February 24, 2026, at 1:00 PM

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The meeting is called to order at 1:00 PM; it being noted that Councillors P. Van Meerbergen and E. Peloza (at 2:39 PM) were in remote attendance.

1.   Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

Moved by S. Stevenson

Seconded by S. Hillier

That, pursuant to section 27.6 of the Council Procedure By-law, a change in order of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee Agenda BE APPROVED, to provide for Item 6.1 in Stage 6, Confidential, to be considered before Stage 2, Consent.

Motion Passed (12 to 0)

2.   Consent

Moved by S. Hillier

Seconded by S. Franke

That Consent Items 2.1 to 2.2 BE APPROVED.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

2.1   Corporate Asset Management Policy Review

2026-02-24 Staff Report - Corporate Asset Management Policy Review

Moved by S. Hillier

Seconded by S. Franke

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

a)    the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2026 as Appendix “A”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on March 3, 2026, to amend By-law No. CPOL.-389-123 being “A by-law to adopt a Council Policy entitled Corporate Asset Management Policy”, by deleting the current Schedule “A” and replacing it with a new Schedule “A”; and

b)    the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to implement the updated Corporate Asset Management Policy to ensure alignment with Ontario Regulation 588/17 (O. Reg. 588/17), Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure, as amended.

Motion Passed

2.2   Amendment to Consolidated Fees and Charges By-law

2026-02-24 Staff Report - Amendment to Consolidated Fees and Charges By-law

Moved by S. Hillier

Seconded by S. Franke

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Neighbourhood and Community-Wide Services, the proposed amending by-law, as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2026 as Appendix “A”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on March 3, 2026 to amend By-law A-62, being “2026-2027 Consolidated Fees and Charges” to establish an increase to user fees as outlined in the “Business Case P-19 – Recreation & Sport Additional User Fee Revenue Generation” included in the Mayor’s 2026 Budget.

Motion Passed

2.3   2026 Assessment Growth Funding Allocation

2026-02-24 Staff Report - 2026 Assessment Growth Funding Allocation

Moved by H. McAlister

Seconded by S. Hillier

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the 2026 Assessment Growth Funding Allocation Report BE RECEIVED for information;

it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received communications dated February 20, 2026 from C. Butler and February 19, 2026 from J. Bates, General Manager, London Region Manufacturing Council with respect to this matter;

it being further noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee heard a verbal delegation from C. Butler with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

ADDITIONAL VOTES:

Moved by S. Stevenson

Seconded by S. Trosow

That the delegation request from C. Butler BE APPROVED to be heard at this time.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

3.   Scheduled Items

None.

4.   Items for Direction

4.1   London UNESCO City of Music Action Plan 2021-2025 Update

2026-02-24 Staff Report - London UNESCO City of Music Action Plan 2021- 2025

Moved by S. Trosow

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That the following actions be taken with respect to London UNESCO City of Music Action Plan 2021-2025 Update:

a)   the above noted report BE RECEIVED;

b)   the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to align future planning and implementation efforts under the new Economic Development Strategy and the new Downtown Plan to identify and advance opportunities for better leveraging London’s UNESCO City of Music designation as a catalyst for downtown vibrancy, creative sector growth, cultural tourism, talent attraction and diversification of the regional economy through strengthened partnerships and coordinated investment; and

c) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee regarding the London UNESCO City of Music Action Plan and the preparation of the 2027 renewal submission, including the following questions and issues:

i) improving alignment between public perceptions and expectations and the purposes and objectives of the UNESCO City of Music program;

ii) developing a strategy to address the need for additional program space, particularly in light of high commercial vacancy rates in the downtown core;

iii) identifying potential sources of funding to support UNESCO City of Music program activities;

iv) providing further detail regarding the purpose, goals, structure, and implementation of Creative Sector Incubation Hubs;

v) strengthening strategies for public participation and engagement in the Action Plan and 2027 renewal process, including consideration of a dedicated “Get Involved” webpage, public participation meetings, community forums, and other outreach initiatives; and

vi) addressing ongoing governance and organizational matters related to the administration and leadership of the UNESCO City of Music program;

it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received communications dated February 20, 2026 from B. Samuels, February 21, 2026 from W. Thomas and D. Brown, Coordinators, Midtown Community Organization and February 23, 2026 from Councillor S. Trosow  with respect to this matter;

it being further noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received the attached presentation from the Director, London Music Office with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

ADDITIONAL VOTES:

Moved by A. Hopkins

Seconded by S. Stevenson

That pursuant to section 31.6 of the Council Procedure By-law, Councillor Trosow BE PERMITTED to speak an additional 2 minutes with respect to this matter.

Motion Passed (12 to 2)

4.2   Special Meeting of the Shareholder of London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc. for Articles of Incorporation Update and CMHC Affordable Housing Fund Loan Agreement

2026-02-24 Staff Report - (4.2) Special Meeting of the Shareholder of LMCH

Moved by H. McAlister

Seconded by S. Hillier

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports and the Deputy City Manager, Housing and Community Growth, the following actions be taken with respect to the Affordable Housing Fund Loan Agreement between London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc. (“LMCH”) and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (“CMHC”):

a)    the communication from London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc., as appended to the staff report dated February 24, 2026 as Appendix “A”, BE RECEIVED for information;

b)    the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report as Appendix “B”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on March 3, 2026, to:

i)    ratify the special resolution of the sole shareholder of London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc. to authorize the amendment of the articles of incorporation;

ii)    authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the special resolution of the shareholder;

c)    the proposed by-law, as appended to the staff report as Appendix “C”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on March 3, 2026, to:

i)    ratify the resolution of the sole shareholder of London & Middlesex Community Housing Inc. to approve LMCH taking on debt by entering into a loan agreement with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for $29,017,950;

ii)    authorize the Mayor and the City Clerk to execute the resolution of the shareholder;

d)    LMCH BE AUTHORIZED by the City, as Service Manager under the Housing Services Act, 2011, to mortgage its property at located 955 Southdale Road to secure the CMHC loan of $29,017,950;

e)    the previously approved and forecasted municipal funding for capital project PH2640 – Regenerating Public Housing Plan BE MAINTAINED, it being noted that the municipal funding freed up through the approval of funding from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will be utilized by London & Middlesex Community Housing to advance the next master regeneration plan project: and

f)    the Civic Administration BE AUTHORIZED to undertake all administrative acts, including but not limited to capital budget adjustments, required in connection with this approval,  it being noted that the City Treasurer has calculated an updated debt and financial obligation limit for The Corporation of the City of London in accordance with O. Reg 403/02, with respect to this loan agreement, and has determined that the estimated annual amount payable does not exceed the debt and financial obligation limit of the Corporation of the City of London.

Motion Passed (14 to 0)

5.   Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

6.   Confidential (Provided to Members only.)

Moved by C. Rahman

Seconded by J. Morgan

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convenes In Closed session to consider the following:

6.1    Information Supplied in Confidence to the Municipality by a Crown Agency of Canada / Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice

       

A matter pertaining to information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality by a Crown Agency of Canada; advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

Motion Passed (13 to 0)

The Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee convenes In Closed Session from 1:04 PM to 1:06 PM.

6.1   Information Supplied in Confidence to the Municipality by a Crown Agency of Canada / Solicitor-Client Privileged Advice

7.   Adjournment

Moved by C. Rahman

Seconded by A. Hopkins

That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.

Motion Passed

The meeting adjourned at 3:02 PM.