The Corporation of the City of St. Catharines
BUDGET STANDING COMMITTEE MINUTES
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
Members Present:
Absent: | Councillor Mathew Siscoe, Chair Councillors Matt Harris, Mike Britton (arrived 3:42 p.m.), N. Carlos Garcia, David A. Haywood
Mayor Walter Sendzik |
| |
Officials Present: | Dan Carnegie, Chief Administrative Officer Shelley Chemnitz, Commissioner of Corporate Services Kristine Douglas, Director of Financial Management Services Brian York, Director of Economic Development and Government Relations Dave Wood, Director of Fire & Emergency Services/Fire Chief Phil Cristi, Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture Services Heather Salter, City Solicitor Stacey Wells, Deputy City Clerk Maggie Riopelle, Corporate Research Officer Leah LaPlante and 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 3:30 p.m.
2. | Adoption of Agenda |
Seconded By: Councillor Garcia
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the agenda for the meeting of Wednesday, May 31, 2017, as presented.
Carried
3. | Declarations of Interest |
There were none declared.
4. | Adoption of Minutes |
4.1. | Budget Standing Committee, Minutes of April 12, 2017 |
Seconded By: Councillor Haywood
That the Budget Standing Committee adopt the minutes of the meeting of the Budget Standing Committee held on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.
Carried
5. | Chair's Report |
The Chair requested the committee look over the work plan and bring any missing items to staff's attention.
6. | Motions |
6.1. | Time Change for June 19, 2017 and July 17, 2017 Budget Standing Committee Meetings |
Whereas the Budget Standing Committee meeting schedule has been approved for the 2017 year;
Whereas the meeting of June 19, 2017, and July 17, 2017 at 3:30 p.m. are a conflict for a member of the Committee;
Therefore Be It Resolved that the Budget Standing Committee move its meeting time from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 19, 2017, and July 17, 2017, and the public be so notified.
Yeas: Councillors Garcia, Haywood, Harris, and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried as Amended
Councillor Britton was absent for the vote
7. | Discussion Items |
7.1. | Parks, Recreation and Culture Services, Business Planning and Strategic Services (Phil Cristi) The Payment-in-Lieu of Parkland Dedication Reserve Fund |
The Director of Parks, Recreation & Culture Services, Phil Cristi, provided an overview of the Payment-in-lieu of Parkland Dedication Reserve Fund report. Mr. Cristi answered questions from the Committee.
Moved By: Councillor Harris
That Budget Standing Committee receive the Payment-in-Lieu of Parkland Dedication Reserve Fund Expenditure Policy, provided in Appendix 1; and
Further that Budget Standing Committee refer this report and the Payment-in-Lieu of Parkland Dedication Reserve Fund Expenditure Policy to City Council for approval.
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Harris, and Siscoe
Nays: Councillor Haywood
Carried
7.2. | Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Administration (Dan Carnegie) Shared Services in Niagara Region – CAO Update |
The Chief Administrative Officer, Dan Carnegie, provided an overview of Shared Services in Niagara Region. Mr. Carnegie answered questions from the committee.
Moved By: Councillor Britton
That the Budget Standing Committee receive the attached report for information purposes.
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Harris and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried
7.3. | Financial Management Services, Director (Kristine Douglas) Inflationary Measures and Explanations |
The Director of Financial Management Services, Kristine Douglas, provided an overview of Inflationary Measures and Explanations. Ms. Douglas answered questions from the committee.
Moved By: Councillor Britton
That the Budget Standing Committee (BSC) approve 2018 overall expenditure budget guidance increase of 1.5%, which is based on the CPI-common rolling 12 month average; and
That the BSC approve an increase of 2.0% for 2019 to 2021 multi-year operating budget expenditure guidance; and
That staff be directed to return to BSC at the beginning of each annual operating budget cycle with an update on the rolling 12 month average of CPI-common in order for the BSC to set the annual overall expenditure budget guidance.
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Harris, and Siscoe
Nays:
Carried as Amended
7.4. | Financial Management Services, Director (Kristine Douglas) Ethno-Cultural Transitional Grant Program Update |
The Director of Financial Management Services, Ms. Kristine Douglas, provided an overview of Ethno-Cultural Transitional Grant Program Update. Ms. Douglas answered questions from the committee.
That the Budget Standing Committee receive this report for information purposes; and
That the Budget Standing Committee refer the report back to staff to re-evaluate the eligibility of the organizations that originally qualified for the Ethno-Cultural Transitional Grant; and
That the Committee request staff to review the eligibility process as only one organization met the final eligibility review.
Motion to Refer Carried
7.5. | Corporate Services, Commissioner (Shelley Chemnitz) Memorandum - Outstanding Items (Motion deferred from April 12, 2017 - "That official budget documents being distributed to the public be reviewed by the Budget Standing Committee prior to distribution.") |
The Commissioner of Corporate Services, Shelley Chemnitz, reviewed the purpose of the motion that was deferred at the Budget Standing Committee meeting of April 12, 2017.
That official budget documents be made available to the public be reviewed by the Budget Standing Committee prior to distribution.
Yeas: Councillors Britton, Garcia, Haywood, Harris, Siscoe
Nays:
Carried
8. | Information Items |
8.1. | 2017 - Budget Committee Work Plan |
The Chair asked the Committee members to look at the 2017 Budget Committee Work Plan and advise the chair and staff if any reports were omitted.
9. | Other Business |
Directions for staff have been noted and forwarded to the appropriate staff persons.
9.1. | Update - Hydro Dividends |
Councillor Harris requested an update on Hydro dividends and what they could be allotted to. The Corporate Services Commissioner, Shelley Chemnitz, advised that a report is forthcoming and will be presented at the meeting of June 19, 2017.
10. | Adjournment |
There being no further items of business, this meeting be adjourned at 4:10 p.m.
Certified Correct: Confirmed by:
Council & Committee Coordinator | Committee Chair |