The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Tuesday, January 12, 2016
Members Present:
Absent: | Mayor Walter Sendzik Councillors Mike Britton (left at 5:06 p.m.), N. Carlos Garcia, Bill Phillips (arrived at 3:05 p.m.), and Mathew Siscoe (Chair)
Councillor David A. Haywood |
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Officials Present: | Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services David Oakes, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Bonnie Nistico-Dunk, City Clerk Margaret Kreuk, Budget Analyst Maggie Riopelle, Corporate Research Officer Deanna Haine, Council & Committee Coordinator |
1. | Call the Meeting to Order |
Committee Chair, Mathew Siscoe, took the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 3:04 p.m.
2. | Adoption of Agenda |
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda for Tuesday, January 12, 2016, as presented.
Carried
3. | Declarations of Interest |
There were none declared.
4. | Adoption of Minutes |
Budget Standing Committee, December 15, 2015
That the Budget Standing Committee approve the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, December 15, 2015.
Carried
5. | Discussion Items |
5.1. | Dan Romanko, Downtown Development and Revitalization Committee Chair - Re: Civic Square and CIP Dollars Presentation |
Dan Romanko, Downtown Development and Revitalization Committee Chair addressed the Budget Standing Committee regarding funding to support a Civic Square project and the CIP program. He spoke of how previous funding helped to revitalize the downtown and how funding can benefit future projects. Mr. Romanko requested the following:
• that $100,000 be allocated in 2016 to support community visioning and initial design concept for a Civic Square
• an ongoing Council commitment which is required for CIP to build confidence in private investment
• that $100,000 be dedicated to façades and residential conversion projects in the downtown and vicinity
• additional Council commitment to a long term funding allocation for tax incentive programs to instill confidence in the development industry
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the presentation by Dan Romanko, Downtown Development and Revitalization Committee Chair, regarding funding to support a Civic Square project and the CIP program.
Carried
5.2. | 2016 Draft City Departmental Expenditure Budget – Report FMS-348-2015 |
Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided an overview of the 2016 Draft City Departmental Expenditure Budget as outlined in Corporate Report FMS-348-2015, which was referred by Council at the meeting of December 14, 2015, to the Budget Standing Committee. She stated the revenue side is still to come, and it is anticipated to be lower than 2015. Ms. Douglas advised that the budget does not include St. Catharines Transit or the St. Catharines Public Library. She also informed Council that the City departments on a corporate wide basis were able to achieve the Budget Standing Committee guidance of an increase of 2.85% for 2016, which did place significant challenges on the departments to realize net budget reductions. These challenges will be discussed in the departmental presentation over the next three meetings.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the presentation regarding the 2016 Draft City Departmental Expenditure Budget.
Carried
5.3. | Operations Commission Department Presentation – Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations
Parks, Recreation and Culture Services – David Oakes, Director, Parks Recreation and Culture Services • The following requested information will be addressed through a memorandum to the presentation: • Examine the success rate of the Ash tree injections, as well as the costs associated with injections vs. replacing trees |
David Oakes, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, on behalf of the Commissioner of Operations, presented a departmental overview, including the proposed operating budget, the festival grant process, the flower basket program and the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program funding. He also provided an update regarding the ash trees as it relates to the Emerald Ash Borer.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive and accept the presentation by David Oakes, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services regarding the departmental budget, save and except for the following items:
• festival grant program
• flower basket program
• St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program funding; and
That staff be directed to engage the Port Dalhousie and Downtown business associations regarding the flower basket program.
Carried
5.4. | Operations Commission Department Presentation– Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations
Transportation and Environmental Services – Dan Dillon, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services • The following requested information will be addressed through an attached memorandum to the presentation: • Identify the costs of installing smart thermostats and LED lighting and Include any measures that have been taken in past years |
Dan Dillon, Director, Transportation and Environmental Services, on behalf of the Commissioner of Operations, presented a departmental overview, including the proposed operating budget. He also provided information regarding the smart thermostats and LED lighting.
That staff be directed to report back with a narrative explanation for any TES 2016 budget numbers that exceed by 15% of the three-year average actuals provided.
Carried
6. | Information Items |
6.1. | See Attached for: • staff direction and referrals to Budget Standing Committee • 2016 Budget Standing Committee Work Plan |
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the information items as presented.
Carried
7. | Other Business |
Councillor Garcia asked questions regarding a limit on the overall increase and will all departments be held to the same 2.85% operating budget increase. The Chair asked the departments who have yet to present their budgets and that are over the 2.85% increase to provide ideas as to how they can come in under 2.85%.
8. | Adjournment |
The meeting adjourned at 5:07 p.m.
Carried
Certified Correct:Confirmed by:
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Committee ChairCouncil & Committee Coordinator