Minutes of a Special Committee of the Whole Budget Meeting - February 21, 2019

MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BUDGET MEETING

HELD ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2019

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE:

• Mayor Screech
• Councillor Kowalewich
• Councillor Lemon
• Councillor Mattson
• 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
• J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering
• L. Chase, Director of Development Services
• Insp. T. Preston, West Shore RCMP
• S. Vella, Manager of Accounting
• E. Bolster, Deputy Corporate Officer

0 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 5:45 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED BY: Councillor Kowalewich

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. REPORTS

a) 2019-2023 Five Year Financial Plan Deliberations

1. Summary from February 20, 2019 meeting The Chief Administrative Officer provided a summary of the operating expenses and revenue and the Director Finance noted amendments made to the financial plan based on the February 20, 2019 budget meeting.

2. Capital Plan The Director of Finance reviewed the 2019 expenditures and funding for the capital plan.

The RCMP Inspector described several capital projects (Project Summary C10) which are proposed to be funded from the Police Capital Reserve. The Committee supported these projects.

The Committee discussed the other capital budget requests and supported those listed in the draft budget (Appendix 3.3) with the following exceptions, notations and amendments:

• Vadim iCity Utility Billing Module – fund the required $43,600 from Sewer Capital Reserve instead of Casino revenue account and any on-going costs for this are to be funded from Sewer User Fees (operating);
• Public Safety Building Parking Lot Expansion – to remain in budget but only proceed with project upon entering into an agreement with a new tenant group;
• Island Highway LED Lighting Upgrade – Colwood border to Colwood interchange – combine years 1 and 2, increasing the 2019 amount to $30,000 from $15,000;
• Heddle Trail to Prince Robert Drive fencing – defer the $45,000 project to 2020 and staff to discuss the interest in trail usage and in fencing with those in the area; and
• Eagle Creek Trail – Circular Path Completion – fund the required $55,000 from Community Works Fund instead of Casino reserve account.

The Committee and staff discussed the potential purchase of an electric vehicle, if viable, for the Parks replacement ½ ton pick up truck.

Also, it was requested that a letter be re-sent to the District of Saanich to request cost sharing for maintenance and some capital projects at the Portage Inlet Linear Connector Park.

The Director of Finance noted the anticipated operational cost of capital projects:

• 2019 budget – 0.1%;
• 2020 budget – 1.7%;
• 2021 budget – 2.0%;
• 2022 budget – 3.6%; and
• 2023 budget – 3.6%.

3. Operational Budget Discussion of the operational budget was deferred to the next budget meeting set for Tuesday, February 26, 2019.

4. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: Councillor Kowalewich SECONDED BY: Councillor Lemon

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 8:49 p.m. CARRIED