Corporate Services Committee

Report

7th Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee

Monday, April 15, 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 H. McAlister (Chair), 
• P. Cuddy, 
• S. Stevenson, 
• C. Rahman, 
• P. Van Meerbergen, 
• and Mayor J. Morgan 

ALSO PRESENT:

• Councillors S. Lewis, J. Pribil, A. Hopkins, S. Franke; A. Barbon, I. Collins, S. Corman, J. Dann, K. Dickins, D. Escobar, S. Mathers, J. McMillan, K. Murray, J. Paradis, T. Pollitt, K. Scherr, C. Smith, B. Warner

  Remote Attendance:  Councillor S. Trosow; J. Davies, M. Galczynski, E. Hunt, D. MacRae, A. Rammeloo, J. Stanford, P. Yeoman

  The meeting is called to order at 1:00 PM; it being noted that Councillor P. Van Meerbergen was in remote attendance.

   

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1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that Councillor C. Rahman disclosed a pecuniary interest in item 2.1, having to do with expropriation of lands and the East London Link Project Phase 4, by indicating that Fanshawe College is her employer. 

2.

Consent

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That Consent items 2.4 to 2.7 BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)

  P. Van Meerbergen, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 0)

2.4

Year 2024 Tax Policy

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to property taxation for 2024:

  a)         the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated April 15, 2024 as Appendix ‘A’ being a by-law setting tax ratios for property classes in 2024, in accordance with Sub-sections 308(4) and 308.1(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001 BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 23, 2024, it being noted that the 2024 Municipal Tax Ratio By-Law has been prepared reflecting the equalization of the average property tax increase in residential and multi-residential classes with no change to other tax ratios; 

  b)         the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated April 15, 2024 as Appendix ‘B’ being a by-law levying tax rates for property classes in 2024, in accordance with Sections 307 and 312 of the Municipal Act, 2001 BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 23, 2024; and

  c)    the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to invite the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation to provide an update at the May 6, 2024 meeting of the Corporate Services Committee on municipal property assessment in the Province of Ontario.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.5

Year 2024 Education Tax Rates

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated April 15, 2204 as Appendix “A” being a by-law levying rates for 2024 for school purposes in the City of London BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on April 23, 2024.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.6

Court Security and Prisoner Transportation Program Transfer Payment Agreement

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated April 15, 2024 as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 23, 2024 to:

  a)    approve the Ontario Transfer Payment Agreement between His Majesty the King in right of Ontario as represented by the Solicitor General and The Corporation of the City of London for the provision of funding for the Court Security and Prisoner Transportation Program (“Agreement”) appended as Schedule “1” to the staff report; 

  b)    authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Agreement; 

  c)    authorize the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports to approve any future amending agreements between His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Solicitor General and The Corporation of the City of London with respect to the Court Security and Prisoner Transportation Program (“CSPT”);

  d)    authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute any future amending agreements between His Majesty the King in Right of Ontario as represented by the Solicitor General and The Corporation of the City of London with respect to the Court Security and Prisoner Transportation Program (“CSPT”) approved by the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports; 

  e)    authorize the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports (or designate) to execute any reports required by the province under the Agreement; and

  f)    authorize the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports to approve and execute an agreement between The Corporation of the City of London and the London Police Services Board regarding obligations in respect of the funds and obligations in connection with the Agreement.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.7

Board of Directors - Federation of Canadian Municipalities - Councillor S. Franke

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the communication dated March 18, 2024 from Councillor S. Franke regarding standing for election to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Board of Directors and her 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 FCM’s Annual Conferences and Trade Show will take place June 6-9, 2024, in Calgary, and June 2025 in Ottawa, during which time the Annual General Meeting will be held and followed by the election of FCM’s Board of Directors;

  BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of The Corporation of the City of London endorses Councillor Skylar Franke to stand for election on FCM’s Board of Directors for the 2024/2025 term; 

  BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Councillor Skylar Franke be reimbursed by The Corporation of the City of London, outside their annual expense allocation, for her 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 Skylar Franke attending FCM’s Board of Directors meetings, the FCM Annual Conference and AGM and the Trade Show, during the 2024/2025 term.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.1

Expropriation of Lands - East London Link Project Phase 4

• Moved by: H. McAlister
  Seconded by: P. Cuddy

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, with the concurrence of the Director, Construction and Infrastructure Services, and on the advice of the Director, Realty Services, approval BE GIVEN to the expropriation of land as may be required for the East London Link Project Phase 4, and that the following actions be taken in connection therewith:

  a)    application be made by The Corporation of the City of London as Expropriating Authority to the Council of The Corporation of the City of London as approving authority, for the approval to expropriate the land required for the East London Link project Phase 4;

  b)    The Corporation of the City of London serve and publish notice of the above application in accordance with the terms of the Expropriations Act;

  c)    The Corporation of the City of London forward to the Ontario Land Tribunal any requests for a hearing that may be received and report such to the Council of The Corporation of the City of London for its information; and

  d)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated April 15, 2024 as Schedule “B” BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting on April 23, 2024, to authorize the foregoing and direct the Civic Administration to carry out all necessary administrative actions.

  
  

  Yeas: (3)	H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, and S. Stevenson
  Nays: (1)	P. Van Meerbergen
  Recuse: (1)	C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (3 to 1)

2.2

2023 Year-End Operating Budget Monitoring Report

• Moved by: H. McAlister
  Seconded by: P. Cuddy

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2023 Year-End Operating Budget Monitoring Report:

  a)    the 2023 Year-End Operating Budget Monitoring Report for the Property Tax Supported Budget, Water Budget, and Wastewater and Treatment Budget BE RECEIVED for information. An overview of the net corporate positions are outlined below, noting that the year-end positions include the contributions listed in b) and c):

  i)    Property Tax Supported Budget surplus of $28.0 million;
  ii)   Water Rate Supported Budget surplus of $3.0 million;
  iii)   Wastewater and Treatment Rate Supported Budget is balanced at year-end;

  it being noted that the Property Tax, Water, and Wastewater & Treatment Budget surplus will be allocated in accordance with the Council approved Surplus/Deficit Policy;

  b)    the contribution of year-end Property Tax Supported, Water Rate Supported and Wastewater and Treatment Rate Supported Budget surplus to the applicable Contingency Reserve in accordance with the Council approved Surplus/Deficit Policy BE RECEIVED for information:

  i)    $9.7 million to the Operating Budget Contingency Reserve, noting the balance remains under its target;
  ii)    $1.1 million to the Water Budget Contingency Reserve, noting the balance remains under its target;
  iii)    $0.5 million to the Wastewater and Treatment Budget Contingency Reserve, noting the balance remains under its target;

  it being noted that the contributions to the respective budget contingency reserves were made to replenish these reserves that were utilized to finance the 2023 cost of statutory development charges exemptions and discounts resulting from recent legislative changes that were otherwise unfunded;

  c)    the request to fund the 2023 London & Middlesex Community Housing operational deficit of approximately $33 thousand BE APPROVED (see Appendix "B" of the staff report for Letter of Request).

  Note: The reported year-end position is subject to completion of the 2023 financial statement audit;

  it being further noted that the Corporate Services Committee received a communication dated April 11, 2024 from C. Butler with respect to this matter.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)	Mayor J. Morgan, P. Van Meerbergen, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, and C. Rahman
  Nays: (1)	S. Stevenson

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 1)

2.3

2023 Year-End Capital Budget Monitoring Report

• Moved by: H. McAlister
  Seconded by: P. Cuddy

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2023 Year-End Capital Budget Monitoring Report:

  a) the 2023 Year-End Capital Budget Monitoring Report BE RECEIVED for information, it being noted that the life-to-date capital budget represents $3.5 billion with $1.9 billion committed and $1.6 billion uncommitted; it being further noted that the City Treasurer, or designate, will undertake the housekeeping budget adjustments identified in the report, in accordance with the Multi-Year Budget Policy adopted by amending by-law No. CPOL.-45(c)-209;

  b) the capital budget adjustments in section 2.4 BE APPROVED to transfer available surplus funding to projects requiring additional funding:

  i) $650 thousand from EW384222 – Lead and Copper Water Service Replacement Program to EW1103 - Outer Drive Reservoir Demolition;
  ii) $600 thousand from EW384222 – Lead and Copper Water Service Replacement Program to EW110423 – Southeast Pumping Station Optimization and Renewal;
  iii) $428 thousand from EW383321 – Watermain Construction and Repairs to EW110423 – Southeast Pumping Station Optimization and Renewal;

  c) the status updates of active 2020 life-to-date capital budgets (2020 and prior) having no future budget requests, as appended to the staff report as Appendix “B”, BE RECEIVED for information;

  d) the following actions be taken with respect to the completed capital projects identified in Appendix “C” as appended to the staff report, which have a total of $2.3 million of net surplus funding:

  i) the capital projects included in Appendix “C” BE CLOSED;
  ii) the following actions be taken with respect to the funding associated with the capital projects approved for closure in d) i), above:

  Rate Supported

  A) pay-as-you-go funding of $58 thousand BE TRANSFERRED from capital receipts;
  B) authorized but unissued debt financing of $113 thousand BE RELEASED from the capital budget; 
  C) uncommitted reserve fund drawdowns of $1.3 million BE RELEASED back into the reserve funds which originally funded the projects;

  Non-Rate Supported

  D) uncommitted reserve fund drawdowns of $746 thousand BE RELEASED back into the reserve funds which originally funded the projects; and
  E) other net non-rate supported funding sources of $281 thousand BE ADJUSTED in order to facilitate project closings.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)

  P. Van Meerbergen, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 0)

3.

Scheduled Items

None.

4.

Items for Direction

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That items for direction 4.1 to 4.2 BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)

  P. Van Meerbergen, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 0)

4.1

Application - Issuance of Proclamation - London Run for Ovarian Cancer Week

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That based on the application from London Run for Ovarian Cancer, May 6 - 12, 2024 BE PROCLAIMED London Run for Ovarian Cancer Week. 

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

4.2

Application - Issuance of Proclamation - 32nd Falun Dafa Day Anniversary Celebrations

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That based on the application dated April 4, 2024 from Falun Dafa Association Canada, May 13, 2024 BE PROCLAIMED 32nd Falun Dafa Day Anniversary Celebrations.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

5.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.

Confidential

None.

7.

Adjournment

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: H. McAlister

  That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

  The meeting adjourned at 2:51 PM.