Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Report

9th Meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Tuesday, April 16, 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:

• A. Barbon, S. Corman, K. Dickins, D. Escobar, T. MacBeth, S. Mathers, H. McNeely, J. Paradis, T. Pollitt, K. Scherr, M. Schulthess, C. Smith

  Remote Attendance:  E. Hunt, J. Ireland

  The meeting is called to order at 1:01 PM; it being noted that Councillors P. Van Meerbergen 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: S. Franke

  That Consent item 2.3 BE APPROVED.

  
  

  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)

2.3

Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA) Appointment - Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry

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

  That, with respect to the appointment of one non-elected member to the Kettle Creek Conservation Authority (KCCA), the following actions be taken:

  a)         the communication dated April 5, 2024, from the Honourable Graydon Smith, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry, granting an exception under the Conservation Authorities Act (CAA) from the requirement in subsection 14 (1.1) for at least 70 percent of municipal appointments to a conservation authority to be selected from among members of municipal council BE RECEIVED; 

  b)         the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to include applications on a future agenda of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, for consideration and recommendation of appointment of one member of the public to the KCCA;

  it being noted that advertisement for the position be in the usual manner, including the City’s social media channels.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.1

Whole of Community System Response - Quarterly Update April

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

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Social and Health Development, the report dated April 16, 2024, regarding Whole of Community System Response – Quarterly Report, BE RECEIVED for information.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 1)

  ADDITIONAL VOTES:

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

  That pursuant to section 31.6 of the Council Procedure By-law, Councillor S. Stevenson BE PERMITTED to speak an additional 3 minutes with respect to this matter.  

  
  

  Yeas: (9)	J. Morgan, S. Hillier, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, and C. Rahman
  Nays: (6)	A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, E. Peloza, H. McAlister, S. Franke, and D. Ferreira

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (9 to 6)

2.2

9th Report of the Governance Working Group

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

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 9th Report of the Governance Working Group from its meeting held on March 25, 2024:
  
  a)  the following actions be taken with respect to the staff report dated March 25, 2024 related to Council Members' Expense Account Policy - Further Updates;

  i) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to maintain status quo and fund ward meeting and engagement expenses from the Councillor expense account with Ward Option #1, as indicated in the above noted report; and
  ii)  the staff report dated March 25, 2024 related to Council Members' Expense Account Policy - Further Updates BE RECEIVED;

  b)  the following actions be taken with respect to the report dated March 25, 2024 related to the General Policy for Community Advisory Committees:

  i) the updated General Policy for Community Advisory Committees BE REFERRED to a future meeting of the Governance Working Group;
  ii) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to amend the following sections of the proposed policy;
  
  A) section 4.3 with regard to reasonable timelines for advertising a mid-term vacancy on a Community Advisory Committee;
  B) section 4.5 to schedule the presentation of applications for appointment to Community Advisory Committees at the end of Q1 after a new term of Council takes office;
  C) section 4.19 to provide the City Clerk discretion with respect to placing a Community Advisory Committee agenda item(s) on an alternate Standing Committee agenda;
  D) section 4.23 to provide for an alternate mechanism to process, resolve, and report complaints about members of Community Advisory Committees;
  E) include language to clarify that Community Advisory Committees are permitted to invite members of the public to observe or participate as a guest speaker at Community Advisory Committee meetings; and
  F) include language to state that where the General Policy for Community Advisory Committees or the proposed Simplified Procedures for Community Advisory Committees is silent, questions of procedure be deferred to the Council Procedure By-law:
   
  iii) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to conduct an environmental scan and report back to the Governance Working Group with respect to the utilization of working groups and/or task forces; and
  iv) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to the Governance Working Group with attendance metrics for the City of London's Community Advisory Committee meetings;

  c)  clauses 1.1 and 4.1 BE RECEIVED. 

  
  
  
  
  

  ADDITIONAL VOTES:

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

  That part a) i) BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (3)	A. Hopkins, S. Stevenson, and D. Ferreira
  Nays: (12)	J. Morgan, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, and C. Rahman

  
  
  
  Motion Failed (3 to 12)
• Moved by: S. Franke
  Seconded by: P. Cuddy

  That the balance of the motion BE APPROVED.

  
  

  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)

3.

Scheduled Items

• Moved by: C. Rahman
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That, pursuant to section 27.6 of the Council Procedure By-law, a change in order of the SPPC Committee Agenda BE APPROVED, to provide for Item 5.1 in Stage 5, Deferred Matters/Additional Business to be considered after Stage 3, Scheduled Items.

  
  

  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) Secondary School Student Transit Pass Pilot Project - Deputy Mayor S. Lewis and Councillor P. Cuddy

• Moved by: P. Cuddy
  Seconded by: E. Peloza

  That the following actions be taken with respect to establishing a secondary school student transit pass pilot project:

  a) the Civic Administration in collaboration with the London Transit Commission BE DIRECTED to initiate the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), for the purpose of partnering to deliver a pilot project to provide annual transit passes to secondary school students at Clarke Road Secondary School, including the following:

  i) the pilot project BE LIMITED to school years beginning September 2024 for all Grade 9 students and September 2025 for all Grade 9 and 10 students attending Clarke Road Secondary School;
  ii) the current post-secondary student annual transit pass agreements between the City of London, Western University and Fanshawe College and the current Children Under 12 Ride Free program BE CONSIDERED as templates to establish the framework for this pilot program; and
  
  b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to Council with the MOU, an appropriate source of financing, and metrics reporting for the pilot program;

  it being noted that the TVDSB has written the Minister of Education to ask for consideration for provincial funding support for a bussing pilot. Additionally, continuing the program beyond the pilot project would require a permanent source of ongoing operating funding from a variety of sources, including reallocation of funding or funding from senior levels of government that would need to be investigated;

  it being further noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee heard delegations from the following individuals with respect to this matter:

  • L. Pizzolato, Trustee, Wards 1, 11, 12 and 14 and C. Lynd, Superintendent, Thames Valley District School Board; and
  • D. Hendry, Get on the Bus - Co-Founder & Project Director.
  
  

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

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (13 to 2)

  ADDITIONAL VOTES:

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

  That the delegation requests from L. Pizzolato, C. Lynd and D. Hendry 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)
• Moved by: S. Stevenson
  Seconded by: C. Rahman

  That the following actions be taken with respect to a secondary school student transit pass pilot project:

  a) that the motion from Deputy Mayor S. Lewis and Councillor P. Cuddy BE REFERRED to the next meeting of Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on May 7, 2024; and

  b) that Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to extend an invitation to the London Transit Committee to attend the meeting. 

  it being noted that a communication from Deputy Mayor S. Lewis and Councillor P. Cuddy with respect to this matter was received.

  
  

  Yeas: (4)	S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, and C. Rahman
  Nays: (11)	J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Franke, and D. Ferreira

  
  
  
  Motion Failed (4 to 11)

4.

Items for Direction

4.1

Targeted Actions to Increase London’s Housing Supply: Supporting Council’s Pledge for 47,000 Units by 2031

• Moved by: J. Morgan
  Seconded by: S. Lehman

  On the recommendation of the Director of Planning and Development, the following actions are proposed regarding the Targeted Actions to Increase London’s Housing Supply:

  a)    the report entitled “Targeted Actions to Increase London’s Housing Supply: Supporting Council’s Pledge for 47,000 Units by 2031,” as appended to the staff report as Appendix “A,” BE APPROVED; 

  b)    the staff report dated April 16, 2024, BE RECEIVED;

  c)    the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to invite the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority to participate in the work of the Customer Service and Process Improvement Reference Group.

  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee heard delegations from M. Wallace, Executive Director, London Development Institute and J. Zaifman, CEO, London Home Builders' Association with respect to this matter.

  
  
  
  
  

  ADDITIONAL VOTES:

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

  That the delegation requests for M. Wallace, London Development Institute and J. Zaifman, London Home Builders' Association 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)
• Moved by: S. Franke
  Seconded by: H. McAlister

  That the motion be amended to include a new part c) to read as follows:

  c)    the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to invite the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority to participate in the work of the Customer Service and Process Improvement Reference Group.

  
  

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

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (14 to 1)
• Moved by: J. Morgan
  Seconded by: S. Lehman

  That item 4.1, as amended, BE APPROVED. 

  
  

  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)

4.2

3rd Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee

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

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 3rd Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee from its meeting held on March 14, 2024:
  
  a)   the Committee Clerk BE DIRECTED to place the following matters on the next agenda:
  i) application requirements for the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee;
  ii) potential interviews for top candidates; and,
  iii) reviewing the Terms of Reference for the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee;
  
  it being noted that the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee held a general discussion with respect to the above-noted matters;
  
  b)    clauses 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 4.1 and 6.1 BE RECEIVED.

  
  

  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)

4.3

Request for a Shareholder's Meeting - London Hydro Inc.

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

  That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for London Hydro Inc.:

  a)      the 2023 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for London Hydro Inc. BE HELD at a meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on May 28, 2024, for the purpose of receiving the report from the Board of Directors of London Hydro Inc. in accordance with the Shareholder Declaration and the Business Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16; and

  b)      the City Clerk BE DIRECTED to provide notice of the 2023 Annual Meeting to the Board of Directors for London Hydro Inc. and to invite the Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of London Hydro Inc. to attend at the Annual Meeting and present the report of the Board in accordance with the Shareholder Declaration;

  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated March 28, 2024, from C. Graham, Chair, Board of Directors, London Hydro Inc., with respect to this matter.

  
  

  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

None.

7.

Adjournment

• Moved by: P. Van Meerbergen
  Seconded by: S. Franke

  That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

  The meeting adjourned at 4:14 PM.