Mar 29, 2016 - The One with the 2016 Audited Financial Statements

Council Highlights - March 29, 2016

Good evening Riverview! I hope you’re all enjoying this pretend spring we’re having! Below are the Council Highlights from our last Committee of the Whole meeting on March 28 which was followed by a Special Council meeting to approve a few things.

1. Audited Financial Statements

2. Re-assessment of the 10 year capital plan

3. Grants

4. Recommendations to Regular Council Meeting

5. Syrian Family Support needed

6. Wellness Centre Update

7. Special Council Meeting

1. Audited Financial Statements

Andrew Boudreau presented the Town of Riverview’s audited financial statements on behalf of AC Stevenson & Partners. The Town of Riverview ended the 2015 year with a small surplus in both the General Fund and the Utility (Water and Sewer) Fund. The amount of long-term debt outstanding and debt service ratio were reduced.

2. Ten Year Capital Plan

CAO Colin Smith’s administrative report to Council highlighted the need to re-address the 10-year capital plan after the new council is sworn-in. The plan approved in 2015 was based on a 3.75% growth rate and the actual tax base rate in 2016 was less than 1%. With revised assessment growth assumptions, the 10-year capital plan will need to be scaled back by $30 to $50 million in total over that ten year period. He indicated there is still opportunity to address some of the Town’s capital priorities over the next 10 years.

3. Grants

Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe Earth Day - $300

Riverview Tennis Club 2016 SunFest and East Coast Open sponsorship - $150

Roofers Volleyball Club participation in national volleyball tournament - $100

4. Council Recommendations

Council supported a recommendation to remove the existing RA-4 (post-mounted signs) pedestrian crosswalk on Whitepine Rd. at Buckingham Ave. Its proximity to the RA-5 (flashing overhead lights) pedestrian crosswalk on Lawson Ave is not ideal and presents a situation where pedestrians may cross at a location that is unexpected by motorists considering the more highly visible RA-5 pedestrian crossing at Lawson Ave.

Council supported a recommendation to relocate the crosswalk on Buckingham Ave at Windsor to the Buckingham intersection at Fatima. The Engineering and Public Works Department is taking the opportunity of the resurfacing project to undertake a review of all crosswalks on Buckingham and provide any improvements or changes as necessary. The crosswalk signs and markings will be removed at Windsor when performing the milling operation associated with the capital resurfacing project of Buckingham Ave. later this year.

Council supported a recommendation to proceed with a three-month pilot project to de-activate the traffic signal on Coverdale Road at the causeway exit. The traffic control configuration for this intersection was originally set-up before the new Gunningsville Bridge and Gunningsville Blvd. The unconventional operation of this traffic signal is no longer appropriate for today’s traffic patterns at that location. Staff will monitor the performance of both the causeway ramp and Buckingham intersections and report findings to Council in three months.These recommendations will be brought forward for adoption at the next Regular Council Meeting.

5. Syrian Family Assistance

Council discussed the ongoing need for Family Connection Volunteers to help settle Syrian families. Interested volunteers can register at www.volunteergreatermoncton.com.

6. Wellness Centre Update

Councillor Toner presented an update on the Wellness Centre progress. The committee is putting together an RFP to send out to companies with an expertise in funding and fundraising for community facilities. The study will help assess what funds can be raised for a centre and how much the Town can receive from other levels of government. This company will also help guide a separate Fundraising Committee. The budget for funding the study will need to be secured before proceeding.

7. Special Council Meeting

Council approved a motion to proceed with local improvements on Beverly Cr.

Council approved a motion to proceed with local improvements on Woolridge St.

Council approved a motion to proceed with local improvements on Hawthorne Dr.

Council approved a motion to accept the audited financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2015 prepared by AC Stevenson & Partners, Chartered Professional Accountants.

That’s all for this one! Remember, we are getting closer to Election Day on May 9. I’m trying to get to as many doors as I can during the campaign but if for some reason we don’t connect, please feel free to reach out to me at andrew@andrewjleblanc.com, 204-1552 or right here on Facebook. I’d love to hear about your vision for Riverview and share mine with you!