M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance provided an overview of the Committee deliberation topics including capital projects and their respective budgets.
Mayor Goodmanson opened the floor for comments and questions from the Committee.
Councillor Harder inquired about the report as directed at the last Committee of the Whole meeting.
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - report will be coming at next Committee of the Whole meeting.
Mayor Goodmanson called for questions pertaining to the Engineering and Public Works projects.
Councillor Guiry inquired about the sidewalks budget.
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - majority of money is carryover from last year. Treanor is in design phase and will use the remainder of the budget.
Councillor Guiry inquired about the use of gas tax funding
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - amount is a carryover.
Councillor Guiry inquired about operational challenges if line item was increased to complete more projects per year.
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - noting the top 2 projects could be achieved in two years and the items presented in this budget within one to three years.
Councillor Wagner inquired about the sidewalk infill matrix
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - the Goldstream sidewalk infill project base budget was increased last year. Sidewalk matrix are all projects that have not been started yet.
Councillor Harder inquired about the difference between the sidewalk line item and Luxton sidewalk line item.
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - sidewalk infill is funded by General Amenity and the Luxton item was dedicated from building funding.
Councillor Harder inquired about neighbourhood improvements including potential traffic calming
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - Yes, traffic calming, asphalt paining and crosswalks are included.
Councillor Szpak inquired about the Millstream Roundabout line item asking if it is new or just to complete it.
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - Money is there through a small carry over for completion of the project.
Councillor Szpak inquired about the trolley upgrades and if the GVPL contract would preclude the City from offering a little free library.
D. Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer responded - staff will look into the GVPL contract.
Mayor Goodmanson inquired about parking lot paving.
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - Primarily the RCMP detachment and the downtown core.
B. Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services responded - there are three lots near Danbrook Park for the University Campus that need to be prepared this year.
Mayor Goodmanson inquired about the surface treatment to be used.
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - staff can write a report to help look for cost savings including electrical conduit to our bylaw standards.
Mayor Goodmanson inquired about the trolley budget
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - requested budget would be to make it safe and accessible if it was to be used.
Mayor Goodmanson inquired about sidewalk infill on Latoria and cycling lanes.
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - staff are working with a consultant for pedestrian and cycling connectivity along Latoria to Colwood border.
Councillor Yacucha inquired if the trolley budget would be the same to ground one for another purpose
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - staff assume so
Councillor Wagner inquired if the trolley would be mobile or grounded.
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - grounded.
Councillor Wagner inquired about the trailer at Luxton
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - used by staff and Fire and is in need of upgrade to accommodate growing team.
Councillor Wagner inquired about the city center crosswalk in the Active Transportation Plan or Transportation Plan
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - Active Transportation Plan is being left to consultant.
B. Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services responded - if there is to be a sidewalk at Peatt Road and Goldstream Avenue, it will be completed with the University Campus.
Councillor Wagner clarified that we are having these funds available for when they are needed
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - Beneficial that we are budgeting for it even if it is carried over.
Councillor Wagner asked to find an item of similar price to remove and what effects it may have
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - Capital funding may not always affect taxes.
Councillor Wagner clarified the paving budget
K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works responded - $50,000 is available in case the City needs to gravel the lot.
Councillor Szpak inquired about Bear Mountain Parkway
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - project was tendered by City, but 99% funded by the property owners.
Mayor Goodmanson called for questions pertaining to the Fire and Emergency Services.
Chief Aubrey noted the $30,000 is budgeted for renovations to Fire Station #2.
Mayor Goodmanson called for questions pertaining to General Governance.
Councillor Wagner inquired about the Masons Building timeline and cost recovery.
B. Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services responded - likely to finish this year but project is complicated and will be in camera.
M. Watmough, Deputy Director of Corporate Services responded - price is set for second floor and main floor is outside the agreement and will be fair market value.
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - some costs will be recovered.
Councillor Wagner inquired if the remaining budget will cover the project.
D. Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer responded - yes.
Councillor Wagner inquired about the storage item
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - IT storage, not physical.
Mayor Goodmanson called for questions pertaining to Parks, Recreation, and Facilities.
Councillor Harder inquired about the Langford Lake Accessible Dock item
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - new dock at the boat launch as old one is not accessible and is aging.
Councillor Szpak inquired about Porcher Park budget.
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - City acquired more greenspace to make the park linear. DCC funding will go to a community garden, playground, walking trails, and plaza.
Councillor Yacucha inquired if any items are not as urgent
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - many items are maintenance and replacements.
Councillor Guiry inquired if the Parks and Open Space DCC and a Reserve Parkland and Open Space DCC are combined or what the difference is
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - the one that is not a DCC is funded by selling parkland or for money in lieu of parkland. One account is old and the other is new combining park improvements and acquisition.
Councillor Wagner inquired if community gardens can be in Porcher Park.
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - yes that is the plan.
Councillor Wagner inquired if there are opportunities to acquire land in this area and if the improvements DCC can be split.
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - portion can be used but it is separately budgeted.
Councillor Wagner inquired if the $385,000 for Centennial Park can be saved for the Parks Master Plan
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - This would not make funds available as the items are separate.
Councillor Wagner inquired about a dog park in Centennial Park
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - Parks Master Plan will help us identify needs.
Councillor Wagner inquired if the structure proposed at Centennial Park is portable and if this is the best location
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - no designs have been given at this time. Parks Master Plan will help us identify needs.
Councillor Wagner inquired about public use for the structure
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - facility would be available through a drop in organized by Langford Fastball unsure of details at this time.
Councillor Guiry inquired about grants for rubberized surfaces
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - we apply though we are not always successful.
Mayor Goodmanson clarified that the items brought forward are coming to the Parks Master Plan
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - yes many are replacement or repair.
Mayor Goodmanson inquired about the walls of the structure at Centennial Park
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - no plans yet though they do want it lit and on the same footprint as what is there currently.
Councillor Yacucha inquired if the facility can be rented out
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - Parks Master Plan can help us identify user fees and work with the agreement with Langford Fastball.
Councillor Wagner inquired about the "WSP Culvert Trail"
Councillor Szpak left the meeting at 2:46 pm and returned at 2:47 pm.
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - "West Shore Parkway Culvert Trail" would connect the Jordie Lunn Bike Park to Ronald Road and could facilitate larger races.
Councillor Wagner inquired if this must be done this year
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - Jordie Lunn Bike Park is continuing to be built out and it is a limited area.
Councillor Wagner inquired about stadium staining
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - City needs to meet warranty requirements
Councillor Wagner inquired if batting cage will come to Community Advisory Committee
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - can ask Langford Fastball to make a presentation.
B. Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services responded - once approved, the item is not subject to public debate.
Councillor Szpak inquired about Willing Park budget and neighbourhood fundraising
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - neighbourhood is helping us remove invasive species. Budget is for plantings, pads, and picnic tables.
Councillor Szpak inquired about formalizing this process
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - staff work with neighbourhood associations and the Green Team. Encouraged people to reach out if they wish to organize something.
Mayor Goodmanson inquired if the Jordie Lunn Bike Park will be completed this year
Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks Recreation, and Facilities responded - Occupancy for Clubhouse has been granted and tenants are making improvements. Payment for landscaping is left still and outfitting the kitchen.
Mayor Goodmanson called for questions pertaining to Police and Community Safety
Mayor Goodmanson inquired if vehicle replacements were going to be electric
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - Community Safety will try to get electric first, then hybrid, then gas.
Councillor Wagner inquired how the $721,000 will be working with the CRD taking the funding on
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - this is carry over and all will be spent this year. Project management will remain with the municipalities and financing will be covered by the CRD.
Councillor Wagner inquired if it will continue to show as police station debt
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - unsure at this time. Asset belongs to the CRD for the borrowing term.
D. Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer responded - the item will be owned by the City when the debt is paid off.
Mayor Goodmanson clarified that this amount is carried over and is not a new budget item
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - no additional budget is being requested.
Mike: there is no additional budget often. 200,000 and only spend 50,000 and the rest is coming next year, we just roll it forward.
Mayor Goodmanson called for any additional questions
Councillor Yacucha inquired as to what the annual costs for the City are to maintain the trolleys
M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded - rough estimate $2,500-$5,000