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Archive for the ‘FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE’ Category

Council has done its part: Now it’s up to us

In CITY GOVERNMENT, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE on April 23, 2012 at 11:23 pm

Ron Bolin: April 23, 2012

In a motion at tonight’s FPCOW meeting (Finance and Policy meeting of the Whole, i.e. Council in the guise in which they can do anything they wish except pass bylaws), Council moved to have future FPCOW meetings recorded and placed for viewing on the City’s web site along those of “regular” Council meetings until they are moved to the New City Hall Annex when that building is completed.  Ignoring Staff advice,  Council voted six to nine to find their duty to inform the public over that of their own comfort with the Mayor and Councillors Johnston and Brennan voting against.

It is ironic that the actions taken in this meeting and the discussion that led to them will not be seen by the public in an official capacity until the minutes of this FPCOW meeting are approved at the next FPCOW meeting on May 7.  (They will be available in an unadopted form in the Agenda for the May 7th meeting released on the afternoon of May 3.)  This kind of document, coming to us as minutes via 18th century technology, provides only a late, abridged, incomplete, un-nuanced and often flavoured record of what took place.  Read the rest of this entry »

Observations on Departmental Budget Presentations: FPCOW Jan. 16 & 17

In CITY FINANCE, CITY GOVERNMENT, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT on January 18, 2012 at 1:39 am

Ron Bolin: Jan. 18, 2012

Jan. 16

Item 1: The Port Theatre Society which manages the City owned Port Theatre on behalf of the City made a request for significant additional funding as they had their first, but substantial, deficit in their 2011 operations.  Like almost all of our nonprofit groups the Society has been affected by the economy and declining Provincial grants as well as increasing utility and other costs.  The Port Theatre was built in 1998 at a capital cost of about $10 million dollars, with $7 million coming from City taxpayers.  Operations and maintenance of the theatre have received annual grants since then and the Society has operated it within budget.  Read the rest of this entry »

Important Budget Presentations Today and Tomorrow

In CITY FINANCE, CITY GOVERNMENT, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT on January 16, 2012 at 12:33 am

Ron Bolin: Jan. 16, 2012

Calling all Retirees, unemployed persons, night Shift workers, and other citizens  who have their afternoons free:  Join our City Council for a budget presentation at the City Hall boardroom at 3pm today, Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.  This session of the Finance and Policy Committee of the whole (Council as a whole) will hear from the Port Theatre asking for additional funding and be given budget presentations by the Fire Department, the Police Services Department (the City Staff who serve the RCMP), and the Strategic Relationships Department.  Read the rest of this entry »

Some observations on our new Council and our new Financial Plan

In CITY FINANCE, CITY GOVERNMENT, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE on December 14, 2011 at 11:36 pm

Ron Bolin: Dec. 14, 2011

It seems that our new and self-proclaimed transparent Council got off on a shaky footing when they met for their first meeting on Monday, Dec. 12.  The old Council ended their term with an in-camera meeting to instigate an injunction against the Occupiers in Diana Krall Plaza.  (Why such a move should be made in-camera is beyond me.  It’s not as if this action had not been widely touted.)  Our new Council began their tenure with an already moved, seconded (and apparently approved) motion to go in-camera that was already reported as such in the agenda!!  Talk about fast action.  In this case it appeared to precede even the meeting.

It will be instructive to see how transparent our new Council will be.  Read the rest of this entry »

You Generously Gave nearly $8500 Today

In CITY FINANCE, CITY GOVERNMENT, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE on September 6, 2011 at 9:53 pm

Ron Bolin: Sept. 6, 2011

At Its August 29 meeting, Council, meeting as the Finance and Policy Committee of the Whole (FPCOW), discussed the criteria which it uses to determine which organizations will receive benefits from the City in the form of Permissive Tax Exemptions (PTEs).  PTEs relieve these organizations from paying the property taxes which they would otherwise have to pay to the city.  This gift, of course, really comes from those who are required to pay their property taxes plus the PTE difference as well.  In 2010 PTEs amounted to $1,289,639.  PTEs are entirely discretionary on the part of Council.  PTE recipients are shown in 2010 Permissive Tax Exemptions 1 and 2010 Permissive Tax Exemptions 2.  While I am sure that many if not all of these organizations are worthwhile, I am likewise feel sure that some worthy organizations have been left out.  How much can we afford, remembering that “we” consists of many taxpayers who, along with their families, are already on the margin. Read the rest of this entry »

The “Other” City Council Meetings

In CITY FINANCE, CITY GOVERNMENT, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, SOCIAL ISSUES on February 6, 2011 at 11:46 pm

Ron Bolin: Feb. 3, 2011

In 2011 Nanaimo City Council will hold 18 Monday regular Council Meetings in the 300 seat Shaw Auditorium at our downtown conference centre.  During this same year, the full Council will meet 19 times as the “Finance and Policy Committee of the Whole” (FPCOW) in the board room of City Hall with few seats to spare.  The major difference between these two meetings of Council is related to the fact that bylaws and the exercise of bylaw powers cannot be delegated [Community Charter section 154].  But as we shall see, Council handles many very important issues at these meetings. If we consider the last two FPCOW meetings (Jan.17 and 31, 2011) and the next (Feb. 7, 2011) we can see the kinds of issues undertaken: Read the rest of this entry »

Due Process?

In CITY GOVERNMENT, EMAILS TO MAYOR / COUNCILLORS, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, QUESTIONS TO COUNCIL, STAFF on September 6, 2010 at 1:58 pm

Ron Bolin — September 6, 2010

Complaint to the Office of the BC Ombudsperson

att. Ms. Kim Carter   September 6, 2010

Ms. Carter:   I have attached below the email exchange which I believe covers the requirements outlined on your web page for launching a complaint, in this case against the City of Nanaimo.  My complaint focuses on the negligence which I feel has been perpetrated against the citizens of Nanaimo due to a decision taken in camera by City Council to advise Staff to ignore the city’s Sign bylaw on behalf of some transgressors.  The issues which I find to be raised in this matter are as follows:

  1. The City lacks authority to secretly, in camera, amend or ignore its own bylaws, thus conferring benefits on one group of citizens at the expense of others.  I am informed of complaints about this matter which have been ignored over a long period of time;
  2. The interpretation given in Ms. Harrison’s response of the legislation dealing with in camera decisions is so broad as to represent a threat to the whole body of bylaw legislation which has been developed to protect the rights of citizens;
  3. The length of time which has transpired since the inception of that in camera decision, about 2 and one half years, without developing “…an alternate method to address this type of signage…” is prima facie evidence of the illegitimacy of the argument presented; and
  4. This matter calls for the immediate disclosure of any similar in camera decisions which affect citizen’s as regards their municipal rights and freedoms.

Accordingly I request that your office, using the powers granted to you in the Ombudspersons Act:

  • a) find the City’s application of the Community Charter’s in camera legislation to be without basis and recommend that either the existing Sign bylaw be enforced or that it be amended or replaced forthwith and further that the City be reprimanded for refusing to Read the rest of this entry »

Report from the Budget Front

In CITY FINANCE, CITY GOVERNMENT, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE, PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT on August 17, 2010 at 8:01 pm

Ron Bolin —  August 17, 2010
At its meeting on Monday, August 16, the Finance Policy Committee of the Whole (FPCOW) began its discussions of the 2011 budget with a purported review of the 11 priorities set by Council last year to see if they should be kept or modified.  This request came, quite appropriately, from Staff who need to understand the ways in which the Council might want the 2011 budget to be crafted.

To kick off the discussion, Brian Clemens from Finance made a presentation outlining where our 2011 budget was currently heading given current outstanding decisions.  Fundamental information provided shows that:

  • The 2011 property tax increases will be: Residential 5.7%, Commercial 4.7%, and Industrial -15.9%;
  • Estimated total costs leading to the 2011 Tax Increases:  $3,729,000, of which $3,291,000 (88.25%)are related to staff increases;
  • Percent tax increase due to increased staffing costs: 4.1%, all-in increased costs: 4.7%.

Additional Capital spending is shown as $1,377,000 but this is largely offset by an expected revenue increase of $1,200,000 from the taxation of new construction.

If you think that, given current economic conditions, it is reasonable that our Read the rest of this entry »

Council’s Budgetary Priorities: Unreported & Untested

In CITY FINANCE, EMAILS TO MAYOR / COUNCILLORS, FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE on June 30, 2010 at 9:40 am

Ron Bolin —  June 30, 2010

Mayor Ruttan and Councillors:

At the FPCOW meeting on Monday, the following item was laid over pending further discussion.

“2011 – 2015 Financial Plan Priorities
Staff’s Recommendation: That Council either:
1. confirm the 11 budget priorities previously stated by Council;
OR:
2. provide alternate budget direction.”

I note that the 2009 Annual Municipal Report makes no mention of these budget priorities nor have I seen any analysis of the success or failure of their implementation in the 2009/2010 budget. Neither have I found the methods by which their utility could be measured. I would suggest that, in order to be truly useful, such measures and analyses should be implemented in the future and should be presented to citizens in the City’s Annual Report. I suggest this topic for discussion at the eventual seminar and would further suggest that a method of public involvement in this discussion be found.

As an aside, I note that the budget is one of the City’s primary activities which has no accompanying advisory committee. While one must recognize the primacy of Council in this area, in the end it is also primary in all other committee areas and appointed advisory committees are just that, advisory.

Thank you for your consideration.

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Report from the May 3, 2010, FPCOW Meeting

In FINANCE POLICY COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE on May 3, 2010 at 9:50 pm

Lots of items were covered at this Finance and Policy Committee of the Whole meeting:

• Council approved the City of Nanaimo Community Plan for Public Art.

• Council approved the new Policy and Selection Criteria for the Civic Merit Awards for Sports, Arts and Culture.

• Council endorsed participation in the Transit Connect Electric Alliance of BC and is prepared to commit to the acquisition and evaluation of four to six Ford Transit Connect Electric light freight vehicles which are expected to cost approximately $69,750 each and bring a subsidy of about $23,100 each.

• Council approved the 2009 Annual Financial Report for the City of Nanaimo.

• Council tabled the recommendation for award of a five year Primary Water Works Supplier to review a legal opinion from the City’s solicitors. This contract had been held over for review from the April 19 FPCOW meeting.

• Council approved a recommendation to develop guidelines and an education program regarding blasting in the city and to bring back a report to determine whether a Blasting Bylaw is warranted.

• Council approved a recommendation to direct staff to draft amendments to Sign Bylaw 2850 that would permit LED/animated signage throughout the entire city on properties zoned for commercial and industrial use and on properties operated/owned by the city.
• (Editorial: To me it seems that this opens up a new “war” between those who can afford these expensive signs and those small owners who cannot. It is like the attack of those with guns on those with bows and arrows. The opening of new sign technology -as opposed to new methods of production or innovation- can lead to lots of expensive and essentially non productive competition. We all know who will win and who will die trying. The proposal contained in the agenda today appeared to be an almost complete capitulation to those anxious to see Las Vegas in Nanaimo. I would rather see the little guys stay around than see fewer, but bigger, commercial venues.) What do you think about the proliferation of LED/animated signs all over town?

• Council approved the purchase of a Vertical Split Stream Compactor Refuse Truck (Garbage/ Compostables/ recycling truck for $276,965.00. That’s a lot of truck. And we will be buying more to meet the requirements of our new compost collection program.

The agenda for the meeting with the supporting reports can be found on the city web site previously noted.

Ron Bolin

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