Report to Committee of the Whole Re: CAO Update
An update from the Chief Administrative Officer providing highlights on town administration, finance, development, engineering, and parks.
Administration staff are coordinating staffing competitions to hire an Engineering Technologist – Development & Public Works to replace a vacancy, as well as a part-time IT Coordinator to fill a new position.
The FOI Coordinator has seen an increase in Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests with a total of 31 requests received to date for 2023. The average yearly total of FOI requests received by the Town is 38.
Finance:
In May, the final 2022 audited consolidated financial statements were presented to Council along with an unmodified (clean) opinion provided by the Town's auditor, MNP. Also in May, Council adopted the 2023 tax rates bylaw and 2023-2027 financial plan bylaw ahead of the legislated May 15 deadline. Staff submitted required statutory financial reports and documents to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs on May 10th, ahead of the May 15 deadline.
The Town produced a total of 4,329 property tax notices, with 287 sent electronically on May 16th to those who opted for electronic property tax notices. The remaining 4,042 were mailed via Canada Post on May 19. The first payment was processed by staff on May 16th.
2023 is the third year of the provincial government's Home Owner Grant (HOG) and Property Tax Deferment centralization projects, where residents must claim their HOG and defer their property taxes directly through the province. Comprehensive online and print messaging regarding these programs has resulted in a manageable flow of inquiries to staff.
Staff developed, tested, and deployed a new app for View Royal staff to streamline data collection for reporting on non-core and capital project metrics and to monitor project spending compared to the budget. This data feeds the Budget Variance Dashboard available to Council and the public on View Royal’s website, updated weekly. On opening the app, the user is presented with a list of projects assigned to them and can quickly update the relevant fields such as percent complete and project status. The Projects Update app is built on Microsoft’s Power Platform, leveraging existing licensing at no extra cost.
Development Services:
The Development Services team continued to be busy for the month of May responding to a consistent number of zoning, land use, building, and business license inquiries, and reviewing and processing development applications. In May, Planning received three new development applications, including one development permit and two development variance permit applications. Building Services received seven new building permit applications. The Town also received one Board of Variance application.
Staff continue to work on critical tasks to support the implementation of the new draft building bylaw, which was introduced at the Committee of the Whole in March. In addition, staff is currently organizing two Council workshops to discuss a meaningful and effective Official Community Plan process moving forward.
Engineering:
A local group of Girl Guides were hard at work completing yellow fish painting next to storm drain catch basins along Pheasant Lane. Administered through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the “Storm Drain Marking Program” provides a visual reminder that the drainage network discharges into local streams. The Girl Guides hope to work in View Royal again in 2024.
Annual inspections and maintenance have been completed for all seventeen of View Royal’s sewer pump station electrical control kiosks. Inspections will yield a report outlining the current condition of each kiosk and recommendations for any upgrades/replacements needed to keep the risk of control failure to minimum based on industry best practices.
Staff attended the annual BC Water & Waste Association conference where they were exposed to hardware technology displays providing examples of modern trends and procedures in wastewater management.
Emergency roadway repair of an emerging sinkhole unfolded on Island Highway near Prince Robert Drive. The sinkhole was discovered by the Town's road maintenance contractor and was repaired before the afternoon rush hour that same day.
Upon discovery of an established encampment under the Craigflower Bridge, Parks staff completed a full clean-up of the area.
Annual Beds have been planted for the spring and summer season. The entrances for Town Hall, George’s Corner Park and Helmcken Centennial Park have been planted with colourful displays.
View Royal Park’s replacement sign is being built. Logs harvested from Robin Hill Park tree removals (dead trees) were stored and have recently been milled to size and shape for new signs. Preparation of the logs and lettering are the next step.
Tree work has been ongoing in Town parks this spring. Works include, pruning, dead tree removals, hedge shearing, etc. The image below shows the re-creation of the “pocket window” view at Lime Kiln Cove at the intersection of View Royal Avenue and Helmcken Road.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated June 10, 2023 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information.
SUBMITTED BY: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer