February 4/04 Report

Present:  Ferguson (chair), Braden (vice-chair) Collins, Pearson, Bruckler, Powers (left early- missed when he went out) Kelly (arrived very late).

Also Present:  Mitchell, DiAnni (for the discussion re Copps Coliseum), Morelli (for Police presentation) and Terry Whitehead.

City staff included Rinaldo, Robertson, and others.

A. Delegation request from D. Mclean approved.

B. Consent Items - Monthly Status Report of Tenders and Requests for Proposals for Nov. and Dec. 2003 be received for information.  These are listed in detail in the agenda. Also, that the by-law to amend the Structure of the Hamilton Public Library system be passed and enacted. (11 person board, with 2 council reps and no nominees from the 2 school boards).  No objections from boards.

C.  Hamilton Public Library Budget Presentation Doreen Horvack and other members

• struggling with issues since almagamation
• has finished each year in black, but deficit paid with reserves
• business plan changes for 2004 include: operating budget increase reduced from 5.9% to 4.9%, elimination of deficit financing, and completed CUPE contract negotiations (Jan. 2004)
• union and non-union staff has been cut, with no loss of service
• projects listed as unaffordable are a new library on the south mountain and first floor renovations to the Central library
• in March they will be holding public consultations re the role of the main branch in downtown renewal and rural renewal as well
• discussion included praise from Pearson (who is rep.) re dealing with almag., positive contract settlement, no loss of service (in fact one extra day over holidays and best admin. staff in Ont.
• Braden asked questions about vehicle costs and whether they could expect a better-looking budget in '05.  Answer - yes, only unknown is pay equity.
• Bruckler asked what was primary increase. Answer utility costs, as buildings mature.
• Motion carried to accept budget presentation (Powers, Pearson).

1. Legislative changes
2. Crack Cocaine (unveiling a plan with 3 months that will be a holistic approach)  I'd personally like to know how much money it has cost to police the Sandbar crack house - my comment.
3. Organized Crime (Hell's Angels, Street Gangs and Traditional)
4. Continuing Increase In Accountability (courts, media, civil actions)
5. Criminal Trials (complex, lengthy, resource intensive)

OTHER POINTS

• population increasing
• police to population ratio 715 to 1 (Windsor 493 to 1, York 870 to 1)
• violent crime has decreased (in 2002 - 5,771 and in 2003 - 5,198), but property crimes are up by about 300

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

• reduce drug-related crimes
• increase use of volunteers in crime prevention strategies
• implement and evaluate Neighbourhood Safety Pilot Project in Division 2

CONCLUSION

• asking for 6.91% increase ($6.3 m) just to maintain current service levels
• most of this is due to wage settlements and benefit costs over which there is little control
• services that would suffer if zero increase would be seniors support officers, school liaison officers and victim service

DISCUSSION

Bruckler - comparisons helpful - 7 additional staff allocated where? Answer - increase in sworn staff, decrease in civilian staff, more officers in community

Pearson - very good info - pleased that they were the only group who put moneys away for OMERS -Stoney Creek residents served very well

Braden   - What would 0% budget look like? (answer - Have looked at scenarios. - How has money been saved on gasoline or fuel? (answer- switched from Fords to Impalas, thus reducing fuel by 25%) -"That's the kind of smart, honest answer I wanted." - What do you see in budget project in next 3 yrs.? (Answer - Wages/benefits will have lesser impact.   Union has moved on some benefit issues) -You could save money if you double-sided your reports

Moved to receive report (Brucker, Pearson)

E. PUBLIC DELEGATION

Richard Rodier (Barrister and Solicitor) to discuss proposal re Copps Coliseum on behalf of client. He wasn't a very compelling presence.  I think the councillors were underwhelmed.  All he did was say that he had forwarded a letter about this matter, and he briefly ran through the proposal, asking the committee to authorize the city manager to carry on discussions with his cllient.  The councillors didn't seem overly excited, but felt that they should investigate this further.  All agreed that they need more information.  HECFI'S operational review will be over in 2-3 weeks.  The client needs time to firm up a business deal with thought to repairs, operational costs of Copps etc.  They would maintain, operate, manage, market and promote Copps on an exclusive basis for all purposes and events, as well as assume responsibility for any operating deficit and capital expenditures.

F. DISCUSSION ITEMS   Customer Contact Centre Year End Report - Kelly arrived

I'm not going to write about this in great detail, since I have a copy of the report.  Basically the councillors asked questions about why the daily call load has increased in 2003 and the response was because of West Nile, SARS, Bike races, power outage etc. and how they could provide savings. (answer- staff could more widely provide their 24-24 and extensions).  They will look into other ways to save, but staff can't take on additional work.

Another discussion item was on rejecting and returning a proposal for the supply and implementation of a Portal Solution by Deloitte Consulting and Robson Technologies because it did not contain a completed and signed Form of Proposal.  The committee went "in camera" for the rest of this discussion because of legal ramifications.

Although there were other items on the agenda, they weren't discussed at this time.  They had to do with investments and I have the Investment Policy handout.

The committee also went "in camera" to discuss part-time wages and compassionate care leave.

Under general information Braden raised concerns about the fact that there has been no Expressway Implementation meeting  and he was quite blunt in his comments, suggesting that it is deliberately being put off, and that is "objectionable", because there are rumours and negativity surrounding this.  Collins replied that the hold-up has been in trying to coordinate all the committee meetings.

Meeting adjourned