Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Report

14th Meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee
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Council Chambers - Please check the City website for additional meeting detail information. Meetings can be viewed via live-streaming on YouTube and the City Website.
The City of London is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek (AUh-nish-in-ah-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ah-pay-wuk) and Attawandaron (Add-a-won-da-run).
We honour and respect the history, languages and culture of the diverse Indigenous people who call this territory home. The City of London is currently home to many First Nations, Métis and Inuit today.
As representatives of the people of the City of London, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and live in this territory.
PRESENT:
  • Mayor J. Morgan (Chair), 
  • Councillors H. McAlister, 
  • S. Lewis, 
  • P. Cuddy, 
  • S. Stevenson, 
  • J. Pribil, 
  • S. Trosow, 
  • C. Rahman, 
  • S. Lehman, 
  • A. Hopkins, 
  • P. Van Meerbergen, 
  • S. Franke, 
  • E. Peloza, 
  • D. Ferreira, 
  • and S. Hillier 
ALSO PRESENT:
  • A. Barbon, K. Dickins, H. McNeely, K. Murray, K. Scherr, C. Smith, J. Taylor, B. Westlake-Power, P. Yeoman

    Remote Attendance:  L. Livingstone, M. Butlin, L. Marshall, M. Schulthess

    The meeting is called to order at 4:00 PM; it being noted that Councillors P. Van Meerbergen and S. Hillier were in remote attendance.

     

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:P. Cuddy

    That Consent Items 2.1 to 2.3, inclusive, BE APPROVED.


    Yeas: (15)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman


    Motion Passed (15 to 0)
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:P. Cuddy

    That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Social and Health Development, that the Update - Whole of Community System Response Implementation Report BE RECEIVED for information purposes only.




    Motion Passed
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:P. Cuddy

    That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports and the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development, the report, entitled “Operational and Community Implications of the More Homes, Built Faster Act, 2022 (formerly known as Bill 23)” BE RECEIVED for information.    




    Motion Passed
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:P. Cuddy

    That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports and the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development, the following actions be taken with respect to the More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022

    a)    the report, entitled “Financial Implications of the More Homes, Built Faster Act, 2022 (formerly known as Bill 23)” BE RECEIVED for information;

    b)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to monitor Development Charges exemptions and discounts arising from the More Homes Act and identify interim funding sources to address 2023 costs as required;

    c)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to incorporate direct and indirect costs associated with the More Homes Act in the 2024 – 2027 Multi-Year Budget; 

    d)    the deferred completion of the 2025 Development Charges Background Study BE ENDORSED, with a revised planned effective date of January 1, 2028 for the Development Charges By-law; and,

    e)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to update cost estimates for Development Charges-funded growth projects to be incorporated into the 2024 – 2027 Multi-Year Budget;

    it being noted that the Civic Administration will continue to assess the health of the Development Charges reserve funds through annual monitoring, with any concerns being addressed through the Growth Management Implementation Strategy (GMIS) Update (completed during the first half of each year) and/or an earlier update of the Development Charges By-law.




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

    That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget:

    a)    the Multi-Year Budget Policy, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as Appendix "B" BE RECEIVED for information;
     
    b)    the Civic Administration BE ADVISED of the Council desire for Civic Administration to bring forward a draft 2024 to 2027 Multi-year budget with an average annual tax levy increase in the range of approximately 2.9% – 3.9% as identified to maintain existing service levels as well as additional investments of an additional 0.5% in funding for additional investment, for planning purposes; 

    c)    the Civic service areas and the City’s agencies, boards and commissions BE REQUESTED to develop their 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budgets in accordance with the direction provided by Council and the associated planning assumptions outlined in the City’s budget guidelines document;

    d)    the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget timetable, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as Appendix "C", BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that the tabling of the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget is planned for December 12, 2023 at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee;

    e)    the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as Appendix "D" BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 25, 2023 to formalize the budget submission deadlines and requirements for the City’s agencies, boards and commissions; and,

    f)    the preliminary public engagement plan, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as  Appendix "E" for the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget BE ENDORSED; it being noted that this public engagement plan has been incorporated into the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget timetable noted above.



    Motion Passed

    Voting Record:


  • Moved by:C. Rahman
    Seconded by:S. Lewis

    That the SPPC recess at 6:13 PM, for 20 minutes.  



    Motion Passed

    The Strategic Priorities and Policy recesses at 6:13 PM, and resumes at 6:39 PM. 


  • The following motion is withdrawn, in accordance with section 33.4 of the Council Procedure By-law, with the joint consent of the mover and the seconder and with the permission of the standing committee. 

    Moved by:D. Ferreira
    Seconded by:S. Franke

    That part b) of the motion BE AMENDED to read:

    “b)  the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to bring forward a draft 2024 to 2027 Multi-year budget with a maximum annual tax levy increase of 4.9%, for planning purposes;




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

    That part b) BE AMENDED to read as follows:

    b)  the Civic Administration BE ADVISED of the Council desire for Civic Administration to bring forward a draft 2024 to 2027 Multi-year budget with an average annual tax levy increase in the range of approximately 2.9% – 3.9% as identified to maintain existing service levels as well as additional investments of an additional 0.5% in funding for additional investment, for planning purposes; 


    Yeas: (12)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Franke, and C. Rahman
    Nays: (3)E. Peloza, S. Trosow, and D. Ferreira


    Motion Passed (12 to 3)
  • Moved by:P. Cuddy
    Seconded by:A. Hopkins

    The motion, as amended, BE APPROVED, as follows: 

    That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget:

    a)    the Multi-Year Budget Policy, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as Appendix "B" BE RECEIVED for information;
     
    b)    the Civic Administration BE ADVISED of the Council desire for Civic Administration to bring forward a draft 2024 to 2027 Multi-year budget with an average annual tax levy increase in the range of approximately 2.9% – 3.9% as identified to maintain existing service levels as well as additional investments of an additional 0.5% in funding for additional investment, for planning purposes; 

    c)    the Civic service areas and the City’s agencies, boards and commissions BE REQUESTED to develop their 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budgets in accordance with the direction provided by Council and the associated planning assumptions outlined in the City’s budget guidelines document;

    d)    the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget timetable, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as Appendix "C", BE RECEIVED for information; it being noted that the tabling of the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget is planned for December 12, 2023 at the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee;

    e)    the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as Appendix "D" BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 25, 2023 to formalize the budget submission deadlines and requirements for the City’s agencies, boards and commissions; and,

    f)    the preliminary public engagement plan, as appended to the staff report dated April 18, 2023 as  Appendix "E" for the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget BE ENDORSED; it being noted that this public engagement plan has been incorporated into the 2024-2027 Multi-Year Budget timetable noted above.


    Yeas: (13)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Franke, and C. Rahman
    Nays: (2)S. Trosow, and D. Ferreira


    Motion Passed (13 to 2)
  • Moved by:C. Rahman
    Seconded by:A. Hopkins

    That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for London Hydro Inc.:

    a)      the 2022 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for London Hydro Inc. BE HELD at a meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on June 20, 2023, for the purpose of receiving the report from the Board of Directors of London Hydro Inc. in accordance with the Shareholder Declaration and the Business Corporations Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. B.16; and,

    b)      the City Clerk BE DIRECTED to provide notice of the 2022 Annual Meeting to the Board of Directors for London Hydro Inc. and to invite the Chair of the Board and the Chief Executive Officer of London Hydro Inc. to attend at the Annual Meeting and present the report of the Board in accordance with the Shareholder Declaration;

    it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated April 3, 2023, from C. Graham, Chair, Board of Directors, London Hydro Inc., with respect to this matter.


    Yeas: (15)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman


    Motion Passed (15 to 0)
  • Moved by:S. Lewis
    Seconded by:H. McAlister

    That the following actions be taken with respect to the appointment consideration to a member of the London Police Services Board:

    a)  interviews BE CONDUCTED with the following individuals:

    • Michele Anderson
    • Gita Canaran
    • Stephen D'Amelio
    • Ryan Gauss
    • Joseph Wabegijig

    b)   the above-noted interviews will be conducted at a special meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, at the call of the Chair; it being noted that the members will be canvassed by the City Clerk to determine an appropriate date and time for the meeting;

    it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy received communications from the following individuals regarding this matter:

    • a communication dated April 4, 2023 from Chief J. French, Chippewas of the Thames First Nation;
    • a communication dated April 3, 2023 from Chief T. Cornelius, elected Chief, Oneida Nation of the Thames; and,
    • a communication dated April 17, 2023 from V. Van Linden

    it being further noted that training opportunities available to the members will be provided in advance of the interviews.  


    Yeas: (15)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman


    Motion Passed (15 to 0)

    Additional votes:


  • Election:

    Consideration of appointment to the London Police Services Board


    Susan Abdula(0.00 %):None
    Omar Al Atawneh(0.00 %):None
    David Alexander(0.00 %):None
    Juman Al Jumaili(1.37 %):S. Hillier
    Michele Anderson(9.59 %):A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Trosow, S. Franke, and D. Ferreira
    Andrew Angus(0.00 %):None
    Scott Blandford(0.00 %):None
    Jay Bower(0.00 %):None
    Larry Brackenbury(0.00 %):None
    Gani Braimoh(8.22 %):A. Hopkins, E. Peloza, H. McAlister, S. Trosow, S. Franke, and C. Rahman
    George Brock(0.00 %):None
    Gita Canaran(15.07 %):S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Franke, and C. Rahman
    Shiv Chokhani(0.00 %):None
    George Compton(0.00 %):None
    Stephen D Amelio(10.96 %):J. Morgan, S. Lewis, S. Lehman, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, S. Trosow, S. Franke, and C. Rahman
    Sara De Candido(0.00 %):None
    Sarvarinder Dohil(0.00 %):None
    Marwan El Nashar(0.00 %):None
    Douglas Fleming(1.37 %):E. Peloza
    Marc Fraser(0.00 %):None
    Ryan Gauss(13.70 %):J. Morgan, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
    Harnoor Gill(0.00 %):None
    Prabh Gill(6.85 %):S. Lewis, S. Hillier, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, and J. Pribil
    Harold Scott Ginn(1.37 %):S. Stevenson
    Wendy Charlene Goldsmith(0.00 %):None
    German A. Gutierrez Sanin(1.37 %):D. Ferreira
    Zeba Hashmi(8.22 %):J. Morgan, E. Peloza, S. Lehman, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, and J. Pribil
    Muhammad Hamoody Hassan(1.37 %):H. McAlister
    Barbara Jovanovic(0.00 %):None
    Pongo Komi(0.00 %):None
    Gurram Lakshmi Sai(0.00 %):None
    John Lisowski(0.00 %):None
    Rui Min(0.00 %):None
    Daniel Moran(0.00 %):None
    Syed Najam Naqvi(0.00 %):None
    Elie Ngoy(0.00 %):None
    Odunayo Olalere(0.00 %):None
    Kevin Pera(0.00 %):None
    Jacqueline Petricca(0.00 %):None
    Zebrina Petrie(0.00 %):None
    Marshall Phinney(0.00 %):None
    Avdija Ramic(0.00 %):None
    Dylan Rennie(0.00 %):None
    Antonio Santiago(0.00 %):None
    Shaweta Sharma(0.00 %):None
    Amanda Smith(1.37 %):A. Hopkins
    Brad Stokkermans(0.00 %):None
    David Terner(0.00 %):None
    Kiowna Tremblay(0.00 %):None
    Joseph Wabegijig(13.70 %):J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, H. McAlister, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
    Tom Whitworth(0.00 %):None
    Winston Williams(4.11 %):J. Morgan, S. Trosow, and D. Ferreira
    Becky Williamson(0.00 %):None
    Tatiana Zdyb(1.37 %):A. Hopkins
    Abstain(0.00 %):P. Van Meerbergen
    Conflict (0):None
    Absent (0):None


    Majority Winner: Gita Canaran; Joseph Wabegijig; Ryan Gauss; Stephen D Amelio; Michele Anderson
  • Moved by:C. Rahman
    Seconded by:S. Lewis

    That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to take the following actions be taken with respect to the communications dated April 11, 2023, from the Chair of the London Hydro Board, related to Board recruitment and appointment process, and the impending Board vacancies:

    a)     the impending London Hydro Board vacancies, as outlined in the above-noted communication, BE ADVERTISED using the most recent approach of a broader recruitment process, as appropriate; it being noted that applications will be considered by the Municipal Council, as the Shareholder, at the Annual General Meeting; 

    b)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to provide to the London Hydro Corporate Governance and Risk Management Committee the applications received in the recruitment process, noted above in part a),  for review and consideration (which may include interviews conducted by London Hydro) with a recommendation to be submitted to the Shareholder for consideration of appointments at the Annual General Meeting; and

    c)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to take the necessary steps in order to provide for a future amendment to the Shareholder Agreement to formalize the above-noted new process.


    Yeas: (14)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
    Nays: (1)S. Trosow


    Motion Passed (14 to 1)
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:S. Lewis

    That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to call the first meeting of the Governance Working Group no later than May 18, 2023 and the following matters BE REFERRED to the Governance Working Group for discussion and for potential recommendation(s) back to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee:

    a)    discussion related to the management of In Camera items at the Municipal Council meetings; it being noted that the current practice requires that the Council Chambers be vacated by the public immediately following the Call to Order of the Council meeting;

    b)    discussion with respect to potential changes and/or clarification of the Council Members’ Expense Account Policy, specifically related (but not necessarily limited) to permitting a Councillor to host community engagement and/or community building events that include recreational and/or social components at City-owned and operated facilities and other civic spaces;

    c)    consideration of the development of new Council policies related to:

    i)    participation requirements for individual Council members related to the City’s Agencies, Boards and Commissions, and compensation incentives for ‘uneven’ workloads and standing committee participation expectations by individual Council members, including a requirement that members rank all committees in terms of preference; it being noted that any associated change may require an update to the Selection Process Policy for Appointing Members to Committees, Civic Boards and Commissions;

    ii)    establishment of an appointment of Budget Chair Policy that would include a recommended additional stipend for the role;

    iii)    establishment a new Council Policy related to formalization of a training and onboarding process for new Councillors at the beginning of the term; 

    d)    consideration of revisions to the following existing Council policies:

    i)    the Appointment of Deputy Mayor Policy to add formality to certain job duties for the position and to consider additional compensation (or stipend) for the position of the Deputy Mayor;

    ii)    the Remuneration for Elected Officials and Appointed Citizen Members Policy, to provide for the establishment of a new full-time compensation model for Councillors, for the start of the 2026 Municipal Council term, as well as a draft terms of reference for an independent task force to review and consult with the public with respect to same; it being noted that this may require additional revisions to associated Council Policies, such as Discussion of Remuneration for Elected Officials and Individuals Appointed by City Council to serve on its Committee or a Local Agency, Board or Commission Policy;

    e)    undertake a review of the appointment process for Boards, Agencies, and Commissions, with regard to the filling of vacancies during a council term including but not limited to:

    i)    the potential for ABCs to review and identify recommended candidates based on their skill needs;

    ii)    providing an evaluation matrix tool to assist Councillors in reviewing applications; and,

    iii)    consideration of an interview process.



    Motion Passed

    Voting Record:


  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:S. Lewis

    Motion to approve parts a) and b):

    That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to call the first meeting of the Governance Working Group no later than May 18, 2023 and the following matters BE REFERRED to the Governance Working Group for discussion and for potential recommendation(s) back to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee:

    a)    discussion related to the management of In Camera items at the Municipal Council meetings; it being noted that the current practice requires that the Council Chambers be vacated by the public immediately following the Call to Order of the Council meeting;

    b)    discussion with respect to potential changes and/or clarification of the Council Members’ Expense Account Policy, specifically related (but not necessarily limited) to permitting a Councillor to host community engagement and/or community building events that include recreational and/or social components at City-owned and operated facilities and other civic spaces;


    Yeas: (15)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman


    Motion Passed (15 to 0)
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:S. Lewis

    Motion to approve parts c), d) and e)

    That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to call the first meeting of the Governance Working Group no later than May 18, 2023 and the following matters BE REFERRED to the Governance Working Group for discussion and for potential recommendation(s) back to the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee:

    c)    consideration of the development of new Council policies related to:

    i)    participation requirements for individual Council members related to the City’s Agencies, Boards and Commissions, and compensation incentives for ‘uneven’ workloads and standing committee participation expectations by individual Council members, including a requirement that members rank all committees in terms of preference; it being noted that any associated change may require an update to the Selection Process Policy for Appointing Members to Committees, Civic Boards and Commissions;

    ii)    establishment of an appointment of Budget Chair Policy that would include a recommended additional stipend for the role;

    iii)    establishment a new Council Policy related to formalization of a training and onboarding process for new Councillors at the beginning of the term; 

    d)    consideration of revisions to the following existing Council policies:

    i)    the Appointment of Deputy Mayor Policy to add formality to certain job duties for the position and to consider additional compensation (or stipend) for the position of the Deputy Mayor;

    ii)    the Remuneration for Elected Officials and Appointed Citizen Members Policy, to provide for the establishment of a new full-time compensation model for Councillors, for the start of the 2026 Municipal Council term, as well as a draft terms of reference for an independent task force to review and consult with the public with respect to same; it being noted that this may require additional revisions to associated Council Policies, such as Discussion of Remuneration for Elected Officials and Individuals Appointed by City Council to serve on its Committee or a Local Agency, Board or Commission Policy;

    e)    undertake a review of the appointment process for Boards, Agencies, and Commissions, with regard to the filling of vacancies during a council term including but not limited to:

    i)    the potential for ABCs to review and identify recommended candidates based on their skill needs;

    ii)    providing an evaluation matrix tool to assist Councillors in reviewing applications; and,


    Yeas: (14)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
    Nays: (1)P. Van Meerbergen


    Motion Passed (14 to 1)
  • Moved by:E. Peloza
    Seconded by:C. Rahman

    That the following actions be taken with respect to the 4th Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee from it's meeting held on April 13, 2023:

    a)  the creation of a sub-committee of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee (DIACAC) to review the Municipal Council's appointment process, BE APPROVED; it being noted that the intention of the sub-committee work would be to make recommendations to the Municipal Council for potential improvements to the processes of recruitment and appointments to the City's Agencies, Boards, Commissions and/or Community Advisory Committees; it being further noted that the DIACAC is committed to offering advice to the Municipal Council in relation to improving equitable and diverse representation; and,

    b)  clauses 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1 and 4.2 of the 4th Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee BE RECEIVED for information.


    Yeas: (14)J. Morgan, A. Hopkins, S. Lewis, S. Hillier, E. Peloza, S. Lehman, H. McAlister, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, S. Franke, D. Ferreira, and C. Rahman
    Absent: (1)P. Van Meerbergen


    Motion Passed (14 to 0)
  • Moved by:A. Hopkins
    Seconded by:S. Franke

    That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.



    Motion Passed

    The meeting adjourned at 9:10 PM.