The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

GENERAL COMMITTEE MINUTES

Monday, March 07, 2016

(2016 Operating Budget)

There were none this evening.

There were none this evening.

Follow this link to view General Committee reports of March 7, 2016

Moved By:  Councillor Siscoe

Seconded By:  Councillor Phillips

The Budget Standing Committee has reviewed the 2016 Draft Operating Budget and recommends the following:

That the 2016 Operating Budget as presented be approved; and

That the by-law to deem one-third of the remuneration paid to Members of Council as expenses incident to the discharge of their duties be maintained; and

That Council approved the amended Terms of Reference as attached in Appendix 3; and

That the 2016 tax levy include a one-percent levy for infrastructure; and

That a Tax Rate (TR) Stabilization Reserve be established; and

That a Winter Control Program (WCP) Reserve be established; and

That a FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) Capital Reserve be established; and

That the allocation of $1 from the FOPAC capital surcharge be redirected to fund the St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP); and

That $1 of the Special Events Parking fee charged at the Carlisle/Garden Park Parking Garage for events at the FOPAC be redirected to SCCIP; and

That staff complete an information technology audit (roadmap) in order to develop a technology plan; and 

That staff begin process of stakeholder consultations with business community, residents, interest groups regarding budget process and changes to the 2017 budget; and

That staff report back to Budget Standing Committee on the general comments of Mr. Kim Bauer during budget presentations; and

That the Budget Standing Committee go one step further, to provide a verbal update to Council and to the public at least once a month following their meetings, to include upcoming topics to be discussed with an invitation, including date and time, so that interested individuals can attend; and

Further, that the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-laws. FORTHWITH

...

Amendment One

Moved By:  Councillor Garcia

That Council direct staff, in order to ensure transparency and accountability, henceforth, all reports dealing with changes in the tax levy for our City's taxpayers clearly show the percentage change in the portion of the tax levy that accrues to the City's Treasury, as well as percentage change in the blended levy, which incorporates levies from other taxation authorities and, which is the levy our taxpayers will actually pay. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays:

Carried

Amendment Two

Moved By:  Councillor Haywood

That Council approve the City of St. Catharines establishment of a $15,000 Centennial Gardens restoration fund in each of the next two years (with the second year's funding based on city council's approval during the next budget cycle); and

That the funds be accessed by community groups and private organizations doing volunteer work/ improvements/ restorations, within the park; and

That funding will be based on the City matching, dollar-for-dollar, any financial contribution from said community group/private organization doing the above mentioned work in Centennial Gardens (up to a total of $15,000 limit); and

Further, that the funds come from the parkland dedication fund for Centennial Park’s restoration. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: 

Carried

Mayor Sendzik left the chair to make the following motion.
Councillor Phillips took the chair.

Amendment Three

Moved By:  Mayor Sendzik

That Council restore $5,000 in operating expenses in the Office of the Mayor to support small pilot projects for the Mayor’s Compassionate City initiative including Council and staff orientation and development of resources, as well as community engagement initiatives and social media, and

That any projects/initiatives include consultation with local agencies. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays:

Carried

Mayor Sendzik returned to the chair.

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

Seconded By:  Councillor Haywood

That the time is now 10:30 p.m. and Council has outstanding business, Council move to go beyond the curfew of 10:30 p.m. to complete the issue at hand.

Carried

Adjournment of General Committee Meeting - March 7, 2016

General Committee adjourned at 10:38 p.m., in order to reconvene on Tuesday,
March 8, 2016.

The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

GENERAL COMMITTEE MINUTES

Tuesday, March 08, 2016

(2016 Operating Budget)

Reconvene General Committee Meeting - March 8, 2016

General Committee reconvened on Tuesday, March 8, 2016 at 6:31 p.m., and adjourned at 9:27 p.m. and City Council reconvene.

Present:    Mayor Sendzik

Councillors Sandie Bellows, Mike Britton, N. Carlos Garcia, Matt Harris,
David A. Haywood, Joseph Kushner, Bill Phillips, Mathew Siscoe,
Sal Sorrento, Jennifer Stevens, and Bruce Williamson (arrived at 6:36 p.m.)

Absent:    Councillor Mark Elliott

Officials    Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer
Present:    Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services
                  Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations
                  Nicole Auty, Director of Legal and Clerks Services/City Solicitor
                  Jim Riddell, Director of Planning and Building Services
                  Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services
                  Jeanette Pillitteri, Director of Corporate Support Services
                  Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services
                  David Oakes, Director of Recreation and Community Services
                  Dave Wood, Director of Fire and Emergency Management Services
                  Steve Solski, Executive Director of FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre
                  Bonnie Nistico-Dunk, City Clerk
                  Rebecca Alfieri, Council and Committee Coordinator

New Amendments to the 2016 Budget

That all amendments have now been submitted for the 2016 Operating Budget at the meeting of Monday, March 7, 2016 for discussion at the meeting of Tuesday, March 8, 2016.

Moved By:  Councillor Siscoe

That Council refer any new amendments brought forward for the budget be submitted to the Budget Standing Committee for 2017 consideration.

Motion to Refer Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Siscoe (Amendment)

That Council refer the amendments to the Terms of Reference as attached to Budget Standing Committee report, General Committee, Item No. 3.1, March 7, 2016, Appendix 3, to the Budget Standing Committee for consideration.

Motion to Refer Carried

Amendment Four

Moved By:  Councillor Garcia

That, Council approve the City’s budget for the Niagara District Airport as provided for 2016, and

That no funds in excess of the prior year’s funding be given to the Niagara District Airport before they present to Council regarding their 2016 Budget. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillor Britton

Carried

Amendment Five

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

1) That Council direct staff to remove the Infrastructure levy, $545,000 savings; and

2) That Council approve funding of the capital technology improvements from the Capital Budget as opposed to the Corporate Services operating ($50,000 savings in operating); and

3) That Council directs that the Customer Services budget receive an increase at the rate of inflation. ($97,510.66 savings); and

4) That Council approve that the GM secondary plan be funded from Civic Project Fund ($32,800 savings in operating); and

5) That Council direct staff to reduce Conferences and Conventions funding to 2015 levels ($36,262 savings); and

6) That Council set our (the City’s) Contribution to Capital to $0 ($42,000 savings)

...

Councillor Britton requested that Council vote on each item separately.

Part One

That Council direct staff to remove the Infrastructure levy, which would result in a savings of $545,000.

Yeas: Councillors Britton, Harris, and Sorrento

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik
                  Lost

Part Two

That Council approve funding of the capital technology improvements from the Capital Budget, as opposed to the Corporate Services operating, which would result in $50,000 in savings in the Operating Budget.

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillor Haywood
                                         Carried

Part Three

That Council direct that the Customer Services budget receive an increase at the rate of inflation, which would result in a savings of $97,510.66.

Yeas: Councillor Britton

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik
                                              Lost

Part Four

That Council approve that the General Motors Secondary plan be funded from the Civic Project Fund, which would result in $32,800 in savings in the operating budget.

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Siscoe, Sorrento, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillors Kushner, Phillips, and Stevens

Carried

Part Five

That Council direct staff to reduce Conferences and Conventions funding to 2015 levels, which would result in a savings of $36,262.

Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, and Sorrento

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Harris, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Lost

Part Six

That Council set the City’s contribution to the Capital Budget to $0, which would result in $42,000 in savings.

Yeas: Councillors Britton, Kushner, and Sorrento

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Lost

Amendment Six

Moved By:  Councillor Harris

That Council approve the Burgoyne Woods pool be kept open for 2016; and

That funds for this be taken from the Horizon Utilities dividend received by the City.

Yeas: Councillors Harris, Kushner, Sorrento, Williamson, Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillors Bellows, Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, and Stevens

Lost

Amendment Seven

Moved By:  Councillor Williamson

That Council approve $7,000 be restored back into the museum budget.

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Sorrento, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillor Britton

Carried

2016 Operating Budget, As Amended

The Budget Standing Committee has reviewed the 2016 Draft Operating Budget and recommends the following:

That the 2016 Operating Budget as presented be approved; and

That the by-law to deem one-third of the remuneration paid to Members of Council as expenses incident to the discharge of their duties be maintained; and

That Council refer the amendments to the Terms of Reference as attached to Budget Standing Committee report, General Committee, Item No. 3.1, March 7, 2016, Appendix 3, and other amendments presented at the meeting of March 8, 2016, to the Budget Standing Committee for consideration; and

That the 2016 tax levy include a one-percent levy for infrastructure; and

That a Tax Rate (TR) Stabilization Reserve be established; and

That a Winter Control Program (WCP) Reserve be established; and

That a FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (FOPAC) Capital Reserve be established; and

That the allocation of $1 from the FOPAC capital surcharge be redirected to fund the
St. Catharines Cultural Investment Program (SCCIP); and

That $1 of the Special Events Parking fee charged at the Carlisle/Garden Park Parking Garage for events at the FOPAC be redirected to SCCIP; and

That staff complete an information technology audit (roadmap) in order to develop a technology plan; and

That staff begin the process of stakeholder consultations with the business community, residents, interest groups regarding budget process and changes to the 2017 budget; and

That staff report back to Budget Standing Committee on the general comments of Mr. Kim Bauer during budget presentations; and

That the Budget Standing Committee go one step further, to provide a verbal update to Council, and to the public, at least once a month following their meetings, to include upcoming topics to be discussed with an invitation, including date and time, so that interested individuals can attend; and

That Council direct staff, in order to ensure transparency and accountability, henceforth, all reports dealing with changes in the tax levy for our City's taxpayers clearly show the percentage change in the portion of the tax levy that accrues to the City's Treasury, as well as percentage change in the blended levy, which incorporates levies from other taxation authorities and, which is the levy our taxpayers will actually pay; and

That Council approve the City of St. Catharines establishment of a $15,000 Centennial Gardens restoration fund in each of the next two years (with the second year's funding based on city council's approval during the next budget cycle); and

That the funds be accessed by community groups and private organizations doing volunteer work/ improvements/ restorations, within the park; and

That funding will be based on the City matching, dollar-for-dollar, any financial contribution from said community group/private organization doing the above mentioned work in Centennial Gardens (up to a total of $15,000 limit); and

That the funds come from the parkland dedication fund for Centennial Park’s restoration; and

That Council restore $5,000 in operating expenses in the Office of the Mayor to support small pilot projects for the Mayor’s Compassionate City initiative including Council and staff orientation and development of resources, as well as community engagement initiatives and social media, and

That any projects/initiatives include consultation with local agencies; and

That, Council approve the City’s budget for the Niagara District Airport as provided for 2016, and

That no funds in excess of the prior year’s funding be given to the Niagara District Airport before they present to Council regarding their 2016 Budget; and

That Council approve funding of the capital technology improvements from the Capital Budget, as opposed to the Corporate Services Operating, which would result in $50,000 in savings in the operating Budget; and

That Council approve that the General Motors Secondary plan be funded from Civic Project Fund, which would result in $32,800 in savings in the Operating Budget; and

That Council approve $7,000 be restored back into the museum budget; and

Further that the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary by-laws. FORTHWITH

Yeas: Councillors Bellows, Garcia, Harris, Haywood, Kushner, Phillips, Siscoe, Stevens, Williamson, and Mayor Sendzik

Nays: Councillors Britton, and Sorrento

Carried as Amended

There were none this evening.

Directions for staff have been noted and will be provided to the appropriate members of staff.

Moved By:  Councillor Williamson

That a ten year history of the City’s operating budget statistics, in a variety of forms be included in the operating budget for the future operating budget.

Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Kushner

That the Budget Standing Committee review the BMA Management Consultant Report in their budget deliberations.

Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Phillips

That staff prepare a debt management strategy, to include major debenture projects; and

That the strategy report come to Council by end of 2nd quarter.

Carried

Moved By:  Councillor Kushner

That staff explain the total City increase in terms of total expenditures increased and other factors that account for the total budget increase.

Carried

There was no scheduled In-Camera session this evening.

General Committee adjourned at 9:26 p.m. and City Council reconvened.

Certified Correct:     Confirmed by:

______________________   ______________________

Council Coordinator     Mayor