Corporate Services Committee

Report

3rd Meeting of the Corporate Services Committee

Monday, January 31, 2022 at 12:00 P.m. - 1:00 P.m.

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:

• Councillors S. Lewis (Chair),
• M. Cassidy,
• J. Morgan,
• M. Hamou,
• J. Fyfe-Millar,
• and Mayor E. Holder

ALSO PRESENT:

• S. Corman, M. Schulthess, K. Van Lammeren

  Remote Attendance: Councillors E. Peloza, and S. Hillier; L. Livingstone, A. Barbon, G. Belch, B. Card, I. Collins, J. Dann, J. Davison, J. Freeman, O. Katolyk, K. Scherr, G. Smith, B. Warner, J. Wills.

  The meeting is called to order at 12:00 PM; it being noted that the following members attended remotely: Mayor E. Holder, Councillors M. Cassidy, M. Hamou, and J. Morgan.

   

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1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

2.

Consent

• Moved by: E. Holder
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That Items 2.1, 2.3, and 2.4 BE APPROVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (6)

  M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, E. Holder, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (6 to 0)

2.1

Banking Services By-laws – Amendments Due to Appointment of New City Clerk

• Moved by: E. Holder
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to various By-Law amendments to implement organizational changes:
  
  a)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated January 31, 2022 as Appendix “A”, being “A by-law to amend By-Law A.-7955-83, entitled “A by-law to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the Resolution Regarding Banking and the Master Client Agreement for Business Client Authorization and any contract or document with the Royal Bank relating to the Ontario Works Royal Bank of Canada Right Pay Reloadable Payment Card Program and to authorize the signing of cheques and the withdrawal or transfer of funds” to reflect the current organizational structure”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on February 15, 2022; and,

  b)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated January 31, 2022 as Appendix “B", being “A by-law to amend By-Law A.-8047-15, entitled “A by-law to approve an Amending Agreement between the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Corporation of the City of London”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on February 15, 2022.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.2

Considerations and Viability to Implement a Vacant Home Tax in London

• Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the consideration to implement a vacant home tax in London:
  
  a)    the staff report dated January 31, 2022, “Considerations and Viability to Implement a Vacant Home Tax in London BE RECEIVED for information;
  
  b)    at this time, the Civic Administration TAKE NO ACTION; and,
  
  c)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to continue to monitor implementation, execution, and experience of other Ontario municipalities of this tax;
  
  it being noted that the Corporate Services Committee received a communication dated January 27, 2022 from M. Laliberte, Staff Lawyer, Neighbourhood Legal Services and J. Thompson, Executive Director, LIFE*SPIN with respect to this matter.

  
  
  
  
  
• Amendment:
  Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: S. Lewis

  That b) be amended as follows:

  
  b) That Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to begin a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consultant services to prepare a feasibility study and public benefit review on a Vacant Home Strategy including but not limited to the implementation of a Vacant Home Tax and report back to a future meeting of Corporate Services Committee; 

  
  

  Yeas: (4)	M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, and J. Fyfe-Millar
  Nays: (2)	E. Holder, and M. Hamou

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (4 to 2)
• Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the consideration to implement a vacant home tax in London:

  
  a) The staff report dated January 31, 2022, “Considerations and Viability to Implement a Vacant Home Tax in London BE RECEIVED for information;

  
  
  b) That Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to begin a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consultant services to prepare a feasibility study and public benefit review on a Vacant Home Strategy including but not limited to the implementation of a Vacant Home Tax and report back to a future meeting of Corporate Services Committee; 
  
  

  
  c) That Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to continue to monitor implementation, execution, and experience of other Ontario municipalities of this tax.

  
  

  Yeas: (4)	M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, and J. Fyfe-Millar
  Nays: (2)	E. Holder, and M. Hamou

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (4 to 2)

2.3

Procurement of Goods and Services Policy Revisions Resulting from the Pandemic and Current Business-Related Needs

• Moved by: E. Holder
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report dated January 31, 2022, being a By-Law to amend By-Law No. A.-6151-17, and the revised page included in the added agenda, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on February 15, 2022, to revise Schedule “C” to By-Law No. A.-6151-17 being the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy, where the following amendments are being recommended; 
  
  a)     increase the dollar limit from $3,000,000 to $6,000,000 for Administrative Awarded Tenders that do not have an irregular result as per Section 13.2 in the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; and,
   
  b)       make minor “housekeeping” revisions necessary in Section 4.6 related to contract amendments, and Sections 19.5 and 19.6 related to organizational titles.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

2.4

Assessment Growth for 2022, Changes in Taxable Phase-In Values, and Shifts in Taxation as a Result of Reassessment

• Moved by: E. Holder
  Seconded by: J. Fyfe-Millar

  That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the staff report regarding Assessment Growth for 2022, Changes in Taxable Phase-In Values, and Shifts in Taxation as a result of Reassessment BE RECEIVED for information purposes.

  
  
  
  
  Motion Passed

3.

Scheduled Items

None.

4.

Items for Direction

4.1

Application - Issuance of Proclamation - Parental Alienation Awareness Day

• Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: J. Morgan

  That based on the application dated January 10, 2022 from Just Another Parent, April 25, 2022 BE RECEIVED and NO ACTION be taken.

  
  

  Yeas: (4)	M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, and J. Fyfe-Millar
  Nays: (1)	M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (4 to 1)
• Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: J. Morgan

  That based on the application dated January 10, 2022 from Just Another Parent, April 25, 2022 BE RECEIVED and NO ACTION be taken.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)	M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 0)
• Moved by: M. Cassidy
  Seconded by: J. Morgan

  That pursuant to section 35.8 of the Council Procedure By-law that item 4.1 BE RECONSIDERED.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)	M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 0)

5.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

5.1

Corporate Services Committee Deferred Matters List

• Moved by: J. Fyfe-Millar
  Seconded by: M. Cassidy

  That the Corporate Services Committee Deferred Matters List as of January 24, 2022 BE RECEIVED.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)	M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 0)

6.

Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)

• Moved by: J. Fyfe-Millar
  Seconded by: M. Hamou

  That the Corporate Services Committee convene, In Closed Session, with respect to the following matters:
  
  6.1. Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice / Litigation/Potential Litigation
  
  A matter pertaining to advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege,
  including communications necessary for that purpose, in connection with
  the purchase of property and settlement of all potential claims located at
  220 Wellington Road South, London; potential litigation with respect to
  claims by A Team London Inc. in respect of property located at 220
  Wellington Road South, London; and directions and instructions to
  officers and employees or agents of the municipality regarding settlement
  negotiations in connection with the potential purchase of a property
  located at 220 Wellington Road South, London.
  
  6.2. Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice
  
  A matter pertaining to advice subject to solicitor-client privilege, including
  communications necessary for that purpose, and advice with respect to
  litigation with respect to various personal injury and property damage
  claims against the City.
  
  6.3. Personal Matters/Identifiable Individual
  
  A matter pertaining to an identifiable individual; employment-related
  matters; advice or recommendations of officers and employees of the
  Corporation, including communications necessary for that purpose and
  for the purpose of providing instructions and directions to officers and
  employees of the Corporation.

  
  

  Yeas: (6)

  M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, E. Holder, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (6 to 0)

6.1

Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice / Litigation/Potential Litigation

6.2

Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice

6.3

Personal Matters/Identifiable Individual

7.

Adjournment

• Moved by: J. Fyfe-Millar
  Seconded by: J. Morgan

  That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.
  
  The meeting adjourned at 2:23 PM.

  
  

  Yeas: (5)	M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, S. Lewis, J. Fyfe-Millar, and M. Hamou
  Absent: (1)	E. Holder

  
  
  
  Motion Passed (5 to 0)