General report from the Chief Administrative Officer providing highlights of department activities, infrastructure projects, and administrative initiatives.
TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION REPORT
TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Kim Anema, CAO DATE: April 3, 2019 MEETING DATE: April 9, 2019
CAO UPDATE
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated April 3, 2019 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:
A Joint Advisory Committee meeting was held on March 26 to welcome new members and provide an orientation on the background and functions of the Advisory Committees. This orientation also served as a refresher to those members who had been reappointed and to other members with continuing terms.
Invitations for the upcoming Volunteer Appreciation Dinner scheduled for early May have been sent out.
The Town’s information packed “Spring/Summer Newsletter” was delivered to View Royal residents during the last week of March.
Administration staff are in the midst of conducting a second round of interviews for the Records Coordinator/ Archivist position to administer the Town’s records management and archives programs. Staff aim to have the position filled in the spring.
Staff is working to develop next steps/a draft process for the upcoming Strategic Plan work. Due to scheduling challenges, it is anticipated that discussions will begin in earnest in May.
Archives has set up a new, interesting display entitled “View Royal Pre-Development 1851-1956” in the Town Hall foyer (see photo below). There has been a lot of discussion around long term planning for exhibit content as a way of further engaging residents and sharing the rich and vibrant history of our community.
Finance:
Finance has been quite busy completing 2018 financial statements and preparing for the annual audit, while finalizing the 2019-2023 Financial Plan.
Grant Thornton, auditors, will be on site April 15-18 and we anticipate presenting the draft financial statements to Council on May 7, 2019. The 2019-2023 Financial Plan was the subject of an open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on March 19, 2019. Consideration of bylaw adoption is scheduled for the April 16 Council meeting. Input from other departments is key to ensuring Finance meets its legislated obligations each year and staff are very appreciative of the hard work and cooperation from other departments.
Work continues on implementation of the IT strategic plan; however, due to a worldwide shortage in processing chips for business workstations, Office 365 implementation has been delayed with completion of Phase 1 now scheduled for May. The high-speed fibre connection between Town Hall and the Public Safety Building is complete, which means that our computer network encompassing both locations has consistent faster speeds throughout.
Development Services:
As we are approaching the end of budget preparation season, the Development Services Department is gearing up to accomplish a number of projects this year. Terms of Reference are being prepared for the Housing Gaps and Needs study, and we are continuing to sift through the data collected as part of the community survey to understand how this might help us better communicate and deliver planning projects.
In-house policy projects are at various stages with reports on regulating recreational cannabis coming forward, along with reports on updating the Town’s Regional Context Statement and Community Amenity Contributions.
Development Services continues to collaborate with other departments on items ranging from development cost charge waivers to further community survey analysis. We are working with Engineering on an engagement and communications program regarding the Development Cost Charge waiver proposed for an affordable housing development site at West Park Lane.
Engineering:
2019 Calls for Service January to March 2019
Five Year Comparison
| As of March 31 | Public Inquiries | Tree Permits |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 252 | 34 |
| 2018 | 198 | 24 |
| 2017 | 215 | 22 |
| 2016 | 222 | 26 |
| 2015 | 183 | 26 |
Development Off-Site Work Updates:
- 280 Island Hwy development has begun off-site works, which will include installation of a sewer connection across Island Hwy to Beaumont Avenue, as well as sidewalks and curbs.
- West Park Lane design for offsite works has been received and is currently under review.
Capital and Operational Project Updates:
- Burnside/Watkiss Beautification – design is currently under review including planting of cherry, Garry oaks and maple trees utilizing a grant provided by BC Hydro, as well as a walkway, benches, a bike rack and garbage container. Preliminary work has started, and the project is anticipated to be complete by the end of May.
- Design for the installation of the electric vehicle charging stations at Centennial Park are underway, with completion anticipated for the end of May.
- Burnett Road Pedestrian Safety Improvements – draft design is under review.
- Atkins Road at Galloping Goose Pedestrian Crossing Signal design for installation is underway.
- Six Mile Corridor Traffic Study has begun, with an anticipated open house to be held end of April or early May.
Park Updates:
- Shoreline School Waste Diversion Program - staff have met with teachers and students to discuss options for locations and types of containers. It is now with school representatives to confirm how they would like to proceed.
- View Royal Park toilet prep work has begun with concrete pad installation; it is expected to be operational by end of April.
- Staff have met with the owners of both 87 and 101 Kingham Place to discuss the future of the Crane Place road end.
Protective Services:
The Fire Department currently has one volunteer firefighter vacancy. A recent recruit intake of seven members has brought the Department back up to strength; however, these recruits are approximately one year away from being able to respond to calls. Extensive training and new legislation mandates training minimums. Currently these recruits have completed their defensive driving and emergency traffic control courses.
Recently the Department has joined with Mainroad Group to provide specialized training in heavy lifting auto extrication rescue as well with Colwood Fire Rescue to provide joint training on search and fire suppression tactics.
On the Emergency Management side, the public alert notification system is unofficially live and the EOC Grant Final Report and claim have been submitted to UBCM. The Emergency Management Division has also received approval on the Evacuation Route Planning Grant proposal (up to $25,000). Dave Mollison will be the new Deputy ESSD.
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT the report dated April 3, 2019 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information.
SUBMITTED BY:
K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
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