The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Wednesday, February 01, 2017
Members Present: | Councillor Mathew Siscoe, Chair Councillors Mike Britton, N. Carlos Garcia, David A. Haywood, Bill Phillips, and Mayor Walter Sendzik (arrived at 4:28 p.m., left at 6:26 p.m.) |
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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 Heather Salter, Interim Director, Legal and Clerks Services / City Solicitor Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Phil Cristi, Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Steve Solski, Executive Director, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre Margaret Kreuk, Budget Analyst Maggie Riopelle, Corporate Research Officer Rebecca Alfieri, 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 4:16 p.m.
2. | Adoption of Agenda |
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda for the meeting of Wednesday, February 1, 2017, as presented.
Carried
3. | Declarations of Interest |
Councillor Britton declared a Conflict of Interest (Pecuniary) to Budget Standing Committee Agenda Item 6.3, stating the matter relates to the Jaycees, which he is associated with.
4. | Adoption of Minutes |
There were none.
5. | Chair's Report |
The Chair went over the format of the meeting and how the Committee would deal with amendments to the recommended revision list presented by staff.
6. | Discussion Items |
6.1. | Niagara District Airport Commission (James Detenbeck and Len O'Connor) 2017 Budget Presentation 1 - Operating Budget 2 - Capital Budget 3 - 2017-2020 Strategy Plan(link provided; copies available upon request) |
James Detenbeck, Treasurer, and Len O'Connor, Airport Manager, Niagara District Airport Commission, addressed the Budget Standing Committee regarding the Niagara District Airport Commission's 2017 Budget. Mr. Detenbeck provided an overview of the Proposed 2017 Capital and Operating Budgets, and the 2018-2039 Capital Forecast and Strategic Plan. Mr. Detenbeck and Mr. O'Connor answered questions from the Committee.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the presentation by Len O’Connor and James Detenbeck regarding the Niagara District Airport Commission’s 2017 Operating and Capital Budget; and
That the ice spraying equipment receive early Capital Budget approval. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
6.2. | Parks, Recreation and Culture Services (Phil Cristi) Community Garden Funding |
Acting Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Phil Cristi, provided an overview of the report regarding Community Garden Funding, and answered questions from the Committee.
That the $50,000 grant that was requested for community groups doing community gardens within the City be reduced to a $25,000 grant; and
That this reduction be decided upon by the Environmental Sustainability Committee, and flow directly from the Civic Project fund; and
That the source of funding be revisited before the 2018 budget cycle. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, Britton, Garcia, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried as Amended
Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) 2017 Unallocated Grants |
The Director of Financial Management Services, Kristine Douglas, provided an overview of the 2017 Unallocated Grants. There were no questions from the Committee.
Councillor Britton did not vote due to Conflict of Interest (Pecuniary).
Moved By: Councillor Phillips
That the Budget Standing Committee approve the funding for unallocated grants in the amount of $7,610. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Phillips, Siscoe, Garcia, Haywood, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
6.4. | Corporate Services Commission (Shelley Chemnitz) Budget Committee – Outstanding Requests |
The Corporate Services Commissioner, Shelley Chemnitz, provided an overview of the Budget Standing Committee's Outstanding Request report in regards to Citizens First, tax appeals and write offs, Transit Commission's budget and actual figures for 2016, the St. Catharines Public Library's salaries and benefits, reserves and actual figures for 2016, and the Performing Arts Centre percentage budget target increase. Ms. Chemnitz, along with staff from various departments answered questions from the Committee.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the attached memorandums for information purposes; and
That the Transit Commission’s Capital request be funded by the City’s Capital Budget; and
That the Library's two staff positions that have not been filled for two years, be removed from the 2017 Budget for a savings of $145,000. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Siscoe, Britton, Garcia, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays: Councillor Phillips
Carried as Amended
Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) Organizational Effectiveness Information |
The Director of Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) provided an overview regarding the Organizational Effectiveness Information report, and answered questions from the Committee.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive this report for information purposes; and
That the Budget Standing Committee approve retaining an organizational effectiveness consultant to evaluate the Senior Management structure down to the Director and Deputy Director level with a maximum budget of $30,000; and
That a sub-committee made up of three Budget Standing Committee members, and staff be formed that will review and approve the RFP for the study, as well as be the ongoing contact with the selected consultant and the recipient of the results and recommendations from the consultant. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, Britton, and Siscoe
Nays: Mayor Sendzik
Carried as Amended
6.6. | Corporate Services Commission (Shelley Chemnitz) Documentation of Savings |
The Corporate Services Commissioner, Shelley Chemnitz provided an overview regarding the Documentation of Savings report. Ms. Chemnitz, along with staff from various departments answered questions from the Committee.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive this report for information. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, Siscoe, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
6.7. | Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) 2016 Year End and Reserves and Reserve Funds update with Potential New Reserves |
The Director of Financial Management Services, Kristine Douglas provided an overview regarding the 2016 Year End and Reserves and Reserve Funds update with Potential New Reserves. Ms. Douglas, along with staff from various departments answered questions from the Committee.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive this report on the City’s 2016 Year End Position and Reserves and Reserve Funds for information purposes; and
That the BSC receive for consideration and approval details on a potential new Litigation/Insurance Reserve, Election Reserve and two new reserves for the Meridian Centre: a Capital Reserve and an Event Fund Reserve; and
Further that the Budget Standing Committee (BSC) approve the allocations to the following reserves using the portion of 2016 year end surplus:
• Election Reserve - $400,000
• Litigation/Insurance Reserve - $200,000
• Winter Control Reserve - $150,000
• Tax Stabilization Reserve - $450,000. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Phillips, Siscoe, Britton, Garcia, Haywood, and Mayor Sendzik
Nays:
Carried
6.8. | Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) 2017 Operating Budget Revisions |
The Director of Financial Management Services, Kristine Douglas, presented an overview of the 2017 Operating Budget Revisions with respect to the possible reductions to the 2017 operating budget rated at various levels to demonstrate their impact on City services and operations.
Moved by Councillor Britton
Seconded by Councillor Garcia
That the Budget Standing Committee recess to In-Camera session for the purpose of discussing personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees, and labour relations or employee negotiations as it pertains to the 2017 Operating Budget Revisions.
Carried
The Budget Standing Committee recessed to the In-Camera session at 6:12 p.m. The Committee reconvened in open session at 6:26 p.m.
Motion Arising from In-Camera Session
Moved by Councillor Phillips
That the Committee receive the verbal information from the Director of Financial Management Services as it pertains to the 2017 Operating Budget Revisions.
Carried
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the report and defer their decision to the Committee meeting of February 6, 2017; and
That the revisions that were recommended to staff will be included in the report. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Phillips, Siscoe, Britton, Garcia, Haywood, and Phillips
Nays:
Motion to Defer Carried
Mayor Sendzik was not present for the vote.
7. | Information Items |
A link is provided to the items and are available upon request
7.1. | Draft 2017 City Departmental Expenditure Budget (A link is provided to this item and is available upon request) |
Items 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 were all carried in one motion.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive Item 7.1: Financial Management Services' Draft 2017 City Departmental Expenditure Budget, Item 7.2: Draft 2017 Transit Commission Budget, and Item 7.3: Draft 2017 Public Library Budget for information purposes.
Carried
7.2. | Draft 2017 St. Catharines Transit Commission Budget (A link is provided to this item and is available upon request |
See Item 7.1 for motion.
7.3. | Draft 2017 St. Catharines Public Library Budget (A link is provided to this item and is available upon request) |
See Item 7.1 for motion.
8. | Other Business |
There was none.
9. | Adjournment |
There being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 6:28 p.m.
Carried
Certified Correct:Confirmed by:
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Council & Committee CoordinatorCommittee Chair