Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Report

3rd Meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Tuesday, February 08, 2022 at 4:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Virtual Meeting during the COVID-19 Emergency

Please check the City website for current details of COVID-19 service impacts.

Meetings can be viewed via live-streaming on YouTube and the City website

PRESENT:

• Councillors M. van Holst,
• S. Lewis,
• M. Salih,
• J. Helmer,
• M. Cassidy,
• M. Hamou,
• J. Morgan,
• S. Lehman,
• A. Hopkins,
• P. Van Meerbergen,
• S. Turner,
• E. Peloza,
• J. Fyfe-Millar,
• and S. Hillier

ABSENT:

• Mayor E. Holder (Chair)

ALSO PRESENT:

• S. Corman, M. Schulthess, and K. Van Lammeren
  
  
  
  
  Remote Attendance: L. Livingstone, A. Barbon, G. Barrett, B. Card, J. Davison, K. Dickens, M. Fabro, G. Kotsifa, K. Lakhotia, K. McLaughlin, H. McNeely, R. Morris, M. Norman, K. Pawelec, J. Pastorius, S. Pellarin, K. Scherr, C. Smith, J. Stanford, S. Thompson, B. Warner, R. Wilcox, and J. Wills.
  
  
  The meeting was called to order at 4:00 PM; it being noted that the following were in remote attendance:  Councillors M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, M. Hamou, A. Hopkins, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Turner and S. Hillier.

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1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that the following pecuniary interests were disclosed:

a) Councillor S. Lehman discloses a pecuniary interest in clause 4.1 having to do with the Core Area Pilot Program involving the London Downtown Business Association (LDBA) and clause 4.6 having to do with the appointment to the LDBA, by indicating he is a member of the LDBA.

b) Councillor P. Van Meerbergen discloses a pecuniary interest in clause 4.9 having to do with the 7th Report of the Governance Working Group and specifically the Childcare Advisory Committee being dissolved, by indicating that his wife owns/operates a childcare business.

2.

Consent

2.1

Anonymized Application Review for the London Community Grants Program

• Moved by: M. Hamou
  Seconded by: E. Peloza

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, the staff report dated February 8, 2022 regarding an Anonymized Application Review for the London Community Grants Program BE RECEIVED for information.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

3.

Scheduled Items

None.

4.

Items for Direction

4.1

Strategy to Reduce Core Area Vacancy - Business Case: Core Area Pilot Program

• Moved by: M. van Holst
  Seconded by: M. Cassidy

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the “Strategy to Reduce Core Area Vacancy – Business Case: Core Area Pilot Program”:

  a)    the communication dated February 8, 2022 from Planning and Economic Development regarding the Strategy to Reduce Core Area Vacancy - Business Case: Core Area Pilot Program BE RECEIVED;

  b)    the funding request by London Economic Development Corporation as presented in the “Business Case: Core Area Pilot Program” BE APPROVED;

  c)    the Mayor and the City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents, if required by the City Solicitor, to implement the approved noted in part b) above.

  
  

  Yeas: (13)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Recuse: (1)	S. Lehman
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (13 to 0)

4.2

Draft Climate Emergency Action Plan

• Moved by: M. van Holst
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment & Infrastructure, the following actions be taken with respect to the draft Climate Emergency Action Plan:

  a)    the draft Climate Emergency Action Plan, as appended to the staff report dated February 8, 2022 as Appendix “A”, BE RECEIVED;

  b)    the draft Climate Emergency Action Plan Foundational Actions, as appended to the staff report dated February 8, 2022 as Appendix “B”, BE RECEIVED;

  c)    the Background Information (Supporting Documents) to Develop the Draft Climate Emergency Action Plan, as appended to the staff report dated February 8, 2022 as Appendix “C”, BE RECEIVED for information; and,

  d)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to hold a public participation meeting at the April 5, 2022 Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee with respect to the draft Climate Emergency Action Plan;

  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a presentation from the Director, Climate Change, Environment & Waste Management and a communication dated February 6, 2022 from Councillor M. van Holst with respect to this matter.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.3

A London For Everyone: An Action Plan to Disrupt Islamophobia

• Moved by: M. Salih
  Seconded by: S. Turner

  That on the recommendation of the City Manager, the following action be taken with respect to ending Islamophobia in London:
  
  a) the report of the Anti-Islamophobia Working Group, A London for Everyone: An Action Plan to Disrupt Islamophobia (Action Plan), attached to the staff report dated February 8, 2022 as Appendix "A", BE ENDORSED;
  
  b) the recommendations of A London for Everyone: An Action Plan to Disrupt Islamophobia which are specifically directed towards the Corporation of the City of London BE ENDORSED;
  
  c) letters of support, from Community Based and Public Sector organizations and individual members of the Muslim communities, attached to the staff report as Appendix "B", BE RECEIVED;
  
  d) the members of the London Anti-Islamophobia Working Group BE THANKED for their time and effort in developing recommendations to end Islamophobia in London;
  
  e) one-time funding of up to $150,000 BE AUTHORIZED from the Operating Budget Contingency Reserve for the erection of a memorial plaza at the intersection of Hyde Park Road/South Carriage Road, creation of a mural, and establishment of a Community Garden in honour of Our London Family;
  
  f) the Mayor BE DIRECTED to establish an Anti-Islamophobia Advisory Council/Circle, with appropriate representation of diverse Muslims in London, to meet quarterly with the responsibility to provide oversight for the implementation of the Action Plan recommendations directed to the Corporation of the City of London;
  
  g) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake the following actions for accountability and implementation:
  
  i) establish a Muslim Community Liaison Advisor role within the Anti-Racism Anti-Oppression Division with the responsibility of working with community partners and the City of London to implement the recommendations of the Action Plan, it being noted that this position will be funded on a temporary basis within existing budget resources;
  
  ii) continue the work of the Anti-Islamophobia Working Group to provide a forum to update on progress, share best practices and hold each other accountable;
  
  iii) request that the Community Diversity & Inclusion Strategy (CDIS) consider whether Islamophobia should form a distinct priority within the Strategy; and,
  
  iv) create an implementation plan for the Corporation of the City of London actions to end Islamophobia with activities, responsibilities, timelines, measures, and budget requirements (inclusive of additional funding needs) by September 2022;
  
  h) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to share the A London for Everyone: An Action Plan to Disrupt Islamophobia with local Provincial and Federal Members of Parliament, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities;
  
  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a presentation from the Director, Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression with respect to this matter.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.4

London and Middlesex Community Housing

• Moved by: J. Fyfe-Millar
  Seconded by: M. Hamou

  That Anne-Marie Mitchell BE APPOINTED to the London & Middlesex Community Housing Board of Directors for the term ending December 31, 2025 (Third Class); it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication from A. Anderson, Board of Directors, London & Middlesex Community Housing with respect to this matter.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.5

Consideration of Appointment to the Waste Management Working Group (Requires a Minimum of 3 Council Members)

• Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That the following BE APPOINTED to the Waste Management Working Group for the term ending November 14, 2022 or when the City's Resource Recovery Plan and Residual Waste Disposal Plan are approved by Council, whichever comes first:
  
  Councillor S. Turner
  Councillor M. van Holst
  Councillor E. Peloza

  
  

  Yeas: (13)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (2)	S. Lewis, and Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (13 to 0)

4.6

Appointment to the London Downtown Business Association

• Moved by: J. Helmer
  Seconded by: M. van Holst

  That Councillor J. Fyfe-Millar BE APPOINTED to the London Downtown Business Association for the term ending November 14, 2022; it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated January 20, 2022 from Councillor J. Helmer with respect to this matter.

  
  

  Yeas: (13)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Recuse: (1)	S. Lehman
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (13 to 0)

4.7

1st Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee

• Moved by: M. Hamou
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 1st Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee from its meeting held on December 16, 2021:
  
  a)   the communication from L. Poeta with respect to the Canadian Brewhouse Inukshuk BE REFERRED to Civic Administration for their consideration; and
  
  b) clauses 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1 and 6.3 BE RECEIVED for information.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.8

2nd Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee

• Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: S. Turner

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2nd Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee from its meeting held on January 20, 2022:
  
  a) the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to include a template for the Acknowledgement of Indigenous Lands on all future Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Advisory Committee Agendas;
  
  it being noted that the meeting was opened with an Acknowledgement of Indigenous Lands by M. Buzzelli; and,
  
  b) clause 1.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 7.1 and 7.2 BE RECEIVED for information.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.9

7th Report of the Governance Working Group

• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 7th Report of the Governance Working Group from its meeting held on January 17, 2022:
  
  a)  based on the results of the Council-directed Advisory Committee Member consultation, the Governance Working Group (GWG) recommends the following actions be taken:
  
  i)    the attached revised Terms of Reference for the London Community Advisory Committees (LCAC) BE APPROVED for enactment;
  
  ii)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to recruit for the membership appointments for all of the LCACs, included in part a) above, upon Council approval;
  
  iii)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to a future meeting of the GWG with respect to an updated General Terms of Reference for all Advisory Committees to support the approved new structure, including but not limited to the feedback collected from the Advisory Committee consultation with respect to recruitment, term, flexibility in procedure, and reporting;
  
  iv)     an additional round of consultation with the newly established LCACs, once established, BE UNDERTAKEN to identify any additional considerations around operational matters;
  
  v)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee with a plan to establish a new Housing Committee to assist Council in meeting its goals under the approved municipal budget, the Strategic Plan and the Roadmap to 3000, with the committee include representatives from London and Middlesex Community Housing, community members at large, and relevant housing not-for-profits, organizations, and industry partners;

  vi)    the Childcare Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED and no new related committee be established.
  
  b) clause 1.1 BE RECEIVED for information.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed
• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That Part a) vi) BE APPROVED as follows:

  the Childcare Advisory Committee BE DISSOLVED and no new related committee be established BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (12)	M. van Holst, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Nays: (1)	M. Salih
  Recuse: (1)	P. Van Meerbergen
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (12 to 1)
• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That Part a) i) BE APPROVED as follows:

  the attached revised Terms of Reference for the London Community Advisory Committees (LCAC) BE APPROVED for enactment; and
  
  ii)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to recruit for the membership appointments for all of the LCACs, included in part a) above, upon Council approval; BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (11)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Nays: (3)	J. Helmer, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (11 to 3)
• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That Part a) iii) BE APPROVED as follows:
  
  the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to a future meeting of the GWG with respect to an updated General Terms of Reference for all Advisory Committees to support the approved new structure, including but not limited to the feedback collected from the Advisory Committee consultation with respect to recruitment, term, flexibility in procedure, and reporting;
  
  iv)     an additional round of consultation with the newly established LCACs, once established, BE UNDERTAKEN to identify any additional considerations around operational matters;
  
  v)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee with a plan to establish a new Housing Committee to assist Council in meeting its goals under the approved municipal budget, the Strategic Plan and the Roadmap to 3000, with the committee include representatives from London and Middlesex Community Housing, community members at large, and relevant housing not-for-profits, organizations, and industry partners; and
  
  b) clause 1.1 BE RECEIVED for information BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.10

Unique Part-Time Role of Council

• Moved by: M. van Holst
  Seconded by: S. Turner

  That the Governance Working Group BE REQUESTED to discuss and report back to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee with their recommendations about Council continuing as a unique-part-time-role versus transitioning to a unique-full-time-role.

  
  

  Yeas: (10)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Nays: (4)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, P. Van Meerbergen, and S. Lehman
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (10 to 4)

5.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

5.1

(ADDED) Audit and Accountability Fund - Intake 3 - Transfer Payment Agreement and Single Source Contract Award

• Moved by: J. Fyfe-Millar
  Seconded by: J. Helmer

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development, the following actions be taken:
  
  a)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated February 8, 2022 as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on February 15, 2022, to:
  
  i)    approve the Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement, appended as Appendix "B"  to the proposed by-law, for the Audit and Accountability Fund – Intake 3 (the “Agreement”) between Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Ontario as represented by the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing and The Corporation of the City of London;
  
  ii)    authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the Agreement; 
  
  iii)    delegate authority to the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development, or their written delegate, to approve further Amending Agreements to the above-noted Transfer Payment Agreement for the Audit and Accountability Fund;
  
  iv)    authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute any amending agreements approved by the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development; and,
  
  v)   authorize the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development, or their written delegate, to execute any financial reports required under this Agreement and to undertake all administrative, financial, and reporting acts necessary in connection with the Agreement;
  
  b)    a Single Source Procurement (SS-2022-044) in accordance with section 14.4(e) of the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy BE AWARDED to EZSigma Group, 61 Wellington Street East, Aurora, ON, L4G 1H7, to conduct the Audit and Accountability Fund Intake 3 – Site Plan Resubmission Process Review for the City of London at a cost of up to $305,280.00 (including HST); and,
  
  c)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all administrative acts that are necessary in connection with this matter.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

6.

Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)

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

  That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convene, In Closed Session, with respect to the following matter:
  
  6.1     Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice / Position, Plan, Procedure, Criteria or Instruction to be Applied to Any Negotiations
         
  A matter pertaining to the security of municipal property; advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege including communications necessary for that purpose; commercial and financial information, that belongs to the municipality and has monetary value or potential monetary value and a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Turner, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	Mayor E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

  The Strategic Priorities convenes, In Closed Session, from 8:52 PM to 8:57 PM.

  
  

7.

Adjournment

• Moved by: S. Lehman
  Seconded by: S. Hillier

  That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

  The meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM.