Some Core Review Recommendations Stopped in their Tracks
Prince George, B.C. – The Committee of the Whole has taken a stab at making recommendations on the first group of revenue "opportunities" suggested by the KPMG Core Services Review.
Mayor ShariGreen says the first items up for discussion are on the table because they are the first that could have an impact on the 2013 budget. "The Committee will reconvene" says Mayor Green, "But we are tackling things right now that can impact our 2013 budget."
Councillor Frank Everitt , who is also a member of the Core Review Committee, says there is soome "low hanging fruit" that can be dealt with right away, but he is of the mind that the City has some wonderful assets and he is of the mind to keep those assets.
Councillor Dave Wilbur says the work right now is not a final decision, "If we find fault with nearly everything, all of this will be for not and the end result will be dismal." He says he will use his best judgement to scrutinize the opportunities.
1.Pine Valley Golf Course:
Consider terminating golf activities and prep options for the sale and development The city could reap 10-17 million $ revenue if sold, 33,000 if golf activity ceases. There would also be the flow of tax dollars from new development.
Mayor Green says the City shouldn’t be in the golf business, that the market has changed, and the private sector provides the services offered by Pine Valley . "If we choose to keep this facility we are going to have to pay $1.3 million in capital upgrades in 2013."
Councillor Stolz says its tiime to "Cut our losses on Pine Valley and turn this property into a tax generator".
The Committee is recommending Council refer the item to staff to find out what needs to be done to make this happen. Councillor Brian Skakun opposed the recommendation. The City still has a contract with the Pine Valley operator, that contract expires at the end of the golf season 2013.
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2.Council structure:
consider if there is sufficient benefit to pursue the opportunity to decrease the number of councillors from 8 to 6, which could result in $65-72,000 in savings.
Councillor Brian Skakun says the savings would not balance the loss in diversity of opinion on Council. Councillor Murry Krause disagrees, says it should be pursued, "We should be out there as well, exposed to possible reductions."
Councillor Stolz says he would like to have this issue developed as a referendum question… but the Community Charter clearly states such a change would have to be approved by voter consent, so a referendum would have to be held whether Councillor Stolz wanted one or not.
Accordiing to the Community Charter Section 118, subsection 4:
(4) If a bylaw under subsection (3) would
(a) reduce the number of council members, or
(b) maintain the current number of council members, despite an increase that would otherwise result under subsection (2),
it may only be adopted if it receives the assent of the electors.
(5) A bylaw under subsection (3)
(a) must be made at least 6 months before the next general local election, and
(b) does not become effective until that general local election.
This item has been referred to staff for further information.
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3.Working Hours
: restructure bylaw enforcement hours to reduce after hours calls $75-150,000
Staff say KPMG seems to think the readjustment could increase fine revenue, but the object is to achieve compliance, not collect fines and the staffing is already adjusted to high complaint times…. this item has been removed from consideration..
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4.Ticketing, Towing, impounding:
Consider holding towed vehicles until parking fins and towing charges have been paid $0 – $100,000 in fine revenue. This item is already being worked on as part of the on/off street parking report being developed by bylaw services.
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5.Enforce on Street Paid Parking:
Consider aggressively enforce on street parking bans that support snow operations $0-$10,000 in fine revenue: "From my perspective this is definitely something we should be doing" says Mayor Green.
The committee is recommending Council direct staff to adopt this enforcement.
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6.Outsourcing parking enforcement:
Consider enquiring with Commissionaires and other sources if there is an opportunity for cost reduction through outsourcing $75-$150,000 in savings
Councillor Murry Krause says he will not support this "This is not something I support." Councillor Garth Frizzell also will not support this, because he doesn’t see a solid business case for this. Councillor Frank Everitt also said no to this idea as did Councillor Brian Skakun and Councillor Lyn Hall. The idea was rejected.
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7. Four Seasons Pool:
Consider finding third party operator $250-$500,000 in savings
"I wouldn’t buy it" says Councillor Garth Frizzell who says pools are money losers and he suspects the City would be called upon to subsidize the operations of that pool. Councillors Krause, Skakun and Everitt also said no,but the balance of the Committee wanted to see a report from staff that would show how much money that subsidy would be. So this item moves forward.
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8. Civic Centre:
Consider initiating a process to identify a 3rd party operator, exploring options with Tourism Prince George or groups of hotels $100,000 to $500,000 savings
"Buildings like this don’t make a profit and I am really suspect of the figures" says Councillor Dave Wilbur, but although he initially said he would not support this item, he later changed his mind.
"My preference would be to sell some of our raw lands, rather than the hard assets we have for the citizens to use" said Councillor Frank Everitt.
Councillors Krause Skakun and Frizzell opposed moving this item forward.
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9. 9-1-1 and fire Dispatch
: consider initiating discussions with the Regional District with a view to integrating 9-1-1 call handling with fire dispatch $0 – $100,000
Unanimously supported
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10. Incremental fees and Revenues:
consider initiating further investigation and implementation of the range of incremental fees and revenue sources the City has identified for fire services $650,000 – $1.4 million
Supported unanimously
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11. EMS Dispatch:
Consider initiating discussions with Provincial Government to integrate Emergency Medical Service dispatch with P.G. Fire Dispatch
Mayor Green called this a political football, as EMS is dispatched out of Kamloops, but this would bring it back into the City`s realm.
`This is a colossal waste of our resources, Hell will freeze first" says Councillor Dave Wilbur, "I`m going to vote against it just because its unrealistic".
unanimously rejected
.
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12. Snow and Ice Control on Parking lots and Walkways at Civic facilities
: Make the service level of snow removal and ice control on these surfaces match the service levels for City streets and sidewalks $0 – $20,000
"People worry about slipping on slippery streets, and there’s not enough money here to make it worthwhile" said councilor Brian Skakun.
removed from the list
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13. Extra Garbage:
consider establishing a fee for putting out "extra " garbage $230,000 -$460,000
Mayor Green says from her perspective " it is something that should be explored further".
Councillor Dave Wilbur expressed concern WCB claims which have been all but eliminated will return. The claims have practically disappeared since the automated garbage pick up trucks were introduced.
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The committee also supported removing the recommendation that called for extra fee for clearing snow windrows from driveways.
The list of recommendations will now be presented to City Council on December 3rd.
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