- New Chief Constable Formally Introduced
Oak Bay’s new Chief Constable, Andrew Brinton, attended and was introduced at our meeting. Chief Brinton comes to Oak Bay after a 30-year career in the RCMP. He says that he is very pleased to be here and looks forward to continuing the strong tradition of community policing in Oak Bay. Please welcome Chief Brinton when you run into him on the streets of our community. Congratulations to him!
- Get Ready for the Spring Sidewalk Sale May 24 on the Avenue
I voted with Council to approve a request from the Business Improvement Association, to hold a spring sidewalk sale May 24 on Oak Bay Ave. in the heart of the Village. Mark your calendars.
- Series of Bylaws Approved for First, Second and Third Reading
I voted with Council to approve first, second and third readings for Bylaws related to Oak Bay’s financial plan, capital works and equipment reserve funds, heritage reserve fund, land sale reserve fund, machinery and equipment depreciation reserve fund, refuse collection and disposal amendment and this year’s tax rates bylaw. The tax rate for the municipal portion of the gross property tax bill, before the solid waste charge, shows an increase of 2.99% over the 2013 amount; with the solid waste charge, the increase is 4.13% over the 2013 amount.
It is worth noting that tax increases are a result of solid waste, recent budget estimates deliberations, collective bargaining, the library contribution, Oak Bay recreation and three new staff positions requested by senior administration. Some revenue will be realized, however, generated by unused consulting contracts as a result of these new staff positions. One of the positions is a full-time in-house qualified planning position, something that I have been advocating for since the last municipal election. This is a significant positive addition to Oak Bay’s capacity to address future community planning and development initiatives and was long overdue in my opinion.
- Ottavio’s Adds Small Bakery
I voted with Council to approve a commercial use application from Ottavio’s Bakery to add a small addition to their bakery on the Avenue. As you know, their other location on Quadra St. suffered a major fire recently, forcing them to increase production at their Oak Bay Avenue location to compensate for the loss. Ottavio’s is a popular and valued commercial enterprise that enhances the Village and I was pleased that their application was approved.
PLEASE NOTE that the next Council meeting, a Committee of the Whole, is May 12, 2014 at 7:00 PM in Council Chambers.