mikeclay.ca - Mar 1,2011 Finance Committee

The Chair thanked the Police Board members for attending and for their response to Council.
The Police Board and staff responded to various questions regarding Police Board Budget items including civic building landscaping, hours for the Crime Analyst position, traffic enforcement and overtime wages.
Discussion ensued on the historical context of locating a community policing station in Newport Village and the benefits to the community of the services being provided from the location and the options for alternative locations to locate the office.

Moved, seconded and DEFEATED
THAT the Community Policing Station at Newport Village line item be removed from the Police Board Budget as soon as the current lease expires.
Voting against: Mayor Trasolini, Councillor Dilworth, W. Byhre, Councillor Nuttall and M. Price

Discussion ensued on the nature of the costs of the Canine Unit and its value to the community.

Moved, seconded and DEFEATED
THAT the Canine Unit be removed from the Police Board Budget.
Voting against: Councillor Lahti, Councillor Clay, Mayor Trasolini, Councillor Nuttall, Councillor Elliott, Councillor Dilworth, M. Price and W. Byhre

Discussion ensued on the Armored Response Vehicle and the historical context of the commitment to fund the vehicle in conjunction with other municipalities.

Moved, seconded and DEFEATED
THAT the $33,000 for the ARV be removed from the Police Board Budget for the next 5 years.
Against: Councillor Lahti, Councillor Clay, Mayor Trasolini, Councillor Nuttall and W. Byhre

Moved, seconded and CARRIED
THAT the Finance Committee recommend that Council communicate to the Police Board that the Police Department not enter into any long term contractual agreements that have financial impact without first being endorsed by the Police Board and Council.

The Manager of Finance provided a presentation on recent updates to the plan based on previous Finance Committee resolutions and departmental adjustments.
In response to questioning, staff advised that the original target of a 3.25% tax increase for City related costs was not attained and noted the influencing factors.
In response to questioning, staff referred to the Unallocated Budget Distribution spreadsheet that noted unallocated amounts as per the approved 2010 5 Year Financial Plan to match the resolution of Council at the Special Council meeting on April 26, 2010. Discussion ensued on budget items listed.

Moved and seconded
THAT the Department Request items from the 2011-2015 Unallocated Budget Distribution document, as follows, be removed from the budget:
Legal Services;
Metro Vancouver Commerce;
Communications Assistant (PT to FT in Communications);
Infrastructure Engineer;
Tax Clerk (PT to FT);
Purchasing Clerk (PT to FT);
Overtime;
Emergency Program Coordinator;
Administrative Assistant;
Finance Committee - 4 - March 1, 2011
File: 01-0360-20-05-01/2011
Fire Prevention Officer;
Contingency;
Office Assistant (PT to FT);
Shelver;
Librarian 1 (PT to FT);
Funding for environmental co-op student;
Additional labour to improve service level in Moody Centre for landscape maintenance;
Parks Caretaker; and
Front Line Customer Service Clerk.

THAT Metro Vancouver Commerce be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED
Voting against: Councillor Rockwell

THAT Communications Assistant (PT to FT in Communications) be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED

THAT Infrastructure Engineer be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED
Voting against: Councillor Rockwell, Councillor Dilworth, Councillor Elliott and W. Byhre

THAT Tax Clerk (PT to FT) be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED
Voting against: Mayor Trasolini and Councillor Lahti

THAT Purchasing Clerk (PT to FT) be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED

THAT Fire Rescue Overtime be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED
Voting against: Councillor Clay and Councillor Rockwell

The Committee requested that information on the issue of Fire Rescue Overtime be submitted to Finance Committee in a formal report.

THAT Fire Rescue Acting Pay be removed.
The question on the motion was put and DEFEATED
Voting against: Councillor Lahti, Councillor Rockwell, Councillor Elliott, Councillor Clay, W. Byhre, Mayor Trasolini and M. Price

THAT Fire Rescue Emergency Program Coordinator be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED
Voting against: Mayor Trasolini, Councillor Elliott and Councillor Lahti

THAT Fire Rescue Administrative Assistant be removed.
The question on the motion was put and CARRIED

THAT Carbon Offsets Community Reserve be removed.
The question on the motion was put and DEFEATED
Voting against: Councillor Lahti, Councillor Clay, Mayor Trasolini, Councillor Nuttall, Councillor Rockwell, Councillor Elliott, Councillor Dilworth, M. Price and W. Byhre

THAT Corporate Training be removed.
The question on the motion was put and DEFEATED
Voting against: Councillor Rockwell, Mayor Trasolini, Councillor Dilworth, Councillor Elliott and Councillor Lahti

THAT Turf Replacement Reserve Annual Contribution Increase be removed.
The question on the motion was put and DEFEATED
Voting against: Councillor Lahti, Councillor Clay, Mayor Trasolini, Councillor Nuttall, Councillor Rockwell, Councillor Elliott, Councillor Dilworth, M. Price and W. Byhre

The Committee expressed concern that requests for new positions or expanded positions were not submitted by standard practice and requested an opportunity to consider the new position requests with additional background information to be provided by staff.

Moved, seconded and CARRIED
THAT all line items relating to positions in the 2011-2015 Unallocated Budget Distribution document be removed and come forward in a separate report to Finance Committee for consideration.

Discussion ensued on various budget line items including conferences and professional fees for staff, overtime for the IT department and trail maintenance.
Staff were asked to provide additional information regarding budget reallocation to cover the costs of Trail Maintenance in 2011.
Staff were asked to provide a report to the Committee to comment on the budget history and drivers for the last 5 years for line item 7613-322 Garage Maintenance Supplies.