November 4, 2019 - Minutes
|
Finance Committee
|
Date: |
Monday, November 4, 2019 |
|
Place: |
Anderson Room |
|
Present: |
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair |
|
Call to Order: |
The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:57 p.m. |
|
|
|
MINUTES |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the minutes of the meeting of the Finance Committee held on October 7, 2019, be adopted as circulated. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
DELEGATIONS |
|
|
1. |
Representatives from KPMG spoke on the Audit Plan, noting that the Audit Plan is consistent with prior years. |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the verbal report from KPMG on the Audit Plan be received for information. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION |
|
|
2. |
2020 Utility Budgets and Rates |
|
|
|
|
|
Cllr. Steves left the meeting (6:02 p.m.) and returned (6:04 p.m.). |
|
|
|
Staff briefed Committee on the proposed 2020 Utility Budget and Rates, and noted the following: |
|
|
|
|
§ |
the proposed increases for the 2020 Water, Sewer and Solid Waste and Recycling Rates are linked to the rate increases by Metro Vancouver; |
|
|
|
§ |
the Drainage and Diking rates are based on the rate classes established to reflect the different levels of demand by various property types in the city and the previously established rate of a $10 increase per property; |
|
|
|
§ |
the public consultation conducted has indicated that there is strong support to increase flood protection fees; and |
|
|
|
§ |
the proposed increases to the Solid Waste and Recycling rates are partly due to the organics processing odour management costs and the proposed operation extension of the recycling facility to seven days per week. |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued with regard to (i) the City’s water consumption level, (ii) the timeline to implement the extended operations at the recycling facility, (iii) allocating more funds to flood protection measures, and (iv) utilizing the Fraser River as a fresh water source. |
|
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
|
That the 2020 Utility Budgets, as outlined in Option 1 for Water, Option 2 for Sewer, Option 2 for Drainage and Diking, and Option 3 for Solid Waste and Recycling including a new personnel complement control number for a regular full-time Recycling Coordinator position, as outlined in the staff report, dated October 15, 2019 from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services and the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be approved as the basis for establishing the 2020 utility rates and preparing the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024) Bylaw. |
|
|
|
|
The question on the motion was not called as discussion ensued with regard to (i) increasing Flood Protection Rates, (ii) increasing public awareness on flood protection measures implemented by the City, and (iii) comparing the differences between the flood protection rates for residential properties and Industrial Commercial Investment (ICI) properties. |
|
|
|
|
As a result of the discussion, the following amendment motion was introduced: |
|
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That Option 3 for Drainage and Diking, as outlined in the staff report, dated October 15, 2019 from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services and the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be approved as the basis for establishing the 2020 utility rates for Drainage and Diking and for preparing the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024) Bylaw. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
The question on main motion, as amended, which reads as follows: |
|
|
|
That the 2020 Utility Budgets, as outlined in Option 1 for Water, Option 2 for Sewer, Option 3 for Drainage and Diking, and Option 3 for Solid Waste and Recycling including a new personnel complement control number for a regular full-time Recycling Coordinator position, as outlined in the staff report, dated October 15, 2019 from the General Manager, Finance and Corporate Services and the General Manager, Engineering and Public Works, be approved as the basis for establishing the 2020 utility rates and preparing the Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024) Bylaw. |
|
|
|
was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Au opposed. |
|
|
|
Discussion ensued with regard to refining of property rate classes for the Drainage and Diking rates. |
|
|
|
As a result of the discussion, the following referral motion was introduced: |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That staff examine the property rate classes for the Drainage and Diking rates and report back. |
|
|
|
CARRIED |
|
|
|
ADJOURNMENT |
|
|
|
It was moved and seconded |
|
|
|
That the meeting adjourn (6:32 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, November 4, 2019. |
|
_________________________________ |
_________________________________ |
|
Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie |
Evangel Biason |