2006-01-09_Minutes--Procès-verbalJanuary 9, 2006
162-2006
Minutes of the Portion of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Open to the Public
Monday, January 9, 2006, 6:00 p.m.
8th Floor Boardroom, City Hall
Present:
Mayor Norman McFarlane,
Deputy Mayor Hooton, Councillors Chang, Chase, Court, Farren, Ferguson,
McGuire, Tait, Titus and White
- and -
T. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; A. Beckett, Acting Treasurer
and Deputy City Manager of Programs and Priorities; J. Baird, Commissioner of
Planning and Development; P. Groody, Commissioner of Municipal Operations;
W. Edwards, Commissioner of Buildings and Inspection Services; A. Bodechon,
Police Chief; R. Simonds, Fire Chief; P. Woods, Deputy City Manager and
Common Clerk, and E. Gormley, Assistant Common Clerk
1. Meeting Called To Order
The Mayor called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order.
2. 2006 Operating and Capital Budgets
Referring to his submitted report, the City Manager reviewed the draft budget presented
for the Committee’s consideration, showing a three cent tax rate increase and pointing
out that allowances could be made to maintain the tax rate at $1.795. He advised that
included in the draft is the commitment to fund the pension deficit; to begin the process
of moving forward with implementing Vision 2015; to respond to some of the concerns
raised during the town hall meetings, and, to show some small sign of support with
respect to the Arts and Culture Community, as well as to the Social Community.
The City Manager outlined some of the key items included in the draft budget as follows:
provision for the recruitment of seven additional police officers; upgrading of municipal
streets; required investment in asphalt; engagement of a second Heritage Architect
Technician and two Plumbing Inspectors; dealing with the capacity problems that exist
with Building and Technical Services resulting from increased emphasis on by-law
enforcement, and support for arts and culture.
During the Committee discussion on the draft budget, Councillor Tait raised a point of
order stating that Councillor Ferguson’s remarks dealt with the pension deficit and not
the matter at hand on which the Mayor ruled in agreement with the point of order.
The majority of members expressed their support for a stable tax rate as proposed in the
second option presented by the City Manager.
January 9, 2006
163-2006
On motion of Mayor McFarlane
Seconded by Councillor Farren
RESOLVED that a letter be sent to all Boards and Commissions
that use tax dollars to carry out their business requiring them to report to Council during
the year if they are, or anticipate being overspent in their budgets.
Responding to the Mayor’s request, Mr. Beckett advised that regular financial updates
will continue to be submitted to Council during the year.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
The meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
Common Clerk