cITY OF VIcTORIA bUDGET OpEN HOUsE

2014 Budget-in-Brief
The 2014 Operating Budget is $209.8 million, a $2.81 million increase over 2013. The budget focuses on maintaining high quality services while keeping taxes affordable. The proposed tax increase for residential properties is 2.75% and the increase for business is 2.3%. This results in a $60 increase for average residential properties and a $150 increase for typical business properties. The 2014 Budget continues to invest in critical infrastructure for the future. Nearly 20 cents of every dollar the City collects is invested in public infrastructure. Typically, annual capital investments are $30 to $35 million; in 2014 the capital budget is $89.7 million due to significant investment in building a new Johnson Street Bridge with improved amenities for cyclists and pedestrians. Over one third ($14 million) of the Citys typical capital investment is in underground systems such as water, sewer and stormwater. The 2014 operating budget maintains high service levels, focuses on improved customer service, growing the economy, public safety and community well-being. There are a number of new initiatives and enhancements planned, responsive to community needs and input. Council is seeking feedback from taxpayers prior to adopting the 20142018 Financial Plan before May 15, 2014. Supporting documents and an online survey can be found at www.victoria.ca/budget. The survey will remain open until Wednesday, April 30.

2014 Operating Budget Highlights

Public Safety $61 million in emergency services: police, fire, emergency
management

Recognize community members whove made contributions

to Victoria with Honorary Citizens Awards

Introduce new online Emergency Notification system to

support communications during emergency

Selection of new Poet laureate for next three years and

hosting variety of poetry events in April, Poetry Month

Develop tsunami map and education program for Victoria

residents and businesses

Evaluation of Welcome Pole in Centennial Park to restore

and reinstall in 2015

Establish new Fire Prevention Bylaw for improved

enforcement protocols and capacity

Partnering with Open Space Gallery to offer Reclaim the

Streets a symposium on public art and public spaces

Community Well-being $14.8 million in parks and recreation $948,000 in arts and cultural events, this year including
supporting milestone anniversary celebrations for Symphony Splash, JazzFest, Victoria Conservatory of Music and MacPherson Theatre

Update Zoning Regulation Bylaw to address

housekeeping fixes and grade calculations in low density residential areas

1 CENTENNIAL SQUARE, VIcTORIA, BC V8W 1P6 | w  ww.victoria.ca/budget

Environmental Sustainability Public consultation and planning for new three kilometer
separated bike path on Dallas Road

Open data licence and new data sets available within Citys
new open data catalogue

Online document library making it easier to search and

access City and third party reports

New cigarette butt recycling program for downtown aimed

at keeping city streets clean

On-going enhancements to Citys new VicMap, an online

mapping system for City infrastructure, and property information

Provide educational workshops on rainwater management to

assist homeowners in managing stormwater on their property

Implement traffic changes in Beacon Hill Park to calm traffic

and improve safety

Council consideration of delegating certain authority to staff

to expedite application processes

Continue restoration of natural areas in Cecelia Ravine

Park Management Plan

Online booking of electrical and plumbing inspections New online system for registering for Crystal Pool and
Fitness Centre programs

Initiate first phase of Local Area Planning Partnering with Scouts Canada to plant a tree for first
1,000 customers who switch from paper to electronic billing of utilities and property taxes

Prepare sea level rise flood risk assessment and mapping to

inform emergency management and capital project planning

2014 Capital Budget Highlights

$14.3 million to rehabilitate and replace underground systems (sewer, stormwater, water) necessary for quality of life and environmental protection. Replace 2 km of water main at 10 different locations

Growing the Economy Hosting a community dialogue about opportunities to

revitalize three strategic sites within the Inner Harbour including Belleville Terminal and Ship Point

Establish new zoning regulations for downtown, starting

with Central Business District

Identify opportunities for amenity contributions through

development of a potential bonus density approach outside downtown

Initiate a City-wide assessment of building and infrastructure

condition to determine seismic vulnerability

Pursue naming rights for Victoria Conference Centre Review of Victoria Conference Centre to identity
opportunities for future improvements to business model

Admirals Maple Bank to Luscombe Ryan Asquith to Belmont Tolmie Glasgow to Quadra Ellery Cave to Carrie Catherine Dundas to Wilson Manchester Gorge to Sumas Lampson PI Lampson to East end Cook Queens to Pembroke Rockland Lyman Duff to Gonzales Shakespeare Haultain to Kings
Replace and/or rehabilitate 2 km of storm drains at seven different locations

Exploring creation of a downtown hub for entrepreneurs Improved Customer Service New online consultation portal to encourage public
participation, discussion and information sharing about key issues and initiatives

Enhancing the website to responsively adapt to customers

phone or tablet

New City Blog to encourage greater information sharing Establishing standard turnaround times for planning and
business licence applications

Chandler to Richardson Easement North Park Vancouver to Quadra Victor Ryan to Kings Douglas Summit to Topaz Frances Douglas to Burnside Begbie to Pandora Easement Bushby Dallas to George

Streamlining processes and adding staff resources to

expedite development applications

2 City of Victoria | 2014 budget-in-brief

Rehabilitate 1.5 km of sanitary sewer main at 13 different locations

Bay Street/Catherine Street intersection will be redesigned

to improve vehicle safety, and crossing points for pedestrians, and additional space for landscaping. New traffic bulbs will narrow the roadway and increase green space.

Blanshard Fairfield to Humboldt Chandler to Richardson Easement Fifth Street Bay to Kings Leighton Davie North to Davie South Pandora Cook to Vancouver St. Charles Montgomery to Warren Gardens Victor Haultain to Kings View Ormond to Cook North Dairy Cedar Hill to Doncaster Cook Meares to Rockland Cormorant Blanshard to Amelia Frances Burnside to Douglas Begbie to Pandora Easement
$6.4 million for transportation infrastructure (sidewalks, bike lanes, crosswalks, paving). Approximately 30% of the transportation budget is invested in cycling and pedestrian improvements.

New pavement at Glasgow Topaz Park area, Masters

Road near Windermere and Fairfield, and on Victor Street, all last paved prior to 1975

Repair Dallas Road seawall to address immediate need

of repair.

Priority Transit Lanes on Douglas Street Consultation to identify where to put next bike lanes
in Victoria

10 new bicycle racks will be installed downtown

Closing gaps in pedestrian network with more sidewalks:

Sea Terrace Dunsmuir to Barnard Park. Connect existing

Esquimalt sidewalk to Barnard Park. Integrates with recent improvements to Barnard Park.

Quamichan at Somenos. New sidewalk to improve link

near Glenlyon Norfolk School, and alleviate risk of flooding.

Upgrading crosswalks at Bay/Forbes and Bay/Chambers to

narrow crossings and improve lighting on two school routes

New sidewalk on Richardson Street to facilitate safe access

for those with mobility challenges

New mid-block crosswalk at 500 block Pandora, consistent

with the Downtown

New sidewalk on Gonzales Avenue to connect Foul Bay

Road to recently completed Chandler Greenway.

Core Area Plan goal of more mid-block crosswalks

downtown.

New sidewalk on Montreal, from Simcoe to Niagara.

Improves pedestrian connection between cruise ship port and downtown. Major Rehabilitation Projects:

Close bike lane gaps and extend bike network with new
bike lanes on Cook Street

from Maplewood to Finlayson coordinating with work in

Saanich on Cook Street, extending bike lanes from Quadra to Finlayson.

Tolmie, from Glasgow to Fifth, last paved nearly 40 years

ago. Integrates with work completed by Saanich in 2012.

Catherine Street, from Esquimalt to Wilson. Coordinated

with improvements at Bay/Catherine, and curb alignment changes on Catherine Street. High priority based on pavement condition. Major Arterial Upgrades:

New buffered bike lanes to close bike lane gaps on Skinner

from Bay to Catherine, extending the Craigflower Corridor cycling network.

Five new bus shelters. (Sites are being finalized, likely Fort
and Hillside are two)

Upgrades to traffic signals at Government and Superior in

preparation for multi-modal intersection upgrades.

Cook Street Queens to Caledonia (last paved 1979).

Road repair required now to avoid full road reconstruction.

New street lights at Robert/Seaforth and Cook/May Five new countdown pedestrian signals at: Douglas/
Bay, Douglas/Superior, Government/Belleville, Blanshard/ Fairfield and Government/Humboldt.

Douglas Street Bay to Hillside, repaving curb lanes to

address safety concerns and asphalt condition on major artery. Complements Douglas Street Corridor transit and cycling improvements. Signal lights at Bay and Douglas will be upgraded to replace old, wooden signal poles at risk of failure.

Planning for upgrades to Point Ellice Bridge

3 City of Victoria | 2014 budget-in-brief

Local Street Improvements:

Kings Road pavement repair at Graham to Blackwood

to prevent more extensive reconstruction.

$9.8 million in upgrades and maintenance of City Facilities, lands and property acquisition

Maintain and upgrade City Hall, community centres, Victoria

Conference Centre, Fire Hall and Police Headquarters

Montreal Simcoe to Niagara. Work coordinated with new

sidewalks for pedestrians.

Upgrades to major systems within Crystal Pool and

Fitness Centre

Ryan Street repairing pavement between Asquith to

Forbes near Oaklands School.

New seats, field improvements and parking lot lighting for

Royal Athletic Park

May Street Linden to Moss. Portions of May Street have

deteriorated to the point where there are safety concerns relating to the asphalt condition. $47 million for new Johnson Street Bridge with additional cycling, pedestrian, and accessibility amenities $3.9 million for parks, playgrounds and green spaces

Purchase of 2920 Bridge Street for improved storage for

City equipment

Improved Public Service Centre on main floor of City Hall Improvements to downtown parking, including introduction
of pay-by-cell technology, increased security and customer service enhancements to Citys five parkades $7.5 million to replace vehicles, furniture, computers, recreation equipment and emergency response equipment. $300,000 for Downtown Beautification

New playgrounds at Alexander and Hollywood parks Interpretive and plaza improvements in Pioneer Square
Park and closure of Rockland Avenue

Restore natural areas in Cecelia Ravine Park Complete pathway connection of Summit Park
to Blackwood Road

Completing exterior lighting on City Hall Replacing 20 heritage cluster lamps on Government
and Belleville

Advancing Greenways plan at Oaklands Park, Higgins

Road, and Hereward connection to E & N Rail.

Seasonal decorations for Douglas and Blanshard will be

enhanced and new banners installed in 2014 holiday season

Opening of new rose garden in Beacon Hill Park Three new outdoor fitness stations. Topaz Park, Cecelia
Ravine Park and Oaklands Park

Upgrading City lamp posts for banner installation in

future years

Repair retaining wall and address drainage at Hillside Park,

a popular park for Little League

Upgrading lighting in Centennial Square to LED to add

colour and improve visibility

$2 million for acquiring property for new park in Burnside

Gorge neighbourhood

New community paint out kit program to remove graffiti

in neighbourhoods $500,000 for implementing the Citys new Official Community Plan and Downtown Core Area Plan

Advance David Foster Way along Inner Harbour, focusing

on planning connections under Johnson Street Bridge and Heron Cove and Raymur Point

Piloting traffic changes on Rockland Avenue to create

greenway increasing pedestrian and cycling connections

4 City of Victoria | 2014 budget-in-brief