CAO UPDATE - STAFF REPORT
A report from the Chief Administrative Officer providing highlights of significant municipal activities in administration, finance, and engineering.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Kim Anema, CAO DATE: April 5, 2023 MEETING DATE: April 11, 2023
CAO UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated April 5, 2023 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information.
PURPOSE OF REPORT:
To provide Council with information from the Office of the CAO regarding material events and happenings at Town Hall.
BACKGROUND:
An Administrator’s report for the Committee of the Whole meeting to apprise Council of the highlights of significant activities of the Town.
INFORMATION:
Administration:
Staff partnered with six other municipalities between the Township of Esquimalt and the District of Sooke to develop a response to the new Accessible BC Act which requires an accessibility plan to be completed by September 1, 2023. Discussion will continue in April with the Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues.
A review of the 2022 election was undertaken with observations made regarding voter turn-out rates by polling place and the move to new vote tabulating equipment for the next election. As well, consideration of election sign zones will be revisited in the coming months.
Canada Day planning continued in March, including outreach to Archives and the Town’s Habitat Restoration Coordinator for participation at booths in the July 1st events.
The Town’s Records Coordinator/Archivist continues to collaborate with colleagues on the Archives Association of BC and ARMA VI 2023 Joint Conference being held at Camosun College at the end of April.
The Town’s “Spring/Summer Newsletter” was finalized and sent for printing. It was posted to the Town’s website and will be delivered to residents and businesses in early April.
Administration and Engineering staff spent time developing content to promote the Town’s involvement once again as a municipal partner in Earth Day (April 22, 2023). This year the day will be marked as the day for registrants to come and pick up their pre-ordered trees for planting made available through the Resident Tree Planting Program (https://earthday.ca/april-22/campaign/mobilizing-municipalities/ and https://www.viewroyal.ca/EN/main/discover/environment/tree-protection/resident-tree-planting-program.html).
Finance:
The Citizen Budget online engagement tool was open March 13 to April 2 in conjunction with the publication of the draft 2023-2027 Financial Plan. This informal survey provided information about the five-year financial plan, allowing residents to view the impact of increasing or decreasing various service elements on their property taxes. Results of the feedback from this tool will be reported at an upcoming Committee of the Whole meeting.
Finance staff finalized draft financial statements in advance of the yearly audit scheduled April 11-14. It is anticipated that presentation of the draft financial statements will be to Council May 2, 2023.
Development Services:
Development Services continued to be busy for the month of March with an increase in zoning, land use and building inquiries, and processing development applications. In March, Planning received six new development applications, including three development variance permits, one subdivision and two sign permit applications.
At the beginning of March, the department welcomed Stephen Patterson, the Town’s new Building Inspector to the team.
Engineering:
Hiring is underway for three summer student positions. The Town intends to hire two Parks workers and an Engineering Department intern for summer 2023.
The Helmcken Bay Pump Station upgrade project has been completed. Special thanks to View Royal Parks staff for reinstalling the irrigation, planting the cedar trees, and placing the sod.
As part of the ongoing safety upgrades for sewer pump stations, no post barriers were installed at the Talcott Pump Station to protect against motor vehicle strikes.
The high-traffic section of Island Highway between Glentana Road and Admirals Road was repaved in March. A hazard tree assessment was completed along Highland Road and the Town has retained professional arborists to prune and remove trees to minimize risk.
The Greater Victoria Green Team and the Town’s Habitat Restoration Coordinator ran a successful invasive species removal event in Knockan Hill Park on April 1st. With over thirty participants, the event was well attended by the community.
The port-a-potty service at Portage and Helmcken Centennial Parks was increased to twice weekly to accommodate increased use as better weather arrives.
Graffiti was discovered on the port-a-potty enclosure at Portage Park. Parks staff ensured that the graffiti was covered immediately as this technique has proven to be a deterrent to “taggers”.
Before and after images of the enclosure
The lower field at Helmcken Centennial Park, while open, is restricted to non-organized sports to prevent damage to the grass field. Staff continue to assess and will reopen to organized sports when the fields dry out more.
The water service at Helmcken Centennial Park was repaired due to a line break, and View Royal Park has a new spinner in the playground for children to enjoy.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated April 5, 2023 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information.
SUBMITTED BY: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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