Andrea Reimer At Large

Council Motion on Oil Tanker Traffic post Experts' Panel

Passed unanimously at Council today in response to the information we heard from experts on the issue of oil tanker traffic in the region at a Special Council Meeting on July 5, 2010 . If you follow the link, you can watch an archived video of the special meeting (runs approx. 2 hours).

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THAT Council request the Metro Vancouver Port Cities Committee to further investigate the issue of oil tanker traffic in the region including the following specific areas of inquiry:

- evaluating the risks of current and planned increases in oil tanker traffic and increased size of loads carried by tankers in the region, and recent changes that lower the compliment of staffing on tugs escorting tankers

- identifying opportunities for municipal and public input into formal processes that may increase the amount of oil traveling by water in the region either through an increase in pipeline capacity, allowable load of ships, or size of ships

- providing a "map" of all the the agencies, organizations and government legislation involved in overseeing oil tanker traffic, safety of tankers and emergency response including the responsibilities and rights of each of these parties in relation to this role

- clarifying the liability for environmental and economic impacts of a tanker spill and potential costs to taxpayers in affected municipalities.

FURTHER THAT Council advises the Port Cities Committee that public interest and concern in this issue is high and we would welcome them providing opportunities for public consultation

FURTHER THAT staff provide a memo on what Vancouver should specifically undertake to be prepared to respond to a spill, such as emergency responder training and volunteer recruitment

FURTHER THAT the Mayor advise the federal Ministers of Environment and Transportation, the provincial Ministers of Energy and Environment, Port Metro Vancouver, and Coast Guard of Vancouver's interests and concern in this issue

Vancouver Gets BC's First Extreme Hot Weather Response Plan

Council adopted the first ever extreme hot weather response plan in response to a motion I brought forward last September with Councillor Kerry Jang in the wake of the death of Mr. Curtis Brick during the July 2009 heat wave.

Mr. Brick, a homeless man living in the Grandview Woodlands neighbourhood, lay outside in the sun for many hours in Grandview Park. By the time someone thought to call emergency services, he was unable to be revived and passed away.

The response from staff to our motion was swift and amazing, going well beyond the original motion to develop a full and coordinated response that will be put in place immediately.

While it's too late for Mr. Brick, the plan will help ensure that people living in vulnerable situations either out on the street or isolated in their homes, can survive the predicted increases in extreme heat events.

Press release from the City follows:

City of Vancouver - News Release - July 6, 2010

Council approves extreme hot weather plan; Mayor calls for community approach

Vancouver City Council today approved an Extreme Hot Weather Preparedness and Response Plan, the first of its kind in any BC municipality and one that will be implemented in the days ahead as high summer temperatures are forecast for the region.

“Extreme heat for several days can pose a serious health risk for some citizens,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said. “Our plan will maximize our community partnerships so we can reach out to vulnerable people, raise awareness of the impacts of heat and ensure people are prepared and have a plan to keep cool.

“As the temperature goes up, we all need to be good neighbours. Check on seniors and people who don’t get out much, make sure people have water and shade, do errands for neighbours and let’s work together to make sure we help those around us get through the hot weather safely.”

Under the plan approved by Council, City staff will work closely with Vancouver Coastal Health and other community partners to:
·     use a heat advisory system to communicate the increasing risk to human health posed by weather conditions;
·     distribute informative educational materials on how to stay cool and how to identify and guard against heat-induced illness like heat stroke;
·     distribute heat and health awareness information to front-line City, police, home support and health and housing outreach workers for distribution to the public and in particular vulnerable seniors, homeless and people with marginal housing;
·    develop a broad public-awareness campaign to help the public understand and use appropriate heat-coping strategies; and,
·    identify public washrooms, water sources and locations where people can find shade and socialize in cooler spaces.

City Council has also directed staff to explore the need and feasibility of purchasing a potable water truck to distribute water to areas of greatest need and locate it at events during periods of high heat or emergencies.  The City will also pilot portable water stations, an initiative developed during the Olympic Games and used last weekend at the Jazz Festival.

“By working together and reaching out to home-bound, vulnerable seniors and at-risk citizens throughout the city, we will help people cope with summer heat and stay safe,” the Mayor added.

The Extreme Hot Weather Preparedness and Response Plan outlines a multi-phase approach that during 2010 will focus on vulnerable seniors and people who are homeless or whose housing is marginal.
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Media contact:
Corporate Communications
604.871.6336
media@vancouver.ca

Open Streets 2010 Launched! Car free Granville Street starts July 3

Following up on the successful 2009 Summer Spaces pilot and the 2010 Olympic experience, happy to announce that Granville Street will be car free every weekend from July 3 (this weekend!) to Labour Day. The street has been "turfed" suitable for both soccer playing and...badminton. Check out the city's news release below for full details.

The organizing crew is still looking for events and activities to "animate" the street over the next couple of months. If you have an art, culture, sports or other organization looking for some space to show your stuff, send me an email to andrea.reimer@vancouver.ca and I can link you in to the event organizers.

And it's never too early to plan for 2011 when neighbourhood based car free Summer Spaces will return. A request for proposals is planned to go out in fall of 2010 so now is the time to get together with local Business Improvement Associations, community groups and local arts, culture and sports organizations to think about what your proposal for a car free weekend space in your community would look like.

City of Vancouver - News release - July 1, 2010

First summer car-free weekend on Granville Street kicks off Saturday

Granville Street will turn green this weekend with AstroTurf stretching from curb to curb in the 700 block and the Canadian Olympic badminton team joining buskers, dancers and drummers for the first weekend of a summer-long, car-free celebration on the re-designed street.

“We saw during the Olympic Games how people came together, had a great time and enjoyed festivities on Granville,” Mayor Gregor Robertson said. “As a legacy from the Games, we are creating a car-free space where people can come and enjoy summer in the heart of the city.”

Over the course of the weekend and summer, events will take place all along Granville. In the 700 block between Georgia and Robson, there will public seating with 100 chairs and other pieces of patio furniture set out so people can relax and soak in all of the activities happening around them.

“After construction, we saw Vancouverites reclaim Granville as their own,” says Charles Gauthier, Executive Director of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association. “The business community is excited about what the future of this destination street will mean to the vibrancy of downtown.”

Free events and activities taking place this weekend include a chance for people to test their badminton skills against the Canadian Olympic badminton team on Saturday on courts set up in the 700 block. On Sunday, there will be free yoga and dance fit classes in the 600 block.

Other activities include a chance to sample street cuisine from three food carts, roving street performers, buskers, dancers and improv teams, and special guests, the Nissga’a First Nations Drummers.

Granville Street between Smithe and Hastings is closed to traffic all summer and open to the public for five blocks as a community space. Events and activities will take place every weekend from July 3 through September 6.

“With the City and downtown businesses collaborating on these car-free weekends, we’re delivering on our commitment to build on the successful street activities we had during the Olympics,” Mayor Robertson added. “This is a great way to get people of all ages to come downtown and enjoy the type of energy and vibrancy we had on Granville Street during the Games.”

Festivities begin at noon on Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4 and carry through the afternoon.

For more information and a complete schedule of events visit: www.rediscovergranville.co

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Media contact:
Corporate Communications
604.871.6336
media@vancouver.ca