Time for a Change in 2018? Consider this Information
At some point soon residents will have to question why there has been so much Community and neighbour unrest in the past six years. What changed at the start of 2012 with a new Council, and continued in 2015 with a split Council, until the present? Why, during this six-year time-period, have so many different groups, neighbours and Council members protested the impacts of over-building?
These have included: disregard of zoning rules and massing, clear-cutting lots, over-paving, many concerns about allowing infill (multi-development) in all neighbourhoods in Oak Bay, questionable administration staff increases, disregard for the “Infrastructure Crisis” which was exposed by a resident, and the lack of Transparency, Policy and Guidelines.
Since 2012 there have been two Public Engagement Task Forces that have provided reports and recommendations, as well as a Review Committee to determine the maximum size of a house and corresponding lot coverage. All of these extensive, costly, time consuming exercises have resulted in very little change. In fact over-building and the lack of transparency and public engagement problems have intensified. The number of upset groups and residents has increased and continues to increase.
What is most disturbing, besides the tax dollars allocated by four Council members for their over-development agenda, is that there are plenty of existing models available for: development cost charges, asset management plans, approving officer guidelines, effective public engagement, and Reserve Fund Policy
Surely it would be much less expensive to modify and adapt the existing models and methods that are available. Why has Oak Bay found it necessary to continue to spend such large sums for consultants charged with re-inventing the wheel and often with so little to show for their efforts?
Appendix 1 is an example from Victoria’s readily available (online) Reserve Fund Policy. The example explains how Victoria’s Policies prevent Council from inappropriately using reserve funds to cover-up budget overruns and annual over-spending.
Added to all this, since 2011 residents have repeatedly asked for more development information, advance notice and input at Council. The Advisory Planning Commission (APC) has never allowed the general community to provide input or submissions at their meetings. Developers on the other hand provide Commission members with sophisticated presentations, while residents whose interests are affected by the development are excluded. No wonder there have been so many concerns expressed about improper Advisory Planning Commission practices.
Recent Council speech making in the press is a clear sign of the upcoming 2018 October Municipal Election and the first round of rhetoric. We will be exposed to much more from here on. However let’s not forget the many 2014 Council unfulfilled promises, for example:
The question that residents must ask in 2018 is: Is it time for a change?
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)
Keep informed please sign up for our newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.
Appendix 1
City Of Victoria
Financial Sustainability Policy
10.0 Surplus will only be considered as a funding source for one-time expenditures. Any surplus not used for onetime expenditures will be transferred to infrastructure reserves, financial stability reserves and/or debt reduction reserves.
11.0 Each reserve fund is governed by the City’s Reserve Fund Policy that outlines the purpose, the types of expenditures permitted and the desired levels of each reserve.
Reserve Fund Policy - Meets Accounting Standards
Reserves must meet generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and accounting standards applicable to local governments (PSAB).
Guiding Principles:
All Reserves Funds must be established, maintained and used for a specified purpose mandated by this policy, statute, or City by-law.
Guidelines for Using Funds:
Use of funds is restricted to the purpose for which each fund was established. Funds may only be accessed to supplement funding a retirement payout.
Note: A Council Resolution or an Adopted Financial Plan Bylaw is required for all appropriations from the Reserve Funds. Further, a Council Resolution is required to create additional reserve fund categories, delete categories or shift funds between categories.
At some point soon residents will have to question why there has been so much Community and neighbour unrest in the past six years. What changed at the start of 2012 with a new Council, and continued in 2015 with a split Council, until the present? Why, during this six-year time-period, have so many different groups, neighbours and Council members protested the impacts of over-building?
These have included: disregard of zoning rules and massing, clear-cutting lots, over-paving, many concerns about allowing infill (multi-development) in all neighbourhoods in Oak Bay, questionable administration staff increases, disregard for the “Infrastructure Crisis” which was exposed by a resident, and the lack of Transparency, Policy and Guidelines.
Since 2012 there have been two Public Engagement Task Forces that have provided reports and recommendations, as well as a Review Committee to determine the maximum size of a house and corresponding lot coverage. All of these extensive, costly, time consuming exercises have resulted in very little change. In fact over-building and the lack of transparency and public engagement problems have intensified. The number of upset groups and residents has increased and continues to increase.
What is most disturbing, besides the tax dollars allocated by four Council members for their over-development agenda, is that there are plenty of existing models available for: development cost charges, asset management plans, approving officer guidelines, effective public engagement, and Reserve Fund Policy
Surely it would be much less expensive to modify and adapt the existing models and methods that are available. Why has Oak Bay found it necessary to continue to spend such large sums for consultants charged with re-inventing the wheel and often with so little to show for their efforts?
Appendix 1 is an example from Victoria’s readily available (online) Reserve Fund Policy. The example explains how Victoria’s Policies prevent Council from inappropriately using reserve funds to cover-up budget overruns and annual over-spending.
Added to all this, since 2011 residents have repeatedly asked for more development information, advance notice and input at Council. The Advisory Planning Commission (APC) has never allowed the general community to provide input or submissions at their meetings. Developers on the other hand provide Commission members with sophisticated presentations, while residents whose interests are affected by the development are excluded. No wonder there have been so many concerns expressed about improper Advisory Planning Commission practices.
Recent Council speech making in the press is a clear sign of the upcoming 2018 October Municipal Election and the first round of rhetoric. We will be exposed to much more from here on. However let’s not forget the many 2014 Council unfulfilled promises, for example:
- “A Housing Strategy” - never developed and implemented,
- “Fiscal responsibility” – that has seen increased property tax cover-ups and significant funding for new staffing and resources devoted to over–development instead prioritizing all of the required infrastructure upgrading (In 2017 three Council members Councillors Murdoch, Braithwaite and Zelka rejected the Budget in protest),
- “Community Engagement in decision making” – We would have settled for some Community engagement – still in delay mode since 2012.
The question that residents must ask in 2018 is: Is it time for a change?
*******Please help us continue to provide you with information about Community concerns and Council decisions and actions. Oak Bay Watch members also help community groups with their specific development concerns. Donate to Oak Bay Watch - even $5 or $10 dollars provides expenses for door- to- door handouts and helps us maintain our website. Oak Bay Watch is committed to ensuring the Community gets the full range of information on budget, governance and all key development issues – a well informed opinion cannot be made without this.
(Please use Donate Button at bottom of oakbaywatch.com Home Page)
Keep informed please sign up for our newsletter – bottom of Newsletter Menu Item.
Appendix 1
City Of Victoria
Financial Sustainability Policy
10.0 Surplus will only be considered as a funding source for one-time expenditures. Any surplus not used for onetime expenditures will be transferred to infrastructure reserves, financial stability reserves and/or debt reduction reserves.
11.0 Each reserve fund is governed by the City’s Reserve Fund Policy that outlines the purpose, the types of expenditures permitted and the desired levels of each reserve.
Reserve Fund Policy - Meets Accounting Standards
Reserves must meet generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and accounting standards applicable to local governments (PSAB).
Guiding Principles:
All Reserves Funds must be established, maintained and used for a specified purpose mandated by this policy, statute, or City by-law.
Guidelines for Using Funds:
Use of funds is restricted to the purpose for which each fund was established. Funds may only be accessed to supplement funding a retirement payout.
Note: A Council Resolution or an Adopted Financial Plan Bylaw is required for all appropriations from the Reserve Funds. Further, a Council Resolution is required to create additional reserve fund categories, delete categories or shift funds between categories.