MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING HELD MONDAY, MARCH 6, 2006 AT 7:00 PM IN THE DOGWOOD ROOM AT ECHO CENTRE
FACILITATED PUBLIC INPUT ON THE CITY OF PORT ALBERNI FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN
Present: Mayor McRae, Councillors Chopra, McLeman, Mealey, Patterson, Solda and Whiteman.
Panel Guests:
Mike Putzke, Vice President, Operations, Catalyst Paper
Peter Weinold, representing the Business Sector
Mike Jarrett, Residential Tax Payer
Tracy Smyth, representing the Social Sector
There were approximately 15 members of the public in attendance (excluding City staff)
Mayor McRae made opening remarks and thanked the panel guests for participating. He introduced facilitator for the meeting, Theresa Kingston.
Theresa Kingston reviewed the meeting format and noted that four panel members representing industry, business, residential and social sectors, would each provide a five minute presentation. This would be followed be a moderated discussion where questions developed by City Council would be posed to members of the public. The meeting was being broadcast live by Shaw Cable and those at home were welcome to submit their own response to the questions.
Theresa firstly introduced City Manager, Ken Watson, to provide a review of the Draft 2006-2010 Five Year Financial Plan highlights.
Ken Watson, City Manager provided a review of the Draft Five Year Financial Plan Highlights and described the public input process that has taken place to date.
Theresa Kingston introduced the four panel members.
Mike Putzke, Vice President Operations, Catalyst Paper, made a presentation outlining the economic and social contributions of Catalyst Paper to the community of Port Alberni and noting they currently spend $2.5 million in local procurement and pay $7.4 million in property taxes annually.
He outlined the challenges faced in the pulp and paper industry noting that Port Alberni major industry taxes are not competitive in BC and BC is not competitive within North America. In the past 5 years 40 mills/machines have been closed with the loss of 10,000 jobs – this includes Port Alberni #3 Paper Machine which remains indefinitely idled.
Mike advised that Port Alberni Division is seeking $3.5 million property tax reduction this year. He also said the City needs to curb spending and presented ideas to lower City spending as follows:
Freeze equipment purchases
Eliminate taxpayer funding of Heritage sawmill
Reduce Capital spending to zero
Cut all department budgets by 10%
Increase facility user fees
Staff Tourist centre with volunteers
Move to volunteer fire department
Run/pay for Concessions by contract
Review bus routes and ridership levels
Reduce Museum/Library services
Peter Wienold, owner of The Graphics Factory, representing the Business community noted that for a community the size of Port Alberni, services rendered against taxation levels are mostly in line with what would be expected. He stated there are areas of concern relating to safety and security, specifically in the Uptown area. He advised that in terms of infrastructure, better lighting, removal of benches and increasing the number and visibility of RCMP patrols in the business areas can help local businesses prevent crime.
Peter also urged the City's continued seasonal support with respect to springtime flower baskets, Christmas lighting displays and special event banners. He suggested the City adopt a more proactive policy with respect to unsightly property complaints.
Peter stated that a blue box program is long overdue in our community and should become a priority. In closing, Peter stated that local merchants hope that tax levels will, at minimum, remain at current levels, or with a larger tax base, potentially be reduced.
Dave Jarrett, residential tax payer, thanked the City for providing high quality service. These services are taken for granted and wonders if they will continue to be affordable at the end of the 5 year cycle. Dave supports a gradual reduction in the industrial tax rate but notes that if residential taxes continue to rise, residents may refuse to pay.
Also to be considered is the current turmoil in the logging industry. He feels the taxpayers should be given options to consider rather than just the percentage increase noted in the 5 Year Plan. He said no 5 year plan should avoid worst-case scenarios. He suggested out of town logging trucks could be charged for using City streets, City should be more aggressive in seeking funding/grants with more lobbying through the MP. Dave noted the number of City staff has been reduced over the years and staff levels need to be maintained or reduced through attrition if necessary.
Other comments: cost of new library to the taxpayer is small; McLean Mill should be more affordable, equipment purchases spread over years, road repairs budget too low, reserves and surpluses encouraging.
Tracy Smyth, representing the Social sector, works for an agency providing service and support to families with young children with a focus on before birth to age 6. She said there is an important connection between children and youth and the future of the Alberni Valley. She encouraged Council to consider how decisions they make affect children now and in the future. She congratulated Council on current initiatives and asked them to consider the following questions:
What decisions are you making that are investing in today's children?
In terms of the city – and your employees – what are your family friendly human resource policies and practices currently in place and ones that you are working towards? How can they be a model for local business?
What is the legacy you will make with the budget decisions this year that will be appreciated by taxpayers in 2020?
Theresa Kingston led the audience through a series of questions developed by Council which are attached to this summary. A number of questions were considered as a show of hands for the benefit of Council without a count being recorded. The comments received by the public are summarized as follows:
Barbara Cooper stated that the $1,500 taxes she pays is a good deal. She advised she would like to see a blue box system. She also wanted to raise awareness to Council that many seniors struggle – they can't raise their income because taxes go up. Many seniors are living on margins.
Frederick Boyko Jr. stated that the Five Year Plan does not mention new people to Port Alberni. We need young people. Mr. Boyko would like to get rid of boulevards and that the wide streets should be left alone – don't narrow the streets. He said people don't like the trees on boulevards; they are not looked after properly or trimmed and leaves fall into people's gutters.
David Whitworth advised he is keen on the public input process. He wanted to pass on some information from Outlook 20/20. He noted their last meeting was on sustainability – creating a sustainable community over the long term. He said people want to hear alternatives. There may not be a mill here in 5 years and we need to look at different ways of organizing our City and its services. He also stated that people are getting agitated about recycling and we have to look at that seriously.
Bernie Racette, Sunshine Club President, thanked Council for the new chairs that are coming for Echo Centre. She noted also that many seniors live on the poverty line and that costs to join the Sunshine Club are only $33 per year.
Gillian Shearwater noted the road maintenance budget seems small. There are large traffic volumes. She would like to see criteria for maintenance weighted in traffic volume not by which resident has squawked the loudest. Gillian would also like to see the City adopt a policy of gradually moving to native plantings unique to the west coast. These are mostly perennial and would give visitors something unique to see. She commented on the proposed sign plan and noted that the markings have to be identifiable to someone who knows nothing about our community. She also noted that having lived overseas for a number of years a blue box program can easily be planned using the same City fleet.
Chris, a new resident to the community, living on Anderson Avenue, asked whether there was a designated truck route in the City. City Engineer, Guy Cicon advised he is working with the logging companies and the mills and has been somewhat successful. There have been good discussions lately regarding use of Cameron Main which would take trucks away from the City altogether.
Dave Jarrett commented on the impact to the taxpayer of the proposed rail service.
Gillian Shearwater commented on the recent Harbour View Site meetings noting that many European Cities have a policy of developing brown spaces before selling or developing green spaces. She would like to see Council formalize a policy that existing brown spaces get priority.
David Whitworth noted it was good to see people at the meeting but we need hundreds more. Commenting on why people aren't here, he said people think they are being presented with a fait accompli, they don't understand the numbers. He noted that the City Manager had done a great job in preparing the background document but it is still too technical. He advised that before getting to the budget, we need to know where we are going. He suggested that for next year meetings are held presenting different options, e.g. what about a community with no mills.
Dave Sjerven noted he has been a resident of the City for 40 years. He commented that the City continues to spend into oblivion and that Council has to start looking at major changes. Council needs to support the mills before it's too late. He said tough decisions need to be made.
This ended the public forum. The meeting ended with Council providing the following comments:
Councillor Whiteman thanked the panel and the public and noted the need to make changes. He was interested in David Whitworth's comments and would like to see alternative presentations from Outlook 20/20.
Councillor Patterson expressed disappointment in the number of people attending. He would like to hear how much we would have to reduce to cut $1m and to cut $3.5 million from the budget. This should then be presented to the public to ask them what we should cut.
Charles Mealey said things aren't the same as they were 50 years ago and noted it is his age group that wants to come back to the community. He said we need to start planning now.
Councillor Chopra noted large number of City staff in attendance. He advised Council is asking for the public's input – good or bad, and noted that as soon as the City tries to cut services, people complain.
Councillor McLeman thanked the panel and the public. He noted the mills are working hard to be profitable and that Council needs to know what the public really wants to cut. He said the District Municipality concept should be pursued. He also thanked City crews and employees for the work they do.
Councillor Solda stated that the Financial Plan is not a done deal – Council is still listening.
Mayor McRae advised he is well aware of the situation regarding industrial taxes. He has had meetings regarding this issue, most recently with the Minister of Community Services and former premier, Dan Miller.
In response to Councillor Patterson's question, the City Manager responded that to reduce the budget by 10% = approximately $2 million. This equates to approximately 30 employees. He also advised that 1% =approximately $230,000.
Theresa Kingston closed the meeting at 8:40 p.m. and reminded people to complete and submit the questionnaires.