April 28, 2020, at 4:00 PM

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The meeting is called to order at 4:03 PM, with Mayor E. Holder in the Chair; it being noted that all members were in remote attendance, except the Chair.

1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That if BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

2.   Consent

2.1   COVID-19 Financial Impacts and Additional Measures for Community Relief

2020-04-28 Staff Report - COVID-19

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by S. Hillier

That the following actions be taken with respect to the COVID-19 Financial Impacts and Additional Measures for Community Relief report dated April 28, 2020:

a)      the overview of projected financial impacts of COVID-19 on The Corporation of the City of London BE RECEIVED for information;

b)      the summary of initiatives and programs implemented by the federal and provincial governments to support Ontarians through COVID-19 pandemic BE RECEIVED for information;

c)      the advocacy priorities with our federal and provincial partners outlined in the staff report dated April 28, 2020 BE ENDORSED;

d)      the Mayor BE DIRECTED to submit the first report of the Mayor’s Economic and Social Impact and Recovery Task Forces to the federal and provincial governments;

e)      the following measures outlined in the staff report, dated April 28, 2020, to provide further relief to individuals and businesses, BE APPROVED for implementation:

i)        London Good Food Box Program (Initiative 1);

ii)       Harvest Bucks Contribution Program (Initiative 2);

iii)      Housing Stability Bank Program (Initiative 4);

iv)      Deferral of rent payments for tenants of City-owned properties (Initiative 5);

v)       Closing the digital divide for students and families (Initiative 7); 

vi)      Coordinating the delivery of fresh, health food to people who are quarantining or self-isolating (Initiative 8);

vii)      Extension of Payment terms for 60 days for invoices (Initiative 9);

viii)     Extension of the remittance period for Municipal Accommodation Tax revenues (Initiative 10);

ix)       Flexibility in loading/unloading and delivery times (Initiative 11);

f)       the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to waive the requirement, as outlined in the Reserve and Reserve Fund Policy, to charge interest on internal borrowings from reserves and reserve funds and temporary negative balances in reserves and reserve funds; and,

g)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to finalize the approach to mitigate the projected budget shortfall through the 2020 Mid-Year Operating Budget Monitoring Report;

it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received additional information from the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a communication dated April 23, 2020 from C. Butler with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Voting Record:

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by E. Peloza

Amendment to add a new part h) as follows:

h)     that the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the implementation of Initiative 2 of Appendix E (post pandemic – Preliminary Possible Recovery Measures for Londoners and Businesses), “Enhancing Food Security Opportunities for Londoners”

Motion Failed (3 to 12)

2.2   Governance Requirements and Recommendations - Housing Development Corporation, London

2020-04-28 Staff Report - Governance Requirements - HDC

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by E. Peloza

That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Housing, Social Services and Dearness Home and concurrently the Board, Housing Development Corporation, London (HDC), the following actions be taken with respect to the Housing Development Corporation, London (HDC):

a) the staff report dated April 28, 2020 entitled “Governance Requirements and Recommendations – Housing Development Corporation, London, BE RECEIVED;

b) the proposed by-law as appended to staff report dated April 28, 2020 as Appendix “A” being “A by-law to repeal By-law No. A.07891-264 being “A by-law to appoint an interim director of the Housing Development Corporation, London” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council Meeting to be held on May 5, 2020; and,

c) the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated April 28, 2020 as Appendix “B” being “A by-law to appoint an interim director of the Housing Development Corporation, London” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council Meeting to be held on May 5, 2020.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

3.   Scheduled Items

None.

4.   Items for Direction

4.1   Request for a Shareholder’s Meeting - Housing Development Corporation, London 

2020-04-28 Submission - Shareholder Request - HDC

Moved by S. Turner

Seconded by M. Cassidy

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for the Housing Development Corporation, London:

a)      the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for the Housing Development Corporation, London BE HELD at a meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on June 9, 2020, for the purpose of receiving the report from the Board of Directors of the Housing Development Corporation, London 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 2019 Annual Meeting to the Board of Directors for the Housing Development Corporation, London and to invite the Chair of the Board and the Executive Director of the Housing Development Corporation, London 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 7, 2020 from S. Giustizia, President & CEO, Housing Development Corporation, London with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.2   Request for a Shareholder’s Meeting – London Hydro Inc.

2020-04-28 Submission - Shareholder Request - London Hydro

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for London Hydro Inc.:

a)      the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for London Hydro Inc. BE HELD at a meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on June 9, 2020, 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 2019 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 2, 2020, from G. Valente, Chair, Board of Directors, London Hydro Inc., with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.3   Request for a Shareholder’s Meeting - London-Middlesex Community Housing

2020-04-28 Submission - Shareholder Request - LMCH

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for the London & Middlesex Community Housing:

a)      the 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder for the London & Middlesex Community Housing BE HELD at a meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee on June 9, 2020, for the purpose of receiving the report from the Board of Directors of the London & Middlesex Community Housing 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 2019 Annual Meeting to the Board of Directors for the London & Middlesex Community Housing and to invite the Chair of the Board and the Executive Director of the London & Middlesex Community Housing 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 17, 2020, from A. Mackenzie, Interim CEO, London & Middlesex Community Housing, with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.4   London Public Library Board Vacancy Notification

2020-04-28 Submission - LPL

That the following actions be taken with respect to the London Public Library Board vacancy notification:

a)     the resignation of D. Vachon from the Library Board of Directors BE ACCEPTED; and,

b)     the City Clerk BE DIRECTED to:

i)   contact current applications on file, to confirm that those individual remain interested in consideration for appointment;

ii)   seek additional applications to fill the vacancy on the Board; and

iii)  bring forward the applications, noted in parts i) and ii), above, for consideration at a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee.

Motion Passed

Voting Record:

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by S. Hillier

That the resignation of Donna Vachon from the London Public Library Board of Directors BE ACCEPTED.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Moved by A. Kayabaga

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the City Clerk BE DIRECTED to review the current applications on file, to confirm that those individuals remain interested in appointment, and further that additional applications be sought, in order to fill the vacancy on the London Public Library Board.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.5   Hamilton Road BIA 

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the following actions be taken with respect to the Hamilton Road Business Improvement Area Board of Management:

a)     the resignations of Cassi Mask-Wildman and Raphael Metron BE ACCEPTED; and

b)     Chantal Watier BE APPOINTED for the term ending November 15, 2022.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.   Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by E. Peloza

That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convene, In Closed Session, for the purpose of considering a matter pertaining to reports, advice and recommendations of officers and employees of the Corporation concerning labour relations and employee negotiations in regards to one or more of the Corporation’s unions and communications necessary for that purpose regarding the COVID-19 emergency.

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convened, In Closed Session, from 6:27 PM to 6:48 PM.

7.   Adjournment

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

Motion Passed

The meeting adjourned at 6:51 PM.