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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDecember 20, 2002 Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes Monday, December 20, 2002 A meeting of the Committee of the Whole of the Council of the Corporation of the City of Pickering was held on December 20, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. in the Main Committee Room to consider the Proposed 2003 Roads and Parks Capital Budget. PRESENT: Mayor Wayne Arthurs COUNCILLORS: M. Brenner M. Holland R. Johnson B. McLean D. Pickles D. Ryan ALSO PRESENT: 1. Quinn N. Carroll G. Paterson S. Karwowski A. Greentree - Chief Administrative Officer - Director, Planning & Development - Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer - Manager, Finance & Taxation - Supervisor, Legislative Services Moved by Councillor Johnson that the following items be referred to the next budget meeting of the Committee of the Whole for consideration. CARRI ED Roads - CAPITAL BUDGET Moved by Councillor Ryan that the Proposed 2003 Roads Capital Budget be approved. CARRIED 1 Parks - CAPITAL BUDGET Moved by Councillor Pickles that the Proposed 2003 Parks Capital Budget be approved with the following amendment: CARRIED Front Street Park Moved by Councillor Holland that the Proposed 2003 Parks Budget be increased by $550,000 to provide for Front Street Park. CARRIED Boardwal k Moved by Councillor Brenner that the Proposed 2003 Parks Budget be increased by $1,000,000 to provide for a boardwalk at the waterfront, on the western side of the gap, but not to include the docks. LOST CNE Moved by Councillor Pickles that the $5,000 capital requirement for CNE be added to the Proposed 2003 Operations & Emergency Services - Capital Maintenance Budget for Council's consideration. CARRIED In considering the budget and supporting documentation, Council also discussed the following: 1. The Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer gave a presentation respecting the draft 2003 Capital Priorities. 2. The Mayor highlighted any changes to the proposed Parks and Road 2003 Capital Budget since the last draft was considered. 3. With respect to Front Street Park, Councillor Holland stated that there is approximately $150,000 from the 2002 Budget, $75,000 revenue coming from the Progress Club, and an opportunity for $50,000 savings by re-working the docking system. This is to be verified by the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer. 2 4. With respect to the Docking and Boardwalk Priority, Councillor Brenner sought clarification and recommended the following . Separate the docking and boardwalk components to allow for flexibility in funding . Consider private partnering for funding for the boardwalk. . That the $400,000 remain in the budget. While Councillor Brenner understands that the Western Gate cannot be done at this time, dropping the project should not necessarily mean dropping the funds from the budget. . Councillor Brenner further commented that there is a need for Council to carry on with finalizing some of the City's existing commitments, which have not yet been completed. 5. Councillor Pickles enquired about the land status and stated that he agreed with Councillor Brenner that the boardwalk and docks should be separated. 6. In response to Councillor Pickles' request for clarification, Councillor Brenner stated that he envisioned that staff would investigate servicing (between the east and west spits) opportunities and options. The Director, Operations & Emergency Services confirmed that no costing estimates have been received. 7. The Mayor confirmed that there would be no docks installed until servicing is provided. 8. Councillor Holland stated his opposition to proceeding with the project in "phases" as it would be disruptive and would prevent the opportunity to realize economy of scale. 9. Councillor Holland commented on the option of debt financing and stated that it is a viable option for funding of long-term assets. However, there is a necessary commitment to paying back the debt. There is a prudent use and practical approach to debt financing if there is a willingness to payoff the debt. 10. In response to Councillor Ryan's request, the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer responded to Councillor Holland's comments regarding debt financing. The Director concurred with Councillor Holland's comments and added that Council must be willing to increase taxes the year following the year in which the debt is incurred. This increase would be in addition to any other increases which may result from other items tissues not related to the debt. 11. The Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer reviewed a slide indicating the 2003 Debt Summary. The Director clarified that there is $22,000,000 on the books, but not all of this has been incurred as debt at this time (Le. Unfunded Liabilities ). 3 12. 13. 14. Councillor Holland cautioned that capital avoidance may result in projects not ultimately being achieved due to increases of other associated costs over time. In response to Councillor Pickle's enquiry, the Director, Corporate Services & Treasurer estimated the City's legislative debt load at approximately $55,000,000, provided we increase our taxes sufficiently to pay for it. In response to Councillor Johnson's enquiry regarding current debt, the CAD advised that current debt includes some capital projects since 1989, including Petticoat Creek Library, Don Beer Arena, Rosebank Road, East Shore, and others. 15. With respect to David Farr Park, Councillor McLean requested that the center piece of the concrete in the park be retained and/or reworked. 16. The CAD distributed a copy of a memo from the Director, Planning & Development, dated December 19, 2002, respecting Urbanization of Squires Beach Road, Invar Building Corporation. The Director, Planning & Development addressed the Committee to further explain the contents of the memo. Council gave the CAD direction to proceed with the Squires Beach Road project, as stated in the December 19, 2002 memo, for the purposes of accommodating the relocation of the Flea Market. Council determined that, at the Regional Joint Finance & Operations Meeting (scheduled for January 2003), they would request the Region to commit to funding the $106,702.37 funding shortfall as identified in the December 19, 2002 memo. Staff will assist Council, as required, in preparing for the January, Joint Meeting. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 11 :40 a.m. 4