HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Minutes - Budget Session April 4, 2023 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Special Council Meeting—Minutes
BUDGET SESSION 2023-24
Tuesday,
April 4, 2023
9:36 a.m.
Council Chambers
2nd Floor, City Hall
320 Esplanade, Sydney, NS
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill called the meeting to order.
Present: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall-Merrill
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Councillor MacMullin
Councillor Cyril MacDonald
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
Councillor Parsons
Deputy Mayor Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor O'Quinn
Councillor Green
Staff: Marie Walsh Ray Boudreau
Jennifer Campbell Paul MacDonald
John MacKinnon Francis Campbell
Deborah Campbell Ryan Chris March
Demetri Kachafanas Matthew Viva
Wayne MacDonald Bruce Hardy
Michael Ruus Adam MacNeil
John MacKinnon Bruce Hardy
Robert Walsh Paul MacDonald
Michael Seth Chris March
Kirk Durning Sharon MacSween
Deanna Evely
Absent: Councillor Steve Gillespie (Regrets)
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger (Leave of Absence)
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 2 of 10
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
1. Approval of the Agenda:
Motion to approve the April 4,2023, Special Council Agenda and Addendum as presented.
Carried.
3. DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024:
The Proposed Operating Budget for 2023-2024 was presented.
A Point of Order was raised by Councillor Parsons requesting that a vote on each line
item recommendation take place.
Motion to right-size the transit rate by expanding to all commercial properties in service
area in addition to increasing the transit rate by $.018/$100 of assessment. Carried
Motion to implement the transit pilot and the fee structure in the service area to ensure
route is fully funded. Carried.
Motion to implement tipping fees for all vehicles entering the landfill. Carried.
Motion that heavy garbage be included in the 2023-2024 operating budget. Carried.
Motion that the tax base rate remain the same. Carried.
Motion of the deferral of Transit Supervisor (EPW-Transit). Defeated.
Motion to suspend police recruitment pilot.Defeated.
Motion of the deferral of Business Services Manager (Police). Defeated.
Motion of the deferral of Labour Relations Specialist(Human Resources) Carried.
Motion of the deferral of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator Defeated.
Motion of the deferral of Bylaw enforcement officer. Defeated.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 5,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 3 of 10
DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Cont'd):
Motion to eliminate Mayor's staff position.Defeated.
Motion to defer tax collection staff. Defeated.
Motion to defer reinstatement of Financial Services Clerk for Facilities operations.
Defeated.
The meeting recessed for the day at 4:26p.m.
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 4 of 10
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
1. Approval of the Agenda:
Mayor McDougall-Merrill recommended to first review the Operating Budget then the
Capital Budget for an opportunity to find balance. Council agreed.
The Mayor stated that a $3 million capital grant was announced by the Provincial
Government on March 3 and the funds will be incorporated it into the capital budget and
specific requirements are tied to the grant.
Mayor McDougall-Merrill advised that through the rapid housing initiative (RHI)process,
staff and CMHC had conversations to determine eligibility of various projects that CBRM
has submitted. RHI applications have been added to the agenda for April 5h.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to approve the
April 4, 2023 Special Council Agenda and Addendum as presented.
Discussion:
It was agreed that Council have discussion prior to the Budget Presentations.
Motion Carried.
3. DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024:
CFO Campbell presented the Proposed Operating Budget. She reviewed the proposed
expenditure summary and expenditures by department.
Following the presentation by CFO Campbell, Council discussion took place.
At this point in the meeting, it was agreed to relax the speaking rules for the meeting.
Discussion took place regarding:
• Library
Centre 200
• Fuel costs and estimates
• Travel costs vs virtual meetings
• Police recruitment and business manager
• Transit, transit rates and pilot project
• Heavy garbage and residential tipping fees
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 5 of 10
DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continued):
• Derelict buildings and safety hazards
• Tax receivable and tax collection positions
Costs associated with Fiona
Sidewalks
Grants to organizations
• Insurance and liability costs
• Anticipated MOU with RCMP for policing 100 series highways, positions and
cost recovery regarding fines
• Emera Centre staffing
Staff overtime costs and vacancies
CPI increase
• Municipal grant from the province has been frozen
Street lights, fees and policy
• Ball field rates and policy update
Council recessed for Lunch at 11:55 a.m.
Council resumed at 1:13 p.m.
Mayor McDougall-Merrill welcomed everyone back to the afternoon session.
Council continued discussion regarding:
• Assumptions
Gas tax
• Reserve for infrastructure funding
Comparison of other Nova Scotia municipalities regarding general public tipping
fees for waste greater than 50 kg, flat rate and tonnage fee including billing
mechanisms for contractors
• Illegal dumping
• Heavy garbage and cruise ship season
Charge fees for criminal record checks up front due to those being processed and
not picked up and challenges around providing proof of income to waive fees for
low income earners
Solid waste challenges as a result of debris from Fiona
• Access to operational reserve funding
Staffing, funding for positions previously within the Mayor's Office, vacancies
and overtime
A Point of Order was raised by Councillor Parsons requesting that a vote on each line
item take place.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 6 of 10
DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continued):
➢ $518,244: Right-size the transit rate by expanding to all commercial properties
in serviced areas, in addition to increasing the transit rate by $.018/$100 of
assessment(increase from $1.07 to $1.25)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Paruch, to right-size the
transit rate by expanding to all commercial properties in service area in addition to
increasing the transit rate by $.018/$100 of assessment.
Motion Carried
➢ $700,000: Defer transit pilot, or include the service area in the tax structure to
ensure route is fully funded
Motion:
Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Green, to implement the transit
pilot and the fee structure in the service area to ensure route is fully funded.
Discussion:
The Director of Engineering and Public Works noted that once a new route is implemented
and the rate is in place, the route would become permanent.
Motion Carried.
➢ $600,000: Implement tipping fee for all vehicles entering landfill
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Paruch, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to implement
tipping fees for all vehicles entering the landfill.
Discussion:
During discussion, Councillor Green raised concern that implementing tipping fees for all
vehicles will create a traffic bottle neck at the landfill entrance.
The Manager of Solid Waste advised that it is estimated that these tipping fees will generate
approximately $1 million per year. He further advised that every vehicle that presently
enters the landfill is weighed, and implementing tipping fees may eliminate some of the
residential traffic for those who tend to bring their household garbage to the landfill rather
than leaving it at their curb.
Motion Carried.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 7 of 10
DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continued):
➢ $330,000 Suspend heavy garbage collection for 1 year given landfill
capacity/processing issues post-Fiona
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor Gordon MacDonald, that heavy
garbage be included in the 2023-2024 operating budget.
Discussion:
During discussion, the Director of Engineering and Public Works advised that staggering
heavy garbage collection by district would cost CBRM more.
Motion Carried.
➢ $135,280: Elimination of Platoon Chief Rank through attrition
This item was discussed earlier in the meeting, noting that it was removed as an option
from the list of recommendations.
➢ $1,942,021: Base rate adjustment to balance
Motion:
Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Parsons, that the tax base rate
remain the same.
Motion Carried.
Discussion took regarding departmental travel, training and education including increase
in costs and:
• Active transportation
• Accessibility
• Housing
Wastewater and water
• Technology
Overtime management and associated challenges
• Port profits and royalties
• Increase $1.1 million for fuel based on consumption
• Transit costs and the base rate
Call to haul
• Equalization and provincial funding formula
Costs associated with Fiona
Cost of living and CPI
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 8 of 10
DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continued):
At this point in the meeting, CAO Walsh called on Directors to allow an opportunity for
them to speak to the positions.
Staffing considerations:
The Clerk suggested to Council that if they did not agree with a proposed staffing
consideration, to introduce a motion with the recommendation as presented, and vote
against it.
➢ $121,607: Deferral of Transit Supervisor(EPW—Transit)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, deferral of
Transit Supervisor(EPW-Transit).
Motion Defeated.
➢ $122,000: Suspend Police Recruitment Pilot(No impact—funded by reserve)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, to suspend
police recruitment pilot.
Motion Defeated.
➢ $104,254: Deferral of Business Services Manager (Police—no impact unless
eliminating staff sergeant position)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, deferral of Business
Services Manager (Police).
Motion Defeated.
➢ $103,632: Deferral of Labour Relations Specialist(Human Resources)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Parsons, deferral of
Labour Relations Specialist(Human Resources).
Motion Carried.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 9 of 10
DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continued):
➢ $91,033: Deferral of Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator (result in OT,
environmental and system issues)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Paruch, deferral of
Wastewater Treatment Plant Operator
Motion Defeated.
➢ $84,385: Deferral of Bylaw enforcement officer (partially offset by $50K in
additional revenue—will affect ability to enforce new signage bylaw)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, deferral of
Bylaw enforcement officer.
Motion Defeated.
➢ $84,170: Eliminate Mayor's staff position(Unu advisor/communications officer)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Green, seconded by Councillor O'Quinn, to eliminate Mayor's staff
position.
Motion Defeated.
➢ $77,089: Defer tax collection staff($100,000 reduction in allowance unlikely to
be achieved)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Parsons, to defer tax
collection staff.
Motion Defeated.
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 4,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 10 of 10
DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continued):
➢ $70,374: Defer reinstatement of Financial Services Clerk for Facilities operations
(will result in additional overtime requirements)
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Councillor Eldon MacDonald, to defer
reinstatement of Financial Services Clerk for Facilities operations.
Motion Defeated.
The meeting recessed for the day at 4:26p.m.
Cecil P. Clarke
Mayor
Christa Dicks
Municipal Clerk
/SIM