LIVE BLOG: Committee of the Whole for September 5, 2017

Published on by Adam A. Donaldson

We begin the fall session with money matters. So get out your abacus and get ready to go over variances with this month’s Committee-of-the-Whole. You can click here for the amended agenda from City Hall, and you can click here to read Politico’s preview of today’s meeting. For the complete blow-by-blow of today’s committee meeting, you can follow me on Twitter, or follow along below via Storify.

by
Adam A. Donaldson
Tue, Sep 05 2017 22:35:43

Committee-of-the-Whole Meeting – September 5, 2017

Live blog from the meeting starting at 2 pm

  1. Back at City Hall. Waiting for fall's first committee meet to begin. Here's the agenda: https://t.co/qLH5QiLjbv https://t.co/dbD3Dfw0sY

    Back at City Hall. Waiting for fall’s first committee meet to begin. Here’s the agenda:  https://guelphpolitico.blogspot.ca/2017/08/committee-of-whole-preview-whats-on.html … pic.twitter.com/dbD3Dfw0sY
    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    ·

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 17:53:26

  2. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The meeting has begun. Mayor hopes everyone had a good summer, “including our friends in the media.”

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:01:13

  3. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    First up a presentation from the Local Immigration Partnership.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:02:09

  4. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Sandra Cocco, GWLIP Co-Chair, Immigrant Services Guelph Wellington Trish McComb, GWLIP Co-Chair, County of Wellington presenting.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:02:38

  5. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Population growth isn’t keeping up with aging population, they say. A “talent attraction war” is now on.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:03:51

  6. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Fun Fact: 21% of #Guelph‘s pop. is immigrants.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:04:24

  7. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There’s a push/pull for services, LIP says. They’re paying taxes, taking part in services, and attracting new visitors to the city.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:06:58

  8. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    International students pay 3x more than domestic students in tuition at U of G.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:07:54

  9. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Makes sense for local leaders to make Guelph an attractive place to settle, says LIP.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:08:45

  10. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    LIP was established in ’09, hosted by the @cityofguelph and made up of local stakeholders from the city and county. #nowyouknow

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:10:31

  11. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    One of the questions being addressed is pairing int’l students with employers looking for talent in the field. Speaking to need for LIP data

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:16:35

  12. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Salisbury asks what council can do. LIP says reaching out to employers to promote immigrants in work place.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:17:11

  13. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Also, responding “loud and clear” that Guelph is for everyone when acts of intolerance, like recent graffiti, occur.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:17:51

  14. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Key is building a good transit system, says LIP. Most new immigrants have no license, can’t afford car.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:19:14

  15. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    “Now that my colleague’s had the “Mike” I’m going to give you your “Phil”. Pun master @PhilAlltWard3 in full effect.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:21:01

  16. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Allt asks about how the numbers for tuition fees were calculated. Average of all three local campuses, plus living expenses.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:22:10

  17. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    The 3 campuses: U of G, Guelph-Humber and Ridgetown campus.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:22:33

  18. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt asks about impact of min. wage increase on new workers.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:23:21

  19. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gordon asks about promotional details and outreach to address divide in the community on the value of new immigrants.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:25:25

  20. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    LIP: There are Fact sheets available.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:26:36

  21. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Piper asks if there’s any data about why newcomers end up leaving the community?

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:30:11

  22. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    It can be found. Most of the data collection on immigration does come from federal agencies.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:31:12

  23. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie thanks the LIP team for their hard work, hopes things move forward and get better.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:33:00

  24. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Driver Certification Program Compliance Audit passes by consent. 12-0

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:35:27

  25. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Internal Audit Work Plan Update for 2017 also passes by consent, 12-0

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:36:10

  26. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No staff announcements for the audit committee.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:36:28

  27. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    BTW: Bob Bell is not here for committee today, hence the vote of 12.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:36:50

  28. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Now a presentation from David Wiedrick, Manager of Bylaw Compliance, Security and Licensing.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:37:34

  29. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Topic: Corporate Security Update. Once, bylaw did security, and increasingly, they’re being pulled off bylaw duties for security.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:38:39

  30. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wiedrick asking for 2 FT security guards so that security can be proactive rather than reactive.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:40:32

  31. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland asks about best practices. Went to Cambridge City Hall, no security, just an info desk.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:41:11

  32. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    DCAO Clack: Cambridge CH has a big open ground floor, but more secure on upper floors. Guelph CH is more open on upper levels.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:42:06

  33. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hiring 2 FT ppl means City won’t need contracted services anymore, a savings of $40K says Wiedrick.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:43:46

  34. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland: Are you looking for a strong signal from council to bring this forward at budget time? Unusual given past experiences.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:44:31

  35. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clack: Staff been trying to bring these complex matters early so not “inundating” council with info on Budget night.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:45:52

  36. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    If council says strong signal not to bother, the expansion package for this items will not be brought forward.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:46:19

  37. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wiedrick: 1 guard might be based at city hall, other would be free to wander to other city sites. Not 24 hrs, mostly days/some evenings.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:48:00

  38. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury asks if there’s opportunity to look at alternatives: more training, electronic surveillance for example?

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:49:08

  39. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clack: Those options will be spoken to in the expansion package.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:49:25

  40. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clack says the new FT guards the most direct mean to achieve security goals, doesn’t mean other options not being looked at.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:51:02

  41. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    GM Doug Godfrey says staff has looked at all the options, and guards remains most cost-effective.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:53:02

  42. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    There are capital costs developed to replace electronic security at some city facilities. Salisbury asks to see that work…

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:53:52

  43. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    CAO Thomson weighs in: staff feels like things aren’t being brought to the forefront. Council not fully understanding decisions asked for.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:55:42

  44. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson: These things still have to go thru prioritization at exec committee, and that’s been done couple of different ways in last few yrs

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:56:39

  45. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury says he appreciates Thomson’s answer, stands by request for more info as additional FTEs a hot potato at budget time.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:57:41

  46. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt thinks council needs examples of incidents and trends to try and justify the request, but will endorse this moving forward to council

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 18:59:53

  47. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson: Threats to public safety is real, # of major incidents in City Hall with health/safety effect. Tech has been exhausted…

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:00:37

  48. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    What’s missing is the response, and the ability to be proactive. Having security on staff would open up City Hall further, Thomson says

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:01:13

  49. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Wettstein appreciates the advanced information, thinks it would be more useful if this was classified as “received info”. Gets nods.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:04:20

  50. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clack: Want to be respectful of council direction, so they can receive but they don’t have to say no today.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:05:10

  51. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie: Why not hire a bylaw person? Could be doing bylaw stuff when not responding to security.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:06:53

  52. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wiedrick: Permanent security frees up a bylaw officer, so it’s a two-fer (basically).

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:07:42

  53. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie asks is there’s a seasonal difference, and there is not. Monthly average is about the same.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:08:09

  54. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Chair Downer notes the receipt items don’t come back for council, so if cmte wants this to come back with more info, then pass as is.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:13:12

  55. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Recommendation passes 12-0

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:14:55

  56. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Clack acknowledges Andy MacDonald, manager of emergency services. He’s done great work re-organizing that structure.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:16:26

  57. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Chair-ship moves to Cllr MacKinnon now for Corporate Services. First up Reserve and Reserve Fund Review and Policy Update.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:17:59

  58. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Hofland “over the moon” about the update, asks Treasurer Baker for the highlights.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:18:37

  59. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Oen addendum was made last week, a schedule of updates that Baker noticed was missing from the final report.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:22:23

  60. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland asks how targets came about.
    Baker: Some is best practices, some is training from the MFOA, some is hearing back from dept GMs

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:25:21

  61. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Gibson says this is like turning a bowl of spaghetti into lasagna.
    […]
    That’s a good thing.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:25:56

  62. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson asks about how the various reserves are being harmonized, what goes where?

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:26:37

  63. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Capital projects will go thru council based on staff recommendation. Every project assessed on one-to-one basis.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:27:45

  64. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Billings asks if there’s more delegated authority in this policy for transferring funds?

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:35:19

  65. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Baker says there is, but outside the innovation/efficiency fund, there’s no change in authority, just documentation.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:36:00

  66. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    In other words, one of the changes here is how things will be brought forward to council, & asking for in-year transfers “when appropriate”

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:38:05

  67. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    And now there’s an alarm… Clack says there’s no worry, only a 1st stage. Waiting to see what the heck’s going on.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:38:44

  68. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Council is going into recess until the alarm is gotten under control. Staff doesn’t think there’s a fire, but have to find source of alarm

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:41:03

  69. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    OK, the alarm is off, and we’re going to try and get back to business.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:44:02

  70. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor Guthrie calls meeting back to order.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:45:41

  71. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie moves the report, has some closing comments as all his Qs were answered.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:50:12

  72. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie thanks staff for work, views this as an overhaul of the reserves and funds, and it’s good to see. Hopes the vote is unanimous.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:50:45

  73. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Mayor notes this isn’t a “ribbon cutting event”, not “flashy” or “sexy” but “so, so important”.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:51:30

  74. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gibson echoes mayor’s statements. “This is bringing accountability right down to where it needs to be,” he says.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:53:53

  75. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Chair MacKinnon: the issue been hanging over council’s head since the beginning of term, now it’s done.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:54:26

  76. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Recommendations pass 12-0

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:54:56

  77. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up: Capital Transfer Allocation Policy. DCAO Lee introducing.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:55:27

  78. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland wanted to talk about the history of the 1% infrastructure levy. It wasn’t in the report, so it bears revisiting.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:57:19

  79. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Hofland reminds, staff recommendation was 0.5%, council voted in favour of additional 0.5% for “city building”

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:58:04

  80. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Report says though that of that 1%, it will be a 90/10 split for infrastructure renewal/city building. Question: Huh?

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 19:58:57

  81. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Baker: Something like new Library will have multiple funding sources: some infrastructure, some building, then fed/prov. funding.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:01:35

  82. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    1% = $2.5 million, so $2.25 million will go to infrastructure.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:03:11

  83. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson says there will be another round of infrastructure funding from the feds and provence. Getting some idea of parameters now.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:03:44

  84. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Allt: Will this be matching funds?
    Thomson: Both levels been specific on what they want to fund, have to be agile on project2project basis

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:05:07

  85. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Transit, affordable housing, *some* community projects like libraries or rec centres could be a part, says Thomson.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:05:40

  86. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Gordon says he needs to assure to people that council is committed to city building in spite of 90/10 split.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:07:18

  87. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson: City building comes from multiple sources, DCs and grants, etc. Infrastructure has more limited options.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:08:17

  88. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson: A real need to protect the assets we have right now. Again, infrastructure has not been funded the way it should have been…

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:08:51

  89. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    …Again, because there are only so many funding options for infrastructure.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:09:29

  90. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Difference between city building & growth? Growth maintains current level of services, building adds/expands services.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:11:50

  91. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    That was an answer to a question from Mike Salisbury.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:12:05

  92. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Salisbury needs a definition of city building, but will take the discussion offline.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:17:09

  93. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein sees things as being purely about infrastructure, but asks if the levy was ever supposed to be about city building?

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:19:02

  94. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson said the thought for the original 0.5% levy was to go entirely to address the $500 M infrastructure gap.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:20:15

  95. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein disappointed that city building has dropped off into “meaninglessness”, so why is it still mentioned in the levy?

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:21:31

  96. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein says the decision he has to make is if he’s cool with the 0.5% for city building is really 0.1%.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:23:26

  97. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein also curious about what percentage of a project comes from what funding source. Realizes that might be a bit dry for ppl following

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:24:35

  98. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Baker tells Wettstein they can look into providing him with that break down.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:25:02

  99. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer says this isn’t just about “in the ground” infrastructure. The $500 M is about libraries, parks, roads, etc. too.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:28:47

  100. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer says that all items are infrastructure, and have been identified as needs in asset study that resulted in $500 M gap figure.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:31:12

  101. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Downer says we’re creating a problem, and categories in our minds, that aren’t really there.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:31:44

  102. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie/Gibson put motion on the floor.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:32:25

  103. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson: This is a funding mechanism, not a recommendation to determine asset types.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:34:37

  104. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Wettstein says the important thing is not the breakdown, but the fact that council has dedicated 1% /year to address gap.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:43:41

  105. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Guthrie notes that the asset review that took backlog from $191 M to $500 M after the budget last year. 1% = 11 yrs to deal with $191 M.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:46:22

  106. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    MacKinnon said the discussion was important, and that labels do have value.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:51:46

  107. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Capital Transfer Allocation passes 11-1 (Salisbury against).

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:53:43

  108. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next up, Q2 Capital Variance Report and a question from Cllr Gibson.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:55:47

  109. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Details on waste water improvements are still vague, rate discussion to happen in Oct/Nov, staff waiting to see if their numbers R accurate.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:57:00

  110. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    DCAO Stewart says staff is being cautious right now, and hope to have some hard answers soon.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:57:27

  111. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    That discussion moving offline.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 20:59:58

  112. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Capital Variance Report passes 12-0.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:00:13

  113. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Next, and last, the Q2 Operating Variance Report.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:00:33

  114. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asks about why staff is asking for $360K from reserve for Solid Waste when they’re looking to address negative variance within

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:01:45

  115. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Baker: This is a known impact, and there could be a service impact unless addressed.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:02:34

  116. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    DCAO Stewart: Mitigation can’t “get it all.” An “impossible” task to bring it down to zero, but want to show some impact.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:03:16

  117. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart: Staff running these operations need a full cost accounting, and that hasn’t been the way it’s been in the past.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:05:39

  118. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Stewart adds, “We’ve had enough surprises in this area.”

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:06:15

  119. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Seems like a good time to point out that all this will be addressed when the Solid Waste service review comes to council on Sept 18.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:08:06

  120. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings wants to get at why staff and council has been trying to “right-size” the huge variances, but keep coming up short…

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:09:06

  121. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Is the $360 K b/c of contract with City of Waterloo? Billings, basically

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:09:35

  122. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    CAO Thomson says staff has been “peeling back the onions” but there was the fire, problems with contracts and operating issues

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:10:19

  123. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson says issues are more complex, council got best info at budget time last year.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:10:41

  124. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson says staff is being more transparent. Not waiting for the end of the year to unveil large variances.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:12:52

  125. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Billings asking that council be shown the true negative variance for Solid Waste at the end of the year, w/o the transfers that offset.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:16:20

  126. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Thomson says that will be included in the breakdown. Billings is satisfied.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:16:50

  127. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Cllr Van Hellemond says kudos should be offered to staff, as they “inherited a mess out there” with solid waste.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:17:17

  128. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Operating Variance passes 12-0.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:17:49

  129. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    No announcements from Corporate Services staff.

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:18:25

  130. adamadonaldson

    Adam A. Donaldson@adamadonaldson
    Meeting adjourned. That’s a wrap!

    Tue, Sep 05 2017 21:18:54

 

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