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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMarch 10, 2016 (Budget) city °o _ Executive (Budget) Committee - �� Meeting Minutes INNU IZI Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee Room Present: • Mayor Ryan Councillors: K. Ashe M. Brenner I. Cumming R. Johnson B. McLean D. Pickles —arrived at 12:00 pm Also Present: T. Prevedel - Chief Administrative Officer P. Bigioni - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor R. Holborn - Director, Engineering & Public Works T. Melymuk - Director, City Development M. Carpino - Director, Culture & Recreation J. Hagg - Fire Chief K. Bentley - Chief'Building Official C. Grant - CEO, Library C. Rose - Chief Planner M. Gadsovski - Division Head, Water Resources & Development Services J. Hodgson - Division Head, City Administration. S. Karwowski - Division Head, Finance & Treasurer D. Shields - City Clerk B. Duffield - Manager, Facilities Operations J. Halsall - Manager, Budgets & Internal Audit G. McGregor - Manager, Sustainability & Economic Development L. Roberts - Committee Coordinator (I) Disclosure of Interest Councillor Brenner declared a conflict of interest with respect to Animal Services and Culture and Recreation as he has family members employed within these areas. Councillor Brenner did not take part in discussions related to these items. (II) Delegations David Sim, ,1000 Rambleberry, Pickering, appeared before the Committee with respect to the 2016 Budget. He questioned the reasoning for the two levies and 1 city co Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes ICS SONVC Thursday, March 1.0, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee Room provided a chart outlining the tax increases for surrounding area municipalities, noting that 1.9% was the targeted average. Mr. Sim questioned whether the City • would consider out sourcing and noted his concerns for the proposed increase. A question and answer period ensued with respect to the consideration of alternatives such as privatization, and what types of service or maintenance could be removed from the budget in order to realize a reduction in taxes. (III) Presentations Tony Prevedel, Chief Administrative Officer, noted that the 2016 Budget was a bridge into the 2018/2019 years when the City would see the beginning of the Seaton development and future assessment growth. He provided three charts outlining how the tax dollars are spent, inflow and outflow totals as well as the net cost to the City per activity. He outlined the highlights of the developer funded projects as well as the energy savings to be realized from the installation of LED street lighting. Mayor Ryan welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked staff for all of their hard work in the compilation of the budget. Mayor Ryan provided an overview of the agenda and noted that the Committee would first consider the Capital Budget, followed by the Current Budget. Mayor Ryan also outlined the purpose of the special levies that allow the City to target specific needs. . He also noted the importance of a healthy infrastructure in order to bring in additional jobs. Stan Karwowski, Division Head, Finance & Treasurer, provided a PowerPoint presentation detailing the 2016 Current and Capital Budgets. He outlined the - purpose of the special levies, noting the benefits with respect to the installation of LED street lighting which will introduce further efficiencies. He also outlined some of the Capital Budget projects, such as the Operations Centre project, stating that by reducing the footprint, further savings would be seen. He also noted that the Seaton Fire Station would be 95% funded by Development Charges'. Discussion ensued regarding building permit revenues, how the City could benefit as a result of the Federal budget as well as potential future revenues such as the implementation of tipping fees. Committee recessed at 10:37 am and reconvened at 10:50 am. (IV) Matters for Consideration 1. Review and Recommendation of the 2016 Capital Budget 2 City 00 Executive (Budget) Committee ,a � = Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee Room Moved by Councillor Ashe • Seconded by Councillor Cumming That the following 2016 Capital Budget items be approved and presented to. Council on March 29, 2016; Accelerated Infrastructure Program Mayor&Council — Computer Equipment' Finance &Taxation Discussion ensued and questions were raised with respect to land sale projections and it was requested that a separate report be prepared on land inventory: , Information Technology Culture & Recreation -Admin M. Carpino provided an overview of the highlights for the proposed projects under the Capital Budget'for 2016. Civic Complex Discussion ensued with respect to accessibility. M. Carpino provided a brief overview of the highlights for the proposed renovations to be completed. It was noted that the washrooms renovations would be a priority. . Senior Citizens.Centre Dunbarton. Pool M. Carpino responded to questions raised regarding program registrations and the challenges of remaining competitive. Don Beer Arena Community Centres Rec Complex Core 3 City 4 === Executive (Budget) Committee Mee ting Minutes �����►—��-� � Thursday,,March 10, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee.Room M. Carpino responded to questions raised with respect to the PA system, communications between staff as well as security cameras. It,was also questioned whether local companies would be considered for the work. • Recreation Complex Arenas Museum • Streetlights & Signalization Discussion ensued on LED lighting, and it was questioned'whether induction lighting was being considered; which could offer_significant savings. It was,noted that a memo in this regard,would be forwarded prior to the March 29th Council meeting : outlining the pros and cons. It was questioned whether,local manufacturers would be considered for this contract due to the US dollar. Discussion also ensued regarding the possibility of delaying the proposed installations at the Whites Road intersection due to potential future development. Sidewalks Stormwater Management Water Resources & Development Services Development Projects— (DC Funded) Property Maintenance Discussion ensued regarding the tree replacement program and.surplus funding from the Ice Storm. Operations Centre ' ' Roads Parks 4 c'�tf oi4 Executive (Budget) Committee z ifiW= °7 Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee Room Discussion ensued with staff responding to questions.raised regarding repurposing the funds from the 2015 budget for a skateboard facility as well as refurbishing Diana Princess of Wales Park. Fleet Vehicles Fire Services J. Hagg, Fire Chief, provided a brief outline of the timelines for the new facility, noting that 95% is DC funded. It was also noted that the purchase of equipment and vehicles would coincide with staffing. Library Carried. 2. Review and Recommendation of the 2016 Current Budget Moved by Councillor Johnson Seconded by Councillor Cumming That the following 2016 Current Budget items be approved and presented to Council on March 29, 2016 as follows; CAO-Admin The Chief Administrative Officer provided a brief outline of how the 2016 Current Budget.for CAO-Admin continues to build on the five corporate strategies developed by the City. Customer Care Centre Human Resources Health& Safety City Development-Admin Planning & Design Discussion ensued with members questioning the costs associated with the development of Seaton and when the application fees are received. 5' city a0 Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee Room Building Services Sustainabiliity Economic Development " Discussion ensued with respect to funding economic development initiatives, partnerships, film permits,,as well as working with the Province with respect to Seaton. It was questioned how much revenue is derived from film permits. . Committee of Adjustment Heritage Pickering Finance Councillor Pickles arrived at 12:00 pm. Committee recessed at 12:05 pm and reconvened at 12:45 pm. Supply & Services Information Technology Legal Services .* Clerk's Office Discussion ensued-with respect to a ward boundary review, noting the importance of considering the entire City as a whole as well as public consultation. Records Management & Elections Print Shop/Mailroom By-law . Members questioned the cross training-of staff between the By-law and Animal Services sections, as well as any plans to increase staff as Seaton is developed. Councillor Brenner did not vote or take part in discussion on the Animal Services or Rec Complex items due to his noted conflict of interest. 6 _. C1fy Executive (Budget) Committee =�' ' Meeting Minutes �� INAIVVOL Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00am . Main Committee Room Animal Services Discussion ensued with respect to the possibility of including Ajax when considering a future animal shelter location. Members also questioned whether veterinarians , receive any commission through the sale of dog tags. Culture & Recreation -.Admin Civic Complex Senior Citizens Centre • Programs Dunbarton Pool Don Beer Arena Community Centres Recreation Complex— Pool Recreation.Complex—Arenas Museum Engineering Services—Admin Crossing Guards Discussion ensued on whether this would be more appropriately handled through the school board, and the best methods of pursuing this. Councillor McLean noted that he would bring forward a Notice of Motion regarding crossing guards. Water Resources.& Development Services Discussion ensued regarding the potential for significant revenues to be gained through tipping fees as Seaton is developed. It was noted that a report would be presented on this. Operations Admin Property Maintenance 7 aq� Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, Marc h 10, 2016 .. 9:00 am Main ;Committee Room Fleet Services Roads Sidewalks Streetlights Discussion ensued with Members questioning the use of solar LED lighting. Parks Fire Protection Discussion ensued with the Fire Chief responding to questions raised regarding fuel costs, overtime, staffing and the implementation of 24 hour shifts: Emergency Operations Libraries Carried 3. General Government ` Stan Karwowski, Division Head, Finance &Treasurer provided a'breakdown of the. revenues and expenditures, providing a brief outline of the City's approach. A question and answer period ensued with staff responding to questions raised regarding surplus funds, leaving funds in the special levies as opposed to drawing on the reserves. ` Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Pickles -That the following items under the Current budget for General Government Summary be approved and presented to Council on March 29, 2016;. . General Government Mayor Ryan, Councillor Ashe, Councillor McLean, Councillor Pickles, Councillor Brenner, Councillor Cumming, Councillor Johnson 8 C,ft Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes NONC/O NI Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee Room Council Support Purchased Services Corporate Requirements Grants to Organizations & Individuals Discussion ensued with staff explaining the contingency in the budget to cover the funding of the late applications which were received after the deadline. Moved by Councillor Ashe Seconded by Councillor Brenner That $500.00 be allocated from the contingency fund to the Durham Region Youth Council. Carried The balance of items as listed under General Government was then Carried User Fees Moved by Councillor McLean Seconded by Councillor Johnson Discussion ensued with respect to maintaining service levels and initiatives for remaining competitive. The Director, Culture & Recreation explained the rationale of increasing rates once as opposed to every three years. That the Current budget for User Fees be approved and presented to Council on March 29, 2016. Carried The Committee recessed at 2:48 pm and reconvened at 3:00 pm. Discussion ensued with the Chief Administrative Officer suggesting that 1.5 million be taken from the surplus to be put towards LED lighting, and .61% from the roads and • bridges special levy. This would result in a total reduction of .91% while retaining all projects and result in a 3.99% tax rate. Moved by Councillor Johnson Seconded by Councillor Cumming 9 Executive (Budget) Committee Meetin Minutes 14_01i� Thursday, March 10, 2016 9:00 am Main Committee Room That Council authorize the Division Head Finance & Treasurer to transfer$1.5 million from the Rate Stabilization to fund the LED Street Light Replacement. (Account 5325.1604.000) and that the external debt financing for this project be deleted and the proposed Roads and Bridges Levy of 1.0% be reduced by 0.61% resulting in an overall budget levy increase of 3.99% Carried Unanimously (V) Adjournment Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Cumming • That the meeting be adjourned at 3:06 pm: Carried • • • 10 .