CAO UPDATE STAFF REPORT
An administrative update from the CAO highlighting departmental activities, including staffing competitions and infrastructure projects.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole DATE: February 8, 2023 FROM: Kim Anema, CAO MEETING DATE: February 14, 2023
CAO UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated February 8, 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:
The deadline for business licence and secondary suite renewals was January 31 which generated significant traffic at the front counter during the month.
Administration staff are coordinating staffing competitions to hire a new Building Inspector, GIS Technician, and Bylaw Enforcement Officer to fill position vacancies.
Archives volunteers met in January to discuss future foyer displays, upcoming meetings and curating the information. Ideas for public outreach programs are being developed with youth and generational engagement in mind.
The annual rollover of records commenced for the departments, spearheaded by Administration. Sorting and inventory continue in the storage room with an early start to some Spring cleaning in the storage areas and Archives office.
Planning began in January for the 2023 Canada Day event which will be co-sponsored once again this year by the Town and the Victoria Highland Games Association and held at the Craigflower Manor site. Councillor Mattson has been involved in the past and is once again working on this primarily volunteer-run initiative. More details about this family friendly event will be provided as they become known.
Finance:
In January, the 2023-2027 financial planning process continued ahead of budget workshops scheduled to begin February 14, 2023. Finance staff have also been focused on preparation of the 2022 financial statements in advance of the year-end audit scheduled for early April. These annual processes are an entire team effort and Finance staff appreciate the support received from other departments who provide timely information, critical to finalizing these tasks and meeting legislated reporting deadlines.
Grant-in-aid applications are currently being accepted for consideration in the Town’s 2023 Financial Plan. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2023, and staff have begun informing potential applicants through the Town’s website and social media platforms.
Development Services:
Development Services continued to be busy for the month of January with an increase in zoning, land use and building inquiries, and processing development applications. In January, the department received four new development applications, including two development permit and two development variance permit applications.
The Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Helmcken-Centennial Park Master Plan closes on BCbid on February 10, 2023. Following a review of the submissions, it is anticipated that the successful consulting firm to carry out the project will be announced in early March.
Engineering:
The Active Transportation Network Plan Project is heading into its final phases, which are the drafting and finalization of the plan. The Town looks forward to presenting the draft plan to the community in an open house format in early March 2023.
The Helmcken Bay Pump Station Upgrade Project is approaching completion. Pending 2023 budget approval, the tender for the Packers Pump Station Upgrade Project will be released for public competition.
A design is in progress to install a new catch basin on the southern approach to Parsons Bridge. The aim of this project is to prevent pooling of water (image below) following considerable rain events.
Under BC Transit’s “Transit Shelter Program,” the Town is in partnership with BC Transit to install new bus shelters throughout the Town. Transit and park users will see the latest completed shelter at the Thetis Lake main parking lot (image below).
Crews completed boulevard maintenance on St. Giles Street between Stillwater Road and Chancellor Avenue (image below). Works included removal of invasive species, pruning of vegetation to improve visibility & accessibility, and road sweeping.
Parks winter maintenance is currently in progress. Clean-up of trails, brush, tree debris, shrub beds, etc. Is the priority in preparation for spring.
Following extended freezing conditions in December, a water service break occurred at Helmcken Centennial Park. To allow for access to complete the repairs required removal of hedging next to the building. Following repairs, the landscaping was improved for aesthetics and access for future maintenance.
Before and after images of the changes at Helmcken Centennial Park.
The 2022 Parks / Public Works Yard Storage Container project has been completed. The unit features power, lighting, shelving and double panel doors for convenient access (image below). This addition will allow Parks to keep seasonal supplies & equipment dry and secure.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated February 8, 2023 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information.
SUBMITTED BY:
K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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