Body: Committee of the Whole Type: Minutes Meeting: Committee of the Whole Date: October 14, 2016 Collection: Council Minutes Municipality: South Frontenac
[View Document (PDF)](/docs/south-frontenac/Minutes/Committee of Whole/2016/Committee of the Whole - 14 Oct 2016 - Minutes.pdf)
Document Text
Minutes of Special Committee of the Whole Meeting October 14, 2016 Time: 8:30 am Location: Holiday County Manor Inn, Battersea Meeting # 31 Present: Mayor Ron Vandewal, Pat Barr, John McDougall, Alan Revill, Norm Roberts, Mark Schjerning, Ron Sleeth, Ross Sutherland Staff: Wayne Orr, Chief Administrative Officer, Louise Fragnito, Treasurer 1.
Call to Order Mayor Vandewal called the meeting to order at 8:30 am.
Declaration of pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof- n/a
Other Business
a)
The agenda order was switched to accommodate Councillor Sleeth who needed to leave at 10:15 am.
b)
Councillors on the Committee of Adjustment expressed concern with the level of preparation by staff, the consistency and completeness of reports and the professionalism of the meetings. The use of iPad and iCompass are anticipated to address some of the concerns and make the meeting more formal. Rather than tabling and then deferring applications because all the information is not in, could the application be scheduled once all the information is received? The timeliness of Conservation and Public Health reports was raised. How zoning infractions are handled needs clarity - is this through the planner or by-law enforcement? Clarity on the messages given by building and planning should be a first priority of the new Manager of Development Services. The process and forms needs to be simplified and communicated. Give the Court’s reluctance to make owners who have illegally built, tear it down, perhaps we should be licensing builders and revoking licenses if they are found to have built illegally. It was questioned if this would solve or muddy the issue. The expectations of the public are ever increasing; we may no longer be able to sustain what we have to offer. Standards need to be set for everything from road surfaces to maintenance to the type of size and playgrounds we install. There could be various levels of service depending on pre-set criteria. Where does some level of community funding come into place for playgrounds. Fundraising mobilizes a community and gets buy in for the project. The bigger issue is do we have a vision and long range plan as to where we want to to go? Including issues such as number of hamlets, where is growth to happen, what are our standards, what level of service do we provide. These are tough decisions that Council has to assume responsibility for making. These competing interests will need to be prioritized. Policy should drive
Committee of the Whole October 14, 2016 service. 4.
Reports for Information
a)
Understanding the Long Range Financial Plan Staff introduced the topic and the fact that in the absence of long range policy staff have made assumptions based on estimates that builds capacity within the plan to ultimately carry out the decisions of Council. As the slide deck was presented, feedback and comments were provided. We need to be sure to speak about one message: the impact on the phased in value for the taxpayer, i.e. 2.2%. The tax bill should have the municipal portion highlighted. Staff were asked to look at the option of rolling the sanitation charge into the base budget. Both options are to be prepared. The multi year plan and asset management plans need to be shared and updated. What is the breakdown for contracted services? Are the multi-year plans updated and reconsidered for the lifespan of equipment? Wages and benefits/winter wages and benefits and capital wages and benefits. Clarity is needed. The language used creates unrealistic expectations, for new buildings etc. 2.2% + growth + external funds + from reserves = the amount spent. Councillor Schjerning left at noon when the group stopped for lunch.
b)
Reviewing the Budget Process, 2016 in review Council felt there was no need to review the 2016 budget process.
Adjournment
a)
Closing Comments: Before borrowing the financial implications need to be a lot clearer. Staff were asked to bring forward a listing of prioritized projects and a listing of prioritized challenges for Council to comment. Staff were asked to develop an active strategy to lobby for South Frontenac. We need to involve our MP and MPP. Council felt that the day had been productive and beneficial. The meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.
Page 2 of 3
Committee of the Whole October 14, 2016
Page 3 of 3
