7TH REPORT OF THE
Strategic
Priorities and Policy Committee
meeting held on January
22, 2015, commencing at 4:04 PM, in the Council Chambers, Second Floor, London
City Hall.
PRESENT: Mayor M. Brown and Councillors M.
van Holst, B. Armstrong, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan,
P. Hubert, V. Ridley, S. Turner, H.L. Usher, T. Park and J. Zaifman and L. Rowe
(Secretary).
ABSENT: Councillor A. Hopkins.
ALSO PRESENT: A. Zuidema, J.P.
Barber, A.L. Barbon, J. Braam, B. Coxhead, A. Dunbar, J.M. Fleming, A. Hagan,
M. Hayward, G.T. Hopcroft, O. Katolyk, L. Livingstone, J.P. McGonigle, D.
O’Brien, L. Palarchio, J. Ramsay, C. Saunders, P. Sauro, J. Senese and S.
Spring.
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Recommendation: That it BE NOTED that the
following pecuniary interests were disclosed:
a)
Councillor
P. Hubert disclosed a pecuniary interest in any matters pertaining to Ontario
Works as he is the Executive Director of a social services agency that has a
contract with Ontario Works. Councillor P. Hubert further discloses a
pecuniary interest in all matters pertaining to the Employment Sector Council
London Middlesex and the London Middlesex Immigrant Employment Council by
indicating that he is the Executive Director of a social services agency that
does work with these organizations. Councillor P. Hubert also discloses a
pecuniary interest in those matters pertaining to the London Downtown
Business Association (LDBA) as he is the President of a cleaning company that
does work for the LDBA.
b)
Councillor
T. Park discloses a pecuniary interest in those matters pertaining to Item
2k) and 4 with respect to the Palace Theatre as she is a part-time manager of
the London Community Players.
c)
Councillor
J. Helmer discloses a pecuniary interest in those matters related to the
London Youth Advisory Council by indicating that this organization is a
client of his company.
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None.
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Recommendation: That the presentations
from the 2015 Budget Public Participation Meeting #1 BE RECEIVED for
consideration by the Municipal Council as part of its 2015 Budget approval
process; it being noted that the Members of Council expressed their
appreciation for the efforts of the participants in bringing their requests
and comments to the attention of the Municipal Council;
it being pointed out that at the public
participation meeting associated with this matter, the individuals indicated
on the attached public participation meeting record made oral
submissions in connection therewith.
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Voting
Record:
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Motion to approve the closing of the public
participation meeting:
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Motion Passed
YEAS: M. Brown, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J.
Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, P. Hubert, V. Ridley, S. Turner, H.L.
Usher, T. Park, J. Zaifman (13)
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Motion to approve that the presentations
from the 2015 Budget Public Participation Meeting #1 BE RECEIVED for
consideration, excluding part k), by the Municipal Council as part of its
2015 Budget approval process; it being noted that the Members of Council
expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the participants in bringing
their requests and comments to the attention of the Municipal Council.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: M. Brown, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J.
Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, P. Hubert, V. Ridley, S. Turner,
H.L. Usher, T. Park, J. Zaifman (13)
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Motion to approve that the presentations
from the 2015 Budget Public Participation Meeting #1 regarding part k) BE
RECEIVED for consideration by the Municipal Council as part of its 2015
Budget approval process; it being noted that the Members of Council expressed
their appreciation for the efforts of the participants in bringing their
requests and comments to the attention of the Municipal Council.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: M. Brown, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J.
Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, P. Hubert, V. Ridley, S. Turner,
H.L. Usher, J. Zaifman (12)
RECUSED: T. Park (1)
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Recommendation: That the communication
dated December 12, 2014, from G. Macartney, CEO, London Chamber of Commerce,
offering the London Chamber of Commerce Board’s observations and
recommendations regarding the 2015 Budget BE RECEIVED.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: M. Brown, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J.
Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, P. Hubert, V. Ridley, S. Turner,
H.L. Usher, T. Park, J. Zaifman (13)
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Recommendation: That the communication
from F. Coates, General Manager, Palace Theatre, requesting advice or
assistance regarding the 2015 Budget BE RECEIVED.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: M. Brown, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J.
Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, P. Hubert, V. Ridley, S. Turner,
H.L. Usher, J. Zaifman (12)
RECUSED: T. Park (1)
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Recommendation: That, on the
recommendation of the Director, Financial Planning and Policy, the staff
report dated January 22, 2015 regarding 2015 Budget public input BE RECEIVED
for information.
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Motion Passed
YEAS: M. Brown, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J.
Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, P. Hubert, V. Ridley, S. Turner,
H.L. Usher, T. Park, J. Zaifman (13)
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The
meeting adjourned at 7:10 PM.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION MEETING COMMENTS
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2.
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2015
Budget – Public Participation
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·
David Billson,
Board Chair and Dr. Helene Berman, Professor and Associate Dean, Faculty of
Health Sciences – providing the attached presentation in support of funding for
renovation of Pillar Non-Profit Network’s space to accommodate a Social
Innovation Shared Space.
·
Deeq Abdi and
Raban Anand, African Community Council – providing the attached presentation in
support of funding not for the African Community Council, but for the London
Newcomer Employment Initiative, which is hoped to be able to positively affect
500 people and secure 100 jobs; indicating that he will be more successful than
other organizations with a similar employment mandate as he is more practical
and action-oriented and knows where jobs can be created; noting that
individuals and organizations who receive City funding should be held
accountable; noting the funding request from the City will cover 100 jobs, but
they will also be seeking provincial and federal funding to expand their
program.
·
Diane Szoller,
Chair, Advisory Committee on the Environment – reiterating the submission
appended as part 2c) of the Added Agenda regarding the funding of initiatives
to protect the environment.
·
Jeff Schlemmer,
Executive Director, Neighbourhood Legal Services – reiterating the submission
appended as part 2d) of the Agenda, asking the City of London to allocate
additional funds to the Community Homeless Prevention Initiative and to make
ending homelessness a priority in its Strategic Plan.
·
Sean Quigley,
Executive Director, Emerging Leaders London Community Network – providing the
attached presentation and reiterating the request for funding to ensure the
continuance of Emerging Leaders, as outlined in the submission appended as 2e)
to the Added Agenda; noting that at the present time the City funds 70% of its
annual operating budget and that Emerging Leaders would not be able to continue
past April without receipt of the funding it is seeking from the City of
London; also noting that Emerging Leaders has received legal advice it would
not be able to obtain charitable status, but it is attempting to secure fee for
service work.
·
Tom Partales,
London Optimist Sports Centre (BMO Centre) – thanking the Committee for the
opportunity to present; noting that it is a not-for-profit volunteer
organization that operates the BMO Centre; stating that the lease held by the
City for the Soccer Dome at 6 Cuddy Boulevard is slated to end and the demand
for use of the BMO Centre is such that it won’t be possible to absorb the programs
currently running at the Soccer Dome; emphasizing the benefit to the
neighbourhood and the community as a result of the BMO Centre; indicating that
the BMO Centre operates 7 days a week, starting early in the morning and
running well into the night, serving 5000 athletes, seniors, the cultural
community and not-for-profit groups, as well as offering subsidized programs to
ensure affordability; noting the Centre draws visitors from all over
Southwestern Ontario, with 210 teams participating in a recent tournament;
pointing out that the BMO Centre currently pays $70,000 in annual property
taxes and expects to pay approximately $110,000 in annual property taxes if the
requested one-time funding of $750,000 was obtained to allow for the expansion
of the facility; indicating that there would be about 70 to 80 temporary jobs
generated for the construction of the expansion and that the expansion has the
potential for creating up to five permanent jobs.
·
Dean Sheppard,
Executive Director, ReForest London – providing the attached submission in
support of the urgent need for funding London’s Urban Forest Management
Strategy.
·
Gus Kotsiomitis,
Chair and Jennifer Hollis, Project Manager, London Middlesex Immigrant
Employment Council (LMIEC) making the attached presentation in support of a
flat annual funding amount of $54,025, requiring an additional prorated amount
of $18,009 to bring 2015 funding up to that level; it being noted that the
Committee was also provided with an information brochure regarding the services
of the LMIEC, a copy of which is available for viewing in the City Clerk’s
Office; and indicating that they also draw upon provincial and federal funding
but need additional support from the City to address a funding gap and would
like to move to the City’s Strategic Funding Framework so as to ensure ongoing
funding.
·
Wilma de Rond,
Chair and Carol Stewart, Project Manager, Employment Sector Council London
Middlesex – presenting the information included as 2i) on the Added Agenda and
also providing the attached further information in support of its request to be
included in the City of London’s Strategic Funding Framework in order to ensure
sustainable funding.
·
Janette MacDonald,
CEO and General Manager, Downtown London – requesting that the funding that was
deferred to 2016 for a flexible Dundas Street be moved back to 2015 as the
project will create event space and will reap “hard core” economic development
in the Downtown; and noting that it is important to ensure businesses on Dundas
Street are disturbed as little as possible.
·
Kathleen Sykora,
representing Barry Tepperman, Palace Theatre – reiterating the information
contained in Communication No. 4 on the Agenda; requesting funding for capital
projects to ensure their building is properly maintained and repaired,
particularly where auditorium walls are deteriorating due to structural issues
caused by the style of the roof; stating that the Palace Theatre does not have
a history of requesting funding from the City of London, rather they have
managed through funding from a Trillium Grant, donations and ticket sales.
·
Jack Blokker,
Conservation Action Committee of Nature London – making the attached
presentation in support of a greater financial commitment to protect and
enhance London’s natural heritage.
·
William Pol,
Chair, Cycling Advisory Committee (CAC) – reiterating the submission included
as part 2m) of the Added Agenda which sought the reallocation of some funding
to allow all-season access to the Thames Valley Parkway and for on-road bike
lanes, which would in turn increase year-round usability, while pointing out
that an analysis of the exact dollar amount has not been undertaken; noting
that the CAC represents a broad cross section of cyclists; expressing
appreciation for the support of the Civic Administration, the London Transit
Commission, the London Police Service and the Middlesex-London Health Unit as
it relates to cycling; and indicating that he is looking forward to all Council
Members joining the CAC for a bike ride.
·
Ray Wood, Local
Resident – indicating he is speaking once again on behalf of seniors who are
homeowners and cannot afford any more increases in property taxes or hydro and
water charges; noting that the Mayor had asked staff to assist however they
could last year, but all they did was advise him on affordable housing;
stressing there are a lot of people in the same position as he is and that help
does not simply mean saying someone is sorry; asking for a program to be put in
place to assist people in his position; and noting that many others come asking
for grants and that he thinks that sometimes those grants are abused.
·
Carmen Reis and
Rachelle Coleman, Northwest London Resource Centre (NWLRC) – making the
attached presentation in support of the request for funding for the Northwest
London Resource Centre.
·
Gary Brown, London
Resident – indicating he is not speaking on behalf of the Cycling Advisory
Committee; stating that he has concerns with the bike lane from Upper Queen
Street not being completed at Commissioners Road, staff comments that they have
not even considered protected bike lanes and that it would be too expensive to
complete the bike lanes on Commissioners Road; requesting that a complete and
safe bike route be completed so cyclists remain safe at Upper Queen Street and
Commissioners Road; asking that sidewalks be cleared for seniors and that
funding be provided for implementing the City’s Urban Forest Strategy.
·
Vicki Van Linden,
Resident – asking that the Police Budget not be increased above inflation;
noting that year after year the London Police Service has threatened layoffs so
if better paid means fewer officers, we need to figure out how we can make that
work; suggesting that perhaps some Police work could be moved to City staff
who are not governed by the arbitration process; noting that there are a number
of areas that have “quasi Police” powers; enquiring how the Housing First
initiative ties in; and sharing her experience with a local homeless individual
who was told to “move along” by Police, but Police wouldn’t have to do this if
he had a home to live in.
·
J.P., Limberlost
Resident – indicating he would like to see more children’s programming in the
neighbourhood.