2009/01/26 CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AGENDA
SECOND MEETING
Monday, January 26, 2009
Council Chambers - 6:00 p.m.
1: Minutes of the January 19, 2009 Meeting
2. Reports Staff Contact
F-2009-02 Todd Harrison
Borrowing By-law
F-2009-03 Todd Harrison
2009 Interim Tax Levy
F-2009-04 Todd Harrison
Approval of Interim 2009 Spending Limits
3. General Purposes Budget Discussion Todd Harrison
4. New Business
5. Adjournment
REMINDER: PLEASE BRING YOUR 2009
BUDGET BINDER TO THE MEETING
NiagarafislIs
MINUTES OF CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
First Meeting, Monday, January 19, 2009 Council Chambers, 6:35 P.M.
PRESENT: Mayor Ted Salci, Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Chair; Councillor Jim
Diodati, Shirley Fisher, Vince Kerrio, Bart Maves, Wayne Thomson and
Janice Wing and Carolynn loannoni
STAFF: Ed Dujlovic, Ken Burden, Dean lorfida, Ken Beaman, Denyse
Morrissey, Alex Herlovitch, Todd Harrison, Geoff Holman, Karl Dren,
Lee Smith, Trent Dark, Serge Felicetti and Lisa Wall.
PRESS: Corey Larocque, Niagara Falls Review
Alison Bell, Niagara This Week
1. MINUTES
It was ORDERED on the motion of Councillor Fisher and seconded by Councillor
Maves that the minutes of the December 15, 2008 meeting be adopted as recorded.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
2. REPORTS:
R-2009-01
Playing Field Fees
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor Wing that the
recommendation that playing field fees be developed for implementation in 2009 be
approved.
Motion: Carried
Opposed: Councillor Thomson
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
3. CAPITAL BUDGET WORKSHOP:
MOVED by Mayor Salci, seconded by Councillor loannoni that the $3.9 million grant
from the Provincial Government be applied to 2009 Capital projects.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
-2-
MOVED by Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor Wing that staff investigate
a"pay as you go" philosophy for future capital projects and report back on the
implications.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor Thomson that staff
implement the considerations for Council outlined in the Capital Budget Workshop
presentation.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
4. 2009 GENERAL PURPOSES BUDGET
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor Wing that staff remove the
Greater Niagara General Hospital Foundation's 2009 grant request in the amount of
$100,000 from the General Purposes budget.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Mayor Salci that all 2009 permissive
grant requests, with the exception of Niagara Falls Board of Museums, Niagara Falls
Library Board, Downtown Niagara Falls BIA and Niagara Falls Tourism, receive a 0%
increase.
Councillor Diodati AYE Councillor Fisher AYE
Councillor laonnoni AYE Councillor Kerrio AYE
Councillor Maves AYE Councillor Pietrangelo AYE
Councillor Thomson AYE Councillor Wing AYE
Mayor Salci AYE
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor Wing that there will be a
0% increase to Niagara Falls Tourism's 2009 grant request.
Councillor Diodati NAYE Councillor Fisher NAYE
Councillor laonnoni AYE Councillor Kerrio AYE
Councillor Maves AYE Councillor Pietrangelo AYE
Councillor Thomson NAYE Councillor Wing AYE
Mayor Salci AYE
Motion: Carried
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
-3-
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Councillor W ing that the $100,000 grant
request from the Downtown Niagara Falls BIA be denied.
Councillor Diodati NAYE Councillor Fisher AYE
Councillor laonnoni AYE Councillor Kerrio AYE
Councillor Maves AYE Councillor Pietrangelo AYE
CouncillorThomson NAYE CouncillorWing AYE
Mayor Salci AYE
Motion: Carried
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor loannoni, seconded by Mayor Salci that the C.I.P. funding be
reduced by 50% to the amount of $465,000 and that the 3 C.I.P. accounts be pooled
into one fund, with funding available on a first come, first serve basis.
Motion: Carried
Opposed: Councillor Wing
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor Wing that the City leaf
pickup service be eliminated and remove the $77,000 expense from the 2009
General Purposes budget.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor Thomson, seconded by Councillor Fisher that the amount
allotted in the 2009 General Purposes budget for Animal Control Services be
reduced by $225,000.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor Wing, seconded by Councillor loannoni that staff report back
on identifying any opportunities to increase revenues in Payment in Lieu's.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
MOVED by Councillor Wing, seconded by Councillor Kerrio that staff prepare a
prioritization exercise on all conferences and conventions submitted in the 2009
General Purposes budget.
Motion: Carried
Opposed: Councillor Thomson
Action: Recommendation submitted to Council January 26, 2009.
-4-
5. ADJOURNMENT:
MOVED by Councillor Diodati, seconded by Councillor loannoni that the regular
meeting of the Corporate Services Committee be adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Motion: Carried Unanimously
January 26, 2009 F-2009-02
Niagara~alls
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Chair
and Members of Corporate Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
Re: F-2009-02
Borrowing By-Law
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council approve;
(i) the borrowing of up to a maximum sum of $24,000,000 for current expenditures.
BACKGROUND:
Borrowing for Current Expenditures
The Municipal Act makes provision for the Council to authorize the Mayor and Treasurer
to borrow from time to time such sums as the Council considers necessary to meet the
current expenditures of the Corporation for the year.
Staff recommends Council approve the borrowing of a sum or sums not exceeding in the
aggregate $24,000,000.00. These temporary borrowings are necessary to pay for
obligations prior to the collection of taxes.
Staff has prepared the borrowing by-law and it is included in the by-law agenda. This
by-law is ready for approval given the Council's approval of the recommendation in this
report.
Recommended by:
Todd Harri on, ' ctor of Financial Services
Approved by: ' `~1~~~~~~
Ken Burden, Executive Director of Corporate Services
Wol'/[I71g Together to Serve ~ur L'ommunity I Corporate Services Department
r Finance
~ ' '
r :~,y ~ ~
`~.~'Sc$.,{s,•£i'.e.L'..... `
{kci
~ ~(~y,y~y~~
J GlJW.I'b9yr-f9 ~6~~• ~ E
. 1{i" .
January 26, 2009 ~ F-2009-03
Niagara~alls
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Chair
and Members of Corporate Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
Re: F-2009-03
2009 Interim Tax Levy
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approve the following:
i) the 2009 Interim Tax Levy calculation; and
ii) the passing of a by-law providing for a 2009 Interim Tax Levy
BACKGROUND:
The Corporation of the City of Niagara Falls requires an interim tax levy. This requirement
is necessary because of the following factors. First, the Corporation requires operating
funds so as to meet its financial obligations. Further, the Corporation must meet its
statutory obligation to collect and remit interim taxes on behalf of the Region of Niagara
and the local school boards. The statutory requirement of the City is to provide quarterly
payments to both the Region of Niagara and the local school boards.
To meet these obligations the City must collect an interim tax levy. Failure to provide an
interim tax levy will lead to increased borrowing by the Corporation and will result in
increased interest expenses. An interim tax levy is required to ensure the provision of the
required funds to minimize borrowing costs.
The authority to collect this interim tax levy is prescribed in section 317 of the Municipal
Act. The interim tax levy is subject to the following rules:
1. The amount levied on a property shall not exceed the prescribed percentage, or 50
percent if no percentage is prescribed, of the total amount of taxes for municipal
and school purposes levied on the property for the previous year.
2. The percentage used in the levy may be different for different classes but must be
the same for all properties in a property class.
3. Allows the municipality to use an entire years taxes for a property in the calculation
Working Togetlier to Serve Our Conamu~iity Corporate Services Department
Finance
.y,-es~ : ; •i _ . _ .
} e'
~~[p0~-j-,~~'0-..:~ 1 ~ •1 .
~ ~ . .
January 26, 2009 - 2- F-2009-03
of the interim tax levy in the situation that a full yearwas not charged in the previous
year.
Staff has developed the interim tax levy based on these rules and has determined that the
amount due for the interim levy for each property will not exceed 50°/o of the annualized
assessment used in determining the 2008 tax levy.
The due dates for this interim tax levy are in accordance with the new Municipal Act. The
interim bill will be due on two dates. As per the regulations outlined in the new Municipal
Act, property owners must be provided 21 days notice before payment. The due dates are
consistent with the regulation and will be February 27, 2009 and April 30, 2009. In 2008,
these dates were February 29, 2008 and April 30, 2008.
An interim levying by-law is required to establish the amount of the interim levy. This has
been prepared and appears on this evening's Council Agenda for passage.
Recommended by:
Todd Harr'son, Di ector of Fi~ance
Approved by: ~~~~~~t~G~,v
Ken Burden, Executive Director of Corporate Services
AF:Iw
January 26, 2009 F-2009-04
Niagara~alls
c,n~~~,
Councillor Victor Pietrangelo, Chair
and Members of Corporate Services Committee
City of Niagara Falls, Ontario
Members:
Re: F-2009-04
Approval of Interim 2009 Spending Limits
RECOMMENDATION:
That, in the absence of an adopted 2009 Current Budget, City Council approves the
following:
1. City divisions be allowed to incur costs to a level of 50°/o of the divisions'
expenditure budget of the prior year.
2. New capital items deemed essential by a division be approved by City Council prior
to purchase.
3. That this policy be communicated to all Commissions, Boards and Agencies, and
that City contributions not exceed a monthly pro rata share of the prior year's
support.
BACKGROUND:
Staff's authorityto remit payments is derived from an approved Annual Operations budget.
As Council is aware, budget deliberations for the 2009 General Purposes Budget are
underway. As a result, Staff requests that Council approve interim spending limits for2009
until the General Purposes Budget is approved. The Municrpa! Act 2001 (Section 317)
provides Council with the opportunity to authorize staff to remit payments for expenditures
incurred.
Working Together to Serve Our Commu~aity Corporate Services oepartmen
Finance
~ ; :r
. r'~-'rl4M'eg.1;i: e
~~~~.0''~ 1 • '1
. , 'a1:;-'.'~ .
January 26, 2009 - 2- F-2009-04
Since the consideration of the 2009 budget is ongoing, most division, boards and agencies
should be able to operate with an interim spending approval of approximately 50% of the
2008 budget. If Council approval of the budget is not achieved by the end of May 2009,
a further report with an amended interim spending authority will be submitted.
The purchase of items designated as new capital is to be excluded from the above
proposal inasmuch as their purchase should specifically be approved by the respective
Committee, Board or Agency. Such purchases prior to the adoption of the annual
estimates will also require the approval of City Council.
Recommended by:
Todd Harriso , Direct r of Financial Services
Approved by: ~~KS~~`%~
Ken Burden, Executive Director of Corporate Services