THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF ENDERBY

 

 

 

Present:   Mayor Phillips

              Councillor Sue Brookes

   Councillor Beryl Ludwig

   Councillor Earl Shipmaker

                  Councillor Hubert van Berkel

                  Councillor Tony Vetter

             Councillor Dee Wejr

 

   Administrator Maggie Knox

                  Treasurer Geri Ferguson

 

                  The Press and Members of the Public

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 

Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor van Berkel that the agenda be approved as circulated.

 

                                                                                                Carried Unanimously

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

2005 – 2009 Financial Plan

 

Administration outlined the following:

 

·      Budget based on carrying an accumulated surplus to accommodate unforeseen or unusual expenditures – operating accounts have been reduced on this basis – little surplus will be generated in 2005;

·      Administration budget would see a decrease if not for increases in grants and donations;

·      Bylaw enforcement budget reduced significantly due to manpower constraints;

·      Taxation impacted by reduced revenue from other sources as well as increases in expenditures;

·      Caution against utilizing prior year’s surplus to offset current year’s taxation;

·      Need to review Parks Maintenance account in light of contract proposals received.

 

General Fund

 

Discussion occurred as follows:

 

·      Possible reduction of allowance for attendance at OMMA Convention based on past years’ experience and funding overages from accumulated surplus reserve;

·      Maintaining Conventions & Seminar allowance to allow all Councillors to attend without need for a budget amendment;

·      Suggestion that allowance for attendance at Conventions and Seminars, including Council remuneration portion, be reduced;

·      Question re funding source of Knight Avenue signals;

·      Donations & Grants still included $3,500 grant to Chamber based on COTW direction of December 2004;

·      Costs of replacing equipment increasing at a higher rate than interest on investment on equipment replacement reserve – better to finance equipment replacement;

·      May be better to replace existing backhoe than purchase backhoe plate tamper for existing backhoe;

·      Fire Chief hoping to find a vehicle that will fit in the existing firehall while still maintaining the City’s insurance rating;

·      Request for Transit ridership statistics;

·      Utilizing prior year’s surplus to offset operating costs;

·      Need to pursue grant funding;

·      Purpose of $1,000 grant for air quality awareness/education;

·      Insurers and Public Sector Accounting Board both asking for an appraisal of City’s assets – need to ensure that Statement of Values is accurate in order to cover losses;

·      Question whether all capital needs assessments can be completed in 2005.

 

Moved by Councillor van Berkel, seconded by Councillor Wejr that Council authorize the installation of hydro at the Cornerstone Garden, as well as the installation of two lamps.

                                                                                                Carried

 

Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor Ludwig that amount being transferred to reserves for future streets capital be reduced from $50,000 to $35,000 in order to fund a streets capital needs assessment.

                                                                                                Carried Unanimously

 

Moved by Councillor Ludwig, seconded by Councillor Shipmaker that the Grants and Donations account be increased by $150 to sponsor a Chamber of Commerce Image Award.

                                                                                                Carried Unanimously

 

Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor Shipmaker that the accumulated surplus reserve be reduced to $100,000 and that the prior year’s surplus be utilized to reduce the total property tax levy to a total of 3.5%.

                                                                                                Carried Unanimously

 

Concensus was reached as follows:

 

·      Delete $15,000 for hydraulic plate tamper for backhoe from capital project list and transfer from reserves to finance purchase of a new piece of equipment;

·      Required upgrade to City Hall alarm system to be funded out of operating budget;

·      $7,500 insurance appraisal to be funded out of available surplus;

·      Increase sidewalks capital from $30,000 to $35,000 per year;

 

Sewer and Water Funds

 

Discussion occurred as follows:

 

·      Sewer fund is not sustainable – need to increase revenue;

·      Need to adjust ratio between residential and business user fees.

 

Moved by Councillor Wejr, seconded by Councillor Brookes that the sewer capital needs assessment and the water capital needs assessment update be undertaken in 2006.

                                                                                                Carried Unanimously

 

Clarification required from Public Works Superintendent on the following items:

 

·      Justification for purchase of STP standby emergency generator;

·      Purpose of WTP on-site hypochlorite generation;

·      WTP SCADA system controls – possibility of funding more in 2005.

 

It was the concensus that $4,500 for sewer SCADA system controls (lift station) be funded from reserves.

 

Concensus was reached that:

 

·      Water and sewer frontage taxes remain at the same level included in the agenda package;

·      The General Administration Fee for Water be increased and the General Administration Fee for Sewer be decreased;

·      Sewer user fees be increased sufficiently to meet expenditures (to a maximum of a 20% increase);

·      Water user fees be decreased by the same dollar amount as the Sewer user fee increase to achieve a net combined user fee increase of 0%;

·      Budget, including adjustments to water/sewer user fee classes, to be considered at next regular Council meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.

 

 

 

______________________ _____________________

MAYOR                                                                               ADMINISTRATOR