The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Monday, February 13, 2017
Members Present:
Absent: | Councillor Mathew Siscoe, Chair Councillors Mike Britton, N. Carlos Garcia (arrived at 3:34 p.m.), David A. Haywood, and Bill Phillips
Mayor Walter Sendzik |
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Officials Present: | Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services Christine Adams, Manager of Engineering and Construction Karthik Venkataraman, Senior Manager of Information Technology 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 |
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda for the meeting of Monday, February 13, 2017, as presented.
Carried
3. | Declarations of Interest |
There were none declared.
4. | Adoption of Minutes |
There are none at this time.
5. | Chair's Report |
The Chair advised that the 2017 Proposed Operating Budget was being tabled at this evening's Council meeting to set a public meeting for Monday, February 27, 2017, with the possibility of continuing the meeting on Tuesday, February 28, 2017.
6. | Discussion Items |
6.1. | Operations Commission (Bryan Shynal, Dan Dillon) Asset Management Plan - Presentation |
Bryan Shynal, Commissioner of Operations, and Dan Dillon, Director of Transportation and Environmental Services, provided an overview of the Asset Management Plan. They responded to the Committee's questions.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the presentation by the Operations Commissioner and the Director of Transportation and Environmental Services regarding the Asset Management Plan, for information purposes. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried
6.2. | Transportation and Environmental Services (Dan Dillon, Christine Adams) Early Budget and Approval of Proposed 2017 Construction Programs Funded by 2017 Operating Budget, 2017 Capital Budget and 2017 Water / Wastewater Budget |
Christine Adams, Manager of Engineering and Construction, provided the Committee with an overview of the 2017 TES program report. The presentation and question / answer period addressed the early budget approval of the proposed 2017 construction programs funded by the 2017 Operating Budget, 2017 Capital Budget and 2017 Water / Wastewater Budget. Councillor Britton advised he would have a request under Other Business regarding the approval process timelines for construction projects.
That the Budget Committee receives this report for information and consideration; and
That Council approve the Proposed 2017 Construction Programs funded by 2017 Operating Budget, Capital Budget and Water / Wastewater Budget subject to the approval of the 2017 Capital, Operating and / or Water / Wastewater Budgets; and
That the Director of Transportation and Environmental Services / City Engineer be authorized to proceed with the projects listed in Appendix 1, Schedule T, Early Budget Approvals to be funded from the 2017 Budgets; and
That the Director of Transportation and Environmental Services / City Engineer be authorized to proceed with engineering services, utility relocations and design for those projects identified in Appendix 1, Schedules A to S to be funded from the 2017 Budgets; and
Further, that the Committee approve the $60,000 for the Carlton Street / Geneva Street intersection improvements pending an explanatory report regarding the increase from the previously approved $10,000. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, and Siscoe
Nays: Councillor Britton
Carried as Amended
6.3. | Information Technology, Corporate Support Services (Karthik Venkataraman) Information Technology Three - Year Roadmap Outlay |
Karthik Venkataraman, Senior Manager of Information Technology, provided the Committee with an overview of the memorandum regarding the Three-year Roadmap Outlay and answered the Committee's questions.
Councillor Britton requested that staff provide Council with information regarding any plans for conversion of Council's cell phones outlining the savings, benefits and differences, and stated this should be approved by Council before a decision is made.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the memorandum from Corporate Support Services, Information Technology, regarding Information Technology Three-Year Roadmap Outlay, for information purposes. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried
6.4. | Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) 2017 Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast |
Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services, provided the Committee with an overview of the report regarding the 2017 Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast and answered questions from the Committee.
That the report from Financial Management Services dated February 13, 2017, regarding the 2017 Capital Budget be referred to City Council for consideration after the Public Meeting scheduled for March 6, 2017, for which notice will be duly given; and
That the Budget Standing Committee approve the 2017 Capital Budget and Four Year Forecast, as detailed in Appendix 1, for information; and
That the 2017 Transit Commission Capital request be funded by the City’s Capital Budget; and
That the Budget Standing Committee direct staff to prepare a report before the next budget cycle on the feasibility of forming a sub-committee on the debt management strategy and include terms of reference; and
Further, that the City Solicitor be directed to prepare the necessary borrowing by-laws. FORTHWITH
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Phillips, and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried as Amended
6.5. | Financial Management Services (Kristine Douglas) Multi-Year Budget - 2018 to 2020 |
That the Budget Standing Committee defer the Multi-year Budget - 2018 to 2020 to a future meeting. FORTHWITH
Motion to Defer Carried
7. | Consent Reports |
There are none.
8. | Other Business |
Directions for staff have been noted and forwarded to the appropriate staff persons.
8.1. | Staff Complement - Additional Information Request |
That the Committee direct staff to prepare a report or memo related to the staff complement and how it's changed in comparison to other municipalities to provide a better idea of how it will be effective or efficient.
Carried
8.2. | Feasibility of Partnership with Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority - Various Programs |
That the Committee direct staff to explore partnerships with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority regarding the Shoreline Protection Program, Watercourse Rehabilitation Program and Morningstar Mill Rehabilitations.
Carried
8.3. | Design and Approval Process Timelines - Construction Projects |
That the Committee direct staff to prepare a report providing ideas on how to decrease the internal design and approval process timelines as it relates to the City construction projects.
Carried
9. | Adjournment |
That, there being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 5:43 p.m.
Carried
Certified Correct:Confirmed by:
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Council & Committee CoordinatorCommittee Chair