HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Minutes - Budget Session April 6, 2023 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Special Council Meeting—Minutes
BUDGET SESSION 2023-24
Thursday,
April 6, 2023
9:34 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 Earlene MacMullin
Councillor Cyril MacDonald
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
Councillor Steve Parsons
Deputy Mayor James Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Councillor Lorne Green
Staff: Marie Walsh Ray Boudreau
Jennifer Campbell Paul Burt
John MacKinnon Francis Campbell
Deborah Campbell Ryan Kirk Durning
Demetri Kachafanas Matthew Viva
Wayne MacDonald Bruce Hardy
Michael Ruus Desiree Magnus
Deanna Evely Angela Ross
Robert Walsh
Kirk Durning
Absent: Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger (Leave of Absence)
CBRM Special Council—April 6,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 2 of 5
Summary of Decisions
1. DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continuation of discussions):
It was agreed to postpone deliberation of the Operating Budget until discussions with the
Provincial Government on the budget have concluded.
2. DRAFT Capital Budget 2023-2024 (Continuation of discussion):
Motion to approve the 2023-24 Capital Budget, totaling $68,768,310, and
• Associated required borrowing resolutions for $8,839,633;
• Associated required borrowing resolution for $4,693,985 (Wastewater);
• Transfer from Capital reserve $2,350,000;
• Transfer from Operating Reserve $340,000.
Carried.
ADDENDUM
3. BUSINESS ARISING:
a. Board of Police Commissioners —March 29, 2023:
i) CBRPS Cost Recovery:
Motion to approve the Proposed CBRPS Traffic Fees outlined in the staff Issue Paper dated
March 2023 as follows:
- Collision Reports —General: $30
- Collision Reports —Investigative: $345
- Collision Reconstruction Report: $1500
- Statements (electronic): $25
-Photos (electronic —contact sheet
of four) $50
Carried.
ADJOURNMENT
CBRM Special Council—April 6,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 3 of 5
Mayor McDougall-Merrill opened the third day of budget deliberations and advised that
the Chief Administrative Officer and staff were asked to bring back suggestions for further
reductions to the Operating Budget.
1. DRAFT Operating Budget 2023-2024 (Continuation of discussions):
Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that after careful consideration she is
recommending that no cuts be made to the Operational Budget until they move forward
and work with the Provincial Government on possible solutions.
During discussion, some of the issues raised included:
• Municipal Capacity Grant
• The $3 million from the Province for Capital and HRM's special arrangement with
the Province
• Current Shortfall of$4.2 million
• The positions suggested to be removed from Budget considerations be brought back
for further discussion
• Overtime costs
It was agreed to postpone deliberation of the Operating Budget until discussions with
the Provincial Government on the budget have concluded.
Mayor McDougall-Merrill advised that it is important for CBRM to be clear on what had
to be removed from the proposed Operating Budget.
2. DRAFT Capital Budget 2023-2024 (Continuation of discussions):
Wayne MacDonald, Director of Engineering and Public Works, noted that the Capital
Budget has already been presented and requires approval. He advised that he was available
for any additional questions.
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer, advised that an updated spreadsheet was
circulated at the Budget session the day before and that due to the addition of Centre 200
Project, the totals listed in the proposed motion were different.
Council discussed the following:
• $3 million in provincial funding not currently included in the budget
• Transfers from Reserve funds
• Main Street, Sydney Mines project and ICIP funding
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 6,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 4 of 5
DRAFT Capital Budget 2023-2024 (Cont'd):
After discussion and confirmation of the recommendation, the following motion was put
forward:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Parsons, seconded by Deputy Mayor Edwards, to approve the 2023-
24 Capital Budget, totaling $68,768,310, and
• Associated required borrowing resolutions for $8,839,633;
• Associated required borrowing resolution for $4,693,985 (Wastewater);
• Transfer from Capital reserve $2,350,000;
• Transfer from Operating Reserve $340,000.
Motion Carried.
ADDENDUM
3. BUSINESS ARISING:
a. Board of Police Commissioners —March 29, 2023:
ii) CBRPS Cost Recovery:
The Chief Administrative Officer noted there are cost recovery items within the Police
Service that required approval today.
Police Chief Robert Walsh discussed the fee structure and organizational review that was
outlined in the staff Issue Paper dated March 2023 in the Addendum package. He advised
that they looked at all fees associated for the services provided and noted that the fees have
not changed since 2008, however, the demand for these services has grown significantly.
The Police Chief explained the reasons for the request for a fee structure and explained that
as a community based police service, they are trying to provide this service as affordable
as possible but need to be fiscally responsible. He added that there is no requirement for
these services to be conducted by the Police Service.
Police Chief Walsh discussed the process for record checks for volunteers and provided
options for Council to consider which were as follows:
• Maintain the status quo
Nominal fee of$5
• $15
• $15, or if proof of low income, they could waive the fee
Continued...
CBRM Special Council—April 6,2023
2023-2024 Capital&Operating Budget Session
Approved December 10,2024 Page 5 of 5
CBRPS Cost Recovery (Cont'd):
After the presentation, some of council discussion included the following:
• Record checks for volunteers
• Process for fingerprinting
• Average dollar amount for record checks
Mayor McDougall-Merrill advised that a decision today is only required for the traffic-
based fees and the others will come back when we approve the operating budget.
After discussion, the following motion was put forward.
Motion:
Moved by Councillor Cyril MacDonald, seconded by Councillor Paruch, to approve the
Proposed CBRPS Traffic Fees outlined in the staff Issue Paper dated March 2023 as
follows:
- Collision Reports —General: $30
- Collision Reports —Investigative: $345
- Collision Reconstruction Report: $1500
- Statements (electronic): $25
-Photos (electronic —contact sheet
of four) $50
Motion Carried.
Mayor McDougall-Merrill thanked staff and Council for their effort and discussion.
Prior to adjournment, Councillor Lorne Green brought up a question about a parcel of land
in his District. Mayor McDougall-Merrill ruled the Councillor Out of Order as the issue
did not pertain to the Budget.
The Mayor concluded the session and advised that once communication continues with the
Province, the Budget Session will resume.
Meeting adjourned at 10:15 a.m.
Cecil P. Clarke
Mayor
Christa Dicks
Municipal Clerk
/acr