WVM2009-08
Ccl NOTES Mar 30
AGENDA Apr 6
Calendar to Apr 25
by
Carolanne Reynolds, Editor
www.WestVan.org
Spring Equinox is past,
Easter approaches......ENJOY!
IN THIS Serious/Budget ISSUE:
= MAIN ITEMS Ccl Mtg Apr 6th: Hugo Ray Park
Status and Update (Field Hockey going to be at Ambleside instead?)
and Nbrhd Visioning process for a 48-unit devt on the Unitarian
Church site there; Update on Heritage Strategic Plan and
adding St Christopher's to Heritage Register; Five-Year Financial
Plan aka Budget 2009 Bylaw for adoption (last chance to amend by
rescinding third reading if good reason to; speak or forever hold your
peace on the 2009 Budget); lotsa letters
= QUESTION (what do want to pay in M taxes
for the services you get in WV?); Vive le Canada; ANIMALWATCH (zoo
babies); from the EDITOR'S DESK; UPDATES (Strategic Vision
Planning; Cyclebetes, WV Golf Courses; Return of Herring)
= CALENDAR to April 24th; CULTUREWATCH (Theatre;
Music)
= Ccl Mtg NOTES Mar 30th: Five-Year Financial
Plan Bylaw (BUDGET 2009) -- some comments and D/Fin report, then
Third Reading passed; Federal Infrastructure Funds
= ANSWERS re Finance Cmte & Budget
Questions + WVM COMMENTS to responses [Letter to
Mayor and Ccl]
= Ccl Mtg AGENDA Apr 6th:
= INFObits (our rivers); NEWSWATCH (Joya Award; Women's
Rights, Marriage); WEBWATCH (Israel-Canada Agreement; Cdn JDL;
Galloway Update); LANGUAGEWATCH (typos); POETRY (Ferlinghetti and
NYT); QUOTATIONS (Power of One? Margaret Mead; Money; Moral of the
Month)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*** QUESTION:
How much is reasonable to pay
in taxes for every $100K of property assessment?
FYI from a contributor:
Subject: Stats Can Show WV Amongst Most Regressive Property
Tax Munis
What this report shows is that, because of our
unusual combination of high property values and large low-income
pockets, Stats Can has found us to have one of the most regressive
municipal taxation structures in the country.
Since municipalities have limited methods of
raising revenue, there are not many ways to fix this but increasing
user fees for non-senior user groups is probably the
best.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
=== Vive le Canada
===
Former Prime Minister Lester Pearson
once said that as our Gross National Product grows, our national
character must not grow more gross.
Let us hope and work for a return to a more
balanced attitude and behaviour by our federal govt, a return to as a
commentator remarked during the G20 summit in London, "act as an
honest broker".
=== ANIMALWATCH
===
http://wcbstv.com/slideshows/zoo.babies.animal.20.229088.html
=== from the EDITOR'S DESK
===
The
letter to Mayor and Ccl was updated and appears in its own section
below.
Please
note that the Calendar is a best efforts. It's what has been
sent to me and what appears on the DWV Calendar at time of preparing
the newsletter. Some are late in putting in mtgs and when trying
to go as far ahead as three weeks, of course some will be missing.
(Thanks to Deputy CAO, Brent Leigh, that when I asked for
clarification about the Climate Action WG he replied saying that the
intention is every two weeks on a Thursday. My recommendation re
mtgs is to put in what is planned, can be as TBC -- to be confirmed --
and note any changes.)
The big
Strategic Vision Planning mtg was Apr 1st with the next one planned
for Apr 25 (see Updates). This is an opportunity for anyone in
the cmnty who wants to have a say to speak up. No doubt it will
start with wishlists -- my hope is that it will be followed up by
setting a budget limit, then prioritize from there.
Typing
while listening to a ccl mtg results in many gaps, typos, and perhaps
misheard words, etc but again best efforts. Sometimes text is
provided to me wch is great -- it's all that they wanted to say.
Although I'd asked and thought Richard Laing, the Director of Finance,
had agreed to send me his prepared remarks, he didn't so, since such a
critical issue -- the budget and some of his explanations re input --
I had to listen to the tape and do a full transcript (this takes
hours), but I'm sure you'll appreciate his clarifications and add'l
information (and hope he does that it was done).
The
frustration I share with readers is that in spite of presentations
made at the Mar 4th and Mar 23rd mtgs, Ccl made no amendments -- as if
it didn't matter. There is a small possibility they cd rescind
third reading Apr 6 and make some b/c the budget doesn't need to be
adopted until May 15th so there is time. Time also for the FCmte
to look at the budget during its Apr 8th mtg. We are heading
into dark waters and it is imperative that WV be prepared -- striving
for efficiencies and not overestimating revenues. Yes, Cclr
Evison, we shd squeeze the orange until the pips squeal -- we want the
juice!
Letter to Mayor and Ccl re Budget
Reads more like a research paper, I'm
afraid.
If you read the comments starting WVM you'll see
questions the answers elicited. In order to be complete and
prove claims, accuracy, sorry that it's in four parts for each
item.
One of the reasons I've done that is that over
the years I've become sick and tired of ppl, on/off ccl,
resident/devpr, staff/expert, making assertions that simply are not
true. Often in Ccl someone will make a statement and it's taken
as gospel truth. Someone might refute it but that's again almost
a question of belief.
The raw data is there for you to read. In
the first case Cmte minutes followed by questions, answers, and
comments; in the second it starts with the transcript of the Mar 23rd
mtg.
Now that Dir/Finance has provided more
information, Mar 30th, my hope is that ITAC and others will follow
up.
COMMENTARY: I love my country, I love my province,
and I work for fairness and peace in them as well as in WV.
Freedom of speech is an important cornerstone of Canada. As you
will have noticed, barring Galloway bothered me. Even more upset
when told of the strings attached.
=== UPDATES ===
* Strategic Vision
Planning
Seminar Apr 1st at the Wosk Ctr -- about 200 there?
Next event April 25.
Deputy CAO Brent Leigh is spearheading this
effort.
See http://westvancouver.ca/Residents/Level3.aspx?id=17168 for
information and in particular click on the Process and Timeline.
Here's part:
To bring the
community's realities into focus, a vision needs to be articulated and
goals need to be set.... The outcomes are expected to
achieve:
A
long-term Vision for the Community
Clarity of Mission for the District
A
set of long-term community goals
A
financial plan that enables those goals
A
measurement system to ensure the District is achieving those goals
There will be two
phases:
Public Consultation - April through mid-summer
Plan
Development -
Will build as public input concludes...
This framework will
then drive the fiscal priorities for many years to come. Council
and staff are committed to achieving this work in 2009. At the
conclusion of the plan, an online performance management system will
be implemented as an ongoing strategic management tool, so both
the community and the corporation can track progress on an
ongoing basis.
More
Information Process and Timeline (PDF, 11
KB)
* Cyclebetes
Francesca McDowell, media contact, reported on Sunday Apr 5 that
the Rockridge Cyclebetes Spin-a-thon was a huge success: raised
$110,000 and still counting!
* Golf Notices: Ambleside Par 3 and Gleneagles Golf
Course -- April 2
Ambleside Golf
Course
Ambleside Par 3 is currently open for the 2009 season. Proshop
can be contacted at 922 3818.
Gleneagles Golf
Course
For the week of April 6th through 9th, Gleneagles will be undergoing
work on the greens to aerify them. For this week, winter rates will be
in effect. Proshop can be contacted at 921
7353.
* THE RETURN OF
HERRING!
A silvery sliver of good
environment news -- on False Creek
by Stephen Hume, Vancouver Sun, Apr 2
Silvery hordes of Pacific herring, one of the
key indicator species for the health of intertidal habitats, have
begun spawning again along the once-toxic shoreline of southeast False
Creek.
See rest of story:
http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/silvery+sliver+good+environment+news+False+Creek/1455094/story.html
=== CALENDAR to April 6th to 25th
=== Mtgs at MHall unless noted otherwise
------
Mtg NOT on DWV Calendar Mar 30 so missing from Calendar in
WVM7:
= Thurs Apr 2nd ~ 4pm ~ Climate Action WG in Cedar
Room, Cmnty Ctr
{Wonder why belatedly; was last time too, hm.}
------------
= Tues Apr 7th ~ 7pm ~ 32 Books in Edgemont Village celebrates
Poetry month with wine and cheese:
32 Poets Divided by 8 presenting
four fabulous Canadian poets: Brian Bartlett, Kate Braid (with bassist
Clyde Reed), Shannon Stewart, David Zieroth; with wine and cheese.
Info: 980 9032
= Wed Apr 8th
~
5pm ~ Finance Cmte
~
7:15pm ~ Field Sport Forum mtg
= Fri Apr 10th ~ 8am to Noon ~ Southern Straits Race
Kickoff at Dundarave Pier
= Sat Apr 11th ~ 11am ~ Dundarave Easter Egg Hunt (in
park)
= Easter Sunday Apr 12th ~ noon ~ Lions Club
Easter Egg Hunt in John Lawson Park
= Wed Apr 15th
~ 4pm ~
Climate Action WG at Cmnty Ctr (in Cedar Room)
~ 6pm ~
Child Care WG
~ 7pm ~
Board of Variance
~ 7pm ~
Library Board at Library
But BEFORE THAT, IN THE MORNING:
WEST VANCOUVER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BREAKFAST
MEETING
~ 7:30am ~ Wednesday April 15 -- April's
Networking Breakfast
COHO SOCIETY ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Guest Speaker: Professor Anthony Farrell, Ph.D,
Dir. Fil. H.c., University of British Columbia
at
Hollyburn Country Club, 950 Crosscreek Rd; mbrs $25, non-mbrs
$35
Topic: Using physiological knowledge of salmon to help with
management
Anthony Farrell came to UBC in 2004 where he
holds an endowed research chair in Sustainable
Aquaculture. His area of research is comparative animal
physiology and environmental toxicology, with specific interests in
the cardiorespiratory system of fish -- its control and contribution
to whole animal function, and how environmental change affects it
function.
Dr. Farrell is considered to be among the leading
comparative cardiovascular physiologists worldwide and his influential
reviews have helped shape a somewhat fragmentary field into a more
unified subject. His "lasting and outstanding contributions
to comparative physiology" resulted in the award of an Honorary
Doctorate of Science by the University of Goteborg,
Sweden.
He has been honoured with the Murray A. Newman
Awards for Significant Achievement in Aquatic Research and
Conservation from the Vancouver Aquarium and Marine Science Centre and
Awards of Excellence from the American Fisheries Society for Fisheries
Management and Conservation (in 2005) and for Fish Physiology (in
2006).
In May 2009, he will receive the 2009 Fry
Medal from the Canadian Society of Zoologists, their top honour for an
outstanding lifetime contribution to Zoology.
RSVP INFO:
Kindly pre-pay by 5pm Friday April
10th to ensure your breakfast and seat
reserved. Please SIGN UP on www.westvanchamber.com and
click on Events Calendar or call 926 6614.
= Thurs Apr 16th
~
4:30pm ~ Design Review Cmte
~ 6pm ~
North Shore Family Court/Youth Justice Cmte at DNV M Hall
= Sat Apr 18th
~ 10am
to noon ~ (Last) North Shore GardenSmart Workshop
Backyard Composting: Making
Black Gold for Your Garden; free but pre-register 990
3755
at
North Shore Neighbourhood House Rainbow Room (225 East 2nd Street,
NV)
= Sun Apr 19th ~ 11am - 4pm ~ Earth Day at Cmnty Ctr:
Climate Change - Taking Action Close to Home
= Wed Apr 22nd
~
1:30pm ~ Arts and Cultural Facilities WG
~
7:15pm ~ Field Sports Forum mtg
= Thurs Apr 23rd ~ 5:30pm ~ WVPBd mtg at Police boardroom
WVPD -
S. W. A. T. Apr 23rd to 26th at Ambleside Park
COMING:
o think Adopt-a-Fish at Library and Memorial Park organized
by WV Streamkeepers has been moved from 19th to 25th
o Fundraiser for TLC re B C Binning House May 3; info 926
9039; details in next WVM
+++ WV MEMORIAL LIBRARY
+++
- for Events and Programs:
http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/index.php?page=5
- for Event Calendar:
http://www.westvanlibrary.ca/event/calendar.php
* BC Book Week April 18-24
* Earth Week at the Library, April 18 - 25
Come by the Library to check out our Earth Week
displays and peruse the wide range of books and
DVDs concerned with everything from sustainable design and global
warming to eating locally and reducing your environmental
footprint. Special Kids Activity Day Saturday April 25th.
Interested in Earth Week activities and events?
find out more...* North Shore Writers Festival -- Apr 18 to 25
Our tenth annual festival of readings by
Canadian authors is brought to you by your North Shore Public
Libraries, with the assistance of the B.C.Writers in Libraries program
of the Public Library Services Branch, the Writers Union of Canada,
the Friends of the Libraries, North Shore News, North Vancouver City,
North Vancouver District, West Vancouver District, and 32
Books.
Enter our Short-Story Contest and Win a gift
certificate for $100 from 32 Books.
Contest information is available at your
library or go to http://www.northshorewritersfestival.ca/
Please
note: all events are free, however, seating is limited
> ONGOING
+ This month's Philosophers' Café: "A Grand
Passion"
~ 10:30am ~ Thursday, April 23rd -- Is it possible to
identify the ultimate "love of your life" while you still
have love and life to live? Enjoy the
snacks and coffee hospitably provided. Everyone welcome. Registration
not required. Admission $5. Co-sponsored by S.F.U. Moderator:
Randall MacKinnon has a Master's in Social Policy and Planning. He is
an IDEASage with MackINNOVATION, a service consultancy.
+ Fridays: English Corner ~ 10 -
11:30am ~ practise English conversation [Apr 3, 17, 24]
s
+++ FERRY BUILDING GALLERY
+++
= Apr 7 to 19
LAND - ESCAPES -- Bill
Hoopes
An exhibition of recent oil paintings
depicting the fragile soul and precarious nature of the
landscape.
Opening Reception:
Tues April 7, 6 - 8pm; Artists in Attendance: Sat, April 11, 2 -
3pm
= March 16 to May 8 -- The woven tapestries on linen
of Hanna Haapasalo; display at M Hall
+++ SILK PURSE +++
www.silkpurse.ca
-- March 31 - April 12 --
"Portraits of Power"
To be able to capture a moment in time that
is never going to come again is simply fantastic. Some artists focus
on clothing, body language, and expression as they portray people in a
realistic style. Parvis
Djamtorki's primary focus is on
portraiture, using a minimal background to showcase his model, with a
special overlay to enhance the mystery and magic of each individual
portrait. This is what art is in our culture -- something that feels
valid and special to the artist.
Opening Reception:
TUESDAY March 31st from 6 - 8pm
-- April 14 -
26 -- "Stepping Into
Abstraction"
Abstract art uses a visual
language of form, colour, and line to create a composition which may
exist with a degree of independence from visual references. Join
talented North Shore artists Lori Bagneres,
Catherine Fields,
Therese Joseph,
Mena Martin,
and Sara
Morison as they show
alternative ways of describing the visual experience with their unique
creations.
Opening
Reception: TUESDAY April 14th from 6 - 8pm
+++ KAY MEEK CENTRE
+++
To see a list of events:
http://kaymeekcentre.com/on_stage/events_calendar
To see the electronic newsletter, the address is
http://kaymeekcentre.weebly.com.
Getting onto the mail list: the simplest method
is to call the box office (604 913 3634) or email
tickets@kaymeekcentre.com
+++ ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 60, West
Vancouver +++
See:
http://www.westvan60.com/Images/The%20Torch%20Newsletter%20-%20Winter%202008.pdf
Thank you for your interest.
Best regards, Janice
Mackay-Smith, The Torch
+++
WV MUSEUM +++ Visit:
http://www.westvanmuseum.blogspot.com/
North Star: The Art
of Lyle Wilson [March 4 to May
30]
=== CULTUREWATCH
===
THEATRE
* The Real Thing by Tom
Stoppard at the Arts Club is not only about love and relationships but
also linguistic artistry. You have to listen closely to catch
the wordplay. Then there are the plays within the plays and the
difference between sex and love..... It
ends soon but we love Tom Stoppard's work and
there's another, a Canadian premiere, The Invention of Love, at
the Jericho Arts Centre (1675 Discovery), starting April 3rd, Thursday
through Sunday, at 8pm. Tix $12 - $16 with Preview: Thur
April 2nd tickets $6; and Thursday April 9th - Talk back session after
the show. ONLINE RESERVATIONS or
604 224 8007, ext. 2
* The Full Monty (at the
Norman Rothstein) ends this weekend as does Where the River Meets
the Sea by Patti Flather (UBC grad now living in Whitehorse) is a
First Nations play at Presentation House.
MUSIC
* You missed a great evening of
vocal/choral programme on weekend Apr 4/5 if you didn't go to Capilano
U's Carmina Burana -- get the CD! In Carmina Burana, the
baritone booms, the soprano soars, the percussion
pounds. The first half of the evening has such variety:
three choirs (S, M. L, at 100) with pieces from old French and Latin
American songs to an African lullaby and local compositions -- really
liked "Royal Hudson" -- shd maybe be played during 2010
Olympics!
=== Special Ccl Mtg NOTES
March 30th ===
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
SSch: late correspondence items all regarding the Financial Plan
Bylaw (item 2)
BYLAWS
This bylaw received first and second readings at the March 23,
2009 meeting.
RECOMMENDED: THAT [Five-]Year Financial Plan Bylaw No.
4592, 2009 be read a third time.
CR: Thank you. I thought ITAC wd be here before me
again.
Carolanne Reynolds, Editor of West Van Matters
I want to thank the Dir/Finance for the answers to my questions,
but I only received them just a couple of hours ago so I haven't been
able to go through them but I thank him for the responses.
I do have a couple of comments wch I tried to write out but
haven't finished... but a couple of comments....
Someone said that it wd be difficult to run a biz only finding
out about your budget the end of the third [month, first
quarter]
(and I applaud Ccl and the Dir/Fin for wanting to have it
finished earlier and I know that's been your aim and you've been
trying, and we applaud that).
I must say that staff is quite experienced [have a lot of
experience] in doing that b/c they've been doing that for many years.
It's not really a challenge for them. It doesn't mean that
we shdn't try earlier...
but I keep [getting], I'm starting to get this feeling that we're
rerunning an old movie with something similar.
Last year in February, many of us wanted the new Finance Cmte to
look at the 2009 budget -- 2008 Budget, sorry -- and were told no,
it's too late -- this was in February -- even it doesn't [have to be
passed until May 15]
I know Ccl Sop and some others also urged that the FCmte and
others look at it.
no no we have to do it {meaning 2008 must be passed then, not
wait for FCmte to look at it}, cuz it's 2008 and they'll work on
2009.
But here we are again.
2009, absolutely the same scenario, we do have till May 15, we
do have more time, and the FCmte has scheduled a mtg for Apr 8, so I
hope they'll be able to review the budget Apr 8th.
But the thing is that last year we were told they were going to
work on it, and things didn't happen. Now this year comments
were made that the 2010 Budget will be better, and try harder and
everything else, once we have the Strategic Plan. I think that's
great too but the Strategic Plan won't be completed until the end of
October.
So once again we're going to be in the situation that they'll
say, "Oh, it's the end of October. We haven't got
time."
So my first question: how, are you going to get serious about
dealing not just with 2009 and let the FCmte see it, b/c you've got to
the end of April to have more ideas, and challenge the cmnty groups
and the FCmte to come with either $1.5M less somewhere or revenue of
$1.5M or a combination.
Challenge them to do it. You've got nothing to
lose.
They come up with it, we all win. They don't, well, we're
just where we are now.
Then come up with some serious ideas of steps of how you're going
to address 2010 rather than leave it to the end of the year
again.
So, what I wd ask is that you pls give more time. I
think that tonight I understood that Cclrs were going to be giving
their opinions on what they thought shd be done with the
budget.
Of course we can't comment on the results of your reflections
and your considerations, and of course we wd like to do that, so we
look forward -- and we're not allowed to speak after you start
discussing it -- so I hope that Ccl comes up with some really good
ideas for us to run with for 2009 and I hope you will give us more
time to look at the decisions you make.
{as you'll see, not even a smidgen of recognition of this or
willingness to give time :-(]
Thank you v much.
Mayor: Thank you. Next is former cclr, Rod Day.
Welcome. And I shd hv said Carolanne Reynolds is also a former
cclr. This is the first time we've seen you.
RD: Rod Day, not used to giving my address. Not a whole lot
to say tonight.
When asked for approval of agenda, I almost raised my hand.
I really like this budget and felt I had to say so. I've
sat through 16 budget discussions.
{correct}
and somewhat impatiently over the years; budget not being my
strongest card
one of the best budgets I've ever seen
{sure is pretty! I agreed with that}
beautifully laid out, great detail, transparent, open,
reasonable; 2.99% makes a lot of sense, is a mild increase; we had
3.5% GVRD settlement on salaries.
Again, it's just keeping up; maintaining our outstanding services
and I think this is wonderful
here to say I support this budget; hope you will go ahead
expeditiously and quickly and pass it
of course after you've heard from the public, but I don't see a
huge amt of ppl here tonight worried about it
Get moving! Great to see you again.
Mayor: thank you; b/c did have many comments at second reading;
turn the floor over to CAO and Dir/Fin to respond re questions that
were raised
CAO: thank you; will have Mr Laing speak to comments
RL: This will take a few minutes but hope worth everybody's while
to hear what these responses are.
From last mtg on 4th I went through presentations and picked out
what I felt were the signif comments on the budget and prepared
responses to each one of them
amalgam of issues raised on the 4th
one of the comments, what I'll call "alternative
interpretations to the economy", appropriate response, local
govt.
There are many and varied assessments in prediction as to depth
and length of the current recession, and the range of that commentary
depends on wch sector of the economy is under consideration.
A lot of what we read out of the US is largely driven by partisan
politics; on budget doc p31, I derive that from official
pronouncements of the Bank of Canada and most specifically a paper
called, A Monetary Policy Report Update of January 2009, and I
have circulated that to Ccl for your information.
There was a comment that the 2009 budget represents biz as usual,
there's really been no change and we haven't really responded, and in
response to that I'd like to say that starting with the reorganization
through to an in-progress budgeting and accountability framework that
will support the new cmnty vision, this budget positions the District
to effectively implement and manage the fundamental change that Ccl is
striving for.
The re-org driven by our CAO has reduced staffing costs from
$200K annually
{Well, we did notice there's no longer a Dir/Admin Services,
but there's now a Deputy CAO}
and ev Div has participated in over $1M of expenditure cuts
and revenue enhancements in this budget, so that we cd achieve the
lowest operating tax increase requirement of the past decade of 1.57%,
and all of that while preserving core services intact, in anticipation
of a service-level review exercise going forward into the 2010
budget.
There were some comments, using terminology of presentation, of a
Lamborghini syndrome and our costs compare unfavourably with other NSh
Ms and my response to that is, current service levels in a number
of areas are known to be the highest on the NSh, and that's an
accumulation of many years of service level decisions by a great many
Ccls and it aligns with the areas of highest resident satisfaction in
our triennial resident surveys.
Your Worship, ev time we do one of those surveys we use that as a
guide [to see if] on track as to what residents want.
Expenditure structure is driven in part by these service level
decisions, but there are also issues of demographics and geography
that impact our costs.
In 2008 we had an insert in the prop tax notice that talked
about WV's geography, topography, and popn presenting service
challenges that add significantly to our costs.
One example, Fire Service -- same service levels as CNV in
response time, we require four fire halls, CNV requires one fire hall
to deliver same level of service
That entails approx an add'l $5M of costs
Notwithstanding our higher service levels and such issues, WV
expenditures not as unfavourable as have been claimed
Some claim our costs per capita 30 to 50% higher on the NSh
and that is not true when diffs attributable to service and delivery
framework
choices: own M Police Force vs RCMP contract
rec commission in NV, we have full blown parks and cmnty services
operation
we have Blue Bus operation
when we convert all of that apple to apple
latest numbers 2006, 2006 numbers our critics focused on as
well
general operating costs per capita in WV is
$1168, CNV $1116, DNV $929, and while dangerous to compare
ourselves to City of Vancouver, did attempt, their costs are well over
us at over $1M99 {??? that's what he said but maybe he meant
$1990}
WV staffing levels are approx 16% higher than other NSh Ms,
that amounts to about 110 FTEs; we can point exactly to where -- Fire,
Police, Rec and Culture
those numbers were included in 2008 prop tax insert so we've been
up front about that
impact further heightened, lack of industrial tax base
means residential bears brunt at 93% of tax load
Statement made general operating costs in 2009 Budget are
higher than av of past four years and that's incorrect. In fact
the av increase over last four years hs bn almost 4.5% while the 2009
increase will be just slightly above 4% and that four-yr
comparison is skewed b/c of including artificially, low 2005
2.06% increase, just preceding the current climate of salary
settlements that no longer align with CPI; earlier time period when
closer to what CPI was
Statement made that other revenues just taxes by another name;
I've spoken about this before and a resident also countered this at a
mtg as well. Fees and charges and our approach to them,
recognize signif emphasis on user-pay for a range of discretionary
services and activities that the District makes optionally available
to residents, a signif recommendation from Fiscal Sustainability Task
Force in terms of equity between those who use the services and those
who do not, when possible to measure that use and charge for it as
opposed to keeping it in the general basket of what's funded by
general taxation.
Statement was made relatively painless to achieve zero % tax
increase this year. Yr Worship, the cost reductions of 1.57% we
did achieve, Div Mgrs have already characterized as getting at the
bone, follows on several years of cost-cutting while required
maintained visible service levels in those years
further cost-cutting of $1.5M in order to achieve zero tax
rate increase getting into the bone can only be achieved through
staffing reductions, and that means service reductions; can be done
but not painless, wd require conscious decisions wch Ccl and residents
want us to target
The past pattern of those exercises exempting Police and Fire,
and fact reductions to rec offsetting to revenue in the end wd
probably mean into double digit %age reductions to remaining
divisions
A final point; there was some discussion on general stmt personal
incomes continue to deteriorate and that while that is happening govts
continue to tax and spend rather than getting costs under control.
I have circulated to Ccl a pubn of the Canada West Fdn called The
Problematic Property Tax. That pubn, I wd recommend to anyone
who wants to recommend what some of the dilemmas are that local govts
find themselves in, that pubn talks about and critical of prop taxes
as being inadequate to revenue needs of local govt -- not necessarily
the fairest way to raise prop taxes
Those issues, budget exercise, we're not able to address those
within this Chamber.
that pubn did make some fascinating comments about what real
numbers did show
When study looked at history of taxes by all levels of govt for
last 45 years, made the dramatic point that local govt taxation
largely static related to GDP, to %age of disposable income, those
kinds of things over last 45 years, been a flat line and in fact up to
2007, lowest ever been in last 45 years
If ppl want to talk about the larger tax bite by govt, shd
look to prov, fed govt, definitely shd not look to local
govt.
Think that's all concluded at that point
Mayor: Everything from your point of view, then I'll ask Cclr Sop
to introduce third reading
Sop: thanks Ms Scholes for reminding us of Correspondence we
received
ME seconded
Mayor: Ccl discussion
ME: think we've heard quite clearly and plainly, I made a few
notes, some repetition
beg the first question; with the first question
how did we get there and shd be be satisfied with the
results
the majority of this Ccl came more than halfway through the
budget timeline
{you mean candidates running for Ccl did not inform
themselves about the 2009 budget when they wd anticipate starting to
serve in Dec 2008? esp when they say they think budgets shd be passed
in December (or early Jan)? And voters didn't check to see who
had a handle on the budget and what their choices wd
be?}
make no excuse for time I and my colleagues have put in
wd hv bn helpful to hv bn through whole but staff gave me enough
time as I needed to review ...
easy for critics to criticise raw data
{where's responsibility of staff and/or Ccl to explain clearly
to public?}
they sometimes struggle to commend, sometimes collective recall
is selective, all too frequently paint a doom and gloom picture
the reality and challenge, any M is a work in progress, changes
cannot happen overnight
our staff in my experience dedicated and hard-working,
qualified
hv worked with a grt number of them both as Cclr and prof
relationships from my biz and cmnty involvement
often hear lament cut costs, reduce staff
I cd cut $1M here, $1M there, but at what price; this Ccl decided
high standards won't be compromised
cd squeeze orange till pips squeal and to suffer the consequences
of low staff morale and high turnover
{then that means not handled well; many companies and
organizations today are handling cuts, and doing it well as ppl
realize the state of the economy. Besides what about the low
morale of taxpayers with diminishing incomes? With unemployment
rising, it is less likely someone who has a job will leave
it.}
I don't put that kind of gas in my tank
we do have a higher public safety base cost than many Ms
been by design; v high resident satisfaction ratings
as Dir/Fin mentioned four fire halls, City of V for a similar
popn base only has one {he meant CNV}
during past sev months questioned many expense categories, have
argued and still might some of our capital replacement policies
just costs puts bad decisions and policies today at feet of chn
tomorrow
hv tried to balance fiscal mgmt with some sensitivity
wd I do things diff next year or for 2010 budget --
yes
agree budget cycle far too long; will more closely review some
acctng policies in time for thoughtful discussion before we commence
the budget cycle
although I don't necessarily agree with all of the criticisms I
have taken note, embrace their points of substance in 2010 budget
cycle. I will be supporting this budget.
Sop: I was going to go last so not accused of talking too
much
TP: add a few points
WV has committed to a strategic plan, performance mgmt system and
capital assessment prog
critical to have in place, public mgmt of public funds
without strategic plan in place believe we have come
through
bridge through
so all of those actions can take place; be sustainable in
future
SW: reiterate what Cclrs Evison and Panz; with overwhelming
support of the budget
enormous work staff, mayor....
three months of discussions, hundreds of hours put into
budget
although critics of some of the costs, the overwhelming silence
we've experienced and v little outcry speaks overwhelming to support
of this budget
{Americans often say silence is agreement; that's not always
the case for Canadians -- the issue is not important enough, they
don't feel they'll be listened to, it's too hard to get through to
make a difference, they're too busy, they don't know what's involved,
they're afraid to speak, etc.}
MS: must admit I didn't have a speech prepared, guess I shd
hv
seems a bit of a love-in happening over the budget wch is
fine
so I guess I'm going to... my remarks, cautionary
reality is it's a 5.33% increase in spending, wch is far and
above inflation
as Cclr Day has correctly pointed out, our staff settlements
in the next two or three years are going to be 3.5% for M workers and
probably more for Police and Fire
most of our budget is staff salaries
{80%?}
don't know what our game plan is to address this issue of public
sector salaries that are clearly outpacing the private sector wch is
in disarray in my opinion, and things going to get worse before
better
Police and Fire -- faced with a situation no control over
costs
last ten years 75% higher than inflation and all bound by
Police and Fire Act wch we have no control over; compulsory
arbitration, most arbitrators, won't be inflammatory, so shall say
slightly left-wing, result in awards wch generally don't favour the
employer that's my perception
maybe this Ccl can be excused but previously deferred budgeting
to staff wch is the part I take a disconnect from
staff grind and grind these number, Ccl says we don't like 5%
make it 3% or this year 2.95% and staff go away and grind numbers
down, find savings and come in with a budget at the agreed amt, and
that's a deferment of this Ccl's duty wch shd be reviewing these
expenditures and if tough choices need to be made, then they need to
be made and shd be made, and I've said now for the fourth year that if
we had deptal reviews of facilities and programs you wdn't have
fiascos like that Gleneagles where we have a working golf club,
generating a nice profit, nobody can decide what the biz plan is b/c
not reviewed annually, and the facilities deteriorate to such a degree
that they have to be closed. The golf course revenue plummets
and then a Ccl, sort of operating independently, builds recreation
facilities adjoining the golf club/course with no facilities for
golfers!
We cannot have that level of decisions.
somehow have to find a path through the maze
I suggest, this Ccl, hope in the 2000 {doesn't say 9 or
10}, I don't believe in the magic wand theory of the Strategic
Plan we've got coming up. I'm all in favour of planning and I
hope the Strategic Plan gives us the results we want, but it's not a
magic wand.
At some point we're going to have to say we can afford to fund A
but not B
This Ccl has to finally wake up and make some decisions
that's the real challenge that lies ahead; hope the seven ppl and
the staff around this table are up to the challenge
will support in the interest of Ccl collegiality, but I
certainly am concerned that we have some serious issues we need to
address for the next budget.
Mayor: the real Cclr Lewis
ML: as opposed to?
last week I spoke about my concerns about the budgetary
process
had discuss with CAO and Dir/Fin, and I believe we're going to
come forward shortly with some recommendations on that front
I'm a v strong proponent of something other than incremental
budgeting, as they well know
We've spoken about the importance of having the budget to the
public and approved before end of calendar year
This, March, is just not appropriate. You can't run a biz
with a budget wch hypothetically is going to change in March when
you've already gone through a third of your biz year and expended all
those resources
{I address this at PQP at end since not allowed to speak at
this time. Not a big deal! staff have been operating this
way for YEARS! As the mayor says later, this is earlier.
Not that it's ideal but staff have been working this way. Not
difficult if you know the passing of the budget just means more money
so you can continue as you have been the previous year. Some
years the budget has been passed in May, just before the May 15
deadline. This year the Mar 2nd budget's appearance heralded one
set in stone with nary a change -- at least went three readings with
no amendments.
Slight chance at adoption Apr 6 but don't bet on
it.}
The other thing important, spoken before as well, is this issue
of having a monthly review by Ccl of budget, status of budget, where
we sit year to date, are there any variances, are they explainable,
what is the remedial action if any that's going to be needed to be
taken to correct them, and finally importance of having this entire
process articulated at the beginning of the year so that Ccl can
provide approp direction to staff around the end of June
timeframe.
So as we're going into this process there is direct guidance
provided by Ccl to staff, to Cclr Smith's point, Ccls in past have
perhaps abdicated their responsibilities in that area.
From what I hear from this Ccl, they really do want to be more
pro-active, and I think that's an encouraging sign
Next week I hope we'll bring forward our final
recommendations, and we have our final vote next week.
{right after the mtg, I wrote to Cclr Lewis to ask what he
meant by this but received no reply before completing this Sunday Apr
5. Did he think third reading wd be postponed to Apr 6 or, since
adoption is on the agenda for Apr 6 ccl mtg, that they'll rescind
third reading and introduce recommendations/amendments, or are the
recommendations wrt a new process, a new Finance Cmte,
or???}
Mayor: that's right
Sop: went through budget, my own determinations found $2.86M I
felt cd be cut, but what do I know
what wd be reflection what wd be cut, what impact on each
dept
how do I know requirements to have ongoing presence of Engg Dept
or any Dept for that matter
there are systematic processes Depts go through to make up their
budget
certain side of cmnty that needs a certain amt of bureaucratic
{bureaucracy?}
{hm -- hard to think Sop shy of asking staff about the
$2.86M cut he feels cd be cut.
Even more so, since he's had more than ten years to become
familiar with the budget, how it's spent, what it pays for, what
assumptions made, what based on.... Last year he voted against
the budget presented saying he wanted a zero tax rate increase.
What's happened this year? hypnotized along with rest, all
obediently obsequiously chanting the mantra?}
reminded on Sat, incredible number of ppl incredibly overwhelming
and pleased, for a bldg, with interest off something else we had
developed
naysayers and others who cd hv made a decision earlier to
finalize it, even cost us money, inflationary times, a couple of years
back
those are never talked about
waterworks went through; incredible water we'll have; water up
there state of the art
all things we do for ppl of this cmnty; not cheap to do
the bldg process for water alone, when the GVRD said to us you're
going to face 80% increased costs in five seven ten years
I defy anybody to stand up to say not pleased with Fire and
Police services; safest cmnty around, lowest crime rate
Fire services provide safety and if I ever fall, I want to hear
that siren; I want them there
these are the kinds of things, adored that type of service that's
been provided
This current year budget, what have we learned?
critiquing from public v v important; we've created v open
profile and awareness, and I've been through 13 budgets, in early
days had a big book, Cclr Day will remember that we'd go through the
line items, and the supplementations.
It was difficult, and we'd demand -- what did we
know
{Yes! thx, Bill, the binder! and many were able to make
practical concrete recommendations from the list of FTEs, duties, and
ofc purchases. Bring it back! I've asked for it for the
last five years.
Blank wall.
Maybe no cclr has.....}
we didn't know a lot of stuff how it wd affect year to year
as time goes on we came to a new mgr who re-organized the staff
and brought in some changes that brought in some $200K benefit to
taxpayer; putting right ppl in right place
that had never happened before, not for many years
and then, I don't necessarily tie what we wd call strategic
planning to budgets, but out of the strategic planning will in fact
come a 20-yr budget for infrastructure, give indication to staff of a
corp biz plan that they can build on
We and our staff can say that's what we're going to do in three
years, and we're not going to go beyond it; then we know where we're
going and we can adjust accordingly
budget on time and in line is important
process has been a little diff from time to time
must say v plsed, had some v gd ppl, after we did the Tax
Sustainability {think he means the Fiscal Sustainability Task
Force} with all those recommendations, that we formed a
FCmte, and I haven't felt FCmte hasn't given us as a Ccl due
representation and I don't know why, and I hope, that is one of my
critiques
I wd ask Mgr if what we learned from ITAC or anybody else,
taxation and the economy, that we wd look at examples that we cd
challenge in next budget that wd allow us to investigate some of the
things Mr Laing looked at and opted out of, ie zero-based taxation --
how wd that look, what wd it mean?
{Not the only one to seem to confuse a zero tax rate
increase and a zero-based budget.
As I said in one of my presentations, it need not be done
ev year, but it's a good way to review expenditures and costs.
Whether faxes, email, computers, or up-to-date technology,
efficiencies are achieved in a dept but if the dept just thinks of how
much more it needs for the next year, those do not always get taken
into account and sometimes cuts if required are made where it hurts,
not where a service or equipment is no longer needed.
That's the debate and why so many have spoken against an
incremental or sequential budget.
It shd be viewed as a sensible way to set basic costs, then
to build from there. More like analysis with no pre-conceived
idea of getting more or less money.}
or consideration of a 20-yr budget for infrastructure, what wd
that mean? how wd we go about that? how wd we draw it out
that format wd give some encouragement to the ppl who critique
the budget ev year and give us a new road or insight
Other than that, I'm concerned like Cclr Smith, his trickle-down
economics are a little bit diff from mine; still believe a bit more of
an open process this year
Certainly more than I've ever seen
{hold on there, pardner.
More open than you've ever seen?
there used to be more information (as you've alluded to)
and there used to be mtgs sometimes a roundtable with ratepayer and
cmnty groups, other times with a mtg in Ambleside and in Gleneagles
for residents to attend and get summaries, ask
questions.
At least one long-time budget watcher has told me it's
about the least open.
And don't forget, the FCmte didn't even get to see the
budget!
Their purpose and duties refer to the annual budget yet
they've only met in February this year, when they were not given the
draft budget and then their March mtg was cancelled so the next is for
Apr 8 wch will be after adoption at the Apr 6 mtg if that
passes!}
we've learned as we've gone along
{what, exactly? not clear to this resident. Last
year when you advocated zero tax rate increase Cclr Smith challenged
you and Cclr Vaughan to give examples but none came forward so so much
for that budget. What actions did you, Cclr Smith, Chair of the
FCmte, and Cclr Lewis, mbr of FCmte, work for last year to have effect
in 2009? Oblivious to non adherence to timeframe given to FCmte
last summer? totally bamboozled by staff? or if Ccl involved all
along the way, staff totally bamboozled by Ccl?}
Maybe it took some citizens out there to say, let's look at that
and let's look at this, but this budget is proper for this time and
I'm going to support it
{so, no effect or result from citizens saying look at this and
that?
Must say that the first step toward GFOA from FSTF and FCmte
is good, but many feel more cd be done.}
Mayor: did you wish CAO to respond
Sop: yes, his reaction
CAO: budget process diff from past years, yes
what we've been doing is trying to refine the budget process,
this Ccl strong proponent
doesn't mean in past not done well; this year refining, moving
process much quicker, providing more depth of info to public
FCmte in past year has recommended we provide diff info to public
so can look at it in diff ways
excellent job in past
this time recognizing the economy is diff, have to look at things
differently
as mentioned last week in my presentation, we do have a much
younger, progressive view at the staff level
how preparing budgets, moving forward, looking responding to
cmnty
we will be looking at diff ways providing info to public
will be looking at other ideas; I'm not a proponent of zero-based
budgeting, I'm not a proponent of mgmt by objectives, but there are
other ways of how we provide budget info rather than simply
implemental {think he means incremental} budgets, but looking
at what the value for service is, and that's coming from a strategic
plan
agree not the magic bullet, not silver bullet, but process on wch
we'll set our goals
that's when we set our deptal and staff requirements for
performance measurements
that's when we'll feel more comfortable, Ccl and cmnty will
goals will be achieved, and we'll be held accountable to
achieve those goals
in response to Ccl and Cmnty, we are moving in that direction,
implementing new processes
how we spend money in M, ongoing process, govt is diff
we're not only respond to it but we're going to lead it
Mayor: support budget not b/c of love in, but b/c starting
to take shape
GFOA standard, came out of FCmte, long way to improved
accountability
user fees, incentivize
are treating what we do as biz units
Gleneagles decision made long before I was on Ccl; Ccl I was on
cdn't grapple with clubhouse b/c select facilities cmte refused to
deal with it
Ccl I was mayor of decided to get on with it
will be entrepreneurial; hope partnership; while holding fast to
that public golf course
believe in smaller govt; hived off cmnty ctr to a
non-profit
Police costs: per ofcr cheapest by a long shot in region that's
what we've managed to achieve but when you take a small popn and
divide it per capita, cost seems higher
value is unsurpassed in the region
I believe this Ccl is starting to get a v gd handle on what makes
up our budget
{starting? Lord help us.}
The real challenge is stated absolutely correctly by Cclr
Smith and that is that CPI cd be as low as zero; we are not threatened
anymore by inflation but deflation
how to handle union costs in that context, a serious
challenge
we're aware of these things and wish to try to deal with
them
think this is our understanding as a cmnty more sophisticated and
don't think Ccl is shying away from that
Each of us has participated fully in getting us to the earliest
date in seven years, since I've been on Ccl for passing the budget and
that provides security and stability to the Corp we're responsible for
being stewards of and that's why I'm supporting this budget.
Sop: questions re status of FAC
any talk that they wd give a, refresh, memorandum to Ccl either
here verbally quarterly or less to us, to keep us up to date on the
budget, and their thoughts as you meet with citizens as well in that
cmte
if ongoing technique is to look at diff ways and means, then
we as a Ccl shd wait for response of the FCmte.
Mayor: let's look at what terms of reference are; shd go to CAO
or chair wrt the upcoming report on role of FCmte
CAO: in process now of having discussion with two mbrs of Ccl on
FCmte
{Smith is chair, and Lewis a second ccl liaison}
looking at moving forward and providing stronger direction as
well as perhaps involving a group of citizens with our devt of the
Strategic Planning process, and the financial implications, flowing
from Fiscal Sust Task Force, and that report will be coming forward in
the next two mtgs
Sop: role
Mayor: sure; that's Ccl's opp wrt reporting or their goals
Sop: second question to Mr McRadu; did you say wd look at ways
and means budgeting diff what is wrong, what specific examples wd come
forth
you're not a fan, I'm not necessarily, of zero-based budgeting,
maybe from an exercise wd give an indicator might be more expensive
than actually tax increase we have
don't know till exercise done
assure you when back to zero base, you're building a case,
everything mounts and gets expensive
is that an exercise or wd we ever choose to go there
CAO: without going into detail, that'll be forthcoming
zero-based budgeting is one, mgmt by objectives is another
concept
a number of other diff ways or how to prepare budgets rather than
traditional sequential way
that info will be coming, we'll be recommending it
whether trial ones for diff depts to see wch fits best
know staff keen about how we become more effective and how
provide services
that's really the dialogue with the public over the strategic
planning process
Mayor: that's about service level reviews and performance
measurement in order to manage better.
CARRIES
{There you have it, ladies and gentlemen, third reading
unanimous. The budget was introduced Mar 2nd, public heard from
without time Mar 4th, but then on Mar 23rd to second reading, tonight
third reading. Did they listen? they sat there politely.
Did they make any changes?
NOT ONE TINY BIT!
That's the reason many have said to me they don't bother
saying anything b/c it doesn't make any
difference.
What you saw on March 2nd (and the FCmte did not see) is
what you got.
Do you feel you were included? and if so, wd it have
mattered?}
REPORTS
RECOMMENDED: THAT Council authorizes [sic] submission of the
following applications under the Building Canada Fund -
Communities Component: the Ambleside Sewer Rehabilitation Project and
the Montizambert Creek Water Treatment Project, as the
municipality's first and second priorities, respectively.
Sop: Mr Fung, Amb not Lions' Gate?
Mayor: sewer plant, no
RF: it's looking at grouting and lining of the existing sewers
that are fairly old within the Amb core that lead into the Hollyburn
interceptor that goes to the Lions' Gate wastewater treatment
plant
Sop: Montizambert is drinking water. When Cypress Bowl cutting
trees affecting water flowing into Montizambert, if you remember those
days; hard fought in those days to preserve that water; now is it
going a step further in the plant from what it is now?
RF: Sunset Highlands cmnty is quite small and we have an active
water licence over Montizambert Creek. In order to treat that
water with a plant, the type of system is actually quite small, and cd
fit into a bldg footprint that wd be a fraction of the size of this
room here so we don't believe will have a signif impact,
environmentally in chopping down trees
ME: I had question on the same creek treatment. Total cost
is $2.6M and you say here our share is $871K. Who contributes
the balance? how is that structure being worked out?
RF: whole project $2.6M. With Building Canada Fund,
application proposed cost-sharing is one third for each govt;
our share $871K, each of two senior govts will equal share
Mayor: opp to garner two thirds of cost that otherwise we wd be
responsible for.
CARRIED
4. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
CR: Thank you. I think it does happen that, as one of the
cclrs pointed out, some of the good things don't always get mentioned,
and there were some v good things and some improvements in this
budget, and if ppl haven't always said that, I'm sure they recognized
it. I don't want that to be lost.
But I still wd like to ask, WHEN are you going to start
looking at the 2010 budget?
I still think somebody shd, you'll have, you'll obviously receive
comments before the 2009 is adopted, but when, if your Strategic
Plan isn't completed till the end of October, when are you going to
start the 2010?
Last year, with all the goodwill, they [FCmte] looked at a
beautiful graph of how they were going to do 2009 starting in June or
July and it did have an ending in, as Cclrs Lewis and Smith saw --
they were at those mtgs and saw the graph, and it didn't
happen.
This time, how are you going to make sure the 2010 planning
starts if you're not going to get the results of the Strategic Plan
till the end of October?
Mayor: well, I think it's actually quite interesting that with an
election we've delivered the budget the earliest ever; that gives an
idea of how quickly we have been working
Perhaps Mr Leigh wd like to comment, re Strategic Plan
BL: happy to, thank you. Further to the questioner, we wd
expect that through the first public deliberations through April and
May, we will have some direction on vision and key goals.
There's nothing that will set clarity about our financial imperatives
than those key goals. I expect that Ccl will be reflecting on
those goals and looking at the implications of the financial direction
on those goals, and as we move to strategies wch will happen before
the summer, we'll start to dial that in and know, as Cclr Smith noted,
there will be trade-offs. I think that's the most challenging
part of the plan, is looking at those strategies and some things will
have to go if we're going to maintain a tax base or
change. So that will be the deliberation well before
summer with Ccl, and those imperatives financially will be set prior
to the fall therefore the tactical level plan can still move ahead but
the direction for the financial plan will be well set by that
time.
CR: That's good to know they'll be on it.
Will the FCmte, or WG as you mentioned there, might be?
First of all, the binders that Cclr Sop mentioned were v
helpful and I hope they can appear again although we've asked for them
every year [since] and not got them, but they were v helpful
before. Maybe they can be re-instated or if they're in a
different format that's fine.
But will the FCmte or WG or whatever you appoint, will they
have accountants among those experts and will they be able to review
the budget as it appears they weren't able to this time?
Mayor: I think we'll wait for the report that's coming to Ccl.
That way everybody has same information and then some of those, that,
will come clear, I'm sure.
CR: Yes, b/c if you look at the purpose and duties on the
webpage for the FCmte it did say they were to look at the annual
budgets, so we don't know how that got off track.
{and nobody has said why........}
but anyway, it's exciting.
This is a beautiful booklet, Dir/Fin. There are some
improvements. I like the fact you've got objectives and you can
gauge them for the next time. I think that's an initiation by
the CAO, that's a great initiation, however nobody's perfect and of
course if we can try to find something we wd try, and I think it's
all in the spirit of trying to help us do as best we can.
Thank you very much.
Mayor: thank you.
5. ADJOURNMENT
+++ LETTER TO MAYOR AND COUNCIL re
BUDGET 2009 [A&Qs] +++
re
Budget 2009: Process, Information, Input
[Excerpt from West Van Matters 2009-08,
April]
Subject: Budget 2009: Answers and
Questions
Dear Mayor and Council:
re BUDGET 2009
This is an excerpt from my
newsletter (WVM2009-08) wrt Budget 2009: Process, Information,
Input. [The background is followed by my remarks
starting with WVM: to indicate new.]
Thank you for the beautiful budget
booklet -- at 142 pages it deserves time for careful consideration by
residents when spending about $75M of their money.
First of all, it was appreciated
that answers were provided to my questions just before the ccl mtg on
March 30 when Third Reading was passed. Below, are my comments
on those answers. The first part deals with the minutes of the
last Finance Cmte mtg for wch there are minutes (Nov 13); the second
part address questions I asked during the March 23rd ccl
mtg.
At the March 30 ccl mtg, the
Director of Finance spoke from prepared remarks providing more
information on some of the statistics and assertions made (mainly) by
ITAC at the March 23rd mtg. It was my hope to obtain a copy of
that text or to find it on the DWV website. Since unable to do
so, review and absorption of that information will have to be
later.
+ QUESTIONS and
ANSWERS re FINANCE followed by editorial
comments
= INTRODUCTION
Each in four parts: minutes of Nov 13 Finance Cmte mtg; my
questions (A, B, etc); Dir/Finance's replies; my comments (introduced
as WVM)
The Director of Finance answers questions from the last minutes
available from the Finance Cmte. That mtg was Nov 13. The
next mtg was Feb 11 but no minutes posted. The March mtg was
also cancelled however there is a mtg scheduled for April 8.
B/C of add'l questions in my comments, this will be sent to Mayor
and Council for response.
It appears public input this year has been limited to having one
public mtg Mar 4th (and then an extra ccl mtg on Mar 30th -- thanks to
some on Ccl who arranged it) at wch several spoke, but wch made not
one iota of difference or change to Budget 2009 presented at the
March 2nd ccl mtg Monday night (~70-page booklet, well, the meat --
the Dir/Finance quite rightly corrected me to say it's a 142-page
booklet and it does have other info like maps, history, etc but it is
a great and beautiful booklet) -- anyway, we'd need even more time for
142 pages!) at wch it was announced there'd be a 'public' mtg
immediately after, on Wednesday night Mar 4 -- how many in
cmnty wd have know about it let alone read it???
The excuse given last spring for the new Finance Cmte not to
look at Budget 2008 not yet passed, was that it was not enough time to
come up to speed on that budget but cd start right away on the 2009.
It's therefore astounding that despite that rationale counting on
their involvement on budget 2009, THEY DIDN'T EVEN SEE IT! Mtgs
were cancelled. Now we see a mtg scheduled for Apr 8, notably
AFTER adoption planned for Apr 6. Since it does not have to
be adopted until May 15, with sufficient will (read: votes) to
postpone adoption until the following mtg, there is in fact an
opportunity for the experts selected for the Finance Cmte last year to
review the budget and give all of us the benefit of their expertise
with recommendations. Surely Ccl wd appreciate having this.
Unless there's no will on behalf of Finance Cmte mbrs
either. Have been told at least one resigned (don't know
why); will the rest ask to see the budget?
One of the many unimplemented recommendations of the 2006
Fiscal Sustainability Task Force (David Stuart's brave but mostly
fruitless attempt to drag Council into the 21st century, at least as
far as financial management was concerned) was "that Council
establish sustaining committees ... to review...budget planning and
execution".
Advance on one front, fall back on another.
As you see from Quotations (Margaret Mead) at the end of the
newsletter, it will take a lot of effort to change this closed
system.
= ANSWERS RE FINANCE CMTE MTG MINUTES (Nov
2008)
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:03:31 -0700
See my responses in
blue below
Sent: March 27, 2009 4:54
AM
Dear Richard,
Some questions wrt the FCmte and the budget if you don't
mind.....
Below is copy and pasted from the Nov 13 Finance Cmte
minutes:
~~~ Staff
continue to implement recommendations from the Finance Committee, and
are working to identify potential service level adjustments for both a
zero percent tax increase and a 5 percent tax decrease. Staff
did not feel that a tax decrease of ten percent was a feasible
exercise. ~~~
QA: It is clear that the decrease of ten
per cent was felt 'not feasible', however these minutes do indicate in
Nov staff was on track for zero and -5% yet they were not presented to
Ccl and the public (at all, even later in March).
When was the decision made not do do the
zero and minus five per cent, and why?
ANS: "In the March 2
presentation of the budget at Council, following is the content of one
of my PowerPoint slides that dealt with this:
Visualization of 0%,
-5%, and -10% not realistic
Dollar amounts are very large
(over $500k per 1%), and would require service level reduction
decisions In absence of community vision and goals, no basis on which
to make such choices this year
This is a more realistic
exercise in 2010 - after the Strategic Planning
exercise"
WVM COMMENT:
Note: Answer did not say when the decision was made or by
whom.
Those zero and minus scenarios were discussed at the FCmte about
last June. Why only state at presentation March 2nd 'not
realistic'? Presented so late, calculating even if asked then cd
say not enough time? Why not make that statement as soon as
determined last year so that not awaited for Ccl then to
consider?
More satisfactory to offer or to do it as asked and then have Ccl
and the public request not be done rather than an apparent arbitrary
staff decision. In the past, multiple 0% scenarios have been
presented to the community and Council, outlining different choices
for service level reductions. This clearly could have been done
without a specific "community vision and goals".
~~~ Mr. McRadu
informed the group that staff continue to look for efficiencies.
All new vacancies are now being evaluated as an opportunity for change
and must be approved by the CAO. Mr. Paterson questioned whether
Council and the public would be involved in an exercise to determine
what services the municipality should be reducing or cutting. He
indicated that although some ideas were brought forward in the 2008
budget process there had not been a public process in this regard.
Mr. Laing confirmed that the list of potential service level
adjustments that Staff are currently preparing will go to Council for
their review ~~~
QB: did they? and when? and if so, why
not to public for their comment?
ANS: "As explained above,
this is now to be a separate exercise following the Strategic
Plan"
WVM:
So are we to conclude from this
non-answer that the decision not to was made behind closed doors
perhaps without the knowledge of the FCmte or Ccl (and certainly not
the public)?
~~~ and he
expects Council to then direct staff as to which of these should be
reflected in the 2009 Budget Book for public comment. Mr.
Paterson expressed his disappointment that Council has not yet
provided formal instruction to staff regarding budget assumptions and
process for the 2009 budget. ~
QC: If this was not done at the time in
November, was it done subsequently?
If not, why not?
Surely if cuts or efficiencies are to be
made, it is essential to have input from Ccl and the public,
no?
ANS: "Council has been
involved at every step of the budget process"
WVM:
OOOH! So that means Ccl knew and agreed?
Again -- when?
and it means the FCmte was not told so this was Ccl's
will?
And Council decided there was no need to involve the public in
this process?!?!
~~~ 6.
PUBLIC QUESTION PERIOD
C. Reynolds
provided the following questions and comments:
=B7
Questioned whether the 2008 budget can be used until the 2009 budget
is adopted. Mr. Laing informed that the 5 year plan is in effect
and has authority until amended;
=B7
Requested information in regard to operating costs of the new
community centre. Staff did not have this information available.
~~~
QD: Would it be possible to have that
information or estimate now (before Mar 30)?
ANS: "The estimated
increased operating costs of the new Community Centre are unchanged
from that established for the 2008 budget and discussed in the
"2008 Budget - Issues for Discussion" brochure that was
circulated to all households - $500,000 annually."
WVM:
so, increase was DOUBLE
and this is the increase -- btw, what are the actual operating
costs (by facility)?
Appreciate answer but important to know that several times
ADRA asked what the increase to the operating budget wd be (we
have an accountant on the board, after all) and each time we were
told $250K. A couple of cclrs at an ADRA mtg at the time
also told us $250K. Maybe without an accountant on Ccl no one on
Ccl queried that estimate or asked for an
explanation/confirmation.
Can we hope this Ccl will require substantive documentation
before accepting or agreeing to estimates to avoid result being
double?
And if they don't, will the public again not hold them
accountable?
QE: Are the draft minutes of the Feb
11th mtg available yet?
ANS: "Not sure what
meeting this refers to -
minutes are
distributed when in final form for adoption."
WVM:
Since this is all about the FCmte, this reply is a surprise.
Let's hope they'll appear at the Apr 8th FCmte mtg.
+ QUESTIONS and
ANSWERS re BUDGET 2009 followed by
editorial comments
ANSWERS
received not long before ccl mtg Mar 30
INTRODUCTION
Again in four parts: transcript of Mar 23rd Ccl Mtg; my
questions (1, 2, etc); D/Fin's replies; my subsequent
comments/questions (marked WVM)
Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:45:45 -0700
Some Questions on Budget 2009
Since in previous years, some answers have not been supplied and
sometimes told not sure what the question was, herewith (may also help
for the drafting of the ccl mtg minutes) a transcript of my remarks at
the Mar 23rd ccl meeting with questions clarified and numbered in RED
(to 14).
DRAFT BUDGET
2009
Thank you for arranging a mtg on the
budget for Monday Mar 30th.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 23rd CCL MTG NOTES (~~~transcript excerpt)
ITEM 5
CR: Thank you for this opportunity. Sorry, I didn't get
time to type things out -- family obligations; Carolanne Reynolds,
Editor of West Van Matters -- but I've jotted down a few things that I
hope you will consider.
~~~ It is a challenge to go to zero per cent but I know last year
the Finance Cmte was talking about a budget with the scenario that was
minus 5% and minus 10% to see what wd happen. Unfortunately at
the input mtg, or the Mar 2nd mtg, they [meaning staff or Ccl] said
they cdn't do that. It might take too much time to do the zero,
five, and ten, but perhaps you cd do zero and 5%. The cost of
living I understand right now is just over 1%, so we wonder about a 3%
increase that you've got here and for some salaries. I never did
get an answer to my question last May of why in the IT Dept, the
average increase in salaries was 9%. ~~~
> 1a. Wd it be possible to
reduce each dept by 3% (so zero increase) or wd it be preferable to
have an average of 3% reduction (so that some depts stay the same as
in the draft and others have higher reductions)?
ANS: "Further cutting of
this budget in the order of $1.5 million would not be possible without
targeting staffing and service levels in specific areas. The past
pattern of exempting public safety (police and fire) from such
considerations, and the fact that reductions to recreation involve
offsetting reductions to revenues, would likely mean double digit %
reductions to the remaining divisions."
WVM:
Is this a sudden revelation so must be given up? Last year
some on Council urged a 0% increase so maybe this possibility had to
be avoided this time.
Does anyone seriously think no one realizes cuts will have to
be made perhaps in both services and staffing unless more revenue can
be found -- a challenge of course but pls allow the option! and
input!
Why raise false hope? that the public might be listened to
or maybe even the FCmte?
Well, all have been dramatically reminded where they are in the
pecking order.
> 1b. Can any adjustments be
made now since inflation/cost of living is now around 1%?
ANS: "CPI at December 31
was 1.2% higher than the previous December - and
this is after a one month drop in gasoline prices of over 20%. Bank of
Canada's core index advanced by 2.4% year-over-year in December. In
any case, departmental budgets have already been cut in order to
achieve tax increase targets."
WVM:
Thanks for the stats. Question remains. Drop predicted
to be more THIS year.
> 1c. Is it possible to
get the information wrt the Information Technology Dept salary
increases 2007 to 2008, and now 2008 to 2009?
ANS: "IT salary
costs increased by almost 9% in 2008 due to transferring
in 1.6 staffing positions that had previously resided in Library,
and topping that up to an even 2 FTE's. [sic]
IT salary costs for 2009
have increased by 5.23%, which is higher than normal due to a
reclassification of 3 positions.
WVM:
thx, but wonder why this answer was not given last May when I
first asked.
Also, wonder if this 'reclassification' practice is what Cclr Sop
referred to a few times over the past few months, ie that some
staff get a higher increase b/c their position title is changed and/or
the position is given different levels so someone can go to a higher
level without its being noted as an increase.....
~~~ I also -- there are some other things we want more
details -- I also noticed that at the Cmnty Ctr announcement,
and we have an excellent Communications Dept, was outsourced and a
private company was paid to do the press release. Why was
this?
{why not use inhouse? why pay extra? and I forgot to ask
then, how much the private company was paid.} ~~~
> 2a. Why wasn't inhouse
expertise used?
ANS: "2a) The in-house
Communications Department worked with Vicki Noble,
who provided some media support for the Office
of Cultural Affairs, managed by Cathy Matheson, who is also the
Executive Director for WV Community Centres Services Society.
There is no formal contract because the work was minimal and
"as needed" when the Communications Department was
overloaded."
> 2b. Was the contract put out
to tender, for competitive bids?
> 2c. How much was paid to
Noble Communications?
ANS: "2b) & 2c)
The scope was less than $2,000, so
the project was not tendered."
WVM:
hm. Followup questions:
how much is set aside for untendered contracts in a dept's
budget?
How many contracts $2K and under have been awarded
altogether?
How much to Noble Communications?
Basically, why was it decided that DWV's Communications Dept
cd not provide media support as it normally does?
It is not clear that we have so great a need for media
relations that the present Communications Dept cd not have handled the
add'l two press releases from Noble that were sent out. We note
that there were only six press releases in March and four in
February.
Fundamentally there has to be clarification as to
procedures,
Where does responsibility lie? Is discretion
solely that of staff? At the last mtg of the Heritage Cmte
they were told to their surprise that $300 of their budget of $1000
had been spent on a photographer -- mbrs did not even know one wd be
hired and some mbrs wd have been willing to do it free; besides the
cmte might have felt that money cd hv bn spent elsewhere better yet it
was spent ostensibly in their name.
~~~ I asked last year also if there were guidelines for the
tendering process, so that you cd make sure that you got a
competitive bid. We know of some xx things that went out for bid
that were for about a $1M, but they didn't go out for tendering. ~~~
ANS: "What were these?
Details please."
~~~ {clumsily said; what is meant that some contracts have
been awarded that did not go out to tender to get competitive bids
with the obvious risk of overpaying.} ~~~
ANS: "Again, details
please."
WVM:
An example. There are estimates that DWV spent
something on the order of a million dollars moving to their
new VoIP telephone system which, AFAIK, went to Telus without a
competitive process. DNV (a much larger municipality
and municipal government) made a similar move, did not choose Telus,
and did it for $140,000 plus staff time.
~~~ So I think looking at the tendering policies wd help lower
your costs.
> 3. What is the tendering
policy?
including what amounts decided by staff and how much for
Ccl.
ANS:"
Purchases to $5,000 at discretion of purchasing
agent
From $5k to $10k - quotes either oral or written
From $10k to $50k - written quotes
Over $50k - sealed tenders
Variations on above at
discretion of CAO or Director of Finance, especially where timing is a
consideration.
Council is not normally
involved in other than the larger
tenders/contracts."
WVM:
At last getting the policy in writing is appreciated but
clearly it's all hypothetical if the CAO or the Dir/Finance can ignore
it without letting Ccl know let alone get permission first!
No doubt no chance a Finance Cmte wd be able to review it
either.
Guess it's time to ask for a list of contracts/outsourcing
paid for without going to tender as well as those Ccl was not informed
of.
This has the potential of savings in the tens or even hundreds of
thousands of dollars. And ~$500K is a decrease of 1% of budget
we'd been told.
Is there a report of contracts let? given to Ccl? made public? eg
$50K and over.
Sometimes outsourcing is cheaper, but not if it's
duplication.
~~~ The CAO mentioned re-organization and that it wd be
explained. Really great, but it wd be really appreciated if the
CAO cd make that explanation [about] re-organization perhaps at a
ccl mtg so we can all hear it-- and perhaps putting it on the
web[site]. ~~~
> 4. Where can a description of
the new re-organization be found?
ANS: "The results of the
reorganization can be seen on the organization chart included in the
budget document."
WVM:
what about information on how much was saved? and where that
money was then allocated to?
Besides, why in the booklet are the costs of the Deputy CAO
office not included as part of the CAO's costs?
~~~ I spent a lot of time on Friday trying to find the budget on
the web[site]. You have to go through several clicks before you
can even find it.
{UPDATE: Budget 2009 must have been put on the DWV homepage
Monday Mar 23, b/c I saw when checking after the mtg}
ah, I also asked last year and wd like to ask again this year
for the salaries that are reported. I know they don't have
to be reported till June but b/c the T4s have to be in the end of
February, you shd hv an idea of the salaries for 2008 to see
how they're comparing now.
> 5. Will you release the
salary info completed in February for the Mar 30 mtg, and if not how
soon after?
ANS: The FIA report is part of
the audited package that forms part of the Annual Report, and will be
available end of May/early June.
WVM:
Yes, of course we know that, and have been told that before, but
it's irrelevant, a smokescreen.
That was NOT the question.
Cop out.
ITAC and others last year and this have asked for the salaries
precisely b/c they have to be recorded/reported to govt by Feb 28 (not
that the Finance Dept doesn't very well know before the end of 2008
what the salaries were!!!). Even the established annual
salary information wd be available with a caveat, if necessary, that
remuneration figures may vary once benefits, whatever, are included
and full audited figures will appear in the report.
~~~ So I think I support the other ppl who said that
zero-based budgeting -- I've been asking for that for many years,
and ...time... you don't have to do that every year but you shd at
least do it at one point so that you get that base to go on from.
~~~
> 6. If zero-based budgeting
not done for this year, will it be done for next year's budget?
ANS: "The process and
format for next year's budget will follow from the requirements
of the Strategic Planning exercise - and has not yet been
determined."
WVM:
Oh. Not even any commitment to public input starting say,
the end of September, so time before the desired passage end of Dec
and avoid need for haste resulting in little or nothing for input from
residents.
~~~ So my main question is, I think we shd be given more
opportunity and time, it's a 70-page booklet {budget}.
~~~
ANS: "The budget book in
fact is 142 pages. What booklet are you referring
to?"
WVM:
Thank you. In fact it is indeed 142 pages and I'll reflect
this in future references. A lot to go through with only the
full day, Tuesday Mar 3rd, between release the night of Monday 2nd and
public input mtg Wed evening to provide Ccl with substantive practical
recommendations re cuts and revenue, hm?
READERS:
p 6 to 16 is demographics, stats, history of WV
Staffing is on p32
p 45 has the 2009 Assessments/Taxable, between ~$22 and $23B; and
the mill rate conversion.
If you read the booklet, you'll see Chapter 3 (Planning
Environment) and Chapter 7 (Service Level Adjustments) and they are in
pale grey in the Table of Contents with the explanation they're not
for 2009 but will be in 2010.
If they were to embark on this in March/April last year and
didn't manage it, what steps will be taken to make sure it can be done
this year? How can we help? When will we see a timeline
that we can watch? The timeline given last year seemed
simply to melt away unseen -- and no one much bothered....
~~~ It's a lot to look at, and I think the citizens wd v
much appreciate more time for looking it over and reviewing it, and
helping you, giving some ideas and recommendations to try to keep the
taxes down. ~~~
> 7. Will more time be allowed
for public input? more public mtgs? Mtgs during the month of April
(b/c Budget has until May 15 to be adopted)?
This wd also give time for the Finance
Cmte to see the budget since their next mtg is scheduled for April
8.
ANS: "The public process
for the 2009 Budget is now concluded. Policy developed in prior
years, and widely supported, encouraged a brief and focused public
process, and adoption of the budget as early in the new year as
possible (December adoption was actually favoured)."
WVM:
IS NOW CONCLUDED?
Note this answer is being given BEFORE the March 30th mtg
wch had third reading on the agenda indicating Ccl cd still introduce
amendments.
Widely supported? Depends on the definition of 'brief' --
obviously not six months, but enough information and time for serious
consideration.
Last year I recall ITAC and others complaining/pointing out that
some information was only provided about April 12.
The date of the adoption of the budget shd not be driving this
decision, it's when ALL the documentation is provided to the public
and then HOW LONG for them to analyze it so as able to give Ccl their
opinions and recommendations.
There have been years in the past when the rough guideline was
Sept for depts to get their budgets in, October for release of budget
to residents and with rest of that month and November for public
input. There were even roundtable mtgs with ratepayer groups and
a binder with complete information on FTEs and capital
expenditures.
It is not reasonable to release the budget in December and expect
adoption by end of December since so many ppl away -- and otherwise
occupied! Another recipe for justification of little time for
public to see.
REALLY a lot to go over at 142 pages.
~~~ I know that there are many ppl on fixed incomes now,
and they've talked to me. It's not just that their pensions are
fixed while other ppl's incomes go up, but a lot of ppl in this cmnty
have invested their money to supplement their pensions and with the
loss of stocks and bonds, there are many ppl suffering who wdn't even
have thought about asking. I've also had ppl say, "I don't
want to get up and speak and make it look as if I can't afford to pay
my taxes, wd you pls do it."
Thank you.
{See my comments and further questions at PQP at end of mtg re
the budget b/c the public is not allowed to speak once Ccl starts to
discuss an item.}
..............
20. PUBLIC QUESTIONS/COMMENTS
CR: Thank you. Just a few questions based on
what I heard during the discussion if you don't mind.
It was brought up that there was $31M for the capital budget
without much information. Will we have that information before
March 30th? ~~~
> 8. Pls confirm amount and
identify the projects for this year's capital budget.
ANS: "The
budget document presents much detail on the capital program in pages
98 through 123."
WVM:
Another reason for needing more time and consideration.
This echoes some questions asked at Ccl and some budget comments on
the DWV website (letters in Correspondence and verbally at Ccl) that
some have asked Ccl about.
A few examples from p 104, General Fund Projects:
Infrastructure Program:
Computers and Communications $740K+; Furnishings and Equipment
$770K+
(Note, $300K of the Computer budget is simply described
as "Balance unallocated"... so that one can't help wondering
if this is a slush, oh pardon me, contingency fund.)
New Recreation Ctr:
Construction Completion $1.8M+
Covered
Breezeway to Srs' Ctr $80K
Major Civic Buildings:
Library -- New Programming/Mtg Room and Collection
Re-Organization, over $1M
Srs'
Ctr -- Building Envelope/Roof ~$2M
Argyle Property New Acquisition, Unspecified, $3M
Other Projects: Gordon Ave Area Improvements $500K
In the funding section it has an entry $3M "Land Sale"
without any explanation. What land? Over the five years of the plan
land sales total $12M. And it appears that $9M in land sales is to
pay for 50% of the new police building (the other 50% is to be
borrowed). Surely clarification is needed.
In the past, some cclrs and some mbrs of the Planning Adv
Cmte, as well as citizens were alarmed that anyone wd contemplate
selling a municipal asset (land/property, other than a road end, for
example) to pay for something that depreciates (eg a building).
Surely this Ccl will not be so cavalier or
shortsighted/unwise.
READERS:
Pls do look at these. I know Cclr Smith asked about some of
the expenditures on the capital program and IMO these do bear looking
at to decide whether or not can be postponed in a year of economic
downturn.
Also, wd like to know if the almost $2M earmarked is over and
above what has been said to be the cost of the cmnty ctr so that it's
'on budget'. I have no problem with completion being delayed
-- it makes sense and at the outset I'd recommended the Cmnty Ctr be
designed in module fashion so that modules built as afforded and huge
cost not delay the start. but we shd know if this is part of the
estimated ~$40M.
~~~ Also, someone made reference to the Recreation Facilities
Master Plan (RFMP) that was ten years in the making. Yes, but
what was accepted was at a much lower budgeted dollar amount than what
happened. And every time ADRA asked for the {increased}
operating costs for the Ctr, we were told $250K.
{For instance, the RFMP had the Aquatic Ctr as $2.5M and it
cost at least $8M; the Cmnty Ctr was to be $13M. Last info we
had on the [increased} operating costs for the Cmnty Ctr is $500K, ie
twice what we were told.}
As for monthly deptal budget reports, the Police Dept does
that every month, and they do an excellent job; That is
really well done. Madam Mayor, I know you're chair of it
[the Bd], but that's very well done, and that cd be a model for other
depts. ~~~
> 9. Will depts start giving
monthly budget reports, following the Police Dept's excellent
example/practice?
ANS: "Our practice is to
conduct more comprehensive quarterly reviews, and this will continue
in an expanded format during 2009."
WVM:
Then let that at least be done at a Ccl mtg -- preferably
by Division/Dept. All right, Ccl?
(Note that first and third quarterly reports currently provide
a fraction of the information given by the Police Department to the
public and the Police Board, EVERY MONTH! The mid-year is better but
still with less detail.)
~~~ There seemed to be some confusion in some minds when
they say [zero] -- there's a difference between a zero increase in the
tax rate and a zero-based budget. A zero increase is something
we'll have to look at for efficiencies and getting other revenue; but
a zero-based means you start at the bottom
{a cclr spoke as if latter same as former, so I was worried
maybe some watching/listening wd too}
and take a look at what you're going to spend and justify it all
the way up. And that's what's been recommended and, and that's
why I said you don't necessarily have to do it every year but you have
to do it at some point to get the base.
There's a, um, ah. No one seriously wants to cut back our
dear Library, or our facilities, and so I don't think that shd
be put as a boogeyman for not looking at the budget, but there are,
for example, we were told [there's] land, road ends and lanes, that
cd be looked at and they can be sold to the nearby property owner,
who'd be happy to have it. We cd look at that.
{My example as revenue, not just cutting, to lower the
increase.}
Mayor: We are.
CR: yes, good; that's good, thank you. ~~~
> 10a. Will the public be
informed of what's being considered to be sold before the final
decision?
>10b How much will be sold this
year (anticipated revenue) and wch parcels?
ANS: "A program of
proposed land sales for 2009 has not yet been documented. Minor road
ends, etc are not normally referred in advance to the
public."
WVM:
Well, every little bit helps, however what's the answer to
anticipated revenue?
Any land sales in budget confirmed?
Or is it just that Ccl has decided to sell $3M worth without
knowing what? Let's hope they seek public opinion. (Of
course not needed for lanes and road ends.)
~~~ Now, I think everyone who's serious about running for Ccl
will have looked at budgets before they're elected, so I don't really
think that's a reason for not [x] keeping the same time table, and
having ppl come forward with constructive suggestions.
Now, as to the place if you're going to have, as someone else
mentioned not everyone's on the Web
{Of course I meant a lot of ppl don't use computers, have them
at home, and surf the Web.}
-- may I suggest that you have some facility for ppl to
comment, say at the Library, Srs' Ctr,--
Mayor: and the cmnty ctr
CR: yes, at the cmnty ctrs. I think that wd get around that
b/c some ppl don't like that [using computers]
Also, I understand the Finance Cmte did not get to see the
draft budget before it went to the March 2nd ccl mtg. Will they
have seen it for the Mar 30th mtg, next Monday night? Will we
have the benefit of their comments that night?
So that's several questions.
Otherwise, thank you v much for the Strategic Planning Initiative
that you're doing. Thank you very much for scheduling a mtg on
Monday night for more input. That's v much appreciated. We
look forward to that.
Mayor: Thank you
CR: the two questions: when will they be answered?
Mayor: not sure that there were two
CR: main ones
Mayor: the main one, on the Finance Cmte, Mr McRadu, do you want
to update us on that?
CAO: There will not be a FCmte mtg prior to next
Monday.
Mayor: That answers that question.
CR: so that means the FCmte did not get to see the budget to
comment.
Now the last I heard was that it was perhaps going to be a FCmte
mtg on Thursday this week
{no, it was to be the 25th, not the 26th as I'd thought, but
had I been more combative I wd hv asked why not!}
Mayor: The Terms of Ref of the FCmte have never included, I
don't believe, comments on the budget. It's more to do with the
process. Is that right? we've got two mbrs of the FCmte
right here.
{er, um. As I wrote in an
earlier msg:
How wd you interpret:
o The Finance Committee
provides recommendations regarding the budget, financial policy
and process issues to Council; and
o Committee members may
review and comment on annual and long-term budgets, and quarterly
financial reports, as referred to them by Council.
?}
MS: No. it depends on how you interpret the TofRef.
The bottom line is we did not, at the FCmte, we did not review the
budget. That's the answer to the question.
~~~
> 11. Last year and this, many
expected the FCmte with mbrs selected for expertise, so will the FCmte
mtg be given the draft 2009 Budget before the Apr 8 mtg thus giving us
the benefit of their knowledge?
ANS: "The earlier
comments are still applicable. The Finance Committee was asked for
recommendations on process, and further recommended a two year
program to implement GFOA best practices. As to budget dollar content
and service levels, this is not a question of expertise, but rather a
question of resident preferences as to which services they value and
are willing to pay for. So resident support (or otherwise)
for proposed service levels is the real quest of the public
process."
WVM:
Yes, the FCmte made recommendations about process and
implementing GFOA best practices. This budget is one step toward
that. It does not mean, however, that the FCmte ought not to
review the budget (astonishing when you see FCmte Purpose and
Duties from their webpage cited above) or that the public not be given
sufficient time to review the choices made by staff and/or Ccl.
hm -- and just how was the Cmte diverted from reviewing the
budget (well, not being given it was one obvious way along with
cancelling the mtg in January and any after the Feb mtg at wch Finance
Dept staff were absent)? Cclr Smith's 'diplomatic' answer of
"depends" may imply they were given an interpretation that
precluded reviewing the budget.
Besides, how cd anyone think residents wd not have
expressed their preferences had they been given any?
Besides, while valuable to approach services by what ppl want,
it's also valuable to have residents say how much they want to pay and
then find the services by prioritization.
~~~ Mayor: and I think we're going to be bringing a report
forward to Ccl for how the FCmte is going to operate in 2009, and
that's a reflection of a couple of things: Ccl's own budget
process
{ah... indicative of the public and cmte still being
left out?}
and also some questions it has that a WG cd work on, so we may
split into two different aspects of dealing with our budget process.
~~~
> 12. When? for 2010,
presumably and/or as a result of the Strategic Vision
Planning
ANS: "The issue of
Finance Committee/Finance Working Group will likely be dealt with
in April"
WVM:
Replay of 2008? or will they this time actually be allowed to
look at the budget this time, not just the process?
Incredible with the Purpose and Duties clearly indicating the
FCmte look at the budget, when asked directly.
Manipulation or lack of will?
~~~ What was your other question?
CR: no, b/c I know the Fiscal Sustainability Task Force had made
recommendations and so did the FCmte--
{was interrupted but I know last year when the FCmte was
appointed it was said it was too late for them to look at Budget 2008
but they cd look at Budget 2009. So what happened? Always
a reason for the FCmte 'experts' not to review the draft
budget?}
Mayor: I'd like to know what your other question is
CR: are we going to get some more details of the $31M of the
capital projects?
Mayor: that's the 2010 capital project, I believe. In 2009,
we have really got v little in there and so it's maybe skewed the 2010
budget a little bit
>> WVM interjects before
Q13:
{This is strange. What document
is she looking at? Page 104 shows $24M for 2009, $21M for 2010, $98M
for the five years covered by the budget. Maybe I'm missing something,
or the document is.}
CR: but whatever's in it you'll tell us?
Mayor: Mr McRadu, do you have anything further on that?
CAO: any information that you want, certainly our Dir/Finance
can walk you through it.
CR: no, I think everyone is interested in what the capital
budget is going to be spent on. ~~~
> 13. Capital spending projects info
for both 2009 and 2010 wd be appreciated.
ANS: "As noted
earlier, these details are in the budget document.".
WVM:
Poorly asked on my part. Debate on these capital
spending projects is what is needed -- explanation for need now, why
can't be postponed or can be, etc. Not all immediately obvious
urgent.
~~~ Thank you very much.
Mayor: sure; thank you.
21. ADJOURNMENT ~~~
> 14. At the Mar 4th Budget mtg a
request was made to have notes from the meeting showing the answers
given to the questions asked. Will these be submitted to Ccl to
form part of the ccl mtg package and/or will they be put on the DWV
webpage?
ANS: Notes of
this meeting have been circulated to Council, and have been
posted to the web.
WVM:
Have now found them -- they are in the minutes. Difficult
to find since most will not think to look in minutes or know minutes
of wch mtg. May I suggest all budget-related information be
in one place, ie BUDGET, with a list of the info/docs, for the
convenience of the public -- make it
customer/user/ratepayer-friendly.
==================================================
We look forward to reading the
Dir/Finance's explanations given March 30th.
Your attention to these matters wd
be appreciated.
--
Yours thoughtfully,
Carolanne Reynolds * Editor, West Van Matters; t 926 8649, f
484 5992; www.westvan.org
=== Ccl Mtg AGENDA April
6th ===
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
2. ADOPTION OF MINUTES
March 23, 2009 Regular Council Meeting; March 30, 2009 Special Council Meeting
3. DELEGATION
4. PRESENTATION
Metro Vancouver re: Regional/Municipal Solid Waste Update
(File: 0185-20) -- to be provided.
REPORTS
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1.
Council receives [sic] for information, the report entitled
"Regional/Municipal Solid Waste Update";
2.
Council encourages [sic] the public to attend and to provide
feedback on the Zero Waste Challenge at one of the two upcoming Metro
Vancouver meetings for North Shore residents.
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1.
The report dated April 6, 2009 from the Acting Manager of
Parks titled Hugo Ray Park Status Report and Options be received for
information;
2. The proposed
Artificial Turf Field project at Hugo Ray Park as outlined in the June
9, 2008 Report to Council not proceed;
3.
Approval be given to staff to investigate the feasibility of
Artificial Turf designed for field hockey located at Ambleside Park on
the existing "A" Field, using funds provisionally allocated in the
draft 2009 Budget for this purpose;
4.
Approval be given to staff to consult with the neighbourhood
in the area of Ambleside Park "A" Field about Artificial Turf on
"A" field, and also to consult with all field sport groups regarding
this location in accordance with the Neighbourhood Consultation
Strategy outlined in Appendix D;
5.
Staff report back to Council regarding recommendations based
on estimated costs, availability of funding and results of community
consultation;
6.
Authorization be given for the submission of an immediate
application under the Recreation Infrastructure Canada (RInC) Fund for
an artificial turf field designed for field
hockey.
RECOMMENDED: THAT
1.
Staff hold a Neighbourhood Visioning Workshop to solicit
neighbourhood comment on:
(a) neighbourhood strengths, issues,
character and vision of the future; and
(b) the proposed development application
for 370/380 Mathers Avenue;
2.
Following the Workshop, staff report back to Council on what
the neighbourhood said at the Workshop and with a complete review of
Development Application No. 1010-20-08-014; and
3.
The public notification area for the Neighbourhood Visioning
Workshop be as outlined on Appendix D to the March 26, 2009 report
from the Manager, Community Planning, along with advertisements for
the public meeting listed on the District website.
8. Strategic Planning - Next Steps
(File: 0270-07)
Information to be provided.
RECOMMENDED: THAT the priorities for implementation of the
Heritage Strategic Plan during
2009-2010, as outlined in the report from the Sr. Community
Planner dated February 2, 2009 be endorsed.
RECOMMENDED: THAT 1068 Inglewood Avenue (St.
Christopher's Anglican Church) be added to the West Vancouver
Community Heritage Register, pursuant to Section 954 of the Local
Government Act.
RECOMMENDED: THAT Development Variance Permit Application
08-017 (3371 Marine Drive), which provides for retaining an illegally
constructed second accessory building (exercise room), be
denied.
BYLAW FOR ADOPTION
This bylaw received first and second readings at the March 23,
2009 Council Meeting, and third reading on March 30, 2009.
CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS
13. Consent Agenda Items - Reports and
Correspondence
The following Consent Agenda items may be considered
separately or in one recommendation.
REPORTS FOR CONSENT AGENDA
CORRESPONDENCE LIST FOR CONSENT AGENDA
15. Correspondence List
(File: 0120 24)
Correspondence received up to March 20,
2009
Requests for Delegation -- No
items presented.
Action Required
Referred to Director of Engineering and
Transportation for consideration and response.
No Action Required (receipt
only)
(2) Committee and Board Meeting
Minutes
Attachments available for viewing in
Legislative Services Department.
Responses to Correspondence --
No items presented.
Responses to Questions in
Question Period -- No items presented.
Correspondence received up to
March 27, 2009
Requests for Delegation -- No
items presented.
Action Required -- No items
presented.
No Action Required (receipt
only)
Attachments available for viewing in Legislative Services
Department.
Responses to Correspondence
Responses to Questions in
Question Period -- No items
presented.
Correspondence received up to
April 1, 2009
Requests for Delegation -- No
items presented.
Action Required
Referred to Mayor and Council for
response. Attachments available for
viewing in Legislative Services Dept.
Referred to Director of Finance for consideration and
response.
No Action Required (receipt only)
-- No items presented.
Responses to Correspondence --
No items presented.
Responses to Questions in
Question Period -- No items
presented.
REPORTS FROM MAYOR AND COUNCILLORS
16. Oral Reports from Mayor and Councillors (Including updates
on working groups)
17. PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND
COMMENTS 18.
ADJOURNMENT
=== INFObit ===
Rivers
ISSUES AND
GOALS
We as a population
in BC face a historic challenge. All through time our rivers have
flowed freely. Our provincial government is quietly giving away rights
to our public rivers for private power production to some of the
world's biggest corporations. Not only is new private river power
significantly driving up our power bills already but the policy that
has never been debated threatens our environment, economy, and society
as a whole.
more http://www.saveourrivers.ca/
=== NEWSWATCH === first
the good news.... then marriage :-)
+ Malalai Joya receives International
Anti-discrimination Award 2009
On March 28, 2009, in a ceremony in Rotterdam, The Netherlands,
Malalai Joya received the International Anti-discrimination Award
2009. She was nominated for this award by the Dutch Unity is Strength
Foundation. With this award she is honoured for her courage and
persistence in her struggle for liberty and women rights in
Afghanistan.
The award was given to her by Ms. Edit Rauh, State Secretary for
the Ministry Of Social Affairs and Labour of the Republic of Hungary.
Joya received a standing applause from the over 1100 participants in
the ceremony. Some parts of the "Enemies of Happiness", the
award-winning documentary on Joya was also shown in the event.
+ Marriage and Women's Rights
= Much kerfuffle over the proposed law in Afghanistan, to apply
to the Shia (a minority of about 10%) that women may not leave the
house unaccompanied by husband (or delegated relative) and may not
refuse sex for more than four days (ie, then raping her wd not be
illegal). At Canada's and others' insistence President Karzai
will review the legislation.
I hope so. What are we fighting for? Wd those good
military men and women defend that?
* Meanwhile over in Israel:
MARCH 25, 2009...9:17
AM
Israel's
"revolting" Marriage Law Faces A Court Challenge by James M. Wall
Veteran Israeli journalist Uri Avnery is
constantly outraged at the conduct of the nation he loves.
In a column in
the Palestine
Chronicle, Avnery writes about a case
now before the Israeli Supreme Court in which a group of Jews and
Arabs seek to overturn a draconian Israeli law that attacks the core
of Palestinian families.
Though security was the pretense for the
passage of the law, Avnery knows the real reason for this
"temporary" law was to make life untenable for Palestinians who live
both inside and outside the border of Israel, a border that
continually expands, also under the pretense of
"security".
Israel has no constitution. Instead, the
nation is governed under what is known as "Basic Laws". The
case now before the Supreme Court insists this marriage law violates
the "equal rights of all citizens" provision of those Basic
Laws.
The marriage law mandates that the wife or
husband of an Israeli citizen is not allowed to reside with a spouse
in Israel if the non-Israeli spouse comes from the occupied
Palestinian territories or from a "hostile" Arab country. The
non-Israeli spouse is either forbidden to live in Israel, or if they
have received a six month visa as a "visitor" to their own home,
the visa must be renewed every six months, a renewal easily and often
rejected.
Uri Avnery describes this law as "one of
the most revolting laws ever enacted in Israel."
For the rest:
http://wallwritings.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/israels-revolting-marriage-law-faces-a-court-challenge/
=== WEBWATCH === Update on
George Galloway (Cdn Govt aside.....)
Sad to say our courts upheld banning
his entry -- bizarre when you consider he was visiting the US
on a speaking tour and is not banned there or from going to Israel.
Do understand courts reluctant to overturn govt decisions. Does,
though, make Canada a bit of a laughing stock and difficult to take
seriously freedom of speech in this country.
Since then however, CBC reported that
someone with the Cdn Jewish Defence League is the one who told Cdn
govt that Galloway supports Hamas and therefore is a security threat.
As reported in the last issue, he has denied that.
Info forwarded to me, and references
follow, reported that
(a) on Mar 23 last year Canada signed an
agreement with Israel regarding public security and
(b) a Jewish 'activist' (with JDL)
contacted the Cdn officials, and keep in mind the Israeli cabinet
considers JDL as a terrorist org (article by Independent Jewish Voices
Canada; wch I found absolutely mindboggling)
To show how bound Canada (Harper?) is,
having strayed from being balanced, even-handed, the honest broker,
see (c) -- Canada the sole vote against expansion of the illegal
Jewish settlements on the West Bank
(a) THE CANADA ISRAEL
AGREEMENT
http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=20090326&articleId=12913
British MP George
Galloway barred from Canada under the Canada Israel "Public
Security" Agreement
by Michel
Chossudovsky, Global
Research, March 26,
2009
British MP
George Galloway was refused entry to Canada on the pretext that he
supported Hamas, which is categorized by the Canadian government as a
"terrorist organization."
Contrary to
what has been reported in the media, this was
not a unilateral decision by the government of
Canada.
In all
likelihood, the decision was taken in close consultation with Israel
under the terms of a far-reaching agreement on "public
security" signed in Tel Aviv on March 23 2008.
The "Declaration of Intent" establishes a framework
of bilateral cooperation between Canada and Israel in the area of
"Public Security". The agreement has not been the object of
debate in the Canadian parliament, nor has it received media coverage.
Under the proposed agreement, the Deputy Minister of Public Safety and
Emergency Preparedness of Canada is in [liaison] with his
Israeli counterpart the Director General of Public Security for the
Government of the State of Israel. Together they chair a joint
Management Committee.
The terms
reference of the Canada-Israel "Declaration" are extremely
broad. They include issues of immigration and ethnic profiling, the
management of borders, intelligence and the exchange of information,
emergency preparedness, correctional services, prisons, law
enforcement and counter-terrorism. The agreement allows
for officials from the State of Israel, to play a role in
Canadian "public security" including border security and
immigration.
The
important question is whether Israeli officials were present in Canada
and whether they were assisting their Canadian counterparts with
regard to the decision to bar George Galloway.
The article
below provides detailed information on the nature of this
Canadian-Israeli project.
Also
see text of agreement in ANNEX,...
then in
April:
The Canada-Israel
"Public Security" Agreement
Ottawa & Tel Aviv collaborate in counter-terrorism &
Homeland security
by Michel Chossudovsky -- Global Research, April 2, 2008
Canada and Israel have signed a
far-reaching public security cooperation
agreement.
The agreement, described as a
"Partnership", involves a "Declaration of Intent"
by the two governments. The Declaration was signed in Tel Aviv on
March 23:
"Today, the Honourable Stockwell Day,
Minister of Public Safety Canada and Avi Dicter, Minister of Public
Security of the Government of the State of Israel...
The final text of the Declaration of Intent
remains vague. ["Counter-terrorism"] and the "Homeland"
are not explicitly mentioned in the final text of the Declaration
signed on March 23.
Legal Implications
The text of the Declaration of Intent
states that ": {it] is not intended to create legally binding
obligations, under either domestic or international law. Yet, at the
outset, it violates several fundamental principles of the
Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms."
The Canada-Israel Public Security agreement
has barely been mentioned by the Canadian media.
It has not been the object of a debate in
parliament. Why has this issue not been brought to the forefront of
public debate? Why has the parliamentary opposition remained mum
on the subject?
It should be forcefully challenged in
Canada's courts.
ANNEX -- FULL TEXT of
AGREEMENT
http://www.publicsafety.gc.ca/media/nr/2008/nr20080323-1-eng.aspx
Public Safety
Canada March 23, 2008
Declaration of
Intent Between the Department of Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness of Canada and the Ministry of Public Security of the
Government of the State of Israel
*** This info also
in
http://mostlywater.org/galloway_barred_canada_under_canada_israel_public_security_agreement
(b) JDL MEMBER advised Cdn
Govt
Excerpts
from
http://mostlywater.org/updated_jewish_terrorist_organization_planned_bomb_concordia_advised_canadian_govt_ban_george_galloway
Jewish
Terrorist Organization that Planned to Bomb Concordia Advised Canadian
Government to Ban George Galloway
By Scott Weinstein
March 29, 2009
An organization that
planned to blow up Concordia University, and that the FBI, the U.S.
State Department, and U.S. courts have branded a 'terrorist
organization', has given advice to the Harper government that led
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney to barring a British MP from
Canada.
A Kenney spokesman said
Kenney first heard about British MP George Galloway's visit from a
Jewish Defense League (JDL) March 16 letter.
The Jewish Defense
League, is categorized by the FBI as a "right-wing Jewish terrorist
group", founded in 1968 by ultra Zionist Meir Kahane. Kanahe then
founded the terrorist group Khach in Israel. JDL leader Meir Weinstein
(no relation to the author) boasts of getting the Canadian government
to ban Galloway.
Mr. Galloway,
labelled a terrorist threat by the Conservative government, is freely
touring the U.S. now. Galloway is scheduled to speak in four
Canadian cities from March 30 to April 2 on "Resisting War from
Gaza to Kandahar". He plans to speak against the Conservative
government's war in Afghanistan and uncritical support for Israel,
which is why his Canadian defenders - and even opponents - feel he is
banned from speaking here.
The JDL can now claim
further success because Concordia University just forbade a planned
Galloway live video feed into their auditorium, citing Canada's
banning his entry into the country.
The JDL's well
documented history of terrorism
It is impossible that
the Harper government is unaware [of] the JDL's terrorism
designation given how earnestly Canada and the US share such
information, and how public information of some of their dozens of
domestic terror acts is. (See
http://www.adl.org/extremism/jdl_chron.asp)
The US State Department
designated the JDL's Israeli affiliates, Kach, founded by Kahane,
and the Kahane Chai, named in honor of Kahane after his murder, as
"foreign terrorist organizations" - a decision recently upheld by
a US Appeals Court.
http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/2006/82738.htm
The Israeli Cabinet
declared them terrorist organizations in 1994. Last year, Meir
Weinstein answered the question by The Jewish
Press if the
JDL in Toronto adheres to the ideology of Meir Kahane? "I will
always be a loyal disciple of Rabbi Kahane. Our ideology is based on
the Jewish Idea as taught by Rabbi Kahane."
http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/35188
Baruch Goldstein
massacred 29 Palestinians praying in a mosque in Hebron. The Jewish
Defense League states, "We view Dr. Goldstein as a martyr in
Judaism's protracted struggle against Arab terrorism. And we are not
ashamed to say that Goldstein was a charter member of the Jewish
Defense League".
http://www.jdl.org/index.php/about-jdl/faqs/
The JDL is still active
with Hebron's Jewish settlers, most visibly remarkable for its hate
graffiti such as: "Arabs to the Gas Chambers".
http://www.cpt.org/gallery/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album...
In a 1986 study of
domestic terrorism, the US Department of Energy concluded: "For more
than a decade, the Jewish Defense League (JDL) has been one of the
most active terrorist groups in the United States. Since 1968, JDL
operations have killed 7 persons and wounded at least
22."...
The Jewish B'nai Brith
and the JDL both targeted the Ontario Secondary School Teachers'
Federation (OSSTF) in 2007 to prevent them from debating a motion
critical of Israel. The JDL is now going after the Canadian Union of
Public Employees (CUPE) for similar reasons. Liberal aide Warren
Kinsella appeared last week at a meeting organized by the JDL as a
surprise guest.
In last week's
interview on British Channel 4 TV with George Galloway, JDL leader
Meir Weinstein threatened any Canadian who attended or supported
Galloway's presentation would be "monitored" by the Canadian
government. (See: video)...
{article
continues} -- Scott Weinstein is a member of Independent Jewish Voices Canada. H
(b) Canada Casts Sole Vote for Israeli
Settlement Expansion at UN
UNITED NATIONS -- Press
Release; 26 March 2009 - Human Rights Council
http://www.unhchr.ch/huricane/huricane.nsf/view01/4C99B0F4E7...
Council
Adopts 10 Resolutions on Human Rights Situation in Palestine and Other
Occupied Arab Territories and on Combatting Defamation of Religions,
Among Others
Excerpt:
In a
resolution (A/HRC/10/L.5) on Israeli settlements in the Occupied
Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in the occupied
Syrian Golan, adopted by a vote of 46 in favour, one against, and no
abstentions, as orally revised, the Council deplores the recent
Israeli announcements of the construction of new housing units for
Israeli settlers in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as they
undermine the peace process and the creation of a contiguous,
sovereign and independent Palestinian State;...
...And urges
the parties to give renewed impetus to the peace process in line with
the Annapolis Peace Conference and the Paris International Donors'
Conference for the Palestinian State and to implement fully the road
map endorsed by the Security Council in its resolution 1515
(2003).
The result of
the vote were as follows:
In favour
(46): Angola, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bolivia,
Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chile, China,
Cuba, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, India,
Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mauritius,
Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar,
Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal,
Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, Ukraine, United
Kingdom, Uruguay and Zambia.
Against (1):
Canada.
Abstentions
(0):
=== LANGUAGEWATCH
=== no fear we'll ever lose the little
darlings!
The Typo Eradication Advancement League (TEAL)
has been [travelling] around the US on an ambitious Typo Hunt Across
America, correcting as many typos as they can.
This March through May, we, sworn members of
TEAL, will be taking a road trip around the country to stamp out as
many typos as we can find, in public signage and other venues where
innocent eyes may be befouled by vile stains on the delicate fabric of
our language. We do not blame, nor chastise, the authors of these
typos. It is natural for mistakes to occur; everybody will slip now
and again. But slowly the once-unassailable foundations of spelling
are crumbling, and the time has come for the crisis to be addressed.
We believe that only through working together with vigilance and a
love of correctness can we achieve the beauty of a typo-free
society.
=== POETRY ===
APRIL is Poetry Month
+ Happy Birthday, Ferlinghetti:
Constantly risking absurdity
and death
whenever he performs
above the heads
of his
audience
the
poet like an acrobat
climbs on rime
to a high
wire of his own making.
LAWRENCE FERLINGHETTI (San
Francisco's first Poet Laureate, 1998), title poem (sect. 15), A
Coney Island of the Mind, 1958. Ferlinghetti celebrated his 90th
birthday on 24 March 2009.
+ from The NYT Review of Books Apr 3
Memorizing poetry in this day and age may seem eccentric, not to
say masochistic. I recommend it
anyway.
- Reading Updike's Last Words, Aloud by Charles McGrath
What the experience of reading the audiobook version of the
author's last book of poems
revealed.
=== QUOTATIONS
===
* from Dr Mardy Grothe:
When ignorance has ruled the day -- as it has so
often in world history--it was not only foolish but perilous to be
wise. This is what Voltaire meant when he wrote, "It is
dangerous to be right in matters on which the established authorities
are wrong." Usually, though, it's more frustrating than it
is dangerous when we encounter ignorance in our bosses, co-workers,
and acquaintances. Euripides captured the experience well in
"The Bacchae", a Greek tragedy first performed in Athens in
407BC:
"Talk sense to a fool and he calls you
foolish."
* Always borrow money from a pessimist, he doesn't expect
to be paid back. -- Author Unknown
* Money will buy you a pretty good dog, but it won't buy
the wag of his tail. -- Henry Wheeler Shaw
* The truth that makes men free is for the most part the
truth which men prefer not to hear.
--
Herbert Agar, American journalist (1897 - 1980)
In the final lines of a 1747 poem, the English poet Thomas Gray
wrote:
"Where ignorance is bliss
Tis folly to be
wise."
It is one thing to show a man that he is in error, and another
to put him in possession of the truth.
--
John Locke, English philosopher (1632 - 1704)
October: This is one of the peculiarly dangerous
months to speculate in stocks in. The others are July, January,
September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and
February.
--
Mark Twain, Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar for 1894
A bank is a place that will lend you money if you
can prove that you don't need it.
--
Bob Hope
MORAL OF THE MONTH: Don't join dangerous cults: Practise safe
sects.