Date:

Monday, March 7, 2011

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 4:56 p.m.

It was moved and seconded

That the General Currie Playground Tot Lot report from Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt be added to the Agenda as Item No. 5.

CARRIED

MINUTES

It was moved and seconded

That the minutes of Special meeting of the Finance Committee held on Monday, January 24, 2011, be adopted as circulated.

CARRIED

BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT

Councillor Harold Steves left the meeting at 4:57 p.m.

1.

ADMINISTRATIVE AMENDMENTS RESULTING FROM THE CONSOLIDATED FEES BYLAW NO. 8636

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3147227)

(1)

That Vehicle For Hire Regulation Bylaw No. 6900, Amendment Bylaw No. 8727 be introduced and given first, second and third readings;

(2)

That Building Regulation Bylaw No. 7230, Amendment Bylaw 8374 be abandoned; and

(3)

That Consolidated Fees Bylaw No. 8636, Amendment Bylaw 8723 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings.

CARRIED

Councillor Harold Steves returned to the meeting at 5:03 p.m.

2.

5 YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN (2011-2015)

(File Ref. No.:  03-0970-01/2011-Vol 01) (REDMS No. 3135261)

Andrew Nazareth, General Manager, Business and Financial Services accompanied by Jerry Chong, Director, Finance provided a brief overview of the 5 Year Financial Plan (2011-2015). 

A discussion ensued about:

§    

potential additional level expenditures in future years.  It was noted that figures for future additional level expenditure increases were projections only and that the increases would depend on the appropriate levels of growth and service level demands for each particular year, as well as being subject to Council’s approval each year;

§    

the increase in regional water rates even though City water consumption had been reduced.  It was noted that the increases were a result of fixed costs such as infrastructure and maintenance;

§    

whether the Child Care Program will be available after 2012.  It was noted that the Program’s future will be dependent upon developer contributions, and that staff were unable to provide a projection at this time; and

§    

the BC Hydro Capital Program which may result in an approximately 50% rate increase over the next five years.

It was moved and seconded

That the 5 Year Financial Plan (2011 –2015) be approved; That the 5 Year Financial Plan (2011 –2015) Bylaw No. 8707 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings; and That staff undertake a process of public consultation as required in Section 166 of the Community Charter.

The question on the motion was not called as discussion continued and various concerns were expressed related to the financial burden on taxpayers that would result from the projected increases in the future.  It was noted that the projections would be adjusted on an annual basis, and that generally the figures presented in the Financial Plan are lower than the projected figures. 

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

RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL CORPORATION

3.

4TH QUARTER 2010 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR THE RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL CORPORATION

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3153453)

John Mills General Manager, Richmond Olympic Oval, accompanied by Andrew Nazareth provided background information on the 4^th Quarter 2010 Financial Information for the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation.

During the ensuing discussion and in answer to queries, the following information was provided:

§    

the Oval was tracking approximately 750 to 800 visits per day by members.  It was noted that the Oval had the capacity to host double the amount of visits as it was realizing at this time;

§    

there was approximately 6000 square feet of rental space still available at the Oval which has the potential to generate approximately an additional $120,000 in revenues through leasing and rental fees;

§    

the Oval may improve revenue generation through growth in membership, as well as leasing and sponsorship;

§    

the Oval’s Facility Operations were over budget due to increased costs such as security, repair, and maintenance resulting from being busier than anticipated;

§    

current membership trends indicate that people will renew their memberships;

§    

the Oval’s priority to build community engagement focuses solely on the City of Richmond;

§    

the Games Operating Trust was not a guaranteed source of funding, however, if the Oval continues to operate in support of high performance sports and remains functional, it was probable that availability of the Games Operating Trust to the Oval would be continued;

§    

the Oval complements the existing community facilities rather than competing with them, and it provides services that do not exist anywhere else such as indoor soccer and hockey fields; and

§    

an analysis and community engagement study which would include communications with the community facilities to identify the impact of the Oval as well as how all the community facilities could work together was forthcoming. 

It was moved and seconded

That the report on Financial Information for the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2010 from the General Manager of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation be received for information.

CARRIED

4.

RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL CORPORATION – BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3171692)

In answer to a query, John Mills advised that there was still room to grow the Oval’s exercise facility, and that it had not reached a point where people were waiting to use the exercise equipment because the facility was too busy.

Mr. Mills also spoke about the good spirited cooperation between the City of Richmond and the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation, noting that the City had provided the Oval with staff for special projects.  He noted that in addition to numerous auxiliary staff members, the Oval had 40 full-time staff members and projected 44 full-time staff members for 2011.

It was moved and seconded

That the report on Financial Information for the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation for the Budget for fiscal year 2011 from the General Manager of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporation be received for information.

CARRIED

5.

General Currie playground tot lot

(File Ref. No.: ) (REDMS No. 3173591)

Councillor Greg Halsey-Brandt identified particular needs in the City Centre area with regard to new playgrounds or upgrades to existing playgrounds. 

A discussion ensued about the safety concerns associated with, and the particular needs of each of the various playgrounds located at the Nature Park, and Dixon, Blundell, and General Currie School parks.  During the discussion, the following points were noted:

§    

there was more equipment available for older children, and concerns were expressed that with the implementation of the All Day Kindergarten Program, the young children would not have any place to play;

§    

the range to replace equipment varies from $36,000 to $50,000 because the price would depend upon the type of equipment and whether or not the City is able to tender out the three contracts for General Currie, Dixon and Blundell at the same time to secure a better contract for the City;

§    

equipment that is hazardous is removed and sometimes does not get replaced immediately.  However, the circumstances for the KinderCare Program and the All Day Kindergarten Program would warrant replacement of such equipment; and

§    

the equipment at the Nature Park is on a bog and requires a support structure underneath it. 

Discussion also took place about: (i) the feasibility of placing signage that would provide people with an explanation about the costs and rationale for playground equipment; (ii) community engagement to highlight the needs in the various areas as well as the feasibility of involving the School Board to share the responsibility; and (iii) the feasibility of funding the replacement of equipment from the Council Contingency Fund.

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the 2011 Capital Plan and the 5 Year Financial Plan (2011-2015) be amended to include $50,000 for the General Currie School Tot Lot improvements as part of the 2011 Unsafe Playground Equipment Capital programme; and

(2)

That the Tot Lot improvements be funded from the Council Contingency Account.

CARRIED

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:02 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, March 7, 2011.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie

Chair

Shanan Dhaliwal

Executive Assistant

City Clerk’s Office