February 16, 2021, at 4:00 PM

Original link

1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

Councillor J. Helmer discloses a pecuniary interest in Item 3.1 - City of London Service Review: Recommended Closure of River Road Golf Course, by indicating that his father is employed by the National Golf Course Owners Association, whose member fees could be affected by the decision associated with this matter.

2.   Consent

None.

3.   Scheduled Items

3.1   Public Participation Meeting - Not to be heard before 4:05 PM - City of London Service Review: Recommended Closure of River Road Golf Course

2021-02-16 Staff Report - City of London Service Review-River Road Golf

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by M. Cassidy

That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Parks and Recreation and the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken:

a)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to cease golf operations at the municipally operated River Road Golf Course, effective immediately, to mitigate budget pressures on the municipal golf system;

b)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to initiate the disposition of property process in compliance with the Municipal Council’s Sale and Other Disposition of Land Policy; and,

c)     notwithstanding the Municipal Council’s Sale of Major Assets Policy, the proceeds from any partial or full disposition of River Road Golf Course lands BE ALLOCATED to the municipal golf reserve fund;

it being pointed out that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee reviewed and received the following communications with respect to this matter:

a communication from J. Albin;

a communication from B. Byck;

a communication from B. Caldwell;

a communication from B. Campbell;

a communication from W. Campbell;

a communication from B. Davis;

a communication from R. Ferris;

a communication from C. Fieder;

a communication from K. Graham;

a communication from M. Graham;

a communication from T. Johnston;

a communication from T. Johnston;

a communication from D. W. Kostiuk;

a communication from T. MacDonald;

a communication from N. Macmillan;

a communication from M. O’Keefe;

a communication from D. Page;

a communication from R. Reimer;

a communication from D. Rowdon;

a communication from E. Sivilotti;

a communication from L. Smith;

a communication from J. Smythe;

a communication from J. B. Thompson;

a communication from J. Wagner;

a communication from R. Wharry;

a communication from F. York;

a communication from J. York;

a communication from D. W. Shin;

a communication from R. Carruthers;

a communication from R. Kasprzak;

a communication from D. De Vries;

a communication from H. and L. Marienfeldt;

a communication from P. Jackson;

a communication from M. Klug;

a communication from D. Quantrill;

a communication from J. Bracken;

a communication from R. J. Austin;

a communication from S. Buccella;

a communication from R. McLarty;

a communication from G. Buckley;

a communication from J. Attard;

a communication from A. Johnson;

a communication from F. Lamontagne;

a communication from D. McMullin;

a communication from J. Campos;

a communication from C. Beck;

a communication from B. Knowles;

a communication from F. Donovan;

a communication from O. Rizzolo;

a communication from V. Clark;

a communication from J. Russell;

a communication from A. Lobsinger; and

a communication from P. Herbert;

it being pointed out that at the public participation meeting associated with this matter, the following individuals made oral submissions regarding these matters:

C. Loughry, Golf Ontario – speaking in favour of keeping River Road Golf Course operational; and offering operational alternatives for the Committee’s consideration; noting Golf Ontario’s recent work with the City of Toronto;

A. McGuigan – speaking in favour of keeping River Road Golf Course operational as a public course; noting that demand for golf and outdoor recreation expand with the growth of the city and likely this is why the course was purchased by the City.

Voting Record:

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

Motion to open the public participation meeting.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by M. van Holst

Motion to close the public participation meeting.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

Moved by P. Van Meerbergen

Seconded by S. Lehman

That the following actions be taken with respect to the River Road Golf Course:

a)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the operation of River Road Golf Course for the 2021 season, in order to evaluate the municipal golf operations more holistically, in a “post-COVID” environment; and,

b)      the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to bring back the matter of municipal golf operations to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee, no later than February 2022, with additional information and data with respect to the operations in 2021;

Motion Failed (5 to 9)

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by M. Cassidy

Motion to approve parts a) and b) of the staff recommendation:

That, on the recommendation of the Managing Director, Parks and Recreation and the Managing Director, Corporate Services and City Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, the following actions be taken:

a)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to cease golf operations at the municipally operated River Road Golf Course, effective immediately, to mitigate budget pressures on the municipal golf system;

b)     the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to initiate the disposition of property process in compliance with the Municipal Council’s Sale and Other Disposition of Land Policy; and,

Motion Passed (9 to 5)

Moved by E. Peloza

Seconded by M. Cassidy

Motion to approve part c) of the staff recommendation:

c)     notwithstanding the Municipal Council’s approved Sale of Major Assets Policy, the proceeds from any partial or full disposition of River Road Golf Course lands BE ALLOCATED to the municipal golf reserve fund;

Motion Passed (13 to 1)

Moved by S. Lewis

Seconded by S. Lehman

Motion to receive the communications and verbal submissions.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

4.   Items for Direction

4.1   Consideration of Appointment to the RBC Place London Board

2021-02-16 Submission - RBC Place London Board

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That Garrett Vanderwyst (sustainability business), Class 2, BE REAPPOINTED to the RBC Place London Board of Directors for a two-year term ending November 15, 2022.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.   Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by E. Peloza

That the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convene, In Closed Session, for the purpose of considering a matter pertaining to personal matters about identifiable individuals, labour relations or employee negotiations, including communications necessary for that purpose and, advice and recommendations of officers and employees of the Corporation, including communications necessary for that purpose and for the purpose of providing instructions and direction to officers and employees of the Corporation.

Motion Passed (15 to 0)

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convenes, In Closed Session, from 6:50 PM to 7:17 PM.

7.   Adjournment

Moved by S. Lehman

Seconded by M. van Holst

That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

Motion Passed

The meeting adjourned at 7:17 PM.