FINANCE & AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETING
Minutes of the Finance and Audit Committee meeting of the City of Prince George, held in the 2nd Floor Conference Room of City Hall, 1100 Patricia Boulevard, Prince George, BC, on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 12:00 p.m.
PRESENT: Mayor Rogers Councillor Krause Councillor Stolz Councillor Frizzell IN ATTENDANCE:
Mr. Derek Bates, City Manager; Mr. Grant Bain, Director of Development Services; Mr. Bill Gaal, Superintendent of Operations; Ms. KathleenSoltis, Director of Corporate Services; Ms. Sandy Stibrany, Manager of Financial Services; Mr. Marco Fornari, Manager Utilities Division; Mr. Robert Quibell, Service Centre Supervisor; Mr. Mike Davis, Manager Communications and Citizen Engagement; Ms. Lana Keim, Manager Aquatics, Ms. Chris Bone, Social Development Manager; Ms. Colleen Van Mook, Director Community Services; Ms. Wendy Fauth, Legislative Support Clerk.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 12:07 p.m.
1. AGENDA
August 16, 2010 Agenda
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell, that the August 16, 2010 Finance and Audit Agenda BE ADOPTED, as circulated.
Carried Unanimously
2. MINUTES
2A. Minutes – June 7, 2010
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Mayor Rogers, that the June 7, 2010 Finance and Audit Minutes BE ADOPTED, as circulated.
Carried Unanimously
3.A. Aquatics Fees and Charges
Ms. Keim provided a brief overview of the proposed Aquatics Fees and Charges increase. Questions from the Committee were responded to by Administration.
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell, that Finance and Audit recommend to Council that the proposed Aquatic Division Fees and Charges Increases for 2011 and 2012 BE IMPLEMENTED in full for 2011.
Carried Unanimously < 12:30 p.m. Ms. Keim exited the 2nd Floor Conference Room. >
3.B. Pine Valley Fees and Charges
An overview of the Pine Valley Fees and Charges was provided by Ms. Van Mook. Questions from the Committee were responded to by Administration
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Mayor Rogers, that the Pine Valley green fees be increased AS INDICATED for the 2011 season.
Carried Unanimously 3.C. Park, Fields and Playhouse Fees and Charges
A brief overview of the City Park, Fields and Playhouse Fees and Charges was provided for the Committee.
Questions from the Committee were responded to by Administration.
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell, that the rate definition amendment for Park Rates with power BE APPROVED, as recommended.
Carried Unanimously 3.D. Water and Sewer Rates Report
Ms. Stibrany provided an overview of the proposed rate increases for the water and sewer utility. Questions from the Committee were responded to by Administration.
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell that universal
water metering BE ADDED to the Finance and Audit Committee work plan. Carried Unanimously
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell that Finance and Audit recommend to Council that a 15% water and sewer utility BE IMPLEMENTED in January 2011 with no increase in July 2011.
Carried < 12:58 p.m. Mr. Fornari exited the 2nd Floor Conference Room.>
3.E. Transit Nextbus Report
Questions from the Committee were responded to by Administration. Discussion commenced regarding the Nextbus program.
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell that the Transit Nextbus item BE TABLED and that BC Transit BE CONTACTED to provide plans for the Nextbus program and to suggest that Prince George be considered as a pilot project.
Carried Unanimously <1:10 p.m. Ms. Bone entered the 2nd Floor Conference Room. >
3.F. Permissive Tax Exemption Policy Report
Moved by Councillor Frizzell, seconded by Councillor Stolz that the
Permissive Tax Exemption Policy Report BE RECEIVED, as recommended. Carried Unanimously An overview of the Permissive Tax Exemption Policy was provided.
The Committee reviewed the options and provided suggestions to Administration. The Committee asked that recommendations be brought forward to the next meeting. 3.G. Sustainable Finance Policy
Ms. Soltis provided a brief overview of the Sustainable Finance Policy. Questions from the Committee were responded to by Administration.
Moved by Mayor Rogers, seconded by Councillor Frizzell, that the
Sustainable Finance Policy Staff Report BE RECEIVED, as recommended. Carried Unanimously Moved by Councillor Frizzell, seconded by Councillor Stolz that Finance and Audit RECOMMEND that City Council approve the Sustainable Finance Policies.
3.H. IPG Economic Update
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell that the IPG Economic Update BE RECEIVED.
Carried Unanimously 3.I. Second Quarter Economic Indicators
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell that the Economic Indicators – 2nd Quarter 2010 Staff Report BE RECEIVED, as recommended.
Carried Unanimously 3.J. Public Engagement Options
Mr. Davis provided an overview regarding a citizen-based budgeting system Questions from the Committee were responded to by Administration.
Moved by Councillor Frizzell, seconded by Councillor Stolz that a detailed plan regarding public involvement BE DEVELOPED.
Carried Unanimously 3.K. 2011 Budget Guidelines
Discussion commenced regarding the 2011 Operating Budget Guideline and Administration responded to questions from the Committee.
It was noted that a workshop around the 2011 Operating Budget Guideline with City Council may be worthwhile.
Moved by Councillor Frizzell, seconded by Councillor Stolz that more detailed information and an outline of what the public consultation would consist of be brought back to the Committee.
Carried Unanimously < 2:04 p.m. Mr. Bain and Mr. Davis exited the 2nd Floor Conference Room. >
3.L. Community Foundation Funding
Discussion commenced regarding the Community Foundation. 3.M. Social Grants Funding
Ms. Bone provided an overview of the Social Grants program.
detailed options for the Social Grants program that align with the strategic goals of Council.
Carried Unanimously < 1:32 p.m. Ms. Bone exited the 2nd Floor Conference Room. >
3.N. Economic Development Service Provision Review
Mr. Bates provided a brief overview of the Economic Development Service Review.
Moved by Councillor Frizzell, seconded by Councillor Stolz that the Economic Development Service Review Report BE RECEIVED, as recommended.
Carried Unanimously Moved by Councillor Frizzell, seconded by Councillor Stolz that a survey of elected official’s opinion and suggestions concerning the economic development service BE CONDUCTED by the Finance and Audit Committee, as recommended.
Carried Unanimously 3.O. 2010 Work Plan
Moved by Councillor Stolz, seconded by Councillor Frizzell that the 2010 Work Plan BE RECEIVED.
Carried Unanimously The 2010 Work Plan was briefly discussed.
COUNCILLOR KRAUSE DECLARED THE FINANCE AND AUDIT MEETING ADJOURNED AT 2:26 p.m.
_________________________________________ Councillor Krause, Chair
_________________________________________ Wendy Fauth, Legislative Support Clerk
