FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION REPORT: CAO UPDATE

CAO UPDATE

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated July 7, 2022 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:

While there was some activity after the property tax notices were mailed out in late May, traffic at the front counter increased significantly throughout June and particularly the last few days of the month. The Administration and Finance Departments’ staff had long days greeting and assisting property owners coming in to pay their property taxes.

As part of the Town’s 2022 Canada Day recognition, staff handed out Town of View Royal cotton canvas reusable shopping bags and Canada Day pins and buttons to residents who came in to pay their taxes or after hours outside the Town Hall main entrance.

The Town’s Draft Annual Report for 2021 was presented to Council on June 28 and is currently available to the public for feedback prior to consideration of final adoption by Council on July 19. The Annual Report contains both an “Administrative” portion that outlines the Town’s highlights and major projects for 2021, shows progress made on 2021 municipal goals and objectives, gives insight into plans for 2022; and a “Financial” portion that contains the financial statements for 2021.

The Archives received a donation of framed artwork of the Six Mile Pub done in 1956. The artist, David Laing, was once an art teacher at Esquimalt High School. The donor received the piece as a wedding present from the artist, who also served as the best man. The donor is pleased to know that this piece, kept by the family for over sixty-five years, will continue its life in the View Royal Archives and be available for visitors to see.

Finance:

Finance staff focused on timely and accurate processing of property tax payments, with the due date for taxes being July 4th. The following table provides 2022 key indicators with prior year comparative values.

In 2022, thirty-six more property owners opted to receive their tax notice by email rather than by mail. Tax collections before the due date have returned to pre-COVID levels at 99% of total taxes levied.

Dog licenses sold in-person at Town Hall decreased 17% year over year. This is in addition to the 23% decline in 2021. It seems likely that the pandemic influenced a greater number of owners to purchase their dog license online through the Capital Regional District (CRD) website, and the trend persists.

The centralization of the Provincial government’s Home Owner Grant (HOG) and Property Tax Deferment programs continued in 2022. Staff undertook an active communication campaign to remind taxpayers that HOGs and deferments must be submitted directly to the Province and, while staff fielded some inquiries, taxpayers were generally understanding and the process was smooth overall.

Development Services:

Work is proceeding on a comprehensive review of the Town’s building permit process. This is an initial step in updating the Building Bylaw. It is anticipated that more information on this project will come forward in the Fall and will culminate with the presentation of a new Building Bylaw for consideration.

Zoning has been put in place for the properties within the Glentana Village Land Use Contract Area. This was done because Province is terminating all land use contracts in BC in 2024. At that time, the zoning regulations will come into effect so that the existing land uses are protected.

Engineering:

Notable Capital Projects

Active Transportation Network Plan - As part of Phase 2 for this project, staff and transportation consultant, WATT Consulting Group, held the first round of public engagement on June 25th. These “Ideas Fairs” – at Portage Park and Chancellor Park – were well attended and provided an opportunity for the public to contribute to the Plan. A survey is also available online until July 22nd.

Parks Toilets – The portable toilet pads for Portage Park and Helmcken Centennial Park have been excavated and cribbing/forming will be completed soon. Concrete pours are scheduled for the second week in July. Following this work, the structure enclosing the toilets will be installed, similar to what was done at View Royal Park.

Development of Road Ends

• Design guidelines from the Landscape Architect and Biologists are well underway for the seven parks identified in the current program. Staff are working on the installation of the Polly Place road end project this year

Roads and Transportation

Island Highway Transit Priority Lane Project – Staff are continuing to collaborate with BC Transit on the rapid transit bus stop project. The works include bus laning, new sidewalks, and bike lanes. Newer bus stops are also planned and are a separate BC Transit project

Small Sink Hole Atkins Road - A small sink hole formed on Atkins Road near its intersection with the Island Highway. The Town’s contractor exposed the area of concern and backfilled. Town staff will continue to monitor.

Watkiss Way road improvements – Work is well underway fronting BC Transit’s HandyDART facility. The new alignment of the Galloping Goose Regional Trail is open to the public and new curb, sidewalk, parking bays, and treed boulevard is being installed along Watkiss Way between Burnside Road West and Talcott Road. The site preparation for the public space between Watkiss Way and the Galloping Goose Regional Trail is mostly complete with the exception of some final landscaping that will be coordinated with the remaining boulevard landscaping on Watkiss Way.

Sewer and Drain

Helmcken Bay Pump Station Upgrade – A notice of award has been sent to G&E Contracting Ltd. with construction expected to commence this summer

Annual Maintenance

• Pumps at both Heddle and Stewart pump stations have been rebuilt and reinstalled, extending the life of the existing infrastructure
• Biannual cleaning and emergency generator testing has been completed at the Town’s pump stations
• A new version of the SCADA software is being installed that will give staff secure remote access via their cell phones, providing operational advantages as pump station data can then be accessed remotely.

Parks

Equipment Replacements – staff have been continually working on the replacement of parks vehicles and equipment. The process has proven to be challenging with supply shortages still occurring in the region. Parks staff are currently looking at the feasibility of an electric riding mower to replace the old one.

Following award of BC Hydro Regreening Grant funding, the LifeCycles Project Society has been hard at work building and planting within new pollinator beds at Welland Legacy Park.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the report dated July 7, 2022 from the Chief Administrative Officer titled “CAO Update” be received for information.

SUBMITTED BY:

K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer