Town of View Royal - Annual Report 2016 (Narrative Section)

LIVABLE VIEW ROYAL: simply the best place to call home.

MISSION - WHY WE EXIST

To build a resilient, vibrant community that fosters and balances social, environmental and economic well-being.

VISION - THE FUTURE WE STRIVE TO CREATE

Liveable View Royal – simply the best place to call home.

COMMITEMENT TO 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.

VALUES - OUR GUIDEPOSTS

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

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

SUMMARY OF SERVICES & OPERATIONS

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 OTHER organizations include:

• 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)
• View Royal Reading Centre (Town provides partial support through a grant-in-aid)
• Planning and the management of public transit (Victoria Regional Transit System)

Town Services provided by the CAPITAL REGIONAL DISTRICT:

• Animal control
• Sewer system management
• Water management
• Recycling

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

The Town is represented on the following BOARDS AND COMMITTEES, which provide a variety of services to the residents of View Royal:

• Capital Regional District
• Capital Regional District Hospital
• Capital Regional District Housing Trust Fund Commission
• West Shore Parks & Recreation Society
• Greater Victoria Public Library
• Community Policing

2016 MUNICIPAL HIGHLIGHTS

ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT

• 2016 saw the creation of the Town’s Community Development Advisory Committee from the joining of the former Planning and Development and Transportation Advisory Committees. This shift in focus recognizes the move towards community resiliency, sustainability and increased neighbourhood networking.
• In April, the Town participated in the national Pitch-In-Week initiative. Several activities were held during this week including “20 Minute Makeovers”, electronics recycling at Centennial Park, organized eco tour/walks in two parks, and a Repair Café.
• The Town’s IT Strategic Plan implementation has been initiated in the Administration Department with the move to increase time spent by the Archivist/Corporate Records Assistant on data governance and corporate records. As well, an electronic agenda system was launched in early December making agendas and minutes more user friendly for the public via the website and reducing the use of paper-based documents. With the optical character recognition feature, agendas and minutes are now fully searchable by specific items, topics or reports.
• In addition to the day-to-day business activities, Town Hall was the venue for an open “Town Hall” meeting in April, providing an opportunity for residents and business owners to come and share ideas with Council. As well, a community Winter Reception was held in early December to celebrate the impending holiday season and mark the half-way point in Council’s four-year term.
• Late in 2016, physical changes took place in Town Hall that included flooring replacement, painting and a realignment of the front counter to increase customer service and improve staff safety.
• Continuing activities in 2016 included elementary school tours; digitization of the Archives’ collection; the annual volunteer appreciation dinner; and staffing competitions for Town-wide auxiliary, seasonal and permanent positions.
• This Annual Report is an opportunity to also highlight the spirit of View Royal staff. While many residents coming into Town Hall will see and appreciate the seasonal décor of Hallowe’en and Christmas that staff undertakes, many may not be aware of the staff’s generosity and kindness. Since 2011, staff have been thrilled to contribute over $25,000 to the United Way of Greater Victoria through payroll deductions. In 2016 alone, staff donated $4,966 to help the United Way support 111 programs that serve children, families and the broader community within the region.

ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEWS

View Royal Archives took time in 2016 to conduct approximately twelve oral history interviews with long-time residents of the community, capturing the stories that shaped the Town’s identity.

Archives’ donations were received from the View Royal Garden Club and several generous residents, highlighting community activities from our past.

ENGINEERING & PARKS DEPARTMENT

• The Town’s invasive species removal, restoration, stewardship and conservation programs have expanded to include restoration of Burnside/Watkiss Park, as well as other small parks in View Royal.
• The Portage Park Restoration and Invasive Species Removal Program saw a shift in 2016 with the participation of the Shoreline Community Middle School Outreach Program. The program was structured to take place in both the classrooms at Shoreline Community Middle School and Portage Park to provide both a lecture based educational experience as well as a hands-on learning field experience for the students.
• Engineering staff began the review of the Streets and Traffic Bylaw and the Subdivision and Development Servicing Bylaw.
• Engineering staff participated with the Administration Department in coordinating and hosting Pitch-In Week. Engineering played a key role in securing a grant to support the “20 Minute Makeovers” community clean-up and led the eco tour / walks in Portage Park and Welland Legacy Park.
• Based on recommendations in the View Royal Park Master Plan, the following projects were completed in 2016 in that Park:
  • paving of parking lot;
  • planting of “signature” trees; and
  • installation of outdoor fitness equipment
• Engineering Department staff have been working toward an historic agreement with the Esquimalt Nation on the use of Hallowell Road, while at the same time co-ordinating with the Capital Regional District on the E & N Rail Trail extension along Hallowell Road, and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on the Admirals Road safety improvements from Maple Bank Road to Hallowell Road.
• To enhance access to the E&N Rail Trail, the Town installed a sidewalk on Burnett Road, linking Island Highway to this Capital Regional District trail.

INVASIVE SPECIES REMOVAL EVENT IN EDWARDS PARK

In collaboration with Volunteer View Royal, Coast Capital Insurance, Quality Foods and Smartway Restoration Limited, View Royal Parks Department and the Town’s restoration consultant, undertook an invasive species removal event in Edwards Park. This event saw a total of 34 volunteers contribute 200 hours to remove 30m³ (2 dump truck loads) of Scotch Broom.

NEW AIR PHOTO OF VIEW ROYAL

A new air photo of the Town was installed in the Council Chambers after the Town’s renovations and painting were completed. It is a draw for members of the public when attending meetings, and in the event of an emergency, has the added functionality of being dry erase marker compatible for use in the Emergency Operations Centre.

FINANCE DEPARTMENT

• 2016 encompassed a year of progress for the Finance Department. Through a focus on fiscal sustainability emphasized by Council’s Strategic Plan, the Department updated the Reserve Funds and Surplus Policy; developed operational plans to implement its information technology strategy, including renewal of technology capital assets; and worked towards asset management planning.
• The renewed Reserve Funds and Surplus Policy is all about sustainability – maintaining sufficient funds on hand to meet obligations as they come due, to smooth out the variability in demands on taxpayers and to reduce the negative impact of unforeseen emergencies.
• 2016 also saw the implementation of an electronic agenda system as a further step toward carbon neutrality and reducing waste, all the while improving access for Council, staff and members of the public.

DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT

• Throughout 2016 staff were active with the Capital Regional District on their review of the Regional Growth Strategy. While there are ongoing concerns about the extension of water service to rural areas, it is anticipated that these and other issues will be resolved in 2017 through a dispute resolution process.
• Housekeeping amendments to the Sign Bylaw, Fees and Charges Bylaw and Business License Bylaw were concluded in 2016. The amendments to the Business License Bylaw bring that Bylaw into alignment with the Zoning Bylaw and were intended to streamline the process of applying for a business license.
• It was a busy year for Development Services with fourteen development permit applications, seventeen development variance permit applications, five subdivision applications, six rezoning applications, forty eight sign permits and nine Board of Variance applications.
• An application was submitted for a provincial lease to facilitate a canoe and kayak launch off of Shoreline Drive. The Province has indicated that review and approval of the application will take twelve to fifteen months.
• The second phase of the Hart Road Lime Kiln restoration was completed and a report was presented to Council. The masonry base of the kiln has been stabilized. Future phases of work are funding dependant and will see the brick chimney reconstructed, additional tree roots removed from the base and interpretation placed on the site.

VIEW ROYAL PARKS MASTER PLAN

• With the assistance of students and faculty at Vancouver Island University, the Town was able to have a rich program of public engagement leading up to the preparation of the first draft of a new Parks Master Plan.
• Between full to capacity events at Town Hall, visits to parks and an online survey, we heard from many residents about what kind of a parks system they wanted for the future, what they valued about existing parks, and what might make them even better. It is expected that a final version of the Plan will be adopted in 2017.

DISASTER AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

In 2016 Master of Arts students in Disaster and Emergency Management at Royal Roads University partnered with the Town of View Royal and the District of Metchosin to change the level of awareness when it comes to planning for a natural disaster. According to local emergency management personnel, many local residents, including seniors, are unaware of how to successfully prepare themselves for an emergency.

After speaking with sixty-five senior residents at six different neighbourhood workshops, ten areas were identified by students as areas where View Royal could better prepare and engage with senior populations and where emergency program resources and efforts could be focused.

“This project has helped pave the way for future engagement between our Emergency Program and residents of our municipality,” says View Royal Firefighter and Emergency Program Officer.

PROTECTIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT

• View Royal firefighters responded to 965 calls for service and spent 5013 hours managing emergencies and assistance calls. With recent legislation from the Province outlining minimum training standards for fire departments in British Columbia, View Royal firefighters dedicated almost 6991 hours towards regulatory training.
• View Royal Fire conducted 289 fire inspections with an average compliance rate of 97.3%.
• Partnering with the BCAA Child Passenger Safety Program, View Royal Fire delivered 101 individual car seat education sessions to provide resources and training to parents to ensure their children are safe while travelling in vehicles.
• View Royal Fire gave twenty-six school and community group tours of the Public Safety Building (totalling 344 children and 146 adult/care givers). Tours provide fire safety information, truck and equipment familiarization and fun activities.
• View Royal Fire participated in four sessions of the Prevent Alcohol and Risk-Related Trauma in Youth program at Victoria General Hospital for Grade 10 students who tour the hospital to learn about real life physical trauma from those who witness it first-hand. Students learn the consequences of not wearing a seat belt, operating a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, speeding, and distracted driving—consequences such as permanent brain or spinal cord injury, burns, paralysis and death.
• The Town issued 351 secondary suite permits in 2016.
• The Building Department conducted 293 residential inspections, as well as ninety-three commercial site reviews. We answered 874 inquiries or building related concerns via telephone or in-office meetings. The Building Official also assisted the Bylaw Officer on eighty-six bylaw enforcement files. Twenty-two special projects were undertaken, including the renovation of Town Hall.

2016 MUNICIPAL GOALS & OBJECTIVES

The 2015 - 2018 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. Four strategic priorities have been identified for 2015 - 2018:

• FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE,
• ENHANCE LIVABILITY IN VIEW ROYAL,
• COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH, and
• MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS.

- FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY & SERVICE EXCELLENCE -

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

• Ensure we are providing quality services to our residents on a cost effective basis
• Focus on Capital Asset Management Program

DESIRED OUTCOMES:

• Optimized corporate efficiencies
• Confidence in the fiscal health and financial sustainability of the Town
• Diversified revenue base
• Predictable property tax and user fee increases

2016 INITIATIVES:

- ENHANCE LIVABILITY IN VIEW ROYAL -

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

• Proceed with parks improvements in accordance with the Parks Master Plan
• Ensure key bylaws and policies reflect community’s needs
• Increase community connectivity and engagement

DESIRED OUTCOMES:

• Stewardship of valued parkland
• Alignment of community values with enforcement tools
• Build relationships and engagement through community events
• A strong and growing volunteer corps, investing in View Royal

2016 INITIATIVES:

- COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC GROWTH -

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

• Explore creative new ways to encourage redevelopment of existing lands
• Lead by example through investing in a high quality public realm
• Support opportunities for local services and employment

DESIRED OUTCOMES:

• Private investment in the redevelopment of strategic sites on significant community corridors and at gateways to View Royal because Town seen as desirable place to be
• Engagement with business community to understand how the Town can support economic development
• Diversified revenue base
• Strategic municipal investment in the public realm
• Continued implementation of the Official Community Plan (2011)

2016 INITIATIVES:

- MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS -

STRATEGIC PRIORITY:

• Work with others to identify cost effective sewage solutions
• Participate in discussions about improving regional governance
• Upgrade regional transportation system and infrastructure to meet growing needs

DESIRED OUTCOMES:

• Continue to be a “bridge” between the “core” and “western” communities
• Respected participant in the region
• Recognized as a progressive and innovative municipality

2016 INITIATIVES:

LOOKING AHEAD: 2017 - 2018

View Royal Council and senior staff have worked together to develop a strategic plan, setting the course for Council’s term which completes in the fall of 2018. While it is valuable to reflect on what we accomplished in 2016, it is also important to keep moving ahead on a strategic path. Accordingly, the strategic plan priorities were reviewed in early 2017 and the four themes of Enhance Liveability in View Royal, Financial Sustainability and Service Excellence, Community and Economic Growth, and Maintain Strong Relationships With Our Neighbours were considered with a view to projects/initiatives that can be undertaken in 2017 and beyond.

ENHANCE LIVEABILITY IN VIEW ROYAL

• proceed with parks improvements in accordance with Parks Master Plan;
• ensure key bylaws reflect community needs;
• increase community connectivity and engagement.

FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND SERVICE EXCELLENCE

• ensure we are providing quality services to our residents on a cost effective basis;
• focus on a Capital Asset Management program.

COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

• explore creative ways to encourage redevelopment of existing lands;
• pursue investment in a high quality public realm within the Town;
• support opportunities for local services and employment.

MAINTAIN STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS

• work with others to identify cost effective sewage solutions;
• participate in discussion about improving regional government;
• upgrade regional. Transportation system and infrastructure to meet growing needs.