The Scoop. No Tax Increase for Residents; Rates and Fees to Remain the Same Budget 2019 at a Glance. December 20, 2018

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1 The Scoop The Town of Conception Bay South is pleased to present the Scoop, a publication dedicated to providing residents with important information and to highlight significant Town milestones and achievements. The Scoop is published following each public Council meeting. December 20, 2018 No Tax Increase for Residents; Rates and Fees to Remain the Same Budget 2019 at a Glance Last week, the Town of Conception Bay South presented its 2019 budget of $37,810,254. In a dedicated and conscious effort to reduce the financial burden on its taxpayers, Council announced that residential and commercial mil rates, as well as all rates and fees, will remain status quo in Council has worked extremely hard to provide and enhance service delivery within the restraints of our own budget. Our primary objective for this budget was to ensure there were no increases in taxes to residents or businesses, and no increase in rates or fees, and we are very proud to say that we ve accomplished that, said Mayor Terry French. Budget 2019 represents a decrease in spending of approximately $560,000 when compared to last year s budget and is only the second time in the Town s history that it has been able to reduce year over year expenditures. The reduction in spending is due to an aggressive, cost-saving initiative by Council. It s the first major reduction in expenditures other than one year in which our debt servicing costs were reduced, he continued. Through Council s aggressive cost review, the Town was able to absorb a $106,000 increase in regional water fees by the Regional Water Authority, without having to pass this cost burden on to its residents. The Town also announced that it will conduct major infrastructure upgrades in the New Year, allocating $1 million for streets and sidewalk improvements and approximately $6 million in street paving, which is the continuation of the street upgrading and paving program. We recognize that to accomplish our goal of being the community of choice and continuing to grow our population base, we must provide excellent civic services at a competitive tax rate. During our budget consultations, residents voiced their priorities loud and clear and we listened. Our people are rightly demanding improved infrastructure, especially with regards to our roads and sidewalks, and they want this without seeing a tax increase, said Mayor French. The Town s budget focuses on going back to the basics, and enhances core services without increasing the cost burden to citizens. A major highpoint for Budget 2019 was enhancements to the Town s snow clearing budget. New funding will allow for approximately two to three additional operators working on the roads. LEARN MORE conceptionbaysouth.ca/budget-2019

2 Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Detachment Officially Opens in Town On December 6, Mayor Terry French was joined by Joe Boland, Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC), and the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, as a new RNC detachment was officially opened in the Town of Conception Bay South. The announcement for the new police detachment was made in April. Since that time, the previous Town Hall, located at 106 Conception Bay Highway, has been renovated into a new facility that includes an inspector, administrative staff, community services, a criminal investigation division, operational patrol services, a police service dog unit, a telephone reporting centre, and traffic services. Pinty s Grand Slam of Curling, Boost National a Huge Success! The Pinty s Grand Slam of Curling, Boost National, kicked off on December 11 at the Conception Bay South Arena, with approximately 1,200 curling enthusiasts in attendance. The tournament ended on Sunday and it was dubbed a huge economic success. The Boost National is truly a showcase of our community. In addition to the 120 athletes that are staying in the area, there is also the production and events teams. That alone is more than 200 visitors that are eating, driving around and staying in the region for nearly a week. A Pinty s Grand Slam of Curling event of this size typically delivers an average of $1.3 million in economic impact, said Mayor Terry French. Photo taken during the Boost National semi-finals. Congratulations to all teams involved and thank you to all of the volunteers, supporters and sponsors who made the event such a success. This is an international field of the highest calibre it s what sets the Pinty s Grand Slam of Curling events apart and attracts fans from all over the world. Last week, we had international teams from Sweden, USA, Japan, Scotland and Switzerland in our Town. We also had fans here watching from across the country and beyond, said Mayor French. I would like to thank the Town of Conception Bay South for their hard work in making this fun and exciting experience happen for our Town. Many thanks to our numerous volunteers, supporters, and sponsors, who have contributed significantly to make the Boost National the success it is today. Special thanks to my fellow Host Committee members as well, said Adrian Power, chair, Host Committee. Photo taken from the Town s new commercial, which was on display across the country on Sportsnet and CBC during the curling event, as well as internationally with Sportsnet s streaming services. WATCH VIDEO -

3 Council Highlights (as per the Public Council Meeting December 18, 2018) Town of Conception Bay South Reaches Collective Agreement with CUPE Local 3034 At this week s public Council meeting, the Town of Conception Bay South signed a collective agreement with union employees of CUPE Local 3034 at the public Council meeting. We are thrilled to announce that we have been able to reach a new collective agreement with our Union. Our focus throughout the bargaining process was on ensuring a measure of financial stability for the Town and our taxpayers, while at the same time acknowledging the hard work of our Union employees and renewing a spirit of cooperation in labour relations. Two priorities of the negotiations were financial stability and enhanced snow clearing. I am happy to report that we have been able to accomplish both of these things through a respectful and productive process, said Mayor French. CUPE Local 3034, which represents the bargaining unit for the Town of Conception Bay South, has signed a new collective agreement with the Town of Conception Bay South. We believe it is a fair agreement for both parties for another four years and we look forward to continue working with The Town, said Terri-Lynn Cooper, President, CUPE Local The new collective agreement will come into effect on January 1, Highlights include: Four year wage increase agreement of 0.5%, 0.5%, 1.0% and 2%; Public Works staff to be scheduled on-call during the snow clearing season (November 1 April 15) and $45 per eight hour shift; Ability for year-round, emergency, on-call for significant events, such as forecasted hurricanes or public safety issues Signing incentive of $500 for full-time employees and $250 for remaining employees. One of the most common concerns that we hear as Council is to improve snow clearing and this agreement allows us to enhance this important service. Council is appreciative that our workforce, both management and CUPE Local 3034, take great pride in providing exceptional core services to our residents. It s a critical component in our goal of making Conception Bay South the community of choice in this province, said Mayor French. I would like to thank both teams for their dedication and cooperation in coming to a successful bargaining agreement. Mayor French with Terri-Lynn Cooper, President, CUPE Local 3034 and union executives, Stephanie Lear and Mike Neary, signing the Collective Agreement. Swimming Registration Winter set 1 swimming lesson registration opens Thursday, December 20 at 6:30pm for Conception Bay South residents. This is for public and private swimming lessons and will take place online only at conceptionbaysouth.ca. General registration opens Saturday, December 22 at 2:30pm. For more information, please call ext Council and staff wish you and your family Happy Holidays and a safe and healthy New Year! Christmas Tree Mulching Event On Wednesday, January 9 the Town of Conception Bay South will host the annual Tree Mulching event. Tree Mulching will take place at the Robert French Memorial Stadium. The drop-off location will be near the gated storage depot, next to the Robert French Stadium parking lot. There is no charge to residents and the mulch will be given back to residents if desired. Trees can also be dropped off any time before January 9.

4 Christmas & New Year Waste Collection Schedule During the holiday season, there will be changes in the scheduled garbage and recycling collection days, as follows: Normal Collection Date New Collection Date Tuesday, Dec 25, 2018 Monday, Dec 24, 2018 Wednesday, Dec 26, 2018 Thursday, Dec 27, 2018 Thursday, Dec 27, 2018 Friday, Dec 28, 2018 Friday, Dec 28, 2018 Saturday, Dec 29, 2018 Tuesday, Jan 1, 2019 Monday, Dec 31, 2018 Please refer to the waste collection calendars, found on the Town s website, for all upcoming scheduled changes due to holidays. Should you have any further questions, please visit our website conceptionbaysouth.ca or contact Engineering and Public Works at , ext. 301/351. Collection Reminders The Town would like to remind all residents that the following items are not accepted in the curbside recycling program: Transportation Surveys As part of the Town s Integrated Transportation Study, we are asking the public for their feedback on active transportation in our Town (things like walking, cycling, wheeling, skateboarding, etc.) and on public transit. Please take a few minutes to have your say and provide us with important information. We appreciate your valued input. VISIT: conceptionbaysouth.ca Gift wrapping paper Tissue paper Gift bags Please remember that all garbage boxes, mobile waste containers, nets and recycling bags must be fully accessible and clear of snow and ice. In order to ensure the collector s safety, any garbage not fully accessible or placed on snow piles and banks will not be collected. Thank you for your cooperation. Winter Parking Ban Residents and motorists parking within the Town are reminded that the Winter Parking Ban is in effect from December 1, 2018 until April 30, 2019 on all roads and streets. What s On At Manuels River? For a complete list of programs and events, please check out their website!

5 14th Annual Heritage Places Poster Contest Who Can Enter Students attending K 12 in Newfoundland and Labrador. How to enter Create a poster of an existing heritage place in your own community or region and tell us why it is important to you. Deadline January 18, 2019 Details Contact andrea@heritagenl.ca or ext. 4 Regional Prizes (6) Digital Art Prize (1) $50 Chapters Indigo card $100 Chapters Indigo card Grade Level Prizes (1 each from Primary, Elementary, Jr High and Sr High) $100 Chapters Indigo card and invite to Heritage Week ceremony in February 2019 Overall Winner (chosen from Grade Level winners) ipad Mini and winning artwork featured on our Heritage Day Poster School Prizes (4) $500 to overall winner s school and $250 to runners up s schools This skate is sponsored by MAX Arts. Athletics. Wellness., 6 St. Clare Ave, St. John s.

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