Open Council

Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

Open Council

Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

December 10, 2020, at 9:30 AM

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1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

Councillor S. Turner discloses a pecuniary interest in matters associated with the funding for the Middlesex London Health Unit (MLHU), by indicating that the MLHU is his employer.  Councillor S. Turner further discloses a pecuniary interest in matters associated with children’s services, specifically with funding for EarlyON, by indicating that his spouse is employed by Childreach.

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

Councillor J. Helmer discloses a pecuniary interest in the golf operating budget, by indicating that his father is an employee of the National Golf Course Owners Association, and the City is a member of the Association.

2.   Consent

None.

3.   Scheduled Items

3.1   2021 Budget Overview Presentation

2020-12-10 Presentation - 2021 Budget Update

That it BE NOTED that the 2021 Budget Overview presentation from the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer was received.

4.   Items for Direction

4.1   Review of Budget Amendments (2021 to 2023 totals: rounded to the closest $1,000)

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2021 Annual Budget Update:

a)     Case #1 - RBC Place London - Promissory Note Forgiveness - Operating Expenditure ($72,000); Net Levy $0, BE APPROVED;

b)     Case #2 - RBC Place - Revised Capital Plan - Capital Expenditure $166,000; Net Levy $0, BE APPROVED;

c)     Case #3 - Recycling and Composting - Repair of Material Recovery Facility Fire Suppressant System - Capital Expenditure $800,000; Net Levy $0, BE APPROVED;

d)     Case #4 - Children’s Services - Reduction in Required Investment in 2021 due to impacts of COVID-19 - Operating Expenditure ($1,630,000); Net Levy ($1,630,000), BE APPROVED;

e)     Case #5 - Middlesex-London Health Unit - Increased Funding by the Ministry of Health in 2021 - Operating Expenditure ($610,000); Net Levy ($610,000), BE APPROVED;

f)      Case #6 - Ontario Works - Reduction in Investment in 2021 in Connection with Impacts of COVID-19 - Operating Expenditure ($425,000); Net Levy ($425,000), BE APPROVED;

g)     Case #7 - Corporate Services - Administrative Recoveries from Water, Wastewater and Treatment and Joint Water Boards - Operating Expenditure $0; Net Levy ($1,582,000), BE APPROVED;

h)     Case #8 - Other Related Financing - Reduction to Corporate Contingency Budget - Operating Expenditure ($1,900,000); Net Levy ($1,900,000), BE APPROVED;

i)      Case #9 - Parks and Recreation - Implementation of Strategic Objectives Related to Growing a Film Sector in London

i)     the document entitled “London Community Ideas for Film Industry Development”, as submitted by Councillors M. van Holst and P. Squire, BE REFFERED to the Civic Administration for consideration;

ii)     Business Case #9 - Implementation of Strategic Objectives Related to Growing a Film Sector in London BE AMENDED to increase the annual funding allocation to $300,000; and

iii)     the above-noted amended Business Case #9 BE FURTHER AMENDED by revising the source of funding to be from the Economic Development Reserve Fund; 

j)     Case #10 - Revised Implementation - 60% Waste Diversion Action Plan - Operating Expenditure ($3,750,000); Net Levy ($3,750,000), BE APPROVED; and,

k)     Case 4B - City of London Infrastructure Gap, BE AMENDED to have annual contributions as follows:

2021 - 1,000,000

        2022 - 1,750,000

        2023 - 2,500,000

Motion Passed

Voting Record:

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by E. Peloza

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 2021 Annual Budget Update:

a) Case #1 - RBC Place London - Promissory Note Forgiveness - Operating Expenditure ($72,000); Net Levy $0, BE APPROVED;

b) Case #2 - RBC Place - Revised Capital Plan - Capital Expenditure $166,000; Net Levy $0, BE APPROVED;

f) Case #6 - Ontario Works - Reduction in Investment in 2021 in Connection with Impacts of COVID-19 - Operating Expenditure ($425,000); Net Levy ($425,000), BE APPROVED;

g) Case #7 - Corporate Services - Administrative Recoveries from Water, Wastewater and Treatment and Joint Water Boards - Operating Expenditure $0; Net Levy ($1,582,000), BE APPROVED;

h) Case #8 - Other Related Financing - Reduction to Corporate Contingency Budget - Operating Expenditure ($1,900,000); Net Levy ($1,900,000), BE APPROVED;

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by A. Hopkins

c) Case #3 - Recycling and Composting - Repair of Material Recovery Facility Fire Suppressant System - Capital Expenditure $800,000; Net Levy $0, BE APPROVED;

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by E. Peloza

d) Case #4 - Children’s Services - Reduction in Required Investment in 2021 due to impacts of COVID-19 - Operating Expenditure ($1,630,000); Net Levy ($1,630,000), BE APPROVED;

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by M. Cassidy

Seconded by Mayor E. Holder

e) Case #5 - Middlesex-London Health Unit - Increased Funding by the Ministry of Health in 2021 - Operating Expenditure ($610,000); Net Levy ($610,000), BE APPROVED;

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by P. Squire

i) Case #9 - Parks and Recreation - Implementation of Strategic Objectives Related to Growing a Film Sector in London -Operating Expenditure $600,000; Net Levy $0, BE APPROVED;

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by P. Squire

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by P. Squire

Motion to approve part a) of the amendment, as follows:

That the following actions be taken with respect to Business Case #9:

a)       the attached document entitled “London Community Ideas for Film Industry Development” BE REFFERED to the Civic Administration for consideration; and,

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Motion to approve part b) of the amendment as follows:

b)       Business Case #9 (ADDED) – Parks and Recreation – Implementation of Strategic Objectives Related to Growing a Film Sector in London” BE AMENDED to increase the annual funding allocation to $300,000

Motion Passed (11 to 4)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by P. Squire

Motion to approve Business Case #9, as amended.

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by S. Lewis

Motion Passed (14 to 1)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by P. Squire

Approve Business Case #9, as further amended.

Motion Passed (13 to 2)

Moved by P. Squire

Seconded by S. Lehman

That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recess at this time.

Motion Passed

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recesses at 11:45 AM and reconvenes at 11:53 AM.

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

j) Case #10 - Revised Implementation - 60% Waste Diversion Action Plan - Operating Expenditure ($3,750,000); Net Levy ($3,750,000), BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

Moved by M. van Holst

Seconded by J. Helmer

That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recess at this time.

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recesses at 12:50 PM and reconvenes at 1:23 PM.

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by P. Squire

That Business Case 4B: City of London Infrastructure Gap, BE REDUCED by $500,000 annually, with the revised tax levy impacts to be as follows:

2021 - 1,000,000

2022 - 1,250,000

2023 - 1,500,000

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by M. van Holst

Motion Passed (9 to 6)

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by M. Cassidy

Approve the revision to BC 4B, as amended.

Motion Passed (14 to 1)

Moved by P. Van Meerbergen

Seconded by S. Hillier

That Business Case 7B: Core Area Action Plan, BE AMENDED by reducing the annual allocation for 2021, 2022 and 2023, in the amount of $825 K, to eliminate the 4 year Core Area Ambassador Pilot Program.

Motion Failed (2 to 11)

4.2   Reserves and Reserve Funds Overview

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the recommendations for items 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4 BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

That the Reserves and Reserve Funds Overview BE RECEIVED; it being noted projections are subject to annual review and adjustment.

4.3      Debt Overview

That the Debt Overview BE RECEIVED for information.

4.4      Reconciliation of the Tabled Budget to Public Sector Accounting Board Budget

That the reconciliation of the tabled budget to the Public Sector Accounting Board financial statement budget BE RECEIVED for information.

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by E. Peloza

That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recess at this time.

Motion Passed

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee recesses at 2:21 PM and reconvenes at 2:35 PM.

4.3   Debt Overview

That the Debt Overview BE RECEIVED for information.

4.4   Reconciliation of the Tabled Budget to Public Sector Accounting Board Budget

That the reconciliation of the tabled budget to the Public Sector Accounting Board financial statement budget BE RECEIVED for information.

4.5   Operating Budget

That in accordance with section 291(4)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, the following actions be taken with respect to the operating budget (Appendix A):

a) Middlesex-London Health Unit

i)      the revised 2021 budget for Middlesex-London Health Unit BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $6,095,059 and net amount of $6,095,059;

     ii)      the revised 2022 to 2023 budget for Middlesex-London Health Unit BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $13,409,130 and net amount of $13,409,130.

b)      Golf

     i)      the revised 2021 budget for Golf BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $3,695,630 and net amount of $40,255;

     ii)     the revised 2022 to 2023 budget for Golf BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $7,528,799 and net amount of $132,626.

c) Children’s Services

     i)      the revised 2021 budget for Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $60,972,901 and net amount of $9,902,857;

     ii)      the revised 2022 to 2023 budget for Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $123,574,350 and net amount of $20,073,508.

d)      All Other Areas

    i)      the revised 2021 budget, excluding Middlesex-London Health Unit, Golf, and Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the net amount of $657,542,662 after recognizing $8,852,749 of increased taxation from assessment growth; and 2021 gross expenditures equal to $968,398,612;

     ii)      the revised 2022 to 2023 budget, excluding Middlesex-London Health Unit, Golf, and Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $2,015,476,425 and net amount of $1,389,138,809;

e)      Total Budget

     i)      it being noted that the revised total 2021 tax levy is the net amount of $673,580,833 after recognizing $8,852,749 of increased taxation from assessment growth; and total 2021 gross expenditures equal to $1,039,162,202; and,

     ii)     it being noted that the revised total 2022 to 2023 forecasted tax levy is equal to the gross amount of $2,159,988,704 and net amount of $1,422,754,073.

Motion Passed

Voting Record:

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by Mayor E. Holder

Motion to approve part a)

That in accordance with section 291(4)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, the following actions be taken with respect to the operating budget (Appendix A):

a)      Middlesex-London Health Unit

i)      the revised 2021 budget for Middlesex-London Health Unit BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $6,095,059 and net amount of $6,095,059;

     ii)     the revised 2022 to 2023 budget for Middlesex-London Health Unit BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $13,409,130 and net amount of $13,409,130.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by S. Lewis

Motion to approve part b)

b)      Golf

     i)       the revised 2021 budget for Golf BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $3,695,630 and net amount of $40,255;

     ii)      the revised 2022 to 2023 budget for Golf BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $7,528,799 and net amount of $132,626.

Motion Passed (12 to 1)

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by M. Cassidy

Motion to approve part c)

c)      Children’s Services

     i)      the revised 2021 budget for Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $60,972,901 and net amount of $9,902,857;

     ii)      the revised 2022 to 2023 budget for Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $123,574,350 and net amount of $20,073,508.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by E. Peloza

Motion to approve part d)

d)      All Other Areas

     i)      the revised 2021 budget, excluding Middlesex-London Health Unit, Golf, and Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the net amount of $657,542,662 after recognizing $8,852,749 of increased taxation from assessment growth; and 2021 gross expenditures equal to $968,398,612;

     ii)      the revised 2022 to 2023 budget, excluding Middlesex-London Health Unit, Golf, and Children’s Services BE APPROVED in the gross amount of $2,015,476,425 and net amount of $1,389,138,809;

Motion Passed (13 to 1)

Moved by Mayor E. Holder

Seconded by S. Lewis

Motion to approve part e)

e)      Total Budget

     i)      it being noted that the revised total 2021 tax levy is the net amount of $673,580,833 after recognizing $8,852,749 of increased taxation from assessment growth; and total 2021 gross expenditures equal to $1,039,162,202; and,

     ii)     it being noted that the revised total 2022 to 2023 forecasted tax levy is equal to the gross amount of $2,159,988,704 and net amount of $1,422,754,073.

Motion Passed (13 to 1)

4.6   Capital Budget

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by S. Lewis

That, in accordance with section 291(4)(c) of the Municipal Act 2001, as amended, the following actions be taken with respect to the capital budget (Appendix B), it being noted the 2021, 2022 and 2023 budget figures reflect the exclusion of the Master Accommodation Plan as approved via the “Master Accommodation Plan Update and Procurement Process” report (SPPC, Nov 17, 2020, Agenda Item 2.1) approved at the Council meeting on November 24, 2020:

a)     the amended 2021 capital budget BE READOPTED in the amount of $228,419,000.

b)     the amended 2022 capital budget BE READOPTED in the amount of $290,668,000.

c)     the amended 2023 capital budget BE READOPTED in the amount of $392,039,000.

d)     the amended 2024-2029 capital forecast BE APPROVED in principle the amount of $1,546,794,000.

Motion Passed (13 to 1)

4.7   By-laws regarding Tax Levy, Operating and Capital Budgets

Moved by Mayor E. Holder

Seconded by E. Peloza

That the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to bring forward any necessary by-laws regarding tax levy, the operating and capital budgets for introduction at Municipal Council.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

4.8   Water and Wastewater and Treatment Services

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by J. Helmer

That in accordance with section 291(4)(c) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2021 to 2023 operating budgets and 2021 to 2023 capital budgets and associated forecasts for Water and Wastewater and Treatment Services:

a)     the 2021 to 2023 operating budget for Water Services BE READOPTED in the amount of $271,713,000;

b)     the 2021 to 2023 capital budget for Water Services BE READOPTED in the amount of $157,289,000;

c)     the 2024 to 2029 capital forecast for Water Services BE APPROVED in principle in the amount of $278,507,000;

it being noted that all rates and charges related to the provision of Water Services were increased by 2.5% effective January 1, 2020, as approved by Council on November 26, 2019, and will be increased 2.5% effective January 1 each year for 2021 to 2023 as approved by Council on October 27, 2020;

d)     the 2021 to 2023 operating budget for Wastewater and Treatment Services BE READOPTED in the amount of $341,149,000;

e)     the 2021 to 2023 capital budget for Wastewater and Treatment Services BE READOPTED in the amount of $280,300,000; and

f)      the 2024 to 2029 capital forecast for Wastewater and Treatment Services BE APPROVED in principle in the amount of $599,818,000;

it being noted that all rates and charges relating to the provision of Wastewater and Treatment Services were increased by 2.5%effective January 1, 2020, as approved by Council on November 26, 2019, and will be increased 2.5% effective January 1, 2021, 2.7% effective July 1, 2021, and 2.5%effective January 1 each year for 2022 and 2023 as approved by Council on October 27, 2020.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.9   Water and Wastewater and Treatment Reserves & Reserve Funds

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by Mayor E. Holder

That the following 2020 to 2023 Multi-Year Budget overviews BE RECEIVED for information:

a)  Reserves/Reserve Funds Overview - Water; and,

b)  Reserves/Reserve Funds Overview - Wastewater and Treatment.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.10   Reconciliation of the Tabled Water Budgets to Public Sector Accounting Board Budget

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That the reconciliation of the tabled budgets to the Public Sector Accounting Board financial statement budget BE RECEIVED for information.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

5.1   (ADDED) Additional Budget Submissions

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by S. Lewis

That the following communications BE RECEIVED with respect to the 2021 Budget update:

a communication dated December 7, 2020 from the Accessibility Advisory Committee;

a communication dated December 6, 2020 from Shawna Lewkowitz, President, Urban League of London;

a communication dated December 7, 2020 from Kirk Jarrett, Animal Coordinator and Film Service Provider;

a communication dated December 7, 2020 from Joan Martin; and

a communication dated December 8, 2020 from Dan Axford.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

5.2   Update Re: London Police Service

Moved by J. Helmer

Seconded by M. Salih

Following up on Municipal Council’s resolution on 16 June 2020, The London Police Services Board BE REQUESTED to update Municipal Council on how it has responded and is responding to the issues raised during the Black Lives Matter protest; it being noted that London Police Services Board reduced its multi-year budget request in 2019 by a total of $1,362,960 over the four year period and supported the deferral of three additional 2020 assessment growth positions to 2021, the funding for which was re-allocated by Municipal Council to homelessness prevention in June 2020.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

6.   Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:18 PM.