The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, September 19, 2016
Members Present: | Councillor Mathew Siscoe, Chair (arrived at 5:36 p.m.) Councillors Mike Britton, N. Carlos Garcia (left at 5:49 p.m.), |
| |
Officials Present: | Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services Bonnie Nistico-Dunk, City Clerk Nicole Auty, Director of Legal and Clerks Services Jim Riddell, Director of Planning and Building Services Phil Cristi, Jeff Silcox-Childs, Acting Directors of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Margaret Kreuk, Budget Analyst Maggie Riopelle, Corporate Research Officer Rebecca Alfieri, Council & Committee Coordinator |
Call the Meeting to Order |
Vice Committee Chair, Councillor Mike Britton, took the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 5:02 p.m.
2. | Adoption of Agenda |
2.1. | • The City Clerk advised of a revised appendix for Agenda Item 6.2: Financial Management Services report - 2017 Schedule of Rates and Fees Recommendations • Councillor Garcia requested the Budget Standing Committee to discuss Agenda Item 6.3, Corporate Services Report - 2017 Operating Budget Process Plan first, and Item 9, Other Business, as he had to leave the meeting early |
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda as amended for the meeting of Monday, September 19, 2016.
Carried as Amended
Following Item 2.1, the Budget Standing Committee discussed Agenda Item 9 - Other Business
Declarations of Interest |
There were none.
4. | Adoption of Minutes |
4.1. | Budget Standing Committee Minutes of August 29, 2016 |
Seconded By: Councillor Garcia
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Budget Standing Committee held on Monday, August 29, 2016.
Carried
Chair's Report |
There was none.
6. | Discussion Items |
6.1. | Planning and Building Services, Planning Services Cost Recovery Model for Planning Application Fees |
That the Budget Committee approve rate increases for Planning Fees in 2017; and
That the increased revenues be directed toward investment into the Amanda System, to allow user access to permits, and project management staffing, and GM Land Use Study.
...
That the Budget Committee approve rate increases for Planning Fees in 2017.
Carried
That the Budget Standing Committee defer the motion regarding increased revenues being directed toward investment into the Amanda System, to allow user access to permits, and project management staffing, and GM Land Use Study, in order to report back to the Budget Standing Committee meeting of October 17, 2016, to provide pricing to upgrade the Amanda System. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Motion to Defer Carried
Councillor Britton left the chair, and Councillor Siscoe resumed the chair.
6.2. | Financial Management Services, Director 2017 Schedule of Rates and Fees Recommendations |
Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided an overview of the report regarding the 2017 Schedule of Rates and Fees Recommendations. Ms. Douglas, and Department Directors answered questions from the Committee.
Moved By: Mayor Sendzik
That the Budget Standing Committee approve the 2017 Schedule of Rates and Fees; and
That increases are set at a minimum, at the rate of inflation (CORE CPI), putting Rates and Fees for 2017; and
That staff report on the subsidization rates of all recreational programs; and
Further that, the Budget Standing Committee forward same to Council on October 3, 2016 for consideration after the public meeting on October 24, 2016, for which notice will be duly given. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
6.3. | Corporate Services, Commissioner 2017 Operating Budget Process Plan |
That the Budget Standing Committee approve the recommended schedule of events to assist with the 2017 Operating Budget deliberation and approval. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
Budget Standing Committee now discussed Item 6.1
7. | Consent Reports |
There were none.
8. | Other Business |
8.1. | History of Fire and Emergency Management Services Expenditures - Volunteer Fire Station Closures |
That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to report on history of Fire and Emergency Management Services (FEMS) expenditures vs. total City’s expenditures to compare when the last two (2) volunteer fire stations were closed to current by the next Budget Standing Committee meeting.
Carried
8.2. | Request Niagara Region Support Tax Rebate Program for Ethno-Cultural Charitable Organizations |
That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to advise when the report will be forthcoming regarding the Motion carried at the Council Meeting of September 12, 2016:
"That Council refer the motion regarding the Request that the Niagara Region Support the Tax Rebate Program for Ethno-Cultural Charitable Organizations back to staff for a report, to include the cost incurred by the average tax payer for this motion to take effect, and what other community groups may be considered as part of this motion; and
That this report be forwarded to the Budget Standing Committee for their consideration. FORTHWITH"
Carried
Budget Standing Committee now discussed Item 6.3
9. | Adjournment |
9.1. |
|
There being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 6:30 p.m.
Carried
Certified Correct: Confirmed by:
______________________________________________
Council & Committee CoordinatorCommittee Chair