Corporate Services Committee

Report

7th Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee

Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 12:00 P.m. - 1:00 P.m.

Council Chambers

PRESENT:

• Councillors A. Kayabaga (Chair),
• M. van Holst,
• J. Helmer ,
• J. Morgan,
• A. Hopkins,
• and Mayor E. Holder

ALSO PRESENT:

• J. Taylor, M. Schulthess and B. Westlake-Power.

  Remote attendance:  Councillors M. Cassidy, S. Hillier, S. Lehman, S. Lewis and E. Peloza; L. Livingstone, A. Barbon, I. Collins, S. Datars Bere, J. Freeman, J. Logan and K. Murray. 

  The meeting is called to order at 12:02 PM; it being noted that the following Members were in remote attendance: Councillors: J. Helmer, A. Hopkins, J. Morgan, M. van Holst and Mayor E. Holder. 

   

---

1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed. 

2.

Consent

• Moved by: M. van Holst
  Seconded by: E. Holder

  That Items 2.1, 2.2 and 2.6 BE APPROVED, it being noted that there is an attached revised by-law for Item 2.2. 

  
  

  Yeas: (6)

  A. Kayabaga, E. Holder, M. van Holst, J. Helmer, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins

  
  Motion Passed (6 to 0)

2.1

2020 Debenture Issuance

• Moved by: M. van Holst
  Seconded by: E. Holder

  That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer the following actions be taken:

  a)      the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to proceed with the issuance of debentures in the capital markets upon favourable market conditions to provide permanent financing for capital works in an amount not to exceed $36,000,000; and,

  b)      the Civic Administration BE INSTRUCTED to schedule and convene an appropriately timed special Corporate Services Committee meeting upon successful placement of the City’s debt in the capital markets to ensure adequate time for Council approval while adhering to the necessary financial settlement requirements.

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.2

Provincial Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for Public Transportation Program 2019/2020

• Moved by: M. van Holst
  Seconded by: E. Holder

  That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the attached revised by-law, Appendix “A”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council Meeting to be held on April 21, 2020 to authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute a Letter of Agreement between the Province of Ontario and the City of London with respect to the Dedicated Gas Tax Funds for the Public Transportation Program.

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.6

2019 Compliance Report in Accordance with the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy

• Moved by: M. van Holst
  Seconded by: E. Holder

  That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken with respect to the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy:

  a)      in accordance with Section 8.11 (c) of the Policy, the annual report of total payments where a supplier has invoiced the Corporation a cumulative total value of $100,000 or more in a calendar year, appended as Appendix “A” to the staff report dated April 14, 2020, BE RECEIVED for information;

  
  b)      in accordance with Section 15.1(g) of the Policy, the administrative contract awards for Professional Consulting Services with an aggregate total greater than $100,000 that have been decentralized from Purchasing and Supply andhave been reported to the Manager of Purchasing and Supply and reviewed for compliance to Policy, as appended as Appendix “B” to the staff report dated April 14, 2020, BE RECEIVED for information;

  
  c)      in accordance with Section 13.2(c) of the Policy, the list of administrative contract awards for Tenders with a value up to $3,000,000 that do not have an irregular result, as appended as Appendix “C” to the staff report dated April 14, 2020, BE RECEIVED for information;

  
  d)      the City Treasurer, or delegate, BE DELEGATED authority to, at any time, refer questions concerning compliance with the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy to the Corporation’s internal auditor; and

  
  e)      the City Treasurer, or delegate, BE AUTHORIZED to ratify and confirm completed awards or purchases between $15,000 and $50,000 where the City Treasurer or delegate is of the opinion that the awards or purchases are in the best interests of the Corporation.

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.3

Year 2020 Tax Policy

• Moved by: J. Morgan
  Seconded by: J. Helmer

  That the following actions be taken with respect to property taxation for 2020:

  
  a) the attached proposed by-law BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 21, 2020, reflective of Committee recommendations in accordance with Sub-sections 308(4) and 308.1(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001, to set tax ratios in the various property classes in keeping with the Option AB2 as outlined in the staff report dated April 14, 2020;

  
  b) the proposed by-law, appended to the staff report dated April 14, 2020 as Appendix B, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 21, 2020, to fully utilize options available in 2020 to exclude properties in capped property classes which have reached current value assessment tax levels or higher in 2019, from being capped again in 2020 and future years;

  
  c) the proposed by-law, appended to the staff report dated April 14, 2020 as Appendix C, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 21, 2020 to initiate a four (4) year phase out of capping for any of the non-residential property classes, where London is eligible for such option, and exclude vacant land from the capping phase-out eligibility criteria where all properties must be within 50% of current value assessment (CVA) level taxes;

  
  d) the proposed by-law, appended to the staff report dated April 14, 2020 as Appendix D, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 21, 2020 to limit capping protection only to reassessment related changes prior to 2017, and that reassessment changes in capped classes thereafter would not be subject to the cap; and

  
  e) the proposed by-law, appended to the staff report dated April 14, 2020 as Appendix E, BE INTRODUCED Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 21, 2020 to adopt the capping formulae for the commercial, industrial and multi-residential property classes.

  
  

  Yeas: (6)

  A. Kayabaga, E. Holder, M. van Holst, J. Helmer, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins

  
  Motion Passed (6 to 0)

2.4

Year 2020 Education Tax Rates

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

  That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken:

  
  a) the by-law to levy education tax rates for 2020 appended as Appendix “A” to the staff report dated April 14, 2020 BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 21, 2020 and

  
  b) the Mayor BE REQUESTED to send a letter to the Minister of Finance on behalf of City Council requesting further clarification with respect to the long term intention of the current government, with respect to the business education property tax cuts that were temporarily frozen with the 2012 Provincial budget.

  
  

  Yeas: (6)

  A. Kayabaga, E. Holder, M. van Holst, J. Helmer, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins

  
  Motion Passed (6 to 0)

2.5

Property Tax Deferral Options

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

  That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to set final billings for the 2020 taxation year based on Option 1 as outlined in the staff report dated April 14, 2020,  with the following due dates:
  
  a)      for property tax installments: August 31st, 2020, October 31st, 2020, and December 15th, 2020; and
  
  b)      for those property owners on preauthorized payment: August 31st, 2020, September 30th, 2020, October 31st, 2020, November 30th, 2020, and December 15th, 2020.

  
  

  Yeas: (6)

  A. Kayabaga, E. Holder, M. van Holst, J. Helmer, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins

  
  Motion Passed (6 to 0)

3.

Scheduled Items

None.

4.

Items for Direction

• Moved by: E. Holder
  Seconded by: M. van Holst

  That Items 4.1 (FCM) and 4.2 (AMO) BE APPROVED, as presented. 

  
  

  Yeas: (6)

  A. Kayabaga, E. Holder, M. van Holst, J. Helmer, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins

  
  Motion Passed (6 to 0)

4.1

Board of Directors - Federation of Canadian Municipalities 

• Moved by: E. Holder
  Seconded by: M. van Holst

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the communication dated March 26, 2020 from Councillor J. Morgan regarding standing for re-election to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Board of Directors and his associated expenses:
  
  WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within federal jurisdiction;

  WHEREAS FCM’s Board of Directors is comprised of elected municipal officials from all regions and sizes of communities to form a broad base of support and provide FCM with the prestige required to carry the municipal message to the federal government;

  WHEREAS an election of FCM’s Board of Directors will be held this year;

  BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of The Corporation of the City of London endorses Councillor Josh Morgan to stand for election on FCM’s Board of Directors for the 2020/2021 term; 

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Councillor J. Morgan be reimbursed by The Corporation of the City of London, outside his annual expense allocation, for his campaign expenses in seeking re-election to the Board of Directors, in an amount of up to $500, upon submission of eligible receipts; and

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Council assumes all costs associated with Councillor J. Morgan attending FCM’s Board of Directors meetings, the FCM Annual Conference and AGM and the Trade Show, during the 2020/2021 term.

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

4.2

Association of Municipalities Ontario - Board of Directors, Large Urban Caucus

• Moved by: E. Holder
  Seconded by: M. van Holst

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Board of Directors:

  a)      Councillor A. Hopkins BE ENDORSED to stand for election to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Board of Directors, Large Urban Caucus, for the 2020/2021 term;

  b)      subject to Councillor A. Hopkins’ successful election to the AMO Board of Directors, Large Urban Caucus, all associated cost to attend the Board of Directors meetings, AMO Conferences and other related commitments (Task Forces, Executive Committee, etc.) for the 2020/2021 term BE APPROVED for reimbursement by The Corporation of the City of London outside of her annual expense allocation; and

  c)      Councillor A. Hopkins BE REIMBURSED up to $500 for campaign-related expenses outside of Councillor A. Hopkins’ annual expense allocation, upon submission of eligible receipts.

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

5.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 1:30 PM.