04/14/2015 ADDITIONS TO COUNCIL, TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2015
1. Memo from City Clerk, Correction to agenda and minutes for April 14tH
BUDGET MATTERS
1. Copy of 2015 Operating Budget presentation.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Operation Lifesaver - Request that Public - Rail Safety Week be proclaimed for the
week of April 27, 2015 - May 3, 2015.
RECOMMENDATION: For the Approval of Council
2. Niagara Regional Labour Council - Requesting that April 28th be proclaimed as
"National Day of Mourning" in the City of Niagara Falls.
RECOMMENDATION: For the Approval of Council
CLERKS DEPARTMENT
Inter-Departmental Memo
To: Mayor James M. Diodati & Members of Council
From: Dean lorfida, City Clerk
Date: April 14, 2015
Re: Corrections
A couple of corrections for the Agenda and Minutes for April 14th:
Carm Dix has served on the Library Board for 34 years, not 29.
The Minutes from March 24th related to the Niagara Falls Tourism request should read
as follows:
F-2015-13 - Niagara Falls Tourism Requests
The report recommends that Council approve the funding request.
ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Morocco, seconded by Councillor Craitor
that the funding request be deferred to be considered with the remaining OLG funding.
Motion Carried
with Councillors Thomson and Pietrangelo opposed and Councillor Kerrio declaring a
conflict.
A Great City ... For Generations To Come
04/13/2015
Niagara iilIs
‘,..01Ly o
Tonight's Discussion
➢ Review of budget information
AF.' Options for reducing funding
shortfall
1
04/13/2015
Budget Overview
Maintaining Core Service Levels
• Full impact of arbitrated wage settlement
in Fire
• Impact of 2015 negotiations
Full impact of Transit Improvements
Operating costs of new bus maintenance
facility
Budget Does Not Include:
• Service Enhancements in Municipal
Works
• No Increase in Capital spending
• Additional resources for Cultural
programs
• Additional resources for Phase 2 of
Transit improvements
Adjustments for Boys & Girls Club other
that $5,200 increase
2
04/13/2015
--menimm
Expenditure- Budget by Department
2015 2014 $Variance %Variance,,
Responsibility Centre Expense Expense More(Less) More (Less
Budget Budget than 2014 than 2014
Budget Budget
City Council,
Committees & Boards $6,383,340 $6,287,585 $95,755 1.52%
Administrative Services 39,836,623 39,207,281 629,342 1.61%
Fire& Building Services 26,748,913 24,960,096 1,788,817 7.17%
Municipal Works 19,809,514 18,576,709 1,232,805 6.64%
Parks&Cemeteries 4,497,816 4,275,700 222,116 5.19%
Transportation 15,007,683 13,796,798 1,210,885 8.78%
Recreation &Culture 10,986,245 10,826,545 159,700 1.48%
Planning&Business
Development 2,232,790 2,200,081 32,709 1.49%
Total $125,502,924 $120,130,795 $5,372,129 4.47%
Budget Highlights - Ex. : i ures
• Full recognition of OLG Contribution Agreement
transaction in budget details
• Full impact of Fire arbitration award
• Impact of Transit improvements - Labour
• Impact of Transit improvements including new
facility
• Increased salary negotiations
• Increase in benefits
• Increases to Fee for Service groups: Chair A Van,
Boys & Girls Club, Library, Firemen's Park and
Chippawa Lions Park
Increased materials costs for snow removal
3
04/13/2015
Budget Highlights - _._
Expenditures cont'd
• Increased building maintenance costs
• Reduction in debt servicing has minimized
impact
• Increased costs of fleet repairs
•Consolidated advertising into one
responsibility area
• Increase in utility costs
• Increased costs due to complying with
Information Systems licence agreements
Budget Comparis . . - evenues
Taxation—General $55,130,336 $55,130,336 - 0.00%
Taxation—Waste Management 6,561,590 6,561,590 - 0.00%
Taxation—Other 34,000 34,000 - 0.00%
Payment in Lieu of Taxation 7,573,718 7,544,834 28,884 0.38%
Other Municipalities 785,212 631,436 153,776 24.35%
Grants/Licences/Permits/Rents 3,603,065 3,714,530 (111,465) (3.09)%
Service Charges/User Fees 5,613,724 6,317,092 (703,368) (12.53)%
Concessions/Fines 276,480 285,980 (9,500) (3.44)%
Penalties&Interest 2,450,000 2,450,000 - 0.00%
Investment Income/Donations 2,376,000 2,301,000 75,000 3.16%
Sales/Other Revenue 25,087,233 25,117,833 (30,600) (0.12)%
Internal Transfers 4,349,451 3,106,188 1,243,263 28.58%
Transfers from
7,121,587 6,935,876 185,711 2.61%
Reserves/Reserve Funds
Total $120,962,396 $120,130,795 831,601 0.69%
4
04/13/2015
Budget Highlights - Revenues
• Shortfall in revenue from Transit
• Reduction in OMPF grant
• Assessment growth results in $627,206 in
additional tax revenue
• Stagnate user fee growth
Position April 14, 2015
2014 Proposed Expenditures $125,502,924
2014 Proposed Revenues 120,962,396
Budget Difference $ 4,540,528
Less Growth in Taxation (627,206)
Net Difference $ 3,913,322
5
04/13/2015
Comparison of Tax Rates on the Average Household
Tax 2014 2015 $ Change %Change
Assessment 215,251 219,888 4,637 2.15%
City-;•CAagrAl,. $1,020.23 $69.17 7.27%
igmmimmpipo $164.56 $11.45 7.47%
City-Waste $130.42 $135.35 $4.93 3.78%
Region $1,281.64 $1,305.86 $24.21 1.89%
School $436.96 $428.78 ($8.18) (1.87%)
Total $2,953.19 $3,054.77 $101.58 3.44%
Represents levy increase without any changes ($80.62)
Impact by Department of $80.62 City sax
Increase per Average Household
Specific Area Amount Percentage % Tax Amount
Fire Related Increases $1,637,000 41.83 $33.73
Transit Improvement 1,121,000 28.65 23.10
Winter Control Materials 260,000 6.64 5.36
Other Items(Net) 895,322 22.88 18.43
Total $3,913,322 $80.62
6
04/13/2015
_Proposed Expenditure Reductions-St-
Revenue Increases
Department Description Amount
Fire Reduction of Conferences $3,950
Fire Reduction of Snow plow 4,000
Fire Reduction of Fire Prevention Overtime 12,500
Human Resources Reduction of Computer Training 3,000
Human Resources Reduction of Tuition Reimbursement 1,000
Human Resources Reduction of Health&Safety Training 1,000
Human Resources Reduction of Conferences 2,000
Clerks Reduction of By-law Overtime 1,500
Legal Reduction of Office Supplies 1,000
Municipal Works Reduction of Engineering Overtime 15,000
Information Systems Reduction of Professional Development 1,000
imposed=Expenditure Reductions &
Revenue Increases, cont'd
Department Description 3 Amount
Finance Reduction of Professional Development $1,000
Finance Reduction of Conferences 2,000
Finance Increase of Dividend from NF Hydro Holding 125,000
Finance Reduction of Insurance Premiums 55,000
Recreation Increase to Coronation Centre Grant 10,700
Museum Reduction of Materials 1,500
Arena Close Arena concession(Chippawa) 7,500
Pools Eliminate Pools Maintenance Students 15,000
Pools Delete Early Opening of Pools 5,000
Pools Reduce Operating season by one week 6,000
Pools Close F.H.Leslie Concessions 6,150
7
04/13/2015
-Proposed Expenditure Reductions &
Revenue Increases, cont'd
Department Description Amount
Planning Reduction of CIP Main&Ferry $35,000
Library Reduce Requested Amount 29,500
Transit Increase revenue due to scheduled rate increase 30,000
Transit Reduction of Professional Development 1,000
Transit Reduction of Materials 3,000
Transit Reduction of Fuel Costs based on recent oil price 25,000
reductions
Total Expenditure
Reduction $404,300
Comparison of Tax Rates on the Average Household
Revised for $404,300 in Reductions
Tax 2014 2015 $ Change % Change
Assessment 215,251 219,888 4,637 2.15%
City-Waste $130.42 $135.35 $4.93 3.78%
Region $1,281.64 $1,305.86 $24.21 1.89%
School $436.96 $428.78 ($8.18) (1.87%)
Total $2,953.19 $3,046.86 $93.67 3.17%
8
04/13/2015
•act by Department of $72.71 City's Tax
Increase per Average Household (Revised)
Specific Area Amount Percentage% Tax Amount
Fire Related Increases $1,616,550 46.07 $33.50
Transit Improvement 1,121,000 30.26 22.01
Winter Control Materials 260,000 7.41 5.39
Other Items(Net) 570,472 16.26 11.81
Total $3,509,022 $72.71
Summary
• Difficult budget year
• Positive impact of Debt Servicing costs
mitigated expenditures
• Primary cost increases (uncontrollable)
in Fire, Transit and Snow Removal
Materials amount to 83% or $60.90
• Other items net amount to 16.26% or
$11.81
• Direction/Comments?
9
Look Listen Live!
Regardez Ecoutez Restez Mitig '15ti 31-"K' 1"12710 1
s Operation Lifesaver Operation Gareautrain
901 99 Bank Street 901 -99, rue Bank
Ottawa, Ontario K1 P 6B9 Ottawa, Ontario K1 P 6B9
' Telephone (613)564 8094 telephone (613)564-8094
0131-0 Fax (613)567-6726 telecopieur (613)567-6726
e-mail admin@operationlifesaver.ca courriel admin@operationlifesaver.ca
February 17, 2015
Office of the Clerk
City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
PO Box 1023
Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6X5
Dear Sir/ Madam:
I am writing to you today in my capacity as President of Operation Lifesaver.
Public - Rail Safety Week will be held from April 27 to May 3, 2015. The purpose of this
national week is to raise rail safety awareness among all Canadians and to highlight the
ongoing commitment of the rail industry, it member companies and their employees, to make
the rail network even safer.
Once again this year, Operation Lifesaver is proud to support the various activities and events
that will be taking place throughout Public - Rail Safety Week across the country to raise
public awareness on reducing avoidable accidents, injuries and damage caused by collisions at
level crossings or incidents involving trains and citizens.
Your City Council can be a powerful ally for our public awareness campaign by adopting the
enclosed draft resolution to support Public - Rail Safety Week in your community. Should you
require additional information about Operation Lifesaver and rail safety, please consult
www.operationlifesaver.ca.
Thank you in advance for supporting this request and Public - Rail Safety Week. We would
greatly appreciate it if you would send us a copy of such a resolution.
7i a
Stephen Covey
President
Operation Lifesaver
Encl.
A partnership initiative of the Railway Association of Canada and Une initiative de partenariat de('Association des chemins de fer du
Transport Canada and works in cooperation with the rail industry, Canada et Transports Canada qui travaille en collaboration avec
government,police,unions,and many public organizations and l'industrie ferroviaire,les gouvernements,les corps de police,les
community groups. syndicats et les groupes sociaux.
(Draft Resolution)
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF PUBLIC - RAIL SAFETY WEEK
Whereas Public - Rail Safety Week is to be held across Canada from April 27 to May
3, 2015;
Whereas it is in the public's interest to raise citizens' awareness on reducing
avoidable accidents, injuries and damage caused by collisions at level crossings or
incidents involving trains and citizens;
Whereas Operation Lifesaver is a public/private partnership whose aim is to work with
the rail industry, governments, police services, the media and other agencies and the
public to raise rail safety awareness;
Whereas Operation Lifesaver has requested City Council adopt this resolution in
support of its ongoing effort to save lives and prevent injuries in communities,
including our municipality;
It is proposed by Councillor
seconded by Councillor
It is hereby RESOLVED to support national Public - Rail Safety Week, to be held from
April 27 to May 3, 2015.
�aQo, ,27, , ,
Niagara Regional Labour Council i°
s •
d. a
March 5, 2015
I I� lk 3 2014 0)
Mayor Jim Diodati 113QwSQff1��
City of Niagara Falls ,
4310 Queen Street
Niagara Falls,ON 6
Canada L2E 6X5
Dear Mayor Diodati:
On April 28th,the Niagara Regional Labour Council will observe the National Day of Mourning to remember those who
have suffered and died on the job. As we remember those who have died in workplace catastrophes,those who have
been exposed to toxic substances and those who have been injured due to dangerous work conditions,we rededicate
ourselves to fight for safe workplaces.
Therefore,as we approach April 28th,we are requesting that City Council consider and issue a Proclamation with
respect to the"National Day of Mourning".Also,we invite you,your council and staff to attend the Niagara Falls
Ceremony beginning at 10am at the workers Monument at City Hall,4310 Queen Street.
By this invitation,we would welcome comments from you or your designate at the ceremony.
We are also requesting that all flags be flown at HALF-MAST at City Hall on the 28th.As we remember those who have
been injured and killed,we must renew our fight for the living and we must organize and mobilize for safe jobs.
Please share this information widely since this is a public event.
I,along with the rest of the Niagara Regional Labour Council look forward to your response.
Thanking you in advance.
Lou Ann Binning
President
Niagara Regional Labour Council
P.O. Box 42,Thorold ON L2V 3Y7 nrIc.cicqmail.com telephone:289-362-2233 fax:905-397-1113