WVM2010-27
Nov 22 Finance Cmte NOTES
Dec 6 AGENDA
Calendar to Dec 18
by Carolanne Reynolds, Editor
www.WestVan.org

PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE BACK!  --  MORE FINANCE and BUDGET
*   Happy Hanukkah/Chanukah * Festival of Lights Dec 1  -  8   *
IN THIS ISSUE:
MAIN ITEMS on ccl mtg AGENDA Dec 6th: Mirabile dictu but there it is!  Item 14.5 for the letters!  It is, however, a big night for a couple of other reasons:
o  Item 7 b/c it's again a night for BUDGET INPUT; we are a bit hampered though b/c it has "information to be provided".  So we don't get anticipated answers or more information until then, wch means it will be deferred most probably.  Ccl and staff to be congratulated for trying for a budget by the end of the year but with a bit of a slow start, no surprise and not significant b/c it doesn't have to be adopted until May 15.  We cd aim for February however (ppl away and the first mtg in January isn't until Jan 10).  Better later and have a better one than an early hasty one not taking advantage of practical recommendations.  If you haven't seen the ludicrous email circulating saying zero is unsustainable, will leave that hilarity to Monday night -- not just fear-mongering but showing lack of knowledge of the machinations at the Hall, not to mention civic govt.
o  Item 11 is the level crossing at Marine Drive/Pk Royal redux.
o  Items on fees and charges; prohibition of selling rabbits; sec stes regs; etc.
o  Bylaws on waterworks, utilities, etc for adoption; and -- groan! let's hope they vote it down and defer to January -- possibly a ccl mtg for Monday Dec 20th!
=  Vive le Canada (Viva Vancouver); from the EDITOR'S DESK (Zoning; Budget; letters); POLICEWATCH; UPDATES & INFO (Xmas trees; Operation Red Nose; TransLink)
=  CALENDAR to Dec 18th; CULTUREWATCH (Theatre; Art; Music, Opera, Photography)
=  Update 26a, Dec 1st (Menorah Lighting; Mackay Crk Project; Fed Funding;  +)
=  Finance Cmte Mtg NOTES Nov 22nd: Also called a Sp Ccl Mtg but entirely Budget information and presentations from public; Sp Ccl Mtg Nov 25 CLOSED, so no notes!
=  Ccl Mtg AGENDA Dec 6th
=  ANIMALWATCH (cheetah; cat; baby red panda); HERITAGEWATCH (more on Chuck Davis); STIMULUS PAYMENTS (Oz); MAIKU; QUOTATIONS/THOUGHTS/PUNS

===  Vive le CANADA  ===  Viva Vancouver!
from Australia:  Numerous surveys rate Vancouver as the best place in the world to live. Mark Jones can see why. http://www.smh.com.au/travel/the-best-city-in-the-world-20101108-17k72.html
===  from the EDITOR'S DESK  ===
~=A7~ ZONING AND SUBDIVISION AMENDMENT BYLAWS
Don't forget the public mtg on Tuesday Dec 7 at 5:30.  Need to ascertain definition and effectiveness of creek preservation.  Will allowing/changing 20Ksf lots to 10Ksf affect the character of your nbrhd? why change 2.5upa in the Upper Lands without consultation or adequate choice, agreement, or compensation to the cmnty?  Lewis, Sop, Smith asked for more time -- it is, after all, over 300 pages -- but lost the vote.  Let's see what happens.
~=A7~  Proposed BUDGET 2011
Again more time needed to considered efficiencies, reallocations, new revenue, possibly cuts, to stop the escalator to higher and higher taxes.  We need to get our heads together and address this intelligently, not emotionally.
Although some advocating a zero per cent tax rate increase, it's for the Operating Budget; keep in mind an increase in the utilities rates for over 10% is about to be adopted.
While noting how careful the Mayor was in not permitting a mbr of the WVMEA to speak at the Finance Cmte mtg Nov 22 on the budget, it was shocking to receive email forwarded by the WVCCSS Chair urging targeting some cclrs and residents advocating zero, esp when the msg has inaccuracies and threatened the result wd be ridiculous cuts no one has contemplated: closing the Library 'at least' one day a week, closing a fire hall, devt in parks, "possibly all municipal funding of the arts", no more hanging baskets, etc, and this/an outrageous list wch IMO libels some ppl and a citizen group -- incredibly, written by a member of a candidate's campaign and who donated $4K in kind to that election campaign in 2008; obviously to none of the three talking about zero (Lewis, Sop, and Walker).
Apparently, if those three are "hopeless cases", we ought to talk to Smith b/c the msg says: "If Smith has any intentions of running for Mayor, he must move away from ITAC - surely he must see it is a trap.  So, to me, the key is to cast all approaches toward Smith."
Is Smith strong enough to withstand such pressure -- not fall for its faulty foundation?
Hard to escape the calumny. Here'a another statement this time about the Finance Dept: "there has been a factual vacuum for two years."
Wonder what the Mayor and CAO think about that!
Happy to say that ADRA and WVM escaped attack (this time?) and although we try to be rational and positive (see presentations below by Gordon Ward Hall and me in the NOTES), can't help feeling lucky to have been missed, or overlooked.  Take it as a compliment.
Regardless, it is my hope that the good burghers of this lovely cmnty will address the ever-growing budget carefully since the residents' incomes have been shrinking, down 9-30% according to some stats given.  Meanwhile the union's negotiated raises are 4% a year wch translates to 17% over four years and 22% over five.  Isn't this an unacceptable gap/situation?
Let's look at property assessments.
In January 2010 Finance Dept staff wrote to me:
"The average residential assessment for 2010 is $1,305,290 as compared to $1,421,135 for 2009."
The present Director of Finance wrote Dec 1st, the other day: "The average assessment for West Vancouver is $1,498,616 and the median assessment is $1,061,400."
So our income and assets are going down and staff salaries are going up.
There are many intelligent citizens who can present options and solutions respectful and sensitive to both residents and staff.
Readers of WVM will have seen the list of staff who received remuneration over $100K for 2009 (top was ~$210K) in WVM17.  So it's even higher this year and still higher for 2011.
Labour is over 80% of the Operating Budget.
Revenue-generating? attrition? what can be done?
Are the increases any surprise when staff negotiate staff's collective agreements?  Check; did someone say then non-union mgmt just get the same?
It's not doom and gloom!  No doubt difficult, but I'm sure West Vancouver can come up with innovative and creative solutions  Let's give them to Ccl to help them in their deliberations.
~=A7~  PUBLIC CORRESPONDENCE
At long last -- been asking starting in March.
NOTE: Letters must be addressed to: mayorandcouncil@westvancouver.ca
If you choose not to come to a ccl mtg to tell Ccl personally what you want to see in WV, then write with your good ideas for all of us see/hear.
Much has been said about cmnty engagement............

===  POLICEWATCH  ===  BLOCKWATCH says
Avoid putting gifts under the Christmas tree or in other obvious locations, until the family opens them at Christmas.
There have been B&Es in the past years, where the gifts have all been stolen from under the tree!
Record serial numbers and store this information in a safe place. You can engrave your valuables with your BC Driver's Licence number.
You can also get some TB Vet's securitags for a small donation. Go to www.tbvets.org for this info.
===  UPDATES & INFO  ===
+ Howe Sound Lions Club Annual Christmas Tree Sales
Friday Dec 3 - 24 at AMBLESIDE PARK from 9am to 8pm
                   Support the Howe Sound Lions Club AND purchase your Christmas tree at the same time!
                Annual Christmas Tree Chip Up is Sunday January 10 from 10 to 3pm.
+  OPERATION RED NOSE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          
FREE, volunteer driving service from 9pm to 3am on Dec. 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, and 31st.  Volunteers working in teams of three people, will be the designated drivers to escort car owners and their cars home safely.  Donations are welcome.  Call 1 877 604 NOSE.                                                                                                                                                                                                            
+  TRANSLINK
Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2010 15:00:48 -0800
Subject: You are invited to participate in TransLink's North Shore Area Transit Plan
Hello,
   Planning and consultation to update and define a 30-year vision for transit service for the North Shore-the North Shore Area Transit Plan-are just getting underway. Your organization has been identified as a key stakeholder group, and I invite you to be part of the process and help shape this plan.
What is the North Shore Area Transit Plan?
    The North Shore Area Transit Plan is a planning process that includes the District of North Vancouver, the City of North Vancouver, the District of West Vancouver, Bowen Island and the Village of Lions Bay. Building on the 2000 North Shore Area Transit Plan and on-going improvements made since then, the updated plan will not only define a 30-year vision, it will also identify priorities that can be implemented in the near and medium terms.
   This phased planning process began in early September 2010 with early technical work, and will continue through to July 2011. Feedback from local stakeholders and the general public, in addition to factors such as land use and population density projections, will help us better plan for the future.
Your participation and input is invaluable
   As a local stakeholder, your input will be invaluable to this planning process. In early December, you will be invited to answer an electronic questionnaire, asking you to describe the role transit plays for your members and constituents. This information will help us prepare for "visioning" workshops that are being planned for late January 2011, where you and other stakeholders will be invited to help shape the North Shore transit vision.
   We have already started working with a Public Advisory Committee, and together with this committee, you will give TransLink the guidance it needs to plan for a transit future that best meets the needs of North Shore residents and businesses.
Visit us online for more information
   Learn more about the North Shore Area Transit Plan goals, timeline, and answers to frequently asked questions on our website. This site will be continually updated to provide you with the information you need to participate in this planning process.
   Please email me directly at Andrew.Brooke@translink.ca or call me at 604 216 3210 to confirm if you or a representative from your organization will be part of this process, or if you have any questions.
       I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
       Kind regards, Andrew Brooke, Senior Stakeholder Relations Advisor, TransLink

===  SUBSCRIBER UPDATE 26a  === Part of what sent out Dec 1.
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First Public Menorah Lighting
6pm Thursday December 02
Congregation Har El invites its friends and neighbours to the North Shore's first ever public Menorah Lighting. Everyone is welcome to join this celebration. Sufganiyot (donuts) and hot chocolate will be served. WV Community Centre
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North Shore Streamkeepers  --  nssk.ca
North Shore Streamkeepers in collaboration with the NV Community Arts Council and the NV District Hall present:
The Mackay Creek Project
Painting Exhibition and Film Preview
Film Preview  --  Thursday, December 2, 6:30 - 8:30pm
Painting Exhibition  -- December 1, 2010 - January 26, 2011
Opening Reception: Thursday, December 2, 6:30 - 8:30pm
[North Vancouver District Hall]
This exhibition and film preview combines science and art to explore the North Shore watershed and asks the question 'what are the odds of salmon survival in urban creeks in the 21st century?'
THE FILM
documenting the Mackay Creek Ecology Community Art Project, Wild Chance, will offer creative strategies encouraging a collaborative approach to conserve important wild lands that support migratory salmon populations in the urban interface. The film will be run every 1/2 hour between 7 - 8:30pm
THE EXHIBITION
is a series of oil paintings by Ron den Daas capturing a critical point in a local creek through the seasons revealing the complex nature inherent in the North Shore watershed. The paintings aim to inspire conservation and enhancement of these valuable ecological resources for future generations. The series consists of 60 panels that were created between 2008 - 2010. The Paintings will be on display at the District Foyer Gallery until Jan 26, 2011.
THE OPENING RECEPTION:
The opening reception will consist of a Welcoming Ceremony from representatives of Coast Salish Communities, opening remarks from the District and City of North Vancouver representatives, Chief Executive Officer of the Pacific Salmon Foundation, Brian Riddell and North Shore Streamkeepers chairperson, Karen Munro between 6:30 and 7:00 pm, followed by the preview of a film documenting The Mackay Creek Ecology Community Art Project; Wild Chance 2010 and information display panels on the ecological state of some North Shore creeks by the North Shore Streamkeepers. Light refreshments and snacks will be served in the foyer.
Ron den Daas  ecosystem@shaw.ca  studio  604 988 7544
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RECOGNITION OF AND THANKS FOR FEDERAL $$$ FUNDING
Date: Friday, December 3rd  Time: 3 pm     Place: WV Community Centre, Atrium
West Vancouver, BC: The District of West Vancouver invites you to join Member of Parliament John Weston, Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, and Council on Friday, December 3rd at the West Vancouver Community Centre to celebrate the completion of several projects funded through the Recreation Infrastructure Canada (RInC) program. RInC is a part of Canada's Economic Action Plan and is designed to invest $500 million in recreational facilities across Canada over a two-year period. West Vancouver has been the recipient of over $200,000 of RInC funding that has been invested in parks and community centres throughout the District.
    Community members from the West Vancouver Community Centres Services Society, the Seniors' Activity Centre Advisory Committee, the Field Sport Forum Working Group, and the Child Care Services Working Group will be present at the event. These community members will speak about the significant impact of these projects. 
    Join the District in thanking MP John Weston and the Government of Canada for these funding opportunities.  Refreshments will be provided.
RInC funding has been invested in the following projects throughout the District:
 =A7         Improvements to Glenmore Park (Ed Anderson Field) and Rick Genest Field. A new backstop at Glenmore and netting at Rick Genest. Also in this project were two sets of bleachers at Ambleside F field, one set at Ambleside C field, and one set at Klahanie Park. Hollyburn Field improvements included a backstop and gate.
 =A7         Upgrade lighting at West Vancouver Aquatic Centre. The grant was originally for the overhead lights of the main pool. This was completed well under budget so there were further upgrades to the underwater lights and sauna.
 =A7         Expand and enhance the Outdoor Playground at Ambleside Park.
 =A7         Build a Covered Walkway connecting the Seniors' Activity Centre to the West Vancouver Community Centre.
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at the Kay Meek Centre --  http://www.kaymeekcentre.com/on_stage/1051
PANDORA'S VOX AND ESPIRITU PRESENTS A NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT
~ 8pm Friday Dec 3 and Saturday Dec 4 at 2pm and 8pm ~
A dazzling array of seasonal song guaranteed to warm the heart and lift the spirit!
About Pandora's Vox
Founded in 1989 by Director Gillian Hunt, PANDORA'S VOX has been applauded as a unique and highly entertaining women's vocal ensemble. With an eclectic and creative style, the charismatic VOX sings with a vocal virtuosity that encompasses a surprising range of repertoire. The beautifully staged concerts are invariably sold out and receive rave reviews. PANDORA'S VOX performs regularly around the Lower Mainland and throughout the Pacific Northwest. The VOX also performs at conventions and private functions. PANDORA'S VOX is a two-time National finalist in the CBC Radio Choral Competition and has four recordings available: IN TREBLE, A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS, CANTABILE, WHISPER OF ANGELS and their newest CD entitled INVOXXICATION.
About Espiritu
ESPIRITU Vocal Ensemble was formed in September 2002 and operates under the umbrella of PANDORA'S VOX Vocal Ensemble Society. ESPIRITU, a 50 voice mixed ensemble, was created for committed choral singers within our community who wish to improve their vocal technique and perform challenging and diverse repertoire. Under the inspired direction of Gillian Hunt, ESPIRITU has developed an energetic, sophisticated and exquisityle blended sound. ESPIRITU's CD entitled FIRST IMPRESSIONS, a compilation of their most requested repertoire, is a welcome addition to any collection.
For more information, call 604-922-2513 or email pandorasvox@shawbiz.ca
$29 adult | $24 senior and student  //  Kay Meek Centre Box Office: 913 3634.
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== Saturday Dec 4 -- courtesy of WRA News:
~ 10am - 5pm ~ Makers' Market at St Monica's Church at the roundabout in Horseshoe Bay
A handmade event: Pottery, Farmhouse Furniture, Handmade Soap, Jewellery, Handbags, and Gift Bags; Artwork, Baked and Canned Goods, Children's Clothing, Wreaths, and more .
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www.bcmm.ca
BRITANNIA MINE MUSEUM -- WEEKEND -- SAT/SUN Dec 4/5
Come view the newly launched Britannia Mine Museum. Stroll along the boardwalk and visit the theatre, mineral gallery and restored heritage buildings full of fun, hands on exhibits. Step back in time and take a joy ride through the underground mine, dig up some treasured stories of our mining pioneers and pan for real gold (now with heated water).
Members' Holiday Weekend
Join us this weekend for a special Members Holiday Weekend. Enjoy warm apple cider while perusing the wide selection of gift and holiday items. Take advantage of your membership benefit of 15% off all items in the Company Store. Our shelves are stocked with one of a kind rocks, children's gifts, hand crafted stone ware and a large selection of books and DVDs. New to the gift shop is a beautiful range of jewellery with semi-precious stones as well as tree ornaments. Gifts range in price from 1.99 for a lump of coal (perfect for that naughty someone on your list!) to $150 for a rare rock sample. Click here to see new items in the Gift Shop.
Members' Holiday Weekend - December 4 & 5; call 1 800 896 4044 for visitor info

===  CALENDAR to Dec 9th  ===
All mtgs are at M Hall unless indicated otherwise.  NOTE: shown are mtgs known at this date; often there are additions, changes, cancellations after WVM goes out.  Check the DWV Calendar: http://www.westvancouver.ca/Calendar.aspx  .  Notices/mtgs/changes too late for the last WVM or too early for the next one are sent to subscribers as updates.  They then, unfortunately later, appear in the newsletter.
ONGOING:
+  LPPS: The Phyl Munday Nature Hut in Lighthouse Park is open Sundays from 2 to 4pm.
+  Dundarave Festival of Lights
     November 27th - Dundarave Fair and Lights Up                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
  Featuring Pacific Spirit Children's Choir, Sarah McLachlan's Music Outreach Youth Choir,        
  Collingwood School Junior Choir, West Van Youth Band                                                                                                                                                                                                                         
      December 4th - Installation of Historic Dundarave Nativity        
          Special Guests Squamish Elders and VOC Sweet Soul Gospel Choir and the Jacques Leger duo.                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
CANCELLED: Parks Master Plan WG, 7pm Tu Nov 23; Police Bd 5:30pm Th Nov 25
ADDED:  Sp Ccl mtg (closed; re litigation), 8am Thurs Nov 25
        Parks Master Plan WG ~ 1:30pm Thurs Nov 25 in Ambleside Park.
== Saturday Dec 4 -- courtesy of WRA News (was in Update 26a):
~ 10am - 5pm ~ Makers' Market at St Monica's Church at the roundabout in Horseshoe Bay
A handmade event: Pottery, Farmhouse Furniture, Handmade Soap, Jewellery, Handbags, and Gift Bags; Artwork, Baked and Canned Goods, Children's Clothing, Wreaths, and more.
== Tuesday Dec 7 
        ~ 5:30pm ~ Zoning Amendment Bylaw Public Mtg
        ~ 7pm ~ Parks Master Plan WG
AND Ambleside Lights Up!  Starts at Saltaire Restaurant  at 5:30pm.  Stroll through Ambleside Village carolling and enjoying hot chocolate and holiday treats. Share in the Christmas cheer with the sounds of the Collingwood Youth Choir as the giant Christmas tree at the entrance of Ambleside lights up (15th and Bellevue.
== Wednesday Dec 8  ~ 7pm ~ Library Bd mtg at the Library
== Thursday Dec 9       ~ 7:30am ~ Field Sport Forum WG
                        ~ 4:30pm ~ Design Review Cmte
== Friday Dec 10  ~ 9am ~ Cmnty Grants Cmte Mtg at Cmnty Ctr (Cedar Rm, 3rd floor)
== Saturday Dec 11  ~ A World Christmas ~                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              
A 12-mbr Mariachi Band, an Austrian Choir, a Polish Children's Choir, and Silk Road Music --
a Chinese/Celtic fusion trio to bring colour and energy to Christmas Celebrations.                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
== 7:30pm Sat Dec 11 and 2pm Sun Dec 12
WV United Church, 2062 Esquimalt (21st & Marine); info/tix 922 9191  
PACIFIC SPIRIT CHOIR  presents the ever popular
     CHRISTMAS CAROLONG, an Old-Time Carol Sing-a-long for the Entire Family
== Tuesday Dec 14  -- Enjoy the Christmas Magic!
Bonfire, Carol Sing-a-long, Festive Treats, Lantern Parade starts at 6pm at St. Monica's
Sponsored by the Horseshoe Bay Business Association
== Thursday Dec 16  ~ 6pm ~ NSh Family Court / Youth Justice Cmte mtg CANCELLED
== Friday Dec 17  ~  3:15pm ~ Concert in the Atrium
        This month's concert features the West Vancouver Youth Band.
+++  WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY +++  www.westvanlibrary.ca/event/calendar.php
+  ONGOING Fridays, Dec 10  --  English Corner  --  10 - 11:30am
        Come practise English Conversation! Free, no registration required.
+  Philosophers' Café -- 10:30am Friday Dec 17
Egoism -- are people interested only in themselves? When they give presents or cards are they really just out to meet their own needs?  No registration required; admission $5.
Music at the Library
Our piano has returned to the Main Hall and we are excited to make use of it during the month of December. Come in out of the cold, treat yourself to a hot chocolate and listen to some seasonal music.
         ~ 4 - 4:30pm ~ Thursday December 9; and Friday, December 10
         ~ 1:15 -1 :45pm ~  Wednesday December 15; and 11 - 11:15am Thursday December 16
+++  WV MUSEUM  +++  Visit:  http://www.westvanmuseum.blogspot.com/
KAO TANABE  --  October 26 to December 23
Takao Tanabe is one of Canada's most respected artists with a career spanning over six decades. This exhibition profiles a series of new watercolour paintings of the Rocky Mountains in winter alongside a selection of earlier works from the artist's own collection.  For more info about this exhibition, pls visit the Museum website or call 925 7295.
+++  FERRY BUILDING GALLERY  +++ http://ferrybuildinggallery.com ~ 925 7290
+  Nov 19 - Dec 19  --  Great Stuff  --  Christmas Gift & Art Sale
Jewellery, Pottery, Textiles, Cards, Paintings, Prints, Mosaics, and much more...created by 43 local artisans.  One of a kind items just in time for the Christmas shopper!
Great Stuff Hours: Tues - Sun 10am - 6pm; Fridays 10am - 8pm
+++ SILK PURSE +++  www.silkpurse.ca
November 29 - Dec 1  --  "3 Day Art Auction & Sale"
Well-known and highly recognized Capilano University IDEA (Illustration and Design) students create images of Vancouver, led by faculty member and respected artist Kiff Holland. Buy that special piece of art for Christmas for a fraction of the cost of other art works!
Opening Reception: TUESDAY November 30th from 6 - 8 pm
December 2 - 19  --  "Photographic Reflections"
An exhibition of photographic reflections reveals an array of fascinating patterns, intense colours, and organic and geometrical shapes. Photos include scenes of Canada, Europe, and the North Shore, and are presented by photographic artists Gary Eder, Keiko Imaizumi, Niloofar Miri, and Ensieh Rastegar.
Opening Reception:  SATURDAY December 4th from 2 - 4 pm
+++ KAY MEEK CENTRE +++
Complete list of events: http://kaymeekcentre.com/on_stage/events_calendar
Electronic newsletter: http://kaymeekcentre.weebly.com
Simplest way to get on email list, call 913 3634 or email tickets@kaymeekcentre.com
Thursday Dec 9  ~ 11am and 8pm ~ A FAIRY TALE CHRISTMAS WITH EURYTHMY AND BELLS
Friday Dec 10  ~ 8pm ~  A ROCK 'N' ROLL CHRISTMAS
Saturday Dec 11  ~ 10:30am ~ STAGECRAFT THEATRE SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
Monday Dec 13  ~ 7pm ~ WITH THANKS: A NIGHT TO CELEBRATE, A GIFT OF MUSIC
and more!
+++ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 60, West Vancouver +++
Website: http://www.westvan60.com/  --  ofc: 922 3587; lounge: 922 1920
"Where Volunteers make the difference." Chartered November 17th, 1926
The Winter Issue of "The Torch" is now available
 To view the newsletter, just click the following link for direct access:
http://www.westvan60.com/Images/The%20Torch%20Newsletter%20-%20Winter%202010.pdf
 The newsletter is available to any non-member who is interested.  To sign up, please fill in the form at the bottom of the webpage, http://www.westvan60.com/newsletter.html
> This is my last issue as Editor of The Torch, and what a great run it has been!  Three years ago Zone Commander Valerie MacGregor gave me the opportunity, and to her I extend a big thank you! With no prior knowledge of creating a
newsletter, it has been a hugely rewarding experience for me.
I hope my successor derives as much enjoyment as I have in being able to present members with the timely, interesting, and informative reports relating to our viable Branch 60.  Warm regards, Janice Mackay-Smith <
Election Results
The election of officers was held at the General Meeting on November 23rd. Welcome to our 2011 Executive members!
President-Joan Thibault
1st Vice-President-Donald Sinclair
2nd Vice President-Peter Skinner
Finance Chair-Bruce Young
Secretary-Reid Anderson
Service Officer-Rosemarie Block
Past President-Rosemarie Block
Executive Officers:
One-Year Term-John Wymer
One Year Remaining of Two-Year Term-Tom Dimitroff, Doris Dungey
Two-Year Term-Ian Carter, Jay Carter, Jeremy Woodham
COMING EVENTS:  Saturday, December 11th & 18th-Special Meat Draws of Turkeys and Hams
+++  WV CHAMBER OF COMMERCE  +++ http://www.westvanchamber.com
'Tis the Season...
The Chamber is delighted to hold the 2010 Christmas Party and Auction.
Once again this fun-filled evening will be hosted at the elegant English-style manor house, The Capilano Golf and Country Club.
This year partial proceeds go to the Harvest Project.
6:30 pm - Cocktails - No Host Bar   //  7:00 pm - Dinner 
Tickets: $125.00 Per Person (Plus HST) 
Dress attire is elegant holiday or your best business attire.... it is the perfect place and time to celebrate in style! Please RSVP by 5pm Wednesday December 1st (922 6614). 

===  CULTUREWATCH  ===
*  THEATRE
+ SCROOGE -- in Horseshoe Bay at St Monica's Church
A Community Theatre Event by Carol Coulson Productions
THREE PERFORMANCES: Saturday December 11th at 2 and 6pm; Sunday, December 12th at 4pm
Tickets: Adults $10 and Children $5, available at:St. Monica's Church, Makers' Market, and Starfire Studio.  All performances are at St Monica's Church; Information: 921 9112 or scrooge02@gmail.com
+ Hendry Hall  983 2633  --  Beauty and the Beast, Christmas Pantomime; Dec 3 - 19
+ Vancouver Playhouse ~ www.vancouverplayhouse.com 873 3311
        ~ Noel Coward's Brief Encounter , Nov 27 - Dec 23
+ Arts Club (tel 687 1644)
      It's a Wonderful Life to Jan 2nd (Granville Island Stage)
         White Christmas to Jan 2nd (Stanley Stage)
      Patron Saint of Stanley Park (Revue Stage) previews Nov 25 - 30; opens Dec 1st (goes to Dec 26)
+ Jericho Arts Centre
United Players proudly presents Mrs Klein by Nicholas Wright --  Nov. 12 - Dec 5
Thursday through Sunday, at 8 pm; Tix: $14 - $18; tel 224 8007, ext. 2
+ Havana Theatre  684 2787  ~~  Hamlet, Nov 18 to Dec 11
* ART
+ VANCOUVER ART GALLERY
    Calendar of Events: http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/events_and_programs/calendar_of_events.html
Also:  http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/e-glance/eglance_sept10.html
Member Discounts at shop.
-  VAG PUBLIC PROGRAMS  --  All Programs free for Members.
        NOW SHOWING: July 1, 2010 - January 3, 2011
        IN DIALOGUE WITH CARR: Douglas Coupland, Evan Lee, Liz Magor, Marianne Nicolson
http://www.vanartgallery.bc.ca/the_exhibitions/exhibit_in_dialogue_with_carr.html
For more information on the Gallery's relocation campaign, visit our new relocation website at www.newvanartgallery.com. You can also join the discussion on our Facebook page.
+ MUSIC at the VAG -- Eine Kleine Lunch Musik on Fridays
* MUSIC
+  BC Boys' Choir: WinterSong Concert, WV United Church (2062 Esq) 10am Wed Dec 8th 888 909 8282
+  VSO
There are just so many great things, pls go to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra's website:
        http://www.vancouversymphony.ca/ and choose from all those magic musical offerings.
- 8pm Mon Dec 6th at Orpheum: PLAY! A Video Game Symphony
Andy Brick, conductor -- Vancouver Bach Choir
Performed by the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and a full choir, PLAY! A Video Game Symphony features award-winning music from a catalogue of blockbuster video game titles, including Halo, Metal Gear Solid, Super Mario Bros., The Legend of Zelda, the World Premiere of Civilization V, and many more. Stunning graphics on large screens above the orchestra accompany the exciting scores, highlighting memorable moments from the video games.
Special Offer For ENEWS Subscribers
Order up to two (2) tickets for 50% off the regular price in any seat for Play! A Video Game Symphony on Monday, December 6th, 8pm, Orpheum. Call VSO Customer Service at 604.876.3434 to order your tickets now! Not to be combined with any other offer or discount; all sales final.
+++  Traditional Christmas Concerts
The Lower Mainland's most beloved Holiday music tradition! Maestro Bramwell Tovey leads the orchestra and two great choirs (as well as playing the piano!) in a celebration of the Holiday spirit, with carols, Christmas music, and plenty of audience sing-alongs! Maestro Tovey's arrangements of popular Christmas songs have become legendary crowd-pleasers over the years, and if you have yet to experience them, then don't miss out this Holiday Season! And, Vancouver's very own Bard, Christopher Gaze, narrates special, heartwarming and humorous Christmas stories.
St Andrew's-Wesley, Vancouver: 7:30pm Dec 9th; 7:30pm Dec 10th; 4pm and 7:30pm Dec 11th
[Surrey Dec 12; South Delta Dec 15; Bby Dec 16 then:]
Centennial Theatre, NV: 4pm and 7:30pm Dec 17th; Kay Meek Theatre, WV: 4pm and 7:30pm Dec 18th
Please click here for all the details.
+ EARLY MUSIC VANCOUVER --  40th Anniversary Season
Early Music Vancouver -- 1254 West 7th Avenue, Vancouver BC   V6H 1B6
T: 604 732-1610  F: 604 732-1602  E: staff@earlymusic.bc.ca  W: www.earlymusic.bc.ca
7pm Monday, December 6
"Early Music in Context" Free Lecture Series:
From Darkness to Light:
Performing the Sacred Cantatas of JS Bach in a Secular Age
Alma VanDusen/Peter Kaye Room, Lower Level, Central Library, 350 West Georgia St.
Admission is free. Seating is limited.
Early Music Vancouver's "Early Music in Context" series returns to the Vancouver Public Library with a lecture by Marc Destrubé, introducing our 2010 presentation of "Festive Bach Cantatas for Christmas".
Why do Bach's cantatas, each composed for a specific religious service, continue to be performed and appreciated by audiences 300 years later, and in contexts and circumstances far removed from those of Bach's time? This talk will explore why we go to a concert hall to hear music composed for the church, and why Bach's cantatas have a universality that goes far beyond their original purpose, with specific attention to the four cantatas being performed at the Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, on Wednesday, December 22.
Co-presented by Early Music Vancouver and the Vancouver Public Library.
For more info on the "Early Music in Context" lecture series, please visit: http://www.earlymusic.bc.ca/O-LibraryLectures.html
* VANCOUVER OPERA
LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR http://www.vancouveropera.ca/lucia_di_lammermoor.html
7:30pm December 4, 7, 9, 11 * Queen Elizabeth Theatre * 683 0222
Ancient clan hatred leads to madness and murder in Donizetti's thrilling masterpiece of melodic beauty and psychological depth. Lucia loves Edgardo, her family's enemy. With cruel deception, Lucia's brother forces her to marry another man to save the family from financial ruin. The consequences are devastating: three innocent people die and the bitter feud lives on.
Set in the brooding lowlands of Scotland, Lucia di Lammermoor's heartbreaking drama of fatal family dynamics and its portrait of a fragile virtuous woman are profoundly affecting. Passion, romance, filial love, loyalty and betrayal are all expressed in Donizetti's exquisite bel canto score. The climactic "mad scene" is one of the most famous in opera.
* PHOTOGRAPHY  Caroun Art Gallery (CAG), www.Caroun.net
December 1 - 31 from noon to 8pm -- "New Year Art & Craft Sale"
                                                 Painting, Calligraphy, Photographs, different Crafts (gifts)

===  Sp Ccl Mtg / FINANCE CMTE MTG NOTES Nov 22nd  ===
6pm in MHall Main Floor Conference Room; 7pm ccl mtg in chamber
Note:  At 6pm the reg Cci Mtg will commence in open session and will be immediately followed by a motion to exclude the public in order to hold a closed session, pursuant to section 90 of the Cmnty Charter.
6:00 PM
1.  CALL TO ORDER OPEN SESSION
2.  EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
RECOMMENDED: In the public interest, members of the public excluded from part of the Nov 15th regular Council Meeting on the basis of matters to be considered under the following section of the Community Charter:
90. (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the M;
(i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.
5.  ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
7:00 PM
4.  RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
{but it starts with 1, so maybe diff between ccl mtg and FinCmte mtg}
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor: Cclr Walker is ill unfortunately, so she's not with us this evening, so I'm going to be acting Finance Cmte Chair.
2. CONFIRMATION OF AGENDA
Mayor: we're going to vary the order just slightly, and put Chief Cook's presentation following the capital items so that our Dir/Fin can give a full presentation
If questions, can do during presentation but it's mostly review and a bit of further clarification based on our original FinCmte mtg on the budget.
Here to hear from the public.
3. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
Mayor: Adoption of the minutes; I have a couple of corrections
Under Public Questions, I'm not exactly sure Mr Tunner doesn't live on West Bay Place; it's Odlum Court or something; and the name Gary Polman is Garrett Polman
4. DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES - RECAP OF NOVEMBER 8TH PRESENTATION
NL: Thank you to the cmnty coming out, it's cold and miserable; brave coming out; appreciate that.
Part of this is going to be a review; fees and charges about 20% of our revenue budget
corporate initiatives; capital and infrastructure; proposed projects for 2011; pls feel free to bring questions forward
cmnty strategic plan drove the plan this year; principles, to operational plan
used BSC as our tool; ensures aligned and to measure; gauge ourselves on a quarterly basis
through 2011 going to see better measure and BSC
appreciated comments; heard what you were saying; we want to do quarterly financial reporting, will take a while to get there
think Mr Richards brought that forward as something he wd like to see, and I think beneficial for Ccl and the cmnty
performance metrics, have moved in that direction; allows us to benchmark
further definition to services we currently provide
discussion as we go forward, levels and quality of service; potentially delivering in a different manner
SLIDES
2011 Budget will be compliant with the GFOA; v rigorous set of standards, moving to that compliance
$77M budget, considering cost drivers, given our commitments (salaries, etc), legislative standards,  $1.2M increase overall in our budget
no FTE growth; speaks highly innovation, of our employees/staff
insurance reduction and allocation of capital; funds not spent last year will be moved forward; accomplished all the reqmts and in prudent manner
operating activities -- cost-saving: Cost Drivers within budget, a $2.6M increase just to manage our collective agreements and increase pension & benefits costs, and increased expenditures for changes in legislative standards
Labour represents 80% of our budget over all
Sop: you said no increase in FTEs; going to be?
eg we're budgeting for a person in Communications
how many expect to hire in 2011
NL: can't speak to hirings but can speak to allocations; vacancies in past, reallocated FTEs from one dept to another, realignment of FTEs
639 FTEs union, 101 non-union
ML: are we talking budgeted FTEs or actual FTEs
tell me end of 2010 and end of 2011 -- will there be a growth
NL: no
ML: so the 639 and 101 what we shd expect
NL: absolutely
ML: salary adjustments for 2011; understand commitment from collective agreements
are there increases in non-union
NL: xxxx  complex model wrt steps
ML: impact of not raises
NL: around $100 to 110K
CAO: not just managers, talking all exempt, clerical
ML: so
CAO: not managerial
{someone wanting to speak}
Mayor: wd be great to have your whole presentation; otherwise bit difficult to manage
NL: historically on
looked at needs for 2011 and going three to five years out
vehicles, some v rigid long-term plans; incredible amt of analysis
in other areas not had the opp to look at
IT one, Facilities Mntnce another so looked at what we need for 2011, v small allowance in those envelopes in terms of emergencies, generally this is needs-based
spoke about what was not spent in IT; technology was changing that the District wanted to take advantage of: virtual servers, robust enough so worth to look at -- something that had long-term cost efficiencies
some of the uses of our PCs not what we thought
we cd potentially look at different applications for different users so IT did not evolve as we anticipated
Infrastructure and mntnce and assets, so about 10% and that's $7M for 2011
Fees and Charges about $15M
a couple of years ago moved from tax-funded to user-pay
Fire do home inspections, their budget is $500K+
some Ms charge a flat 2% across; we did not think it the best way; each reviewed in its own merit so will be reviewed next Monday
Mayor: Dec 6
NL: good; Cmnty Strategic Plan; have highlighted [slide]; BSC
individual lists of assets requested; each with standardized template that captures all of the costs, ties in requests with BSC and strategic plans
all submissions reviewed on a needs basis; tie into a particular service, etc......
major capital projects: a list included in package
rlwy crossing gate, ped crossings, ensuring our residents are safe
compliance with requests from BCR
15th St and MDr: just the traffic signal
[list on slide; some funded by third parties, prov/fed; Spirit Trail Greenway, Amb Turf Field]
Library roof, 1756/1758 etc
Capital Fund Budget and Operating Budget
Mayor: does that conclude your presentation
NL: yes
Mayor: hear from Fire Chief or questions now
5. CHIEF COOK - FIRE PRESENTATION  [7:28]
FCh: SLIDES
purpose high level overview; cost drivers that impact the budget, finally some initiatives to make WV a safer cmnty in 2011
four fire stations, respond to over 3500 this year
109 FTEs; will save from reduction of one FTE
recovery fees
$12.3M
budget will support service levels for the cmnty
Ccl decisions on staffing determine
staff with four means crews can enter immediately
v high satisfactory rating
highest factor is salaries
$600K O/T and I've implemented strategies to reduce
shared services with our nbrs
replacement of a truck, xxx, largest cost a fire truck
Initiatives: feasibility planning for a new bldg shared with Police
fire tanks; training division; updating three-year plan
finally in partnership with Eagle Island residents, energy audits
all three Ms cross; etc.
signif opps, sending the nearest firehall or truck, means can cross boundaries
fire and parks staff together
District is a leader in the delivery of emergency services
Mayor: xxx  [7:43]
Sop: where are we going in the next few weeks wrt public, etc
wd like to know time schedule
Mayor: will depend on what we hear tonight; Qs re presentations and public
Sop: I have five pages of questions and will submit over next week
Mayor: begin tonight
Sop: Fire Chief -- our per capita costs, re other Ms why are we so high?
FChief: costs not seen as a good measure
one is popn and another, the length of the terrain
four fire halls, some Ms, eg CNV, small area and can manage with one fire hall
the travel time across this district, east - west - to north
number of staff to serve, diff
Sop: from the 2011 budget appears Fire costs will exceed Police -- ever going to see a reduction? based on bargaining; others saying 4%, what's it going to take?
FCh: we can cost share, cost avoidance; wages largely dictated by other Ms
recognized Fire wages signif more than others last sev years
try to provide service at least [sic] amt of cost
Sop: a series of consultant work to be done
xxxx, xxxx. [lists amt 7:39] all consulting fees
what's wrong with that picture?
not the expertise on staff?
NL: will ask my directors to jump [judge?] wrt their specific areas
they have put in initiatives, an expertise either not in the District or not 7:40
BL: one of those items -- centennial celebration is not a consulting fee; we were imagining a cmte????? presumed half raised through fundraising and half by District
first year hope $60K, half by fundraising
for now imagining, half committed by District; sorry, loose
Mayor: and they're all up for debate
Sop: block replacement policy, wonder eye ? of achieving replacement cycles based on hardware and software operability
where efficiencies if block?
NL: we certainly did not approach as block in any way shape or form, looked at needs of District as a whole
based 2011 on what was currently needed and technology
Sop: one more, then other cclrs
wrt blueprint for change, states that mean income in WV is $77K and indivi $34K and that was 2006
popn: adults 44%, low income 16.2%, over 65 is 23%; sgl-parent was xxx 7:44
that was in 2006 before the crash, wondering about ability to pay
Mayor: sounds good, but a question? still have to hear from public
Sop: must spend to achieve ecic progress
know revenues going to be there but ever consider the revenues
backwards.  ability to pay.  Not rosy.
when say quite comfortably to ppl we've done ev we can for last years; appears never going to be able to do that based on ecic progress
Mayor: so that's a rhetorical question
think all of us discipline to 7:46
MS: I'll forgo questions, listen to public then debate
TP: to Fire Chief, do you see shared services gain?
impact of closing a fire hall and what that wd mean to cmnty?
fees and charges, do you feel we've reached the max?
FCh: gains from shared services, see signif gains as work in unison not just for emerg but for training, etc; believe can shrink structure down
tried to align our bylaws and training across NSh
Four fire halls based on studies -- situated to allow four- to six-minute response to anywhere; stretched; there was a recommendation for a fifth
critical time for fire and rescue; based on that
re revenue, ofc staff maxed -- invoices, mgmt, close to making that $520K in rev
Ccl made decision toward user fees; some fit that well; normal resident doesn't receive ??????????not paid for by the taxpayers
ML: do the fees over the costs?
when might the shrinkage result in a reduction of the Op budget?
think we confuse the need for a fire hall with the need to position trucks, service delivery
linking together, we need to look at the fire delivery model from the bottom up; feel nothing changed since the Dark Ages; big fire engines to traffic accidents and heart attacks?
when cover
FCh; fees cover, yes; where we can, will charge back  ...  one supervisor for NSh instead of three
ML: target?
FCh: July
ea jurisdiction has its rank and file; one a bit challenging; maybe another governance to make it cost effective to do it that way
look at number of aerial trucks -- we have three, cd get by with two
vehicles within ten years of replacement
smaller vehicles but ours travel with all equipment: fire, medical, ropes for bridge, etc so not have to get another truck; xxx get [7:56]
Ev: does that include
FCh: xxx ... 13 firefighters, five officers, "lootenants"
{fyi: in Canada lieutenant is pronounced LEFFtenant, as in BC's Lieutenant Governor Steven Point.
See also LANGUAGEWATCH in the last newsletter, WVM26=BA.}
Ev: don't know what an xxx fire truck is
plsd to hear what Dir/Fin said; policy for replacement of vehicles
what was the basis of replacing it this year, it's a 1990 vehicle, what about leaving it to next year?
on NSh three and you say we cd get by with two
Mayor: so to speak
Ev; so to speak
FCh: the Anderson fire truck is the one of the day
shd be ignored as Ford Chevy
vehicle will be 20 yrs old in 2011; don't put on a lot of mileage but terrain a lot
annually we have to test all our pumps; rated, need to meet its rating -- failed last year
rigorous; need to meet standard
engines are generic, not like ladder trucks
only way for benefit is to join a hall -- not in WV but can DNV and CNV
we try to carry two reserves unless we need a callback {fallback}
one is out b/c being pump-tested
8pm
Mayor: now feedback from public; haven't a sign-up sheet -- you had a question from before
Laurie Moxon: $2.6M increase, $500 a head
what part does inflation bear in that?
when do the collective agreements expire?
[TEXT and COMMENTS SUPPLIED]
We have been advised that in the 2011 Budget:
1. Under Labour/Collective agreements
         Salary/Wage Increase:                                                          $2,590,503 -- no overall FTE growth
         Increases Pension and Benefits:                                                317,432
         Increased Expenditures for new standards and legislation:      200,000 est.
                                                                                                      $ 3,107,935 Total
2. Labour represents 80.81% of the general operating fund budget.
3. 639 Union Employees  +  101 Non-Union  =  740 Total
                                 (so increase works out to an average of $4200 per employee, for this year)
4. Perhaps this has been advised before, but for my information  I would like to know:
    How many Labour/Collective Agreements are there?   SIX
    When do they expire?  Two are under negotiation at present
    Generally, four-year Terms to expire in 2012 to avoid Olympic year? [no ans]
    What per cent increases apply in 2011 budget?   4%
     Is there a Cost of Living percentage included in that percentage?
                        There is no separate % for cost of living included in the 4%.
NL: I can answer and TJ can step in
4% increase and expire in 2013 -- for xxx and WVMEA -- Fire and Police as well?
TJ: we have six collective agreements spread [8:03]
two Fire and Police; WVMEA expires in 2012; Amalgam, Transit expire 2012
LM: what of the 4% is for COL increase?
TJ: 4% are negotiated increases, not COL per se, part of the neg itself

{When TJ came back to sit down near where I sit, I thought I'd ask about the 4% b/c it cd be taken as 4% until 2012/expiry but I'd been told 4% per year.  He said it was 4% per year.  It was then I decided that shd be clarified to anyone watching/listening.  A collective agreement that is 4% is quite different from one that's 4% per year for four or five years.  This struck me b/c of the contrast -- ITAC's and Cclr Lewis's statistics that the income of WV residents has gone down from 9% to 30% while going up  4% a year for WV staff's income -- compounded that's an increase of 17% after four years and 22% after five years.  There's something v wrong with this picture. 
Undoubtedly it needs more clarification.
Besides -- if COL goes down, will settlements?  in our dreams.}

Ray Richards: find this awkward; cd sit down and talk
Mayor: open and public
RR: but we can't cross-question
what we want to find out about
a huge amt of capital called mntnce -- is there a difference between ofc XXXXX
and not in Operating Budget
into that $6M pot
NL: Capital gets allocated out of the operating budget, just terminology we've used
maintaining the equipment inventory within the District
RR: but it says prop repair; doesn't look like a xxx
NL: operating envelope, includes a, b, [?]
RR: then put back into Op Exp by auditors?
NL: to tangible op expenses
we didn't want to have our operational activities
acctg procedure for expenditures done outside of the budget
RR: just doesn't fit general acctg principles
NL: all are... flow through to
actual transaction
treated as ... at end of year
Mayor: committed to meet.....  that will complete in 2011 wrt local govt
Gordon Ward Hall: we were told that the union, two will expire in 2012; when were they negotiated?
Mayor: to TJ
TJ: believe 2008
Mayor: four-year contract
GWH: wondering if before we cd xxx the equation
NL: new for [iRWS?] in 2008
GWH: two union agreements, two largest Fire and Police not negotiated yet
{YES}
GWH: [TEXT SUPPLIED]
WEST VANCOUVER BUDGET 2011
   Last year there was concern about the 2010 budget because the operating expenses were continuing to increase at two to three times the rate of inflation.
   This year there has been no reduction in expenses and the 2011 budget numbers once again have operating expenses increasing at the same pace.
   West Vancouver Operating Expenses per capita, of which over 80% are for salaries and benefits, already exceed those of every other municipality in the lower mainland yet the District is proposing a further 4.5% increase, and this during a period of recession and financial uncertainty.
   This increase of 4.5% is based on a comparison between the 2010 and 2011 budgets.   A more accurate reading of the percentage increases being proposed for 2011 is obtained if one reviews the divisional details at the back of the budget which show the "forecasted dollars to be spent in 2010" compared with to the 2011 budget breakdown.
   Based on this information the following percentages indicate the actual increases for Salaries and Benefits in 2011 over the forecasted costs for 2010 for certain departments.
Administrative Services                   plus 11.5%
Community Management & Partnerships       plus 13.4%
Human Resources and Payroll               plus 18.3%
Financial Services                        plus 13.6%
Police Services                   plus   7.6%
The increase for the remainder of the departments is above 4.5%.
   These increases are obviously unacceptable.  The District salaries and benefits are already much higher than those in private industry, yet the District increased salaries by 38% from 2004 to 2009 and continues to award increases at 2 to 3 times the rate of inflation.
   For a comparison I checked with a local association with 150 employees that is funded by the Government.   They had salary increases of 2% a year from 2006 to 2009 and there was no increase at all in 2010.   Their funding has been reduced and they had to find efficiencies in order to continue to provide the same services.
   West Vancouver must accept the fact that their operating expenses are out of line with all other lower mainland municipalities and they must reduce their overheads and expenses.   This is not about cutting services but rather increasing efficiency and reducing management and staffing costs in most departments with the goal of providing present services at a lower cost.
   The District should continue to raise revenue from services and other sources but there is a limit to the dollars that can be raised in this way so the focus must be on reducing operating costs.
   The overall increase in cost is partly due to the high cost of the Balanced Scorecard Management System.   This should be reviewed to determine if the system is yielding the required operating efficiencies or whether the focus of management has become the maintenance of the system rather than the goal of delivering high quality services at the lowest cost.
   The budget does not appear to include a provision for the future replacement costs of below ground infrastructures.   The District has recognized that it is going to be faced with this future expenditure and should therefore be making a yearly provision to cover these major expenses.
   In conclusion, I reiterate the need for the District to reduce the operating expenses while maintaining their present services and also to make provisions for the future replacement of the underground infrastructure.   These reductions should commence as soon as possible so that there is no requirement for a tax increase in 2011.
David Marley: wonder if I might get a glass of water, Mr Ward Hall's comments made me...
I have provided comments [in a letter], don't intend to read it
[TEXT SUPPLIED FOR THESE REMARKS]
Re: District's 2011 proposed operating budget.
   I make this submission as a District resident tax-payer as well as on behalf of my colleagues in the Interested Tax-payers' Action Committee ["ITAC"], each of whom is also a District resident tax-payer.
   I'd like to begin with two acknowledgments. Firstly, for a variety of well-known reasons we are all extremely fortunate to live in West Vancouver, not the least of which being the fact that the budget challenges facing our local government, while significant, pale in comparison to those facing many communities across Canada and elsewhere in advanced societies throughout the Western world. Secondly, our District's Council ought to be complimented for having demonstrated real leadership respecting budget matters insofar as it has kept local property taxes to virtually no increase over these past two years.
   Context is always important when budgets are being considered. My ITAC colleagues and I were encouraged to hear our District's newly-appointed director of finance refer to this fact at the last finance committee meeting. As she said, "We can't develop our budgets in isolation from what is going on in the rest of the world...We must be aware of the impact of regional infrastructure demands for tax dollars."
   We know, for instance, that according to StatsCan census data the median income of West Vancouver residents fell by 14.7% in the five years leading to 2005, with that of our "senior families" (ie. those over age 65), who as at that year made up fully 23% of our population, falling by an astonishing 30.9% to only $25,023. We know that since 2005, and especially since 2008, North America has experienced a serious assault on personal income and wealth, a situation that continues to pose a clear and present threat.
   Beginning last July 1st, the province imposed the 12% HST on goods and services, hitting consumers hard. Metro Vancouver operating budgets continue to rise, with attendant tax or utility fee increases. To finance expanded services, mostly in places other than the North Shore, TransLink is proposing an additional property tax levy across the Greater Vancouver area, to be set for residential properties at $8.91 per $100,000 of assessed value. West Vancouver property owners will once again feel the impact more than most.
   Here in West Vancouver population has remained essentially static in recent times, growing by a mere 1.3% between 2004 and 2009. Meanwhile, according to annual reports, over those five years the District's operating budget grew by 46.5%, from $46,609,982 to $68, 272,261, an average of 9.3% per year.
   We have been informed repeatedly that at least 80% of the District's annual operating costs are attributable to employee salaries and benefits packages. Shockingly, District documents reveal that, over the five years 2004 to 2009, fifteen senior managers received, on average, a 38.5% increase in their remuneration. That's an average of 7.7% per year. In one case, the five year total was 71.2%, while in another it was 63.7%. These increases are as unacceptable as they are unsustainable.
  Earlier this year, the District informed residents that we will be facing substantial increases in utility fees in order to cover costs associated with infrastructure replacement, specifically sewer and water mains and pipes. Last year, our utility fees went up by 4.4%. This year, according to articles in recent editions of the NS News, it appears that sewer, solid waste and water rates will increase, on average, by roughly 8%, for a total of some $103 on the average assessed residential property (ie. in West Vancouver currently, I believe, an improbable $1.1 million).
   ITAC agrees with the statement recently attributed to our mayor to the effect that increasing utility fees to cover necessary infrastructure replacement is the "long term responsible thing to do". However, the tax-paying residents, and businesses, of West Vancouver require some offsetting financial relief. A budgetary girdle must be placed on what appears to be profligate spending increases year over year on District operating costs, specifically employee remuneration.
   What to do? First, ITAC recommends that the 2.35% property tax increase presently slated for imposition in 2011 be eliminated. At a saving of $537,000 per tax point, this will amount to a reduction of $1,261,950, or a mere 2% of the District's proposed operating budget of $64,732,186. The 2011 operating budget will still increase by 2.45%, or $1,520,632 over this year. With no local population growth and virtually no, if any, inflation such an increase should be more than ample.
   Second, ITAC recommends that an amount equivalent to the cost associated with District infrastructure replacement in 2011 (ie. estimates for sewer and water systems are apparently $2.24 million) be removed from the proposed operating budget and set aside for future infrastructure replacement.
   Given the disproportionate amount of operating funds currently going to employee remuneration, this will require the District to begin reducing its payroll which, according to the District's web-site, now stands at 875, or one employee per 51 residents. This can be done by attrition and, where warranted, by adopting alternative service delivery methods. Any decision respecting the latter will necessitate Council being provided with appropriate activity-based cost information so as to be able to make accurate comparisons.
   In less than one year, local elections will be held and a new Council chosen. District residents will benefit greatly from a campaign leading to these elections during which issues of fiscal and operational management are openly and vigorously debated. In the meantime, this Council can set the tone by continuing to demonstrate leadership and bringing in a District operating budget for 2011 that is both responsible and respectful of the people who are being asked to provide the tax-dollars.
On behalf of ITAC, DOM
-- and Mr Garrett Polman has some specific suggestions
GP: efficiencies; reduce overhead; responding to Cclr Smith's request last week
[TEXT SUPPLIED, my bolding]
Presentation to the DWV Finance Committee
   What ITAC has recommended is a zero per cent tax increase and absorption of the infrastructure funding which we are very pleased Council approved last week.  This means it is now all the more important for the District to effect efficiencies.   I come from a corporate perspective where the practice was - don't reduce customer service; find ways to reduce overhead and find cost savings that don't affect services.  And that's what I'm proposing tonight. 
   We are the most expensive municipality in Metro Vancouver because we have the most staff proportionate to our size.  80% of our operational expenses go to staff.  And as staff get annual increases, that percentage will inexorably go up.   In the draft budget 90% of the proposed increases go for staff costs.  90%.  And only 10% for other types of expenses.   As the mayor said two weeks ago, we've even deferred painting the white lines on our streets, and that in a community with lots of curves in our roads, heavy rains and few street lights.  We need to break the cycle.  
   The budget proposes salary and wage increases of $2.6 million.  On average every employee will get a 5.2% raise.  How do we justify 5.2% in a weak economy and in a province where provincial wage contracts are up only 0.2% Over the last five years salaries and benefits in our municipality have gone up 30% overall and nearly 39% for senior staff.  In 2009 one third of staff was paid over $75,000 and 65 received over $100,000.  All of this is unsustainable.  This is a municipality, not a law firm.   ITAC has three suggestions that can save us somewhere between $1.5 and $2 million next year:
   Freeze salary increases for employees whose salaries are at Council's discretion.  
   Require Council's approval to fill vacancies and investigate reorganization or whether the position is truly essential.  ITAC suggested this two years ago.  Senior management said they would take this on, but it wasn't done.  The number of FTEs is still exactly the same as the budget of two years ago.  We suggest Council oversee this instead. 
   Thirdly, we suggest taking an approach similar to the province with negotiated contracts.  If they can manage 0.2%, so should we.            
   Two weeks ago the Chief of Police noted three other municipalities in Metro Vancouver with low crime rates.  I've put those municipalities plus the City of North Vancouver on an overhead and compared their per capita expenses for police, the fire department and libraries to those of West Vancouver.  See the results: compared to those four municipalities our Police is 33% more expensive, our Fire Department 65% more expensive and our Library 87% more.   
   Best practices include having a set of metrics that can be applied to similar activities so that you can compare efficiency across an industry.  All four municipalities have virtually identical opening hours for their libraries as we do in West Vancouver, offer the same statutory programs and will get you any book you need.  So why are our library costs almost double everyone else's?  And why do we have almost the same police staff as the District of North Vancouver which has twice the population?  ITAC believes, that as in the corporate sector, managers in the public service should conform to best practices.  Even achieving savings of only 5%--some $3 million -- for next year's budget in the context of a cost structure in West Vancouver that is some 50% more expensive than the Metro Vancouver average is a useful start.  If you want savings, push back and give direction so we actually start implementing some best practices.  Here are a few ideas.                
   The contract with library employees limits work that may be performed by volunteers. Why would you want a contract that reduces the flexibility of the taxpayers and increases their costs?  In this community where probably a third of the residents are retired or semi-retired and where there are hundreds of volunteers, we should welcome their involvement.    
   The recovery rates for recreational activities vary.  For the Community Centre on 21st Street, it's 75%; at Gleneagles, it's 71%.  If you swim in the Aquatic Centre it's 79%, but if you skate in the Ice Arena it drops to 57%.  The average recovery rate according to the budget is 68% (p. 42 of the Budget).  Most of the administrative costs are not recovered at all.  Why not?  Each percentage point of recreational recoveries is worth $120,000.  We all know why we're charging user fees for recreational activities, but are they at the right level given that we have unfunded infrastructure needs?  
   And why do we pay $1.5 million for cultural services but recover only 26%?  What is the rationale for subsidizing some activities more than others?  I recall Councillor Soprovich saying that after many years on Council he did not know the ins and outs of our cultural subsidies.  Seems our subsidies and cost recovery activities could benefit from a thorough review.   
Finally, I want to return to overhead expenses.  I have the following questions:   
Why is HR seeking a 20% increase in expenses including an additional FTE?  
Why is the Chief Constable's office getting a 55% increase?
Why is the CAO's office looking for a 7% increase?
Why do Cultural Services want a 14.5% increase?
Why is the Central Administration of the Parks Division up 7.3%?
By far the largest component of the Community Engagement Division is Cultural Services which has its own manager.  In that case what is the value added of the Deputy CAO office?
Do we really need a Director of Communications with 4 FTEs?
Why does the Fire Department have a full time finance officer?
Why does the Police have a homicide detective when murders in West Vancouver are a rarity and used to be dealt with elsewhere?  How can this detective gain expertise?  Where is the community benefit? 
It's disturbing to see that the areas of the municipality seeking the largest expense increases are almost wholly for more overhead.  This does nothing for the residents.  ITAC urges Council to have a serious look at all of these requests and scale this back.
Thank you  925 9899
[8:34] Chief Lepine: re homicide he's embedded with the VPD; decision some years ago; cease with Integrated
Mayor: Ccl supported that
Lepine: yes; relnship was formalized; IHIT and VPD; $80K cheaper and ITHT; offset by one
Mayor: your ofc and increased
Lepine: can't speak to that b/c we do WVPD budget somewhat differently
Mayor: HR Mr Schmaltz
TJ: seeking an add'l FTE; number of factors internally and externally; in terms of comparator
struggle to meet demands of dept
metrics used from a HR perspective, HR staff ratio, District our 112 FTEs per HR persons
other Ms similar in multi-union envmt
New West five unions, 55 to 1; Pt Moody 57 to 1; Vanc 76 to 1
internal look
added services, now seeking to provide add'l support to Police Services not previously resourced
signif portion employment costs
HR goal, managing costs; allocating; finding cost savings where possible
NL: imp ppl understand rigour
non-labour expenditures $192K increase on a $77M budget
worth noting divisions looked hard and deep to find savings
labour increases, you're absolutely right; the collective agreement says 4%
where an employee sitting on a step or band, will move up and will result in a 4.5 or 5% increase for the employee; that's how the collective agreement is structured and we're bound to that
non-labour expenses have been kept to a minimum
Mayor: further input?  Carolanne, you can be next.
{I'd got up earlier}
Marsha Bergen (Library): want to respond to challenge to the Library's budget; don't have figures to compare with other libraries
our op budget less than $4M last year and based on popn that can't translate into 97 dollars per capita, so wd like to take opp to respond to this in writing and will submit to Ccl
CR: Editor of WVM
Receiving all this information tonight, I didn't have anything prepared so I've been madly writing while ppl hv bn speaking.
We all know that we live in a fabulous M, don't think there's any doubt about that, and I think everybody's aims really to polish it to make it more sleek and efficient, and that's what our aim is
but I do think there are ways cd make more efficient, I think, uh, ... haven't had the time to come up with any of the excellent ideas that ITAC has, but they're good to keep in mind
the recession has made things more difficult for Ccl to, and the residents -- and we hear daily about the problems world-wide.
Cclr Lewis's figures last week of how much incomes had gone down were quite a shock.
I thought they might have gone down a little bit but the figures that he gave show that they're quite remarkable
and ITAC's figures support that decline in residents' income
TJ, I'm sorry I don't know his name, b/c you referred to him as TJ
Mayor: Mr Schmaltz
CR: Mr Schmaltz said that agreements expire in 2012 and the increase is 4%.
I think it's important for everyone to understand that what he meant was the increases are 4% per year, not 4% between now and 2012.

{When TJ Schmaltz had finished speaking at the podium and came back to sit down, I called him over to clarify what he said. As you see above, he said a raise of 4% and the agrmt expired in 2012. At best this is unclear. I pointedly asked him if he actually meant 4% per year, not 4% from now to 2012.  He said he thought ppl wd understand it was 4% per year, and that's one of the reasons I decided to get up to clarify. This is important to note b/c the years of 4% each year adds up, esp when thinking of Cclr Lewis's and ITAC's statements of the severe drop in the incomes of WV residents. Four years at 4% is 17% and five years, 22%.}

When you keep in mind the cost of living increases and ppl's salary increases, 4% last year, 4% this year, 4% next year, 4% for 2012, represent an enormous income and higher amt than most of the rest of the ppl, not only in this fabulous cmnty but other parts of BC and even Canada.
Who negotiated such rich agreements?
It seems rather, um, either optimistic of how much revenue we're going to have or, well, I'll let you figure out why you think it wd be such an incredible increase.
Maybe there cd be a different system.
We cd find out what your system is for the increases.
Maybe you cd involve some of the ratepayer groups and ITAC mbrs to look at the system and the suggestions and that, so that we can hope for something that's a little closer to what most ppl think wd be reasonable for the staff, b/c of what they're doing.
Mr Richards mentioned that this was awkward, and Madam Mayor, you said this is open.
I agree with both of you.
I think that you're both right.  Having this presentation in the open is v good for everyone to see.  It's going to be on television, so ppl can watch it and I think that's an excellent idea, tyvm, however, to get down to some of the discussions and concrete suggestions, in the past they used to have round tables with the ratepayer and interested [ppl/groups/things], and then it cd be divided either into tables or into subjects, so that the residents or the ratepayer groups and ITAC can go away with certain subjects that you set for an agenda.  And then you come and you meet with the ppl either separate tables and groups, or all together so that there can be a free flow.
B/c often what somebody says on the outside isn't practical on the inside when you know the situation, but we can't [always] know that.
And also, ppl on the outside don't always look outside the box, outside the Hall.
So I think a roundtable, if you cd have that, I think that might address some of the more, uh, make ppl come up with concrete suggestions and everyone cd be prepared for answers.
That was just my suggestion that 80% as the staff [remuneration/proportion of the budget], of course leaves a lot of ppl with questions, esp with such high increases.
So perhaps if we get more information we'll be able to give better input next time and maybe have a roundtable that we can help as much as we can.
to try to keep the budget down to the zero rate increase that it was last year
tyvm.
Mayor: anybody further?
Ccl's really wishing to get into this ...  Input or leaving?
{Man comes forward; apparently a mbr of one of the unions}
Mayor: uh, no. Well, as a representative of our staff, I'm not sure it is entirely approp
Mr McRadu?
CAO: he's the biz rep for our
Mayor: for WVMEA (the Union); not sure approp
Man: I just wanted to set the record straight on the comments of the last individual
{someone said not a ratepayer}
Mayor: then I wd welcome you to pass on to the CAO, and he can offer that.
Anyone further?
Maggie Pappas: second VP of Ch of Commerce
sat on Strategic Plan and we came up with the vision and mission stmt and the BSC

{ah, that overconfident bragging DWV vision stmt put forward by the Strategic Planning WG:
       West Vancouver will inspire excellence and lead by example.
Will? know it will so you can make that claim?
simple future, it will happen so no effort needed?
at least someone on the DWV homepage put more reasonably and encouragingly that WV wd strive to inspire excellence.  There are many excellent things about DWV but it's rather an exaggeration in some areas to say WV leads by example.}

wholeheartedly agree with BSC
only way go forward with consistent an  [8:48]
everyone in WG convinced best way to go along with three-year budget process
my personal opinion,
seems to me a one-year budget process
sharp minds and wise thoughts
in my role in Strategic Planning WG, we went through a phone book
looking at what cut; do that at your peril
85% wants what it has already and it wants more

{really? where's that stat from? true most are happy but wanting more involves a cost.
One survey I saw, IMO wasn't worth much b/c when asking if ppl are willing to pay more, has no way for a citizen to say how much more.  That makes things difficult.  Some may take that as carte blanche to do whatever, however, ask a resident and they'll have a limit.
In fact, the last Synovate survey reveals that only 7% wanted more services, figure that I've been told has been relatively consistent for 20 years.}

efficiencies, you'll have to cut someone
I count 25 ppl here tonight, thousands not here tonight b/c happy
only hearing those who want a diff kind of cmnty
live here for a reason, and part is b/c of &&&
WG, giving back to cmnty
hardworking ppl never knowing
here till midnight, weekends; a lot of extra time; providing groups here a lot of time
like to hear Ms Leemhuis measure that

{fyi, I've been told it varies: banked time, time off, don't charge, or get overtime, etc}

that said, wd like to comment Ms Leemhuis in difficult circumstances
...xxx  and totally support what you're doing
{Mayor called three times}
[8:52]  any questions?
Sop: what kind of questions do you want?
Mayor: I prefer to have a motion on the floor
MS: want a motion on the floor
Sop: I can put a motion on the floor
MS: can I explain why I don't want--
Sop: I move to eliminate 2.35% and XXXX set aside for XXX
ML: second
Sop: back down to zero
look at last year when we ended up with zero; hard work done by staff, didn't fall apart
serious prob when ever-increasing labour costs
leaving less and less for things to do
not to take away from work staff do
how sustain our future
individs able to stay and [pay]
options to have staff deferred but can't have utilities deferred so no relief
leaders in prov, zero two years in a row
progressive enough in this Ccl to find it
look at BSC, corporate plan
something for five, ten, 15 years
don't look at a big plan for any specific thing we're going to do
answer for everything, don't know if all right answers
makes a lot of sense to me, zero, and that's why I made the motion I did.
ML: speaking in support of Cclr Sop's motion
confused what trying to achieve ... xxx
describing the 2011 budget as extraordinary [8:57]
degree of information missing for me to make informed decisions to go forward
we do have a xxx BSC
however all driven by ability to pay for it
three-yr budget, one year plus two maybe, in this ecic climate
lucky if one year GIC at the bank
I rather like Cclr Sop's motion
not line by line; not going over $10K for X at the X
$77M budget
like staff to come back with a zero tax increase with add'l funds to infrastructure
we don't expect a degradation in service
we went through zero and this cmnty has not fallen apart
rather think we can again
after two years on the FinCmte, and on Ccl, this is the first time I've got XXXXX 9pm
whether too many middle mgrs
where are the metrics?
v diff to provide the oversight, stewardship we were elected to perform for the cmnty
wd like this coming from staff
Mayor: understand zero % tax increase, second part?
Sop: xxx @2.4M infrastructure, xxx ... get ...
ML: I think you're referring to $2.4M already allocated
[xxx]
redirected
as described in the ground
Sop: isn't that what I stated?
ML: not exactly
Mayor: I don't know what you're talking about; wd hv serious deep deep consequences
not that it can't be reduced
have to do a lot ...  at this point, see where this can go
Ev: get away from this zero budget ... xxx
expenses we're aware
it may be we can reduce budget by 10%
can, know, xxx
cd be 2..35% cd be more
simply to attach importance to zero is the wrong way to go about it
look at dept expenses look at anticipated, what imp to this M
come up with an increase or a reduction that makes sense.
got to be more substantive, then xxx
MS: build on something Cclr Lewis said
it's 9 o'clock on Nov 22nd -- first chance Ccl able to ask questions
PROCESS
we shd be having monthly budget mtgs throughout the year; discussing each
options for doing things more effectively
until we get to that level, it's like throwing darts at a wall
Mr Marley and Mr Polman, general ecic malaise
mathematical certainty this is not going to end well
Ireland [lists countries 9:06]; Americans are $X trillion in debt
have to look at our budget in that context, and in context of other Ms
credit staff 2.35%, chatting with other Ms, they came up with 5%, beat up on it and 3%
at least staff did not do that; realize an efficient xxx
cutting [xxx get amts]
as usual, can't make a pie with hot air and pastry
filling -- things we have to look at
strategic plan -- pedestrian [9:07] sitting on chair what entails?
worse than Mr Ward Hall said, look at .....
it's actually increase of 5.9%; clearly that's a concern
there are areas we need to look at and cut; got to look at each dept
I'm prepared to look at certain things
too much on Police and Fire, Police going up 7%
at dinner with board
budget increased 8% a year last few years
we don't have control, prov appoints, xxx
don't support increasing 4.6%
luck wd have it; figs at
low .47 M Ridge. ....Surrey, Langley DNV  and WV 2.23
we do have Cadillac fire service and v grateful for that
Remembrance Day Service looking at them, had a beer with them, these really healthy young ppl, underemployed, over world
fortunate Fire/Police Chief not up through ranks now the time to do it
good executive, they pay a price, load on the work bc they can handle it
doesn't make sense to keep responding to the medical calls we get, trucks that get 3 to 4 miles to the gallon
lead by example; projecting % increase for Mayor and Ccl; tax free
how on top
shd be able to find ppl who are willing to do this for $1 a year
{Sop laughing}
[I was] on Sch Bd $4000 a year
cd ramble on
there are opps to make some savings; have to direct staff to do it; can't just cut xxx
Maggie Pappas right, like living here, choose to live here, like services
high, more than satisfactory level
need time to come up with right soln
provide staff with direction -- where to find savings
don't know when between now and end of Dec
not in support of this motion or any motion b/c we haven't had time to
Mayor: ...  will
Sop: criticize me
Mayor: ...  then go back
TP: I'm not going to support his motion; agree with Cclr Sm
keep going back to other Ms; by choice this cmnty doesn't want any more industry, by choice no increased density
CNV, DNV, have to be careful about making those comparisons
BSC and Strat Plan was done during the recession
ITAC good ideas, too bad they were not engaged wd hv been valuable
BSC long-term thinking
going to a zero budget ev year, doesn't make sense
now Lib has tried, Police
can't sustain this
keep hearing from the cmnty can cut and maintain service levels
not convinced; wd like to see
compliment Fire Chef, looking at shared services; excellent example in UK where they've cut staff
taken them over a decade to do it; don't do it instantly
in favour of new ideas
Fire and Pol .... don't think cmnty wants it to change
wd be interested to see what this survey says
safe cmnty b/c that service
not sure I'm hearing from the cmnty
hearing from citizens tonight, through xxx listened
happy with services here
many new executive, looking at
we have to be good stewards of financial resources of this cmnty
arts and culture, our environment, cmnty services
Mayor; call the question on this, then?
Sop: all charged -- to Cclr Lewis and [me]
came up with eight or nine pages; assume we cd eliminate the 2.34%
second part, you have a full pot of $68M and you can't find xxx ?
based on the BSC
fledge along in twinkle toes; never going to get resolved
we did it last year to set a precedent
Cclr Sm, you xxx
where when 80% salaries, it's always going to be that way
look at what's being stated; I have the same passion for this cmnty and the staff and the work they do
setting policy for the future
Madam Mayor same.....
I like today ... zero ... that is a policy of moving forward slowly
I consider a sound policy for next two to three years
then look to future, we might see a blip
might not always be at zero but [9:22]
sit down with Ms Leemhuis, with this, where ability to make change
way to go
District infrastructure of $2.4M then way to get around it
the feedback xxx??, can't accept it;  in $67M xxx
MS: imp ppl realize what happened last year
zero but spent X% {more?}
xxx ...  cut infrastructure so just passed on the cost to future
do agree we need a proper process; that's the name of the game
Mayor: it's shocking to me that all mbrs of this have not been steeped in this done
to xxx is a stretch, it will put the District in a position of neglect
I inherited neglect xxx a Police Dept xxx I paid a price
prof .....  wch drives revenue
prov requires, otherwise they'll tell us what to do
it's diff, costs more money
if we wish to decrease that budget will be at cost to cmnty
cut sch liaison, can't be violent crime
wrt Fire Dept, I inherited staff running circles around mgmt
eliminated $600K
lack of xxx; opp to build a new fire hall across the street; can start that now
will be  difficult, draconian cut
cost of fire dispatch and E-Comm
NV ready to go and we're holding it back
Gleneagles boarded up, Klee Wyck; cmnty xxx whole xxx
partly why cmnty so engaged
think of Strat Plan and WG initiatives
but you can't ask ppl to meet weekly, parks, child care, then then say we can't afford it
[9:27]  over and over and that's what makes WV special
solidly residential
can't just one, ? miles on a grid
face questions re density in this nbrhd
same ppl will say reduce taxes
think Ccl is saying take this on
don't think mayors' ccl will get anywhere with TransLink Dec 9
WV has the most to lose in that debate
I'm one of a handful not to support that
the challenge is to take a xxx approach
share with each other before the next mtg
? we can cut $3.4M
fire hall we're closing or Lib
highest recovery rates
best Library, b/c of our volunteers -- they knock themselves out
repeated in other facilities
be careful taking away -- Lib, Police, xxx no increases to get to 2.35%
delicate balance
want to make sure were clear of the impact and proud of it b/c in best interests of cmnty
this will return to Ccl Dec 6 unless organize another Finance Mtg
ML: not sure the motion was going to pass this evening
assure some continuity; adjustments; a bit painful but staff came back
as a group Ccl went through, maybe this can wait a year, this we can forget about
without that at a loss to see how we can move forward
Mayor: staff have worked for months
this is their best, professional opinion
as Cclr Sm said, our Dir/Fin, Fire/Police Chief
ML: hear what you're saying but not xxx
talked last year, we're talking about a lot going to retire
signed a whack of them
over the course of this year; don't fill immediately will be cost saving
just learned xxx $110K
what we can manage through attrition
credit to staff, barring snow removal, we're going to end with a $500K surplus, that's a 1%
if we can save 1%, that's in itself is a xxx
totality xxx; I'll take xxx
CAO: now comes down to a political decision
we can not replace but that work is not going to get done or xxx
believe only one person who is prepared to retire in 2011; there are a number eligible to retire; can deal with that but Ccl has to understand what work is not going to be accomplished or who's gong to take that work
Sop: policy for purchasing goods and services
that review will take some time; look at bidding process for paving, etc
not saying anything wrong but cd see some efficiencies
NL: you always make me look good
this is something we're looking at in 2011; opp for partnerships, sharing of services with NV; volume buying;facilities/asset mgt; currently separately
how we purchase gas, etc; absolutely going in that direction
Sop: through proper review cd see ... to reduction
Mayor: you've heard Ms L say that three times in her presentation
the diff between that and $5.3M
pressure on staff to carry through with suggestions
illustrate attention
under leadership of Ms L and our CAO
allow us to tread water but not scale and scope your motion suggests
certainly an excellent debate
Ev: not necessarily wedded to 2.35%; xx
a couple of years ago new CAO and seen a tremendous change
imp gen public reminded
pretty tough in our first two budgets; lowest of all MetroV two years in a row
if 2.35% the increase wd be 1.7% av over three years
doesn't mean we can't improve; can make some economies and changes
new Dir/Fin and she's been able to demonstrate to me
believe we'll see benefits [9:41]
we've taken those steps, sometimes a little bit too slow for some ppl
generally we're going in the right direction
this M over the past three years has done a v gd job and I'm  xxx
Mayor: motion is defeated; have budget discussion return to a regular ccl mtg
TP: agree
CAO: topic or bylaw?
Mayor: Cclrs come forward with where cut, then bylaw; don't think bylaw yet
CAO: guess you and I will have to decide how xxx
Sop: wd like another public mtg; without that, discussions stop here
certainly with what we get on the 6th, will be a full mtg
Dir/Fin want to
Mayor: you know cclrs away until Dec 1st
Sop: or on a Wed morning
Mayor: know no time before Dec 6; have it on Dec 6 mtg for suggestions
Sop: so each cclr sit down with Dr/Fin for her to see the light
Mayor: your POV, do it in public, then staff to according to will of Ccl
Sop: where does it go?
Mayor: you've been on the ccl longest
again direction has to [9:46]
Sop: nothing to hide
Mayor:  ADJOURNMENT

{Hello? Hello! Other speakers' questions were answered but not mine about who and how collective agreements negotiated.  AND, staff remuneration is over 80% of the Operating Budget!  Surely that's the elephant in the room that has to be dealt wth.  Address the biggest reason for the increases.
HR negotiates for all the staff? and according to Ward Hall's and Garrett Polman's presentations they've increased 18% to 20%.
Apart from that, the Public Question Period just before Adjournment was skipped.}

-->  hm -- what happened to this part of the agenda go?
6. FEES AND CHARGES
7. QUESTION PERIOD
8. COMMUNITY STRATEGIC PLAN MONITORING VIA BALANCED SCORECARD INITIATIVES, DIVISIONAL SUMMARIES AND ONE TIME FUNDING; QUESTION PERIOD
9. CAPITAL ITEMS: INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY; SMALL EQUIPMENT; FACILITY MAINTENANCE; GROUNDS AND PARKS; TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE; 1756/1758 - AMENITY FUND; MAJOR PROJECTS; QUESTIONS
10. PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD  {Didn't call for it or have it!!!}
11. NEXT STEPS  //  12. NEXT MEETING
13. RESOLUTION RE EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC PURSUANT TO s.90 of THE COMMUNITY CHARTER (if required)
14. ADJOURNMENT

===  COUNCIL MTG AGENDA/NOTES Thursday Nov 25  ===  8am
1.  CALL TO ORDER OPEN SESSION
2.  EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
RECOMMENDED: In the public interest, members of the public excluded from part of the Nov 15th regular Council Meeting on the basis of matters to be considered under the following section of the Community Charter:
90. (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(g) litigation or potential litigation affecting the M;
(i) the receipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.
{SO NO NOTES}
===  COUNCIL MTG AGENDA Dec 6th ===
6pm in MHall Main Floor Conference Room; 7pm ccl mtg in chamber
Note:  At 6pm the reg Cci Mtg will commence in open session and will be immediately followed by a motion to exclude the public in order to hold a closed session, pursuant to section 90 of the Cmnty Charter.
6:00 PM
1.  CALL TO ORDER OPEN SESSION
2.  EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC
RECOMMENDED: In the public interest, members of the public excluded from part of the Dec 6th regular Council Meeting on the basis of matters to be considered under the following section of the Community Charter:
90. (1) A part of a council meeting may be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered relates to or is one or more of the following:
(a)  personal information about an identifiable individual who holds or is being considered for a position as an officer, employee, or agent of the municipality or another position appointed by the municipality;
(c)  labour relations or other employee relations;
(e)  the acquisition, disposition, or expropriation of land or improvements, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality;
(f)  law enforcement, if the council considers that disclosure could reasonably be expected to harm the conduct of an investigation under or enforcement of an enactment;
(g)  litigation or potential litigation affecting the municipality; and
(k)  negotiations and related discussions respecting the proposed provision of a municipal service that are at their preliminary stages and that, in the view of the council, could reasonably be expected to harm the interests of the municipality if they were held in public.
3.  ADJOURN TO CLOSED SESSION
7:00 PM
4.  RECONVENE OPEN SESSION
5.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA
6.  ADOPTION OF MINUTES
RECOMMENDED: THAT the following Minutes be adopted as circulated:
Nov 15, 2010 Regular Council Mtg; Nov 22, 2010 Special Council Mtg; and Nov 25, 2010 Special Council Mtg.
REPORTS
7.  2011 Proposed Budget (File:  0860-01)  --  Information to be provided.
{What sort of input can be expected if information to be provided Monday night?  Let's hope they put some up ahead of time.  In any case, time is needed; no problem deferring more input to January.  The deadline for adoption of the budget is May 15.)
8. Special Events Report (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4414, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 4661, 2010) (File:  3015-01)
RECOMMENDED THAT:
1. The proposed amendments to the Special Events Policy, as attached to the report dated November 22, 2010 titled "Special Events Report", to integrate commercial and corporate events through the introduction of five categories be approved;
2. The proposed amendments to the Special Events Procedures, as attached to the report dated November 22, 2010 titled "Special Events Report", to reflect the changes in the administration and implementation of the five categories of events be approved;
3. Fees and Charges Bylaw (regarding Special Event Fees) be read a first, second, and third time.
9. Proposed Business Licence Bylaw No. 4455, 2005 Amendment Bylaw No. 4656, 2010 regarding the Sale of Rabbits in Retail Stores, Pro-Ration of Secondary Suite and Special Event Business Licence Fees and Deletion of Temporary Accommodation Provisions (File:  1605-08/1610-20-4455/4656)
RECOMMENDED THAT:
1. Business Licence Amendment Bylaw be introduced and read a first, second, and third time.
2. Notice be given of Council's intention to consider proposed Business Licence Amendment Bylaw.
10. Fees and Charges Review, and Proposed Bylaw Amendments (Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 4414, 2005, Amendment Bylaw No. 4669, 2010) (File:  1610 20 4669)
        RECOMMENDED: THAT "Fees and Charges Bylaw be read a first, second, and third time.
11. Street Level Crossing at Park Royal Shopping Centre (File:  0120-06)
Councillor Soprovich provided a notice of motion at the November 15, 2010 Council Meeting.
RECOMMENDED: THAT
WHEREAS the July 26, 2010 Council Meeting minutes, Item 8, in respect to the proposed at grade intersection and traffic light at Park Royal and Marine Drive, states:
"THAT part 2 of the original motion be referred back to staff for a further report and a public process."
AND WHEREAS the report from staff dated October 7, 2010 was first made available for the October 18, 2010 Council Meeting
AND WHEREAS a play back of the July 26, 2010 Council Meeting Item 8 video clip indicates to the public that the staff report would be made available for public review and discussion at a public meeting hosted by the municipality in a municipal facility
AND WHEREAS the report from staff dated October 7, 2010 was made available only for the October 18, 2010 Council Meeting and therefore there was no opportunity for review by and discussion with the public at a public meeting
AND WHEREAS the motion made at the October 18, 2010 Council Meeting in Item 10 states:
"Council authorize staff to approve the detailed design drawings for the intersection including landscaping and signalization design subject to conformance to district standards and requirements"
AND WHEREAS the above noted motion made at the October 18, 2010 Council Meeting does not specify who would construct the intersection nor does it say who would pay for the new intersection
AND WHEREAS the impact on traffic patterns and traffic flow of the completed Lions Gate bridgehead and Capilano Bridge modifications is unknown and of concern to many,
NOW THEREFORE Council resolves
THAT
1.  The street level crossing from Park Royal shopping centre south to PkRoyal north across DWV dedicated highway known as Marine Drive not proceed until Ccl has specifically approved design drawings and further consulted with the public, and
2.  Council host a public mtg as indicated in Item 8 of the July 26, 2010 Ccl Mtg."
12. Metro Vancouver Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan -Endorsement of Municipal Actions (File: 0185-08-07)
RECOMMENDED THAT:
1. The municipal commitments included in the proposed Metro Vancouver Integrated Liquid Waste and Resource Management Plan be endorsed subject to the following conditions:
a) equitable cost allocation amongst member municipalities following a review by Metro Vancouver of past cost sharing practices for large municipal infrastructure projects;
b) commitment of one third funding each from the Federal and Provincial governments for the new Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant;
c) that the "Integrated Resource Recovery Study for the Metro Vancouver North Shore Communities", completed by Fidelus Resource Group be subjected to a peer review;
d) further technical study be conducted to determine specific optimal technologies, as well as the feasibility of implementation, phasing, and scale-ability for each concept, as it relates to incorporating Integrated Resource Recovery principles to the design of the new Lions Gate Wastewater Treatment Plant; and
e) that the Metro Vancouver Waste Management Committee and Board undertake a process to review the existing governance model for local and regional governments as it relates to resource recovery, including the development of district energy systems and production of bio-fuels.
2. A copy of this resolution, the September 23, 2010 Council report referenced in Appendix 1, and this report be forwarded to Metro Vancouver, the District of NV, the City of NV, and to the Squamish Nation.
BYLAWS for ADOPTION
13. Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 4490, 2006, Amendment Bylaw No. 4667, 2010; Sewer and Drainage Utility Fee Bylaw No. 4538, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 4665, 2010; Solid Waste Utility Bylaw No. 4118, 1998, Amendment Bylaw No. 4666, 2010; 5 Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 4631, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 4664, 2010; and Building Bylaw No. 4400, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 4663, 2010
These bylaws received three readings at the November 15, 2010 regular Council meeting.
RECOMMENDED: THAT the following bylaws be adopted:
Waterworks Regulation Bylaw No. 4490, 2006, Amendment Bylaw No. 4667, 2010
Sewer and Drainage Utility Fee Bylaw No. 4538, 2007, Amendment Bylaw No. 4665, 2010
Solid Waste Utility Bylaw No. 4118, 1998, Amendment Bylaw No. 4666, 2010
[Five-]Year Financial Plan Bylaw No. 4631, 2010, Amendment Bylaw No. 4664, 2010
Building Bylaw No. 4400, 2004, Amendment Bylaw No. 4663, 2010
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
14. Consent Agenda Items
14.1 Additional Council Meeting on December 20, 2010 (File: 0120-01)
14.2 Appointment to Metro Vancouver Labour Relations Bureau (File:  0185-06)
                Information to be provided.
14.3 2011 Acting Mayor Schedule (File: 0120-01)  --  Information to be provided.
14.4 Proposed 2011 Council Meeting Schedule (File: 0120-01)
RECOMMENDED:  THAT the proposed 2011 Council Meeting Schedule as attached to the report dated November 18, 2010 from the Manager of Legislative Services be approved.
14.5 Correspondence List (see link on electronic agenda)
November 15-19
>  Referred for action
(1) Stonethro BCS 1593 Strata Corporation Council, November 13, 2010, regarding Gordon Avenue, Loose Gravel Nuisance (Referred to Director of Engineering and Transportation for consideration and response)
(2) November 17, 2010, regarding Klee Wyck (Referred to Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for consideration and response)
>  Received for information
(3) Shaw Cablesystems, October 29, 2010, regarding Council Broadcasts on Shaw TV
(4) North Shore Volunteers for Seniors, November 2, regarding Invitation to Annual Christmas Luncheon
(5) [Five] submissions regarding Taylorwood Place Redevelopment
   (a) November 11 (b) November 14 (c) November 15 (d) November 16 (e) November 18
(6) November 12, 2010, regarding Proposed Sale of the Wetmore Site at Marine and 22nd
(7) November 12, 2010, regarding Public Skating Rink
(8) Hon. K. Falcon, Ministry of Health Services, November 12, 2010, regarding New Health Promotion Initiative (ActNow BC Community Model)
(9) Metro Vancouver, November 12, regarding Regional Growth Strategy Public Hearing Schedule
(10) M. Roberts, Section-T Consulting, Nov 15, regarding Delegation Request regarding the Capilano Bridge
(11) Union of BC Municipalities, Nov 16, regarding Vancouver Foundation's Granting Programs for 2011
(12) E-Comm 9-1-1, November 16, 2010, regarding CEO Appointment - E Comm 9-1-1
(13) Union of British Columbia Municipalities, November 17, 2010 regarding Ministry Website on Implementation of the Elections Task Force Recommendations: Campaign Expense Limits
November 22-29
> Referred for action
(1) North Shore Family Court/Youth Justice Committee, November 18, 2010, regarding 2009/2010 Annual Report and request for delegation (Referred to Mayor and Council for consideration)
> Received for information
(2) E-Comm 9-1-1, undated, No. 30 Fall 2010 E-Comm Newsletter
(3) Greyhound Canada Transportation ULC, November 18, regarding Reduction of Bus Service between Vancouver and Nanaimo
(4) Union of BC Municipalities, November 17, 2010, regarding Community Tourism Program (Phases 1 & 2) - WinterSong Festival (2010 Olympics)
(5) [Two] submissions regarding Taylorwood Place Redevelopment
a) November 19, 2010  b) Charlwood International Corporation, November 23, 2010
(6) [Three] submissions regarding Proposed 2011 Budget
a) G. Polman, Interested Tax-payers Action Committee (ITAC), November 21, 2010
b) D. Marley, Interested Tax-payers Action Committee (ITAC), November 22, 2010
c) November 23, 2010
(7) November 22, 2010, regarding Infrastructure Costs (Increase in Utility Rates)
{no responses to questions or letters?
15.  OTHER ITEMS  --  No items.
16. REPORTS from MAYOR/CCLRS    17. PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS    18. ADJOURNMENT

===  ANIMALWATCH  ===
>  European cheetahs spearhead drive back into wild
By Thair Shaikh, CNN  November 26, 2010 -- Updated 1523 GMT (2323 HKT)
...  According to estimates, there were more than 100,000 cheetahs in the wild in 1900 spread across at least 44 countries throughout Africa and Asia. Today between 10,000 to 12,500 animals remain, found mostly in Africa. About 100 are believed to remain in the wild in Iran.
The species was declared extinct in India in 1952 and it has been extinct in the Arabian peninsula since 1972, although a litter was born in a nature reserve in the UAE earlier this year.
     http://edition.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/europe/11/26/uk.cheetah.kenya/index.html?hpt=C2
>  VIDEO: Hero house cat raises fire alarm (cute BC story)
Last Updated: Monday, November 29, 2010 | 10:09 AM PT  CBC News
A house cat from Vancouver Island is being called a hero for saving a family from a potentially deadly house fire, Kristen Robinson reports.
      Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2010/11/29/bc-.html?ref=rss#ixzz16hWRvaNE
> Red panda packs bags for Wisconsin (adorable photo)
Last Updated: Tuesday, November 30, 2010 | 2:42 PM MT CBC News
Sha-Lei, a red panda born in at the Edmonton Valley Zoo in 2009 seen here September 2010. (CBC)
     Read more: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2010/11/30/edmonton-red-panda-wisconsin.html#ixzz16qcmuUUc

===  HERITAGEWATCH  ===  More on Chuck Davis
'Mr. Vancouver' loved a good fact
        He made every effort to track down accurate details in researching the past of his favourite city
TOM HAWTHORN  Special to The Globe and Mail  November 22, 2010
VICTORIA -- Chuck Davis unearthed forgotten tales from Vancouver's rollicking past, providing a history for a city whose memory sometimes seems no deeper than its latest property boom.
Davis, who died on Saturday, three days after his 75th birthday, was an amateur historian who frequented archives and libraries. He mined documents and yellowed newspaper clippings, scavenging facts and oddball nuggets for his books and articles.
A man of boyish enthusiasms, he had an anecdote for every occasion. After a dramatic public announcement of a diagnosis of untreatable lung cancer, he told reporters about one of his recent finds. In 1909, the city acquired the first mechanized ambulance in the Dominion. The crew proudly took it on a tour of the city, during which they struck and killed a pedestrian.
The absurdity of that tragedy struck him as humorous, and one could not help but admire a man whose appreciation of the macabre was undiminished in the face of his own death sentence.
Davis was one of the city's most familiar figures, an avuncular presence for nearly a half century as author, lecturer, quizmaster, cruciverbalist, television host, and radio announcer. No living person knew more about the city and its past, earning him the nickname Mr. Vancouver.
He edited two urban encyclopedias - The Vancouver Book (1976) - and The Greater Vancouver Book (1997) - and was at work on a third, The History of Metropolitan Vancouver, which he described as his magnum opus. He had 17 titles to his credit.
An amiable man with a hearty laugh, Davis was, in the words of one of his many friends, a "delightful shambles". His many passions did not extend to his wardrobe, which often consisted of rumbled shirts and formless sweaters of unappealing pattern. He worked from a home office through which passage was made treacherous by paper stalagmites of uncertain stability. ...
...  Charles Hector Davis was born in Winnipeg on Nov. 17, 1935. His parents' marriage soon after collapsed and he only once ever met his mother. In December, 1944, his father, who operated three modest confectionaries, moved with the boy to the West Coast. They lived in a former squatter's shack built over the Burrard Inlet shoreline. It lacked electricity and shook ominously when freight trains rumbled past.
Two years later, fire destroyed the shack and the homeless boy appeared in a photograph on the front page of a local daily.
A teacher's etymological examination of the origins of "breakfast" - the act of breaking, or interrupting, a fast - sparked in the schoolboy a lifelong fascination with words. (Davis was a demon at Scrabble.) He also began compiling lists of such facts as the rivers of Australia and the prime ministers of Hungary. His father jokingly suggested he compile a list of his lists, which became much of his working life.
The boy and his father moved to Toronto, where they lived in rooming houses. Chuck sold copies of The Globe and Mail at the intersection of Queen and Bathurst streets, offering passersby a patter of slick talk ("almost like speaking in tongues").
Since the neighbourhood included many Poles and Ukrainians, he asked another vendor for a Slavic word for newspaper. He later discovered that the day's poor sales were the result of his trying to sell newspapers while bellowing the Polish word for feces.
His formal education ended at 13 midway through Grade 8. At 17, by which time he had held 23 different jobs, he decided he wanted to fight in Korea. He enlisted with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in June, 1953. ...
From:  http://v1.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20101122.OBDAVISATL/BDAStory/BDA/deaths
-----
From: http://tomhawthorn.blogspot.com/2010/11/chuck-davis-historian-known-as-mr.html
Chuck Davis delights at finding another swell fact. Photograph by Les Bazso.
...For the past several years, he has been beavering away on The History of Metropolitan Vancouver. Having learned his lesson from the previous fiasco, he enlisted corporate sponsors to finance the writing of a  year-by-year account of the region stretching from Bowen Island east to Langley. An extensive website, which can be seen at vancouverhistory.ca, offers a flavour of the rich anecdote and telling detail Mr. Davis uncovered in his research.
   The book is to be issued by Harbour Publishing next year to mark the city's quasquicentennial. The author spent his final weeks raising $30,000 to hire a writer to complete the work. Negotiations are continuing.
   Mr. Davis received a diagnosis of cancer in December, 2007. The following month he had surgery to removed his bladder and prostate. As he awaited the procedure, he wrote a limerick, a favoured pastime, which he eagerly shared with his wide circle of friends. With typical gravitas, which is to say little, he wrote:
On the first day of 2008
Chuck Davis sat mulling his fate:
'They'd make me feel gladder
To leave in my bladder
'Cuz peeing the old way was great!'
   Students, historians and journalists owe him a tremendous debt, as his diligent work has made any project about the past so much easier.
   The announcement of his ill health in September sparked tributes, many of which were overdue. The city declared a Chuck Davis Day last month and he was awarded the George Woodcock Lifetime Achievement Award for his literary work.
   On Friday, just hours before his death the following morning, a plaque honouring Mr. Davis was placed on the Writers' Walk at the main branch of the Vancouver Public Library, a home away from home for the tireless researcher.

==  STIMULUS PAYMENTS ==  from Australia Subject: NEXT STIMULUS PAYMENT
Labor Stimulus by:  Gillard and Swan.
Sometime this year, we taxpayers may again receive another 'Economic Stimulus' payment.
This is indeed a very exciting program, and I'll explain it by using a Q & A format:
Q.  What is an 'Economic Stimulus' payment ?
       A.  It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.
Q.  Where will the government get this money ?     A.   From taxpayers.
Q.  So the government is giving me back my own money ?       A.  Only a smidgen of it.
Q.  What is the purpose of this payment ?
       A.  The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.
Q.  But isn't that stimulating the economy of  China ?     A.  Shut up.
Below, helpful advice how to best help the Australian Economy by spending your stimulus cheque wisely:
If you spend the stimulus money at Coles, the money will go to China or Sri Lanka.
If you spend it on petrol, your money will go to the Arabs.
If you purchase a computer,  it will go to India, Taiwan or China.
If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala.
If you buy an efficient car, it will go to Japan or Korea.
If  you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan.
If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore.
Instead, keep the money in Australia by:               1)  Spending it at garage sales
                                                                          2)  Going to the footy
                                                                              3)  Spending it on prostitutes or
                                                                                   4)  Beer or
                                                                                           5) Tattoos.
(These are the only Australian businesses still operating in Australia.)
Conclusion:
Go to a footy game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a garage sale and drink beer all day !
No need to thank me,  I'm just glad I could be of help. 

===  MAIKU  ===  2010 November 1

                           "climbing a mountain
                                                    starts with the first step"
                                                                                   so -- look down or up?

===  QUOTATIONS/THOUGHTS/PUNS  ===
An example of Baron's Second Law of English usage:
                                            Everybody wants to be correct, but nobody wants to be corrected.
No government can be long secure without a formidable opposition.
         -- Benjamin Disraeli, 1st Earl of Beaconsfield, British Prime Minister, parliamentarian (1804 - 1881)                 
Some people become so expert at reading between the lines, they don't read the lines.
                                                                 -- Margaret Millar, Canadian-American writer (1915 - 1994)
Nothing will ever be attempted if all possible objections must be first overcome.
                                                                              -- Samuel Johnson, British author (1709 - 1784)
It's always too early to quit.   -- Norman Vincent Peale, American minister and author (1898 - 1993)
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.
                                                                   -- Mohandas Gandhi, Indian pacifist leader (1869 - 1948)
o  I believe I'll be able to run my car on politicians' promises but I'm having trouble with the fool injection system.
o  A penny saved is a government oversight.
o  Did you ever notice: The Roman Numerals for forty (40) are XL ?
o  The cat took up computer lessons in hopes of mastering its grip on a mouse.
o  The book of incantations was useless. The author had failed to run a spell check.