The Council Workshop was held on Monday, November 21, 2016 in Council Chambers, 395 Mulock Drive, Newmarket.

Members Present:

Absent:

Mayor Van Bynen

Deputy Mayor & Regional Councillor Taylor

Councillor Kerwin

Councillor Twinney

Councillor Kwapis

Councillor Broome

Councillor Bisanz

Councillor Vegh

Staff Present:

P. Noehammer, Acting Chief Administrative Officer

E. Armchuk, Commissioner of Corporate Services

I. McDougall, Commissioner of Community Services

M. Mayes, Director of Financial Services/Treasurer

C. Finnerty, Council/Committee Coordinator

H. Leznoff, Elections Assistant  

L. Moor, Council/Committee Coordinator

The meeting was called to order at 1:32 p.m.

Mayor Van Bynen in the Chair.

Notice

Mayor Van Bynen advised that in accordance with the Town’s Procedure By-law, no decisions will be made but rather this meeting is an opportunity for Council to have an informal discussion regarding various matters.

Declarations of Pecuniary Interest

None.

Items

The Acting Chief Administrative Officer advised of the purpose of the workshop, being an Asset Management Strategy presentation and a 2017 Financial Sustainability presentation. 

1.

The Business Performance Coordinator provided an overview of the history and rationale of the proposed Asset Management Strategy and introduced Mr. Dean Rurak of Yaku Consulting, who addressed those present with a PowerPoint presentation entitled Integrated Asset Management Strategy. Mr. Rurak summarized objectives, a business case, examples related directly to the Town, asset management influences, standards and best practices, resource requirements and a proposed implementation schedule.

Members of Council queried Mr. Rurak regarding Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund grants and an analysis of this project being achieved with the current staff complement.  

The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer advised that provincial policies will eventually be implemented requiring asset management plans. 

Further queries were directed to Mr. Rurak regarding proposed project costs and proprietary software to implement a strategy.

The Business Performance Coordinator advised that a full final asset management strategy will be brought back to Committee of the Whole by way of a staff report in January, 2017. 

The Council Workshop recessed at 3:12 p.m.

The Council Workshop reconvened at 3:34 p.m.

2.

The Director of Financial Services addressed those present with a PowerPoint Presentation entitled 2017 Financial Sustainability which highlighted sustainability pillars being:  asset management, debt, investment strategy, revenues and reserves. 

Members of Council queried the Director of Financial Services/Treasurer regarding user fees versus taxes and the breakdown of such in other municipalities as well as designated revenue sources.

The Director of Financial Services/Treasurer advised that he would be bringing forth more information regarding other municipal comparators and the following policies for consideration at a later date:  donation, debt, reserve/reserve funds, service pricing, asset replacement and designated revenue sources.  

Adjournment

Moved by:      Councillor Kerwin

Seconded by: Councillor Twinney

THAT the meeting adjourn.

Carried

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.

Tony Van Bynen, Mayor

Esther Armchuk, Acting Town Clerk