Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Report

Meeting #:	13th Meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee
Date:	Monday, May 06, 2019 at 4:00 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.
Location:	Council Chambers

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. Hayward, A.L. Barbon, B. Card, B. Coxhead, S. Datars Bere, A. Dunbar, K. Edwards, M. Galczynski, C. Green, G. Kotsifas, D. MacRae, S. Mathers, J. Millson, K. Murray, B. O’Hagan, M. Ribera, C. Saunders, J. Senese, C. Smith, B. Westlake-Power, R. Wilcox and P. Yeoman.

  The meeting is called to order at 4:04 PM.

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1.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed. 

2.

Consent

2.1

TechAlliance 2019-2023 Grant

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

  That, on the recommendation of the City Manager, the by-law appended to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix A, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting of May 21, 2019 to:
  
  a)            approve a grant Agreement with the TechAlliance of Southwestern Ontario from 2019 to 2023; and
  
  b)            authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the above-noted Agreement;

  it being noted that D. Ciccarelli, Board Chair, Tech Alliance provided a verbal presentation with respect to this matter.

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner
  Nays: (1)	S. Lehman

  
  Motion Passed (14 to 1)

2.2

Small Business Centre 2019-2023 Grant

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

  That, on the recommendation of the City Manager, the by-law appended to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix A, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting of May 21, 2019 to:
  
  a)            approve a grant Agreement with the London Community Small Business Centre from 2019 to 2023; and,
  
  b)            authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Agreement.

  
  

  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)

2.3

Approval of the 2019 Development Charges By-law and Background Study

• Moved by: A. Hopkins
  Seconded by: S. Lehman

  That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Development & Compliance Services & Chief Building Official, with the concurrence of the Managing Director, Corporate Services & City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken:
  
  a)            the 2019 Development Charges Background Study BE APPROVED;
  
  b)            the proposed 2019 Development Charges By-law (appended to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix B) BE INTRODUCED at the meeting of Municipal Council to be held on May 21, 2019, to come into force and effect on August 4, 2019; it being noted that By-law C.P.-1496-244 (as amended), being the City's existing Development Charges By-law, will expire coincidental with the coming into force of the new by-law which incorporates the new Development Charge rates identified in Schedule 1 of the proposed 2019 Development Charges By-law;
  
  c)            the intention to meet the capital project needs of growth, as listed in the rate calculations contained in Appendices "B" through "M" of the 2019 Development Charges Background Study BE CONFIRMED in accordance with the Development Charges Act, it being noted that further review will be undertaken through the annual Capital Budget process;
  
  d)            in accordance with Section 5(1)5 of the Development Charges Act, it BE CONFIRMED that the Municipal Council has expressed its intention that excess capacity of the works identified in the 2019 Development Charges Background Study be paid for by Development Charges; and
  
  e)            it BE CONFIRMED that the Municipal Council has determined that no further public meeting is required pursuant to Section 12 of the Development Charges Act;

  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee heard a verbal presentation from M. Wallace, London Development Institute with respect to this matter.

  
  

  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)

  Voting Record:

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

  That the delegation request from London Development Institute BE APPROVED to be heard at this meeting.

  
  

  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)

3.

Scheduled Items

None

4.

Items for Direction

4.1

2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget

• That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget:
  
  a)            the Multi-Year Budget Policy (attached to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix A) BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that the Civic Administration is not recommending any revisions to the Policy;
  
  b)            a 2020-2023 total, average annual tax levy increase of approximately 2.7% BE ENDORSED for planning purposes; it being noted that this is intended to address costs of maintaining existing service levels (estimated to be 2.2% per year) and provide some additional funding for prioritized additional investments over the 2020-2023 period; it being further noted that the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget will determine the pace of implementation of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and that to fully implement the additional investments identified in the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan within the next four years, an average annual tax levy increase in excess of 3.2% would be required;
  
  c)            the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget timetable (attached to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix B) BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that the tabling of the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget has been set for December 9, 2019 at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee meeting;
  
  d)            the preliminary public engagement plan (attached to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix C) for the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget BE ENDORSED; it being noted that enhanced public engagement has been incorporated into the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget timetable noted above;
  
  e)            the City’s service review program, including, among others, zero-based budget reviews, asset reviews, and program reviews aimed at identifying savings in service delivery BE CONTINUED through the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget period; and,

  f)             that the matter of service reviews for specific service areas BE ADDED to a future agenda of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) in order for the SPPC to provide direction to the Civic Administration for additional reviews that may be undertaken;
  
  it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received the attached presentation from the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, with respect to this matter.

  
  

  Voting Record:

  
  
• Moved by: A. Kayabaga
  Seconded by: P. Squire

  Add a new part f) to read as follows:

  “f)           that the matter of service reviews for specific service areas BE ADDED to a future agenda of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC) in order for the SPPC to provide direction to the Civic Administration for additional reviews that may be undertaken.” 

  
  

  Yeas: (12)	S. Lewis, S. Hillier, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Cassidy, P. Squire, J. Morgan, and A. Hopkins
  Nays: (3)	M. Salih, J. Helmer, and S. Turner

  
  Motion Passed (12 to 3)
• Moved by: S. Turner
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That parts a), c), d) and e) BE APPROVED:

  “That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget:

  a)            the Multi-Year Budget Policy (attached to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix A) BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that the Civic Administration is not recommending any revisions to the policy;

  c)            the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget timetable (attached to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix B) BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that the tabling of the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget has been set for December 9, 2019 at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee meeting;

  d)            the preliminary public engagement plan (attached to the staff report dated May 6, 2019 as Appendix C) for the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget BE ENDORSED; it being noted that enhanced public engagement has been incorporated into the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget timetable noted above; and,

  e)            the City’s service review program, including, among others, zero-based budget reviews, asset reviews, and program reviews aimed at identifying savings in service delivery BE CONTINUED through the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget period.”

  
  

  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)
• Moved by: S. Turner
  Seconded by: A. Hopkins

  That part b), BE APPROVED:

  “b)            a 2020-2023 total, average annual tax levy increase of approximately 2.7% BE ENDORSED for planning purposes; it being noted that this is intended to address costs of maintaining existing service levels (estimated to be 2.2% per year) and provide some additional funding for prioritized additional investments over the 2020-2023 period; it being further noted that the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget will determine the pace of implementation of the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan and that to fully implement the additional investments identified in the 2019-2023 Strategic Plan within the next four years, an average annual tax levy increase in excess of 3.2% would be required;"

  
  

  Yeas: (12)	S. Lewis, A. Kayabaga, E. Peloza, S. Lehman, Mayor E. Holder, M. van Holst, M. Salih, J. Helmer, M. Cassidy, J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner
  Nays: (3)	S. Hillier, P. Van Meerbergen, and P. Squire

  
  Motion Passed (12 to 3)

4.2

Appointments/Affirmations of London Hydro's Board of Directors

• That the following actions be taken with respect to appointments/affirmations of London Hydro's Board of Directors:

  a)     the City Clerk BE DIRECTED to undertake the recruitment of applicants for appointment to the London Hydro Board vacancies; and,

  b)     the communication dated April 12, 2019 from G. Valente, Chair, London Hydro Board of Directors, with respect to appointments/affirmations of London Hydro's Board of Directors BE RECEIVED. 

  
  

  Voting Record:

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

  That the City Clerk BE DIRECTED to recruit for applicants for the vacancy on the London Hydro Board of Directors, created with the retirement of Mohan Mathur; it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated April 12, 2019 with respect to this matter.

  
  

  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)
• Moved by: S. Lewis
  Seconded by: A. Kayabaga

  The Clerk BE DIRECTED to undertake the recruitment of applicants for the London Hydro Board vacancies. 

  
  

  Yeas: (14)	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, A. Hopkins, and S. Turner
  Nays: (1)	J. Helmer

  
  Motion Passed (14 to 1)

5.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:50 PM.