Committee of the Whole Minutes

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Town Hall Council Chambers
COUNCIL PRESENT:
  • Mayor Black,
  • Deputy Mayor Redmond,
  • Councillor Fritz,
  • Councillor Seccaspina,
  • Councillor Randell,
  • Councillor Tennant,
  • and Councillor Atkinson
STAFF PRESENT:
  • Diane Smithson, CAO,
  • Dave Young, Director of Public Works,
  • Robin Daigle, Manager of Engineering,
  • Meriah Caswell, Manager of Library Services,
  • Tracey Friell, Manager of Child Care Services,
  • Joanne Henderson, Manager of Recreation and Culture,
  • Joanna Bowes, Manager of Development Services,
  • Trisa McConkey, Treasurer,
  • and Dave Joy, Deputy Fire Chief

In the absence of Councillor Toby Randell at the start of the meeting, Mayor Black chaired the meeting and called the meeting to order at 9:03 a.m.

  • Motion No.
    Moved by:Councillor Tennant
    Seconded by:Councillor Fritz

    THAT the agenda be accepted as presented.

    CARRIED

No interest was disclosed by any member at this time.

The meeting commenced with an update by Trisa McConkey, Treasurer regarding the up to date status of the budget. The latest draft shows a requirement for 2% increase to the levy which equates to an increase of $35.25 on the median assessed property in Town valued at $273,750. 

Throughout the various discussions, the following changes were made to the budget:

  • $20,000 was added to the budget to complete road improvements for Edmund Street to improve access to the Edmund Street Dog Park
  • $5,000 was added to the budget to be paid from the Library reserve for the upgrades to the Library’s website
  • Add $30,000 from land sale reserve to complete landscaping on Roe Street
  • The $10,000 for Lolly’s green space to be paid from Development Charges
  • The $120,000 for Town Hall Capital to be paid by $60,000 carried over from 2019 and $60,000 from taxation
  • $40,000 is to be added to Carleton Junction with $36,000 to be paid by Development Charges and $4,000 from taxation
  • $7,500 for the caboose project for Carleton Junction is to be removed from the budget for 2020 and deferred to a future year
  • The hot water boiler ($15,000) and lighting ($25,000) for the pool are to be paid by a grant if possible and if not, from the pool reserves
  • $5,000 for the Findlay Cairn to be funded by taxes instead of parkland reserves
  • $7,000 for Town Hall Square to be funded by taxes instead of parkland reserves
  • $50,000 for the Hot Pool Roof project is to be set aside in reserves for completion in a future year
  • Funding is to be added to the budget to allow the Director of Development Services position is to be commenced as soon as possible in 2020 from the proposed June 2020 date
  • $12,000 is to be set aside in a reserve for the Central Bridge Communications Plan

Following the public budget meeting on December 17th, 2019, the budget will be posted for public comment over the holidays with the final approval to be considered at the January 14, 2020 Council meeting.  

  • Motion No.
    Moved by:Councillor Fritz
    Seconded by:Councillor Randell

    THAT Council supports the use of reserves to upgrade the interior of the Library and encourages the Library Board to authorize upgrades to proceed.

    CARRIED, MOTION PREPARED
12:00 p.m. Lunch Recess
  • Staff was asked to look into naming rights for facilities such as the pool, arena, etc. which could be used to raise funds or to recognize deserving people in the community
  • Staff was asked to have John Cooke, Structural Engineer reassess the Town Hall exterior as it was last reviewed in 2012
  • Motion No.
    Moved by:Mayor Black
    Seconded by:Deputy Mayor Redmond

    THAT Council approves the capital reserve be increased from 3% to 7% for the recreation and pool as part of the Howard Allan Cost Sharing Agreement; and

    THAT this issue be discussed at the next Joint Recreation and Culture Cost Sharing Committee meeting.

    CARRIED, MOTION PREPARED
  • The Director of Protective Services was asked to provide information to members of Council on the level of honorarium paid to the Volunteer Fire Fighters in 2019 as compared to 2018
  • Council requested that a hybrid vehicle or one with start/stop capability be considered for the new fire vehicle
  • The CBO is to be asked for a comparison on staffing versus permits compared to other Departments

Trisa McConkey, Treasurer presented the Building Department and Administration (Council, Clerk, Economic Development and Treasury) sections of the budget.

  • Motion No.
    Moved by:Deputy Mayor Redmond
    Seconded by:Councillor Fritz

    THAT Council authorizes proceeding to the public budget meeting on December 17, 2019 showing a 1.99% levy increase to the Town’s budget.

    CARRIED, CONSENT
  • Motion No.
    Moved by:Councillor Atkinson
    Seconded by:Councillor Seccaspina

    THAT the meeting be adjourned at 3:58 p.m.

    CARRIED
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