December 2, 2014 - Minutes
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Finance Committee
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Date: |
Tuesday, December 2, 2014 |
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Place: |
Anderson Room |
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Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
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Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m. |
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AGENDA ADDITION |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the Army, Navy and Air Force No. 284 Clubhouse – Tax Exemption be added to the agenda as Item No. 5. |
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CARRIED |
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MINUTES |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on Monday, October 6, 2014, be adopted as circulated. |
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CARRIED |
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FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DEPARTMENT |
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1. |
Donation of Surplus Computer Equipment |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the donation of computer equipment detailed in the staff report titled “Donation of Surplus Computer Equipment” be approved. |
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The question on the motion was not called as Grant Fengstad, Director, Information Technology, advised that Reboot Vancouver will report bi-annually on the distribution of the computer equipment and have committed to 50% being provided to Richmond residents and non-profit agencies. He further advised that Reboot Vancouver provides the equipment free-of-charge to non-profit agencies and operates a storefront in order to sell the equipment to low income families at a minimal cost. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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2. |
2014 Audit Engagement |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the 2014 Audit Planning Letter from KPMG, LLP dated November 14, 2014 be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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3. |
Financial Information – 3rd Quarter September 30, 2014 |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the staff report titled Financial Information – 3rd Quarter September 30, 2014, dated November 6, 2014, from the Director, Finance be received for information. |
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The question on the motion was not called as Committee expressed appreciation for staff’s effort to simplify the financial information through the use of graphs and explanatory bullets. In reply to a query from Committee, Jerry Chong, Director, Finance, commented that the expected surplus of approximately $637,000 for policing services will be used to offset the funding of future liability costs. |
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The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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RICHMOND OLYMPIC OVAL CORPORATION |
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4. |
3rd quarter 2014 – financial information for the richmond olympic oval corporation |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the report on Financial Information for the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporate for the third quarter ended September 30, 2014 from the Controller of the Richmond Olympic Oval Corporate be received for information. |
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CARRIED |
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COUNCILLOR LINDA MCPHAIL |
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5. |
Army, Navy and Air Force No. 284 CLUBHOUSE – TAX EXEMPTION |
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Councillor McPhail referenced a Richmond News article (attached to and forming part of these minutes as Schedule 1) regarding the possibility of a tax relief to the Army, Navy and Air Force No. 284 (ANAF #284) for its Steveston clubhouse. Also, Cllr. McPhail commented that other municipalities in the Lower Mainland are examining how they can work with veteran associations to mitigate property taxes. |
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As a result of the discussion, the following referral was introduced: |
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It was moved and seconded |
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(1) |
That staff examine all available options to mitigate the property tax impact on veteran associations for the 2016 tax year; and |
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(2) |
That staff contact the ANAF #284 and the Royal Canadian Legion - Richmond Branch No. 291(RCL #291) to discuss the matter. |
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The question on the referral was not called as discussion ensued regarding potential tax exemptions for the ANAF #284 and RCL #291. |
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Staff were requested to examine (i) past correspondence related to property tax exemption; (ii) the current business structure, such as the Maples Residences vis-a-vis the clubhouse and their other holdings, as well as the holdings of the RCL #291; (iii) best business practices; (iii) actions taken by other municipalities (i.e., permissive tax exemption, grant, loan, tax deferral, and expertise); and (iv) the potential impact of additional permissive tax exemption requests from other non-profit organizations. |
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In reply to a query from Committee, Andrew Nazareth, General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services, advised that the October 31st deadline for permissive tax exemptions is in accordance with Section 224 of the Community Charter, and therefore no additional permissive tax exemptions can be made for 2015. The consideration of any future permissive tax exemption by Council would be for the 2016 taxation year. |
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The question on the referral was then called and it was CARRIED. |
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ADJOURNMENT |
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It was moved and seconded |
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That the meeting adjourn (4:47 p.m.). |
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CARRIED |
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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 Tuesday, December 2, 2014. |
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_________________________________ |
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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Heather Howey |
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