MINUTES OF A SPECIAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BUDGET MEETING

HELD ON TUESDAY, MARCH 22, 2016

VIEW ROYAL MUNICIPAL OFFICE – COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT WERE:

• Mayor Screech
• Councillor Mattson
• Councillor Rast
• Councillor Rogers
• Councillor Weisgerber

PRESENT ALSO:

• K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer
• S. Jones, Director of Corporate Administration
• P. Hurst, Fire Chief/Director of Protective Services
• J. Rosenberg, Director of Engineering
• L. Chase, Director of Development Services
• E. Bolster, Deputy Municipal Clerk

0 members of the public 0 members of the press

1. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Screech called the meeting to order at 4:55 p.m.

2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

MOVED BY: Councillor Weisgerber SECONDED: Councillor Rast

THAT the agenda be approved as presented. CARRIED

3. PETITIONS & DELEGATIONS

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

5. REPORTS

a) 2016 - 2020 Five Year Financial Plan Deliberations

1. Information requested at last meeting

a) Revised tax increase The Chief Administrative Officer noted that the initial proposed tax increase, including non-market changes, was 14.62% while the revised proposed tax increase, including non-market changes, is now 7.42%.

To achieve that reduction, he stated that the amount removed from the budget is $173,216 (2.51%); transferred to surplus funding is $237,250 (3.44%); and transferred to Casino funding is $84,800 (1.25%).

b) Revised balance of Casino funding and Gas Tax funding The Chief Administrative Officer presented a PowerPoint slide to show the annual Casino and Gas Tax accounts from 2015 to 2020, noted that currently the budget is drawing more from the Casino fund than is available and is currently at -$19,507 for 2016; therefore adjustments are needed. Similarly, the Gas Tax fund is at -$104,586 for 2016.

c) Update on amount of surplus used The Chief Administrative Officer noted that the current updated Financial Plan uses $322,250 from surplus to fund operating items in 2016.

d) Councillor Mattson's budget item The Committee and staff discussed possible pedestrian improvements along Watkiss Way including additional lighting or installation of an asphalt curb. The Director of Engineering noted that BC Hydro has agreed to install two lights at the Francis View intersection and that three lights have been installed on Watkiss Way east of Burnside Road – in front of the recently completed townhouse development. There remains an approximately 100m portion that is not lit in the area but there is a pole capacity issue that cannot be easily remedied.

2. Discussion

a) Capital Budget (Tab 15) 2016 draft budget (amended) includes a $3,584,987 capital program funded by various sources being:

• Other general funds including taxation – $154,852
• Casino funds - $1,208,462
• Grants from government or developer contributions – $74,167
• Gas Tax Reserves – $1,163,645
• Capital works and land acquisition – $60,000
• Fire Department Equipment Reserve – $100,000
• Parks and Recreation Equipment Reserve – $30,000
• Police Capital Reserve – $5,000
• Sewer Capital Reserve – $470,000
• DCC Park Improvement – $120,000
• DCC Highway Reserves – $138,861
• DCC Parkland Improvement Reserves – $60,000

The 2016 taxation impact of the capital program is 2.24%

The following 2016 capital project items were reviewed and decisions made:

Transportation: Road Reconstruction:

• Watkiss Way at Burnside Road W. intersection reconstruction – $39,925
• Watkiss Way east of Burnside Road W – $145,000
• Watkiss Way at Eagle Creek Village frontage works – $57,998
• Burnett Road – Pheasant Lane construction – reduce scope of work and Director of Engineering to come back with different budget number to provide a pedestrian access along Burnett Road
• Island Highway pedestrian overpass to Shoreline Drive design – $35,000
• Island Highway – Stewart Avenue to Beaumont Road – $35,000

Annual Pavement Rehabilitation:

• Watkiss Way west of Helmcken Road – $55,000
• Burnside Road W. – Kami Court to Saanich border – $45,000
• Hospital Way tripartite project with VIHA and BC Transit – $35,000

Structures:

• Admirals Road safety improvements – $200,000
• Craigflower Bridge replacement project – land acquisition – $65,000
• Helmcken Road at Burnside Road W. traffic island – $25,000 – defer to 2017

Electrical:

• Seasonal lighting on Helmcken Road N. of TransCanada Highway at Watkiss Way – $12,712
• Island Highway at Knollwood Road/Kislingbury – $11,000
• Six Mile Road at Chilco Road flashing pedestrian crossing – $22,500
• Island Highway Fire Hall crosswalk – $25,000 – change funding source from Casino to Gas Tax and remove it as a 2018 item. The Director of Engineering noted that this project is not recommended by staff due to site lines and grade issues in the area and the false sense of security that a crosswalk would provide at this location. He noted that a traffic consultant was engaged to review the location and the consultant confirmed that this is not a safe location and that it does not meet Transportation Association of Canada guidelines to warrant a crosswalk. In addition, the Director stated that ICBC will not cost-share this initiative as they feel it is not a safe spot for a crosswalk.

Miscellaneous:

• Heddle Trail to Prince Robert Drive fencing – $45,000 – defer to 2017
• Eagle Creek Village – completion of park trail – $15,000
• Portage Inlet Board Launch – $100,000 – remove project from list
• Shoreline Drive (between 2771 and 2775) kayak launch – $50,000 from Casino and explore funding partnerships

Drainage:

• Atkins Road - #102 to Myra Place – $250,000 – remove from list
• View Royal Avenue (Beaumont to Stewart) – $20,000
• Prince Robert Drive – Heddle Avenue design – defer to 2017
• Prince Robert Drive – Heddle Avenue construction – defer to 2018

Sewer:

• Price Bay pump station – $425,000
• Helmcken Bay and Helmcken Park pump station pumps – $45,000

Parks: Improvements to Easements:

• Dukrill Trail water access/stairs – $12,000
• Glentana Road access – $15,000 – remove from list

Park Improvements:

• McLennan Trail improvements – paving trail sections – $20,000
• Fencing – $15,000 and begin with Welland Legacy Park
• Playgrounds – replacement program – reduce scope of work to bring the anticipated capital project budget from $80,000 to $60,000
• Centennial Park – playground – defer to 2017
• Seabird Park improvements – Phase 2 – $10,000 – remove from list
• Robin Hill and Edwards Parks – pave entrance from Haagensen Court/pave entrance apron from Bamford Court – $8,500

b) Revenue Review (Tab 5)

It was agreed that this item be moved to the next Special Committee of the Whole Budget meeting for discussion.

c) Next steps

The Committee discussed the addition of another Special Committee of the Whole Budget meeting for March 29, 2016.

6. QUESTION PERIOD

7. TERMINATION

MOVED BY: Councillor Rogers SECONDED: Councillor Rast

THAT this meeting terminate. Time: 6:47 p.m. CARRIED

MAYOR

CLERK