The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines

BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES

Monday, April 25, 2016

Committee Chair, Councillor Mathew Siscoe, took the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 4:04 p.m.

Moved By:  Mayor Sendzik

That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda as presented for the meeting of Monday, April 25, 2016.

Carried

There were none declared.

There are none.

The Chair welcomed back the Budget Standing Committee.

Moved By:  Councillor Britton

That the Budget Standing Committee approve the 2017 schedule of meetings and workplan; and

That the Committee direct staff to include on the agenda for May 9, 2016, a discussion of the Committee's philosophy; and

That any relevant documents be included as part of the workplan and that 2016 revisions be added for information purposes; and

That staff be directed to provide best practices for reserves; and

That the agenda include: (1) potential change to requirements for the delivery of fire services, (2) once Fire Services has completed the review, for the meeting of August 29, 2016, the potential to change the agreement with Niagara Region's EMS, and (3) that the Capital Budget be included in the workplan; and

That staff be directed to provide an update, for the meeting of May 9, 2016, of the properties listed as Category 3 on the asset management property list; and

Further, that the following be included within the 2017 Schedule and Workplan: (1) existing City-shared service agreements, (2) alternative service update, and (3) revenue opportunities.

Carried

The Chair asked that the motion reflect that the consultation process has not yet been voted on and that the idea is to be considered by the Budget Standing Committee at today's meeting. Discussion ensued.

Moved By:  Mayor Sendzik

That public consultation (i.e. holding of group meetings for social / ethnocultural groups, businesses and residents) begin earlier than when the budget is prepared; and

That staff be directed to report on the scope of these consultations, identifying priorities and efficiencies; and

That the three meetings be held in May at City Hall and that the meetings be added to the current budget schedule.

Carried

Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided an overview of the multi-year budget report. Ms. Douglas answered questions from the Committee.

Moved By:  Mayor Sendzik

That the Budget Standing Committee receive the 2017 to 2019 budget forecast for information purposes; and

That the Committee direct staff to provide all information regarding the debt for the meeting of June 20, 2016; and

That the Committee direct staff to include the actuals for 2014 and 2015 in the multi-year budget, and to look at the debt load for comparable municipalities.

...

Councillor Garcia requested the motion be split into three parts.

Part One

That the Budget Standing Committee receive the 2017 to 2019 budget forecast for information purposes.

Lost on a Tie

Part Two

That the Committee direct staff to provide all information regarding the debt for the meeting of June 20, 2016.

Carried

Part Three

That the Committee direct staff to include the actuals for 2014 and 2015 in the multi-year budget, and to look at the debt load for comparable municipalities.

Carried

There were none this evening.

There was nothing this evening.

There being no further items of business this evening, this meeting adjourned at 5:23 p.m.

Certified Correct:Confirmed by:

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Council & Committee CoordinatorCommittee Chair