Parksville council made some tough decisions to defer and delete numerous projects from city staff’s work plan, including a statue of ‘Flyin’ Phil’ St. Luke.
City staff are overloaded with major projects and short-staffed, according to chief administrative officer Keeva Kehler.
“We’re three FTEs (full-time equivalent staff member) over capacity right now. We need three more people to do just what we already have,” Kehler told council during a Dec. 11 financial plan committee of the whole meeting. “It’s not saying they’re not all important, but we can’t do all of them.”
Council was presented with two lists: one set of projects to defer, and another to delete from staff’s work load.
The Phil St. Luke standing committee and a project by staff to identify a suitable statue location were both on the ‘delete’ list.
“My understanding is that requires about $100K minimum and we are not at that target,” Kehler said.
Mayor Doug O’Brien suggested the funds already raised by the community could be put towards a scaled-back memorial such as a bench.
A GoFundMe page has raised $6,845 out of a $80,000 goal, but this number does not account for donations made via e-transfer to flyingphilmemorial@gmail.com or to an account at the Coastal Community Credit Union Parksville Branch.
“A lot of work has gone into this particular project,” said Coun. Joel Grenz, a member of the standing committee along with councillors Mary Beil and Adam Fras. “I think there is still opportunity to honour Phil St. Luke in using the funds and the energy of the committee.”
READ MORE: Access Oceanside requests Parksville improve beach accessibility
Other projects eliminated include designating several parcels of land near Despard Avenue as an ecological site. Kehler said there is no risk of the city-owned land being developed and council can still designate it later in council’s term.
The official community plan (OCP) review slated for next year will also be removed from the work plan until more information becomes available on recent provincial legislation regarding zoning rules.
Kehler also recommended removing a project to develop criteria and policy to expedite affordable housing.
“We already have a process that expedites affordable housing,” she said. “And also waives the fees for development permits and building permits for affordable housing.”
A tree bylaw review and a hydrant system to measure and charge developers for use of city water were also taken off the list.
A project to improve beach accessibility was one of the projects council voted to defer. The Access Oceanside Association recently requested council improve access for people with limited mobility.
“I know that these are project that have been put forward with consideration and thought, but just looking at our ability to deliver,” Kehler said. “I don’t think we can do it justice if we’re rushing or not doing it with due consideration.”
She said a compromise could be putting out a request for proposal for a contractor to rent beach accessibility equipment with funds already put aside, and then defer the larger process to next year.
Also deferred to 2025 were the community park lacrosse box upgrade, a downtown lighting project, mail in balloting, the Pioneer Park playground and increased levels of snow clearing service.
Council voted unanimously for the deferred items, and in favour of the deleted items, with Coun. Amit Gaur opposed.
“Sometimes we have to make tough decisions and we have to say no, we can’t,” said O’Brien.
More financial plan committee of the whole meetings are scheduled for January.
