1.

PROPOSED 5 YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN (2002-2006)
(Report:  Apr. 4/02, File No.:  0985-01) (REDMS No. 679383)

The Director of Finance, Danley Yip, accompanied by the General Manager, Finance & Corporate Services, Jim Bruce, reviewed the report circulated to the Committee.  Discussion then ensued among Committee members and staff on such issues as:

the impact of deferring financial contributions to the Fire Equipment Reserve and Public Works Vehicle Replacement Reserve

how the proposed elimination of part of the RCMP cost increase could be accomplished

the impact on the current and future budgets if the Provincial Government chose to eliminate casino revenue at the end of 2002

whether staff were recommending that contributions to the reserve funds be deferred

the scenario which staff would recommend as being the most acceptable

the referral to City departments to review operational expenses and why these anticipated savings had not been included in the report

whether City operations were currently being reviewed

weaning the City off the use of casino revenue as part of the operating budgets, and how this would be accomplished

the various scenarios proposed by staff and the degree of impact which each of these scenarios would have on operating budgets

Scenario 7, which proposes the gradual elimination of casino revenue from the operating budget, and the impact which this action would have on reserve funds

whether any of the scenarios proposed contributions to the Community Safety Building replacement fund.

Discussion also took place among Committee members and staff on the timing of the proposed consultation meeting, and the information which would be provided to the public at that meeting.

It was moved and seconded

That Scenario 7, which eliminated over five years, the City's dependence on Casino Revenue (attached to the report dated April 4^th, 2002, from the Director of Finance), be accepted.

The question on the motion was not called, as discussion continued on the timing of the public consultation meeting and the information to be provided at that meeting.  As a result of the discussion, it was agreed that the public consultation meeting would be held on April 11^th, 2002, rather than on April 9^th, 2002, as proposed.

Discussion also took place among Committee members on whether Scenario 7 would provide an acceptable financial plan. 

The question on the motion was then called, and it was DEFEATED ON A TIED VOTE with Mayor Brodie, and Cllrs. Howard and Steves opposed.

It was moved and seconded

That Scenario 2 (attached to the report dated April 4^th, 2002, from the Director of Finance), be accepted.

DEFEATED

OPPOSED:  Mayor Brodie
Cllr. Barnes
Greenhill
E. Halsey-Brandt

A brief discussion ensued on whether any resolution proposed by a Committee member would be successful due to the absence of three members of the Committee, and because there was not a majority which supported any of the proposed scenarios.  As a result it was agreed that the General Purposes Committee meeting would adjourn until 4:30 p.m., Friday, April 5^th, 2002, on the understanding that the three absent Committee members would be in attendance.  In the event that the three members could not attend, it was agreed that the meeting would be held during the afternoon of Monday, April 8^th, 2002, prior to the Regular Council Meeting.

ADJOURNMENT

It was moved and seconded

That the meeting adjourn (6:45 p.m.).

CARRIED

Certified a true and correct copy of the Minutes of the meeting of the General Purposes Committee of the Council of the City of Richmond held on Thursday, April 4^th, 2002.

_________________________________

_________________________________

Mayor Malcolm D. Brodie
Chair

Fran J. Ashton
Executive Assistant