The Scope

4:24:16 PM: City council will discuss and vote on the 2010 budget today!

4:25:29 PM: (I hope for the spirit of Andy Wells to be summoned and to have some fireworks down here for a change.)

4:28:31 PM: (There is also a supposed march coming from Bannerman to protest the condition of sidewalks. Let’s hope council remembered their election promises.)

4:31:59 PM: (I have not been this excited about the mil rate since 5 months ago when I googled “what is a mil rate”)

4:34:40 PM: (There is a veriatble media frenzy occuring here. Rogers, NTV, CBC and VOCM at least.)

4:36:13 PM: (Most importantly of all, ME,  with the only LIVE coverage. The Scope rules 2.0.)

4:37:38 PM: Go time. O’Keefe has arrived!

4:38:50 PM: Dedication about unveiling of new signs coming into town. Apparently we got money from ACOA.

4:39:22 PM: Check out the new signs on a highway near you.

4:42:12 PM: Signs predictably show modern stylized row houses. Apparently colours of houses will be used in future for way finding signage.

4:43:40 PM: (All the cameras are almost tripping over each other here.)

4:45:04 PM: Budget document now being discussed, and will be voted on.

4:47:02 PM: O’Keefe – council went through every item with a fine-toothed comb.

4:48:15 PM: Group protesting sidewalk conditions just arrived. They are bringing a petition.

4:49:49 PM: Mil rate reduced by 0.9%

4:50:48 PM: Water tax also going up.

4:52:52 PM: Seniors tax break increase from 15% in 09 to 20% in 2010.

4:54:39 PM: Budget totals 203 million and change. (Holy scnikies!)

4:56:39 PM: In next 2 years city will get 90 mil from Feds.

4:59:56 PM: There are 8 resolutions, they are voting on first one to do with residential tax.

5:01:00 PM: Tilley, breen, and Hann voted nay on both tax resolutions residential and buisiness rates.

5:01:35 PM: Both property tax rates, that is.

5:03:34 PM: Water tax rate increased by $50 for residential.

5:05:36 PM: Accommodations tax set at 3%.

5:06:52 PM: Budget document moved by Duff, seconded by Galgay.

5:08:59 PM: Duff – “the best we could do,” “we may have cut ourselves too deep.”

5:09:50 PM: Hann – “wanted to be at a mil or a mil and a half” on reduction in mil rate.

5:10:59 PM: Hann- “we need to look for other sources of revenue, those sources are development”

5:13:03 PM: Hann wants complete review of how operating grants are distributed.
5:19:41 PM: Hanlon – will vote for it but thinks it is “too tight” and tax payers will see a lack of services bc of it.

5:22:37 PM: O’Leary-”we have a social responsibility for waste management increases”

5:23:20 PM: O’Leary- in need of review of municipal plan.

5:25:39 PM: Hickman- would have liked to see greater reduction in mil rate. Big jump bc of Recycling, water treatment, and clean harbour.

5:27:03 PM: Hickman- “sometimes I think we’re a city state” Saying we need more help from province and Feds.

5:28:52 PM: Tilley-Has struggled for this and will not vote for tax increase

5:30:10 PM: Breen- has “fundimental concerns with the budgetary process”

5:31:11 PM: Breen will not support budget and will work to fix process for next year.

5:32:34 PM: Collins-will support budget

5:33:29 PM: Colbet-”If you think this years budget is tough, wait until next year”

5:34:57 PM: O’Keefe – “This as not something that was pulled out of a hat in the last month”

5:35:56 PM: (Maybe not, but it was only put somewhere the public could see a month ago)

5:37:17 PM: O’Keefe- predicting deficits in next 2 years

5:40:34 PM: O’Keefe- must look to find increased revenue. By economic growth, payment in leu of tax from province, and increased funding from Feds

5:41:11 PM: Duff- “we wee late this year” with budget

5:42:06 PM: “We were late” that is

5:43:45 PM: (Lack of public input was not brought up.)

5:44:50 PM: Budget passed 8-3 Breen, Tilley, and Hann voted against.

5:45:39 PM: O’Leary reading petition re snowclearing.

5:47:22 PM: “People need to choose between safety and walking outside “

5:48:42 PM: Petition – snow clearing system is an embarrasmet. Caling on council to improve system. Snow clearing needs to be a priority.

5:49:49 PM: (outside of o’Leary reading petition, no discussion on this at all.)

5:51:58 PM: (I am dissappinted there was no yelling at all about budget. They were simply reading semi-prepared statements)

5:53:13 PM: (It would be nice to have had public involvement in discussion. Too late now.)

5:54:10 PM: Various committee reports and approvals of discretionary use applicatons.

5:57:27 PM: Colbert- Cities strongest link to students is Metrobus. Wants Metrobus involved when City is at MUN for welcome fair they sponsor.

5:59:05 PM: Hanlon- Economic development comm. to develop strategic economic roadmap.

6:00:56 PM: Hann- development strategy is the most important thing the economic dev’p committee can do.

6:04:37 PM: People should call 753-SNOW for info on snowclearing

6:06:14 PM: On street Parking ban not on yet, want to give people a break till after Christmas

6:07:58 PM: O’Keefe-Congratulate DT buisness community on patience with construction on water st.

6:07:58 PM: O’Keefe-Congratulate DT buisness community on patience with construction on water st.

6:08:28 PM: “Water street is open for buisness!”

6:09:05 PM: O’Keefe wishes entire world a merry Christmas

6:10:03 PM: Hanlon-Motion to make people buy permit to sell trees in Churchill square.

6:11:56 PM: Galgay- Congratulations to Hanlon who is getting married on the 23rd (he’s some sweet eh)

6:11:56 PM: Galgay- Congratulations to Hanlon who is getting married on the 23rd (he’s some sweet eh)

6:13:04 PM: Breen- Will be opening ourdoor rink on Bowring park when weather permits. As a pilot project.

6:14:09 PM: Colbert thanks volunteers and church groups who help the less fortunate over Christmas.

6:15:05 PM: Hann- Paratransit system will remain working over holidays.

6:16:45 PM: Hann- Notes Metrobus has won national awards for innovation, buisness excellence, and safety

6:18:14 PM: Hann – Metrobus only got 3.7% increase this year. Very justified he says.

6:21:19 PM: O’Leary thanks all people, even ones who don’t celebrate christmas.

6:22:16 PM: Duff- “I can feel the love here [in council])

6:22:16 PM: Duff- “I can feel the love here [in council])

6:26:19 PM: (That’s all folks. This is the last meeting for 2009. Thank you all for tuning in, see you in oh-ten!