Mayor's Annual Address

There are some initiatives within the police department’s priorities of particular note. We will increase patrol hours and visibility at the University of Victoria in response to vandalism, assaults, false fire alarms and other unacceptable behaviours that are of concern. We will make presentations to community members and financial institutions regarding financial crimes such as counterfeiting and internet fraud to address our concern that this criminal activity is expanding.

We are pleased to report that property crime has dropped significantly throughout the region since the Regional Crime Unit commenced operations and targeted prolific offenders. Saanich Police added two more members to the RCU in 2009, bringing our contribution up to four members plus $230,000 towards operational expenses.

Our fire department is also providing first class community-based public safety services that are intregrated with our regional partners.

We have now introduced mobile computer-aided dispatch technology in front line fire apparatus through a partnership agreement with E-Comm British Columbia. This new advanced fire dispatch system and technology will provide our Fire Fighters with the ability to share real time emergency response information and data between fire dispatch and responding crews, including: critical life safety and hazard information, pre-incident fire plans, and incident-specific response maps and routing. Overall the Fire Department is anticipating this new and innovative technology will improve fire response and service delivery to Saanich citizens and our dispatch client partners (Oak Bay, Esquimalt, Central Saanich, North Saanich, and Sidney) through more efficient resource management and allocation.

Numerous partnerships are allowing us to achieve our goals in parks and recreation:

• We began expansion and renovations at our Gordon Head Community Recreation Centre, thanks to Federal and Provincial grants;
• We completed the expansion of the Cordova Bay 55+ space, thanks to Federal and Provincial grants, and fundraising efforts in the Cordova Bay community;
• We completed sport court surfacing at Braefoot in partnership with Saanich Lacrosse and the Braefoot Community Association;
• We completed our fifth artificial turf field in partnership with Lakehill Soccer just as we have done with Gorge, Cordova Bay, Prospect Lake, and Gordon Head soccer clubs;
• We completed the San Juan Greenway, thanks to Federal and Provincial grants;
• We have commenced reconstruction of the Lakehill Lawnbowling Clubhouse in partnership with the Club and are now pleased that the new facility will be used jointly by Silver Threads;
• We have just received Federal recreation infrastructure grants so we may replace the roof at Saanich Community Place and upgrade 20 parks throughout our community; and
• Of course, we have received Federal and Provincial grants, and fundraising by the Saanich Legacy Foundation will commence so that we can build the “David Foster” Arts Centre with 7,000 square feet for music, pottery, ceramics, visual arts, and community events.

It is essential to have these kinds of partnerships in order for parks and recreation projects to proceed. For other municipal infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, bridges, and underground services the Municipality will continue to rely on traditional funding models. In fact, despite significant revenue shortfalls caused by the global recession, infrastructure spending this year totals $21 Million. This takes a disciplined approach because almost half of that has been spent on “pipelines, that don’t make headlines” – infrastructure that literally cannot be seen.

Our infrastructure spending on storm drains, and our water and sewer utilities has increased from $2.2 Million in 1997 to over $12.3 Million this year. This demonstrates that we are “walking the talk” on sustainability as we ensure the infrastructure we use today can meet the needs of future generations.

There was an infrastructure project in 2009 that did garner some attention – the replacement of the Admirals Road Bridge. The 60-year old wood structure has been replaced with a concrete bridge with bike lanes and sidewalks on both sides. It was interesting that at the official opening there were neighbours wearing placards – but they were “raving, not raging”! These citizens not only liked the bridge, but wanted us to know how pleased they were with our staff and how they had been treated as neighbours. This is but one example of the thousands of interactions Saanich employees have with our citizens every day and we want to once again thank them for this commitment to service excellence.

Looking ahead we have numerous initiatives but to focus on one we must highlight our Climate Action Plan and our Climate Change Adaptation Plan. As world leaders approach another opportunity to address our globe’s greatest challenge, we are proud that the Saanich Climate Action Plan is our blueprint to achieve corporate and community greenhouse gas reductions. We look forward to hearing from the community on the draft document that is now available.

We also look forward to the completion of the Climate Change Adaptation Plan so that we realistically plan for the impacts that will occur since mitigation measures will take decades to have an effect.

As mentioned, the appendices describe key goals and objectives for the coming year, and we once again commit ourselves to achieve them. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Saanich, of today and tomorrow, so that all can benefit from our policies of environmental integrity, social well-being, and economic vibrancy.

Thank you for your attention this evening.