Andrea Reimer At Large

Four new community plans for Vancouver

Big day for community engagement and planning today at Council with four community planning process (Grandview Woodland, West End, Marpole, Downtown Eastside) taking a big leap forward with Council's approval of terms of reference and planning frameworks for each of the four, and new interim development and rezoning guidelines for the Downtown Eastside. Plus staff reported back on West End Mayors Advisory Committee recommendations which will be implemented in the comming months.

And, for the first time ever, each planning process will have two Councillor liaisons to ensure that communities have a first (and second!) point of access to Council during the process.

Each of the four communities have unique but urgent needs, including a large number of renters (> 80% in the West End & Eastside) and a challenged neighbourhood economic base, including industrial lands under pressure in three of the four communities. Three have existing plans greater than 25 years old, and most assumed they would wait at least five more years to get going due to historic Council practice of doing one plan at a time. There has never been a Downtown Eastside plan.

The process to get to today was initiated by City Council 15 months ago, has involved a broad community engagement effort in all four communities aimed at ensuring that input comes across the demographics that mirror the communities, and has included ground-breaking community-led engagement processes such as the Downtown Eastside LAPP and the West End Mayor's Advisory Committee

Time for your to Get involved!

Any community member is welcome to get involved in the community plan processes. For more information:

Downtown Eastside
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/dteslapp/index.htm

Grandview Woodland
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/grandviewplan/

Marpole
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/marpoleplan/index.htm

West End (new plan info coming soon)
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/planning/westend/index.htm

Next Community Plan Report to Council
Report:  http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20120328/documents/ptec2.pdf
Presentation: http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20120328/documents/ptec2Presentation-NextCommunityPlans-TermsofReference.pdf

 

Where the Streets Have a Naming Committee: Council brings public into naming process

Very pleased to see Council ratify recommendations from a staff report back on establishing a Naming Committee and turning the naming process inside out to allow the public to lead on naming streets, pedestrian and bike infrastructure as well as public spaces owned by the City (the park board and library board have their own processes for their respective spaces).

The motion passed today approved several new procedures recommended by staff in response to a June 2011 motion to increase public involvement in street naming.

New measures, based on a best practices review of other cities, will include a website registry of names that the public can add to or comment on and a new Naming Committee chosen from members of the public that will recommend new names directly to Council. Previously this process was undertaken by staff and developers.

Although Vancouver doesn't create many new streets in a year (4-7 according to today's report), these public assets do last a long time so I am very happy to see the process directly led by the public from here on out, and personally am excited to see a more reflective diversity of culture, class, gender and acheivements celebrated in the naming of our public assets.

Public Input into Fossil Fuel Export Expansion proposals whether by pipeline, tanker, super-tanker, train or new LNG storage

Very happy to get this motion through Council today as an amendment to a motion Councillor Carr brought reiterating a previous request from Council specific to Kinder Morgan.

The amendment, passed unanimously by Council, ramps up the City's ability to respond to all proposals (not just one from one company) to expand fossil fuel exports that could impact Vancouver, and provide a mechanism for resident input if the feds do not have one.

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THAT Council reiterate its support for the 2011 UBCM motion requesting that the National Energy Board, Port Metro Vancouver, and all appropriate federal ministers ensure that any applications to expand the amount of oil transported by pipeline or tanker in British Columbia undergo meaningful public consultation, including direct engagement with affected municipalities, regional authorities and British Columbia First Nations.

THAT further to Council's motion of July 6, 2010, and in advance of the anticipated Kinder Morgan NEB application, Staff are requested to identify opportunities for public input into formal processes that propose increases in the amount of oil travelling by water in the region either through an increase in pipeline capacity, allowable load of ships, or size of ships. In the event that there are no formal processes for public input, Staff are requested to ensure that the public has ample and appropriate opportunity to inform Council's formal input to the Kinder Morgan NEB application and other potential proposals

THAT Staff be requested to provide ongoing monitoring of any proposals that would expand the volume of fossil fuel exports - including oil, bitumen, coal and natural gas traveling by tanker, pipeline, and rail - through Vancouver and that Council be advised of these proposals through publicly posted memo.

Motion to Council on campaign finance & other reforms

Here's the motion I will be introducing at Council on Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Very pleased to have Mayor Gregor Robertson's strong endorsement for these changes.

If you're interested in speaking to it, you can call the City Clerk at 604.873.7657 or e mail charlene.imai@vancouver.ca

Just as good, or maybe even better, contact your MLA. The Provincial Government controls the municipal elections laws and have failed to make much-needed changes despite a decade of requests from Vancouver councillors. You can look up your MLA's contact info here.

Increasing Fairness and Citizen Involvement in Municipal Elections

Moved by Councillor Andrea Reimer

WHEREAS on March 25, 2010 Council, on the advice of an all-party subcommittee, unanimously passed recommendations to the Local Government Elections Task Force in regards to Campaign Finance Reform and other changes to improve fairness and citizen involvement in Vancouver municipal elections (attached as Appendix A);

WHEREAS the Local Government Elections Task Force failed to accept these recommendations and the City of Vancouver requires approval by the Provincial Government in order to make changes to campaign finance rules or voting procedures;

WHEREAS the Chief Election Officer implemented enhancements, such as increasing advanced voting opportunities, with an aim to increase voter turnout and citizen involvement in the 2011 municipal election, as well as ensure fairness for all candidates;

WHEREAS the Vancouver Charter currently prohibits the release of raw vote data, which is data that is not traceable to individual voters but provides information on the contents of each ballot;

WHEREAS the Chief Election Officer and members of Council have received requests from voting policy analysts to access raw vote data for the purpose of conducting academic research and providing policy recommendations on elections;

WHEREAS the analysis of raw vote data provided in jurisdictions such as New Zealand, Scotland, and Minneapolis has been invaluable in better informing important policy issues related to electoral systems and the relationship between demographics and voter turn out;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

(a) THAT the City Council write to the Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development and reiterate the request to have the ability under the Vancouver Charter for Council to make campaign finance rules and consider alternate voting systems, as outlined in Appendix A, and make a new request for the ability to release raw vote data;

(b) THAT City Council requests recommendations from the 2011 Chief Elections Officer for measures to increase voter turnout, citizen involvement and fairness for all candidates in the 2014 civic election.

 

APPENDIX A (from minutes of March 25, 2010 Planning and Environment Committee Meeting http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20100325/documents/penv20100325min.pdf)

1. Set limits on the annual amount of contributions that can be given by an individual to an elector organization, campaign organizer, or an individual seeking elected office.

 

2. Ban union and corporate donations.

 

3. Limit the amount of money that may be spent annually by an elector organization, campaign organizer, or an individual seeking elected office during a general local election campaign.

 

4. These limits on contributions and expenditures would be based upon a per-elector/capita, per-candidate formula (with individual candidate resources allowed to be pooled for use by elector organizations) and would be no higher than provincial and federal spending limits.

 

5. Disallow contributions to an elector organization, campaign organizer, or an individual seeking elected office, from sources outside of Canada.

 

6. Require that all donations and expenses for candidates, elected officials and elector organizations be disclosed on a continuous basis at six month intervals.

 

8. Change the definition of “candidate” to include anyone seeking nomination within an elector organization for candidacy to a local government office.

 

9. Appoint the Provincial Chief Election Officer to oversee municipal elections in BC, and establish penalties and mechanisms for enforcement of offences under the amended local government elections legislation.

 

12. Provide local governments with the authority to use any method of elections they wish to use, and repeal the requirement for Lieutenant Governor in Council approval to adopt such a change.

 

13. Amend the definition of election offenses and related penalties to include individuals acting as an intermediary in third-party campaign contribution schemes

 

 

NOTE: items 7, 10 and 11 were removed as they do not directly relate to increasing municipal authority for campaign or electoral reform and were specific to questions posed by the Local Government Elections Task Force. They are provided below for reference.

 

7. Implement a system of tax credits for municipal donations, similar to those for provincial and federal elections.

10. Extend municipal terms of office to four years.

11. Oppose allowing corporations the right to vote in local elections.

Grandview Woodlands Community Planning Begins

In 2011, City Council took the unprecendented step of asking staff to undertake local area planning in four communities: Grandview Woodlands, West End, Marpole and the Downtown Eastside

All of these areas have a high need to develop modern plans that respond to current challenges with affordable housing, demographic changes and the need to preserve local job generating lands (commercial, retail and industrial).

The information below is from the Grandview Woodlands Area Council (a local, grassroots residents group) and the City of Vancouver and the next important steps for the Grandview Woodlands Community Plan process.

If you live between Clark Drive & Nanaimo, from the water to Grandview Highway, consider getting involved. Community planning works better when the whole community is involved.

First event time:  7pm--9pm Mon 23 January.
First event place:  Learning Resources Centre (under the Library),
Britannia Community Centre, 1661 Napier Street.

Andrew Pask, lead City planner for the upcoming Grandview-Woodland Community Plan, is providing another meeting to hold discussion and gather some preliminary input on four themes:   (1) issue and asset identification, (2) sub-area geographies, (3) advisory and working group options, and (4) specialized outreach and engagement considerations.

The discussion will make use of questions from page 1 of the "Grandview-Woodland Terms of Reference Workbook" (which is in development), available as a download.   The workbook is based on the Community Plans "General Terms of Reference" document, also available as a download.


Second event time:  4pm--6:30pm Tue 31 January.
Second event place:  Family Activity Room, Britannia Community Centre,
1661 Napier Street.

The City will be hosting an Open House pertaining to the Terms of Reference for the upcoming Grandview-Woodland Community Plan.  The Open House will:

1.  Report out on the material gathered during the preliminary focus groups (including the 9 and 23 January meetings at Britannia Centre);

2.  Show how this material has been integrated into the "Grandview-Woodland Terms of Reference Workbook."

The event is intended to be an informal one.  People are invited to view materials, and review input and material produced to date.  City Staff will be on hand to answer questions.

For further information, please contact Andrew Pask, City of Vancouver, andrew.pask@vancouver.ca; 604-673-8171.

IMPORTANT: Extreme Weather Shelters Open

The following is from Irene Jaakson, who is designated under the Assistance to Shelter Act as the Community Representative for Vancouver.

IF YOU ARE IN A POSITION TO COMMUNICATE THIS INFORMATION TO PEOPLE LIVING ON THE STREETS, OR SLEEPING ON THE STREETS TONIGHT, PLEASE DO SO

-- message follows ---

Pursuant to sec. 2(2)(b) of the Assistance to Shelter Act an Extreme Weather Alert (EWA) is being issued for Vancouver, BC. This EWA activates the authorities in the Assistance to Shelter Act for police to assist persons at risk due to extreme weather conditions and remains in effect until it is cancelled.

This EWA is being issued on January 13 at 11:37 am due to the following weather conditions and forecast: probable snow accumulation

The following shelters will be providing spaces during this EWA:

St. Mark’s Extreme Weather Shelter (1805 Larch St)
This facility can accommodate up to 25 people. Opens at 9:30 pm- Intake closes at 11:00 pm. Hot meal on intake. Carts stored.

Union Gospel Mission (601 East Hastings)
During an extreme weather alert an additional 20 spaces for men will be made available if the regular 72 shelter beds become full. Hours are 9:00 pm until 6 am.

10th Avenue Alliance Church (10th & Ontario)
Can accommodate up to 25 people. Open 10:00 pm to 7:00 am

The Gathering Place (609 Helmken St)
During extreme weather the facility opens between midnight and 7:00 am.  Up to 40 people can be sheltered.

Catholic Charities (828 Cambie St)
Will provide overnight accommodation for up to 20 men.

Back up sites:

The Salvation Army Harbour Light (119 East Cordova St.)
Can accommodate up to 50 people. People receive mats, pillows and blankets. Coffee and a snack are provided in the morning. This shelter will only open if there is sufficient overflow from Harbour Light’s year-round and CWW shelters.

The Salvation Army Belkin House (555 Homer St.)
Can accommodate 13 men and 7 women. Opens after other shelters full after 11:00 pm. Breakfast is served at 7:30 am.

EWA issued by Irene Jaakson, Community Representative for Vancouver, BC

Resolve to be Involved! Is 2012 the year for you to get engaged with City Hall?

You may not spend much time thinking about the City but every day we are thinking about you. Whether it’s big questions like the future of transportation or affordable housing, or smaller but important issues like parking meters or a heritage house on your block, we want to hear from you.

Getting involved doesn’t need to take a lot of time. Like resolving to get more fit, getting into the habit of being engaged can start with a relatively modest amount of time.

One simple way to start is monitoring social media sites and web feeds for the city departments that interest you. You can find a full list of City departments on social media at http://vancouver.ca/socialmedia.htm and web feeds at http://data.vancouver.ca/cityFeeds.htm

On the larger projects and proposals, the city sets up stand-alone web sites where you can learn more, get engaged online or learn about meetings you can attend in person. If you visit http://talkvancouver.com/ you’ll see current consultations on the 2012 operating budget and the 2040 Transportation Plan. Plus by registering with talkvancouver
you’ll be notified of new major policy proposals and consultations.

In addition to looking for feedback on existing proposal, the City is always interested in getting residents together to develop new policy proposals that meet modern community needs and solve problems. There are 23 civic agencies and advisory bodies open to the general public, of which 17 are currently seeking new applicants.

These range from agencies like the Vancouver Public Library which are responsible for running the city’s libraries to advisory committees like the Seniors Advisory Committee that offer policy advice on seniors issues directly to City Council and city staff.

Not sure if an advisory committee is right for you? On January 16 and 19 there will be information sessions at City Hall.

If you are sure, then take the plunge and sign up today! The application is at http://vancouver.ca/ctyclerk/civicagencies/apply.htm. Note that the deadline for applying for the current vacancies is January 22.

 There are so many more ways to get involved (like coming to Council meetings - check out the agendas online!) but I’m hoping that list gets you started on your resolution to be more engaged with City Hall 2012.

Andrea

PS - A new neighbourhood planning process has started in the Downtown Eastside and others are about to get underway in Marpole, West End and Grandview-Woodlands. Stay turned!

 

Thank you so much for your support

Dear Vancouver,

Thank you so much for your support. It was a fantastic feeling watching the election results come in and seeing the strong support for a renewed mandate for Vision Vancouver.

Of course, it was also difficult watching the results for COPE. People like Ellen Woodsworth, Jane Bouey and Al Blakey were smart, hard-working, compassionate public servants who will be sorely missed at Council and School Board respectively. They leave large shoes for all of us.

I have been an activist my whole life, most of which was spent outside of government advocating for change. Being effective at making those changes in government has taken innovation, determination and teamwork writ large, but by being relentlessly committed to those values we have created so much real concrete change.

Together with Mayor Gregor Robertson and the entire Vision Vancouver team, we have had three years of progress on the big issues facing our city, indeed the biggest challenges for cities across the country:  building affordability, tackling homelessness, making Vancouver one of the greenest cities in the world, while growing the economy, and opening up government.

Serving you on City Council this past term has been a privilege and an honour. The hours are long, and the work is challenging, but the accomplishments we can deliver when we work together are powerful.

My commitment to opening government is about creating space and processes to give you a voice every day - not just on election day. Over the next three years, I look forward to continuing to ensure your voice is welcome and heard at City Hall and to support your hard work in the community.

I know we have more work to do and I am thrilled to have your trust, a strong mandate, and a strong Vision team to get back at it!

Thank you again for believing in me. It means a lot. I believe so strongly in this City and our collective ability when we hold ourselves to the highest standards.

 

Andrea

PS – for the data wonks in the crowd, I received 1,445 more votes this election, came in 1^st in 30 polls (the most of any Council candidate) and came in 4^th place overall. You can find full election results here.

Vote Vision Vancouver on November 19th

 

Got a lawn, window or balcony without my name on it? Signs are in...and going out

Signs are in - and going out. Email me at andrea.reimer@votevision.ca and we can drop one off