Minutes of the Special Council Meeting - May 11, 2023

1. TERRITORIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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

2. CALL TO ORDER

Mayor Goodmanson called the meeting to order at 7:06 pm.

3. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

MOVED BY: MORLEY
SECONDED: WAGNER
THAT Council approve the agenda as presented.
Motion CARRIED.

4. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

• Greg, Florence Lake Rd - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed concern regarding the tax increase influencing landlords to sell their investments. Expressed opposition to the tax increase.
• L. Morton, Phelps Ave - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed opposition to the tax increase. The speaker inquired about questions that arose from the previous Special Council meeting of May 8, 2023. Expressed concern about the new proposed RCMP hires and where will they be housed and where will the funding come from. The speaker inquired about the purchase of the YMCA, why would you consider buying the YMCA without a fulsome business case prepared with options? Which institution would we borrow the funds to purchase the YMCA? If you are not considering buying the YMCA this year, why is it included in the budget?
  • M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded that multiple municipalities are responsible for the West Shore RCMP detachment. A plan is being devised during construction. The purchase of the YMCA is based on the City's is obligation to pay a $30,000,000,000 lease. Purchasing the building would mean that after the lease, the City will own the building. The purchasing of the YMCA building will come before Council at a future date.
• R. Louie, Bellamy Rd - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed feelings of being defeated and disappointment. Expressed concern regarding rental costs increasing. Expressed concern that long-time residents may leave the City. Expressed concern regarding not having a referendum about the YMCA. Expressed that staff increases should have been deferred. Expressed that there should have restructured the increase of the firefighters being hired. Expressed concern that Council did bot negotiate the budget enough for the public. Expressed concern regarding the RCMP building. Expressed opposition to the tax increase.
• S. Sifert, Walfred Rd - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Speaker is a long-time resident of the City of Langford. Expressed opposition to the tax increase. Expressed feelings of being dismissed and excluded from the process. Expressed concern regarding the amount development. Expressed concern regarding the process of public participation.
• J. Relph, Knotty Pine Rd - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed support for the budget.
• M. Morton, Phelps Ave - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed concern regarding the budget process. Expressed concern regarding the removal of the committee process. Expressed concern regarding the lack of response to their questions.
• E. Wright, Commander Crt - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed concern regarding the lack of leadership or direction in serving the public best interests in the budget process. Expressed concern regarding the process being transparent and fulsome. Expressed concern that the process excluded the public. Expressed that staff dictated the budget. Expressed opposition to the budget.
• M. Wignall, Selwyn Rd - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - The speaker echoed comments from previous speakers. Expressed that the public is being dismissed. Expressed that the process was not collaborative enough. Expressed criticism to the process, that the process was not transparent.
• L. Foxall, Players Dr - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed opposition to the budget. Expressed concern that Council are not being attentive to the public speakers. Expressed that the budget was for staff, not the public. Expressed that raising amenity fees will cut taxes 6%. Expressed that Council used 1.7 million from reserves to bring down the increase.
• N. Johal, Walfred Pl - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed concern regarding comments made by Councillor Yacucha. Expressed opposition to the tax increase. The speaker inquired about how much taxes are collected from the YMCA. The speaker inquired about the maintenance fees for the YMCA. Expressed concern about the cost of the YMCA.
  • Councillor Yacucha responded by explaining the comment that the percentage increase and how it impacts a particular household.
• Nicholas Johal, Walfred Pl - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed concerns that the tax increase will cause undue burden to seniors, low-income households, and young adults. Expressed concern about the RCMP building. Expressed that developers should pay their fair share. Expressed that developers should support the infrastructure of the City. Expressed concern regarding transparency of the budget process. Expressed concern regarding the public ideas being dismissed. Expressed support for public safety but is concerned about the lack of support given to the RCMP.
• R. MacBeth, Rita Rd - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed concern that public suggestions were not reflected in the budget. Expressed concern that time attending Council meetings as been in vain. Expressed concern regarding the elimination of the Administration and Finance Committee before budget deliberations. Expressed concern about the purchase of the YMCA. Inquired about the use of the term class.
  • M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded that the term class comes from BC Assessment and that they have 9 classes to determine properties.
• C. Weatherston, Cressida Cres - re: items 5.1 & 5.2 - Expressed support for the tax increase. The speaker stated that other municipalities have the same average percentage increase.
• B. Sahlstrom, Walfred Rd - re: item 5.1 - The speaker inquired how the tax increase will affect businesses.
  • M. Dillabaugh, Director of Finance responded to previous questions. YMCA does not pay property tax. Items on the budget will have due diligence through the Council process.

MOVED BY: WAGNER
SECONDED: MORLEY
THAT Council at 7:41 pm. extend the public participation for 30 minutes.
Motion DEFEATED.

MOVED BY: HARDER
SECONDED: SZPAK
THAT Council at 7:44 pm. extend the public participation for 30 minutes for first time speakers only or whichever comes first.
Motion Carried Unanimously

5. BYLAWS

5.1 BYLAW NO. 2130

“City of Langford 2023-2027 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2130, 2023”. (ADOPTION)

MOVED BY: HARDER
SECONDED: SZPAK
THAT Council adopt City of Langford 2023-2027 Financial Plan Bylaw No. 2130, 2023.
Motion CARRIED.

5.2 BYLAW NO. 2131

"City of Langford Tax Rates Bylaw No. 2131, 2023." (ADOPTION)

MOVED BY: HARDER
SECONDED: MORLEY
THAT Council adopt City of Langford Tax Rates Bylaw No. 2131, 2023.
Motion CARRIED.

6. ADJOURNMENT

MOVED BY: HARDER
SECONDED: WAGNER
THAT Council adjourn the meeting.
Mayor Goodmanson adjourned the meeting at 8:02 pm.
Motion CARRIED.

Presiding Council Member

Certified Correct - Corporate Officer