March 25, 2014, at 12:00 PM
Present:
J.F. Fontana, J.P. Bryant, B. Polhill, J.B. Swan, H.L. Usher, L. Rowe (Secretary)
Also Present:
J.L. Baechler, S. Orser; G. Belch, J. Braam, J. Edmunds, K. Graham, A. Hagan, M. Hayward, G.T. Hopcroft, L. Livingstone, J. Logan, V. McAlea Major, D. Mounteer, K. Owen, M. Ribera, C. Saunders, J. Senese, J. Smout, J. Stanford, M. Turner, B. Warner
1. Disclosures of
Pecuniary Interest
Recommendation: That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.
2. City of London Days
- Budweiser Gardens
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the City Clerk, notwithstanding Council Policy 3(8) – Policy for City Events at Budweiser Gardens, which restricts a group from having more than two event days over a five year consecutive period, the request from the United Way London & Middlesex to host the annual United Way Campaign Launch & 3M Harvest Lunch on September 17, 2014 BE APPROVED.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
3. Elected Officials
and Appointed Citizen Members - 2014 Remuneration
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and the City Clerk, the 2014 remuneration for elected officials and appointed citizen members of local boards and commissions where stipends are paid BE ADJUSTED by 1.0% over 2013, effective, January 1, 2014, in keeping with Council Policy 5(32), which provides for the salaries and honorariums of elected officials and appointed citizen members of local boards and commissions where stipends are paid to be adjusted “…annually on January 1st by the percentage increase reflected in the Labour Index (monthly Index, Table 3), on the understanding that if such an index reflects a negative percentage, the annual adjustment to the salaries of the elected officials and appointed citizen members will be 0%; and on the further understanding at if the Labour Index (monthly Index, Table 3) has increased by a percentage greater than the Consumer Price Index, Ontario, the annual percentage increase in the salaries and honorariums of the elected officials and appointed citizen members will be no greater than the increase in the Consumer Price Index, Ontario…”.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: Nays: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill (2) H.L. Usher (3)
Motion Passed
Motion Failed
Vote:
Yeas: Nays: J.B. Swan J.F. Fontana B. Polhill (2) J.P. Bryant H.L. Usher (3)
Motion Failed
4. Public Sector
Salary Disclosure Act Report for Calendar Year 2013
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the report dated March 25, 2014 regarding the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act report for the calendar year 2013 BE RECEIVED for information.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
5. Amendment to
Council Policy 28(2) - Council Members’ Expense Account
Recommendation: That the following actions be taken with respect to Council Policy 28(2) entitled “Council Members’ Expense Account”: a) on the recommendation of the City Clerk, the attached revised proposed by-law (Appendix “A”) BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 1, 2014 for the purpose of repealing Council Policy 28(2) entitled “Council Members’ Expense Account” and replacing it with a revised Council Policy 28(2) entitled “Council Members’ Expense Account”, in order to incorporate the following directions of the Municipal Council to: i) provide for the quarterly reporting of Council Members’ expenses on the City of London’s website; ii) include, as a permissible expense, costs associated with educational forums, hosted by Members of Council, for the benefit of the public; b) the matters of requiring that “unconsumed” purchases from the Council Members’ annual expense allocation be returned to the City at the end of a Council Member’s period of office and of the inclusion, as a permissible expense, the purchase of multiple tickets to a community event as an allowable expense BE REFERRED back to the City Clerk for further refinement of the details. it being noted that the Corporate Services Committee received a communication dated March 9, 2014 from Jim Kogelheide with respect to this matter.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: Nays: J.B. Swan J.F. Fontana J.P. Bryant H.L. Usher (2) B. Polhill (3)
Motion Passed
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
6. New Council Policy
- Mayor’s Expenses
Recommendation: That the following actions be taken as it relates to the Mayor’s expenses: a) on the recommendation of the City Clerk, the attached revised proposed by-law (Appendix “A”) BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 1, 2014 for the purpose of implementing a new Council Policy that provides for the quarterly reporting of the Mayor’s expenses on the City of London’s website; and b) the matter of the return of certain goods and equipment when a Mayor does not return to office BE REFERRED back to the City Clerk for further refinement of the details.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
7. Architect to Act as
Prime Consultant for the Normal School Renovation Request for Proposal No. 13-47 - Project GG1558
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken: a) subject to the completion of the transaction to acquire the Normal School Property, the proposal submitted by The Ventin Group Ltd. (+VG Architects), 50 Dalhousie Street, Brantford, Ontario N3T 2H8 to act as Prime Consultant for the Normal School Renovation for a fee of $464,000 excluding HST BE ACCEPTED; it being pointed out that the proposal submitted by The Ventin Group Ltd. (+VG Architects) was deemed to provide the best technical and financial value to the City, meets the City’s requirements in all areas and acceptance is in compliance with Section 15.2 of the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy; b) the financing for this project BE APPROVED as set out in the Sources of Financing Report, as appended to the staff report dated March 25, 2014; c) the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all administrative acts which are necessary in connection with the project; d) the approvals given herein BE CONDITIONAL upon the Corporation entering into a formal contract with the consultant for the work; and e) the Mayor and City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents, if required, to give effect to these recommendations.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
8. Year 2014 Education
Tax Rates
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the by-law to levy education tax rates for 2014, included as Appendix “A” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014, BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting of April 1, 2014.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
9. Rooftop Solar PV
Systems on Municipal Buildings Under the Fit 3.0 Program Rules Update
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken with respect to rooftop solar PV systems on municipal buildings under the Fit 3.0 Program Rules: a) the staff report dated March 25, 2014 BE RECEIVED for information; and b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to explore and pursue future Feed-In Tariff opportunities for the implementation of rooftop solar PV Systems on suitable municipally owned buildings planned for the future.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
10. Local Improvement
Charges for Energy and Water Efficiency Improvements Update
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Director, Environment, Fleet & Solid Waste, the staff report dated March 25, 2014, regarding local improvement charges for energy and water efficiency improvements, BE RECEIVED for information.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
11. Old East Village
Business Improvement Area - 2014 Proposed Budget - Municipal Special Levy
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Treasurer, the following actions be taken: a) the Old East Village Business Improvement Area proposed 2014 budget submission in the amount of $264,834 BE APPROVED as outlined in Schedule A to the staff report dated March 25, 2014; b) the amount to be raised by the Corporation for the 2014 fiscal year for the purposes of the Old East Village Business Improvement Area and pursuant to subsection 208(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 BE FIXED at $15,781 (which accounts for $14,781 for the City of London levy as required by the Old East Village Business Improvement Area to help support its 2014 budget and an estimated allowance of $1,000 to provide for vacancy rebates); c) a special charge BE ESTABLISHED for the amount referred to in part b), above, by a levy in accordance with By-law CP-1, as amended; it being noted that the special charge shall have priority lien status and shall be added to the tax roll pursuant to subsection 208(7) of the Municipal Act, 2001; and d) the by-law appended to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 as Schedule “B” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 1, 2014 with respect to the municipal special levy for the Old East Village Business Improvement Area.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
12. London Downtown
Business Association - 2014 Proposed Budget - Municipal Special Levy
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Treasurer, the following actions be taken: a) the London Downtown Business Association proposed 2014 budget submission in the amount of $968,133 BE APPROVED as outlined in Schedule A to the staff report dated March 25, 2014; b) the amount to be raised by the Corporation for the 2014 fiscal year for the purposes of the London Downtown Business Association and pursuant to subsection 208(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 BE FIXED at $1,043,403 (which accounts for $958,403 for the City of London levy as required by the London Downtown Business Association to help support its 2014 budget and an estimated allowance of $85,000 to provide for vacancy rebates); c) a special charge BE ESTABLISHED for the amount referred to in part b), above, by a levy in accordance with By-law CP-2, as amended; it being noted that the special charge shall have priority lien status and shall be added to the tax roll pursuant to subsection 208(7) of the Municipal Act, 2001; and d) the by-law appended to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 as Schedule “C” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 1, 2014 with respect to municipal special levy for the London Downtown Business Association.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
13. Argyle Business
Improvement Area - 2014 Proposed Budget - Municipal Special Levy
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Treasurer, the following actions be taken: a) the Argyle Business Improvement Area proposed 2014 budget submission in the amount of $116,478 BE APPROVED as outlined in Schedule “A” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014; b) the amount to be raised by the Corporation for the 2014 fiscal year for the purposes of the Argyle Business Improvement Area and pursuant to subsection 208(1) of the Municipal Act, 2001 BE FIXED at $110,480 (which accounts for $110,480 for the City of London levy as required by the Argyle Business Improvement Area to help support its 2014 budget with no estimated allowance for vacancy rebates); c) a special charge BE ESTABLISHED for the amount referred to in part b), above, by a levy in accordance with By-law A.-6873-292 as amended; it being noted that the special charge shall have priority lien status and shall be added to the tax roll pursuant to subsection 208(7) of the Municipal Act, 2001; and d) the by-law appended to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 as Schedule “B” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting on April 1, 2014 with respect to municipal special levy for the Argyle Business Improvement Area.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
14. London Bid to Host
AMO Annual General Meeting Conference and Trade Show 2018, 2019 and 2020
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Director of Intergovernmental and Community Liaison, the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to submit a bid for the City of London to host the Association of Municipalities of Ontario 2018, 2019 and 2020 Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) Annual General Meeting, Conference and Trade Show including an undertaking that the City of London will: a) host and finance the Welcome Reception; b) provide volunteers to assist with the collation of delegate kits, and to guide study tours and other tasks; c) provide a local planning committee which will develop study tours; d) provide shuttle buses between hotels, if necessary; e) provide study tour program buses; and f) provide civic greetings to delegates from the Mayor.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
15. Bill 69: The Prompt
Payment Act 2013
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Director of Intergovernmental and Community Liaison, the staff report dated March 25, 2014 on the potential impact of Bill 69, the Prompt Payment Act, 2013 BE RECEIVED.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
16. Apportionment of
Taxes
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Treasurer, the taxes on the blocks of land described in the attached Schedules BE APPORTIONED as indicated on the Schedules pursuant to Section 356 of the Municipal Act, 2001; it being noted that there were no members of the public in attendance at the public hearing associated with this matter, to speak before the Corporate Services Committee.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
17. Year 2014 Tax
Policy
Recommendation: That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken with respect to property taxation for 2014: a) a by-law BE ENACTED in accordance with sub-sections 308(4) and 308.1(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001 to set tax ratios in the multi-residential, industrial, pipeline and farm property classes as indicated on Schedule “F” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 and the proposed by-law included as Appendix “A” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting of April 1, 2014; b) a by-law BE ENACTED in accordance with sub-section 308(4) of the Municipal Act, 2001 to set the tax ratio in the commercial property class as indicated in Schedule “F” of the staff report dated March 25, 2014 so that the tax ratio for this class is maintained at the Provincial threshold/average and the proposed by-law included as Appendix “A” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting of April 1, 2014; c) a by-law BE ENACTED to fully utilize options available in 2014 to exclude properties in capped property classes which have reached current value assessment tax levels or higher in 2013 from being capped again in 2014 and future years and the proposed by-law included as Appendix “B” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting of April 1, 2014; d) a by-law BE ENACTED in accordance with Section 330 of the Municipal Act, 2001 to claw back a portion of tax decreases in each of the commercial, industrial, and multi-residential classes sufficient to fully finance the capping of increases as required under Section 329 of the Municipal Act, 2001 and the proposed by-law included as Appendix “C” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting on April 1, 2014; e) a by-law BE ENACTED in accordance with Section 329.1 of the Municipal Act, 2001 for 2014 to adopt the same capping formulae for the commercial, industrial and multi-residential property classes as was applicable in 2013 and the proposed by-law included as Appendix “D” to the staff report dated March 25, 2014 BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting on April 1, 2014; and f) a phase-in program for tax changes resulting from the reassessment of properties in the residential, farmland, and managed forests property classes in accordance with Section 318 of the Municipal Act, 2001 NOT BE ADOPTED; it being noted that the Corporate Services Committee heard a verbal overview from the Manager of Taxation and Revenue with respect to this matter and a verbal delegation from S. Ford, Partner, Dancor, speaking in support of the phasing-in of taxation changes and the ongoing assessment of taxation policy, acknowledging the planning and commitment by Municipal Council, emphasizing the need for the City of London to remain competitive in those areas first examined by potential investors, which includes such considerations as taxes, utilities and leasing costs, indicating that he will be pulling suggestions and comments together to assist the City of London in moving forward, and encouraging the City of London to get to Toronto within the next 60 days to promote London as the place to locate business.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
18. Board of Directors
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Recommendation: That the following actions be taken with respect to the communication dated March 13, 2014 from Councillor H.L. Usher regarding standing for election to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Board of Directors and his associated expenses: a) the following resolution BE ADOPTED: “WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) represents the interests of municipalities on policy and program matters that fall within Federal jurisdiction; WHEREAS FCM’s Board of Directors is comprised of elected municipal officials from all regions and sizes of communities to form a broad base of support and provide FCM with the prestige required to carry the municipal message to the Federal Government; and WHEREAS FCM’s 77th Annual Conference and Trade Show will take place May 30 to June 2, 2014, during which time the Annual General Meeting will be held and followed by the election of FCM’s Board of Directors; BE IT RESOLVED that Council of The Corporation of the City of London endorses Councillor Harold Usher to stand for election on FCM’s Board of Directors for the 2014/2015 term; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of London shall assume all costs associated with Councillor Harold Usher attending FCM’s Board of Directors meetings, the FCM Annual Conference and AGM, and the Sustainable Community Conference and Trade Show, during the 2014/2015 term”; b) in the event Councillor Usher is re-elected to the Board of Directors, the related expenses to attend the following meetings BE ASSUMED by the City of London, outside of his annual expense allocation, subject to the annual budget approval process and in accordance with Council’s Travel & Business Expenses Policy: Board of Directors Meeting – September 3-6, 2014 – Saguenay, QC Board of Directors Meeting – November 18-21, 2014 – Ottawa, ON Board of Directors Meeting – March 3-6, 2015 – Burnaby, B.C. Sustainable Community Conference & Trade Show – February 10-12, 2015 – London, ON Annual Conference & AGM – June 5-8, 2015 – Edmonton, AB it being noted that the Board of Directors Meeting – March 3-6, 2015 – Burnaby, B.C.; the Sustainable Community Conference & Trade Show – February 10-12, 2015 – London, ON; and the Annual Conference & AGM – June 5-8, 2015 – Edmonton, AB are subject to the re-election of Councillor Usher on October 27, 2014; c) Councillor H.L. Usher BE REIMBURSED by The Corporation of the City of London, outside his annual expense allocation, for his campaign expenses in seeking re-election to the Board of Directors, in an amount of up to $750, upon submission of eligible expenses.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
19. Comprehensive
Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
That the following actions be taken with respect to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA): a) the Province of Ontario BE REQUESTED to provide the City of London with a clear and comprehensive briefing on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), as soon as possible; and b) the Province of Ontario BE REQUESTED to engage in a full consultation process with the City of London and reserve for Council the right to debate, and ultimately vote on, the terms of the deal as it relates to the City of London, before any approval of the deal is issued by the Province.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
20. Changes to Canada
Post Delivery
That the following actions be taken with respect to the proposed changes to Canada Post delivery services: a) the attached resolution of the Big City Mayors’ Caucus BE ADOPTED; b) the matters of mailbox location, maintenance, and access BE REFERRED to staff to ensure that the interests of the local residents are protected to the greatest extent possible; and c) the Federation of Canadian Municipalities BE ADVISED of the City of London’s position with respect to this matter.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
21. Request for
Designation of the Forest City Beer Fest as a Municipally Significant Event
Recommendation: That the Forest City Beer Fest to be held on Saturday, August 16, 2014, at the Covent Garden Market, BE DESIGNATED as a municipally-significant event.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
22. Appointment to the
Community Safety and Crime Prevention Advisory Committee (Requires 1 Appointment from Middlesex London Child Safety)
Recommendation: That Meagan Melling, representative of the Middlesex London Child Safety, BE APPOINTED as a Voting Member on the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Advisory Committee for the term ending February 28, 2015.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
23. Environmental and
Ecological Planning Advisory Committee (Requires up to 5 Members at Large)
Recommendation: That Jeff Smith BE APPOINTED as a Voting Member-at-Large on the Environmental and Ecological Planning Advisory Committee for the term ending February 28, 2015.
Motion Passed
Vote:
Yeas: J.F. Fontana J.B. Swan J.P. Bryant B. Polhill H.L. Usher (5)
Motion Passed
(See Confidential Appendix to the 10th Report of the Corporate Services Committee enclosed for Members only.)
The Corporate Services Committee convened in camera from 3:00 PM to 3:49 PM after having passed a motion to do so, with respect to the following matters: