Open Council

1st Meeting of the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee

Open Council

1st Meeting of the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee

December 9, 2024, at 1:00 PM

Original link

The meeting is called to order at 1:00 PM; it being noted that Councillor P. Van Meerbergen was in remote attendance.

1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

2.   Consent

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That Consent Items 2.1 to 2.10 BE APPROVED with the exception of item 2.7

Motion Passed (5 to 0)

2.1   Appointment of Consulting Engineer: RFP-2024-241 The Queen’s Bridge Rehabilitation

2024-12-09 Staff Report - Appointment of Consulting Engineer-Queens-Bridge

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the following actions be taken with respect to the appointment of a consulting engineer for the detailed design and tendering of The Queen’s Bridge Rehabilitation:

a)    the proposal submitted by AECOM Canada Ltd. BE ACCEPTED to provide consulting engineering services to complete the detailed design and tendering for the rehabilitation of The Queen’s Bridge at an upset amount of $635,037.70, excluding HST, as per Section 15.2 (e) of the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy;

b)    the financing for this assignment BE APPROVED as set out in the Sources of Financing Report as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Appendix “A”;

c)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all the administrative acts that are necessary in connection with this assignment;

d)    the approvals given herein BE CONDITIONAL upon the Corporation entering into a formal contract with the consultant for the work; and

e)    the Mayor and the City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents including agreements, if required, to give effect to these recommendations.

Motion Passed

2.2   Service Level Agreement Renewal with London Hydro for Water Meter Reading and Water and Sewer Billing

2024-12-09 Staff Report - Service Level Agreement-London Hydro

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the following actions be taken with respect to the Service Level Agreement Renewal with London Hydro Inc:

a)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on December 17, 2024 to approve a Service Level Agreement between The Corporation of the City of London and London Hydro Inc., substantially in the form appended as Schedule “A” to the proposed by-law, for the management and operation of the meter reading, billing, collections and customer service for the City’s water and sewer accounts by London Hydro Inc.;

b)    the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure BE DELEGATED the authority to execute the Agreement approved in a), above; and

c)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all administrative acts that are necessary in connection with the Agreement approved in a) above, including any future related documents and/or agreement with London Hydro Inc. that are consistent with the requirement contained in the Agreement approved in a) above.

Motion Passed

2.3   Increase to Single Source Appointment to Support City-Wide LiDAR Mapping

2024-12-09 Staff Report -Increase to Single Source Appointment

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the following actions be taken with respect to the Increase of the Approved Single Source Purchase of City-wide LiDAR data acquisition under Section 14.4(f) of the City’s Procurement of Goods and Services Policy:

a)    the Single Source appointment for Airborne Imaging Inc. BE INCREASED in accordance with the estimate on file, by $3,600, excluding HST, from $48,755 to a total upset amount of $52,355, in accordance with Section 14.5 (ii) of the Procurement of Goods and Services Policy;

b)    the financing for this project BE APPROVED as set out in the Sources of Financing Report as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Appendix “A”;

c)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all the administrative acts that are necessary in connection with this purchase;

d)    the approval given, herein, BE CONDITIONAL upon the Corporation entering into a formal contract; and

e)    the Mayor and the City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents, if required, to give effect to these recommendations.

Motion Passed

2.4   Closing Part of Road Widening Block 180 on Plan 33M799

2024-12-09 Staff Report - Closing Part of Road Widening on 33M799

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the following actions be taken with respect to road widening Block 180 plan 33M799:

a)    the closing of part of the road widening Block 180 Registered Plan 33M799, designated as Parts 5 and 6 on Plan 33R-21184 BE APPROVED; and

b)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on December 17, 2024, for the purpose of closing that part of Block 180.

Motion Passed

2.5   2023-2024 Transport Canada Rail Safety Improvement Program Agreement for Grade Crossing Improvements

2024-12-09 Staff Report - 2023-2024 Transport Canada

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the following actions be taken:

a)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held December 17, 2024 to:

i)    approve the Agreement, appended as Schedule “A” to the proposed by-law, for the Rail Safety Improvement Program (the “Agreement”) between His Majesty the King in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Transport (“Canada”) and The Corporation of the City of London;

ii)    authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the Agreement;

iii)    delegate authority to the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, or their written delegate, to approve further amending agreements to the above-noted Agreement;

iv)    authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute any amending agreements approved by the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure; and

v)    authorize the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, or their written delegate, to execute any financial reports required under this Agreement and to undertake all administrative, financial, and reporting acts necessary in connection with the Agreement;

b)    authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute an additional Agreement related to the Rail Safety Improvement Program, appended as Appendix “B” to the staff report for the closure of an abandoned rail crossing; and

c)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake all administrative acts that are necessary in connection with this matter.

Motion Passed

2.6   Closing Part of Medway Park Drive

2024-12-09 Staff Report - Closing Medway Park Drive

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, the following actions be taken with respect to closing part of Medway Park Drive:

a)    the closing of part of the southerly Medway Park Drive on Registered Plan 33M-248 BE APPROVED; and

b)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on December 17, 2024, for the purpose of closing part of Medway Park Drive.

Motion Passed

2.8   2025 Authorization for Temporary Borrowing

2024-12-09 Staff Report - 2025 Authorization for Temporary Borrowing

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Appendix “A” BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on December 17, 2024, to authorize the temporary borrowing of certain sums to meet current expenditures of The Corporation of the City of London for the year 2025.

Motion Passed

2.9   SS-2024-355 Single Source Procurement of Collection Agency Services for Provincial Offences and Municipal Collections

2024-12-09 Staff Report - SS-2024-355 Single Source Procurement of Collection Agency

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the single source procurement of collection agency services:

a)    approval BE GIVEN to execute single source procurements for collection agency services with the following collection agencies, for a three (3) year term, with an option to renew the agreements for an additional two (2) years, in accordance with Section 14.4 (g) of the Corporation of the City of London’s (“the Corporation”) Procurement of Goods and Services Policy:

i.    CBV Collection Services

ii.    A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services

iii.   CBS (Credit Bureau Services)

iv.   Gatestone & Co. Inc.

b)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all the administrative acts that are necessary in connection with these agreements;

c)    approval hereby given BE CONDITIONAL upon the Corporation entering a formal agreement with each of CBV Collection Services; A-1 Credit Recovery & Collection Services; CBS (Credit Bureau Service); Gatestone & Co. Inc for collection agency services; and

d)    the Mayor and the City Clerk BE AUTHORIZED to execute any contract or other documents required to give effect to these recommendations.

Motion Passed

2.10   Canada Life Place: Facility Licence Agreement

2024-12-09 Staff Report - Canada Life Place-Facility Licence Agreement

Moved by S. Franke

Seconded by P. Van Meerbergen

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken:

a)    the report entitled Canda Life Place: Facility Licence Agreement BE RECEVED for information; and

b)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to provide consent in writing for the Facility Licence Agreement between the London Civic Centre Corporation and the London Knights.

Motion Passed

2.7   Expropriation of Lands - Wellington Gateway Project - Civil Works - Phase 2

2024-12-09 Staff Report - Expropriation Wellington Gateway Project

Moved by J. Pribil

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment and Infrastructure, with the concurrence of the Director, Construction and Infrastructure Services, on the advice of the Director, Realty Services, approval BE GIVEN to the expropriation of land as may be required for the Wellington Gateway Project, and that the following actions be taken in connection therewith:

a)    application be made by The Corporation of the City of London as Expropriating Authority to the Council of The Corporation of the City of London as approving authority, for the approval to expropriate land required for Phase 2 of the Wellington Gateway project;

b)    The Corporation of the City of London serve and publish notice of the above application in accordance with the terms of the Expropriations Act;

c)    The Corporation of the City of London forward to the Chief Inquiry Officer any requests for a hearing that may be received and report such to the Council of The Corporation of the City of London for its information; and

d)    the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated December 9, 2024 as Schedule “B” BE INTRODUCED at the Council meeting to be held on December 17, 2024 to authorize the foregoing and direct the Civic Administration to carry out all necessary administrative actions.

Motion Passed (4 to 1)

3.   Scheduled Items

None.

4.   Items for Direction

None.

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.   Confidential (Enclosed for Members only.)

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by S. Franke

That the  Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee convenes In Closed session to consider the following:

6.1 Land Disposition / Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice / Position, Plan, Procedure, Criteria or Instruction to be Applied to Any Negotiations

A matter pertaining to the proposed or pending disposition of land by the municipality, including communications necessary for that purpose; advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege; commercial and financial information, that belongs to the municipality and has monetary value or potential monetary value and a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality.

6.2 Land Disposition / Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice / Position, Plan, Procedure, Criteria or Instruction to be Applied to Any Negotiations

A matter pertaining to the proposed or pending disposition of land by the municipality, including communications necessary for that purpose; advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege; commercial and financial information, that belongs to the municipality and has monetary value or potential monetary value and a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality.

Motion Passed (5 to 0)

The Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee convenes In Closed Session from 1:15 PM to 1:21 PM.

7.   Adjournment

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by S. Franke

That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

Motion Passed

The meeting adjourned at 1:22 PM.

Full Transcript

Transcript provided by Lillian Skinner’s London Council Archive. Note: This is an automated speech-to-text transcript and may contain errors. Speaker names are not identified.

View full transcript (33 minutes)

[8:52] Good afternoon, everyone. We’re looking to get this meeting started. I’ll start with the land acknowledgement, so the City of London is situated on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek, Haudenosaunee, Lenapawik, and Adawandran. We honor and respect the history, languages, and culture of the diverse indigenous people who call this territory home. The City of London is currently home to many First Nations Métis and Inuit today. As representatives of the people of the City of London, we are grateful to have the opportunity to work and live in this territory. The City of London is committed to making every effort to provide alternate formats of communication supports for meetings upon request. To make a request specific to this meeting, please contact icsc@london.ca or 519-661-2489 extension 2425. So this is the first meeting of the Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee. Here in Chambers, there is myself, Councillor Pribble, Councillor Hopkins, and Councillor Frank. And online, we have Councillor Van Mirbergen, and that is the composition of the committee with the mayor as ex officio, but not in attendance today. I’ll go to item one, disclosure of pecuniary interest.

[17:01] Seeing none, I’ll go to item two, consent. I’ve not been asked to pull anything at this time, but is there anything that you’d like to deal with separately? Councillor Van Mirbergen. Yes, thank you, chair. I’d like to vote on 2.7 separately, please. Thank you. Any other items? Seeing none, I’ll look for a motion to put everything from 2.1 to 2.10, of course, leaving out 2.7 on the floor. Got Councillor Frank looking for a seconder, Councillor Van Mirbergen. Okay, thank you. With that on the floor, I’ll look for some comment, and I’ll go to Councillor Pribble first for his items. Go ahead.

[17:55] Thank you, and so the chair to the staff have two questions. The first one is for 2.2. There is an increase of 12.4%, and I was just wondering how that increase was determined, the negotiations with Mr. Hydro, thank you. Thank you. Through the chair, so the increase is basically a accumulation of five years’ worth of inflation, so playing catch up on that, because the previous agreement was for five years at a fixed cost. With the hydro costs, they do have to recoup actual costs from us to be in compliance with the Ontario Energy Board, so that is what the costs and the increase are based on.

[18:37] Thank you, Mr. Ramalee. We’ll go back to Councillor Pribble. Thank you for the answer, and the second question I have is 2.8, the temporary borrowing, and I know we do it on an annual basis as a precautionary measure, and I just would like to ask if it was used or recently or how far back these funds, if they have ever been used. Thank you. Go ahead, staff. Thank you. Through the chair, so the Councillor is correct. This is an entirely precautionary measure. The temporary borrowing is composed of two parts, two million dollars related to our corporate purchasing card program. That is obviously used regularly to support ongoing city operations. The other component is up to $100 million of a potential line of credit should we need it. We, though, have never, in fact, drawn on that line.

[19:28] Thank you, Mr. Murray. Back to Councillor Pribble. Thank you. No more questions on the consent. Thank you. Thank you. Councillor Frank, go ahead. Thank you. I did have a couple questions and some back and forth with staff regarding 2.1, the Queen’s Bridge Rehabilitation, and I just wanted to follow up because I would be very interested in seeing it painted a knot beige color. So I was just curious as to what that process looks like and when can public give input onto any aesthetic design work. I’ll go to Mr. Murray. Thank you for your interest in the projects through the chair. The project team certainly recognizes the importance of the bridge being a central feature at near the force of the Thames.

[20:17] So different railing options are going to be investigated through the detail design to figure out how to improve both the aesthetics of the bridge and the views to the river. So that work will happen in this design assignment and a public meeting will be held once some of those details are sorted out and to receive public feedback at that time. Go ahead, Councillor. Thank you. And a quick follow up. So just from my understanding is paint color something that the community can’t have input on or is that a largely like staff decision.

[20:54] I’m just curious as to regarding the engagement if that’s something that residents could suggest. Mr. McRae. Through the chair. Yeah, the first steps in the design process would be determining what kind of barrier slash railing system can be used and that considers both the aesthetics and also the requirements of the bridge code so that that limits our options. And so the material types could be could be metals or it could also be concrete. And so that’s sort of the what need the technical work needs to answer that question. And then once we figure out what the material is we’ll have a better idea of aesthetic treatments. And certainly at that point input from the public would would be able to be received and inform that the final decisions on that. Thank you.

[21:45] Thank you. I’ll go to Councillor Hopkins. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I do have a quick question through you to staff on 2.10, which is the Canada Live Place, a facility license agreement. And it’s really good to read how successful the London Knights have been and how committed they are to our community through the past 20 years. And now as we look into renewing the agreement, I would like to have a better understanding of the risk that we or potential risk that we may have in the agreement if things aren’t successful. Or is that not really a consideration, the agreement sort of sets out the rules and regardless of how things move forward in the next 15 years, like to have a better understanding where we are. Thank you. I’ll go to Ms. Barbone.

[22:45] Thank you through the chair. So the way the, so the City of London is a party to the agreements to create Canada Live Place that was set up between multiple parties. So one of the key parts of that agreement or that OVG 360 operates the building on behalf of the partners. So based on how the venue does is where the city’s risk ultimately comes in, in that we have a share of the proceeds of the net cash flow at the end of the day.

[23:20] Obviously the success of the London Knights is a very significant part of the success of Canada Live Place and ultimately translates into the return that the City of London receives each and every year. So from that perspective, the city’s risk is the success of the venue and the proceeds ultimately that are received each and every year. So if you recall when Council had approved the expansion to Canada Live Place there were a number of things that are there to increase the cities as well as all of the other partners success in the venue that would generate additional profits and some of that work that we did in terms of return on investment etc. The London Knights being part of that venue is a large contributor as well as all the other events that happen throughout the year. So from a risk perspective regarding the consent agreement, there’s very little risk from the city to proceed. Ultimately the way this works is the city is not a party to this agreement, it is negotiated on behalf of the venue through the operator which is OVG 360. So that has been completed but as part of the broader because it is a new start to that term, the City of London is required through the initial agreement to provide its consent although that cannot unreasonably be withheld. So certainly the risk of not providing consent I think would be significant in terms of how the venue would continue to operate but that’s certainly how it plays into the broader risk factor for the City of London. Thank you Councillor go ahead. Yeah I really appreciate that clarification sometimes when you read the reports it’s not as clear so thank you for that and really I think we’re so fortunate in this city to get such great support from Londoners for the Canada Life venue and our London Knights as well so thank you. Thank you I’ll go back to Councillor Perbault.

[25:24] Just a comment regarding this point, what an anchored tenant we are so fortunate to have them and they have year-on-year successful winning franchise that sell out almost every single game. Very positive story for downtown, very positive story for City of London. Thank you all. Thank you I don’t see any other hands up for these items in front of us so I’ll look to call the vote and this is everything but 2.7. Councillor van Mirbergen closing the vote motion carries 5-0. Thank you okay so we have no scheduled items no items for direction we’re going back to item 2.7 looking for a mover and a seconder. We’ve got Councillor Perbault and then Councillor Hopkins and any comments on this item. Councillor Perbault go ahead. Thank you so the chair to the staff.

[26:36] So the way I read it it’s for phase two and phase two is between baseline and Southdale. If you can please confirm that and the other thing is it says total 45 properties and this is for 10 remaining ones. So I just want to clarify that the 35 have been already acquired. We have only 10 remaining and it is for the area Wellington between baseline and Southdale. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Warner. Sorry thank you through the chair. I can confirm that we have purchased 35 of the properties of the 45 and there are 10 outstanding we’re in negotiations with all 10 but at this stage we’d like to initiate the process to apply for the expropriation in order to meet timelines into next year. I’d like to turn it over to Miss Dan to speak to the first question please. Thank you Miss Dan. Yes and through the chair the limits for Wellington Gateway Phase 2 are from Watson Street to Wilkins which is just south of commissioners. So it’s a long stretch. The properties that we’re speaking to today are the full bio property. So those are the ones that are impacted and it’s important that we move those forward so that any demolitions can occur in advance of construction in 2026. Thank you Councillor Perot. Thank you very much. No more questions. Thank you Councillor Hopkins. Yeah thank you Madam Chair and I do have a quick question.

[28:06] I was just driving along Wellington this morning and really pleased to see the the project moving forward given that we were purchasing 45 homes just wondering. I know we talk about the housing situation the need for housing in our city are these properties once they are purchased are they able to are we able to rent them out or are the owners able to stay until they come down and just want to know what we’re doing with these properties. Thank you Mr. Warner. Yes through the chair thank you for the question. So these properties are fully impacted which means the actual new construction will affect the actual structures. So as a result they will have to be removed. There’s a demolition approval process. In some of the instances where we’re able to do a lease back to the property owners for a period of time we’ve been doing that for the last few years and allowing the property owners appropriate time to look for relocation properties. So we we are working with them on those timelines but essentially all 45 properties will have to be removed and then in addition to that there are other properties that are impacted on a partial acquisition basis and we’re still proceeding with about 53 of those partial acquisitions as well. Thank you. Councillor Hopkins.

[29:34] Yeah I hear that we are being very flexible and allowing the property owners to find other accommodations and really not. I just want to make sure there is that flexibility that we’re we’re not having them go out and then we have empty houses sort of sitting on the street but I really appreciate the flexibility that we’re we’re giving them. Thank you. Thank you. Any additional councilor purple go ahead. Thank you. Just a quick follow-up and 35 properties now additional 10 properties all within the projected budget. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Warner. Yes to the chair yes yes within the projected budget. Thank you. No more questions.

[30:26] Thank you. Okay I don’t see any further questions so I will look to call the vote on 2.7. Closing the vote motion carries 4-2-1. Thank you. We’re on item 6 which is confidential. I’ll look to go into closed session with a motion from Councillor Hopkins and Councillor Frank and that will open for you in the system. Reasons that are listed in our agenda. Closing the vote motion carries 5-2-1. Recording in progress.

[31:22] Okay thank you. Everyone we’re back. I’ll ask Councillor Frank to report out from close session. Thank you. I’m happy to announce that progress has been made for the items for which we went in camera for. Thank you and with that we’re on item 7 adjournment looking for mover and seconder Councillor Hopkins, Councillor Frank and with that hand vote all in favor.

[33:22] Motion carries.