Open Council

Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Open Council

Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

November 25, 2019, at 4:00 PM

Original link

1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that the following pecuniary interests were disclosed:

a)    Councillor S. Turner discloses a pecuniary interest in clause 4.2 of this Report, having to do with an appointment to the Middlesex-London Health Unit Board of Directors, by indicating that the Middlesex-London Health Unit is his employer;

b)     Councillor S. Lehman discloses a pecuniary interest in clause 4.5 of this Report, having to do with appointments to the London Downtown Business Association, by indicating that he is a member of the Association.

2.   Consent

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by E. Peloza

That items 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4 BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

2.1   Strategic Plan: Semi-Annual Progress Report, 2019 Report to the Community

2019-11-25 Staff Report - Strat Plan

2019-11-25 Staff Report - Strat Plan-Handout-1

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by E. Peloza

That, on the recommendation of the City Manager, the report dated November 25, 2019 with respect to the Strategic Plan Semi-Annual Progress Report and the attached 2019 Report to the Community, BE RECEIVED for information;

it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated November 22, 2019 from B. Brock, with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed

2.3   Waste Management Working Group - Extension of Term

2019-11-25 Staff Report - Waste Management Working Group

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by E. Peloza

That on the recommendation of the City Clerk, the following actions be taken with respect to the Waste Management Working Group:

a)     the following appointments to the Waste Management Working Group, BE EXTENDED to June 30, 2021, or until the Working Group completes its mandate, whichever is sooner: Councillors van Holst, Lehman, Turner and Peloza; and,

b)     subject to the approval of part a), above, the Terms of Reference BE AMENDED to reflect the Term of Office for the Working Group.

Motion Passed

2.4   Rapid Transit Implementation Working Group - Extension of Term and Update

2019-11-25 Staff Report - RTIWG Extension of Term and update

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by E. Peloza

That on the recommendation of the City Clerk, the following actions be taken with respect to the Rapid Transit Implementation Working Group:

a)     the following appointments to the Rapid Transit Implementation Working Group, BE EXTENDED to November 15, 2022, or until the Working Group completes its mandate, whichever is sooner: Councillors van Holst, Squire, Cassidy, Helmer, Kayabaga, Hillier, Peloza, Hopkins and Lehman; and,

b)     subject to the approval of part a), above, the revised Terms of Reference as appended to the staff report dated November 25, 2019, as Appendix ”B”, BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed

2.2   London Community Grants Program Allocations

2019-11-25 Staff Report - London Community Grants Program

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

That the following actions be taken with respect to the London Community Grants Program allocations:

a) the staff report dated November 25, 2019 entitled “London Community Grants Program Allocations” BE RECEIVED; and,

b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to review the London Community Grants Policy and report back on policy amendments that would identify if the municipality is the appropriate source of funding for requests, potentially limiting or removing eligibility for programs that receive funding through senior levels of government, such as the “Enabling Accessibility Fund”.

Motion Passed

Voting Record

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

That part a) BE APPROVED, as follows:

That the following actions be taken with respect to the London Community Grants Program allocations:

a) the staff report dated November 25, 2019 entitled “London Community Grants Program Allocations” BE RECEIVED;

Motion Passed (12 to 1)

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

That part b) i) BE APPROVED, as follows:

b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to review the London Community Grants Policy and report back on policy amendments that would:

i) identify if the municipality is the appropriate source of funding for requests, potentially limiting or removing eligibility for programs that receive funding through senior levels of government, such as the “Enabling Accessibility Fund”;

Motion Passed (7 to 6)

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

That part b) ii) BE APPROVED, as follows:

ii) limit the eligibility for special events; including one day events, that could submit requests for consideration under the Neighbourhood Decision Making process; and

Motion Failed (5 to 8)

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

That part b) iii) BE APPROVED, as follows:

iii) tighten the current eligibility criteria for capital funding requests; and,

Motion Failed (6 to 7)

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

That part c) BE APPROVED, as follows:

c) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to develop Business Cases for consideration during the 2020-2023 Multi-Year Budget process that provide for potential reductions related to the “London Community Grants Program”.

Motion Failed (5 to 8)

3.   Scheduled Items

3.1   Public Participation Meeting - Not to be heard before 4:05 PM - 2020 Water and Wastewater Rates

2019-11-25 Staff Report - 2020 Water and Wastewater

That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Environmental and Engineering Services & City Engineer, and the Managing Director, Corporate Services & City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer the following actions be taken with respect to the 2020 Water and Wastewater rates and charges:

a)      the proposed by-law appended to the staff report dated November 25, 2019 as Appendix “A”, “A by-law to amend By-law WM-28 being “A by-law for regulation of wastewater and stormwater drainage systems in the City of London”, as amended by providing for an increase in the rates and charges, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held November 26, 2019 to effect rates and charges increases of 2.5 percent effective January 1,2020; and,

b)      the proposed by-law appended to the staff report dated November 25, 2019 as Appendix “B”, “A by-law to amend By-law W-8 being “ A by-law to provide for the Regulation of Water Supply in the City of London”, as amended by providing for an increase in the rates and charges, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held November 26, 2019 to effect rates and charges increases of 2.5 percent effective January 1, 2020;

it being noted that no individuals spoke at the public participation meeting associated with this matter.

Motion Passed

Voting Record

Moved by M. Salih

Seconded by E. Peloza

Motion to open the Public Participation meeting, related 2020 water and wastewater rates.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by M. Salih

Seconded by S. Turner

Motion to close the Public Participation meeting, related 2020 water and wastewater rates.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by S. Turner

Seconded by E. Peloza

That part a) BE APPROVED, as follows:

That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Environmental and Engineering Services & City Engineer, and the Managing Director, Corporate Services & City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer the following actions be taken with respect to the 2020 Water and Wastewater rates and charges:

a) the revised By-law, being, “A by-law to amend By-law WM-28 being “A by-law for regulation of wastewater and stormwater drainage systems in the City of London”, as amended by providing for an increase in the rates and charges, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held November 26, 2019 to effect rates and charges increases of 3 (three) percent effective January 1,2020; and,

Motion Failed (6 to 7)

Moved by S. Turner

Seconded by E. Peloza

That part b) BE APPROVED, as follows:

b) the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated November 25, 2019, being “A by-law to amend By-law W-8 being “ A by-law to provide for the Regulation of Water Supply in the City of London”, as amended by providing for an increase in the rates and charges, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held November 26, 2019 to effect rates and charges increases of 2.5 percent effective January 1, 2020;

it being noted that no individuals spoke at the public participation meeting associated with this matter.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Environmental and Engineering Services & City Engineer, and the Managing Director, Corporate Services & City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer the following actions be taken with respect to the 2020 Water and Wastewater rates and charges:

a) the proposed by-law appended to the staff report dated November 25, 2019 as Appendix “A”, “A by-law to amend By-law WM-28 being “A by-law for regulation of wastewater and stormwater drainage systems in the City of London”, as amended by providing for an increase in the rates and charges, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held November 26, 2019 to effect rates and charges increases of 2.5 percent effective January 1,2020; and,

Motion Passed (10 to 3)

4.   Items for Direction

4.1   Climate Change Emergency Update

2019-11-25 Staff Report - Climate Change

Moved by M. Salih

Seconded by E. Peloza

That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, City Planner and the Managing Director, Environmental and Engineering Services and City Engineer, the staff report dated November 25, 2019 BE RECEIVED and the following actions be taken with respect to the City’s Climate Emergency Declaration and the next steps to further reduce energy use and increase climate change mitigation and adaptation actions during the next twelve months:

a)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake the following immediate actions:

i)      establish a City-wide target for London to achieve net zero community greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by the year 2050;

ii)     consistent with the direction of Council’s recently adopted Corporate Energy Conservation & Demand Management (CDM) Plan, pursue opportunities to achieve Corporate net zero GHG emissions prior to 2050 with the goal of demonstrating municipal commitment and leadership to Climate Emergency mitigation;

iii)     establish an internal team, inclusive of representatives from all service areas, to be champions for climate emergency actions within their service area and to help implement climate emergency initiatives;

iv)     all Service Areas to identify immediate opportunities that can be implemented within existing resources using existing and new tools; deliver an educational program to all service areas to assist them with understanding the climate emergency and possible actions to address it;

v)      launch the process to develop a new Climate Emergency Action Plan (CEAP) and incorporate the Community Energy Action Plan into this process;

vi)     develop an interim screening Climate Emergency Evaluation Tool (CEET);

vii)    create a new Climate Emergency area on the City’s web site, providing better communication to Londoners on the climate emergency, its implications and how they can assist;

viii)   advocate, as a municipal leader in Canada, for climate emergency action at the provincial and federal government level;

ix)     advance those actions and strategies identified in Council’s strategic plan that will address the Climate Emergency through existing budgets;

b)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake the following actions within the next four months:

i)      continue community and key stakeholder engagement on the CEAP process;

ii)     complete an initial screen of current major transportation projects using the interim screening CEET;

iii)     complete and formalize a permanent screening CEET and administrative processes through expert review and London-focused risk evaluation;

iv)     include a standard section in all Standing Committee reports that addresses the Climate Emergency Declaration and, where appropriate, applies the screening CEET to the issues that are addressed in each report;

v)      seek out opportunities for new funding to support climate emergency initiatives;

c)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake the following actions within one year:

i)       work with each Service Area to review all proposed major City projects and master plans (e.g., road widenings, facilities, parks and recreation facility upgrades, wastewater treatment, waste disposal, fleet) within the 10 year capital plan through the screening CEET and, where appropriate, recommend the modification of these projects;

ii)      work with each Service Area to review all major existing programs and projects through the screening CEET to determine what should be considered for elimination, what may be changed and what should be started in response to the climate emergency;

iii)      identify methods for advancing the urban forest strategy more quickly including exploring reforestation of under-utilized agricultural land within London and tree planting on a regional basis;

iv)      establish appropriate tools to encourage cool roofs, green roofs, and/or rooftop solar energy systems and other green infrastructure for private developments;

v)       work with relevant Service Areas to apply the screening CEET to review and make any required changes to address the climate emergency in the Design Specifications Manual, Site Plan Control Area By-law, Urban Design Guidelines, Tree Protection by-law, Purchasing By-law, all granting processes and other documents and processes that have an impact on the climate emergency; it being noted that these assessments and amendments will be undertaken in priority, based on the magnitude of their potential impact on the climate emergency and it being further noted that the entirety of this process will be undertaken over a period that extends beyond the one-year timeline;

d)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to complete the Climate Emergency Action Plan within one year, to include but not be limited to, the following components:

i)       a clear city-wide net zero community GHG emissions target (no later than 2050, but with the intent of establishing a path to net zero GHG emissions prior to 2050);

ii)      a clear Corporate net zero GHG emissions target (no later than 2050, but with the intent of establishing a path to net zero GHG emissions prior to 2050);

iii)     a clear strategy and specific actions to achieve the targets established in (i) and (ii), above;

iv)     a strategic approach and specific tools for communicating the climate emergency;

v)      elevate discussions with developers, homebuilders and contractors regarding design and construction techniques to reduce lifecycle GHG emission impacts;

vi)     explore opportunities for utilizing GHG offsets and establish policy for when this is appropriate;

it being noted that:

  • the City’s Strategic Plan contains reference to more than 30 specific actions and strategies dealing with climate change;

  • the multi-year budget process contains numerous programs and projects in the base budget that address climate change mitigation and adaptation including the need to increase actions in this area of importance; and

  • several Business Cases designed to increase actions that address climate change mitigation and adaptation have been submitted for multi-year budget deliberations;

it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated November 22, 2019 from B. Brock.and a communication dated November 22, 2019 from Councillor M. van Holst with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed

Voting Record

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by M. Salih

That the added communications from B. Brock and Councillor M. van Holst, BE RECEIVED.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That the matter of Climate Change Emergency Update and the associated recommendations BE REFERRED back to the Civic Administration, in order to allow for the gathering of additional information specific to the London experience and related data with respect to this matter.

Motion Failed (2 to 11)

Moved by M. Salih

Seconded by E. Peloza

The motion to approve parts a)vi), b)ii), b)iii), b)iv, b)v), c)i), c)ii), c)v) and d)i) is put.

Motion Passed (11 to 2)

Moved by M. Salih

Seconded by E. Peloza

Motion to approve the balance of the recommendation is put.

Motion Passed (12 to 1)

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by S. Hillier

That the Committee recess.

Motion Passed

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recesses from 6:58 PM until 7:28 PM.

4.2   Appointment to the Middlesex-London Health Unit Board of Directors (Requires 1 Member of Council)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by M. Cassidy

That Councillor A. Kayabaga BE APPOINTED to the Middlesex-London Health Unit Board of Directors for the term ending November 15, 2022.

Motion Passed (11 to 0)

Selection record:

Appointment to Middlesex-London Health Unit Board of Directors

Majority Winner: Councillor A. Kayabaga

4.3   Appointment to the County/City Liaison Committee (Requires the Mayor, 2 Members of Council and 1 Alternate Member of Council)

2019-11-25 Submission - CCLC Memorandum of Understanding

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by S. Hillier

That the following BE APPOINTED to the County/City Liaison Committee for the term ending November 15, 2022:

Mayor E. Holder

Councillor J. Morgan

Councillor S. Turner

Councillor J. Helmer (Alternate)

Motion Passed (12 to 0)

4.4   Confirmation of Appointments to the Argyle BIA

2019-11-25 Submission - Argyle

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by M. Cassidy

That Dale Irwin BE APPOINTED to the Argyle Business Improvement Area for the term ending November 15, 2022.

Motion Passed (12 to 0)

4.5   Confirmation of Appointments to the London Downtown Business Association

2019-11-25 Submission - LDBA

Moved by S. Hillier

Seconded by S. Turner

That the following BE APPOINTED to London Downtown Business Association for the term ending November 15, 2022:

Andrew McClenaghan - Digital Echidna

Asaad Naeeli - Dos Tacos

Bonnie Wludyka - Citi Plaza/IF Propco Holdings

David E White - David E White Clothier

David Kirwin - Kirwin Fryday Medcalf Lawyers

Jason Dickson - Brown and Dickson

Joe Drummond - Doubletree by Hilton London

John Fyfe-Millar - Too Wheels

Jordan Detmers - Info-Tech Research Group

Lori Da Silva - RBC Place London

Michelle Giroux - Fanshawe College Downtown Campus

Nick Vander Gulik - Shoppers Drug Mart, Vander Gulik Pharmacy Inc.

Motion Passed (11 to 0)

4.6   West Transit Motion

2019-11-25 Submission - West Transit Motion

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by J. Morgan

That the Civic Administration BE REQUESTED to review and report back with recommendations for providing higher order transit service and/or transit improvement projects to West London, including but not limited to potential modifications of the West Connection project that address:

a)      options for higher order transit serving West London, including the extension of service further west;

b)      local service integration opportunities;

c)      additional road design alternatives along the corridor, including a review of lane configurations and options for phased delivery;

d)      the possibility of a quick-start program that includes prioritized intersections with mixed traffic routes,

e)      opportunities for park and ride; and

f)       the possible need for electric bus infrastructure;

it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication, dated November 22, 2019, from B. Brock with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (11 to 1)

Voting Record

Moved by S. Hillier

Seconded by M. Cassidy

That the communication from B. Brock BE RECEIVED.

Motion Passed (12 to 0)

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.   Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:59 PM.