MINUTES - General Committee - 20130112
THE TOWN OF AURORA
SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE
2013 BUDGET REVIEW
MEETING REPORT
Council Chambers
Aurora Town Hall
Saturday, January 12, 2013
ATTENDANCE
COMMITTEE MEMBERS Mayor Dawe in the Chair; Councillors Abel, Ballard,
Buck (arrived 9:20 a.m.), Gallo, Gaertner, Humfryes,
Pirri, and Thompson
MEMBERS ABSENT None
OTHER ATTENDEES Chief Administrative Officer, Deputy Clerk/Manager of
Administration, Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer, Director of Legal Services/Town
Solicitor, Director of Building and By-law Services,
Director of Infrastructure and Environmental Services,
Director of Parks and Recreation Services, Director of
Planning and Development Services, and Council/
Committee Secretary
Mayor Dawe called the meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.
I DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE
THEREOF
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act.
II APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
General Committee recommends:
THAT the agenda as circulated by the Customer and Legislative Services
Department be approved.
CARRIED
III DELEGATIONS
(a) Neil Garbe, Chief Administrative Officer, and
Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial Services/Treasurer
Re: Item 1 – CFS13-001 – Draft 2013 Business Plan with Operating
and Capital Budgets – Overview Report
Mr. Garbe presented an overview of the accomplishments and highlights of 2012,
a status report on the performance measurement program, and the context and
objectives of the 2013 Budget. He stated that 2012 was a very good year,
achieved through collaboration, leadership and opportunity, noting that Council
Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Page 2 of 7
had demonstrated leadership by seizing opportunities and staff had undertaken
unique and successful collaborations that moved the Town’s agenda forward.
Mr. Garbe highlighted elements including accountability, alignment with the
Town’s Strategic Plan and Corporate Vision, collaboration, innovation,
sustainability, quality of life, relationship with businesses, administration, key
performance indicators, and a planned performance measures report card for the
community.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegation be received for information.
CARRIED
Mr. Elliott presented an introduction to the Operating Budget process and
approach, highlighting the overarching budget issues and areas for focused
review. He explained the components of the 2013 tax rate pressures and impact
to the overall residential tax bill. He further provided a history and forecast of
Aurora tax increases, an overview of the 2013 Operating Budget by department,
and a summary of debt.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the comments of the delegation be received for information.
CARRIED
IV PUBLIC CONSULTATION – OPEN SESSION – OPPORTUNITY FOR
MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO PROVIDE INPUT REGARDING THE
2013 BUDGET
No members of the public came forward.
V CONSIDERATION OF ITEMS
6. 2013 Operating Budget – Legal Services
Presentation by Warren Mar, Director of Legal Services/Town Solicitor
Mr. Mar presented elements of the Legal Services Operating Budget and
Business Plan. He reviewed the functions of the Department which are Contract
and Procurement, Administrative and Legislative, Real Estate, Planning and
Development, and Litigation. Mr. Mar reported on the Achievements of 2012, the
Strategic Advancements planned for 2013, and Key Performance Indicators. He
provided an overview of expenditures and revenues, base pressures, base
efficiencies/reductions, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Warren Mar be received for information.
CARRIED
Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Page 3 of 7
General Committee recommends:
THAT the handout entitled “Out-Year Projected Tax Pressure Detail –
2014 to 2016” provided by the Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer be received for information.
CARRIED
General Committee recommends:
THAT the General Committee meeting be recessed.
CARRIED
General Committee recessed at 10:27 a.m. and reconvened at 10:47 a.m.
9. 2013 Operating Budget – Building and By-law Services
Presentation by Techa van Leeuwen, Director of Building and By-law
Services
Ms van Leeuwen presented elements of the Building and By-law Services
Operating Budget and Business Plan. She reviewed the functions of the
Department which are Office of the Director & Chief Building Official, Building
Services, Plan Review and Inspections, By-law Services, and Customer Service.
Ms van Leeuwen reported on the Achievements of 2012, the Strategic
Advancements planned for 2013, and Key Performance Indicators. She provided
an overview of expenditures and revenues, base pressures, base
efficiencies/reductions, new items, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Techa van Leeuwen be received for
information.
CARRIED
8. 2013 Operating Budget – Planning and Development Services
Presentation by Marco Ramunno, Director of Planning and Development
Services
Mr. Ramunno presented elements of the Planning and Development Services
Operating Budget and Business Plan. He reviewed the functions of the
Department which include Development Planning, Long Range and Strategic
Planning, and Heritage Planning. Mr. Ramunno reported on the Achievements of
2012, the Strategic Advancements planned for 2013, and Key Performance
Indicators. He provided an overview of expenditures and revenues, base
pressures, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Marco Ramunno be received for information.
CARRIED
Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Page 4 of 7
5. 2013 Operating Budget – Customer and Legislative Services
Presentation by Cindy Maher, Deputy Clerk/Manager of Administration
Ms Maher presented elements of the Customer and Legislative Services
Operating Budget and Business Plan. She reviewed the functions of the
Department which include Office of the Director and Clerk, Customer and
Legislative Services, Secretariat Services, and Procurement Services. Ms Maher
reported on the Achievements of 2012, the Strategic Advancements planned for
2013, and Key Performance Indicators. She provided an overview of
expenditures and revenues, base pressures, base efficiencies/reductions, new
items, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Cindy Maher be received for information.
CARRIED
General Committee recommends:
THAT the General Committee meeting be recessed.
CARRIED
General Committee recessed at 11:58 a.m. and reconvened at 1 p.m.
Councillor Humfryes returned to the meeting at 1:01 p.m.
Councillor Ballard returned to the meeting at 1:06 p.m.
4. 2013 Operating Budget – C.A.O./Administration
Presentation by Neil Garbe, Chief Administrative Officer
Mr. Garbe presented elements of the C.A.O./Administration Operating Budget
and Business Plan. He reviewed the functions of the Department which include
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Human Resources, and Corporate
Communications. Mr. Garbe reported on the Achievements of 2012, the
Strategic Advancements planned for 2013, and Key Performance Indicators. He
provided an overview of expenditures, base pressures, base efficiencies/
reductions, new items, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Neil Garbe be received for information.
CARRIED
3. 2013 Operating Budget – Council Administration
Presentation by Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer
Mr. Elliott presented elements of the Council Administration Operating Budget.
He reviewed the functions of the Department which include Office of the Mayor
and Council, Community Grants, and Town Advisory Committees. Mr. Elliott
provided an overview of expenditures and revenues, base pressures, base
efficiencies/reductions, and budget line items.
Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Page 5 of 7
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Dan Elliott be received for information.
CARRIED
7. 2013 Operating Budget – Corporate and Financial Services
Presentation by Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer
Mr. Elliott presented elements of the Corporate and Financial Services Operating
Budget and Business Plan. He reviewed the functions of the Department which
include Office of the Director and Treasurer, Corporate Accounting, Financial
Planning, and Information Technology Services. Mr. Elliott reported on the
Achievements of 2012, the Strategic Advancements planned for 2013, and Key
Performance Indicators. He provided an overview of expenditures and revenues,
base pressures, new items, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Dan Elliott be received for information.
CARRIED
12. 2013 Operating Budget – Corporate Revenues and Expenses
Presentation by Dan Elliott, Director of Corporate and Financial
Services/Treasurer
Mr. Elliott presented elements of the Corporate Revenues and Expenses
Operating Budget which contains items that are Corporation-wide in nature and
difficult to associate with a specific department. He provided an overview of
expenses and revenues, including line item detail and variances.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Dan Elliott be received for information.
CARRIED
General Committee recommends:
THAT the General Committee meeting be recessed.
CARRIED
General Committee recessed at 2:15 p.m. and reconvened at 2:30 p.m.
10. 2013 Operating Budget – Infrastructure and Environmental Services
Presentation by Ilmar Simanovskis, Director of Infrastructure and
Environmental Services
Mr. Simanovskis presented elements of the Infrastructure and Environmental
Services Operating Budget and Business Plan. He reviewed the functions of the
Department which are Engineering and Capital Projects, Facilities and Fleet
Services, Road Network Operations, Solid Waste and Recycling, and Water and
Wastewater Operations. Mr. Simanovskis reported on the Achievements of
2012, the Strategic Advancements planned for 2013, and Key Performance
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Saturday, January 12, 2013
Page 6 of 7
Indicators. He provided an overview of expenditures and revenues, base
pressures, base efficiencies/reductions, enhancements, new items, fleet cost
drivers and opportunities, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Ilmar Simanovskis be received for information.
CARRIED
11. 2013 Operating Budget – Parks and Recreation Services
Presentation by Al Downey, Director of Parks and Recreation Services
Mr. Downey presented elements of the Parks and Recreation Services Operating
Budget and Business Plan. He reviewed the functions of the Department which
are Administration, Parks and Open Spaces and Trails, Recreation, and
Business Support. Mr. Downey reported on the Achievements of 2012, the
Strategic Advancements planned for 2013, and Key Performance Indicators. He
provided an overview of expenditures and revenues, base pressures, base
efficiencies/reductions, new items, and forecast pressures.
General Committee recommends:
THAT the presentation by Al Downey be received for information.
CARRIED
13. PR13-004 – Absorbing e-PLAY User Fees within Town Program Fees
General Committee recommends:
THAT report PR13-004 be received; and
THAT Council authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation Services to
absorb the e-PLAY user fees within existing Program Fee rates; and
THAT Council authorize the Director of Parks and Recreation Services to
revise the agreement with Active Networks to amend the Hosted Software
Licence and Service Agreement so that user fees are no longer collected
as an additional fee at the time of registration; and
THAT the Director of Parks and Recreation Services be authorized to
execute the amended Hosted Software Licence and Service Agreement,
including any and all documents and ancillary agreements required to give
effect to same.
CARRIED
14. Revised 2013 Budget Presentation and Discussion Timetable
General Committee recommends:
THAT the Revised 2013 Budget Presentation and Discussion Timetable
be received for information.
CARRIED
Special General Committee – 2013 Budget Review Meeting Report
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Page 7 of 7
1. CFS13-001 – Draft 2013 Business Plan with Operating and Capital Budgets
– Overview Report
General Committee recommends:
THAT report CFS13-001 and accompanying presentation be received as
an overview of the 2013 Business Plan: Operating Budget; and
THAT the detailed draft departmental Operating Budgets be reviewed at
Special General Committee meetings scheduled during January and
February 2013, beginning on January 12, 2013; and
THAT following the budget deliberation meetings, staff prepare an
updated consolidated budget report and presentation for Council reflecting
all changes approved by Committee to this Draft Operating Budget.
CARRIED
2. 2013 Operating Budget – Summary of Strategic Plan Initiatives
General Committee recommends:
THAT the Summary of Strategic Plan Initiatives be received for
information.
CARRIED
VI ADJOURNMENT
General Committee recommends:
THAT the meeting be adjourned at 3:57 p.m.
CARRIED
MAYOR GEOFFREY DAWE CINDY MAHER, DEPUTY CLERK
THE REPORT OF THE SPECIAL GENERAL COMMITTEE – 2013 BUDGET REVIEW
MEETING OF JANUARY 12, 2013 WAS RECEIVED BY COUNCIL ON JANUARY 22,
2013.