THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF PEEL
GENERAL COMMITTEE - BUDGET MEETING
December 3, 2009

M I N U T E S

GCB-2009-1

Regional Chair Kolb called the General Committee Budget Meeting to order at 10:56 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Drive, Suite A, Brampton.

Regional Chair E. Kolb presided.

A. ROLL CALL

B. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Chair Kolb declared a conflict of interest with respect to the salary portion of the Peel Regional Police budget as a family member is employed with Peel Regional Police.

Councillor McCallion declared a conflict of interest with respect to the salary portion of the Peel Regional Police budget as a family member is employed with Peel Regional Police.

Councillor Miles declared a conflict of interest with respect to the salary portion of the Region of Peel Budget, as a family member is employed with the Region of Peel.

Councillor Moore declared a conflict of interest with respect to the salary portion of the Region of Peel Budget, as a family member is employed with the Region of Peel.


C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Councillor Prentice stated that Regional Council members need to direct their full attention to the budget deliberation process and requested that deputations not be scheduled on budget meeting days.

RECOMMENDATION GCB-1-2009:

That the agenda for the December 3, 2009 General Committee – Budget meeting be approved;

And further, that deputations not be scheduled on Budget meeting days, unless absolutely necessary.

D. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

D1. David Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer and Norma Trim, Commissioner of Corporate Services, Chief Financial Officer, Providing a High Level Overview of the 2010 Current and Capital Budgets

Received

David Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer stated that the budget document does not contain the Seniors Tax Rebate, which was recommended during the General Committee meeting held on December 3, 2009 individually prior to this budget meeting. The 0.1 per cent increase to fund the Seniors Tax Rebate will be presented in the 2010 Current and Capital Budget Report at the December 10, 2009 Regional Council Budget meeting. Norma Trim, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Commissioner of Corporate Services presented a high level summary of the Region of Peel’s 2010 Current and Capital Budgets.

Councillor Miles congratulated Regional staff on presenting a responsible budget, but stated that Council should not proceed to make recommendations without having presentations from the conservation authorities and the Police. She enquired if the Credit Valley Conservation Authority will be distributing budget documentation prior to their presentation. Regional Chair Kolb informed that the conservation authorities and the Ontario Provincial Police (Caledon Detachment) will be making budget presentations at the December 10, 2009 Regional Council Budget meeting. David Szwarc responded that staff will undertake to contact the external bodies to ensure that documentation is provided prior to their presentations. The Peel Regional Police will be making a budget presentation at the Special Regional Council Budget meeting scheduled on December 17, 2009.

David Szwarc clarified that staff will be presenting two options for Council’s consideration at the December 10, 2009 Regional Council Budget meeting. The first option will be a 3.6 per cent tax increase for 2010; the second option will be a 2.6 per cent tax increase for 2010 by phasing in the elimination of the Child Care Co-Payment with a draw from the reserve fund equal to one half of 1 per cent on the tax rate and a reduction of one half of 1 per cent of the annual capital reserve contribution.

General Committee Budget meeting recessed at 11:48 a.m.

General Committee Budget reconvened at 12:26 p.m.

D2. Departmental Presentations

a) Dan Labrecque, Commissioner of Public Works

Received

Councillor Moore arrived at 12:27 p.m.
Councillor Iannicca arrived at 12:28 p.m.
Councillor Morrison arrived at 12:30 p.m.
Councillor Fennell arrived at 12:30 p.m.
Councillor Parrish arrived at 12:35 p.m.

Councillor Prentice enquired as to the amount that the Region of Peel has outstanding for Go Transit funding according to the Province. Dan Labrecque, Commissioner of Public Works responded that 21 million dollars is identified as owing according to Go Transit noting that some funds have been set aside from 2009 Development Charges. Councillor Prentice further enquired when the Region of Peel development charges will be reviewed. Dan Labrecque responded that the development charges will be reviewed based on the 2010 capital plan in 2011.

Councillor Prentice raised concern for the loss of revenue in recycling commodities and enquired if municipalities can work collectively to receive provincial subsidies. Dan Labrecque responded that the recession has prompted the revenue loss in recyclables and that the Province will be proposing new legislation that will address revenue and subsidies for recyclables. Dan Labrecque noted that the proposed legislation will not be affected until the new term of Council.

Councillor Miles enquired if motions will be voted on today after each departmental overview. Members of Regional Council concurred that motions should be presented at the end of budget deliberations.

Several members of Regional Council complimented staff on presenting a fiscally responsible budget and for delivering quality services to the residents of Peel.

Councillor Whitehead requested that Members of Council receive a list, early in 2010, of the proposed resurfacing programs. Dan Labrecque undertook to provide a list to members of Council early next year.

b) Janette Smith, Commissioner of Health

Received

c) Janet Menard, Commissioner of Human Services

Received

Councillor Fennell indicated that the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are addressing the need for a national housing program and a national child care program and thanked Regional staff for providing a good budget document which can be used at the national level to address these needs in our community.

Councillor Fennell departed at 1:42 p.m.

d) Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Employee and Business Services, Presenting Internal Services

Received

E. COMMUNICATIONS - Nil


F. OTHER BUSINESS - Nil


G. IN CAMERA MATTERS - Nil


ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 1:49 p.m.