Finance Select Committee Meeting Minutes - July 26, 2001

Date:

Thursday, July 26^th, 2001

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Councillor Kiichi Kumagai, Chair
Acting Mayor Bill McNulty, Vice-Chair
Councillor Lyn Greenhill
Councillor Harold Steves

Also Present:

Councillor Linda Barnes
Councillor Malcolm Brodie

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m., advising that a report (dated July 25^th, 2001) on Alternative Sources of Revenue, would be added to the agenda as an additional item.

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Select Committee held on Thursday, May 3^rd, 2001, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

FUNDING REQUEST - RICHMOND COMMITTEE ON DISABILITY FOR THE DISABILITY RESOURCE CENTRE
(Report: July 16/01, File No.: 0100-20-RCD12-01) (REDMS No. 458114)

The Director, Recreation & Cultural Services, Kate Sparrow, accompanied by Special Needs Coordinator Sean Davies and the Director of Finance, Danley Yip, briefly reviewed the report with the Committee.

Mr. Davies then provided an overview of the three types of support offered to social agencies within the City. As well, he reviewed the $70,000 request for funding from the Richmond Committee on Disability for their Disability Resource Centre.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on such issues as:

the partnership between the City and the Richmond Committee on Disability regarding the provision of recreation for the disabled, and the integration of the disabled into recreational programs

whether a regular recreation program could accommodate the desires of a person in a wheelchair to participate in a pick-up game of basketball, without having to involve the Richmond Committee on Disability

the services offered at the Disability Resource Centre

programs being considered for implementation to provide assistance to the disabled in the area of recreation

the rationale for reviewing the grants criteria on an annual basis to ensure that all groups receive equal opportunities based on their impact in the community.

Ms. Frances Clark, 8160 Railway Avenue, spoke about the number of disabled people in Richmond, the resources provided by the Disability Resource Centre, and the requests for assistance received at that facility. She provided information on the services and programs offered at the Disability Resource Centre in relation to those offered at the Seniors Centre.

Ms. Clark expressed concern that the wrong department had dealt with the May 7^th, 2001 Council referral, suggesting that because it was a budget issue, the matter should have been referred to the Finance Department. She noted that advice had been given that there would be no impact on the budget if the grant request was approved. She stated that approval of the request would allow the Disability Resource Centre to give people with disabilities proper treatment, equal to the same opportunities provided to seniors.

Ms. Clark then reviewed the proposed recommendations. She suggested that it was unnecessary to direct the Committee to report to Council on an annual basis because Richmond Committee on Disability had been providing correspondence and reports to Council since 1985. Ms. Clark voiced the opinion that people with disabilities were not being treated with equality, and she urged the Committee and Council to consider the Richmond Committee on Disability as serving a large population, just as the Seniors Centre now does. Ms. Clark also expressed her frustration about the reduction of the Special Needs Department to one person, and about the inability of the grant process to meet the needs of the community.

Mr. James Sullivan, Executive Director of the Disability Resource Centre, spoke about the integration of disabled people into existing recreational programs and the unrealistic expectation that most disabled people could be accommodated within such programs. He spoke also about the needs of disabled children for a place where they can interact with other disabled youth. He stated that the Disability Resource Centre was needed just as much as a community centre. He added that the Richmond Committee on Disability did not have the funds available to expand the Centre to meet the ever increasing demands being placed on it by the disabled community. Mr. Sullivan stated that the $70,000 requested for the Disability Resource Centre would have solidified the Centres existence.

Discussion then ensued among Committee members on such issues as whether (i) the $70,000 request for funds had been included in the 2001 budget, (ii) the provision of funding to the Disability Resource Centre on an annual basis would have an impact on the budget in future years; and (iii) casino revenue should be used to provide funding to the centre.

It was moved and seconded

That funding of $20,493 be approved to cover the cost of facility rental for the Disability Resource Centre for 2001.

That the above funding be taken from the 2001 Gaming Revenue Account, which has a balance of $25,000 unallocated.

That staff continue looking for appropriate facility space for the Disability Resource Centre.

That the Richmond Committee on Disability report to Council on an annual basis regarding their Advisory capacity.

That staff review the grants criteria to ensure that on an annual basis all groups receive equal opportunities based on impact in the community and that any increased funding be referred to the Finance Select Committee for further consideration.

That future requests from the Richmond Committee on Disability be referred to the grant process for consideration.

CARRIED

It was moved and seconded

That staff examine an equitable funding formula for the Disability Resource Centre in the 2002 budget, contingent on the fact that as with all other centres which are funded by the City, the City would have staff guidance in that centre; and

That staff report on how the City would operate the Disability Resource Centre with the Richmond Committee on Disability, if at all.

CARRIED

(Councillor Brodie left the meeting at 5:00 p.m.)

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE 6 MONTH PERIOD ENDING JUNE 30, 2001
(Report: July 16/01, File No.: 1200-02) (REDMS No. 458097)

The Director of Finance, Danley Yip, reviewed the report with the Committee, and discussion ensued among Committee members and staff on a number of expenses detailed in the report.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated July 16^th, 2001, from the Director of Finance), regarding the Statement of Financial Activities for the 6 Month Period Ending June 30^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

STATUTORY RESERVES AS AT JUNE 30^TH, 2001
(Report: July 16/01, File No.: 1075-01) (REDMS No. 458085)

Mr. Yip reviewed the report with the Committee. A question was raised as to whether the Watermain Replacement Reserve also intended to fund expansion of existing watermains, and the General Manager, Finance & Corporate Services, Jim Bruce, advised that he would provide the information to Council in a memorandum.

Discussion continued on the issue of watermain replacement and how the City would deal with its ageing infrastructure, during which information was provided on possible options being considered by staff to finance the replacement of not only watermains but also sanitary sewer systems.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated July 16^th, 2001, from the Director of Finance), regarding Statutory Reserves as at June 30^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

OPERATING RESERVES AND PROVISIONS AS AT JUNE 30^TH, 2001
(Report: July 16/01, File No.: 1075-01) (REDMS No. 458088)

Mr. Yip briefly reviewed the report with the Committee. In response to questions, information was provided on such issues as:

the need for a vacation accrual fund

the debt retirement reserve account and the rationale for not retiring or suspending the debt.

It was moved and seconded

That the report (dated July 16^th, 2001, from the Director of Finance), regarding Operating Reserves and Provisions as at June 30^th, 2001, be received for information.

CARRIED

COUNCIL TERM GOALS ALTERNATIVE REVENUE OPTIONS
(Report: July 11/01, File No.: 1215-01) (REDMS No. 455793)

Mr. Yip reviewed each of the alternative revenue options with the Committee, during which Committee members offered their comments and suggestions on each of the options. During the course of the discussion, the following specific motions were introduced:

Increase Aquatics and Arenas Admission/Lesson Fees

It was moved and seconded

That the Aquatics Advisory Board examine the lesson fees portion of their budget for a possible potential increase, as opposed to basic admission fees, for report to the Finance Select Committee, and that there be no action taken to increase admission fees.

CARRIED

Pay Parking

(Councillor Brodie re-entered the meeting at 5:27 p.m., during discussion on this matter.)

It was moved and seconded

That staff develop an overall pay parking policy for the City and report to the Finance Select Committee with the economic implications of initiating pay parking.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, staff were directed to report on who would be responsible for the collection of revenue from the pay parking machines the City or a private contractor.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

Charge for Use of Playing Fields

It was moved and seconded

That the issue of charging of fees for the use of playing fields be referred to the Sports Council for their input and development of a suggested policy, for report to the Finance Select Committee by October 31^st, 2001.

CARRIED

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF REVENUE
(Report: July 25/01, File No.: 0920-17) (REDMS No. 466878)

It was moved and seconded

That staff review Councils current position on gaming facilities, with a comparison to new and existing policies in other area municipalities, and bring forward recommendations on the benefits and detriments of allowing expanded gaming within the City.

Prior to the question on the motion being called, the Chair, Councillor Kumagai, reviewed his report with the Committee. Discussion ensued, during which staff were directed to provide in their report, a recommendation on the possible relocation of the Great Canadian Casino to the former Bridgepoint Market site if the City's current gaming policy was to be changed, as well as definitions for community and destination casinos. Staff were also requested to provide information on whether the BC Lottery Corporation would permit two destination casinos in Richmond, such as one on Sea Island and one on Lulu Island.

The question on the motion was then called, and it was CARRIED.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Committee is scheduled to be held on Thursday, September 20^th, 2001.

MANAGERS REPORT

5 Year Financial Plan Process Feedback

Andrew Nazareth provided Committee members with copies of the proposed Operational Budget Process to be implemented for the completion of the 2002 Budget. (A copy of this material is on file in the City Clerks Office). During the brief discussion which ensued, advice was given that all members of Council would be invited to attend the November 19^th staff Budget workshop.

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:55 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance Select Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Thursday, July 26^th, 2001.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Councillor Kiichi Kumagai
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant