Mayor Quirk thanked staff on their efforts towards the 2024 budget and the public for its' engagement, a balance in trying to maintain the level of existing service, trying to add requested services according to priorities, sustainability, maintenance and financial responsibility.
Ryan Cronsberry, CAO, indicated that the 2024 proposed budget is a responsible and realistic plan that demonstrates the Town's commitment to service excellence and ensures continued financial stability.
Rob Wheater, Deputy CAO/Treasurer provided a summary of the proposed 2024 budget and updates, outlining budget efficiencies, along with all departmental accomplishments and the new key budget process steps as stipulated in the Act, indicating that at the end of the process, a Mayoral Declaration form will be released advising of any vetoes or stating that the Mayor has ended the 10-day period, automatically adopting the budget and no final bylaw approval being required.
- total operating budget of $95 Million plus new capital projects of $23 Million, equating to $118,317,110 Million; primary funding sources being the tax levy and water and wastewater rates
- proposed tax levy increase of 3.5% with additional infrastructure levy of 2% to capital reserves for a total increase of 5.5%; average single-family detached dwelling with a CVA of $448,000 equates to $140 tax increase
- new staffing requests in the amount of $502,200
- operating initiatives in the amount of $417,260
- Water and Wastewater rate supported budget proposed increase of 8.9%
- Updates since November 7, 2023 include 2 new business cases regarding Health Care Strategy and Action Plan and Lake Drive Improvements
- adjustments to be made to the carryforward capital list as part of the year end close regarding the 2023 VERS program budget increase of $187,910, Lake Drive Jurisdiction Action Plan budget increase of $851,577 and the Surveyor Services for Lake Drive budget set aside of $105,370
BUDGET REQUESTS FROM MEMBERS OF COUNCIL;
- release tenders for the decommissioning of Mossington Wharf and dredging the mouth of the Black River; withdrawn at this time but retain request for future consideration
- bike parking and repair station in Jackson's Point Parkette & High Street, Sutton; add $5,000 to approve 2 bike repair stations
- steps & ramp at Mill Pond Park - stairs and ramp needed for accessibility; withdrawn at this time due to expense
- Georgina Art Centre HVAC Replacement; withdrawn due to a conflict as Councillor Genge's son is now employed by the Georgina Art Centre
- Georgina Art Centre parking lot repaving; withdrawn due to a conflict as Councillor Genge's son is now employed by the Georgina Art Centre
- sidewalks on Metro Road from De La Salle Park to Salvation Army Camp; withdrawn due to expense but retain for future consideration
- bury overhead wires on High Street, request to bury wires as streetscaping projects move forward; withdrawn due to unknown costs
- Water Fountain on the Black River, Sutton; motion to follow to add $3,600 and that the Town take over responsibility
Moved by Councillor Genge
Seconded by Councillor Biggerstaff
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0415
That Council approve an amount of $10,000 to be added to the 2024 budget for the 2024 installation of two bike repair stations to be located in downtown business areas within the Town, that staff submit a report regarding the initiative including details such as costs, evidence of economic benefits respecting future expansion, and appropriate locations for installations of these repair stations, to be funded through the Corporate Capital Reserve.
Carried
Direction; Staff was requested to contact the BIA's, determine potential partnerships with the private sector to deliver this initiative, and determine the potential to request bike repair stations as part of commercial development applications in order to expand the network.
Moved by Councillor Genge
Seconded by Councillor Neeson
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0416
That Council approve an amount of $3,600 to be added to the 2024 operating budget to transfer responsibility for the Black River water fountain from the Sutton BIA to the Town, to be funded from the tax levy.
Carried
Moved by Councillor Neeson
Seconded by Councillor Biggerstaff
That the Council meeting recess at 10:15am.
Carried
The Council meeting reconvened at 10:35am
STAFFING REQUESTS;
-Business Case #24-SI-OI-01, Water Operator, funded from Water/Wastewater Rates, $104,000
-Business Case #24-SI-LS-01, Municipal Law Enforcement Supervisor, funded from Assessment Growth, $133,250
-Business Case #24-SI-SI-01, Web Content Specialist, funded from Assessment Growth, $88,400
-Business Case #24-SI-SI-02, Grant Program Manager, funded from Discretionary Reserve, $160,550
-Business Case #24-SI-LI-01, Library Staffing transitioning from part-time to full-time, funded from Tax Levy, $16,000
NEW INITIATIVES (Operating);
a) On Call staffing, Operations and Infrastructure, Business Case #24-NI-OI-01, $35,000
b) Parks Contracted Services and Seasonal Staff, Community Services, Business Case #24-NI-CS-01, $250,000;
- Staff to report through the 2025 budget on Parks service levels and the adequacy of the $250,000 budget amount
c) Training and Professional Development, Fire and Rescue Services, Business Case #24-NI-FS-01, $32,950
d) Professional Development, Training, DCAO, Business Case #24-NI-CAO-01, $49,310; Equity, Diversity and Inclusion training, individual certifications
- staff to consider accreditation to be covered by the individual staff members requiring said accreditation, not by the Town.
Moved by Councillor Genge
That funding for Professional Development and Training for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion remain for the 2024 budget and continued corporate-wise Professional Development funding be brought forward as business cases in future years.
Lost, no seconder
e) Advertising, Special Events/Downtown Revitalization, Investment Attraction & Marketing Initiatives, Strategic Initiatives, Business Case #24-OI-SI-01, $50,000; confirmed that funding will be allocated for specific initiatives in future years
CAPITAL REQUESTS;
a) Operations and Infrastructure
-Vehicle and Equipment Replacement (VERS) Strategy, Operations and Infrastructure, Business Case #24-CI-OI-19, funded from Discretionary Reserve, $1,542,500; critical services are provided to the community on-demand, vehicles are planned for and replaced well in advance.
Moved by Councillor Genge
Reduce contribution to discretionary reserve by $437,000 by delaying replacement of named vehicles by one (1) year in order to reduce tax levy.
Lost, no seconder
Rob Wheater; 1% equates to $524,025 in the tax levy budget.
-Lake Drive Improvements - Phase 1, Operations & Infrastructure, Business Case #24-CI-OI-24, $120,000;
Moved by Councillor Neeson
Seconded by Councillor Biggerstaff
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0417
That Council approve the work program for the design phase of implementation on Lake Drive Improvements - Phase 1, Operations & Infrastructure, Business Case #24-CI-OI-24, in the amount of $120,000 funded from discretionary reserves, Lake Drive North from Metro Road North at North Gwillimbury Park to Woodbine Avenue, and Lake Drive East from Woodbine Avenue to Dalton Road, to include the following tasks:
1. Collection and analysis of additional data on traffic, pedestrian and parking usage as necessary to support design of the recommended improvements.
2. Detailed design of the recommended improvements addressing efficient traffic movements to support access to properties and businesses, feasibility of seasonal implementation, integration with existing features such as driveways and intersections, roadway modifications focused on clear and concise signage, pavement markings, and lane separation markers, and public communication and education.
A recorded vote was requested, the Town Clerk recorded the vote as follows;
Yea Nay
Councillor Genge x
Regional Councillor Davison x
Councillor Fellini x
Councillor Neeson x
Councillor Dale x
Mayor Quirk x
Councillor Biggerstaff x
Carried
b) Community Services - no amendments
24-CI-CS-01, Building Condition Assessment Program, $1,567,000; Groundworks Phase 1 - Sutton Multi-Use Facility ($500,000), Canopy Repairs - Pefferlaw Lions hall ($30,000), Steel Stair Replacement - Georgina Sutton Arena ($125,000), Makeup Air Unit Replacement - Georgina Ice Palace ($170,000), Ammonia Chiller Replacements and Refrigeration Plant Upgrades - Georgina Ice Palace ($700,000), Parking Lot Repairs - Keswick Fire Hall ($25,000), Concrete Column Repairs - Belhaven Hall ($8,000), Emergency Lighting, Signage - Sutton Fire Hall ($9,000)
24-CI-CS-02, Facilities Repair and Remediation Program, $604,500; Table and Chair Replacement - De La Salle and Egypt hall ($34,500), Chain Link Fence Replacement - Pefferlaw Ice Pad ($40,000), Snow Melt Pit(s) Installation - Georgina Ice Palace ($400,000), Renovation - Keswick Fire Hall ($105,000), Installation of Railings - Georgina Ice Palace Blue Pad Spectator Seating ($25,000)
24-CI-CS-03, Parks Repair and Remediation Program, $775,000; Tennis and Pickleball Resurfacing ROC ($120,000), Cemetery Foundation Wall - Keswick Cemetery ($50,000), Shoreline Revetment Corner Park ($15,000), Drainage Improvements - Jackson's Point Harbour ($15,000), Pathway Rehabilitation - Various Locations ($30,000), Ditching and Drainage ($75,000), Picnic Table Replacement ($50,000), Playground Replacement (Highcastle and West Park ) ($375,000), Sports Field Line Painting Machine ($45,000)
24-CI-CS-04, Ainslie Hill Park and Trail Development, $1,440,000
24-CI-CS-05, Holmes Point Washrooms, $130,000
24-CI-CS-06, Terrace Park Fencing, $15,000
c) Fire and Rescue Services - no amendments
24-CI-FS-01, Suppression Equipment, $110,700; Auto Extrication Equipment E-tools Stn 1-8 ($27,300), Hose and Appliances ($24,000), SCBA Cylinders ($20,400), SCBA Packs ($24,000), Haz Mat, Confined Space, Rope Rescue, Water-Ice Rescue and Special Operations Equipment ($15,000)
24-CI-FS-02, Helmet Replacement Program, $26,000
24-CI-FS-03, Replacement of Bunker Gear, $71,400
24-CI-FS-04, Communication Equipment, $49,400; replacement tablets and stands ($4,800), pagers ($12,000), portable radios ($16,000), radio batteries ($4,800), paged system manual backup for Stn 1-4 ($4,300), paged system manual backup for Stn 1-6 ($6,700), programming requirements for paging system for Stn 1-8 ($800)
d) Development Services - no amendments
24-CI-DS-01, Development Engineering Comprehensive Design Criteria Review, $250,000
e) Legislative Services
24-CI-LS-01, Kennels Purchase and Installation, $120,000
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0418
Moved by Councillor Biggerstaff
Seconded by Regional Councillor Davison
That Council approve the purchase and installation of six (6) canine kennels at the Georgina Animal Shelter, Business Case Number 24-CI-LS-01, in the amount of $120,000 due to the necessity to phase-in the installations to minimize disruption, to be funded from the Corporate Capital Reserve.
Carried
Rob Wheater advised that staff will determine the eligibility of the Animal Shelter Facility for Development Charge funding as it is a growth-related service; if it is not eligible, staff will send correspondence to the Province requesting eligibility consideration.
24-CI-LS-02, Electric Bikes, $10,000
f) Office of the Deputy CAO - no amendments
24-CI-DCAO-01, ICT Cycling, $230,000; annual corporate desktop and notebook cycling ($80,000), annual corporate commercial off-the-shelf software cycling ($20,000), annual corporate network infrastructure cycling ($130,000)
24-CI-DCAO-02, Inter-facility Connectivity, $70,000
24-CI-DCAO-03, Water and Wastewater Financial Plan and Rate Structure, $60,000
24-CI-DCAO-04, Telecommunication Infrastructure, $100,000
g) Strategic Initiatives - no amendments
24-CI-SI-01, Multi-Year Accessibility Plan, $175,000
24-CI-SI-02, Climate Change Action Plan, $250,000
24-CI-SI-03, Resident Satisfaction Surveys, $60,000
24-CI-SI-04, Corporate Broadband Roadmap, $15,000
h) Georgina Public Library - no amendments
24-CI-LI-01, Library Capital Initiatives, $26,500; Direct mail campaign, Technology equipment upgrades for service desks, Inclusivity, diversity, equity accessibility strategy
i) Water and Wastewater - no amendments
24-CI-WAT-01, Water Service Connection - Contract 1 - Royal/Bayview, $1,170,000; replacement of aging and failing polybutylene pipe
24-CI-WAT-02, Service Connections - Design of Contract 4,5,6, $400,000
24-CI-WAT-03, Watermain Renewal The Queensway South - Joe Dales to Elmdale Avenue, $228,300
24-CI-WAT-04, Watermain Renewal High Street - Snooks Road to Burke Street/River Street to Dalton Road, $189,000
24-CI-WAT-05, Water Meter Replacement Program, $250,000
24-CI-WAT-06, Line Valves and Hydrants - Rehabilitation & Replacement, $200,000
j) Sewers - no amendments
24-CI-SEW-01, Gravity Sewer Main and Manhole Repair - from CA/I&I, $250,000
24-CI-SEW-02, Gravity Sewer/MH (10%) - CA, $200,000
24-CI-SEW-03, Condition Assessment of Sanitary Pumping Stations (12,13,17,20), $165,000
24-CI-SEW-04, Sewage Pump Stations 1,2,7 & 8, Construction, $500,000
24-CI-SEW-05, Sewage Pump Stations 6,11,18 & 19 Design and Construction, $150,000
24-CI-SEW-06, Sewage Pump Stations Generator Rehabilitation, $200,000
Mayor Quirk moved forward Item 12.2.b(a) at this time;
g) Strategic Initiatives
24-CI-SI-05, Develop Georgina's Health Care Strategy and Action Plan, $225,000
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0419
Moved by Councillor Neeson
Seconded by Councillor Dale
That Council approve Business Case Number 24-CI-SI-05 to Develop Georgina's Health Care Strategy and Action Plan in the amount of $225,000 to be funded from the Discretionary Reserve.
Carried
Moved by Regional Councillor Davison
Seconded by Councillor Biggerstaff
That the Council Members convene into Closed Session at 12:22pm to deal with the following matters;
a. THE SECURITY OF THE PROPERTY OF THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD, Section 239(2)(a), MA; I.T. Security
b. A PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD, Section 239(2)(c), MA; Sutton and Jackson's Point
c. LITIGATION OR POTENTIAL LITIGATION, INCLUDING MATTERS BEFORE ADMINISTRATIVE TRIBUNALS, AFFECTING THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD, Section 239(2)(e), MA; Lake Drive Jurisdiction - Judicial Review
Carried.
Moved by Councillor Genge
Seconded by Councillor Fellini
That the meeting reconvene into Open Session at 2:02pm and report on matter(s) discussed in Closed Session.
Carried
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0420
Moved by Councillor Genge
Seconded by Councillor Dale
In regard to Closed Session Item 17.1.a on the agenda under Section 239(2)(a) of the Municipal Act being the security of the property of the municipality or local board regarding I.T. security;
1. That Council direct staff to proceeding accordingly.
Carried
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0421
Moved by Regional Councillor Davison
Seconded by Councillor Biggerstaff
In regard to Closed Session Item 17.1.b on the agenda under Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act being a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board regarding property in Sutton and Jackson's Point;
1. That Council receive the information.
Carried
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0422
Moved by Councillor Genge
Seconded by Councillor Fellini
In regard to Closed Session Item 17.1.c on the agenda under Section 239(2)(e) of the Municipal Act being litigation or potential litigation including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board, regarding Lake Drive Jurisdiction - Judicial Review;
1. That Council receive the update and direct the solicitor to proceed accordingly.
Carried
Any additional motions from Members of Council to amend the budget
Carry Forward Capital Projects;
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0423
Moved by Regional Councillor Davison
Seconded by Councillor Genge,
That Council expand the scope of Business Case Number 23-CI-OI-08, Street Redevelopment Detailed Design High Street Project, by including an entrance feature on High Street coming off of Highway 48 into the design for consideration when it returns to Council and that staff provide multiple size options for said entrance feature.
Carried
RESOLUTION NO. C-2023-0424
Moved by Councillor Neeson
Seconded by Councillor Biggerstaff
That Council end the 30-day budget amendment period as defined in the regulations to Bill 3, The Strong Mayors Building Homes Act.
Carried
Mayor and Council closing remarks
Rob Wheater; 2024 tax levy increase will be 3.51% operating plus 2% infrastructure levy, equating to $5.51% increase. Staff will report back in the new year regarding specific amendments to the budget.