Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Report

14th Meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 1:00 P.m. - 2:00 P.m.

Council Chambers - Please check the City website for additional meeting detail information. Meetings can be viewed via live-streaming on YouTube and the City Website.

The City of London is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek (AUh-nish-in-ah-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ah-pay-wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run).

We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home. The City of London is currently home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit today.

As representatives of the people of the City of London, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and live in this territory.

PRESENT:

• Councillors S. Lewis (Chair), 
• H. McAlister, 
• P. Cuddy, 
• S. Stevenson, 
• J. Pribil, 
• S. Trosow, 
• C. Rahman, 
• S. Lehman, 
• A. Hopkins, 
• P. Van Meerbergen, 
• S. Franke, 
• E. Peloza, 
• D. Ferreira, 
• S. Hillier, 
• and Mayor J. Morgan 

ALSO PRESENT:

• S. Datars Bere, A. Barbon, J. Bruin, M. Campbell, S. Corman, K. Dickins, D. Escobar, S. Mathers, J. McGonigle, K. Pawelec, J. Paradis, T. Pollitt, K. Scherr, M. Schulthess, E. Skalski, C. Smith, M. Tomazincic, M. Vandertuin, P. Yeoman

  Remote Attendance:  K. Murray

  The meeting is called to order at 1:00 PM; it being noted that Councillors P. Van Meerbergen, S. Franke and S. Hillier were in remote attendance.

   

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1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

2.

Consent

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That Consent items 2.3 to 2.5 BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
  Absent: (1)	S. Franke

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

2.3

Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager of Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services and the Deputy City Manager of Environment and Infrastructure, the report dated September 17, 2024, regarding “Neighbourhood Parks Improvement Fund” BE RECEIVED for information.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.4

Confirmation of Appointment to the Argyle BIA

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That Chuck Bergeron, owner of Home Hardware - Dundas East BE APPOINTED to the Argyle Business Improvement Association for the term ending November 14, 2026.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.5

6th and 7th Reports of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That the 6th and 7th Reports of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee from the meetings held on July 11, 2024 and August 8, 2024, respectively, BE RECEIVED.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.1

Mayoral Direction 2024-001, City-Owned Parking Lot Redevelopment

• Moved by: J. Morgan
  Seconded by: D. Ferreira

  That the following actions be taken with respect to Mayoral Direction 2024-001, City-owned Parking Lot Redevelopment: 

  a)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake a procurement process to solicit development proposals from qualified firms that can redevelop City-owned parking lots for high-density housing, encouraging modular construction techniques, and public parking at the following locations:
  i)   84 Horton Street; and
  ii)  199 Ridout Street;

  b)    that the city-owned parking lots located at 641 Queens Avenue, 434 Elizabeth Street and 824 Dundas Street BE REFERRED to the Civic Administration to consult with the Old East Village Business Improvement Area and community association and report back to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee; and

  c)    the financing for site investigations needed to support the procurement process BE APPROVED in accordance with the Source of Financing Report as appended to the staff report dated September 17, 2024 as Appendix ‘A’.

  
  
  
  
  

  ADDITIONAL VOTES:

  
  

• In accordance with section 33.4 of the Council Procedure By-law, the following motion, with the consent of the committee and at the joint request of the mover and seconder is withdrawn.

  Moved by: S. Stevenson
  Seconded by: P. Cuddy

  That part a) of the motion be amended to read as follows:

  the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake a procurement process to solicit development proposals from qualified firms that can redevelop City-owned parking lots for high-density housing and public parking and to replace public parking within the Old East Village Business Improvement Area at the following locations:

  i)   641 Queens Avenue; 
  ii)  434 Elizabeth Street;
  iii) 84 Horton Street;
  iv) 199 Ridout Street; and
  v)  824 Dundas Street;

  
  
  
  
  
• Moved by: S. Stevenson
  Seconded by: P. Cuddy

  That part a) i) 641 Queens Avenue, ii) 434 Elizabeth Street, vi) 824 Dundas Street BE REFERRED to Civic Administration to consult with the Old East Village Business Improvement Area and community association and report back to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
  Absent: (1)	S. Franke

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)
• Moved by: H. McAlister
  Seconded by: S. Trosow

  That part a) of the motion be amended to read as follows:

  a)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake a procurement process to solicit development proposals from qualified firms that can redevelop City-owned parking lots for high-density housing, encouraging modular construction techniques, and public parking at the following locations:
  i)   84 Horton Street; and
  ii)  199 Ridout Street;

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
  Absent: (1)	S. Franke

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)
• Moved by: J. Morgan
  Seconded by: D. Ferreira

  That the motion, as amended, BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
  Absent: (1)	S. Franke

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

2.2

Municipal Accommodation Tax - Tourism London Annual Report

• Moved by: E. Peloza
  Seconded by: S. Lewis

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the Municipal Accommodation Tax:

  a)    on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development, Tourism’s London annual report on the expenditures of Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) revenues BE RECEIVED for information;

  b)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake the process to increase the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) rate in the City of London from 4% to 5%, to take effect no later than January 1, 2026. The increase will follow the current Council approved policy outlining fifty percent of the net MAT revenues are allocated to Tourism London as the City’s “eligible tourism entity for the exclusive purpose of promoting tourism” in accordance with Ontario Regulation 435/17. The other fifty percent of the net MAT revenues remain with the City of London and are contributed to the Tourism Infrastructure Reserve Fund (TIRF); and

  c)    the Civic Administration BE FURTHER DIRECTED, in consultation with Tourism London, to report back to the appropriate standing committee(s) with recommendations to Council for any updates to the TIRF allocation policy and strategic facility investments.

  
  

  Yeas: (13)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, S. Trosow, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
  Nays: (1)	J. Pribil
  Absent: (1)	S. Franke

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (13 to 1)

  ADDITIONAL VOTES:

  
  
• Moved by: J. Pribil
  Seconded by: S. Stevenson

  That the motion related to the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) BE REFERRED to the next meeting of Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee in order to allow the accommodation industry to provide comment on the proposed increase to the MAT.

  
  

  Yeas: (1)	J. Pribil
  Nays: (13)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, S. Trosow, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
  Absent: (1)	S. Franke

  
  
  
  Motion Failed (1 to 13)

3.

Scheduled Items

None.

4.

Items for Direction

4.3

12th Report of the Governance Working Group

• Moved by: H. McAlister
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 12th Report of the Special Governance Working Group from its meeting held on August 15, 2024:

  a)    the Councillor Role Description, as amended and attached, BE APPROVED;

  b)    on the recommendation of the City Clerk, the following actions be taken with respect to the Council Resourcing Review Task Force – Draft Terms of Reference:

  i)    the Draft Terms of Reference for a Council Resourcing Review Task Force, as amended and attached to the staff report dated August 15, 2024 BE APPROVED;

  ii)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to bring forward a by-law to a future meeting of Council to create a Council Resourcing Review Task Force;

  iii)    upon creation of the Task Force, the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to take the necessary actions to advertise for the Council Resourcing Review Task Force applications; and

  iv)    the City Clerk BE DIRECTED to select the membership of the Council Resourcing Review Task Force and bring forward the successful names to a future meeting of City Council for ratification;

  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication regarding FCM, women's representation in municipal elected positions from Councillor S. Franke.

  
  

  Yeas: (15)

  J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.1

2nd Report of the Strategic Opportunities Review Working Group

• Moved by: E. Peloza
  Seconded by: J. Pribil

  That it BE NOTED the 2nd Report of the Strategic Opportunities Review Working Group was considered at the Council meeting held on July 23, 2024.

  
  

  Yeas: (13)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, and C. Rahman
  Nays: (2)	P. Van Meerbergen, and D. Ferreira

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (13 to 2)

4.2

3rd Report of the Strategic Opportunities Review Working Group

• Moved by: E. Peloza
  Seconded by: J. Pribil

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 3rd Report of the Strategic Opportunities Review Working Group from its meeting held on September 4, 2024:

  a)    the following actions be taken with respect to the staff report dated September 4, 2024 regarding the London Police Service Reserve Fund By-law Review:

  i)     the report BE FORWARDED to the London Police Service Board Chair and the Chief of Police;

  ii)    the Budget Chair and Deputy Mayor BE REQUESTED to engage in discussions with the London Police Service Board regarding this report; and,

  iii)    the London Police Service Reserve Fund By-law Review report BE RECEIVED for information;

  it being noted that the Strategic Opportunities Review Working Group received a communication dated August 30, 2024 from C. Butler with respect to this matter;
  
  b)     on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken:

  i)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the service review training for agencies, boards and commissions at an estimated cost of $15,000 (excluding HST), it being noted that the cost will be funded from the City’s Efficiency, Effectiveness and Economy (EEE) Reserve; and,

  ii)      the staff report BE RECEIVED for information;
  
  c)      clauses 2.3 and 4.1 BE RECEIVED;
  
  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication and verbal delegation from A. McGuigan with respect to the City of London Municipal Golf update.

  
  

  Yeas: (15)

  J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (15 to 0)

  ADDITIONAL VOTES:

  
  
• Moved by: E. Peloza
  Seconded by: J. Pribil

  That the delegation request from A. McGuigan BE APPROVED to be heard at this time.

  
  

  Yeas: (15)

  J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (15 to 0)

5.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

5.1

(ADDED) Support for a Grant Application for the Growing Canada's Community Canopies - Councillors S. Franke and C. Rahman

• Moved by: S. Franke
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That the grant application for the Growing Canada's Community Canopies to assist London in achieving our tree canopy target BE SUPPORTED by Municipal Council.

  
  

  Yeas: (15)

  J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (15 to 0)

6.

Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)

• Moved by: C. Rahman
  Seconded by: S. Stevenson

  That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convenes In Closed Session to consider the following:

  6.1 Labour Relations/Employee Negotiations / Land Acquisition/Disposition / Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice 

  A matter pertaining to reports, advice and recommendations of officers and employees of the Corporation carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality concerning employee negotiations and labour relations, proposed acquisitions and dispositions of land, and advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
  Absent: (1)	S. Franke

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

  The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee Convenes In Closed Session from 4:06 PM to 4:20 PM.

  
  

7.

Adjournment

• Moved by: D. Ferreira
  Seconded by: S. Stevenson

  That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

  The meeting adjourned at 4:24 PM.