
incensed}
See:
http://www.military.com/news/article/senator-wants-us-israeli-op-against-flotilla.html
+++ Date: Sat, 2 Jul 2011 19:48:16 -0400 (EDT)
To view the on-line version click here.
http://www.cpt.org/cptnet/2011/07/02/cpt-international-cpter-and-cpt-
colleagues-waiting-canadian-and-us-boats-gaza-gree
CPTnet 2 July 2011
CPT INTERNATIONAL: CPTer and CPT colleagues waiting on
Canadian and U.S. boats to Gaza; Greece refuses to let Gaza flotilla
sail
Faced with increasing pressure from the U.S. and Israeli
governments, the government of Greece has
officially prohibited any ships in its harbors from leaving for
Gaza. This action was directed at the organizers of the Freedom
Flotilla, the organizers of which intended to break the blockade that
Israel has imposed on the Gaza Strip since June 2007.
CPT reservist David Milne is among the passengers on the Canadian
boat in the flotilla, the Tahrir, as well as Harmeet Singh
Sooden, a member of the CPT delegation to Iraq kidnapped in 2005, and
Israeli journalist Amira Hass, who has had extensive contact with
CPT's Hebron team. On the U.S. ship along with luminaries such
as Pulitzer Prize winning author Alice Walker and Holocaust
survivor Hedy Epstein, are CPT trainer and colleague, Kathy Kelly
and former CPT reservist, Robert Naiman.
Last week, the Swedish and Irish ships, docked in Turkish
territorial waters, sustained engine and propeller damage.
Organizers of the flotilla accused Israel of sending operatives to
sabotage them, an allegation that Israeli denies. The Irish ship
has since withdrawn from the flotilla.
Earlier, on 24 June, an anonymous complaint was filed against
the Audacity of Hope over its "seaworthiness".
Yonatan Shapira, a former Israeli Air Force pilot and anti-occupation
conscientious objector, who is a crew member of the Audacity of
Hope, argued, "It is clear that this complaint is not about
seaworthiness but is an attempt to stop the boat from leaving port in
Athens." David Smith, the boat's engineer and a former
Greenpeace activist said, "The boat is in top sea shape and is a
perfect choice for this type of mission."
The U.S. ship, The Audacity of Hope attempted to sail to
Gaza on 1 July, and was turned back by the Greece coast guard, who
arrested its captain. Shapira said the captain's actions were
praiseworthy. "The captain acted out of concern for the safety
of the passengers and boat by taking us away from the Greek port where
other flotilla boats are being sabotaged," Shapira said.
Israel initially said that it would ban journalists on the
flotilla from entering Israel for the next ten years, but withdrew the
threat after complaints from international journalists.
Robert Naiman told a journalist, "The fact of the matter is
that we have already won. The international press is talking
about the blockade and Gaza. The contradiction between the world
of the Israeli military officials and the world in which the rest of
us live is exposed for all to see."
The organizers of the flotilla say they still plan to set sail
for Gaza on Monday.
=== OBAMAWATCH ===
=== CANADAWATCH === Canada Day in Ottawa
with the Royals Sat, 2 Jul 2011
A West Vancouver resident's account of a memorable
day
sent to an
elist; given permission to pass on to you. Fascinating account;
great read.
HAPPY CANADA DAY FROM OTTAWA
Starting at 6am, I was among the 300,000 on Parliament Hill at
the biggest Canada Day turnout in Canada's history. An
additional 200,000 filled surrounding downtown streets, meaning that a
half million people converged on downtown Ottawa to make today the
best party I've experienced anywhere in Canada. The joy is
everywhere. People are so happy. It's awesome!
I had no idea Ottawa hosts such an incredible birthday party.
And people did not head home once the ceremonies on Parliament Hill
concluded. Far from it! Most stayed, and tens of
thousands of others came downtown to join us. In addition to its
world famous Sparks Street Pedestrian Mall, Ottawa closed several of
its other main thoroughfares to accommodate the party -- Wellington,
Queen, Albert, Slater, Elgin, Rideau, Sussex, and MacKenzie [as well
as] their cross streets were all closed to traffic and flooded
with pedestrians, as were the side streets of the Byward Market.
And there's so much for everyone to do -- ongoing entertainment
on Parliament Hill until midnight,street entertainment everywhere,
bands, singers, and exciting stuff like motorcycle stunt riders, and
lots of food vendors and non-alcoholic drink vendors. Also,
Ottawa has an amazing array of funky restaurants with outdoor seating
that were filled -- from the most down-home places to the elegant
Fairmont Chateau Laurier. Everywhere people today are so happy.
The atmosphere is so friendly, so joyful, that it reminds me of
Calgary when the Stampede is at its very best. But the scale of
today's birthday celebration here is even bigger [than] the Stampede.
Ottawa on Canada Day is something every Canadian needs to experience
at least once. Today was my turn to experience it for the first
time. Today has been one of my happiest days ever. Here
are some highlights.
MANITOBA, CBC, & CHINA -- SPECIAL PEOPLE
Among the wonderful people I shared Canada Day with today,
several from Manitoba and the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
stand out. Irene Stevenson of Carmen, Manitoba brought some
seriously disabled patients of a Group Care Home in Carmen where she
works as a volunteer. She's a saint. When I met them at 6am,
they welcomed me to join them in their front row. I was helpful
in protecting them from others who were tempted to encroach on their
space. Hours later the Royal Couple disembarked from their
horse-drawn landau in front of us accompanied, of course, by
red-coated Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers on their magnificent
horses. CBC had a camera crew with a platform right in front of
us, providing the only shade anywhere on Parliament Hill. I love
the shade. And I lathered everyone in my ultra strong sun
block. In appreciation, the CBC crew brought me bottles of
water. They told me I saved them from frying in the sun.
The Manitobans were even more appreciative. They said my sun
block saved their whole trip. My sun block was really
popular.
NEW FRIENDS FROM THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Diana Qu and David Li from the People's Republic of China were
also awesome. Freshly minted Canadian citizens, they were
thrilled to be present. Diana arrived in Canada from China as
cleaning staff working in Queen's Park, the Ontario Legislature in
Toronto. Through cleaning their offices she learnt about the
Premier and others in the government, and how our form of government
functions. Now she's an x-ray technician at the Ottawa Civic
Hospital. Her husband David is a Chinese ecology
researcher.
I asked if they were on their honeymoon because they were so
openly affectionate and obviously loved each other so much. They
blushed, replying that they've been married two years, but they indeed
love each other very much. Diana said for her the most
powerful moment today was how attentively all 300,000 on Parliament
Hill listened to every word Prince William uttered. She said
that's such an enormous difference between Canada and China. She
said no human being in China commands anything approaching the love
Canadians have for Prince William and his Grandmother.
When the ceremony concluded, Diana and David were THRILLED
because, to their absolute amazement, Prime Minister Harper shook
David's hand, and said how pleased he was that David had come.
And then something HUGE happened.
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, appeared, reached out, and shook
Diana's hand! Diana already thought Catherine to be second only
to Diana's mother [as] the world's most wonderful woman, because
Catherine is so supportive of Prince William. Diana told me she
hopes young women everywhere will admire and emulate Catherine's
devotion as a spouse.
And now she found herself shaking Catherine's hand! Diana
insisted on shaking my hand, because she wanted me to be the first
person she touched to pass on to me the energy of her extraordinary
good fortune of having had her hand clasped by Catherine. Diana
told me this was the single most awesome moment of her entire life.
She was shaking with joy. And David said never in his lifetime
in China did he ever see an important Chinese personage in
person. Yet here in Canada the Prime Minister shook his
hand and then the woman his wife admires more than any other (except
her Mom) shook his wife's hand. David and Diana told me Canada
is the most special place in the whole world, and they are so proud to
be Canadian.
AN AWESOME DAY ON PARLIAMENT HILL
Parliament is such a stunning backdrop for Canada's birthday
party. But by 7:30am I was feeling tired, so I lay down on
the grass for a short nap -- waking almost three hours later at
10:30am! I must have been exhausted! I was [wakened] by
the pipes and drums of the Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Ottawa,
marching just a few feet away from my head. Their "music
of the Gods", because that's what the pipes are, started the
festivities. The Ottawa Camerons and the Royal Winnipeg
Rifles are immortal in the Canadian military because both regiments
sustained 90% casualties when storming Juno Beach on D-Day in
WWII.
Then came the pipes and drums of the Canadian Air Force,
resplendent in our Air Force's blue tartan, [followed by] brass bands,
the Governor-General's Horse Guards, the Royal Party, the F-18 fighter
jet flypast (they flew so LOW -- it was exciting!), the Snowbirds' two
flypasts, the entertainers from every Canadian province, Prince
William's speech, and everyone's enthusiasm. When the Prime
Minister introduced the Royal Couple, the applause went on and on and
on. Prince William received applause for virtually every
sentence of his speech, and especially for his admiration of Canada's
Armed Forces as demonstrated at Vimy Ridge (huge applause), Juno Beach
(huge applause), Korea (huge applause), and Afghanistan (huge
applause). It was an awesome day on Parliament Hill.
POPE BENEDICT'S 6th ANNIVERSARY
My Ottawa visit began Wednesday evening in an extraordinary way.
I'd just flown in from Vancouver and was in the home of my hosts,
Reagan and his wife Kim Walker, for less than ten minutes when there
was a knock on the door. It was President Dennis McAteer of the
Ottawa Stake Centre of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints. President McAteer was en route to a Roman Catholic
Reception, and he wanted Reagan to join him. Reagan is the LDS
(Mormon) Church's Director of Public Affairs. On learning that
Reagan and I have been friends since we were at Chief Crowfoot
Elementary School in Calgary and that I'd just arrived moments ago
from Vancouver, President McAteer invited me to join them. The
Reception was at the Radcliffe Manor House. [It was built] in
1838 and is one of the grandest homes in Canada with its breathtaking
view of the Ottawa River and Quebec on the far shore. It's just
down the road from 24 Sussex Drive, home of Canada's Prime
Minister. En route we drove by some magnificent embassies,
but none as grand as our destination. Radcliffe Manor House is
now the Roman Catholic Church's Apostolic Nunciature in Canada.
In other words, it is the Embassy of the Holy See. We were there
to celebrate the anniversary of Pope Benedict's first six years as
Pope.
Our host was His Excellency Archbishop Pedro Lopez Quintana, the
Papal Nuncio to Canada (ie the Vatican's Ambassador to Canada).
To me he looked like Pope John XXIII. The three of us were
warmly welcomed. His Holiness Pope Benedict is of course a head
of state as well as of the Roman Catholic Church so Wednesday evening
we were in his Embassy instead of a Cathedral. His other guests
included faith leaders and ambassadors. The charming Ambassador
from Romania told me much of interest about her country, while the
Ambassador from Portugal told me much about the European Union's
economic crisis, the role of Greece, and the situation of Portugal.
He was delighted to learn that my wife Ka Hyun and I vacationed in
Portugal in May 2010. My two Mormon colleagues and I had a
fascinating discussion with Rick Hiemtra, Director of Research and
Media Relations of the Evangelical Fellowship of Canada (Prime
Minister Harper is a member).
Being with these three men was particularly interesting for me
because the Mormons and the Evangelicals are the [fastest] growing
Christian denominations in the world. I'm really intrigued by
their success. They were very open and helpful.
On November 12th the Evangelicals are releasing their extensive
report on "Why Young People Leave the Church, and Why They
Stay". Rick kindly promised to send me a copy as soon
as it's released. Best of all, I had a long conversation with
the Right Reverend John Chapman, Anglican Bishop of Ottawa. He
gave me valuable guidance to bring home to Ka Hyun in her calling to
become an Anglican Priest.
CHAPLAIN GENERAL OF THE CANADIAN ARMED FORCES
Another highlight was the three-hour lunch Brigadier General The
Reverend Karl McLean hosted for me at the Navy Mess June 30th.
Karl is the Chaplain General of the Canadian Armed Forces. He's
also the Personal Chaplain of the Royal Family while they're in
Canada. He will lead Sunday's Church Service for the Royal
Couple aboard HMCS MONTREAL en route from Montreal to Quebec City.
In addition, Karl is also an Anglican Priest, whose guidance is
wonderful for Ka Hyun. He came into our lives when he flew from
Ottawa to Vancouver to preside with the Lieutenant Governor of BC over
the Change of Colours Centenary Service of the Seaforth Highlanders of
Canada last November. He's one of life's truly special people.
The Queen chose well when she selected him to serve as the Personal
Chaplain to the Royal Family. Other nations choose well too,
because they look to Canada to help them establish and develop
Chaplaincy Corps to bring spiritual guidance and enrichment to their
soldiers, sailors, and air personnel.
My three hours alone with Karl by itself justified the whole trip
to Ottawa. And our time together ended on a special note.
Karl, to honour Ka Hyun, wanted to show me the new Korean War
Memorial. I thought I'd seen it for the first time en route to
the Navy Mess for lunch, but we went again. To our mutual
amazement, we were talking about two different Korean War monuments.
The one Karl referred to was on Elgin Street, while the one I'd seen
was beside the Ottawa City Hall. Both were new Canadian
Monuments to the fine work our troops did saving South Korea, and
thereby giving me a bride because Ka Hyun's parents would have
perished had North Korea prevailed.
THE ROYAL COUPLE AT THE CENOTAPH
Moments after I said farewell to Karl, I inadvertently
encountered the Royal Couple en route from the airport to the
Cenotaph, Canada's National War Memorial. It had been dedicated
in 1939 by Prince William's great-grandfather, King George VI.
The Royal Couple chanced to arrive at exactly the same time I did.
Although thousands were present, the angle from which I happened to
approach the Cenotaph gave me a superb view of the proceedings, and of
the Royal Couple. They paid their respects to Canada's War
Dead in such a respectful and meaningful way that they brought a tear
to my eyes. Many [others] said the same. Buglers
played the Last Post, and bagpipes played Flowers of the
Fields. Their time at the Cenotaph, and their laying of
their wreath, really touched one's heart. And it was especially
moving that they chose to do this as their very first act in Canada
following their flight from London. It was an emotionally
powerful experience, for which I'm most grateful.
AND MY HOSTS HERE IN OTTAWA
To conclude, my brief visit of these four nights to Ottawa would
not have happened without the warm hospitality in their home of my
hosts Reagan and Kim Walker. Kim's marvellous meals have
been highlights of my time here. Following our years at
Calgary's Chief Crowfoot Elementary School, Reagan and I attended
Queen Elizabeth High School where Reagan was elected Vice-President
the year I was elected President. We are both Queen's Scouts, we
are both lawyers, we are both Christians, and we are generally in
touch nowadays at least weekly. Tonight Reagan, Kim, and I put
up chairs in the middle of the street in front of their house for a
grandstand perfect view of the Canada Day Fireworks. Tomorrow
we're off to the National Gallery for the special Carvaggio Italian
exhibition (he painted mainly between 1590 and 1610).
Sunday I'll accompany them to the Prince of Wales chapel of their
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints' Champlain Ward for Sunday
Services. Kim is their organist. After church I'll fly
home.
And that's Canada Day 2011! HAPPY CANADA
DAY!
Best regards,
Roddy, West Vancouver
=== ROYALWATCH ===
>>> Lake Louise was named in honour of Queen
Victoria's fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta, for whom
the province is also named.
Read
more:
http://www.canada.com/news/royal-visit/Will+Kate+Lake+Louise/5063971/story.html#ixzz1RR4HmvRw
>>> Photos of the Tour:
http://photogallery.thestar.com/1021079
>>> Clotheswatch
http://thestar.blogs.com/royals/2011/07/now-that-kate-has-made-a-good-dent-into-her-luggage-one-third-of-her-was-through-the-canadian-tour-it-seems-as-good-a-time-a.html
>>> Night in Rockies
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/royal-visit/William+Kate+spent+night+secluded+Skoki+Lodge/5063971/story.html
>>> Skoki
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/royal-visit/William+Kate+arrive+Lake+Louise+hill/5066896/story.html
>>> Photos:
Will and Kate in Yellowknife July 6, 2011 7:02 AM
Prince William and his wife
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, won hearts in Yellowknife,
Northwest Territories on July 5, 2011. Here are some snapshots of the
visit.
Read
more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/royal-visit/Photos+Will+Kate+Yellowknife/5058429/story.html#ixzz1RLsyKP8W
=== HERITAGEWATCH ===
+ Make your views known to Ccl wrt the future of the
Gertrude Lawson House, the WV Museum
+ Mark your calendars for the RoyalTea-by-the-Sea -- 2 -
4pm Saturday August 13.
+ Heritage Vancouver Summer Walking Tours
Celebrate Vancouver's 125th Birthday visiting historic back
alleys and forgotten corners of the city with
civic historian John
Atkin. 10am - 12noon, Saturdays & one Sunday,
$15.
Next: Market Alley: Opium, Laundry and Pawnshops.
Saturday July
16th Meet in the courtyard of the Chinese
Cultural Centre, in front of the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Gardens, entry from
50 East Pender.
https://register.beanstream.com/scripts/registration.asp?form=269
=== HUMOURWATCH
=== HEALTH
MESSAGE:
1. If walking/cycling is good for
your health, the postman would be immortal.
2. A whale swims all day, only eats
fish, drinks water and is fat.
3. A rabbit runs and hops and only
lives 15 years.
4. A tortoise doesn't run, barely
walks and does practically nothing ... yet lives for 450
years.
And
you want ME to exercise?!?!
=== MAIKU
===
2011 June 20 re Stanley Cup riot
my beautiful Vancouver
how
dare it be bruised
we
rush to restore
And later contemplation (July) --
icing of civility
quickly melted as
minds caught fire unchecked
2011 July 9 coldest spring in 55 years!
spring clings, cold lingers,
summer
hesitates,
takes tentative, tepid
steps
~~~ QUOTATIONS /
THOUGHTS/PUNS ~~~
How far should one accept the rules of the society in which one
lives? To put it another way: at what point does conformity become
corruption? Only by answering such questions does the conscience truly
define itself.
-- Kenneth
Tynan, English theatre critic and writer (1927 - 1980)
The world is a dangerous place to live; not because of the
people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything
about it.
--
Albert Einstein, German theoretical physicist (1879 - 1955)
The desire of knowledge, like the thirst of riches, increases
ever with the acquisition of it.
--
Laurence Sterne, Anglo-Irish novelist and Anglican clergyman (1713 -
1768)
When you want to fool the world, tell the
truth. -- Otto von
Bismarck, German statesman (1815 - 1898)
Don't tell me the moon is shining; show me the glint of light
on broken glass.
-- Anton
Chekhov, Russian short-story writer and dramatist (1860 -1904)
The lawyer had trouble
with the fine print on some documents, so his doctor suggested
contract lenses.
I said her garden figurines looked pathetic, but she
did not care for my ignominious remark.
As I revived her using mouth to mouth
resuscitation, in spite of my lisp, I couldn't help noticing her
beautiful breaths!