Town of View Royal - Annual Report 2024

ENGINEERING & PARKS (CON’T)

• Split rail fencing was completed in the off-leash dog area in View Royal Park. Staff will monitor from time to time to determine whether additional fencing will be required to protect and enhance the riparian areas. A portion on the west side has been left open to facilitate summer maintenance.
• The Town’s Urban Forest Strategy (UFS) began with the first phase of public engagement in October of 2024. The UFS Plan will help guide the future of View Royal’s urban forest, which includes all trees and forests within its parks, greenspaces, and woodlands, as well as trees along streets and on private land.
• The replacement of the Tovey staircase was completed. The old timbers were starting to rot, and the fresh new staircase is a good neighbourhood amenity in this busy shoreline access park.
• The Knollwood Park playground equipment was installed including an additional slide built into the embankment.
• The emergency access gate at the end of Glentana Road was modified to provide better clearance for wheeled mobility devices and other mobility aids to access the Island Highway. This was a quick fix that fosters universal access and was initiated after meaningful dialogue was provided by nearby residents to staff.

ENGINEERING & PARKS (CON’T)

• The addition to the Right Field / First Base side fencing on Diamond #4 at Helmcken Centennial Park was completed. This made visible difference in keeping the foul balls contained within the diamond. Fencing height went from 1.2m/4ft to 9.1m/30ft to accomplish this.
• The Resident Tree Planting Program saw much interest and success in 2024. Staff held events in April and October with over 250 new trees delivered to Town residents. Applications are currently being collected for the next event in Spring 2025.
• Coordinated by the Greater Victoria Green Team and/or the Town’s Habitat Restoration Program Coordinator, numerous invasive species removal work parties were held in parks around town such as Knockan Hill Park, Portage Park, and Stoneridge Wetland Park demonstrating the Town’s continued work in fostering environmental stewardship within the community.
• The Peninsula Streams Society, in coordination with the Town, completed a Saltwater Marsh Restoration Project in View Royal Park in July. The project aligned with the Parks Master Plan to improve the ecological environment and help manage the landscape for climate change. Furthermore, the project was funded almost entirely by Peninsula Streams and their partnering funders.

FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

The Finance Department provides the systems, tools, processes, and personnel to plan, record, and report View Royal’s financial position and operations. This department is instrumental in preparing the annual five year financial plan, financial statements, tax and utility billings, and in ensuring suppliers and employees are paid accurately and on time. The information technology function is responsible for the maintenance and security of electronic information systems and the delivery of technology-enabled projects, including expanding online and electronic billing services.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Citizen Budget online engagement tool was open from March 11 to April 1 in conjunction with the publication of the draft 2024-2028 Financial Plan. The informal survey provided information about the five-year financial plan and invited residents to see the property tax impact of increasing or decreasing funding for municipal services. The results and comments from the engagement were made available to Council prior to consideration of approval of the 2024-2028 Financial Plan.
• Staff worked with BC Transit to set up a system to allow the public to purchase HandyDART monthly passes and tickets from View Royal Town Hall front counter. This new service provides convenience for HandyDART riders and is cost-neutral for the Town. Additional details and public messaging was provided in advance of the July start date.
• The audit team from MNP conducted the 2023 year-end financial audit in April. The audit was completed virtually and resulted in an unqualified (clean) audit opinion of the 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements.
• With property taxes due July 2, Finance staff worked diligently in June to ensure timely and accurate processing of all payments and homeowner grants as well as tax deferment applications. The centralization of the Provincial government’s Home Owner Grant (HOG) and Property Tax Deferment programs continued in 2024. 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.

FINANCE & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (CON’T)

• Finance staff prepared a report and information package for Council to consider applications for permissive tax exemptions for three eligible properties for which tax exemptions were expiring. Council adopted a bylaw to extend tax exemptions for these properties, after the public notification process was completed. BC Assessment received the tax exemption bylaw, which will affect assessments for the years 2025 to 2034 (inclusive).
• Staff launched a new cybersecurity campaign as part of the switch to Municipal Insurance Association of BC’s Cybersecurity Awareness Training platform. The campaign included training for employees to recognize, avoid and report threats with random email phishing simulations to help employees to practice being alert for suspicious activity.
• IT staff assisted the webcasting team in testing and training on the new Microsoft Teams Town Hall platform for broadcasting Council and Committee meetings. This change was necessary due to the end of technical support for Teams Live Events (the type of webcasting used since 2020) later in 2024. The new Teams Town Hall provides a better experience for home viewers, guest presenters, and members of Council who need to join remotely.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES

The Protective Services Department includes the View Royal Fire Department (VRFD) which is a composite paid and volunteer fire department responsible for fire suppression, fire inspections, and related training and education. It also encompasses policing provided under contract with the RCMP through the West Shore detachment, emergency planning and preparedness, and bylaw compliance.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• January 2024 realized a record month in the Fire Department for calls for service with a 57% increase over the same reporting period in 2023. There was an upward trend in calls for service which continue to see overdoses and fires involving encampments. In partnership with the RCMP, Ministry of Transport, and Island Corridor Foundation, work took place to dismantle and clean up areas in the Town susceptible to the camps.
• In March, the Fire Department’s training and staff development division completed a recruit intake for paid on call firefighters with six recruit firefighters filling existing vacancies. The Fire Department continues to face challenges with the retention of members as several island and lower mainland career departments have hired members from View Royal.
• The Emergency Management office secured two significant grants in Q1 of 2024; one for Emergency Support Services supplies and the second for a FireSmart Coordinator position for the Town. Since creation in 2006, the division has secured nearly half a million dollars in Provincial funding to benefit the Town’s and First Nations’ programs.
• Negotiations with the View Royal Fire Fighters’ Association were successfully concluded, resulting in the historic first Collective Agreement between the Town of View Royal and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 5419. The ratification marks a significant milestone in the department’s 76-year history.
• The integration of Colwood, View Royal and Langford Fire into a cohesive Westshore Fire Service was launched on April 29, 2024. The new initiative will now provide seamless response logics that send the closest and available apparatus and personnel to fire emergencies. This three-year planning process challenged the Fire Chiefs to consider all aspects of what an actual integrated service could look like. This operational advance complements the existing sharing of fire investigation staff, and will soon include inspection staff, paid on call firefighters, and evaluation of existing fleets to realize potential significant capital cost savings when vehicles are replaced. The Fire Chiefs were pleased with the initial roll-out and the support from all three IAFF Locals who have embraced this historical change in fire protection for Westshore residents and visitors.
• The grant funded Fire Smart Coordinator position was filled internally; the one-year term position started in July. The focus of the position will be to update the existing Wildland Interface report from 2007 and work on various FireSmart initiatives.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES (CON’T)

• The Fire Department concluded their hiring intake for career firefighters. Three paid on-call members were selected and began their careers with View Royal on July 1, 2024. The department lost three paid on-call members to career departments throughout the province.
• The annual Public Safety Open House was another success with approximately 600 people visiting the station. Visitors enjoyed demonstrations, Fire Hall tours, food and drinks.
• A FireSmart Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (WMS) training course was hosted in September at the View Royal Public Safety Building. Firefighters and professionals from 10 Fire Departments and agencies across Southern Vancouver Island participated in the advanced three-day course. The training came at a crucial time as ongoing drought conditions across BC are extended fire risks well into autumn. In 2024 alone, over 1,600 wildfires burned more than 1,000,000 hectares of land in BC, with major incidents like the Old Man Lake fire near Sooke prompting evacuations in late July. Part of the FireSmart Home Partners Program, the training equips participants with the expertise to evaluate wildfire risks and guide homeowners in their communities to take steps to protect their properties. Participants completed five on-site home and building assessments in View Royal, reinforcing their knowledge of wildfire prevention techniques.
• The FireSmart Coordinator conducted numerous free Wildfire Mitigation Assessments for homes in View Royal. During the assessment, residents were provided with a customized list of actions and tips to help reduce wildfire risks around their home.

2024 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The Strategic Plan provides an opportunity to step back, look at the bigger picture and identify a few key areas or opportunities that require special attention or emphasis. Six strategic priorities have been identified for 2023 - 2026:

• ENHANCE LIVABILITY,
• SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT,
• CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP,
• FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE,
• COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & GOOD GOVERNANCE, and
• HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY.

The Strategic Plan is the roadmap for Council’s decision-making and for the work of municipal staff.

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - ENHANCE LIVABILITY

GOALS:

1. Shift primary transport mode within View Royal away from vehicles to walking, cycling and transit
2. Improve accessibility options
3. Access to a broad range of housing options to meet the needs of various ages, family types and incomes
4. Ensure proximity to services
5. Build strong relationships and engagement through community events and celebrations
6. Sufficient and appropriate parks and open space
7. Heritage protection

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - ENHANCE LIVABILITY (CON’T)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

GOALS:

1. Managed growth
2. Increase skilled employment
3. Business retention/attraction
4. Strategic investment in public realm

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

GOALS:

1. Respond to the declared climate action emergency by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in our community
2. Support climate change mitigation and adaptation measures with an emphasis on transportation systems and energy efficient buildings
3. Support community preparation for climate change impacts with respect to sea level rise, storm surge, forest fires, and other extreme weather events

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE

GOALS:

1. Confidence in the fiscal health and financial sustainability of the Town
2. Diversified revenue base
3. Anticipate property tax and user fee increases
4. Citizen satisfaction with services and value

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE (CON’T)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & GOOD GOVERNANCE

GOALS:

1. Strong and active citizen participation in community engagement in Town of View Royal meetings, open houses, survey, budget development
2. Strong constructive relationships with neighbouring municipalities, Songhees Nation, and Esquimalt Nation in the CRD
3. Respectful, constructive Council relationships

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & GOOD GOVERNANCE (CON’T)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

GOALS:

1. A real and perceived safe community
2. Prepared for emergencies

LOOKING AHEAD - 2024-2026

STRATEGIC PLAN

We’re working together to make View Royal better everyday by focusing on what’s important to the citizens of our community, constantly improving how we do business and ensuring we plan for our future to build a strong, healthy, and thriving View Royal.

The Strategic Plan details what we heard from citizens about what is important to them and what they want the Town to do on their behalf.

The Strategic Plan outlines six key result categories, which describe the focus areas of our work to help us prioritize our efforts and resources, setting out specific goals with measures, targets, and planned timing for the work.

ENHANCE LIVABILITY

Citizens told us they want to:

• Be able to move around the community efficiently;
• Have a range of housing options close to services;
• Participate in community events and have a sense of belonging;
• Celebrate View Royal’s unique history.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Citizens told us they want to:

• Controlled growth;
• Implications of growth considered.

CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Citizens told us they want to:

• Focus on community action around climate change.