April 20, 2020 - Minutes (Special)

Date:

Monday, April 20, 2020

Place:

Anderson Room
Richmond City Hall

Present:

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie, Chair
Councillor Chak Au
Councillor Carol Day (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Kelly Greene (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Alexa Loo (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Bill McNulty (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Linda McPhail (attending via teleconference)
Councillor Harold Steves (attending via teleconference) 
Councillor Michael Wolfe (attending via teleconference)

Call to Order:

The Chair called the meeting to order at 5:11 p.m.

FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES DIVISION

1.

Revised Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024) Bylaw No. 10183 
(File Ref. No. 03-0985-01) (REDMS No. 6449954)

Staff reviewed the proposed revised Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan, noting the following revisions:

§   

the cancellation of the additional 1% transfer to reserves;

§   

the deferral of the 12 additional RCMP officers and 5 additional municipal employee RCMP detachment support staff;

§   

the deferral of the City Centre Community Centre North OBI Phase-in; and

§   

the deferral of the Operating Budget Impact (2020 Capital).

It was moved and seconded

(1)

That the Revised Consolidated 5 Year Financial Plan (2020-2024) Bylaw No. 10183 be introduced and given first, second, and third readings; and

(2)

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 ensued with regard to (i) managing potential revenue shortfalls during the COVID-19 pandemic,
(ii) reviewing the proposed tax increase and options to reduce City expenses, (iii) exploring options to utilize the City’s reserves, (iii) examining tax payment options for residents, and (iv) exploring future capital projects and other options to lift the City’s economy.

In accordance with Section 100 of the Community Charter, Cllr. Au declared to be in a conflict of interest as his son is a firefighter in the City, and Cllr. Au left the meeting – 5:24 p.m.

In reply to queries from Committee regarding Richmond Fire-Rescue firefighter recruitment, staff noted that the proposed revised budget includes the 12 firefighters recruited this year and that the proposed additional 12 firefighters will be subject to the 2021 budget process.

The question on the motion was then called and it was CARRIED with Cllr. Greene opposed.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (5:25 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, April 20, 2020.

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Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Evangel Biason
Legislative Services Coordinator