Date:

Monday, October 4, 2010

Place:

Anderson Room

Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair

Councillor Linda Barnes

Councillor Derek Dang

Councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Sue Halsey-Brandt

Councillor Ken Johnston

Councillor Bill McNulty

Councillor Harold Steves

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:47 p.m.

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

Motion to adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on Tuesday, September 7, 2010.

CARRIED

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

1.

1ST QUARTER 2010 - FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL CORPORATION

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2939072)

In answer to queries from Committee, John Mills, General Manager, Richmond Olympic Oval, provided the following information:

§          

Oval Corporation staff have made presentations to the Richmond Sports Council (RSC) regarding preferred booking opportunities that allow Richmond Groups to have earlier access to the Oval, as well as the related user fees.  As of yet, the RSC has not booked any time at the Oval.

§          

the Richmond Arenas Community Association (RACA) has already booked time at the Oval for their events; and

§          

Oval Corporation staff have requested Speed Skating Canada to submit a proposal, however they have yet to act upon that request.  The Corporation is also actively pursuing two other high performance sports organizations.

Further discussion continued about:

§          

Vanoc’s exclusive use period;

§          

the start-up of additional programs at the Oval and possible related costs that will be incurred;

§          

how the activities at the Oval have met community needs without conflicting with the activities that take place at the community associations; and

§          

the current level of activities at the Oval and the level when it will be at full capacity;

It was noted that RSC had been give approximately six to eight weeks of advance booking privileges, and that the advance booking period had now expired.  The opportunity to book time at the Richmond Olympic Oval is now available to others as well.  It was also noted that the user fees quoted to the RSC would remain the same even though the advance booking period was over. 

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report entitled “1^st Quarter 2010 – Financial Information For The Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation” dated August 25, 2010 from the General Manager, Business & Financial Services be received for information.

CARRIED

2.

2ND QUARTER 2010 -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(File Ref. No.:  ) (REDMS No. 2944026)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated August 24, 2010 from the Director, Finance on Financial Information for the 2^nd quarter ended June 30, 2010 be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as staff were requested to provide Committee members with memos with details related to: (i) accumulated surpluses from previous years; and (ii) the year to date increase in unpaid taxes for 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.

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

At 6:09 p.m. Mayor Brodie announced that the Finance Committee meeting would be recessed until the conclusion of the General Purposes Committee meeting.

At 6:39 p.m. Mayor Brodie reconvened the Finance Committee meeting.

3.

2011 PERMISSIVE EXEMPTION - BYLAW 8629

(File Ref. No.:  12-8060-20-8629) (REDMS No. 2970686, 2970686, 2911255)

It was moved and seconded

That the 2011 Permissive Exemption Bylaw No. 8629 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

The question on the motion was not called as staff were requested to follow up with the properties that are required to plant trees to ensure that proper site preparations are undertaken.

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

4.

2011 OPERATING, UTILITY AND CAPITAL BUDGET PREPARATION

(File Ref. No.:  03-0970-01/2010-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 2920444)

It was moved and seconded

That the basis for the preparation of 2011 Operating, Utility and Capital Budgets, as presented in the staff report dated August, 24, 2010 from the Director, Finance be received for information.

The question on the motion was not called as staff were requested to provide a memo with additional information regarding the five projects that have been undertaken by the Enterprise Team.  A brief discussion also took place about the operating budget process prior to the budget being presented to the Finance Committee. 

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

5.

ANALYSIS OF ANNUAL FIXED UTILITY CHARGES

(File Ref. No.:) (REDMS No. 2917060)

It was moved and seconded

That the staff report dated August 26, 2010, from the Director, Finance on the Analysis of Annual Fixed Utility Charges be received for information. 

The question on the motion was not called as a discussion took place about the difference between dyking and drainage as well as square footage billing practices versus flat rate billing practices. 

In answer to a query it was noted that all taxpayers over 65 must pay a minimum of $100 in taxes.  In the event that the homeowner’s grant resulted in a tax bill lower than $100, the grant would be reduced in order to keep the tax bill at a minimum of $100.   

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

6.

MANAGER’S REPORT

None.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (7:11 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Monday, October 4, 2010.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office