MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD

MONDAY, JANUARY 31, 2005 AT 7:00 P.M. IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS

PRESENT: Mayor McRae, Councillors Chopra, Lord, Mealey, Patterson, Price and Solda.

4 members of the public in attendance.

1. Call to Order and Adoption of Agenda

Mayor McRae call the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

Mealey/Patterson

That the agenda be adopted as circulated.

Carried

2. Adoption of Minutes of the Meetings held January 24 and January 25, 2005.

Patterson/Mealey

That the minutes of the Special Council Meetings held Monday, January 24 and Tuesday, January 25, 2005 be adopted as circulated.

Carried

3. Delegation

3.1 David Stern and John Gunn spoke in favour of the City budgeting for the Vancouver Island Regional Library Board's request for the expansion and upgrading of the local library facilities.

3.2 Mr. Bachmeier discussed funding alternatives for the proposed new RCMP Detachment. He supports the project but opposes borrowing of funds to finance it. He proposed that the City seek alternative forms of funding to eliminate interest payments and suggested that taxpayers be provided with the choice of paying their share of the costs upfront. He prefers that the property assessment be the basis for taxation rather than a parcel tax which would allocate a higher percentage of the cost to residential taxpayers.

4. Departmental Budgets - Operating and Capital

4.1 Administration and Finance Departments

The Acting City Manager outlined the role of the administration department and described the expenditures of the Five Year Financial Plan. Highlights in 2005 include an election expense for the November 19 general election and $35,000 donations and grants allocated to the Tall Ships Festival.

The Director of Finance summarized changes to staffing in the Finance Department and highlighted budget expenditures.

Council requested that staff circulate the new remuneration rates for Mayor and Council, which are to take effect in 2005 after the general election.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

4.2 Human Resources Department

The Manager of Human Resources and Community Development described the role of the department and outlined recent changes to the allocation of expenses and new budget line items that will better track the City's Human Resources programs.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

4.3 Information Technology Department

The Manager of Information Services outlined the role of the department and described planned expenditures in the Five Year Financial Plan.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

4.4 Planning Department

The City Planner described the role of the department and highlighted projected expenditures. The Financial Plan includes the implementation of the City's Strategic Sign Plan and the City Planner outlined recent amendments to the signage and the proposed location and details of signs.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

4.5 Financial Reserves

The Director of Finance described the purpose of the City's reserves and the legislation and guidelines which impact the level and expenditure of them.

There were no questions or comments from the public.

5. Adjournment

Mealey/Patterson

That the meeting terminate at 8:40 pm.

Carried

_____________________________ _________________________

Mayor Clerk