Minutes of a Special Committee of the Whole Budget Meeting Held on Monday, March 16, 2015

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE:

Mayor Screech
Councillor Rast
Councillor Rogers
Councillor Weisgerber

REGRETS:

Councillor Mattson

PRESENT ALSO:

K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration
P. Hurst, Fire Chief/Director of Protective Services
J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering
L. Chase, Director of Development Services
E. Bolster, Deputy Municipal Clerk

0 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 4:33 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Weisgerber SECONDED: Councillor Rast

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

5. REPORTS

The Chief Administrative Officer updated the Committee on amendments made to the core and non-core budget; provided an overview of the tax impact; listed changes to the capital budget; and described the impact for the RCMP with the cessation of the Regional Crime Unit.

He noted that the 2015 draft budget includes a 5.7% tax increase consisting of 2.5% for Public Safety Building costs, 1.5% for the library transfer to tax and 1.8% for core operating costs. The draft budget also includes a 2.4% tax increase for non-core budget items.

The Committee discussed funding sources and timelines for capital projects. The potential to fund some projects with either gas tax funding or surplus was reviewed.

a) 2015 Grants-in-Aid

The Committee amended the grant-in-aid summary to include the requests from View Royal Fast Ball Association (request for $5,000), the West Shore Arts Council (request for $1,000) and the British Columbia Aboriginal Network on Disability Society (request for $200.00).

Letter received March 3, 2015 from C. Thornton-Joe, Councillor, City of Victoria, Re: 2015 Canada Day Celebration
2015 Grant-in-Aid Summary

The Committee tentatively supported the award of the 2015 grants-in-aid as follows:

Beacon Community Services - $18,825
Fort Rodd Hill – Canada Day - $400
Victoria Bike to Work Society - $500
Volunteer Victoria - $250
3rd Arbutus Scout Group - $600
View Royal Reading Centre - $28,000
Spectrum Dry Grad Committee 2014 - $500
Victoria Children’s Choir - $1,000
City of Victoria – Canada Day - $1,000
Helmcken Rabbit Rescue - $1,000 (pending Ministry approval)
View Royal Fastball Association - $3,000 (pending submission of application)
Shoreline Community School Association - $30,000
West Shore Arts Council - $800 (pending submission of application)

The Committee asked to be provided with copies of the full applications provided by all groups tentatively approved. As well, the Committee would like to review the applications from the Maritime Museum of British Columbia and the Need Suicide Prevention Education and Support at the next budget meeting.

b) 2015-2019 Financial Plan Deliberations (Capital Projects 2015-2019 Summary; Capital Projects 2015-2019 Detail; Deferred Revenue Casino Funds and Community Works; and Reserve Fund Balances)

The Director of Engineering indicated that the road reconstruction capital project for Burnett Road/Pheasant Lane could potentially be undertaken over two years though no conclusion was made.

Additional pedestrian improvements for Watkiss Way were discussed. It was decided that some sidewalks are being installed by the development community and pedestrian priorities throughout the municipality will be considered as part of the update to the Transportation Master Plan that is anticipated to take place in the coming year. Other areas may be shown to have a higher need for pedestrian improvements.

The Director of Engineering described the improvements yet to be provided in Mellor Park, including a bench and some split rail fencing. Funds are proposed to be carried forward from 2014 to complete this work. The siting of playground equipment with any type of footings required for safety could be extremely cost prohibitive in Mellor Park due to the potential archaeological findings at this location. At this time, the Committee decided to not provide additional funds for playground equipment at this site.

$1,000 be added to “small parks one time supplemental” provide chain-link and split-rail fencing, as well as signage in Edwards Park.

The Committee discussed funding sources for projects and the Chief Administrative Officer noted that additional information would be provided in advance of the next budget meeting regarding funds available in the Casino Funds and Community Works (Gas Tax) reserves.

The Director of Engineering discussed the amendments to the Casino Funds and Community Works for the years 2017-2019, as follows:

Stormont Road design – move 2017 allocation of $35,000 to 2018
Stormont Road construction – move 2018 allocation of $300,000 to 2019
Norquay Road design – move 2017 allocation of $35,000 to 2019
Norquay Road construction – move 2018 allocation of $330,000 to 2020
View Royal Avenue paving (#101 to Beaumont Avenue) – move 2018 allocation of $150,000 to 2017
Stancil Lane paving – move 2018 allocation of $92,000 to 2021
Nursery Hill parking – move 2018 allocation of $20,000 to 2019
Island Highway decorative lighting and banners – move 2018 allocation of $15,000 to 2019
Centennial Park – courts and fields – move 2018 allocation of $250,000 to 2019

The Committee discussed interest by the Rotary Club in fundraising for the Centennial Park playground refurbishment; funding for safe walking route along Watkiss Way; and fundraising by Kinsmen Club for playground equipment in Mellor Park. The Committee requested that playground equipment for Mellor Park be referred to the Parks, Recreation and Environment Advisory Committee for review.

Revenue Review:

The Chief Administrative Officer reviewed significant changes in revenue from 2014 to 2015:

Animal Control licenses - $5,000 ($500 in 2014)
Building permits - $273,535 (projected for 2015)
Secondary suites - $36,000 ($30,000 in 2014)
Building rental RCMP - $65,000 ($50,000 in 2014)
Tax certificates - $10,000 ($12,000 in 2014)
Interest on bank account $25,000 ($35,000 in 2014)
Investment interest $35,000 ($20,000 in 2014)
Small communities protection grant $380,000 - estimated ($258,414 in 2014)
Traffic fine revenue $70,388 ($51,421 in 2014)
Casino revenue $1,146,145 ($1,207,370 in 2014)
Transfer from accumulation surplus prior years $40,000 ($188,899 in 2014)
Transfer from police reserve $45,100 ($58,900 in 2014)

The Committee and staff discussed Public Safety Building funding; Fire Department salaries; and insurance for 280 Island Highway.

The Committee and staff discussed use of surplus funds, development of a surplus funds policy; and the risk of using surplus funds for operating expenses.

Various tax increases were considered by Committee members with support varying from 6.5% to 8.1%.

The Committee asked that Advisory Committees be updated in regard to their recommendations for the 2015 budget priorities.

The Chief Administrative Officer indicated that various options would be looked at. He confirmed that the budget meeting scheduled for Saturday, March 21, 2015 is not required. Accordingly, the March 21, 2015 Special Budget Committee of the Whole meeting is cancelled and the next Special Budget Committee of the Whole meeting will be held on April 13, 2015 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.