Minutes of the Executive Committee of Council meeting held Monday, February 3, 1997, at 1:00 p.m. in the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium

Transcription

1 Council Present: Mayor - G. Ferguson; Councillors - E. Fast (part), S. Gibson (part), M. Gill, W. Lee, G. Peary, P. Ross, M. Warawa, and C. Wiebe Staff Present: City Manager - H. Cochran; City Clerk - T. Strong; Manager, Manager of Engineering Services - J. Duckworth; Development Engineer - E. Clark; Director of Finance - D. Bottri11; Deputy Fire Chief, Operations - B. Hall; Staff Present for a Portion of the Meeting: Director of Development Services - R. Danziger; Current Development - G. Boyle; Manager, Community Planning - W. Gordon; Senior Planner - J. Malcolm; Manager of Inspection Services - T. Higgins; Environmental Manager - P. Andzans; Director of Engineering - E. Regts; Manager, Transportation and Drainage - A. Kastelein; Manager, Utilities - R. Bomhof; Budget and F.LS. Manager - J. Trueman; Accountant/ Budget Officer - A.M. Taylor; Director of Parks and Recreation - K. Yates; and Economic Development Officer - M. Harvey Media Present: 85 Radio MAX (part), The News (part), and Rogers Cablesystems Public Present: 5 1. CALL TO ORDER The Chairman called the meeting to order at 1 :00 p.m. 2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES.1 Executive Committee Minutes - January 27, 1997 Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Warawa, that the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting held January 27, 1997, be adopted. E46-97 CARRIED

2 Page 2 3. BUSINESS OUT OF MINUTES.1 Photo Radar Program Council reconsidered a resolution of January 13, 1997, to terminate the photo radar program in Abbotsford on July 15, 1997, unless prior to that date the Province of British Columbia has addressed several issues. It was noted that the program has not been reviewed in ten months, nor have its objectives been adhered to. The Police Board had indicated dissatisfaction with the program and is reviewing outstanding issues related to it, and Abbotsford's Chief of Police supports the resolution as a means of encouraging the Province to review the photo radar program. Moved by Councillor Warawa, seconded by Councillor Fast, that the City of Abbotsford terminate the use of Integrated Traffic Control Unit, more commonly known as photo radar, effective July 15, 1997, unless prior to that date the Province of British Columbia has, in consultation with the City, adequately addressed each of the following items of concern: (1) an equitable sharing of photo radar generated revenues with the City of Abbotsford; (2) the nature of the penalties levied against offending drivers, including the introduction of a combined fined and point system; (3) the undue delays which offenders presently encounter in receiving notification of an offence, resulting in multiple ticketing; (4) transferring to Abbotsford City Police the control over the deployment of photo radar in the City; and (5) ongoing monthly evaluations of the effectiveness of photo radar in the City. There was concern that the resolution included items which were not originally agreed to by the Province and the City, i.e. sharing ticket revenue. The comment was made that, despite its administrative problems, photo radar has merit, and that the City should review the program in July 1996 as originally agreed. One member of Council believed photo radar would be more effective if camera locations were not disclosed to the public. E47-97 CARRIED. Opposed: Councillors Peary and Wiebe

3 Page 3 4. DELEGATIONS None. 5. REPORTS 5.1 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Councillor Fast declared a conflict of interest with the following item, and was excused from the meeting at 1:19 p.m B.C. Ltd.lR. Funk, Block B1ueridge Drive (North Side) - Rezoning Application ( /R96-34) Report No. DEV dated January 29, 1997, from the Deputy Approving Officer, presented an application from B.C. Ltd.lR. Funk to rezone property at block B1ueridge Drive (north side) from One Unit Urban Residential Zone (RS3) to Two Unit Urban Residential Zone (RS4). If approved, a duplex would be constructed on the site. Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Gill that, as recommended in Report No. DEV dated January 29, 1997, from the Deputy Approving Officer: (1) staff prepare and present an amendment to Abbotsford Zoning By-law, 1996, to rezone the B.C. Ltd.lR. Funk property at block B1ueridge Drive (north side) to Two Unit Urban Residential Zone (RS4) when issues of development and funding for items not budgeted by the City, as named in the report, have been resolved; and (2) the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute all documentation relating to this matter. There was concern that a duplex in a single family residential area would not be aesthetically pleasing; however, it was pointed out that a restrictive covenant would be placed on the property to ensure that conditions imposed by the City were met. In addition, area residents will have an opportunity to comment at a public hearing. E48-97 CARRIED. Councillor Fast returned to the meeting at 1 :29 p.m.

4 February 3, 1997, at 1 :00 p.m. in the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium Page 4.2 R. MacKay, 3849 McDermott Road - Floodproofing Requirements ( and ) Report No. DEV dated January 30, 1997, from the Director of Engineering, the Manager of Inspection Services, and the Senior Planner reviewed a request from R. MacKay that his property at 3849 McDermott Road be exempt from the floodproofing requirements of Abbotsford Zoning By-law, Mr. MacKay wishes to construct a one-storey house approximately 12" above the driveway grade, instead of the 45" required by the Zoning By-law. The City has no authority to vary the floodproofing provisions in the Zoning By-law, and the Ministry of Environment will not support a variance for this application. Moved by Councillor Warawa, seconded by Councillor Fast, that Report No. DEV dated January 30, 1997, from the Director of Engineering, the Manager of Inspection Services, and the Senior Planner, commenting on the flood proofing requirements of Abbotsford Zoning By-law, 1996, relative to the R. MacKay property at 3849 McDermott Road, be received. E49-97 CARRIED..3 Lamb Properties, North Parallel Road - Amendment to Development Permit No ( /D96-54) The Senior Planner presented his Report No. DEV dated January 30, 1997, which commented on a request from Lamb Properties. If approved, an amendment to Development Permit No would allow an addition to a proposed motel at North Parallel Road. Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Gill that, as recommended in Report No. DEV dated January 30, 1997, from the Senior Planner: (1) the application from Lamb Properties, to amend Development Permit No to allow construction of an addition to the approved, but not yet constructed, motel at North Parallel Road, be approved in principle; (2) a permit be prepared for an upcoming Council hearing; and (3) the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute all documentation relating to this matter.

5 00008~~ Page 5 Staff clarified that commercial sign age would be permitted only on the front of the proposed building, and that the necessary elevations of the building, with respect to the flood plain, allowed surface parking only. If a second restaurant is built on the site's west end, an amendment to the development permit will be required. E50-97 CARRIED..4 C. Wu, M.L. Wu, S.L. Chan, and W.H. Chan, 2539 Montrose Avenue - Development Permit Application ( / D96-46) An application for a development permit was the subject of Report No. DEV dated January 21, 1997, from the Senior Planner. If approved, a two-storey commercial building, with office space on the top floor and possibly a small cafe or office on the bottom floor, would be permitted on the C. Wu, M.L. Wu, S.L. Chan, and W.H. Chan property at 2539 Montrose Avenue. Abbotsford Zoning By-law, 1996, requires the provision of 20 parking spaces, of which 50% may be located off-site. The applicant has agreed to pay for 12 off-site spaces at a cost of $28,800. Moved by Councillor Wiebe, seconded by Councillor Ross that, as recommended in Report No. DEV dated January 21, 1997, from the Senior Planner: (1) application D96-Q9 for the C. Wu, M.L. Wu, S.L. Chan, and W.H. Chan property at 2539 Montrose Avenue, be approved in principle, including the required parking and intersection visibility variances; (2) a permit be prepared for an upcoming Council hearing; and (3) the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute all documentation related to this matter. In answer to a question from a Councillor, staff clarified that there are no plans for the construction of a public parkade. A Downtown Abbotsford infrastructure study will be made available to the applicant if required, and the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association will be asked to comment on the design of the proposed building, i.e., streetscape and building finishing. E51-97 CARRIED.

6 Page 6 Moved by Councillor Warawa, seconded by Councillor Fast, that staff report back to Council on the provision of public parking in the East Downtown Abbotsford area. E52-97 CARRIED..5 D. Mann, Unit Queen Street - Expansion of Industrial Operation ( / R94-04) Report No. DEV dated January 28, 1997, from the Director of Development Services, presented options for dealing with a request from D. Mann to expand his industrial operation at Unit Queen Street. The property is the subject of Land Use Contract No. 169; however, Mr. Mann does not wish to discharge the L.U.c.; he only wants to expand his existing business on the site. The Director of Development Services clarified the process for amending land use contracts, and noted that off-site works are required to be completed by the applicant. Moved by Councillor Lee, seconded by Councillor Ross, that an amendment to Land Use Contract No. 169, for the D. Mann property at 2332 Queen Street, be approved in principle, subject to conditions noted in Report No. DEV , and that the applicant be given the option of either installing the off-site services or providing an irrevocable letter of credit for the estimated cost of these services. Discussion focused on the practicality of accepting a letter of credit, and requiring the off-site works to be completed when the demand for water and sewer services increased. Although sympathetic to the applicant's situation, Council generally agreed that waiving the off-site requirements for this application would set an undesirable precedent. E53-97 CARRIED.

7 Page 7.6 Fraser Basin Management Program - Funding Request for "Fraser Basin Council" ( ) Report No. DEV dated January 25, 1997, from the Environmental Manager, summarized options for dealing with a request to fund, for a five-year period, the new "Fraser Basin Council", successor organization of the Fraser Basin Management Board. It was clarified that all funding provided to the F.B.M.P. would be applied to the completion of studies of the Fraser Basin, with a coordinator dedicated to the Lower Fraser Basin. The Federal and Provincial Governments are contributing $700,000 of the F.B.M.P.'s $900,000 budget, with the remaining $200,000 to be funded by municipalities throughout the five regional districts. Moved by Councillor Ross, seconded by Councillor Peary, that: (1) Abbotsford support funding of the Fraser Basin Management Program at 20 per capita; (2) funding from Abbotsford be capped at 1997 rates; and (3) F.B.M.P. resources be earmarked for a local environmental issue, such as Nooksack/ Sumas River flood hazard management. Concern was expressed that the mandate of the F.B.M.P. was too general, that there was duplication of services, and that flood management was not the program's key issue. Several members maintained that, if the City were to allocate funds to this program, there should be more focus on issues which would directly impact Abbotsford. Others asserted that a coordinated approach is necessary for the entire river system, and that each municipality must be committed to a full five-year funding program. DEFEATED. Opposed: Councillors Fast, Gill, Lee, Warawa, and Wiebe Moved by Councillor Warawa, seconded by Councillor Lee, that the City of Abbotsford decline participation in the funding of the Fraser Basin Management Program. E54-97 CARRIED. Opposed: Councillors Gibson, Peary, and Ross

8 G0008 ) Page ENGINEERING.1 Clearbrook and Downes Roads - Traffic Signalization - Petition ( ) Report No. ENG dated January 30, 1997, from the Manager, Transportation and Drainage, addressed a petition requesting that a traffic signal be installed at the intersection of Clearbrook and Downes Roads. Due to the expansion of the Mennonite Educational Institute, located northwest of the intersection, increased traffic volume have been generated in the area. Moved by Councillor Lee, seconded by Councillor Gill that, as recommended in Report No dated January 30, 1997, from the Manager, Transportation and Drainage, the petitioners for signalization at the intersection of Clearbrook and Downes Roads be advised that: (1) this intersection does not have sufficient traffic to meet the installation criteria for a traffic signal; (2) the City will be constructing left-turn lanes at Downes and Clearbrook Roads in 1997, which will also improve traffic flows on Clearbrook Road; (3) the City will be installing a 30 km/ h school zone on Downes Road, which will slow traffic down in front of both school campuses; (4) the City will continue to monitor this intersection for signalization and will install a traffic signal when the installation criteria are met; and (5) the school will be encouraged to implement a shuttle bus service to and from key points in the City to reduce traffic at the school itself. Council discussed the potential impact of installing signals at the intersection of Downes and Clearbrook Roads. Several members believed that the intersection should be signalized immediately; however, congestion is only an issue during peak traffic periods. Suggestions included: installing signalization which would only be activated during peak traffic periods; installing a four-way stop at the intersection; reducing the speed limit to 30 km/ h along the entire frontage of both school campuses; and staggering school opening times. It was agreed that the City would continue to monitor the situation. E55-97 CARRIED. Opposed: Councillors Fast, Warawa, and Wiebe

9 00008'/ February 3, 1997, at 1 :00 p.m. in the Matsqui Centennial Auditorium Page 9.2 By-law No , Industrial Waste By-law, 1996 ( ) In Report No. ENG dated January 30, 1997, the Manager, Utilities, outlined the main revisions proposed to the Industrial Waste By-law, which has not been amended since before the amalgamation of the former Districts of Abbotsford and Matsqui. The by-law places limitations and regulations with respect to waste water effluent on all Industrial lands in the City. Moved by Councillor Fast, seconded by Councillor Gibson that, as recommended in Report No. ENG dated January 30, 1997, from the Manager, Utilities, By-law No , cited as "Industrial Waste By-law, 1996", proceed for three readings at the next Regular Council meeting. In response to questions from Council, the Director of Engineering indicated that the current agreement with Sumas, Washington, covers enforcement of regulations across international boundaries; that a surcharge will apply if flows, which are continuously monitored, are exceeded; and that all affected parties will be notified of the expanded restricted substances list and increased "Extra Strength Charges". 5.3 FINANCE E56-97 CARRIED Provisional Budget ( ) Moved by Councillor Warawa, seconded by Councillor Ross that, as recommended in Report No. BUD dated January 29, 1997, from the Budget and F.LS. Manager, the decisions made at the Budget Working Session held January 27, 1997, and the additional 1997 projects, as outlined in Schedule "E" attached to the report, be approved. E57-97 CARRIED. Opposed: Councillor Wiebe

10 00008b Page NEW BUSINESS None. 7. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Councillor Fast, seconded by Councillor Gibson, that the Executive Committee meeting be adjourned. (3:40 p.m.) CARRIED. Certified Correct: Crty Clerk I '