1997-01-23_Minutes
86-230
COMMON COUNCIL
JANUARY 23, 1997
At a meeting of the Common Council, held at the City Hall in the City of
Saint John, on Thursday, the twenty-third day of January, A.D. 1997, at 7:00 o'clock
p.m.
present
Shirley McAlary, Mayor
Councillors Arthurs, Ball, Brown, Chase, Fitzpatrick, Gould,
Knibb, Trites and Vincent
- and -
Messrs. 1. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; D.
Wilson, Commissioner of Finance; C. Robichaud, Commissioner
of Municipal Operations; J. C. MacKinnon, Commissioner of
Environment and Development Services; P. Groody,
Commissioner of Human Resources; W. Butler, Commissioner of
Community Services; J. Baird, Manager of Community Planning;
W. Edwards, Building Inspector; G. Yeomans, Acting Deputy
Commissioner of Finance; B. Belyea, Budget Officer; D.
Sherwood, Chief of Police; G. Tait, Fire Chief; Mrs. M. Munford,
Common Clerk; and Ms. C. Joyce, Assistant Common Clerk.
MeetinQ Called To Order - OpeninQ Prayer
Mayor McAlary called the meeting to order, and offered an opening
prayer.
The Mayor noted that the special meeting of Common Council was for
the purpose of considering the 1997 Operating and Capital Budgets for the General
Fund and the Water and Sewerage Utility.
1997 Operating And Capital Budgets
General Fund & Water And SeweraQe Utility
Consideration was given to a report from the City Manager providing an
overview of the following four submitted documents which set out in considerable detail
the administration's recommendations as they relate to fiscal 1997:- (1) the Operating
Budget for the General Fund which results in the establishment of the City's tax rate;
(2) the Operating Budget for the Water and Sewerage Utility which establishes the
rates to be charged for water and sewerage services; (3) the Capital Budget for the
General Fund which provides to the public the City's current plan as it relates to street
works, public buildings and special projects; and (4) the Capital Budget for the Water
and Sewerage Utility which indicates the City's aspirations for major undertakings
associated with the Utility infrastructure; and recommending adoption of the submitted
resolutions in this regard.
Mr. Totten, reading from the above report, highlighted the proposed
1997 budgets which represent no change in the City's tax rate and a 1.5% increase in
water and sewer rates, and maintain the City's commitment to infrastructure renewal;
and reminded Council that, while the administration had been successful in reducing
expenditures in 1997, budget flexibility available to the administration was disappearing
and next year - 1998, would bring with it bring with it another wage increase to be dealt
with, a further reduction in the unconditional grant, and an altogether new cost
associated with waste disposal.
1997 OperatinQ And Capital BudQets
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Trites
RESOLVED that the amount of
$85,046,125 be adopted as the estimate required for the operation of the City of Saint
John for 1997 as follows:
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COMMON COUNCIL
JANUARY 23, 1997
General Government Services
Protective Services
Transportation Services
Environmental Health Services
Environmental Development Services
Recreation and Cultural Services
Fiscal Charges
$ 7,181,204
30,912,457
18,401,447
1,487,368
6,870,818
7,040,831
13,202,000
AND FURTHER that the amount of $8,190,476 be adopted as the
estimate for Non-Tax Revenue for the year 1997:
AND FURTHER that the Federal Grant in lieu of taxes of $1,397,430 be
incorporated in the 1997 budget:
AND FURTHER that the Provincial Unconditional Grant of $23,242,461
be incorporated in the 1997 budget:
AND FURTHER that the estimate required to be raised by levy on real
property assessment liable to taxation under the Assessment Act within the City for the
year 1997 be adopted in the amount of $52,215,758:
AND FURTHER that the rate at which the amounts comprising the above
estimates are to be levied be fixed at $1.58 on each $100 valuation of such real
property liable to taxation under the Assessment Act within the Municipality of the City
of Saint John:
AND FURTHER that the Commissioner of Finance be given authority to
disburse funds, the timing of which to be at his discretion, to the organizations
mentioned in the submitted Schedule 4:
AND FURTHER that the amount of $9,473,000 be adopted as the
estimate of the capital programs to be undertaken by the City of Saint John for the year
1997:
AND FURTHER that the estimate of expenses for the Water and
Sewerage Utility for the year 1997 in the amount of $16,567,590 be approved:
AND FURTHER that the Capital Budget for the Water and Sewerage
Utility for the year 1997 in the amount of $6,819,000 be approved.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Water And SeweraQe By-Law Amendment
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Vincent
RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "A
By-Law To Amend A By-Law Respecting Water And Sewerage", with regard to rates
and discounts, be read a first time.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Read a first time the by-law entitled, "A By-Law To Amend A By-Law
Respecting Water And Sewerage".
On motion of Councillor Knibb
Seconded by Councillor Trites
RESOLVED that the by-law entitled, "A By-
Law To Amend A By-Law Respecting Water And Sewerage", with regard to rates and
discounts, be read a second time.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
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COMMON COUNCIL
JANUARY 23, 1997
Read a second time the by-law entitled, "A By-Law To Amend A By-Law
Respecting Water And Sewerage".
Adjournment
On motion
The meeting adjourned.
Common Clerk