A pair of grants throws a kink into Oak Bay’s strategic piroirites for the next two years, but it’s one council went with during its April 5 discussion.
The special council meeting, scheduled for a Wednesday evening specifically to have all council members present, was dedicated to decisions on council’s priorities for this year and 2018.
A pair of infrastructure grants recently issued afford the municipality 87 per cent of funding of two projects on the potential priorities list.
Oak Bay was awarded $324,958 for the Uplands Combined Sewer Separation Project and $1,150,172 for the completion of the Henderson Water Main Project. The Uplands funding is for design work. The Henderson Water Main Project would provide redundancy for the provision of water to Oak Bay. The district had its portion of the funding, 13 per cent, in reserve.
“Both of these projects need to be compete by March 31 which is less than a year away now,” Oak Bay Chief Administrative Officer Helen Koning told council.
With that in mind, staff crafted a priorities plan that included both projects as well as those that might incorporate.
“Staff is somewhat lean and we do a lot of cross-departmental work,” Koning said.
Other items that remain on the list up for discussion during April 12 and 19 budget meetings include: consider implementation of development cost charges and a community amenity contribution policy; enhance corporate infrastructure to establish a freedom of information and protection of privacy program and provide training; update the corporate purchasing policy; deer management strategy; community engagement for potential at Carnarvon Park; develop a phased implementation plan for the Urban Forest Strategy; hire a consultant to help prepare asset management plans facilities and infrastructure; determine, design and construct bike lanes for Cadboro Bay Road from Bowker Avenue to Foul Bay Road; work with regional partners to address derelict vessels; meet with local First Nations to strengthen relationships; complete design options for the cenotaph (subject to grant funding) and work to establish the community-led Heritage Conservation Area project.
All were recommended by staff as achievable.
Implementation of the official community plan projects discussed previously, looking at legalization of secondary suites, duplexes and infill were added for budget discussion that starts April 12 at 5 p.m. at municipal hall. Visit oakbay.ca to find the agenda or watch the meeting online.