Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Report

5th Meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee
-
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, C. Saunders, J. Taylor, B. Westlake-Power
    Remote Attendance: L. Livingstone, A. Barbon, B. Card, K. Dickins, G. Kotsifas, J.P. McGonigle, J. Raycroft, K. Scherr, M. Schulthess, C. Smith, B. Somers, S. Stafford
    The meeting is called to order at 4:06 PM; it being noted that the following Members were in remote attendance: Councillors M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Turner, E. Peloza, A. Kayabaga and S. Hillier.

1.
Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest
 

Councillor J. Helmer discloses a pecuniary interest in Item 3.1 - City of London Service Review: Recommended Closure of River Road Golf Course, by indicating that his father is employed by the National Golf Course Owners Association, whose member fees could be affected by the decision associated with this matter. 

2.
Consent
 

None.

3.
Scheduled Items
 

3.1
Public Participation Meeting - Not to be heard before 4:05 PM - City of London Service Review: Recommended Closure of River Road Golf Course
This item has attachments. 

1.2021-02-16 Staff Report - City of London Service Review-River Road Golf.pdf
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:M. Cassidy

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

    a)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to cease golf operations at the municipally operated River Road Golf Course, effective immediately, to mitigate budget pressures on the municipal golf system;

    b)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to initiate the disposition of property process in compliance with the Municipal Council's Sale and Other Disposition of Land Policy; and,

    c)     notwithstanding the Municipal Council's Sale of Major Assets Policy, the proceeds from any partial or full disposition of River Road Golf Course lands BE ALLOCATED to the municipal golf reserve fund;

    it being pointed out that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee reviewed and received the following communications with respect to this matter:

    a communication from J. Albin;
    a communication from B. Byck;
    a communication from B. Caldwell;
    a communication from B. Campbell;
    a communication from W. Campbell;
    a communication from B. Davis;
    a communication from R. Ferris;
    a communication from C. Fieder;
    a communication from K. Graham;
    a communication from M. Graham;
    a communication from T. Johnston;
    a communication from T. Johnston;
    a communication from D. W. Kostiuk;
    a communication from T. MacDonald;
    a communication from N. Macmillan;
    a communication from M. O'Keefe;
    a communication from D. Page;
    a communication from R. Reimer;
    a communication from D. Rowdon;
    a communication from E. Sivilotti;
    a communication from L. Smith;
    a communication from J. Smythe;
    a communication from J. B. Thompson;
    a communication from J. Wagner;
    a communication from R. Wharry;
    a communication from F. York;
    a communication from J. York;
    a communication from D. W. Shin;
    a communication from R. Carruthers;
    a communication from R. Kasprzak;
    a communication from D. De Vries;
    a communication from H. and L. Marienfeldt;
    a communication from P. Jackson;
    a communication from M. Klug;
    a communication from D. Quantrill;
    a communication from J. Bracken;
    a communication from R. J. Austin;
    a communication from S. Buccella;
    a communication from R. McLarty;
    a communication from G. Buckley;
    a communication from J. Attard;
    a communication from A. Johnson;
    a communication from F. Lamontagne;
    a communication from D. McMullin;
    a communication from J. Campos;
    a communication from C. Beck;
    a communication from B. Knowles;
    a communication from F. Donovan;
    a communication from O. Rizzolo;
    a communication from V. Clark;
    a communication from J. Russell;
    a communication from A. Lobsinger; and
    a communication from P. Herbert;

    it being pointed out that at the public participation meeting associated with this matter, the following individuals made oral submissions regarding these matters:

    C. Loughry, Golf Ontario – speaking in favour of keeping River Road Golf Course operational; and offering operational alternatives for the Committee’s consideration; noting Golf Ontario’s recent work with the City of Toronto;

    A. McGuigan – speaking in favour of keeping River Road Golf Course operational as a public course; noting that demand for golf and outdoor recreation expand with the growth of the city and likely this is why the course was purchased by the City.

     

     




    Voting Record:


  • Moved by:S. Lewis
    Seconded by:S. Lehman

    Motion to open the public participation meeting.


    Yeas: (13)S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins
    Recuse: (1)J. Helmer
    Absent: (1)S. Turner


    Motion Passed (13 to 0)
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:M. van Holst

    Motion to close the public participation meeting.


    Yeas: (13)S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins
    Recuse: (1)J. Helmer
    Absent: (1)S. Turner


    Motion Passed (13 to 0)
  • Moved by:P. Van Meerbergen
    Seconded by:S. Lehman

    That the following actions be taken with respect to the River Road Golf Course:


    a)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the operation of River Road Golf Course for the 2021 season, in order to evaluate the municipal golf operations more holistically, in a “post-COVID” environment; and,

    b)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to bring back the matter of municipal golf operations to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, no later than February 2022, with additional information and data with respect to the operations in 2021;


    Yeas: (5)S. Hillier, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, M. van Holst, and A. Hopkins
    Nays: (9)S. Lewis, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, Mayor E. Holder, M. Salih, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, and S. Turner
    Absent: (1)J. Helmer


    Motion Failed (5 to 9)
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:M. Cassidy

    Motion to approve parts a) and b) of the staff recommendation:

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

    a)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to cease golf operations at the municipally operated River Road Golf Course, effective immediately, to mitigate budget pressures on the municipal golf system;

    b)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to initiate the disposition of property process in compliance with the Municipal Council's Sale and Other Disposition of Land Policy; and,


    Yeas: (9)S. Lewis, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, Mayor E. Holder, M. Salih, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, and S. Turner
    Nays: (5)S. Hillier, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, M. van Holst, and A. Hopkins
    Recuse: (1)J. Helmer


    Motion Passed (9 to 5)
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:M. Cassidy

    Motion to approve part c) of the staff recommendation:

    c)     notwithstanding the Municipal Council's approved Sale of Major Assets Policy, the proceeds from any partial or full disposition of River Road Golf Course lands BE ALLOCATED to the municipal golf reserve fund;


    Yeas: (13)S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins
    Nays: (1)S. Turner
    Recuse: (1)J. Helmer


    Motion Passed (13 to 1)
  • Moved by:S. Lewis
    Seconded by:S. Lehman

    Motion to receive the communications and verbal submissions. 


    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.
Items for Direction
 

4.1
Consideration of Appointment to the RBC Place London Board
This item has attachments. 

1.2021-02-16 Submission - RBC Place London Board.pdf
  • Moved by:S. Lehman
    Seconded by:P. Van Meerbergen

    That Garrett Vanderwyst (sustainability business), Class 2, BE REAPPOINTED to the RBC Place London Board of Directors for a two-year term ending November 15, 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)

5.
Deferred Matters/Additional Business
 

None.

6.
Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)
 

  • Moved by:A. Hopkins
    Seconded by:E. Peloza

    That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convene, In Closed Session, for the purpose of considering a matter pertaining to personal matters about identifiable individuals, labour relations or employee negotiations, including communications necessary for that purpose and, advice and recommendations of officers and employees of the Corporation, including communications necessary for that purpose and for the purpose of providing instructions and direction to officers and employees of the Corporation.


    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)

    The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convenes, In Closed Session, from 6:50 PM to 7:17 PM.


7.
Adjournment
 

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

    That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.



    Motion Passed

    The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM. 


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