January 24, 2019, at 10:00 AM

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1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

Councillor S. Turner discloses a pecuniary interest with respect to any matter specific to EarlyON funding by indicating that his spouse is an employee of Childreach. Councillor S. Turner further discloses a pecuniary interest with respect to any matter specific to the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU), by indicating that the MLHU is his employer

Councillor J. Helmer discloses a pecuniary interest in any matters related directly to the National Golf Course Owners Association, by indicating that his father is a member of the Association.

Councillor P. Van Meerbergen discloses a pecuniary interest in any matters associated with childcare funding, by indicating that his spouse operates a daycare business.

Councillor A. Hopkins discloses a pecuniary interest in matters that may specifically reference Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 107, by indicating that her son is a member of Local 107.

Councillor S. Lehman discloses a pecuniary interest the discussion specific to proposed new Business Improvement Area (BIA) funds, by indicating that he is a member of the Downtown BIA.

2.   Consent

2.1   2019 Annual Budget Update - Public Engagement

2019-01-24 SR - 2019 Annual Budget Update - Public Engagement

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2019 Annual Budget Update - Public Engagement:

a)            that, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the staff report dated January 24, 2019 regarding public engagement for the 2019 Multi-Year Budget Update BE RECEIVED for information; and

b)            the verbal update from Councillor J. Morgan and the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, with respect to direction arising from the January 17, 2019 Public Participation Meeting related to the Merrymount Children’s Centre funding request, BE RECEIVED for information.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

3.   Scheduled Items

3.1   Budget Overview

Moved by S. Turner

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That the attached budget presentation from the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer BE RECEIVED.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.   Items for Direction

4.1   Review of Operating Budget Amendments (rounded to the closest $1,000)

2019-01-24 Draft Capital and Operating Budget

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2019 Annual Budget Update – Operating:

a)       the following actions be taken with respect to the following Operating Budget Amendment Cases:

i)               Business Cases #1 (Adjustments to Reduce the Tax Levy) - Net Impact $(1,072), #3 (Confidential - Labour Relations) - Net Impact $(2,000),  and #5 (Additional Land Ambulance Resources) - Net Impact $590, BE APPROVED;

ii)        Business Case #2 (Cancellation of Planned 2019 Minimum wage Increase) - Net Impact $(521), BE APPROVED;

iii)       Business Case #4 (Bicycle Lane Maintenance) - Net Impact $408, BE APPROVED;

iv)       Business Case #6 (Safeguard Program - London Police Service) - Net Impact $161, BE APPROVED;

v)       Business Case #7 (London Children’s Museum - Funding Request)  - Net Impact $0, BE APPROVED, including the amended sources of financing for the Case ($1,500,000 – Economic Development Reserve Fund and $500,000 – Tourism Infrastructure Reserve Fund);

vi)       Business Case #13 (Subsidized Transit for Seniors) - Net Impact $285, BE APPROVED;

b)       the Hamilton Road Business Improvement Area (BIA) BE GIVEN a grant in the amount of $50,000 for 2019 to assist the BIA in their activities; it being noted that this is a 4 km, low assessment area with a 4.9% levy totaling only $70,000; it being further noted that the grant would be funded from the Community Investment Reserve Fund; and,

c)       that $330,000 from Assessment Growth revenue BE ALLOCATED to the 2019 Budget in order to off-set the tax levy.

Motion Passed

Voting Record:

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by S. Turner

That Operating Budget Amendment - Case #7 (London Children’s Museum - Funding Request), BE AMENDED, to revise the source of funding of the Case with $1,500,000 being funded from the Economic Development Reserve Fund, and $500,000 being funded from the Tourism Infrastructure Reserve Fund.

Motion Passed (12 to 3)

Moved by P. Van Meerbergen

Seconded by S. Lehman

That the motion to allocate $330,000 from Assessment Growth Revenue to the 2019 Budget BE AMENDED to be $1,000,000 to the 2019 Budget amount.

Motion Failed (5 to 10)

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by M. Cassidy

That Operating Budget Amendments included in Business Cases #1 (Adjustments to reduce the Tax Levy), #3 (Confidential - Labour Relations),  and #5 (Additional Land Ambulance Resources), BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That Operating Budget Amendments included in Case #2 (Cancellation of Planned 2019 Minimum wage Increase), BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (9 to 6)

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by S. Lewis

That Operating Budget Amendments included in Case #4 (Bicycle Lane Maintenance), BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (12 to 2)

Moved by M. Salih

Seconded by E. Peloza

That Operating Budget Amendments included in Case #6 (Safeguard Program - London Police Service), BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (14 to 1)

Moved by S. Hillier

Seconded by S. Lewis

That Operating Budget Amendments included in Case #7 (London Children’s Museum - Funding Request), BE APPROVED, as amended.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Moved by P. Van Meerbergen

Seconded by E. Peloza

That Business Case #13 Subsidized Transit for Seniors, BE REFERRED to the next multi-year budget process, in order for all transit subsidies and fares to be reviewed in a comprehensive way.

Motion Failed (3 to 12)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by M. Salih

That Operating Budget Amendments included in Case #13 (Subsidized Transit for Seniors), BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (13 to 2)

Moved by P. Squire

Seconded by M. van Holst

That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to bring forward for Municipal Council’s consideration options that would result in a reduction of the proposed tax levy increase for 2019 to 2.4%; it being noted that Municipal Council will review the said options presented and all other budget matters to determine if it will implement a 2019 tax levy increase of 2.4%.

Motion Failed (5 to 10)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by Mayor E. Holder

That the Hamilton Road Business Improvement Area (BIA) BE GIVEN a grant of $50,000 for 2019 to assist the BIA in their activities; it being noted that this is a 4km, low assessment area with a 4.9% levy totaling only $70,000; it being further noted that the grant would be funded from the Community Investment Reserve Fund.

Motion Passed (10 to 4)

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by J. Morgan

That $330,000 from Assessment Growth revenue BE ALLOCATED to the 2019 Budget in order to off-set the tax levy.

Motion Passed (12 to 3)

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

Motion to recess the meeting, until 10:00 AM, Monday, January 28, 2019.

Motion Passed

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recesses at 4:12 PM.