Minutes of a Special Committee of the Whole Budget Meeting - February 20, 2019

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. REPORTS

a) 2019-2023 Five Year Financial Plan Deliberations

1. Summary from February 19, 2019 meeting

The Director of Finance provided a summary from the February 19, 2019 Council meeting discussion, noting the following increases:

• labour - $289,900 (3.45%);
• prior year decisions - $51,000 (0.61%);
• other core increases - $252,919 (3.01%);
• non-core requests and operational costs of capital if all approved - $111,125 (1.32%); and
• revenue from new construction - $245,994

for a total core increase of $593,819 (7.07%) and total tax increase of $704,944 (8.40%).

The Committee discussed transfers to reserves and the need to ensure the Town is prepared for future anticipated and potential challenges.

2. Non-Core Requests

The Committee discussed the non-core budget requests and supported those listed in the draft budget (Schedule 2.1) with the following exceptions, notations and amendments:

• Website refresh – remove $40,000 from 2019 though it may be reconsidered in 2020 depending on results of the community satisfaction and engagement survey currently underway;
• Town Hall exterior repairs (roof and lighting) – fund the required $19,000 from prior year surplus instead of taxation;
• Long-term financial plan and sustainability review – to remain in budget and staff to explore funding opportunities from UBCM’s Community Works Fund and other potential grants;
• Atkins Road drainage rehabilitation study – fund the required $15,000 from prior year surplus instead of taxation;
• Road network asset inventory data collection system – to remain in budget and staff to explore funding opportunities from potential Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ grants;
• Six Mile Road Improvements (Phase 3 Atkins roundabout) – increase project total from $30,000 to $40,000 with $25,000 to be funded by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the remaining $15,000 to be funded from prior year surplus instead of taxation;
• Admirals/Craigflower left-hand turn advance for SW traffic – remove $7,000 from 2019; and
• Parson’s Bridge repainting – staff to discuss maintenance responsibilities with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure;

Councillor Lemon declared a conflict of interest regarding discussion of a resident-requested street light program for Eltham Road and excused herself at 7:35 p.m.

• Resident Requested Street Light Program – to remain in budget and staff is to provide a street lighting policy to a future Committee of the Whole meeting for consideration.

Councillor Lemon returned to the Council Chambers at 7:39 p.m. following discussion of the resident requested street light program for Eltham Road.

• Watkiss Way lighting improvements (Burnside Road W. to Highland Road) – to remain in budget and staff to proceed with the LED option as the first course of action and then the addition of HPS luminaires if LED option is not available;
• Community Engagement Survey – remove $80,000 from 2019 and it may be reconsidered in 2020;
• Development of Road Ends – to remain in budget; develop Crane Place only and communicate the plan with adjacent property owners;
• Housing Strategy – to remain in budget and staff to come back with further information regarding potential collaboration with other municipalities and/or the CRD;
• Noise Bylaw review – fund the required $10,000 from prior year surplus instead of Casino revenue account;
• Commercial Precinct Plan – to remain in budget and expand scope to include area around the Colwood interchange; and
• Welland Legacy Park community event – remove $2,500 from 2019.

3. Capital Plan

The Committee discussed the 2018 approved capital projects and expressed continued support for those listed in the draft budget (Appendix 3.2) with the following exceptions, notations and amendments:

• Fire services vehicle replacement – rescue truck – fund $220,000 from the Fire Equipment Reserve (from wildfire work), $100,000 from the sale of assets, and the remainder from the Casino revenue account;
• Information signs – three locations – remove $11,000 as a project to carry forward from 2018; and
• View Royal Park bike skills park – $100,000 added to original budget of $50,000 for a total of $150,000 in 2019.

The Committee suggested discussing the budget more frequently at Committee of the Whole meetings throughout the year. As well, it was noted that the on-going operating costs of capital or other projects must be taken into account when these projects are considered for approval.

Next Special Budget Committee of the Whole meetings will be February 21, 2019 at 5:45 p.m. and February 26, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.

4. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: Councillor Mattson SECONDED BY: Councillor Rogers

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 9:20 p.m. CARRIED

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