EXCELLENCE THROUGH EFFICIENCY
COUNCIL STEERING COMMITTEE
Canada Room
|
Attendance: Mayor Frank Scarpitti (a: Deputy Mayor Jack Heath Regional Councillor Tony Wong Councillor Carolina Moretti Councillor Dan Horchik – Chair Councillor A. Chiu |
Staff John Livey, Chief Administrative Officer Jim Baird, Commissioner of Development Services Brenda Librecz, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services Andy Taylor, Commissioner of Corporate Services Jamie Bosomworth, Manager of Strategy and Innovation Barb Cribbett, Town Treasurer Ingrid Kutter, Town Auditor Sharon Laing, Director, Human Resources Joel Lustig, Director of Financial & Client Services Colin Service, Manager, Planning and Policy Development Chris Raynor, Committee Clerk |
The fifth meeting of Excellence through Efficiency and
Effectiveness (E3) Council Steering Committee convened at
1. ADOPTION
OF MINUTES OF THE E3 COUNCIL STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON
MOVED BY: Deputy Mayor J. Heath
SECONDED BY: Councillor Alex Chiu
That the
minutes of the E3 Council Steering Committee meeting held on
CARRIED
2. CAO INTRODUCTION
John Livey, CAO, reviewed the ongoing actions of the E3 Executive Committee. Committee was advised that six revenue initiatives will be presented for discussion.
A. RECREATION PRICING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
Brenda Librecz advised that a review of current revenue pricing has identified six areas where fees are significantly below the 50th percentile in pricing in the Greater Toronto Area. Increasing fees to bring them up to the 50th percentile will result in revenue increases of approximately $227,000 per year. The six programs for consideration are preschool, children’s, adult aerobics, low ratio swim lessons, adventure day camps and adult prime time ice rentals.
The initiative generated considerable discussion and Committee suggested a phase-in approach may be better than a one-shot fee increase. It was noted that the Recreation Master Plan will address a comprehensive pricing strategy for the long-term.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That staff report back to Budget Sub-Committee with proposals to increase fees for adult aerobics by $6.62 per 10 week session; and, for adventure day camps by $16.25 per daily two week session; and,
That staff report back to Budget Sub-Committee with additional fee increases for low ratio swim classes and for adult prime time ice rentals in order to offset the shortfall in revenues from maintaining the existing fees for preschool and children’s programs and for increasing the fees for adult aerobics and adventure day camps by only half the staff recommendation; and,
That the report indicate what percentile level in pricing in the Greater Toronto Area the increased fees for low ratio swim classes and for adult prime time ice rentals will fall into.
CARRIED
B. NEW MEMBER FITNESS INITIATION FEE
Committee was provided with a proposal to increase the new member fitness initiation fee from $62.50 to $90.00, which would realize an additional $24,000 annually. Committee was advised that this represents 18% of the total fitness membership fee and that the industry standard is 25%. Additionally, the fee would not apply to students or seniors.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That staff proceed with a proposal to increase the new member fitness initiation fee for adults and couples to $90; and,
That the new member fitness initiation fee for non-resident adults and couples be increased to $120.
CARRIED
C. PRE-AUTHORIZED TAX PAYMENTS AND TAX
INSTALMENTS
Staff presented a proposal to encourage residents to transition to pre-authorized tax payments (PTP) by increasing the fee for a non-PTP tax account by $10.00. It was noted that an increase in PTP will impact cash flow and investment income. Staff agreed to report back on the extent of these impacts. There was a suggestion of an incentive program to encourage transitions.
Staff also proposed a reduction in the number of payment instalments from 6 to 4. It was noted that any financial impact from PTP will be more than offset by enhanced cash flow resulting from the reduction in instalments. It is estimated that investment revenue will be in the order of $250,000.
There was considerable discussion on this and it was noted that this will be a sensitive issue among residents. Committee suggested that staff first consider a PTP marketing plan and the option of using E-Post as a delivery medium for tax bills.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That staff proceed with the proposal to increase the fee for all new tax accounts from $50.00 to $60.00; and,
That consideration of the proposal to decrease the number of tax payment instalments from 6 to 4 be deferred to the next meeting of the E3 Council Steering Committee, pending further investigation into what other municipalities do regarding tax instalments and a review of the percentage take-up of PTP among new tax accounts.
CARRIED
D. RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM SALES LIST
Staff outlined a proposal to increase tax revenue by having residential condominium developers provide updated sales lists in order for the Town to collect tax revenue from purchasers at the earliest opportunity. Currently tax collection does not start until the whole residential condominium development is registered. Committee expressed doubt that the Town will be able to collect this information as it is not in the best economic interests of the developer.
Moved by Mayor F. Scarpitti
Seconded by Regional Councillor T. Wong
That staff proceed with an initiative to require residential condominium developers to provide an updated list of individual unit occupants and occupancy dates as a condition of condominium draft approval; and,
That staff report back to General Committee with a proposal to pursue with the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) enhancements to the process by which residential condominium developments are assessed.
CARRIED
E. TELECOMMUNICATION FACILITIES ON TOWN
OWNED LAND
Staff advised that there have been several inquiries to locate telecommunications facilities on Town-owned land and that each site could generate $36,000 annually. It was noted that the existing telecommunications policy will need to be revised to permit this initiative.
Moved by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
Seconded by Councillor A. Chiu
That the proposal to utilize Town-owned lands for the installation of telecommunications facilities be supported in principle and referred to the Budget Sub-Committee for further consideration; and,
That staff report back to Development Services Committee with a revised telecommunications policy to permit the installation of telecommunication facilities on Town-owned lands.
CARRIED
F. USER FEE BY-LAW
Staff provided an outline of a proposal to obtain authority from Council to increase the user fees within the User Fee By-law by CPI on an annual basis, rounded to the nearest dollar. It was noted that staff will prepare separate approval reports to Council for items that are to be increased beyond CPI in any given year.
Moved by Regional Councillor T. Wong
Seconded by Deputy Mayor J. Heath
That staff proceed with a proposal to obtain authority from Council to increase the user fees within the User Fee By-law 2002-276 by CPI on an annual basis for those fees where such approval has not already been obtained.
CARRIED
4. ADJOURNMENT
The E3 Council Steering Committee meeting adjourned at