Nov 19, 2019

Council Notebook for November 18, 2019

Council met for just over an hour on Monday, November 18, 2019 with the second 2020 Budget workshop and a grant application to create more child care spaces at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island  on High Street among the highlights.

The meeting opened with Mayor Aaron Stone remembering Jenny Tysdal Van Horne who passed away on Sunday and who had contributed her time and energy for many local groups and organizations.

Jim Stewart of the Old English Car Club presented a delegation to Council on the 2019 Brits on the Beach event, highlighting the positive impact the annual event has on the community through donations and tourism attraction.

Over the last three years, the Club has donated over $5,000 to the local food bank operated by the Ladysmith Resources Centre Association in funds raised through donations at the Brits on the Beach events.

The Town supported Brits on the Beach last year through a $250 Grant-in-Aid.

Brits on the Beach is held annually at Transfer Beach Park and next year the car show will celebrate its 20th anniversary.

Mayor Stone declared November as Adoption Awareness Month, recognizing the care, compassion and unselfish commitment of British Columbia adoptive families.

Mayor Stone also proclaimed November 20, 2019 as National Child Day in Ladysmith, recognizing the rights of children to be protected and safe from harm, to have access to services, to experience meaningful participation in community life and to have the opportunity to enjoy their childhood.

Celebrate National Child Day on Wednesday, November 20th at a free event for children age 0-6 years and their parents/caregivers at Aggie Hall from 9:30 am - 12 pm. The hall will be filled with child friendly activities, homemade pizzas, a variety of organizations and resources all geared to children and their families.  

Council held its second workshop for the 2020 Budget; this session focused on water and sewer utility rates as well as parcel taxes.

Utility bills are issued quarterly by the Town and the revenue goes directly towards the operational cost of running facilities such as the Waste Water Treatment Plant, Bio-solids Facility and water treatment plant

Parcel taxes are included as part of property tax bills and these funds are allocated in part towards capital projects, debt and reserves related to water and sewer infrastructure.

Council will give direction on preparing the bylaw for the utility rates and parcel taxes at the upcoming meeting on November 25, 2019.  Staff will also introduce the proposed 2020 capital projects for the remainder of the Town's departments.

All the budget presentations can be found here on our website.

The Town will apply for to the Union of British Columbia Municipalities Child Care Space Creation Program for up to $1 million to create additional child care spaces at the Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Vancouver Island building on High Street.

The UBCM program requires that the Town make a 15-year commitment with the province to provide the child care spaces to the community as well as own the building where programming would be offered.

The Town owns the 220 High Street building and currently leases space to the Boys and Girls Clubs.

It is anticipated that the funding would create an additional 12 new infant/toddler spaces.

The Town is also currently participating in a project with regional partners after successfully receiving $125,000 from the Community Child Care Planning Program.

Led by the CVRD, the goal of the project is  to collect data, engage with the community to identify current gaps and barriers, complete an inventory of existing child care and develop a community child care plan with short, mid and long term recommendations.

The project is expected to wrap up in April 2020.

The next Council meeting and third 2020 Budget workshop are scheduled for November 24, 2019 at 7 p.m.