The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
Members Present:
Absent: | Councillor Mathew Siscoe, Chair Councillors Mike Britton, N. Carlos Garcia, Bill Phillips, and Mayor Walter Sendzik (arrived at 3:37 p.m.)
Councillor David A. Haywood |
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Officials Present: | Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services Phil Cristi, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture 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 |
The Committee Chair, Councillor Mathew Siscoe, took the chair and called the meeting to order in Council Chambers at 3:32 p.m.
2. | Adoption of Agenda |
The order of the agenda is not the same as the order in which the items were discussed.
The Chair and the City Clerk advised the Committee of the following changes to the agenda:
• Item 6.1 - removed from the agenda at the request of the presenter
• Item 7.1 - deferred to the meeting of February 1, 2017
• Item 7.4 - deferred to the meeting of February 1, 2017
• Item 7.5 - move forward to be first discussion item
• Item 8 - removed from the agenda
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda for the meeting of Wednesday, January 25, 2017, as amended.
Carried as Amended
3. | Declarations of Interest |
There were none declared.
4. | Adoption of Minutes |
4.1. | Budget Standing Committee Minutes of December 13, 2016, and |
Seconded By: Councillor Phillips
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the minutes of its meetings held on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, and Thursday, January 12, 2017.
Carried
5. | Chair's Report |
The Chair advised later this evening there will be a discussion on the schedule of meetings.
6. | Delegations |
6.1. | William Montgomery Re: Revenue Generation (see Budget Standing Committee Agenda, January 25, 2017, Item 7.4) |
Prior to the meeting, Mr. Montgomery advised he was withdrawing his request to address the Committee; therefore, this item was removed from the agenda.
7. | Discussion Items |
The Committee commenced the Discussion Items with Item 7.5.
7.1. | Niagara District Airport Commission (James Detenbeck, Airport Commission Treasurer, and Len O'Connor, CEO) Re: 1-2017 Budget Presentation 2-Niagara District Airport Commission Letter - Hydro Pole Deficiency 3-Niagara District Airport Commission - 2017-2020 Strategy Plan |
Prior to the meeting, the Niagara District Airport Commission advised they were unable to attend this evening. During the Adoption of the Agenda, this item was deferred to the meeting of February 1, 2017.
7.2. | Parks, Recreation and Culture Services (Phil Cristi) Re: Parks Renewal Plan |
Phil Cristi, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, provided the Committee with an overview of the report regarding the Parks Renewal Plan and answered the Committee's questions.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the report for information purposes; and
That the report be referred to the Recreation Master Plan Advisory Committee for their feedback on the areas of focus.
Yeas: Mayor Sendzik, Councillors Britton, Garcia, Phillips, and Siscoe
Nays:
Motion to Refer Carried
7.3. | Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) Re: Organizational Review and Internal Audit |
Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided an overview of the report regarding the Organizational Review and Internal Audit and answered the questions of the Committee.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the report for information purposes. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Mayor Sendzik, Councillors Britton, Garcia, Phillips, and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried
See Item 10.2 for a report request related to this item.
7.4. | Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) Re: Allowable Investments and Potential Revenue Sources |
During the Adoption of the Agenda, this item was deferred to the meeting of February 1, 2017.
7.5. | Budget Committee Schedule - Additional Meetings |
Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided the Committee with an update of the schedule of meetings, outlining the timelines and topics of discussion for the upcoming meetings. The Chair requested staff email the timelines and topics to the members of the Budget Standing Committee.
Seconded By: Councillor Phillips
That the Budget Standing Committee approve the following additional meetings to be held on Wednesday, February 1, 2017, at 4:15 p.m., and Monday, February 13, 2017, at 3:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.
Yeas: Mayor Sendzik, Councillors Britton, Garcia, Phillips, and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried
The Committee next discussed Item 7.2.
8. | In-Camera Session |
The Budget Standing Committee were to meet In-Camera for the following purpose:
• to adopt the In-Camera minutes of December 13, 2016
During the Adoption of the Agenda, it was stated that the closed session for this evening was cancelled.
9. | Information Items |
9.1. | Financial Management Services Draft 2017 City Departmental Expenditure Budget |
9.2. | Draft 2017 Transit Commission Budget |
9.3. | Draft 2017 Public Library Budget |
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the Draft 2017 City Departmental Expenditure Budget report, 2017 Transit Commission Budget, and Draft 2017 Public Library Budget for information purposes. FORTHWITH
Carried
10. | Other Business |
10.1. | Report Request - Provide Documentation of Savings |
That staff be directed to prepare a report with full documentation of savings from the following initiatives:
• vacancy tax reduction from 35% to 30%
• re-tendering of insurance
• LED lights savings as compared to savings estimated in December 2015
• DocuPet anticipated revenue
• in-house advertising as opposed to third party
• Winter Control Budget as a result of mild weather conditions in 2016
Carried
10.2. | Organizational Effectiveness Review |
The Chair allowed the following report request to be voted on this evening.
That staff be directed to report on the cost of an organizational effectiveness review of our senior management structure down to the Director / Deputy Director level and that this be available to consider in the 2017 budget.
Carried
11. | Adjournment |
That there being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 4:57 p.m.
Carried
Certified Correct: Confirmed by:
___________________________ ___________________________
Council & Committee Coordinator Committee Chair