Committee of the Whole Minutes

PRESENT:

• Mayor S. Goodmanson
• Councillor K. Guiry
• Councillor C. Harder - Remote
• Councillor M. Morley
• Councillor L. Szpak
• Councillor M. Wagner
• Councillor K. Yacucha

ATTENDING:

• D. Kiedyk, Chief Administrative Officer
• B. Hutchins, Director of Corporate Services - Remote
• M. Watmough, Deputy Director of Corporate Services
• M. Baldwin, Director of Planning and Subdivision
• M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance
• K. Balzer, Director of Engineering and Public Works
• Y. Nielsen, Director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities
• K. Dube, Senior Manager of Information Technology and GIS
• D. Petrie, Senior Manager of Business Development and Events
• C. Aubrey, Fire Chief
• W. Robinson, Manager of Building Services
• C. Lowe, IT Support Specialist
• C. Bell, Legislative Services Administrative Coordinator
• C. Staniforth, Financial Analyst

Meeting available by teleconference.

1. TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

M. Watmough, Deputy Director of Corporate Services, read the City of Langford's Territorial Acknowledgment.

2. CALL TO ORDER

The Chair called the meeting to order at 12:01 pm.

3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOVED BY: SZPAK
SECONDED: YACUCHA
THAT the Committee approve the agenda as presented.
Motion Carried Unanimously

4. PRESENTATIONS

4.1 Summary of Proposed 2023-2027 Five Year Financial Plan - Director of Finance

5. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

• M. Wignall, Selwyn Rd - re: item 4.1 - The speaker inquired about the population growth and the amount of zoning applications this year. Zoning applications have slowed down considerably. Concerned there will be a downturn in the economy, encouraged Council to look into other options. A 12% increase is a big deal.

• W. Hobbs, Luxton Rd - re: item 4.1 - Questioned the reduction in the VMMC budget.

• C. Craig, Lakehurst Dr - re: 4.1 - Encourage a far sighted vision to accomplish goals and grow. Supports increases, but need to reign in our spending. Sell Finlayson Arm property. Stay with temporary seating at the stadium, have a new agency run the YMCA, different management. Would Westhills donate part of the building? Contracts should be more equitable for the city and competitive, go through an RFP process for contracts and have them lasting no longer than a few years.

• J. Smirl, Luxton Rd - re: 4.1 - 3.8% was the last increase, the proposed 12% is unwarranted. Made suggestions on how to decrease the cost to taxpayers. Concerns about taxpayers money being spent at the FCM conference. Concerned with the tree bylaw and whether it correlates with the hire of 27 firefighters.

• Michael Dillabaugh, Director of Finance - Clarified and reiterated that the budget and presentation is on our website for residents to review.

• S. Rossander, Ravensview Dr - re: 4.1 - Wondered when the publics questions will be answered on the website. Questioned what instructions Council gave on the budget and increase.

• Michael Dillabaugh, Director of Finance - Clarified.

• S. Rossander, Ravensview Dr - re: 4.1 - Questioned why the mayor had not reached out the the previous mayor for assistance.

• S. Parry, Glen Lake Rd - re: 4.1 - This city ran on progress and development, concerns that this is being slowed/halted at the expense of taxpayers. Concerns the city had low taxes for 30 years, and with new Council that has changed.

• S. Sifert, Walfred Rd - re: 4.1 - Concerned about the cost of 2023 permits vs. 2021/2022. 12.4% is unacceptable.

• L. Plomp, Whimfield Terr - re: 4.1 - Appreciates having public insight. Consider cost savings if the city would transition to having its own parks and roads maintenance staff. Use new in-house staff and maintenance. The Fire Department is severely understaffed, supports new hires. Would like information to be available to defer tax payments.

• Michael Dillabaugh, Director of Finance - Clarified on tax information.

• B. Armstrong, Rodney Rd - re: 4.1 - Inquired about what % of firefighters calls were fire related of medical calls.

• Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief - Clarified.

• C. Burge, Hoffman Ave - re: 4.1 - Questioned why we are paying the YMCA 950k verses loaning it to them to recoup the money. Can we negotiate the YMCA reserve. Can we raise revenue for stadium events, charge for parking.

• S. Costello, Rovelli Pl - re: 4.1 - Surrey used the Province to lower their tax increase, how can we use it?

• Michael Dillabaugh, Director of Finance - Clarified.

• W. Hobbs, Luxton Rd - re: 4.1 - Reiterated firefighters are first responders, supports Fire Department hires. Volunteers need the opportunity to be career firefighters in Langford. Firefighters are important.

• Chris Aubrey, Fire Chief - Clarified.

• S. Rossander, Ravensview Dr - re: 4.1 - Suggested Mayor Goodmanson meet with the previous mayor.

• Mayor Goodmanson - Clarified.

• C. Craig, Lakehurst Dr - re: 4.1 - Consider dropping the cop to pop policy. Supports option A, short term financing.

• S. Costello, Rovelli Pl - re: 4.1 - Supports Fire and RCMP, should not have volunteer force, they should have jobs.

• S. Sifert, Walfred Rd - re: 4.1 - Why didn't staff purchase the YMCA facility. Questioned staff hires.

• Michael Dillabaugh, Director of Finance - Clarified.

• S. Costello, Rovelli Pl - re: 4.1 - Concerned about the YMCA, what did they bring to the table. Why are we giving them the money they requested? Questioned the YMCA's slush fund.

• Michael Dillabaugh, Director of Finance - Clarified.

• S. Parry, Glen Lake Rd - re: 4.1 - YMCA is subsidized the least of all the pools in the region. We need to protect the asset (pool) for citizens.

6. REPORTS

6.1 2023 Budget and Five Year Financial Plan 2023 – 2027

7. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: YACUCHA
SECONDED: GUIRY
THAT the Committee adjourn the meeting.
The Chair adjourned the meeting at 1:44 pm.
Motion Carried Unanimously

Presiding Council Member

Certified Correct - Corporate Officer