2004-11-06_Minutes--Procès-verbal
November 6, 2004
Minutes of the Portion of the Committee of the Whole Meeting Open to the Public
Saturday, November 6,2004,9:00 o'clock p.m.
8th Floor Boardroom, City Hall
Present:
Mayor McFarlane,
Deputy Mayor Hooton and Councillors Chase, Court, Farren, Ferguson, McGuire,
Tait, and Titus
- and -
1. Totten, City Manager; J. Nugent, City Solicitor; A. Beckett, Commissioner of
Finance and Corporate Services; J. Baird, Commissioner of Planning and
Development; P. Groody, Commissioner of Municipal Operations; R. Simonds,
Fire Chief; A. Bodechon, Chief of Police; S. Galbraith, Director of Works; P.
Woods, Common Clerk and Deputy City Manager and E. Gormley, Assistant
Common Clerk.
1. MeetinQ Called To Order
The Mayor called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order.
2. Draft 2005 OperatinQ BudQet
The City Manager introduced the first draft of the City's 2005 Operating budget saying
that the Fire Department, Municipal Operations and Corporate Services budgets, which
represent 41 % of the total budget, will be presented today. He indicated that the Police
budget would be presented over the next 2 weeks, with the remaining smaller budgets to
be presented subsequently. He stated that the document does not reflect any significant
new initiatives or increases in the City's permanent workforce. He noted that he is
concerned that many of the targeted expenditure levels may be too difficult to attain. He
indicated that the information presented today, does not contain details or specific line
items, and that those items would be supplied later.
Mr. Totten advised that the projected tax rate, before dealing with the Pension issue, is
$1.782, slightly lower than earlier projections of $1.81, anticipating an increase in the tax
base of 4%, which is not yet confirmed by the Province. He also advised Council that
the 2004 budget is projected to be overspent by $800,000., and that he has issued
direction to freeze overtime and hiring and to take any other feasible measures to curb
spending.
In response to the Mayor's request, The City Manager remarked that he would provide a
list of actual expenses and budget figures for the last three years. The Commissioner of
Finance cautioned that there could be one-time costs listed in actual figures which would
skew comparison between actual and budgeted amounts.
Chief Simonds, referring to an electronic slide presentation, presented an overview of
the Fire Department operation including services profile, and challenges, and explained
that the department is moving from 198 employees to 173, which will be achieved
through attrition. He advised that the 2005 submission is $15,653,500. and listed the
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November 6, 2004
financial resource allocation. The Chief provided statistics regarding numbers of fire
stations, calls for help, standards, and response times.
Chief Simonds advised that in response to the emergency directive given by the City
Manager he has frozen overtime and will respond to requirements by deploying staff and
equipment from other areas resulting in fewer staff responding. He expressed his
concern that this will be problematic during simultaneous calls for help, and that the
action will save approximately $30,000. of the predicted 2004 over expenditure of
$200.000. He explained that the over expenditure is due largely because of anticipated
retirements that did not take place, adding that he believes this is the case as staff
believe there may be another retirement package issued.
Council directed the City Manager to reverse the emergency decision made by the Fire
Chief and that overtime be reinstated until the end of the year.
On motion of Councillor Titus
Seconded by Councillor Court
RESOLVED that the City Manager be directed to announce to all
employee groups that there will be no further buyouts as a method of reducing
personnel.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
On motion of Councillor Titus
Seconded by Deputy Mayor Hooton
RESOLVED that the Mayor explore with the Province and Federal
government the possibility of receiving a fuel tax rebate, inspection services revenues,
and other areas where the City might realize revenue, and that the City Manager explore
potential revenue sources and/or cost sharing with partners in all City Departments, and
further discuss these issues with government officials, review as to legality with the City
Solicitor and report to Council.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
On motion of Councillor Titus
Seconded by Councillor Ferguson
RESOLVED that the City Manager and the City Solicitor bring
forth a budget indicating salary increases, inflationary costs on goods and services and
increases for problem areas that have been overspent for the last few years, and provide
Council with a list of projects that are recommended that require increases.
Question being taken, the motion was carried.
Mr. Beckett advised Council that $1.2 million was removed from the operating budget to
capital last year, and it now must be put back in the operating budget. He also pointed
out that there is a $1.5 million increase in goods and services from 2004, largely due to
inflationary impact on these expenditures.
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November 6, 2004
Because of the time spent on the Fire Department presentation and general budget, the
presentations on Municipal Operations and Corporate Services were re-scheduled.
The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
Common Clerk