The Mayor has said that input on Budget 2008 continues to be welcome.

=  Main Items Ccl Agenda Feb 18th: Heritage Achievement Awards; Vancouver Coastal Health; Srs' Ctr; DVP for non-conforming sign at WV Presbyterian Church; Ccl Remuneration Report; Gleneagles Golf -- Service Bldg and Grt Hall (funding); Cmnty Ctr Qtrly Update; Apptmts to Finance Cmte; Bldg Amendment Bylaw to third reading!; OCP/Zoning Amendments, Devt Permit going from restaurant to 15 units, 24th & Marine Dr (increased density by any other name); Amendment Bylaws: Traffic and Parking; Bylaw Notice Enforcement; DVPs for 2710 Rosebery and 5517 Ocean Place set for Mar 3rd; Preliminary Engagement Framework: Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority; CORRESPONDENCE: Yay, asked for what was removed from our dangerous threatening eyes and here it is! and what a load!  Skim down and see what you find of interest -- dogs, Hugo Ray Park, budget, just oodles; and items that are only available for viewing in the Legislative Services Dept that we wdn't have known about!

=  HERITAGE (Award Winners); RESIDENT gRUMBLE (still fighting closed mtgs); UPDATES; ANIMALWATCH (hackensack squirrel, pet moose, gecko); CULTUREWATCH (Dumb and Dumber; Theatre, Ballet, Monarchy); NEWSWATCH; CALENDAR to Feb 29th

=  Feb 11th Ccl Workshop NOTES/SUMMARY: full chamber, lots of input; Budget Newsletter a good idea getting up info and interest; dept budgets up 6%? admin up 20%? quite a few WV employees made pitches! CR asks (URL for VCHA lease), and observations from some beancounters

=  ADRA AGM (Feb 21) Newsletter/Update with Mbrship form; Heritage Achievement Awards; Cypress Snowshoe and Barbecue details [Heritage Week Events/Activities flyer]

===  H E R I T A G E  === [More info at end; 922 4400; www.heritage.westvan.org]

= Sat 16th  ~ HERITAGE TALK at Museum (See Calendar)

=  AWARDS (Feb 18th ccl mtg):

Mrs Carlile and Mrs. Bernard; Peter Miller, Nancy Smith, (and) North Shore Heritage Preservation Society; Paul Berlinguette (NSh Wetland Partners) and Randall Lewis (Environmental Coordinator for the Squamish Nation); Nicky Morgan and Dave Tupper; Tom Houg; Elspeth Bradbury; and Padra & Sarah Farhangi. [Details at end]

Panels in Park Royal North mall on Park Royal and the WV Heritage Register; displays at various places throughout WV including the Library and the Silk Purse; mention 'heritage' at the Red Lion and the Beach House in Dundarave for a heritage menu, at the Salmon House on the Hill for a little surprise

o  Heritage Fayre, 2 - 4:30pm Sun 24th Park Royal North (heritage groups; heritage quiz for a prize)

o  free Cypress Snowshoe and Barbecue (3pm; reservations required; call 913 2573)

There will be a display at Park Royal during the week and at Heritage Fayre.  More info on DWV website with their inimitable URLs, go to http://www.westvancouver.ca/article.asp?a=5274&c=1021

The Monarchist League will be handing out some portraits at Heritage Fayre, but every Canadian can get one free. See  http://www.pch.gc.ca/special/reine-queen/index_e.cfm

As you know, I've worked tirelessly this past year trying to make sure cmte/WG mtgs are open.  After an initial closed mtg for the Rodgers Crk WG as I found out and after alerting Cclr Day, they were open :-).  Cclr JF's Ambleside Town Ctr WG had some closed mtgs :-( but somewhat curtailed when the Mayor gave a reminder.  In spite of that Cclr JF's Arts and Culture met many times (illegally) in camera :-( and didn't even put its agendas (well, it put up two) on the WG's webpage, and NO notes on the mtgs whatsoever :-(.  Cclr Sop's Env'tal WG broke into four subcmtes and no agendas or notes for months, however met in the fall and gave a great report to Ccl.  Cclr Smith's cmte and WG have been mostly open :), as has Cclr Clark's Housing WG :-).  So there have been improvements.

It was therefore extremely irritating/frustrating to find out that a Feb 7th Cmnty Grants WG (Cclr Sop's) mtg was being held as I found out walking by to the Rodgers Crk WG.  It was not on the DWV Cmnty Calendar, but a mtg for the 19th was.  Well, I thought I'd pursue this b/c I recalled the Grant Application deadline was the end of January, so no mystery what they wd be discussing -- debating about giving out money so maybe wanted no one knowing about the mtg being held (except the mbrs).  The next day I asked about it and a date was put on the WG's webpage with an asterisk (still not on the Cmnty Cal) and staff wrote me that if mtg at short notice they were told to put an *.  That didn't pass the LOL (Laugh Out Loud) test.  I'm on the CEC, the cmte that sets the guidelines for WGs so knew that was fiction.  In any case, no agenda -- was told something about no agenda and just discussing grants.  :-( :-(

The previous adv cmte that apportioned the grant money (from $100 - 200K), had a form/formula and discussed the grants in mtg with citizens present.  No reason to change, go back to secrecy.

Of course it's a temptation.  So are discussions on increasing density.  The WGs are supposed to be an improvement and herald more and better resident involvement.

A disappointment that we still have WGs finagling to meet in secret or without residents knowing.

How can we make sure that cclrs involved, mbrs, and staff not only understand mtgs are to be open but also will take action to make sure they are rather than work to have them closed or not object when a mtg is closed.  When will they not just mouth 'open' and 'transparent' but actively make sure mtgs are not closed?

I guess that's why the saying govt/democracy has to be watched.

We have to know where they are, however.

I've been advocating, for over a year, for a resident 'interest' list.  As I understand it, if you contact the staff person for any cmte/WG you're interested in, you can be added to the email list for notifications of mtgs.

I'm going to try it out.

Will let you know.

o  MLA Ralph Sultan has assisted West Vancouver resident Dr. Max Cynader  to receive top level endorsement and support in the Speech from the Throne in Victoria this week.  Dr. Cynader's Brain Center  http://www.brain.ubc.ca/   at UBC has become a top agenda item in the government, due to its promise of solutions for such costly and perplexing medical problems as stroke, Alzheimer's, dementia, MS, fetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit syndrome, and autism. 

o  What are the North Shore Sport Awards?

** a sporty squirrel:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaWA1vKmSNQ

** a well-trained (pet) moose:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpS3P-Co_TQ

** Gecko 'begs' insect for honeydew (scientific):  A bizarre relationship between a gecko and a sap-sucking insect is caught on camera for the first time. http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/2/hi/science/nature/7247472.stm

===   CULTUREWATCH   ===  [Dumb and Dumber?, THEATRE, BALLET, Monarchy]

reviewed by PATRICIA COHEN in the New York Times Review of books.              

Susan Jacoby's new book bemoans the state of American culture. Not only are citizens ignorant about essential knowledge, she says, but they also don't think it matters.       

Jacoby alarmed; here's excerpt: Ms. Pickler [from American Idol on 'Fifth Grader' Quiz] threw up both hands and looked at the large blackboard perplexed. "I thought Europe was a country," she said. Playing it safe, she chose to copy the answer offered by one of the genuine fifth graders: Hungary. "Hungry?" she said, eyes widening in disbelief. "That's a country? I've heard of Turkey. But Hungry? I've never heard of it."

Another way of getting the review -- here's the URL:   

..... call me a 'cultural conservationist curmudgeon' -- geography and language.... shocking and pathetic

Rave reviews for Lois Anderson in Shirley Valentine at the Gateway in Richmond, but it ends Saturday 16th; probably won't get to Defending the Caveman (also ends 16th) but saw it in New York some years ago (performed by the writer) and it's hilarious -- highly recommend you go as a couple (always one of you laughing); Moliere's Learned Ladies at Freddy Wood, UBC, also ends on Saturday alas; hope though to get to Jane Eyre at the Jericho Arts Ctr (ends Sunday); thank gosh still time to see Nicola Cavendish in Glorious.

Another unusual one; this time both dancers have all their limbs, not like that extraordinary one sent previously. (7.5 minutes) Click on this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5lN96dgt_Y

This was forwarded to me with the note:

It took this couple, husband and wife, eight years to create and perfect their breathtaking routine. We have seen it before, but, it is well worth a  repeat showing! If you click on the last box in the bottom right-hand corner of the "youtube screen", that makes it a full-screen size. 

(Sunday February 17 at 8pm on CBC-TV) (120 minutes)

Monarchy: The Royal Family at Work provides unparalleled insight into the work of The Queen and other members of the Royal Family over the course of a year. From major State visits and royal tours to smaller meetings and audiences, the series offers viewers a remarkable picture of how the Monarchy operates at home and abroad and includes a photo session with the world-famous American photographer Annie Leibovitz.  http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/monarchy.html

Saudi Arabia -- banned red and roses for Valentine's, considering it a pagan festival

Israel -- is getting rid of Asian chefs (so there's been a sushi strike) [VSun Biz Section]

Zimbabwe -- Rhodesia got majority rule; became Zimbabwe with Mugabe as leader ever since independence 1980 and on the weekend besides economic collapse, growing poverty, etc, inflation rose to 66,000%.

~ 3pm ~ TARKIN in concert at St Francis in the Wood (4773 South Piccadilly)                    

Tarkin takes North American folk traditions from across the spectrum and blends them together to create a sound that's folk music with a West Coast flair. Sometimes irreverent, often thoughtful, always entertaining, Tarkin's original and traditional songs encompass a cross-genre acoustic folk style.  With six voices and over a dozen different instruments at hand, Tarkin goes from old-time to country swing to ceilidh band as the instruments get passed around the circle. They've been described as "a bunch of multi-instrumentalist gypsies, roving over the mountains of the West Coast".  Tarkin is based out of Vancouver, BC

$15 at the door includes refreshments.

This year's theme: Taking Care of Business: the Heritage of Trade and Commerce

Awards at Ccl mtg Feb 18; visit Library, FBG, Silk Purse, displays also at various locations and during week Park Royal North; special menus at 'heritage' restaurants; free snowshoe and barbecue up Cypress; Heritage Fayre Sunday 24th from 2 to 4:30pm.  See more info at end.

~ 6pm ~ Opening Reception for Venetian blown glass exhibition (details under Silk Purse below)

~ 7pm ~ Cmnty Grants/Social Services Review WG [on Cmnty Calendar, one on 7th missing; best confirm]

~ 7:30pm ~ Western Residents' Assn mtg at Gleneagles Cmnty Ctr

       Topics: Gleneagles Clubhouse Funding; Noise Survey; Ferry Terminal Update; St Monica's.

==  Wed 20th            ~ 4pm ~ Fire/Rescue Services Review WG at Fire Hall #1 - Training Room

                ~ 6:30pm ~ Child Care WG

                ~ 7pm ~ Library Board at the Library

        ~ 6pm ~ NSh Family Court/Youth Justice Cmte at DNV M Hall Cmte Rm

~ 7pm ADRA AGM at St Stephen's (on 22nd) [see AGM newsletter in section below]

President's Report; Treasurer's Report; Mbrship Fees 2008 Calendar Year ($5 by email); Election of Directors; Addresses by Mayor and Councillors; New Business.

Kindly pre-pay to ensure your breakfast and seat are reserved. This enables you to go directly upstairs to network after quickly picking up your receipt at check-in.  Tix $25 for mbrs, non-mbrs $35; pre-paid registration is required.  Please RSVP by deadline of 5pm, Wed, 20th by going to  www.westvanchamber.com or calling 926 6614.

          Heritage Fayre at Park Royal, Free Snowshoe and Barbecue at Cypress (see info below)

==  Tues 26th           ~ 4pm ~ Fire/Rescue Services Review WG at M Hall this time

==  Wed 27th  ~ 7pm ~ Bd of Variance

~ 5 - 7pm ~ at The Boathouse (mezzanine level) in Horseshoe Bay (free for mbrs and non-mbrs but RSVP required for appetizer preparation).  Contact Roberta (926 6614).  Biz card draw for door prize.

==  Thurs 28th  ~ 4:30pm ~ Design Review Cmte

                ~ 5pm ~ NSACDI, DNV M Hall

                ~ 5:30pm ~ Police Bd Mtg in WV Police Dept Boardroom

+++ FERRY BUILDING GALLERY  [Historical photos in alcove for Heritage Week]

***  COMMUNALITY: Mixed Media by Gary Morin -- Spirit of BC Week Exhibition, Feb 8 - Mar 2

Talk re Hollyburn Heritage Society and Hollyburn Ridge Assn above (Feb 16th); call 925 7295.

+++ SILK PURSE (1570 Argyle) -- Italian culture in Canada --  February 19th - March 2nd

A beautiful Venetian blown glass exhibition by West Vancouver's own master glass blower Sol Maya.

Included during this week will be a piano concert with Italian pianist Marcella Crudelli, here from Italy for this special concert. Also included during the week will be a stained glass workshop for children ages three to seven on Sat, Feb 23rd at 10:30am.

+++  WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY +++ see www.westvanlib.org

+++  WV OPERA coming in MARCH +++  Audio clips are on www.thedreamhealer.com

THE DREAM HEALER by WV resident Lloyd Burritt

The story is powerful and significant dealing with universal issues of love, death and personal struggle. The opera is based on Timothy Findley's PILGRIM and focuses on Carl Jung at the Burgh=F6lzli Clinic in Z=FCrich.  Jung struggles with his inner demon, Pilgrim, in a journey to integrate the real with the unreal, the supposed with the unimaginable, so that new understandings of the human condition are possible.  This is a rare opportunity to witness the birth of a new opera -- produced with the drama and theatricality of Nancy Hermiston's outstanding stage direction and the stunning set and lighting design by Robert Gardiner and Jeremy Baxter.  Guest artists are: Judith Forst, John Avey, and Roelof Oostwoud.

Tickets are on sale now: Adults $29 to $44.  Call Ticketmaster 280 3311 or www.ticketmaster.ca

The opening show is Sunday March 2nd at 3pm at the Chan Ctr; the other performances, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday are at 8pm.

=== COUNCIL WORKSHOP Feb 11th NOTES ===  [best efforts with spelling of names]

packed! even chairs in lobby

Mayor: budget; always difficult looking at 4 - 6%

public input; Ccl will discuss over next four to six weeks

 

increased operating costs not provided for in base budget; hope to reduce ongoing overtime

underground parking 35Ksf, 100 spaces; former rec ctr was 28Ksf with no underground parking

being conservative on estimates of new revenue; did better than predicted with the Aq Ctr; we may do better or worse; revenue just a prediction at this time; been back with this information before and it's not a surprise

youth outreach progs and arena that's $500K; FBG and Museum and all special events and all coordination of that is about $500K; there's the order of magnitude we're talking about; significant pieces of service provided through the Parks and Cmnty Services

the second point in brochure -- fees and charges

major: how labour costs captured, used money for non-labour costs; shortfalls in legal fees, uniforms and equipment, O/T concerns such as celebrations (of Light, ppl come here from Vancouver to watch)

>>> A R Ewen (didn't quite catch name): actually went through 75 pages of the budget

Ccl facing some v hard decisions; where money coming from

thank you for your consideration

and it is not on time, b/c in today's climate, it actually is the fiscally prudent thing to do rather than paying a premium for scheduling; have chosen by Ccl policy to keep eye on budget, take precedence over a fixed deadline, looking probably at July for an opening; difficult getting roof on with snow and the rain, and cold temperatures, that affected the gluing and the glazing, as well as obviously the tough construction market; as far as budget, the bottom line, for the Cmnty Cr goes, we are on budget, the contingency has pretty much been used up, I think; it's getting v v tough now-

KP: that's correct, everything you said: you're right, we're into contingency funds now and facing labour and weather issues... this project in contrast to many others in prov is still doing well,  on budget and trying to stay there

SH: as I mentioned in my talk before you last year over past three yrs, our taxpayers have funded salary increases to our sr mgrs; their pay packets have averaged an increase of 9% a year or a simple 27% over three years

if I recall correctly, WV resident popn has virtually stagnated over the last three years

also, if I recall correctly, inflation over the past three years as measured by CPI was about 2% per annum

or if my recollections are correct, that wd suggest staff has experienced a real increase, and this is senior mgrs, have experienced a real increase of some 7% per annum.

Thank you.

Mayor: thank you

>>> David Marley: like Mr Hean, I'm pleased to see so many out here for fiscal debate; quite a difference from last two years

DM: to get a zero % tax rate increase how many dollars wd hv to be removed from the proposed budget?

DM: if add'l $1.2M being sought by Police, Fire, and Rec collectively is added to the 2008 operating budget, what does that mean in terms of a %age increase in the eight depts' operating expenditures?

DM: if a zero % tax rate increase is voted for by Ccl, what % increase in operating expenditure wd still result? the gross increase.

RL: pls repeat the question

DM: you said a 3% tax rate increase = a 6% increase in gross operating expenditures

Mayor: Ccl will have it on its agenda next Monday night, 18th; Cclr Smith and I are just working on that and getting that info in front of Ccl, it's a Ccl apptmt

MS: if there's a mtg tomorrow, will be an informal ntg

DM: but who's on the cmte if they haven't been appointed?

Mayor: we need the resumes in order to make apptmt formal, just getting those in

DM: I'll ask the question again -- how much time will the Finance Cmte be given to examine the proposed budget before Ccl is asked to vote on it?  How many weeks?

Mayor: sounds like six or seven weeks to me; as you know we do not have to have budget in to prov till middle of May

Scenario #1 is a Zero-pct taxation increase budget proposal that includes the requested funding for Police and Fire/Rescue.

Requirements under this scenario are as follows:

a)      Zero increase in "Capital from Taxation" (to Infrastructure Fund);

b)      Reduction of 64% in the Increases to other Dept. Operating Budgets.

Scenario #2 is a Three-pct taxation increase budget proposal (actually works out to 2.93% but this is essentially 3%) that includes the requested funding for Police and Fire/Rescue.

Requirements under this scenario are as follows:

a)      Zero increase in "Capital from Taxation" (to Infrastructure Fund);

You will appreciate that neither Scenario was recommended by me.  The purpose of the presentation was to Quantify the impacts of Police and Fire/Rescue spending requests while attaining two alternative Taxation Policies (namely, Zero-Pct Increase, and Three-Pct Increase).

It is the function of Finance to present the impacts of alternative scenarios to council for council's discussions, and to draw attention to the implications and probable outcomes arising from any scenario that council might choose to contemplate.  By offering the community and council the alternatives that staff have done, in the 2008 proposed budget booklet and in the circular sent to all residences, Finance invites alternative interpretations and suggestions from the community.  Council needs to be informed of the consequences and this spreadsheet file is one way to illustrate some of those.

I did not add P&CS's additional spending requests because I don't consider them essential.  Kevin can find the additional funds through the alteration of programming that he and his staff have complete control over.  They will have a new community centre of twice the floor area, perhaps four times the functionality, and considerably more efficient than the old facility had.  If he can't make that new facility work for its keep, he may need to re-think his policy alternatives.

------

legal, training, travel $180K, these are not a high priority, can be postponed

Applause

Police and Fire, if absolutely nec more to save lives, it's nec to save lives; however I look at the budget in certain aspects only; for example, Mayor and Ccl, and then CAO whatever it means, a  16.7% increase is proposed, Communications 17.4%, Public Works 11.5%, Planning and Devt 15.8%, central administration 20%

Looking at the other numbers, I've run several biz myself; when it was within 3 to 4 to 5% it does make sense, but not 20%, 16%, not 17%, increases like this just don't make sense

you will hear more from citizens about this, I assure you

Applause

last we had Wms, Durman, and --  oh he's not here tonight -- oh he is, oh Soprovich, turned a little greyer than when I saw him last

Don McT: we used to meet with that task force and attempted to keep their thumb on the ball or whatever the expression; who now?

we've had qtrly reports on our public agenda throughout the project wch we feel is more open and transparent

DMcT: excuse me for being facetious but that's about all you'll get out of this gentleman, he never gets down to specifics

so, let me be specific where are the monthly reports comparing the status of financial matters with the original budget plus the various change orders plus changes in scope, and whatnot, have you seen any?

Mayor: we see them qtrly; we can get out the one that came forward in Nov, although the public figures were based a few months before that

Ccl had to make a v tough decision to scale down the project

Mayor: so that has been our intent from the v beginning, to be responsible with this $38.3 or $38.5M we committed to bring it in on

DMcT: will be quick, some questions I have.  Has lease been signed, and if not when? and we heard tonight a severe penalty if not signed by

DMcT: okay, may I have copies -- since schedule been slipping slipping slipping, may I have copies of the original schedule for construction that was contracted with contractors, Basil Davis, John Anderson, and Scott Canada?

and the various revisions to that schedule?

Mayor: any further?

DMcT: he's not a general contractor on the project, he's acting as a facilitator under Basil Davis and John Anderson

Mayor: no, it's not, when we put this out to tender

Mayor; cd you pls direct your questions to me

one more: how's line of command from Mr Pike down to Basil, John, and Scott's superintendent and how paper flows?  is paper flowing fast enough? are decisions being made fast enough?

or sit on someone's desk for weeks or months without being approved?

Mayor: thanks

Good evening, tyvm, just a couple of questions

Will we be able to -- I did ask some time ago for information on the Information Technology Dept, and wondered when I wd get that.

And I understand that you're going to be releasing the um, ah, Vancouver [Coastal] Health Authority lease, wch other ppl referred to this evening, and I wonder when that will be released.

{UPDATE: See http://www.westvancouver.ca/upload/documents/council_agendas/2006/june/june_12/5.1.pdf }

do you want me to go through the questions, or do you want to answer them one by one.

Mayor: we can keep track -- so far.

CR: that's great

Also wd like to have a copy of the Recreation Facilities Master Plan (RFMP), the original one.  Ppl keep referring to it (the last few weeks), and it wd be helpful to see what it was.

In response to what Mr McCarthy said, it was true that there was a ten-yr capital plan before your time under [Mayor] Ron Wood.  They said it wd be about $40M over ten years, and it was "set in stone"; and it was to my horror, that I looked at this FIVE-yr capital plan, and the five-yr capital plan is $43M.  So I can understand it's going to be a challenge to meet some of those costs, and I understand that part of the [thing?] you're going to have public consultation to try to find out how to meet those.  We thank you for allowing the input.

um, the next thing is the correspondence.

I understand, the other, uh last mtg we were told that there was correspondence that had bn circulated to Ccl only, and were not listed or available to see on the website.  And so, since some of those letters might be public input for the budget, and even if they aren't, it is my request that you put the list of that correspondence that did not appear at the January mtg, 14th [21st?] I think or something -- if that cd be put on the next ccl mtg's agenda.

The next question is [wrt] something somebody said [earlier]

Now, I understand that 80% of our budget is wages and salaries; and is it the practice to give staff a raise BEFORE the budget passes, b/c in many places any change is awarded retroactively, they get it then...but somebody said tonight that they were so I just thought I'd ask.  Are the raises given before the budget is passed?

Mayor: Mr Laing?

RL: I'm not an HR expert but I do believe that most of our salary situations are contractual obligations under collective agreements and they do not necessarily coincide with the budget year, so salaries are paid, raises are made in accordance with those contractual obligations.

CR: I don't think dept heads are in that category, as far as I know.

RL: No, they are not.

CR: so dept heads get their increases before the budget is passed?

RL: I don't think so, no; I'm looking at the HR person for guidance and she's saying no.

CR: I didn't quite hear, but does that mean if they're in negotiations, that increases have been given? no increases have been given? if the negotiations affect this year? or?

Mayor: Ms Ney, wd you like to answer that? into the microphone, thx

SN: it's certainly a trend that's been set by other local govt employers that have negotiated already; part of the labour relations function with the GVRD or Metro Vancouver.  It's a mandate that's set down wch ... so that's our best estimate of what we're assuming what the economic uplift will be.  That's what we're expecting.  As I said, we're currently in negotiations or about to begin negotiations; there's always a concern we remain competitive with other local govt employers so that we don't lose our staff to other local govt employers.

Anyway, I just wanted to know -- so the 3% is based on what you anticipate the negotiations to result in--

Mayor: our best estimate.

CR: okay.  The other two questions?

Mayor: The other two questions.  I'm not sure what you're looking for from the IT Dept.  Mr Laing, are you familiar with that request?

RL: Ms Reynolds asks me for various information each year, and the specifics of what she wd like for the IT Dept; if she sends me an email, I will provide that to her.

CR: great

Mayor: and Mr Pike, wrt the lease with Vancouver Coastal Health, I thought we shd touch base with them.

KP: that lease was approved

Mayor: yes

KP: and was released publicly and we can provide that to Ms Reynolds, and in addition, the RFMP back from 1999; I expected that to be sent to you today -- you did request it by email and we have found a copy so we don't have to scan it all, we can send it to you as well.

{UPDATE: both received and appreciated.  The lease can be seen at URL: http://www.westvancouver.ca/upload/documents/council_agendas/2006/june/june_12/5.1.pdf }

CR: thank you.  And as to the lease, don't pls send it just to me, pls make it available on the website to the public.  I don't want things just for myself; I think it's of public interest.

Mayor: thank you.

CR: tyvm.

>>> Tom Longworth:

friends and nbrs as we discussed this budget, feeling some dismay at apparent runaway costs of this Ccl over last few years, 25%+ increases, city hall costs, budget increases of 16 - 20%

answer is not to allow the bureaucracy to feed itself by more devt, wch seems to be the process we seem to be embarking on, bridge, infrastructure, and all the other things don't support it

$40M that I just heard in capital budget won't support it either

two examples: recent debacle over police chief firing close to $1M including internal costs, those dollars wd hv gone a long way to helping srs, ctr, library, perhaps to Fire Service

by definition new sources of revenue is a tax so you have not brought budget in at 3% as instructed, you've brought it in at 3% plus new taxes wch you choose not to call taxes, you call them new sources of revenue; I think that's unacceptable

further telling to me, and I've been involved in a number of businesses, there was no mention at all in that presentation of anything to do with cost containment; it was all around new sources of revenue and what a great job we've done at bringing it in at 3%

I think this Ccl needs to take a v critical look at our cost structure, in particular the administration costs; don't argue about fire services and police and so on; we say and we need those things

>> Alison Brown:  2850 Rosebery, getting angrier and angrier listening

why do we pay such high taxes and so little?

maybe admin costs -- wd like to see fewer administrators and more kids on the field

look at work that's done, ppl serve you; look at staff, I've worked in other cmnties, never seen amt of commitment [here]

do you know how much O/T you wd save, plough ev other day? get rid of hanging baskets?

do you think that covers the expense?

and I'll hear it for another five years; mantra for WV, you've cut, you've trimmed

staffing needs difficult; it's competitive, WV is difficult

if you can make the same money are you going to live in Langley and drive to WV? and give up two or three hours a day on the road away from your families

In Police civilians, it's 31%, in Library for some reason I missed bringing that figure...

Library is higher, Police is about 70%

I respect the role that taxpayers play, it's difficult, I understand many in cmnty on fixed income

but you can't hold back ppl trying to raise their families or live in the cmnty with successive zero, one, two, 3% increases with the District and the Ccl's hands are tied

the revenue base isn't there and the costs, vehicle, fuel costs, material District is paying, all part of the equation; have heard a lot of ppl tonight talk about do it with what you've got or you're overspending

Trust me when I say, I've never seen, and I shdn't speak for mgrs, and I am, I've seen them pulling their hair out, trying to get by with what they've got when they get their budgets

I see the cuts and see the trimming; less [sic] and less [sic] ppl doing more and more

someone made a good comment about administration, and it's interesting to note while the public talks about the bureaucracy and administration,  think about all the requests you've made tonight for copies, for information, for putting things on the web; all these requests cost money; they cost staff time, it just doesn't poof! go up on the website; copies aren't just magically made poof! and appear before you, and I've seen this over the last number of years, how much is driven by the public's appetite for administrative services.  So while the District's providing that for you, remember it costs. Going to wrap it up now b/c I've spoke [sic] on, thank you for your time.  I appreciate the considerations you have to make in your budget, and I thank you for your time.

SOME APPLAUSE

>>> Judy Gosney: didn't intend to speak either.  We don't get ploughed by the way!

is money secured to go through for at least half of the project?

core; bottom is physiological, food, home, need to feel safe; next rung up the ladder is safety; third is social

talk about being on par; WV is dancing dangerously close

two daughters play soccer, paying fees

increase from changes in legislation over last ten years

ppl shd be informed; go to Fire WG mtgs

Applause

Mayor: anyone further wanting to speak?

Gord Howard: I'm Prez of WV Firefighters.  Thankfully, I won't be speaking on behalf of firefighters either. Family lived in WV for over 70 years; worked for WVFD for 19 years

focus on why we're here

M not in biz to make money, not look at bottom line and how much profit we make

here to build and support a safe, healthy, and vibrant cmnty; do that with library, cmnty ctrs, fire and police, and other services

speak to the true goal of the cmnty; look at this; progs and services shd drive the budget

hard to ascertain achieving the goal; good way is how much are they willing to pay to live here

they pay b/c they like to live here

if you cut these things out, then ppl won't want to live here anymore

Applause

Mayor: anyone else? in the hallway? Carolanne Reynolds, you'd like to speak again?

Mayor: thank you.

[the silence was deafening]

anyone further?

[chuckle]

A distinct lack of applause

Sop: no applause on that one!

[laughter around]

Mayor: Ccl's indemnity is on the agenda next week; that's going to be interesting

is there anyone further wishing to speak?  no one further?

all right, Ccl; not sure if anybody wd wish to make some concluding remarks

the purpose tonight was to listen and truly, I think on behalf of all mbrs of Ccl, we really appreciate this; I think it's unprecedented. We can't be accused of not wanting to share these tough decisions with you, and we rely on your input in order to help us make them, and so this will be the bulk of our work in February and March at the v least.

We are expecting, I think, an interim report from the Fire Services WG, towards the end of Feb, and their mtgs are once a week, Tuesdays at 4pm; everybody's welcome to be there if they're interested.

4.  DISCUSSION   5.  ADJOURNMENT [9:11]

1.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA

2.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES -- Feb 4.

PRESENTATION

DELEGATIONS

4.         Dr. B. O'Connor, Vancouver Coastal Health regarding "We're Going Smoke-Free: The Next Generation"

        =  received for information

        =  presentation from C. Lee, Chair, Seniors' Centre Board received for information.

6.         Development Variance Permit Application 07-046 (2893 Marine Dr - West Vancouver Presbyterian Church)

RECOMMENDED: THAT all written and verbal submissions received for information

If Council wishes a further staff report, then:

RECOMMENDED: THAT Staff report back to Council

THAT the DVP, which would provide for the replacement of the existing church sign with a new sign that does not comply with the Sign Bylaw, be approved.

RECOMMENDED:  THAT

1.   Council remuneration per annum be established at a rate of $70,630 for the Mayor and $25,643 for Councillors plus an Acting Mayor adjustment of 5 % of base per month consistent with an average of Metro Vancouver municipalities with a population between 25,000 and 105,000 shown on Exhibit 6 (2007 rates) attached to Council Remuneration Review Task Force Report dated February 10, 2008.

2.    Council remuneration adjustments take effect for the new Council commencing January 1, 2009 and be adjusted each January thereafter at a rate equivalent to the Vancouver Price Index for the preceding year.

3.    Council continue to establish an independent task force every five years to review and recommend any changes to Council remuneration.

RECOMMENDED:  THAT

1.    The Five Year Capital Budget - 2008 be designated as the source of funds for the construction under design-build arrangements, of a Golf Service Building which will include a Pro Shop, washrooms, golf club meeting space and a Caf=E9/Bistro to a target construction cost of $1,000,000.

2.    The Great Hall project at Gleneagles Golf Course be constructed in conjunction with the Golf Service Building under design-build arrangements utilizing Gleneagles Golf Capital Fund resources to a target construction cost of $1,000,000.

3.    Clause No. 1 of the resolution of March 12, 2007 regarding the Great Hall and Service Building as follows: "A design and building process for a new Golf Customer Services building be developed, including public washrooms, golf club meeting space, a Caf=E9/Bistro and a Pro Shop, to a target construction cost of $1,000,000.00 funded from golf course revenue", be rescinded.

4.    Staff be directed to reduce the Gleneagles Golf Course administration fee transfer of $375,000 commencing in the 2009 budget year.

RECOMMENDED: THAT the report dated February 18, 2008 from the Deputy Director, Parks & Community Services titled Community Centre Quarterly Update - Volume 6 - February 18, 2008 be received for information.

10.       Appointments to Finance Committee -- Information to be provided.          

        ... introduced and read a first, second and third time.

***Heritage Week Snowshoe Tour & BBQ  (Feb 24)