8TH REPORT OF THE
Strategic
Priorities and Policy Committee
meeting held on April
30, 2012, commencing at 4:06 PM, in the Council Chambers, Second Floor, London
City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor J.F. Fontana (Chair),
Councillors B. Polhill, W.J. Armstrong, J.B. Swan, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, N.
Branscombe, M. Brown, P. Hubert, D.G. Henderson, P. Van Meerbergen, D.T.
Brown, H.L. Usher, J.P. Bryant and S. White and L. Rowe (Secretary).
ALSO PRESENT: J. Braam, M.
Hayward, J.P. Barber, G. Barrett, P. Christiaans, J. Clark, A. Dunbar, J.M.
Fleming, E. Gamble, G.T. Hopcroft, T.A. Johnson, B. Krichker, L. Livingstone, S.
Mathers, V. McAlea Major, J. Page, L. Palarchio, G. Pollett, M. Ribera, A.
Ripepi, R. Sharpe, C. Smith, B. Warshawsky and P. Yeoman.
Recommendation: That the following actions
be taken with respect to the report dated April 30, 2012, entitled
“Initiation Report – 2014 Development Charges Background Study and DC By-law
Update”, from the City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer:
a)
the
report BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that staff have
initiated the 2014 Development Charge (DC) study process with a view to
establishing new DC rates by the expiry of the current DC rate by-law in
August, 2014;
b) the
Province BE ASKED to review the current development charge legislation
and BE ADVISED that it remains the City of London’s position that it
would like the Province to reform the Development Charges Act to
remove the requirement that capital costs be reduced by 10% in the
determination of development charges; and
c) a
copy of the communication to the Province, as referenced in b), above, BE
PROVIDED to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Large Urban
Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario and the Mayors’ and Regional Chairs’ of Ontario.
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Voting
Record:
Motion made by J.L. Baechler and seconded
by D.G. Henderson to Approve that the Province be asked to review the current
development charge legislation and be advised that it remains the City of
London’s position that it would like the Province to reform the Development
Charges Act to remove the requirement that capital costs be reduced by
10% in the determination of development charges; and, further that a copy of
the communication to the Province be provided to the Association of
Municipalities of Ontario, the Large Urban Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario and the
Mayors’ and Regional Chairs’ of Ontario.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N. Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, J.P. Bryant, B.
Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D.
Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong, S. White (15)
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Motion made by J.L. Baechler and seconded
by D.G. Henderson to Approve that the following actions be taken with respect
to the report dated April 30, 2012, entitled “Initiation Report – 2014
Development Charges Background Study and DC By-law Update”, from the City
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer:
a)
the
report BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that staff have
initiated the 2014 Development Charge (DC) study process with a view to
establishing new DC rates by the expiry of the current DC rate by-law in
August, 2014;
b) the
Province BE ASKED to review the current development charge legislation
and BE ADVISED that it remains the City of London’s position that it would
like the Province to reform the Development Charges Act to remove the requirement
that capital costs be reduced by 10% in the determination of development
charges; and
c) a
copy of the communication to the Province, as referenced in b), above, BE
PROVIDED to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Large Urban
Mayors’ Caucus of Ontario and the Mayors’ and Regional Chairs’ of Ontario.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS:
J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N. Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, J.P. Bryant, B.
Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D.
Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong, S. White (15)
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Recommendation: That the following
financial policy on Assessment Growth BE APPROVED:
a) Assessment
growth funding will be dedicated to civic departments, boards and commissions
that incur costs to provide an extension of core services to new growth
areas;
b) Assessment
growth costs be supported by a business case prepared by the respective civic
department, board or commission and approved by the City Treasurer, Chief
Financial Officer or designate;
c) The
City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, or designate, review and approve the
business cases prepared by the respective civic department, board or
commission and present a report to Council during the 2013 budget cycle.
Commencing with the 2014 budget cycle, the City Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer will report annually, outside of the annual budget review process, on
the allocation of assessment growth funding;
d) If
assessment growth funding exceeds the accumulated growth costs of civic
departments, boards and commissions in any one budget year, the balance
available will be applied in that year as follows: 50% to reducing unissued
debt; and 50% to the Economic Development Reserve Fund and/or tax mitigation;
e) If
assessment growth funding is not sufficient to fund assessment growth costs,
excess assessment growth funding from previous years will be attributed to
assessment growth costs to the extent that funding is available; and
f) If
excess assessment growth funding from previous years is not available to fund
accumulated growth costs, consideration will be given for a tax levy increase
or other cost reductions to fund the difference.
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Voting
Record:
Motion made by J.B. Swan and seconded by S.
Orser to Amend part d) so that 50% of any excess assessment growth funding
would go to reducing unissued debt; and the remaining 50% would go to the
Economic Development Reserve Fund and/or tax mitigation.
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Motion
Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, D.G.
Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, S.E. White (8)
NAYS: N. Branscombe, J.P. Bryant, J.L.
Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (7)
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Motion made by Councillor J.B. Swan and
seconded by Councillor S. Orser that the following financial policy on
Assessment Growth BE APPROVED:
a) Assessment
growth funding will be dedicated to civic departments, boards and commissions
that incur costs to provide an extension of core services to new growth areas;
b) Assessment
growth costs be supported by a business case prepared by the respective civic
department, board or commission and approved by the City Treasurer, Chief
Financial Officer or designate;
c) The
City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, or designate, review and approve the
business cases prepared by the respective civic department, board or commission
and present a report to Council during the 2013 budget cycle. Commencing with
the 2014 budget cycle, the City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer will report
annually, outside of the annual budget review process, on the allocation of
assessment growth funding;
d) If
assessment growth funding exceeds the accumulated growth costs of civic
departments, boards and commissions in any one budget year, the balance
available will be applied in that year as follows: 50% to reducing unissued
debt; and 50% to the Economic Development Reserve Fund and/or tax mitigation;
e) If
assessment growth funding is not sufficient to fund assessment growth costs,
excess assessment growth funding from previous years will be attributed to
assessment growth costs to the extent that funding is available; and
f) If
excess assessment growth funding from previous years is not available to fund
accumulated growth costs, consideration will be given for a tax levy increase
or other cost reductions to fund the difference.
Motion
Passed
Recommendation: That, on the
recommendation of the City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following
actions be taken with respect to the 2013 – 2017 Operating Budget Targets:
a)
notwithstanding
the updated forecasts provided by Civic Departments, Boards, Commissions and
outside agencies that would indicate that a 5.5% property tax levy increase
is required, the Civic Administration, Boards, Commissions and outside
agencies BE REQUESTED to report back to the Strategic Priorities and
Policy Committee with 3.8%, 2% and 0% tax increase scenarios, including the
implications of those various scenarios;
b)
that
consideration of an average annualized targets for the 2013 to 2017 period BE
REFERRED to the discussion of the report noted in a), above; it being
noted that the average annualized increase forecasted by service programs was
4.1%, which represents a $78 million fiscal challenge over the next 5 years;
c) the
report back by the London Police Service and the Middlesex-London Health Unit,
to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, on the impact of the
proposed targets BE REFERRED to discussion of the report noted in a),
above;
d) the
2013 assessment growth, estimated at 1%, BE APPLIED to services that
can demonstrate through a business case that the growth in the city has
necessitated additional resources to provide for an extension of core
services; it being noted that this direction is consistent with the proposed
Assessment Growth Policy being recommended by the City Treasurer, Chief
Financial Officer;
e) sources
of funding BE IDENTIFIED for the Economic Investment Plan, SUBJECT
TO the adoption of the Plan by the Municipal Council in September 2012;
f) the
2013 to 2017 Water rate increase target BE APPROVED as follows in
order to support the Water Budget, as set out in the Financial Plan prepared
under Ontario Regulation 453/07:
2013 – 8%
2014 – 8%
2015 – 8%
2016 – 7%
2017 – 6.75%
g) the
2013 to 2017 Sewer rate increase target BE APPROVED as follows in
order to support the Wastewater and Treatment Budget as set out in the 20-Year
Plan:
2013 – 7%
2014 – 7%
2015 – 7%
2016 – 7%
2017 – 4%
it being noted that the City Treasurer,
Chief Financial Officer provided the attached presentation with respect
to this matter.
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Motion made by Councillor S. Orser and
seconded by Councillor P. Hubert to recess.
Motion
Passed
The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee
recesses at 7:05 PM and reconvenes at 7:55 PM with Mayor J.F. Fontana in the
Chair and all Members present except Councillors J.P. Bryant and S.E. White.
Voting
Record:
Motion made by P. Van Meerbergen and
seconded by S. Orser to Amend part a) by deleting the words "achieve a
3.8%" and by replacing them with the words "work towards a 0%".
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P.
Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (13)
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Motion made by J.L. Baechler and seconded
by N. Branscombe to further Amend part a) to request a report back to the
Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee with 3.8%, 2% and 0% scenarios, and
the implications of those scenarios, and Refer part c) to those discussions.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, B. Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert, P. Van
Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (12)
NAYS: D.G. Henderson (1)
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Motion made by N. Branscombe and seconded
by J.L. Baechler to Refer target setting back until the Civic Administration
reports back to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee with
implications so that a firm target can be set.
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Motion Failed
YEAS: N. Branscombe, J.L. Baechler, M.
Brown, P. Hubert, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (6)
NAYS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, D.G.
Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown (7)
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Motion made by P. Hubert and seconded by B.
Polhill to Approve part a), as amended.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P.
Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (13)
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Motion made by J.L. Baechler and seconded
by S. Orser to Refer part b) to discussions to be held on the implications of
the various scenarios.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P.
Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (13)
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Motion made by J.L. Baechler and seconded
by D. Brown to Refer part c) to presentations by the various boards and
commissions on the implications of the various targets.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P.
Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (13)
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Motion made by P. Hubert and seconded by N.
Branscombe to Approve part d).
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P.
Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (13)
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Motion made by J.B. Swan and seconded by B.
Polhill to Approve part e).
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Motion Failed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, B. Polhill,
P. Hubert, H.L. Usher (5)
NAYS: N. Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, S.
Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, W.J. Armstrong
(8)
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Motion made by J.B. Swan and seconded by B.
Polhill to Approve that sources of funding be identified for the Investment
and Economic Prosperity Plan, subject to the adoption of the Plan by
Municipal Council in September.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, D.G.
Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser, M. Brown, P. Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D.
Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong (11)
NAYS: N. Branscombe, J.L. Baechler (2)
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Motion made by P. Hubert and seconded by
H.L. Usher to Approve part f) and part g).
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Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert, H.L. Usher, W.J. Armstrong
(8)
NAYS: D.G. Henderson, B. Polhill, S. Orser,
P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown (5)
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Recommendation: That, on the
recommendation of the Director of Neighbourhood and Children’s Services, with
the concurrence of the Executive Director of Community Services and the City
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer:
a) the
Strategic Plan for the City of London five result areas (A Strong Economy, A
Vibrant and Diverse Community, A Green and Growing City, A Sustainable
Infrastructure, A Caring Community) BE CONFIRMED as the community
priorities and for 2013, all current and new funding coming forward as part
of the 2013 budget process must be reasonably expected to contribute to the
achievement of these priorities; and,
b) the
attached proposed by-Law (Appendix 1), with the effective date January
1, 2013, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council Meeting of May 22,
2012 to:
(a) approve
the standard form for Grant Agreement (attached as Schedule A to the
By-law) for the Strategic Funding Framework;
(b) delegate
to the City Manager, the City Treasurer, City’s Executive Director of
Community Services, City’s Executive Director of Engineering and
Environmental Services, or their respective written designate, the authority
to insert the details into the respective Agreements in the form approved in
(a) above; and
(c) delegate
to the City Manager, the City Treasurer, City’s Executive Director of
Community Services, City’s Executive Director of Engineering and
Environmental Services, or their respective written designate, the authority
to execute the Agreements.
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Voting
Record:
Motion
Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N. Branscombe,
D.G. Henderson, J.P. Bryant, B. Polhill, S. Orser, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P.
Hubert, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, S.E. White, W.J. Armstrong
(15)
The Chair directed that the presentation by
I. Jeffries, KPMG, regarding the rationale for The Corporation of the City of
London continuing its Service Delivery Review Process, be postponed to a
future meeting.
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Recommendation: That, on the
recommendation of the Director, Land Use Planning and City Planner, the
Acting Executive Director, Planning, Environmental & Engineering Services
and City Engineer, and the Director, Development Finance, in response to
Council’s request for further review and evaluation of the Southwest Area
Plan phasing and servicing strategy, the staff report dated April 30, 2012 BE
RECEIVED for information and the following actions be taken on the draft
revised Southwest Area Plan Servicing Strategy and GMIS update:
a)
i) the
proposed refinements to the servicing strategy for Greenway PCP to allow for
servicing of the “Interim Developable Lands” included in the Southwest
Planning Area until such time as the ultimate wastewater servicing solution
is evaluated BE SUPPORTED, noting that the final Scenario for the
Interim Development Lands be confirmed through the on-going Southwest Area
Plan planning process;
ii) the requirement for 75% build-out of the lands designated low
density residential within the “Interim Developable Lands” of the Southwest
Secondary Plan Area BE ENDORSED as the trigger a Municipal Class
Environmental Assessment for the ultimate wastewater servicing solution and
staging of development for the build-out of the remaining lands in the
Southwest Secondary Planning Area, and considered in the context of Citywide
development;
b) staff
BE DIRECTED to prepare a proposed Official Plan amendment, which is to
be circulated to the Public and brought forward to a future Public Meeting
to:
• account
for existing Lambeth in the servicing hierarchy;
• identify
a strategy for staging of development within the “Interim developable Lands”
servicing area of the Southwest Area Secondary Plan; and
• establish
a trigger, as identified in Clause a(ii) above, for the ultimate wastewater
servicing solution and required Environmental Assessment to accommodate the
servicing for the full build-out of lands in the Southwest Secondary Plan
Area; and
c)
the
proposed “Interim Developable Lands” servicing strategy, identified in the
enclosed report as Scenario B, BE CONFIRMED through the on-going
Southwest Area Plan consultation process, as follows:
• full
build out of Wonderland Corridor, starting from the existing commercial lands
south of Southdale Road and progressing southerly to Dingman Drive;
• a
sanitary pump station to service the lands within the northern part of the
corridor;
• a
permanent trunk sanitary sewer in coordination with the widening of Wonderland
Road south of Wharncilffe Road to the pump station at Dingman Drive;
• full
buildout of the Central Longwoods community, including all permanent
servicing;
• a
trigger for the “Ultimate Developable Lands” upon 75% of buildout of the
“Interim Developable Lands”; includes Municipal Class EA to determine
wastewater servicing solution;
• adoption
of the projects and staging within Scenario B to be reflected within the 2014
DC Study Update, with timing to be determined in that study.
it being noted that the Strategic
Priorities and Policy Committee heard the attached presentation from
the Director of Planning and City Planner, the Director of Development
Finance, the Manager of Land Use Planning Policy and the Manager of
Development Finance with respect to this matter.
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Motion
Passed
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Recommendation: That the following
actions be taken with respect to the 3rd Report of the Services Review
Committee, from its meeting held on April 4, 2012:
a) the
following actions be taken with respect to results based accountability, the
Business Planning Process for 2012 and the work of the Services Review
Committee (SRC):
i) on
the recommendation of the City Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer, the
Business Plan review process, as outlined in the report dated April 4, 2012, BE
ENDORSED; it being noted that the SRC received the attached
presentation with respect to this matter;
ii) the
City Clerk BE DIRECTED to incorporate the following into the report
currently being drafted related to the mandate and terms of reference for the
SRC:
A) the
necessary changes to reflect the role of the SRC as a part of the municipal
budget process, such that the annual budget target will act as the guide for
the work of the SRC; and,
B) notwithstanding
the current governance structure, the SRC report directly to Council and not
through a Standing Committee;
iii) the
following general guiding principles BE ADOPTED:
A) City
Council to set multi-year budget targets;
B) the
above-noted targets be multi-faceted, including targets for investment,
reserve funds, etc.;
C) budget
targets to be established prior to Summer to direct all of the related
processes;
D) status
reports to be provided annually, in early Spring, with respect to the current
budget context and to include consultation with the City’s Boards and
Commissions; and,
iv) a
revised public consultation and engagement strategy, related to the budget
process, BE ESTABLISHED; and
b) clauses 2, 3 and 5 BE RECEIVED.
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Motion
Passed
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Recommendation: That consideration of the
report from the City Clerk, concurred by the City Treasurer, Chief Financial
Officer, as to what amendments, if any, the Municipal Council wishes to make
to the terms of reference for the Services Review Committee, BE REFERRED to
the next meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee.
Motion Passed
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Recommendation:
a) That
the resignation of Jan Lubell from the London Public Library Board of Trustees
BE RECEIVED and that Ms. Lubell BE THANKED for her
contributions to the work of the London Public Library Board; and
b) That
German Gutierrez BE APPOINTED to the London Public Library Board of Trustees.
Voting
Record:
a)
Motion
Passed
b)
Motion
Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, D.G.
Henderson, B. Polhill, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J.
Armstrong (8)
NAYS: N. Branscombe, S. Orser, J.L.
Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert (5)
That
Stuart Clark BE APPOINTED to the London Public Library Board of
Trustees.
Motion Failed
YEAS: N. Branscombe, S. Orser, J.L.
Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert (5)
NAYS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, D.G.
Henderson, B. Polhill, P. Van Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher, W.J.
Armstrong (8)
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Recommendation: That the communication
dated March 28, 2012, from the Chair of the Middlesex-London Board of Health
regarding the 2012 estimated Board of Health Expenditures, and the related
Council resolution from its meeting held on March 20 and 21, 2012 BE
RECEIVED.
Motion Passed
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Councillor Branscombe enquired if the
Province being put “on notice” that its credit rating may be downgraded would
affect municipalities. The City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer indicated
that he has been in touch with Moody's regarding the situation and has been
advised that municipalities would not be affected by the situation. Rather
there is more concern at the municipal level with respect to with bond
markets (Spain and Greece) and debt markets, which could create difficulties
in issuing debt and a higher cost to do so.
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C-1. Recommendation: That the
confidential report from the City Solicitor regarding a matter pertaining to
litigation or potential litigation with respect to funding related to local
boards or commissions and advice that is subject to solicitor-client
privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose, and for the purpose
of providing instructions and directions to officers and employees of the
Corporation BE RECEIVED.
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Voting Record:
Motion Passed
YEAS: J.F. Fontana, J.B. Swan, N.
Branscombe, D.G. Henderson, J.L. Baechler, M. Brown, P. Hubert, P. Van
Meerbergen, D. Brown, H.L. Usher (10)
NAYS: B. Polhill (1)
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The
meeting adjourned at 10:49 PM.