Year Ended December 31, 2023

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

CONTENTS

• INTRODUCTION — 2
• MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR — 3
• COMMUNITY PROFILE — 4
• SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS — 7
• MAYOR & COUNCIL — 9
• ORGANIZATIONAL CHART — 11
• VISION — 13
• MISSION, VALUES & ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE — 14
• 2023 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS — 15
  • ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT — 16
  • DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT — 18
  • ENGINEERING & PARKS DEPARTMENT — 21
  • FINANCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT — 24
  • PROTECTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT — 26
• 2023 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES — 28
• LOOKING AHEAD — 37
• FINANCIAL INFORMATION — 46

INTRODUCTION

This year’s Annual Report outlines the Town’s achievements and major projects for 2023. It shows the progress on our 2023 municipal goals and objectives, highlights financial reporting, and gives insight into plans for the future.

MESSAGE FROM THE MAYOR

• To be included in Final Report -

COMMUNITY PROFILE

The Town of View Royal is located on southern Vancouver Island, approximately six kilometers west of Victoria, British Columbia. On December 5, 1988 – with a population of less than 5,000 – the Town of View Royal was incorporated and became its own distinct municipality comprising approximately 2,500 hectares of land. Since that time, the community has experienced significant growth and development while still maintaining much of its small town character.

The Town of View Royal acknowledges with respect that it is within the unceded traditional territories of the Lekwungen peoples, known today as the Esquimalt and Songhees Nations, and that their historic connections to these lands continue to this day.

*as per 2023 BC Stats Estimate

• INCORPORATED DECEMBER 5, 1988
• 13,219 POPULATION*
• 14.33KM² LAND AREA
• 5,294 HOUSEHOLDS*
• 72 MUNICIPAL PARKS & 2 REGIONAL PARKS
• 30.5KM BIKE LANES
• 27.3KM TRAILS

View Royal is divided into eight distinct precincts based on such factors as topography, major transportation corridors, natural environment and the age of housing stock. These precincts are:

• Craigflower
• Harbour
• Helmcken
• Hospital
• Thetis
• Burnside
• Atkins
• Wilfert

The municipality encompasses McKenzie, Pike, Prior and Thetis Lakes and portions of Esquimalt Harbour and Portage Inlet and is situated adjacent to the established jurisdictions of the City of Colwood, Township of Esquimalt, Esquimalt First Nation, District of Highlands, City of Langford, District of Saanich and Songhees First Nation.

SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS

TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL SERVICES

The Town of View Royal is responsible for the provision of a wide variety of local services and programs. These include:

• Transportation network (e.g. roads, bridges, street cleaning, sidewalks)*
• Stormwater management
• Garbage/household food waste collection
• Sanitary sewer collection system
• Parks, recreation and cultural facilities
• West Shore Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• Fire protection and inspection
• Emergency preparedness planning
• Land use planning
• Building permits
• Business licensing
• Bylaw establishment and enforcement
• Economic development
• Heritage and revitalization

*excludes Admirals Road, Six Mile Road and the Trans Canada Highway (Highway 1) which are controlled by the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure.

TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT

• Animal control
• Sewer system management
• Water management
• Recycling & Blue Box Program

TOWN SERVICES PROVIDED BY OTHER ORGANIZATIONS

• School system (Provincial Government and Local School Boards)
• Social and health programs (Provincial Government)
• Hospital care system (Provincial Government)
• Real property assessments (B.C. Assessment)
• Library collection and distribution system (Greater Victoria Public Library; Town is a part owner of the Downtown Branch)
• Planning and the management of public transit (Victoria Regional Transit System)

MAYOR & COUNCIL

The Town of View Royal is governed by an elected mayor and six councillors for a four-year term (2023-2026). Each member of Council is also appointed to serve on various Town and Regional committees.

Mayor Sid Tobias

* Committee of the Whole - Finance & Administration Chair * CRD Board/Committee of the Whole * CRD Housing Trust Fund Commission * Capital Regional Hospital District Board * Capital Region Housing Corporation Board * Police Building Liaison Committee * West Shore Parks and Recreation Owners * Te’Mexw Treaty Advisory Committee * Westshore Chamber of Commerce * Westshore Community Policing Advisory Committee

Councillor Don Brown

* Committee of the Whole - Protective Services Chair * Capital Region Emergency Service Telecommunications Inc. (CREST) * Municipal Insurance Association * Intermunicipal Advisory Committee on Disability Issues * South Island Prosperity Association

Councillor Damian Kowalewich

• Committee of the Whole - Parks & Recreation Chair
• Joint School District / Municipal Committee
• West Shore Parks & Recreation Board

Councillor Gery Lemon

* Committee of the Whole - Arts & Culture Chair * CRD Arts Commission * Greater Victoria Public Library * Westshore Arts & Culture Centre Intermunicipal Advisory Ad Hoc Committee

Councillor Alison MacKenzie

* Committee of the Whole - Environment Chair * CRD Climate Action Inter-municipal Task Force * Parents’ Advisory Committee

Councillor Ron Mattson

* Committee of the Whole - Planning, Development & Engagement Chair * Colquitz/Gorge Watershed Special Management Area Initiative * Esquimalt Harbour Advisory Committee * Victoria Family Court & Youth Justice Committee

Councillor John Rogers

* Committee of the Whole - Public Works & Transportation Chair * CRD Regional Water Supply Commission * Friends of Cole Island Society * Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART

• Mayor & Council
  • Chief Administrative Officer
    • Executive Assistant
    • Director of Corporate Administration
      • Deputy Corporate Officer
      • Corporate Administration Clerk/Receptionist (0.5 FTE)
      • Records Coordinator/Archivist
      • Communications & Engagement Coordinator (0.5 FTE)
    • Director of Engineering
      • Deputy Director of Engineering
      • Engineering Technologist
      • Engineering Technologist - Development & Asset Management
      • GIS Technician
      • Engineering Clerks (1.5 FTE)
      • Parks Supervisor
      • Parks Workers (4 FTE)
    • Director of Protective Services/Fire Chief
      • Assistant Fire Chief
      • Captain - Emergency Programs
      • Captain - Fire Prevention
      • Firefighters (6 FTE)
      • Fire Department Clerk
      • Bylaw Enforcement Officer
      • Bylaw Enforcement Services Clerk (0.5 FTE)
    • Director of Finance & Technology
      • Manager of Accounting
      • Accountant-Business Analyst
      • Accounting Clerk 2
      • Finance Clerk 1
      • IT Coordinator (0.6 FTE)
    • Director of Development Services
      • Senior Planners (2 FTE)
      • Community Planner
      • Building Inspector
      • Development & Licensing Services Clerk

MISSION, VALUES & ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

MISSION

View Royal is committed to building a resilient, safe, healthy, and vibrant community that provides services and good governance while maintaining Town assets and fostering economic, environmental, and social wellbeing.

VALUES

The Town of View Royal pursues good community through a corporate culture that is:

• Accountable,
• Respectful,
• Ethical,
• Open and transparent,
• Collaborative,
• Innovative,
• Proactive,
• Inclusive,
• Efficient, and
• Effective.

ORGANIZATIONAL EXCELLENCE

The Town of View Royal is committed to providing the best possible local government for our residents and business community. This commitment drives constant improvement, with particular emphasis on:

• providing strong, strategic policy-based governance;
• demonstrating collaborative leadership and effective shared decision-making within the community, with our regional partners, including First Nations;
• nurturing productive working relationships at the legislative and executive level;
• pursuing excellence founded on core values, approved plans, policies and our commitment to innovation;
• decision-making processes to be transparent and responsive;
• integrating strategic planning, business planning, budgeting and performance management systems;
• embracing evidence-based best practices for professionalism;
• enhancing customer service and related communications capacity; and
• positioning sustainability as the foundation of our municipal culture.

2023 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

The Administration Department provides operational support through customer service, meeting management, communications, web and social media, archives and records management, information and privacy compliance, legal and risk management, and elections administration.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Administration staff spent time developing content to promote the Town’s involvement once again as a municipal partner in Earth Day (April 22, 2023).
• The annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner was held at the Victoria Scottish Community Centre at the end of May and was attended by approximately 110 volunteers and their guests.
• Canada Day was marked with a renewal of the pre-COVID event held at the Craigflower Manor site. The Town and the Victoria Highland Games Association co-hosted the event.
• In July, Council decided to proceed with a joint intermunicipal staff accessibility advisory committee to develop an Accessibility Plan in response to the new Accessible BC Act.
• October saw the retirement of the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer, Mr. Kim Anema, who joined the Town in 2010.
• The Microsoft 365 Records and Information Management Project has begun with departmental interviews to document the current state of business systems and procedures.
• Council hosted a public meeting on November 23, 2023 to hear from the public about proposed new legislation, Bill 44-2023, Housing Statutes (Residential Development) Amendment Act, 2023.

NEW HELMCKEN ROAD TRESTLE MURAL

A poll conducted in May 2023 helped narrow down the theme for the Helmcken Road Trestle Mural project. The Town received 771 responses and the “trees/forest” theme received the highest ranking. Council selected the proposal by artist Collin Elder at its July 18 meeting and work began in August. The mural is a botanical representation of Douglas Fir and Western Red Cedar. To mark completion, a celebration event, Genera, took place with the school community at View Royal Elementary School on September 25.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The Development Services Department provides current and future land use, planning, and zoning work and is responsible for the Official Community Plan (OCP).

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Town and Westshore Chamber of Commerce jointly hosted a business mixer event at Town Hall for the local business community, attended by 30 business representatives.
• At the February 21, 2023 Council meeting, Council passed a motion to not proceed with the current version of the Draft Official Community Plan (2022) and instead organize workshops to consider next steps.
• A grant of $95,000 was awarded for mapping as part of a Coastal Adaptation Plan to address sea level rise, tsunamis and other coastal hazards.
• A new Tenant Assistance Policy was adopted in July to help mitigate the potential impacts of displacement on tenants.
• The new Building Bylaw, Fees and Charges Bylaw, and Municipal Information Ticketing Amendment Bylaw were all adopted in October and came into effect on November 1, 2023.
• At the Council meeting on November 7, 2023, staff presented the draft RFP for the Off-Street Parking Review to be completed in 2023 and 2024.
• The Secondary Suite Permit Amendment Bylaw No. 1125 was adopted in November 2023, removing the requirement for Type 1 Secondary Suite Permits.

ENGINEERING & PARKS DEPARTMENT

The Engineering & Parks Department is responsible for ongoing maintenance and capital project delivery for transportation, environmental systems, and over 70 parks.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Staff completed the Town’s first Active Transportation Network Plan (ATNP), a 10-year roadmap approved by Council in May 2023.
• Pedestrian lighting improvements were made at the Chilco Road / Lund Road intersection.
• Improvements were completed at three bus stops, including a new bus shelter at Thetis Lake under BC Transit’s “Transit Shelter Program.”
• Ten street lights were upgraded along Helmcken Road as part of the LED lighting upgrade program.
• The Six Mile Road Roundabout construction project started in the Fall with expected completion in late spring/early summer of 2024.
• The Packers Pumpstation construction project started with an expected completion in early 2024.
• The Town Hall system was upgraded: "All five units were replaced with air source heat pumps, as recommended in the Town Hall Energy Report."
• The Resident Tree Planting Program provided 29 trees to 13 View Royal households.
• Habitat Restoration volunteer programs contributed 831 volunteer hours resulting in the revitalization of 2806 m² of park land.

RESIDENT TREE PLANTING PROGRAM

The inaugural giveaway event took place on Earth Day, April 22, 2023. 19 trees were provided to residents in April, and an additional 26 trees were provided in October. All species were native to the region.

FINANCE & TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

The Finance Department plans, records, and reports View Royal’s financial position, including tax and utility billings and financial planning.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• The Citizen Budget online engagement tool was open from March 13 to April 2 for the draft 2023-2027 Financial Plan.
• Staff partnered with Engineering to prepare View Royal’s first-ever Asset Management Strategy (AM Strategy).
• Staff developed and deployed a new Projects Update app on Microsoft’s Power Platform to monitor non-core and capital project metrics.
• In October, IT staff worked with cybersecurity professionals to develop an Information Security Strategy and Roadmap.
• In November, IT staff completed major projects: server upgrades and implementation of the Teams Phone system.
• The department reorganized to provide separate part-time IT Coordinator and Business Analyst positions.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

The Protective Services Department includes the View Royal Fire Department (VRFD), policing under contract with the RCMP, emergency planning, and bylaw enforcement.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• In May, the VRFD celebrated its 75th Anniversary.
• Westshore Fire initiatives streamlined mutual response with a goal to achieve NFPA 1710 requirements for residential structure fires by 2024.
• Renewal of the Fire Dispatch agreement with Surrey Fire Dispatch was initiated, providing substantial savings.
• The Labour Relations Board certified the View Royal Fire Fighters’ Association (Local 5419) as a unit of employees; collective bargaining began in July.
• Overdose calls and issues associated with toxic drugs and transient populations continued to trend upward in 2023.
• Service contracts for fire protection with Songhees Nation and Esquimalt Nation were renewed for 5-year terms.
• A new integrated fire protection model was launched with partners in Colwood and Langford, set to go live in early 2024.

2023 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES

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
• HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - ENHANCE LIVABILITY

Goals:

• Shift primary transport mode away from vehicles to walking, cycling and transit
• Improve accessibility options
• Access to a broad range of housing options
• Ensure proximity to services
• Build strong relationships through community events
• Sufficient and appropriate parks and open space
• Heritage protection

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Goals:

• Managed growth
• Increase skilled employment
• Business retention/attraction
• Strategic investment in public realm

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Goals:

• Respond to declared climate action emergency by reducing emissions
• Support climate mitigation with emphasis on transportation and efficient buildings
• Support community preparation for climate change impacts (sea level rise, etc.)

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Goals:

• Confidence in fiscal health and sustainability
• Diversified revenue base
• Anticipate property tax and user fee increases
• Citizen satisfaction with services and value

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT & GOOD GOVERNANCE

Goals:

• Strong and active citizen participation
• Strong constructive relationships with neighbors and First Nations
• Respectful, constructive Council relationships

STRATEGIC PRIORITY - HEALTH, SAFETY & SECURITY

Goals:

• A real and perceived safe community
• Prepared for emergencies

LOOKING AHEAD - 2023-2026

Strategic Plan

The Strategic Plan outlines six key result categories to prioritize efforts and resources, setting out specific goals with measures, targets, and planned timing.

ENHANCE LIVABILITY

Citizens 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 want:

• Controlled growth;
• Implications of growth considered.

CLIMATE ACTION & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Citizens want to:

• Focus on community action around climate change.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE

Citizens want to:

• Receive good value for tax dollars;
• Fund the continuation of current service levels through taxation;
• Fund future large projects through putting aside funds annually.