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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 16, 2017 C4 o Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes P 1 C K E R 1 N G Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room Present: Mayor Ryan Councillors: K. Ashe M. Brenner S. Butt I. Cumming B. McLean D. Pickles Also Present: T. Prevedel - Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni - Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor M. Carpino - Director, Community Services J. Hagg - Fire Chief R. Holborn - Director, Engineering & Public Works S. Karwowski - Director, Finance & Treasurer C. Grant - CEO, Library C. Rose - Chief Planner J. Hodgson - Division Head, City Administration D. Shields - City Clerk B. Duffield - Manager, Facilities Operations J. Halsall - Manager, Budgets & Internal Audit L. Harker - Deputy Clerk (I) Disclosure of Interest 1. Councillor McLean declared a conflict of interest with respect to Community Grants — Pickering Auxiliary Rescue Association and Durham Regional Police Children's Games. Councillor McLean did not take part in the discussions or vote on the matter. Councillor McLean left the meeting 2. Councillor Butt declared a conflict of interest with respect to Community Grants — Pak-Canadian Society of Durham. Councillor Butt did not take part in the discussions or vote on the matter. 1 City o Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes P 1 C K E R 1 N G Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room 3. Councillor Brenner declared a conflict of interest with respect to Animal Services and Culture & Recreation salaries as he has family members employed in these areas. Councillor Brenner did not take part in the discussions or vote on the matter. (II) Delegations 1. Peter Rodrigues appeared before the Committee to provide his thoughts on the proposed budget. He noted that there should be more public engagement when it comes to budget meetings, including holding the meetings in a larger room. Mr. Rodrigues also noted that Members of Council's vehicle expenses should be reduced, that there should be recorded votes on all matters at Committee and Council meetings, and that the City should re-evaluate how City resources are allocated for by-law prosecutions. 2. Mary Delaney, Land Over Landings, appeared before the Committee to encourage the Committee to support Land Over Landing's Grant Application. Ms. Delaney provided a brief overview of the proposed study, and noted that the results will provide an alternative vision for the Federal Lands. She noted they have raised 70% of the required funds to date. 3. Steve Johnston appeared before the Committee regarding the City's User Fees. Mr. Johnston noted that City of Pickering taxicab drivers pay upwards of$3,600 in annual fees, and that Uber drivers should be required to pay the same fees and go through the same application process. He stated taxicab drivers are losing revenue to Uber drivers, and that the By-law Department should have options to prosecute these illegal drivers. 4. Mandeep Bakshi appeared before the Committee regarding the City's User Fees. Mr. Bakshi expressed his concern with Uber drivers not being required to pay any licensing fees, and that they are stealing taxicab revenue. 5. Surinder Kumar appeared before the Committee regarding the City's User Fees. Mr. Kumar expressed his concern with Uber drivers in Pickering and requested that they be required to go through the same application and approval process as taxicab drivers in Pickering. A question and answer period ensued regarding how many Uber drivers are operating in Pickering, and how other municipalities are regulating Uber. 6. David Sim appeared before the Committee regarding the proposed 2017 Current and Capital Budget. Mr. Sim noted that he was pleased with the proposed budget, but expressed his concerns with the lack of revenue opportunities pursued. He 2 C4 o Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes P l C K E R 1 N G Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room asked that Council take every opportunity to generate revenue to offset property taxes, and is in support of an airport in Pickering to generate revenue and jobs. He also requested that Council not support the grant request from Land Over Landings. (III) Presentations Mayor Ryan welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked staff for all of their hard work, noting that this budget represents the lowest budget increase in 17 years. He acknowledged the aggressive approach to economic development, and stated that jobs and investments are the number one corporate priority. Tony Prevedel, Chief Administrative Officer, provided highlights of the budget, noting that the base budget document was prepared with 3-5 years in mind. Highlights include the realignment of Economic Development to the CAO's Office, a comprehensive zoning by-law review, and the Pickering City Centre Project. Councillor McLean returned to the meeting. Stan Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer, provided a PowerPoint presentation to Committee outlining the 2017 Draft Current and Capital Budgets. His presentation included a budget summary, capital budget overview, financial position and debt, and challenges and opportunities. A question and answer period ensued regarding hydro costs and the rate stabilization reserve fund. The Committee discussed options for the proposed Seniors & Low Income Disabled Property Tax Relief Program, including Regional involvement. Discussion ensued regarding the new operations centre and on-site revenue possibilities, and the possibility of pursuing a consolidated Fire Hall and Regional EMS station. Committee recessed at 11:00 am and reconvened at 11:15 am. Stan Karwowski, Director, Finance & Treasurer, continued his presentation to Committee. Discussion ensued regarding assessment appeals, specifically OPG's Pickering Plant, and whether the City's assessment base will be affected if the plant is decommissioned. 3 64 Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes R 1j Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room (IV) Matters for Consideration 1. Review and Recommendation of the 2017 Capital Budget Moved by Councillor Brenner That the following 2017 Capital Budget items be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017, save and except Parks —Account 5780.1706, Frenchman's Bay West Park — Master Plan,(Phase 1); Mayor & Council Capital Budget Civic Complex Senior Citizens Centre Dunbarton Pool Don Beer Arena Community Centres Rec Complex— Core Rec Complex— Pool Rec Complex— Arenas _ Museum Property Maintenance Roads Equipment Operations Centre - Parks (save and except Account 5780.1706, Frenchman's Bay West Park- Master Plan (Phase 1) Fleet Vehicles " Information Technology 4 -. C4 Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes P 1 C K E R 1 N G Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room Streetlights & Signalization Sidewalks Stormwater Management Roads Projects Water Resources & Development Services Development Projects (DC Funded) Finance Fire Services Library Carried Parks, Account 5780.1706, Frenchman's Bay West Park — Master Plan (Phase 1) Discussion ensued regarding the need for increased community engagement for this project, and concerns with ensuring the environment is well-protected. It was noted that modernizing this area will actually serve to protect the dunes, the wetlands and the overall environment. Councillor Cumming requested that staff keep safety in mind when encouraging increased traffic on the water, noting that he has received numerous complaints about snowmobiles on the lake. Moved by Councillor Brenner That the following 2017 Capital Budget items be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017; Parks, Account 5780.1706, Frenchman's Bay West Park— Master Plan (Phase 1). Carried Committee recessed at 12:10 pm and reconvened at 12:45 pm. Councillor McLean left the meeting at 12:10 pm. 5 • o Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes 1 C .� CJ Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room 2. Review and Recommendation of the 2017 Current Budget A discussion period ensued regarding the budget allocated for new staff positions, and a staffing strategy for Seaton,.corporate efficiencies with a consolidated. • corporate security strategy, shared services, and the potential for the consolidation of Staff between the Library and City Hall to find corporate efficiencies. • Moved by Councillor Butt That the following 2017 Current Budget items be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017, as follows; Office of the CAO-Admin Customer Care Centre • Economic Development and Marketing Human Resources Health & Safety City Development-Admin Planning & Design Building,Services Strategic Initiatives & Sustainability Committee of Adjustment . Heritage Pickering • , Cult. & Rec. —Admin. Civic Centre • Senior Citizens Centre _ Programs Dunbarton Pool' - 6 Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes • 1 [N Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room Don Beer Arena Community Centres Recreation Complex— Central Core Recreation Complex— Pool Recreation Complex-Arenas Museum Operations Adrriin Property Maintenance Fleet Services Roads Parks Information Technology Legal Services Clerk's Offices Records Management & Elections Print Shop/Mail Room • By=law Animal Services Engineering Services —Admin . - • Crossing Guards • Water Resources & Development Services 7 . city 4, Executive (Budget) Committee r {`. Meeting Minutes I L�K E S I N G Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am . Main Committee Room . Sidewalks Street Lights Finance Supply & Services Fire Protection Emergency Operations Libraries , Carried 3. Review and Recommendation of 2017 General Government Moved by Councillor Butt That the following 2017 General Government items be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017, save and except General Government,Account #2113 — Councillor Ashe, Grants to Organizations, Annual Charges — External Debentures and Internal Loans by Function, Transfers to Reserves, Transfer to Reserve Funds, and User Fees; General Government Mayor Ryan Councillor McLean Councillor Pickles Councillor Brenner Councillor Cumming Councillor Butt Council Support Purchased Services 8 0/, off' Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes P l C K E R 1 N G Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room Corporate Requirements Property Tax & Vacancy Rebates Insurance/Self Insurance Carried General Government, Account #2113— Councillor Ashe A brief question and answer period ensued regarding the Council Communications budget during an election year. Due to amendments to the Municipal Elections Act, which includes moving the opening of nominations from January 1, 2018 to May 1, 2018, the Committee requested that the City Clerk review the Council Compensation Policy to ensure it reflects these new dates and corresponding budget allotment for 2018. Moved by Councillor Butt That the Current budget for General Government, Account #2113 — Councillor Ashe be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017. Carried General Government, Grants to Organizations Moved by Councillor Pickles That the Current budget for General Government, Grants to Organizations be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017. Carried General Government, Annual Charges — 2016 Budget— External Debentures & Internal Loans by Function Moved by Councillor Cumming That the Current budget for General Government, Annual Charges — 2016 Budget— External Debentures & Internal Loans by Function be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017. Carried 9 • C4 oil Executive (Budget) Committee Meeting Minutes P 1 C K E R 1 N G Thursday, February 16, 2017 9:00 am Main Committee Room General Government, Transfer to Reserves A brief question and answer period ensued regarding federal gas tax. Moved by Councillor Ashe That the Current budget for General Government, Transfer to Reserves be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017. Carried General Government, Transfer to Reserve Funds Moved by Councillor Ashe That the Current budget for General Government, Transfer to Reserve Funds be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017. Carried General Government, User Fees General discussion ensued regarding Uber, and how the City can regulate their operations and make a level playing field for the City's taxicab drivers. A brief question and answer period ensued regarding Wrecking Yard fees, with a request for staff to clarify these fees. Moved by Councillor Brenner That the Current budget for General Government, User Fees be approved and presented to Council on February 27, 2017. Carried as amended later in the meeting (Refer to following motion) Moved by Councillor Brenner That a Tree Cutting Permit in the User Fees Schedule be raised from $100 to $200, and that the additional $100 be placed in a tree canopy replacement reserve. Carried The main motion was then Carried, as amended. 10 c4 o Executive (Budget) Committee P, N . Meeting Minutes _ Thursday, February 16, 2017 . 9:00 am Main Committee Room (V) Adjournment • Moved by Councillor Brenner Seconded by Councillor Cumming . That the meeting be adjourned at 1:45 pm. . Carried. • 11 •