MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BUDGET MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BUDGET MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2023

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE: Mayor Tobias Councillor Brown Councillor Kowalewich Councillor Lemon Councillor MacKenzie Councillor Mattson – arrived at 6:11 p.m. Councillor Rogers

PRESENT ALSO: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration D. Christenson, Director of Finance P. Hurst, Director of Protective Services L. Taylor, Director of Development Services I. Leung, Director of Engineering S. Vella, Manager of Accounting E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer 4 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Tobias called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

The Mayor acknowledged that this meeting is being held on the traditional territory of the Songhees Nation and the Esquimalt Nation.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PERIOD

4. REPORTS

a) 2022-2026 Five Year Financial Plan Deliberations

1. Summary from February 15, 2023 meeting

The Committee and staff discussed the timing to review reserves, projected balances, and revenue generating ideas.

The Director of Finance provided a summary from the February 15, 2023 Special Committee of the Whole meeting discussion, specifically changes to taxation based on decisions to non-core items (Policing municipal employee (N-053) - deferred to 2024 and Wildfire fuel management (N-078) - approved for 2023 only) from that meeting. As well, she noted a revised revenue estimate to include a FortisBC fee ($20,750) which, combined with the non-core items already described, reduces the tax requirement increase from 13.4% to 12.67% for 2023.

The Director of Finance summarized the other non-core project decisions from the February 15, 2023 meeting.

The Committee discussed reconsideration of the Helmcken Centennial Park Master Plan (N-064) in the Financial Plan by moving it to 2024.

The Committee discussed the potential to proceed with the Coastal Adaptation Plan (N-089) regardless of whether the Town receives the BC Community Emergency Preparedness Fund grant to fund the Plan or not.

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Brown

COW-11-23 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the Helmcken Centennial Park Master Plan (N-064) Non-Core Project (total $55,000) be deferred to 2024. CARRIED

2. Continued 2022-2026 Financial Plan Deliberations

a) Capital Projects

The Committee discussed the capital projects and supported those listed in the draft budget (Schedule 3.1) with the following exceptions, notations, and amendments:

Protective Services:

• Public Safety Building landscaping (C-085) – park.

Transportation Services:

• Watkiss Way sidewalk – Eagle Creek to Stoneridge Drive (C-081) – remove project from the 2023-2027 Financial Plan (total $33,000);
• Bus shelter installation program (C-139) – reduce 2023 budget by 50% (from $90,000 to $45,000) and then bring forward in 2024 to re-evaluate, potential funding partner to be sought;
• Curb and sidewalks – Burnside Road West – Helmcken to Saanich border (C-117) – advance project by one year with $90,000 moving to 2024 from 2025 and $1,788,925 moving to 2025 from 2026; and
• Traffic signal upgrades – collector road intersections (C-140) – of the three proposed projects, remove 1.) Helmcken Road at Chancellor Avenue, as that will be addressed at the time 38 Helmcken Road is redeveloped (remove $23,300 from 2023 for design and implementation at this location).

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Brown

COW-12-23 THAT the Committee recommend to Council that all environmental services capital projects be approved. CARRIED

The Committee scheduled an additional Special Budget Committee of the Whole meeting on Wednesday, February 22 commencing at 7:00 p.m.

5. QUESTION PERIOD

6. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED: Councillor Lemon

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 9:04 p.m. CARRIED