Transcript: Special (Open) Council - 2026/08/10

Speaker A · It.

Speaker B · All right.

Speaker C · Good evening everyone. Welcome. It's Monday, August 10th. We're starting this evening with the special Open Council meeting which I will call to order and acknowledge that we have regrets from Councillor Newton. Online we have Councillor Graham, the rest of Councillor King, Thompson, Riddle and Paltiel as well as myself, Mayor Windsor here in the room. Welcome staff, welcome those in the gallery, those online. We begin by respectfully acknowledging that the land on which we gather is the traditional territory of the Saanich people which includes the SARTLEP and SEOT First Nations. If I could have a motion to approve the agenda as circulated please. Moved. Seconded. Thank you. Any discussion? Seeing none. Any opposed? None carried. First item of business under staff reports section 4. 4.

Speaker C · 1, the 2027 financial plan guidelines and I'll turn it to our Director of Financial Services.

Speaker D · Thank you. Good evening Mayor and Council. The 2027 Budget Guidelines is before council tonight for consideration to establish the assumptions and direction for staff to use to develop a detailed budget in the next year. This is the final budget of the current Council's strategic plan. So the guidelines are deliberate and focused on planning and stabilization. They do not propose new positions or service levels. Instead, they direct staff to maintain existing commitments, reflect workforce changes already phased in from 2024-26 and a request to advance to policy actions that reinforce the financial discipline established this term. As in previous years, labor remains our biggest cost driver with wages and benefits representing approximately 55 to 60% of operating costs.

Speaker D · On the revenue side, the guidelines assume no new major revenue sources and investment income is budgeted conservatively using a five year trend and support to support tax rate stability. Based on current commitments. The 2027 average home tax rate increase is projected to be in the 5. 5 to 7% range or about 155 to 210 annually, building on the 2026 tax base. As shown in the report, the main drivers are largely contractual, policy based or previously directed impacts. Materially reducing the tax impact would require council's direction on related trade offs like service levels, capital investment timing or approved budget funding policies. Currently, the 1. 25% for asset replacement and the 0.

Speaker D · 5% in new and active transportation are applied each year. As a matter of practice, the recommendation is to convert the practice into a bylaw mandated transfer. This would help to secure the district's investment trajectory towards the target of 10. 8 million in annual contribution by 2032 and reduce the risk that future asset funding be redirected. This moves the district from a strong annual practice to a more durable and transparent financial governance standard consistent with best practices for long term infrastructure funding. Historically, revenues from new construction have been used to offset existing tax increases and effectively reducing the annual increase. The recommendation is to come back with a framework and recommendation on how to direct all or part of the revenues to reserve for infrastructure and service demands created by growth.

Speaker D · This would align the funding source with the demand it creates and importantly avoids creating structural dependencies on growth revenues to sustain base budget. The broader objective is always to maintain a smooth predictable taxation trajectory through prudent financial management rather than creating sharp swings from year to year. Establishing this policy defaults helps preserve the trajectory as the district anticipates potential future funding pressures from the updated asset management plan. It also allows council to phase in fiscal impacts deliberately rather than reacting later to larger adjustments.

Speaker D · Once updated infrastructure requirements are fully qualified, water and sewer budgets will be developed on a status quo basis while continuing reserve transfers increases towards the 2032 targets and reflecting known pressures including peninsula bulk water rates and the Brentwood sewer project.

Speaker D · The updated asset management plan deferred to 2027 to align the master plans will be brought forward in the financial plan and will include a capital staffing model along with long term funding options. At this stage stage, staff are anticipating at least a 2% increase above the 2026 rate related to the CRD water agreement impacts. The draft 2027 financial plan will be published in early 20. Sorry, in early 27 and will end with council presentations starting in March. This evening Council is asked to approve the the five 2027 guidelines under option one, maintaining standard service levels, continuing the AMP direction, embedding asset management contributions and developing a framework to reserve new construction for revenue growth.

Speaker D · This gives staff a clear direction to prepare the 2027 budget. I'm happy to take any questions.

Speaker C · Thank you. I look to members of Council. Councilor Thompson, thank you.

Speaker A · With reference to recommendations 4 and 5. When was the intent to bring those back to council? Because my presumption is that that's an item that the incoming Council would want to deal with.

Speaker D · In terms of timing, we can bring it back as early as next month, but it can be deferred for further consideration. I think the intent is to have that established as a guideline for the 27 budget so that there's options going into that financial plan.

Speaker A · Thank you.

Speaker C · Any other members of council have questions? Councelor King.

Speaker E · So are these just like broad questions overall we're asking at this stage? Yeah.

Speaker C · On this particular item?

Speaker F · Yeah.

Speaker E · Yeah. Okay, so do I. I understand that before considering police and library, we are property tax increases estimated 4. 5 to 5. 5. This. At this very early stage.

Speaker D · Yes.

Speaker E · Right.

Speaker G · So

Speaker E · yeah, that's, I think that's just once again worth reflecting on at the early stage where we, we've just paid, I think property taxes and we're talking about starting at that. And there was a part in here I did have a note to myself about, and correct me if I'm wrong, we're being asked to make the one point annual contribution permanent. Right.

Speaker D · Correct.

Speaker E · And. But that's, if I'm not mistaken, before we receive the asset management plan next year.

Speaker D · Correct. And that's to establish a baseline. That's the way we've been moving forward with taxation in past years. There's a table in the report that shows what we've implemented and this will help us to establish a baseline and a best practice in terms of having it formalized in the bylaw as opposed to using it as a, as a, you know, a guide.

Speaker E · So further to Councillor Thompson's point, what would be the impact of doing that now versus later in this budget season where potentially theoretically the next council could do that?

Speaker D · For sure. I think it, it's to sort of sum up the practice that this term has in this council has created in terms of asset management, fiscal prudence in terms of investing in the. Into. In assets and helps us to continue on that trajectory that was established in 2022. With the asset management plan coming back with a more fulsome and I want to say, review of assets, we expect that that percentage may change probably for an increase based on the fact that that was done in 2022. I think we can all know that everything's getting more expensive and this will help us to have that baseline and not allow, I want to say allow it to be established in our investment practices.

Speaker C · I should clarify that.

Speaker E · I'm not confused about why we would do this in terms of the 1. 75%. I'm just wondering about the implications of doing it early versus December.

Speaker C · Establishment of the bylaw could be the purview of this council or the next council, as this council so directs through the Mayor.

Speaker H · Just to answer a couple of questions and maybe provide just a little bit more information. The bylaw wouldn't necessarily tie the hands. It's. It would provide parameters around what the voting around how council. And of course we would provide options to council when we put it forward. But there is nothing. But we. It's part of our work plan, Councillor King, which is why we are going to be presenting it. However, it could be deferred to the new council if it was nothing.

Speaker E · If it was deferred. It could still be done.

Speaker H · It could still be done before the budget, of course.

Speaker E · And the new council should probably be appraised of the asset management plan and all of the details.

Speaker H · Absolutely.

Speaker E · And buy in as well, I would think.

Speaker H · And then I just wanted to just clarify one point. The our budget. The asset management plan includes assets for all municipalities services, including library, police and municipal services. So the 1.

Speaker H · 75 includes all assets but the operating increase, the estimated operating increase is between 2. 75 and 3. 75. So there is a distinction between our operational increase and the asset management levy. I just wanted to.

Speaker H · That it's not a 5. 5% operational increase.

Speaker E · I follow. I get it that my two questions followed each other and so one was mentioning the library and police.

Speaker H · But I just want to.

Speaker E · Every 5. 5% is before police and library levels are added and other things are added. But I do take the point that.

Speaker H · Thank you.

Speaker E · In terms of the asset management aspect. And we're being asked to approve about 1. 09 or 5. 9 million spending for 2027 early. And there's a list of things that are mentioned, all always of course important. And I have no particular issues with any of them, I guess with the like. Again, I have no concerns with any of them. But I'm just wondering if any of those. How would those be addressed by the next council in terms of being able to sink their teeth into the prioritization,

Speaker C · just clarity of meeting flow.

Speaker H · That's the next.

Speaker C · We have jumped into agenda item 4. 2. So it may be that the question is pertinent now you gotta head though it may have. May get some answers when that is presented and there may be those questions. So okay, are there any other questions at this point? If not, then I'll turn it to staff and there is a recommendation if Council wishes item 4. 2 to be presented to get greater clarity before consideration of the recommendation under 4. 1 I would be open to that. If so, staff would present 4. 2 and we would look to then both the recommendations of 4.

Speaker C · 1 and 4. 2 because they are pretty closely linked. So yeah, I'll look to staff to present 4. 2.

Speaker D · Yeah. So the next report. This is really a report about planning ahead. The early approvals before council are for consideration are intended to give staff a lead time needed to properly plan, scope and procure the work for 2027 rather than waiting until after the budget is adopted to begin those activities. As we continue to strengthen our capital planning process, we're working towards aligning both our routine capital program and our strategic projects with procurement best practice. This means doing upfront work early, defining projects clearly and preparing procurement documents and getting those projects ready for market at the right time. And the result is a better composition, likely better pricing and reduced schedule risk and hopefully stronger project delivery. These approvals are not about accelerating spending, but rather improving readiness for for these projects.

Speaker D · They allow staff to plan ahead, procure more effectively and put the district in a stronger position to deliver council's priorities and capital program in 2027. I'm here for any questions.

Speaker C · Thank you Councilor Thompson.

Speaker A · Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just one general question again that comes back to which council would make the decision on the is it the current council or is it the incoming council? Could this information not be collected prior

Speaker C · to

Speaker A · what you've stated in terms of planning without having the council to potentially commit an incoming council to this

Speaker H · through the Mayor. This meeting we typically hold in October rather than August and the incoming council will. If I may through the Mayor. What is the first council meeting?

Speaker C · November 2nd.

Speaker H · Thank you. November 2nd.

Speaker D · November 2nd is the inaugural inaugural meeting. The first one is November 9th.

Speaker H · November 9th. Okay. And so and we'll require an orientation. And so these are the capital program that has been presented are mostly routine. There's only one strategic project. The rest is routine replacement. And they have been within our five year capital plan for the last four years. And so we've been aware that these were to happen because it's just replacement of current assets. The money, although it does come from taxation through transfer to reserves, is within a reserve and different reserves and they're noted and therefore aren't going to impact the tax rate for 2027. And so we staff believe it's prudent for us to continue the practice that we've been doing over the last four years of getting early approval as early as possible. And I won't reiterate everything that Ms.

Speaker H · Trian has said as to the why. And so that's why we are bringing this forward earlier than usual. Once we get into November and December we also have significant business because we won't have had a meeting for over a month and then of course the orientation. So that's a big learning curve. So for this portion of it, because it doesn't have an impact on the tax rate, staff were believe it would be prudent for us to bring forward to this council rather than the next council.

Speaker A · I do note, Mr. Mayor, that council does have a scheduled council meeting early in October, October 5th, I believe.

Speaker C · And I will say, as the outgoing chair, I intend to say my goodbye during that meeting and would prefer to spend time now when this is in front of us, considering these weighty decisions as opposed to doing so with one foot out the door, so to speak. So I appreciate staff bringing it forward, look to what council wishes to do with the item, but I think we're reasonably here and we can decide what we need to do. Councillor King.

Speaker E · So it sounds like even if we were to put it to October, it would still be this council, wouldn't be the next council.

Speaker H · So that it's staff's recommendation, of course,

Speaker E · we defer to council and I, and I hear the points that there would be a lot for the next council to have to manage and this council still, of course has, you know, responsibility to, to show that sort of leadership for the full mandate and it may be even actually potentially beneficial to the next council to not just simply load it on them.

Speaker E · And of course the, the next council would have final approval and if they did have any issue, they could still make an amendment theoretically through the mayor.

Speaker H · Thank you. And of course, and the projects are always at different stages. Capital projects by their nature are two to three to four year projects. And so not all of the, I mean some that are in for further stages, we wouldn't, because of contractual obligations wouldn't be able to change. But we could, we would provide an update at the, at the council meeting during budget as to what projects, you know, have already started and which ones aren't so that they could have a clear understanding of that.

Speaker E · I guess the only final question I have is are there any concerns about capacity to get these things done within the year in terms of workload and that sort of thing?

Speaker D · I think that a lot of these are part of our routine work that we're already doing. And I think this just helps to continue that routine work and establish that, you know, that baseline work.

Speaker F · I'll add in when it comes to capacity, front loading the work early in the year helps with that. So, so that we're not having to deliver all of the capital work in the same, like second half of the year.

Speaker C · Councillor Thompson, I had a couple of

Speaker A · questions about some of the items. The Butterfield roof replacement at $160,000. What does that entail? Because it seems expensive for a roof.

Speaker H · Through the mayor for questions about the projects. We do have our managers and project managers here to be able to answer specific questions. So we'll turn this over to our manager of parks, facilities and fleet. Thank you.

Speaker F · Yeah. Through the chair. That is a larger number for a roof in this situation, being a heritage property and having cedar shake on it. Yeah. So it's something that we're looking at and we will try to keep under. If we can find alternative measures, we'll. We'll definitely do that. But unfortunately that's the cost to replace cedar shingles in this day and age.

Speaker A · Follow up on that one is are we running it? It is heritage designated, is it not? So are there complications with the exterior remaining placement that we would run into. District Would run into.

Speaker F · Yeah. Through the chair. No. We won't run into any other exterior envelope challenges. Is that. Am I answering the question correctly?

Speaker A · Yeah. I would presume that we would want to see a metal roof given the recent circumstances that we've experienced in D. C. yeah. The other one is pickleball court line paint painting at $54,000. That again, seems. How many pickleball lines are we painting?

Speaker F · I'd have to look at the project scope to get you the exact number of lines, but it's for four courts and that is a carryover. Most of that work will be happening this year, so that one's mostly just a carry forward number.

Speaker A · Okay. I think that's it for now. Thank you.

Speaker C · Any other questions on this item? Noting that we also have item 4. 3, which is budgetary in nature, and we could have that presented before we go back and consider recommendations on 41 and 4 2, if that is amenable to council. I'm not seeing any disagreements. I'm going to suggest that we have item 4. 3 presented and then we'll go back to the recommendations on the previous two items.

Speaker H · Thank you. Through the mayor, I'd also like. Before I start, I'd just like to say that Chief Lawson is online and we also have the chair of the police board with us tonight. I just wanted to acknowledge and thank them for attending our budget guidelines meeting. So thank you.

Speaker E · You.

Speaker H · So the purpose of this report is to provide early budget direction to the police board and establish expectations for the 2027 budget process. Council again, similar to the budget guidelines report, we're not asking council to approve a police board budget today, but rather recommending that council communicate its affordability objectives and the information it expects to support future budget deliberations. Staff are recommending a status quo approach for district operations wherever possible, with any budget increases requiring a clear rationale and demonstrated need. And so staff are also recommending that Council request a similar approach from the Police Board.

Speaker H · Specifically, if Council adopts a staff's recommendation, Council would be requesting that the Police Board endeavor to keep its 2027 budget increase below 5% where possible in recognition of Council's affordability objectives and the final financial pressures facing taxpayers. At the same time, Administration recognizes that some policing costs may be extremely externally driven or unavoidable if a budget increase above 5% is anticipated. The recommendation acknowledges that Council would like to receive that information as early as possible regarding the drivers of the increase, mitigation measures, considered opportunities to manage costs within existing budgets, and the implications for policing services. If again, if Council adopts staff's recommendation, Council would be seeking transparency regarding which budget pressures are unavoidable, such as negotiated wage settlements, contractual obligations, legislative requirements or inflationary impacts, and which pressures can be managed by the Board which costs are necessary to maintain existing police services and which requests represent service enhancements, new initiatives, staffing additions or other strategic investments.

Speaker H · Understanding these distinctions supports more informed discussions about affordability, service levels and funding options before budget decisions are finalized. Staff are recommending this approach because it is consistent with the District's budget practices. Council will also be receiving the District's second sorry second quarter financial report this evening which reflects ongoing budget monitoring, management of variances and early identification of emerging financial pressures. So staff are recommending that Council request a similar level of financial discipline and transparency from the Police Board, including regular monitoring of budget performance and early communication regarding significant variances or fertilization forecasted year end pressures. This allows issues to be addressed proactively and supports more informed budget discussions throughout the year rather than at budget adoption alone. Ultimately, these recommendations are about governance, transparency, affordability and collaboration.

Speaker H · It is not intended to constrain operational policing decisions, but rather to establish clear financial expectations, support proactive budget management and strengthen the working relationship between Council and the Police Board through early and constructive communication when significant cost pressures arise.

Speaker H · Staff are available for any questions.

Speaker C · Thank you Councillor King.

Speaker E · I really appreciate the recommendation from staff on this and the what would likely come about in terms of the final points that were just made by the cao in terms of the closer alignment and understanding from Council and Police Board and I just had a few questions.

Speaker E · In terms of those unavoidable structural cost pressures, what types of things might those be? What could justify a Police board budget increase above 5% as an example?

Speaker D · I think historically what we've seen are collective agreement increases that drive the majority of that increase across the Board. We do our best to Estimate that. But again, the premise of those agreements are based on other jurisdictions and we don't necessarily have control over that, as well as other provincially mandated costs like e comic, things like that.

Speaker E · We have a police board rep here, right? Do we? Yeah. Are there any further things that might be examples of that?

Speaker A · Thank you, Ms. Mayor.

Speaker C · Yeah, so we're going to be scrutinizing our budget as we did last year, but with much more closer collaboration and

Speaker A · transparency with, with council.

Speaker C · We recognize that was a change from what we did last year and we were changing our process a little bit. So we're really excited this year to have a close relationship with council and really outline some of those cost pressures, such as E Com, which has an anticipated significant increase coming up this year. So there's a number of unavoidable structural cost pressures that will be happening, including integrated units, collective bargaining issues and things like that.

Speaker E · So is there like any hints about that we should expect more than the 5%?

Speaker H · Are there?

Speaker C · I would think it unlikely to be under 5%. It will likely be over that. But again, we don't know all the pressures that are going to come. Some of them from the province and

Speaker A · again some of them from the regional integrated units and collective bargaining.

Speaker E · Is there any record of like, is any of the overspending? Not overspending, but over budget spending as a result of overtime or does overtime make much of a impact

Speaker C · that's more operational?

Speaker A · Like maybe.

Speaker C · Yeah, I'll look to the, the chief who's online if, if you're able to address that.

Speaker A · Chief?

Speaker H · Yeah.

Speaker B · Each year over time is always a major driver and it depends at times on what the resources are or what if there's been a specific operational impact that's been on the unit. What I can tell you is even those actions, we've, we've taken measures, even working with the association to be able to mitigate some expenditures even for this summer, to minimize the amount of overtime.

Speaker E · Do we, do we have a sense of what's driving the overtime? Other than, of course, one would presume calls and work, but.

Speaker B · Right, it would be calls and work. It could be like for this year alone we've had seven retirements, two civilians and five police officers. If we have an officer that all of a sudden goes off duty, sick, unexpected either due to an injury, it could be a high risk pregnancy which has occurred. Then all of a sudden the next shift, they're off right away and we have to start covering that and then looking at ways to mitigate it.

Speaker E · Okay, and is the 2026 currently tracking on budget.

Speaker B · The 2026 budget. For overtime, right?

Speaker E · No, for general generally.

Speaker B · I think our last briefing, I think and the Director of finance may be able to correct me, but I believe we were trending at about 2 to 3% over.

Speaker E · Thank you.

Speaker C · Thank you. I do not see any other hands with respect to the policing item. So, members of council, I'm going to go Back to item 4. 1. There was a recommendation as printed in the agenda begins following the 2027 budget guidelines be approved. And it lists items one through five. I would like to see those moved. If there are no other questions, Councillor

Speaker A · Thompson, I would certainly. My thought is went in the wrong direction. My thought is that I have no issue with 1 to 3. But I'm wondering if we could make a recommendation that 4 and 5 be brought back to the incoming council for consideration.

Speaker E · I'll second if it's a motion.

Speaker C · Okay. So you are moving it collectively but simply adding to 4 and 5 that the bylaw, for example would be brought back to the new council. Okay, I accept that motion.

Speaker G · I'll move to sever 4 and 5.

Speaker C · Okay, I accept the motion to sever 4 and 5. Any opposed to severance? I think they can stand on their own. So that's fine. We'll consider those severed. So 1 to 3 then are on the floor. Any further discussion on the matter? Seeing none, I'll call the question and ask if there are any opposed. None are opposed. The motion carries four and five as previously severed. Does anyone wish to speak speak to them as they were put?

Speaker G · I have no problem with just moving ahead with them at this point in time. And I think it makes more sense for us to deal with it as opposed to a new council. Considering the turnover could be quite significant. I guess speaking against the motion.

Speaker C · Okay. Or the deferral of the motion if they are defeated. I would look to staff. If the alternative as previously published in the agenda was put, the assumption would be it's to this council. Is that a problem procedurally to then be voting on the same matter or similar matter twice?

Speaker D · I don't believe so. The addition of the to new council is pretty different in terms of the timing and the intention. So a motion just as stands without that addition would be in order.

Speaker C · Thank you. Okay. With that understanding then I would look to other speakers on this. No. Okay. I'll put the question and look for those in opposition.

Speaker A · Just clarify what motion.

Speaker C · Because it's your motion that would bring the bylaw back to the new council. Yeah. So Councillor Graham was opposed. Councillor Riddle is opposed. Councillor Paltiel is opposed. Mayor Windsor is opposed to. The motion is therefore defeated.

Speaker G · Council, I'll move 4 and 5 as is.

Speaker C · Okay, moved and seconded. Any further discussion or debate? Seeing none, I will put the question and look for those in opposition. Councillor Thompson, Councillor King, the motion has carried. Okay. Item 4.

Speaker C · 2 as previously presented, has a number of recommendations for the capital program and it's that the following 2027 projects be approved and authorized to proceed as incorporated in the 2027 financial plan capital program.

Speaker C · And they are A through K for a total early approval request of 1,059,000. Councillor Thompson.

Speaker A · Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I'm generally okay going ahead, but at this time what I would like to suggest is that prior to approving item J, I would like to see council get some detailed explanation of the cost.

Speaker A · So in other words,

Speaker C · so then you're moving a slight amendment to proceed. But bring back a report.

Speaker A · Bring back a report on James Counsel on item J.

Speaker C · Okay.

Speaker D · If I may chair. Is that just for the roof replacement or also the mechanical replacement?

Speaker C · No, just the roof. Oh, there's two items.

Speaker D · There's two items.

Speaker A · Two items, yes. I'd like to get clarified on item J in terms of the cost for

Speaker C · the Butterfield roof replacement. Okay, so we'll. We'll highlight. It's only the roof portion of J.

Speaker A · Oh, well, I think I would like

Speaker C · an explanation on FH1 mechanical replacement and then we understand. Okay. Okay. So that's. That would be the amendment to. Then that would be for September 8th. Council staff, no issues. Okay. Is there a seconder, Councillor King?

Speaker E · Well, there was also valid question about how many lines are being painted. But is that also possible?

Speaker C · So that would be a separate question after the amendment is considered. Okay, so I need a seconder for the amendment. If you are intending to do that.

Speaker E · Second.

Speaker C · Thank you.

Speaker G · Can you just repeat the amendment, please?

Speaker D · Actually, the motion was moved as stands in the agenda, I believe with an additional request for more information for item J. And then there was a proposal for an amendment, a single amendment on the table to request as well for that information to come back for F. How many lines I may have.

Speaker C · I may have jumped ahead because Councillor Thompson moved the motion with the slight change that was set that hadn't been seconded. I actually called it an amendment that was incorrect. So the main motion as slightly altered should receive a second or first. Anybody you're seconding? Okay, now you wanted to move. Is there some consideration of the line payment painting?

Speaker E · Did we hear enough information on that? There was A question about why, what.

Speaker C · Whether the.

Speaker E · Like, what constitutes $54,000 for the line painting. And I just wasn't sure we got.

Speaker C · If council is not satisfied, then move an amendment to simply ask for more information on the pickleball line painting through

Speaker H · the mayor with the capital. The line painting. The line painting is the only item that's left in the scope of that work. Or was it all for the line painting, Kyle? Because it's a carry forward. So we've already started that work.

Speaker C · And the 54 is specific to the line painting. There were other elements of the pickleball court that probably have taken place that aren't included in that. 54 was how I received that earlier.

Speaker F · That's correct.

Speaker A · Yeah.

Speaker F · Yeah. The work has begun and that's in progress.

Speaker C · Okay. So the 54 would be future work to augment other work that has been done.

Speaker F · It's weather dependent, so if we can get it done this year, then. Then we won't need to carry forward as much. But if we. If depending on the weather, once we get into that season, we may need to do something.

Speaker C · I'm just wondering if council's looking for. For say, a cost of supplies, cost of labor, cost of time, the number of inches that the pickleball lines will take up.

Speaker E · I don't need the tint of the paint.

Speaker C · You don't need the tint.

Speaker E · I'm just curious, like, it's clearly more than just. I mean, it's. Well, it's gotta be more. If it's 54,000, it is.

Speaker F · But the line painting is the vast majority of that contract because it's line painting, but it's a full repaint of the court because. Yeah, it needs to get. So it's the surf. It's the surfacing. We call it line painting, but it's the surfacing there.

Speaker E · The education of a counselor. Thank you.

Speaker F · No problem.

Speaker C · Pickleball is the subject that keeps on giving.

Speaker E · Right.

Speaker C · Okay.

Speaker E · Well, I don't need more than that. I'm satisfied now that I understand it's a lot more than just the line.

Speaker C · Understood. Thank you. It's a legitimate question. So no amendment is necessary. We have the motion with a slight alteration to J. Councillor Graham online.

Speaker G · Yeah, even I guess, with. With Jay, what I would be more concerned or more interested in is because I think Councillor Thompson raised a very good point about. About just fire risk in general. And perhaps cedar shingles aren't an appropriate finishing, even though it is a heritage building. Perhaps just what would be better is to give staff direction to provide a cost Effective, long, long lasting roof treatment that's sympathetic to the heritage nature of the building.

Speaker C · I'm satisfied that the. The motion as put will result in more information, perhaps in September, that council can then weigh on whether or not there's an issue around the heritage.

Speaker G · Well, I guess just from my perspective, I don't really want to see it again because this is. This to me is dealing with getting into the weeds and I'd rather just give staff some direction to address this issue and move forward.

Speaker C · I open the floor to you as to how you would like to achieve that, Councillor.

Speaker G · Well, I would just simply make, I guess that goes against, though, the request for information to come back. So should I just vote against? Should we sever that aspect?

Speaker C · We can certainly sever Jay, and that would dispense with it faster. If you wish to be opposed.

Speaker H · Sure.

Speaker G · Move to sever up Jay.

Speaker C · Thank you. Is there a seconder? Thank you. Any objections to severing J hearing?

Speaker E · None.

Speaker C · We'll consider J severed so the rest of the items are before us. I don't think there's a need for further discussion. I'll put the question. Any opposed? None. The motion carries on item J specifically, which is to bring back more information, presumably to September 8th.

Speaker H · CAO Cullum through the mayor. I just wanted to distinguish between the two items. So the roof is estimated at 100,000 and then the mechanical work at Fire Hall 1 is 60,000.

Speaker C · I think there was perhaps a little bit more information that Councillor Thompson was hoping for in the motion, so. But that is somewhat enlightening. Thank you. I'm not going to bother with motions to amend because that would change the intent. So I'll just put the question. Those opposed? Councillor Graham, you are going to be opposed. Thank you. No other members of council are opposed. The motion carries. We are on to item 4. 3,

Speaker B · which

Speaker C · has two parts in the recommendation. I would look to member of council to move those, please.

Speaker G · So moved.

Speaker C · Is there a seconder? Thank you. Any further discussion on the matter? Seeing none, I'll put the question. Any opposed? None are opposed. The motion carries. I will look for a motion to adjourn this special open council, please.

Speaker C · Moved and seconded. Any opposed? None. Motion carries. We have about 15 minutes before the next meeting begins.