MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BUDGET MEETING HELD ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2014

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Hill called the meeting to order at 4:01 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Screech SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

a) B. Pratt, 236 Burnett Road, Re: Petition for Speed Humps and Sidewalks in the Burnett Road Area

B. Pratt discussed his concerns with traffic on Burnett Road including the absence of sidewalks and the volume and speed of traffic on the road. He requested the Committee look into speed humps to assist in slowing drivers down.

J. Pratt, 236 Burnett Road, expressed her concerns with traffic and pedestrian safety on Burnett Road. She discussed her frustration with the lack of financing for speed humps in 2013 and requested the installation of speed humps in 2014.

The Committee discussed the elimination of many capital projects in 2013 due to other large capital commitments. It was noted however that there were recent improvements on Burnett Road with the addition of some lighting and a reduction in speed to 30km/hr.

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

5. REPORTS

a) 2014-2018 Financial Plan Deliberations

1. Budget Update

The Chief Administrative Officer gave an overview of changes made to the budget since the last budget meeting and described the distributed updated sheets for the budget binders.

Councillor Rogers asked to have the figure for the anticipated Development Cost Charges that will be paid for the Eagle Creek Village project and requested a property tax estimate for Phases 1 and 2 that will be collected. It was determined that this information will be provided after the budget work is concluded as it does not impact the 2014 budget process.

2. Capital Budget Discussions

The Director of Engineering gave an overview of 2014 Capital Projects for Transportation, Drainage, Sewer, and Parks budget items.

Transportation

The Committee discussed concerns with the removal of the left hand turn signal at the Admirals Road and Island Highway intersection following the completion of the Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project. The Director of Engineering noted that to maintain that movement, the traffic signal console would need to be upgraded. This upgrade was included in the proposed ICBC safety improvements presented to the Committee of the Whole on February 12, 2013.

It was requested that a design cost be listed for the Norquay Road project.

The Committee questioned the necessity for a crosswalk near the new Public Safety Building, considering the close proximity of an existing crosswalk and the potential safety issues.

The Committee discussed whether or not the installation of speed humps would improve traffic volumes by discouraging commuters from detouring through Burnett Road.

The Committee discussed funding sources and contingency amounts for the Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project. The Committee requested that the Director of Engineering give a detailed breakdown of the funding sources for the Craigflower Bridge Replacement Project at the next Committee of the Whole meeting and include in that the proposed prioritized ICBC safety improvement works for the Admirals Road/Island Highway intersection.

Drainage

The Committee discussed whether or not there was potential risk in postponing drainage spending to the 2015 budget.

The Committee suggested that the capital project budget be amended to ensure that the drainage project be on View Royal Avenue from Beaumont to Stewart be undertaken at the same time that the road reconstruction project is done.

The Committee requested that staff bring back information on the priority for drainage works on Kingham Place for the next Committee of the Whole budget meeting.

Parks

The Committee discussed the Welland Legacy Park work shed, chemical toilet and connection to the Galloping Goose Trail.

The Committee discussed the playground equipment options for Portage Park including new CSA regulations, equipment resilience to vandalism and funding options.

The Committee considered the extension options for Portage Park trails and discussed the protection of native species.

The Committee discussed fencing around the community gardens in View Royal Park and contemplated increasing the number of ground level beds to allow more opportunities for residents to participate.

Councillor Screech requested that he and the Director of Engineering and community member, Ian Brown, meet to discuss possible volunteer opportunities.

Fire Services

The Fire Chief gave an overview of 2014 Capital Projects regarding Fire Services and the Emergency Program.

With respect to the new Public Safety Building, the Committee discussed the construction of the rock wall, tree retention on the property, and the project contingency fund.

Administration/ General Government

The Director of Finance and the Director of Corporate Administration gave an overview of 2014 Capital Projects regarding Information Technology and Land Acquisitions.

Budget Year Timing Discussion and New Potential Projects

Councillor Mattson requested to meet with the Director of Engineering to discuss the list of traffic safety improvements in the Watkiss/Burnside area that are not already required to be completed by the development community.

It was noted that Limona Construction has expressed a willingness to construct stairs for the Chilco Trails project.

MOVED BY: Councillor Screech SECONDED: Councillor Rast

COW-26-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Chilco Trails Development be moved from the 2015 to the 2014 Capital Budget, pending confirmation of the $50,000 early contribution from Limona Construction;

AND THAT gas tax or casino revenue be used to fund the balance of the project. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Screech SECONDED: Councillor Rast

COW-27-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Burnett Road design and installation of two (2) speed humps be included in the 2014 Capital Projects budget;

AND THAT the Burnett Road sidewalk project be moved forward to the 2015 Capital Projects budget for consideration in that budget year. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Rogers

COW-28-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Watkiss Way at Marler Drive flashing pedestrian crossing be included in the 2014 Capital Projects budget. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Screech SECONDED: Councillor Rast

COW-29-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a maximum of $5,000 be included in the 2014 Capital Projects budget for trails in Portage Park with $3,000 of those funds to be put towards the more northerly trail which connects to the E&N Rail Trail and $2,000 to be used to improve the surface of the existing more southerly trail surface. CARRIED

MOVED BY: Councillor Rast SECONDED: Councillor Screech

COW-30-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the construction of a new pedestrian crossing be removed from the Island Highway Fire Hall Development paving project. CARRIED Councillor Mattson and Councillor Rogers voted in the negative.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

COW-31-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that a new pedestrian activated crossing near the Public Safety Building be included for discussion in the 2015 Capital Projects budget. CARRIED Councillor Rast and Councillor Screech voted in the negative.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rast SECONDED: Councillor Screech

THAT the Committee recommend to Council that funds in the amount of $30,000 for Community Gardens fencing and the development of some ground level garden beds in View Royal Park's Community Gardens be included in the 2014 Capital Projects budget. DEFEATED Councillor Mattson, Mayor Hill and Councillor Rogers voted in the negative.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Mattson

COW-32-14 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that staff prepare a report regarding the addition of twenty (20) ground level garden plots to View Royal Park's Community Gardens;

AND THAT this information also be forwarded to the Parks, Recreation & Environment Advisory Committee. CARRIED Councillor Rast and Councillor Screech voted in the negative.

Councillor Rogers suggested the installation of three kiosk-style signs be included in the 2014 Capital Projects budget to promote View Royal parks, trails, amenities and local businesses. The Committee determined that further information, including costs, should be obtained.

6. QUESTION PERIOD

7. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Screech

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 7:37 p.m. CARRIED

MAYOR CLERK