Mayor's Annual Address

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities recently updated their analysis of our municipal infrastructure deficit and advised it has reached $123 B. In addition, local governments across Canada require $115 B for new infrastructure. These are daunting price tags and difficult to place in any context. However, our own situation is much more encouraging due to Council decisions over the past 10 years and the age of our community. We are obviously fortunate that Saanich’s infrastructure is not as old as that which exists in what was once “Upper and Lower Canada”. But it is aging.

I have shown in Appendix C how total infrastructure spending in Saanich has increased from $4.1 M in 1997 to $27.1 M in 2007. Within each of the categories we have established the current value of our infrastructure and the amount which should be spent on replacement and maintenance each year in order for these assets to be sustainable.

For example:

• Our water infrastructure has a value of $349 M. That is, it would cost $349 M to build it today. We have increased our annual spending program from $1.3 M in 1997 to $3.1 M in 2007. Our plan is to reach the funding target of $4.8 M in 2011 by using senior government grants and a 2% rate increase each year. Thus, we are four years away from our water infrastructure funding to be sustainable. This is an accomplishment few local governments in Canada can match or even contemplate.

Other examples:

• Our sewer infrastructure is valued at $529 M. Spending has increased from $250,000 to $3.0 M. Our target of $5.3 M will be reached in 2013.
  
  
• Our storm drainage infrastructure is valued at $507 M. Spending has increased from $652,000 to $1.5 M. Our target of $4 M will be reached in 2012.
  
  
• We will also reach our target for transportation infrastructure and community facilities in 2012.

Reaching these targets will require our continued commitment and discipline to address these needs no matter what new projects are contemplated or approved.

This infrastructure plan is a way for Councils to leave the community in better condition than they found it. We seek to do the same with parks, recreation, and numerous community initiatives and programs. This is one of the fundamental reasons many of us seek public office. Thus, it is a shocking “inconvenient truth” that we have placed our globe in worse condition than what we inherited because of greenhouse gas emissions.

Thus, I am pleased that our adoption of the Saanich Carbon Neutral Plan confirmed Saanich as one of the municipal leaders on Climate Change. We have recently joined the E-Fleet program, initiated a Climate Change and Energy Action Plan, now apply a Sustainability Checklist to new developments, and have developed a Green Building Policy. Our commitment to sound environmental policies is well established – in fact, our first Energy Conservation Policy was adopted in 1985. We must maintain this tradition but not rely on momentum to make a difference on climate change. I know this community wants us to meet or beat the hard targets adopted by our Provincial government and fulfil our commitments in signing the Climate Change Charter. Generations to come deserve nothing less.

I commend to you the long lists of accomplishments and goals attached to these remarks, all coming to reality thanks to the dedication of Saanich employees, but wish to highlight the following:

• We will complete an update of our Official Community Plan next year, including new Development Permit Guidelines;
• We will open new recreation space at Royal Oak Middle School, giving us community recreation centres in four schools;
• We will complete the San Juan/Gordon Head Coastal Greenway project and continue expanding our Centennial Trails;
• We will act upon the recommendations of the World Health Organization Age Friendly Cities Project;
• We will initiate Phase One of the Burnside Road West Streetscape Safety Project;
• We will complete the Royal Oak Transit Exchange and begin upgrading our bus stops.

In addition, the strategic plan theme – ‘Safe Community’ – is being fulfilled with initiatives like these:

• Our Block Watch program has grown from 200 participants in 1996 to over 7100 homes this year; Business Block Watch has 600 businesses participating in eight shopping centres; and we are delivering a similar program to UVic residences called U-Watch;
• Our Neighbourhood Emergency Preparedness Program has now been redeveloped and is showing signs it will have the same success as Block Watch;
• Our new post disaster communications centre will be completed early next year, serving two police departments and five fire departments. Once completed, it will be the only police/fire communications centre in the region, built to post disaster operational standards; and
• We completed phases of our Post Disaster Response Plan this year by acquiring equipment and providing training to staff and volunteers.

Tonight I am also going to use my prerogative as Mayor to have two issues considered. The first involves a Shelbourne Street Corridor Action Plan.

Following the 2005 election I met with executive members of community associations who have an interest in Shelbourne Street and asked if they would support and participate in an action plan. Such an initiative is listed in the Local Area Plan. The need for improvements is obvious – particularly from Cedar Hill Cross Road south – as we contemplate how vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists can use the thoroughfare in a safe and attractive manner.

Thus, I am asking that the Shelbourne area be made one of the Planning Department’s top priorities following adoption of our Official Community Plan and that they report to Council on this adjustment of their work plan.

The second issue I wish to address is in reaction to the BC Assessment Authority decision to reclassify lands currently designated as farm to residential. Council generally does not comment on or become involved in assessment issues and I believe this is appropriate. However, I am concerned that this change may be having unintended consequences, such as:

• financial hardship for small farm operators;
• discouraging compact agriculture; and
• encouraging unnecessary land clearing and tree removal.

Therefore, I have placed a resolution on tonight’s agenda which would request the Minister Responsible review this change.

In all, I believe we have much to be proud of and even more to be grateful for. As your Mayor, I look forward to working with Council, staff, and our community in achieving the goals we have set out for ourselves and the generations to come.

Thank you.