2007-12-10_Minutes--Procès-verbal
December 10, 2007
252-2007
Minutes of the Portion of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Open to the Public
Monday, December 10, 2007, 5:00 p.m.
8th Floor Boardroom, City Hall
Present:
Mayor Norm McFarlane,
Deputy Mayor Hooton and Councillors Chang, Chase, Court, Farren, Ferguson,
McGuire, Tait, Titus and White
- and -
T. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; G. Yeomans, Commissioner of
Finance and Treasurer; P. Groody, Commissioner of Municipal Operations; J.
Baird, Commissioner of Planning and Development; W. Edwards, Commissioner
of Buildings and Inspection Services; A. Bodechon, Chief of Police; R. Simonds,
Fire Chief; B. Morrison, Commissioner of Leisure Services; 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.
1.1 2008 Draft Operating and Capital Budget
Referring to a submitted report and draft 2008 operating and capital budget, the City
Manager reviewed the contents in general noting that it was prepared with a view to
recognizing Council’s wish for better sidewalk control programs in the winter, improved
communications, growth in arts and culture, and increased attention to neighborhoods.
He advised that the proposed budget maintains the tax rate and water rates, and
introduces an exciting capital campaign. He advised that there is a study under way by
the Province which may change the way municipalities receive funding from the
Province in the future.
The City Manager highlighted initiatives included in the proposed budget as follows:
-The creation of a Communications Unit $250,000
- Support for Neighborhood Development conditional on the province contributing at
least an equal amount ($150,000), attempting to position Council as taking a leadership
role in a very public issue
- Increased Transit Commission Funding
- Common Council to take a firm step in finding a solution to future Pension costs (an
expert to be engaged $50,000)
- An additional $30,000 to Community Arts Board given the growing recognition that this
is important to future growth
December 10, 2007
253-2007
- Hosting the Cities of NB meeting in the spring.
- Increased the unspecified grants from $20,000 to $60,000
- Increased funding for Saint John Industrial Parks by $192,500
- Proposed investment of $50,000 towards a proper "Sustainability Plan" now required
by the Federal and Provincial governments to obtain funding.
Council members asked the City Manager for further information and/or clarification on
the following:
1. Review of utility rates for citizens of Saint John recognizing the revenues
received from federal and provincial governments
2. Further explanation of the 1.5 million increase in fleet expenses as well as the
2.2 million for operational contribution
3. Revised plan to retire borrowing on recurring debt
4. Information on plan to address increase garbage collection to vulnerable
neighborhoods
5. How we deal with environmental issues
6. What is outstanding water rate and if this were paid what would be the effect
would it have on this budget and future budgets
7. clarification on why the police, fire, municipal operations, to name a few but not
limited to the named, requested increases of over 10 percent
8. What effect would a 1 cent decrease in the tax rate have
9. Clarification on City Market revenues and expenses
10. What would be the impact of this budget on the 2009 tax rate
11. Consider removing $50,000 from the Council budget and place it elsewhere
12. Consider an increase in heritage funding
The Mayor advised that there will be a meeting scheduled for Saturday, December 15,
th
2007 8:00- 10:00 a.m., 8 floor City Hall, to discuss the proposed budget further, and
declared the meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Common Clerk