Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Report

7th Meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Tuesday, April 06, 2021 at 4:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

2021 Meeting - 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:

• Mayor E. Holder (Chair),
• Councillors M. van Holst,
• S. Lewis,
• M. Salih,
• J. Helmer,
• M. Cassidy,
• P. Squire,
• J. Morgan,
• S. Lehman,
• A. Hopkins,
• P. Van Meerbergen,
• S. Turner,
• E. Peloza,
• A. Kayabaga,
• and S. Hillier

ALSO PRESENT:

• M. Ribera, K. Van Lammeren, B. Westlake-Power
  Remote Attendance: L. Livingstone, A. Barbon, G. Barrett, B. Card, K. Dickins, G. Kotsifas, J.P. McGonigle, J. Raycroft, C. Saunders, K. Scherr, M. Schulthess, C. Smith, S. Stafford, A. Thompson, R. Wilcox
  The meeting is called to order at 4:00 PM; it being noted that the following Members were in remote attendance: Councillors M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. CassidyA. Hopkins, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Turner, E. Peloza, A. Kayabaga and S. Hillier

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1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

Councillor S. Turner discloses a pecuniary interest in item 4.3, having to do with a request for research on the effects of public health restrictions in London during the COVID emergency, by indicating that he is an employee of the Middlesex London Health Unit.  

2.

Consent

• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: P. Squire

  That Items 2.2 and 2.3 BE APPROVED. 

  
  

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

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

2.2

London Community Recovery Network – Current Status and Next Steps

• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: P. Squire

  That, on the recommendation of the City Manager, the following actions be taken regarding the London Community Recovery Network (LCRN):
  
  a)      the approach to develop a community recovery framework through the continued efforts of the London Community Recovery Network BE ENDORSED;
  
  b)      the Civic Administration INVITE community partners to bring forward business cases relating to Ideas for Action identified in the January 12, 2021 meeting of City Council that seek funding from the City of London to the May 18, 2021 Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee for decision; and,
  
  c)       the staff report titled London Community Recovery Network – Current Status and Next Steps BE RECEIVED.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.3

London and Middlesex Community Housing Inc. Meeting of the Shareholder - Resolutions Regarding Board Composition

• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: P. Squire

  That, on the recommendation of the City Manager, the following actions be taken with respect to London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc.:

  a)      the “Terms of Reference Board of Directors London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc.” as appended to the staff report dated April 6, 2021 as Appendix “A”, BE ADOPTED;

  b)      the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated April 6, 2021 as Appendix “B” being “A by-law to ratify and confirm the Special Resolution to the Shareholder of London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc. to provide for a new Board composition”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council Meeting to be held on April 13, 2021;

  c)      the proposed “Recruitment Process for Director Appointments”, as appended to the staff report dated April 6, 2021 as Appendix “C”, BE ADOPTED; and,

  d)      two (2) members of the Interim Board of Directors BE APPOINTED as Directors for a period not to exceed one year to provide for support for board and organizational continuity, stability, and knowledge transfer.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.1

London Small Business Centre – Board Governance Structure Updates

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

  That, on the recommendation of the Director, City Planning and City Planner, and as requested by the Small Business Centre, Councillors S. Hillier and P. Van Meerbergen BE APPOINTED to the Small Business Centre for a special meeting (date to be determined) to undertake the actions required to amend the governance structure of the Small Business Centre; it being noted that the actions required are described in the correspondence from the Small Business Centre as appended to the staff report as Appendix "A".

  
  

  Yeas: (15)

  S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (15 to 0)

3.

Scheduled Items

None.

4.

Items for Direction

4.1

Nomination of a New Budget Chair

• Moved by: Mayor E. Holder
  Seconded by: M. Cassidy

  That Councillor E. Peloza BE APPOINTED as the Council lead for the Budget process, acting as Budget Chair with duties including coordination of all Budget activities with the Civic Administration and the Chairing of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee meetings where discussion and consideration of the Budget takes place.

  
  

  Yeas: (15)

  S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.2

Kettle Creek Conservation Authority Membership

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

  That the current membership of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority allocating one (1) member each to the Municipality of Central Elgin, the Municipality of Middlesex Centre, the Municipality of Thames Centre, the Township of Malahide, and the Township of Southwold; and two (2) members to the City of St. Thomas and three (3) members to the City of London be maintained; and further the membership of the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority be re-evaluated based on population data available prior to member appointments following the municipal elections in 2022.

  
  

  Yeas: (15)

  S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.3

Request for Research on the Effects of Public Health Restrictions in London

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

  That the communication dated March 29, 2021 from Councillor M. van Holst with respect to a request for research related to the effects of COVID on the local citizens and economy, BE RECEIVED. 

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins
  Recuse: (1)	S. Turner

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.4

Operation of City Council

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

  That the Governance Working Group BE DIRECTED to consider, in consultation with the Civic Administration, how the operations of council may be changed to potentially realize efficiencies in line with the corporate reorganization, while better serving London, including but not limited to: hours of council and standing committee meetings, standing committee structure, expense accounts, and support staff; it being noted that all Members of Council are encouraged to submit ideas for consideration.

  
  

  Yeas: (12)	S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, and J. Morgan
  Nays: (3)	P. Van Meerbergen, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (12 to 3)

5.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.

Adjournment

• Moved by: P. Van Meerbergen
  Seconded by: P. Squire

  That the meeting Adjourn. 

  
  
  
  Motion Passed

  The meeting adjourned at 5:26 PM.