Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee

That consent items 2.5 to 2.9 BE APPROVED.

That it BE NOTED that item 2.5, entitled TechAlliance - Grant Agreement (2024-2027), was withdrawn from the agenda at the direction of Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development.

That it BE NOTED that item 2.7, entitled Small Business Centre - Grant Agreement (2024-2027), was withdrawn from the agenda at the direction of Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development.

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Planning and Economic Development, the following actions be taken with respect to Creative Sector Incubation Hub - Update: a) the Creative Sector Incubation Hub - Update report BE RECEIVED; and b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to continue discussions with the Trinity Centre Foundation as the project proponents develop the Creative Sector Incubation Hub business case for Council's consideration.

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 7th report of the Governance Working Group from its meeting held on November 6, 2023: a) on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the attached by-law BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held on November 28, 2023 to amend By-law No. CPOL.- 228-480, as amended, being “Council Members’ Expense Account” to update various provisions of the policy; b) the following actions be taken: i) the Deferred Matters List dated November 4, 2023, BE RECEIVED; ii) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to bring forward the necessary revisions to Council Procedure By-law A-50 sections 9.8, 11.7, 11.10, 11.11, 15.10, 31.8, 33.5, 33.8, 33.9 and 38.9, to reflect no meeting of Council or Standing Committee shall extend beyond 6:00 PM, unless otherwise decided by a 2/3rds vote of eligible members; and iii) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to schedule a time at a future meeting for general discussion regarding efficient meeting management; c) clauses 1.1 and 3.2 BE RECEIVED.

That item 2.1 and items 6.1 to 6.4 BE REFERRED to a Special Meeting of Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee to be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at 1:00 PM.

Motion to amend by adding a new part c) to read as follows: c) that Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to provide Municipal Council with the option of additional time equal to one committee cycle to consider the results of any future Hubs Request for Proposal (RFP) prior to requesting a final decision.

Motion to approve, as amended.

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Social and Health Development, the following actions be taken regarding the November Progress Update – Health & Homelessness Whole of Community System Response report; a) the November Progress Update – Health & Homelessness Whole of Community System Response Report BE RECEIVED for information; and b) a one-time allocation up to the amount of $251,000 BE APPROVED for Ark Aid’s meal Invoice program from July to March 31, 2024; it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated November 16, 2023 from B. Brock with respect to this matter.

That with respect to the 2023-2027 City of London Strategic Plan: Core Area, the following actions be taken: a) the 2023-2027 City of London Strategic Plan: Core Area BE REFERRED back to Civic Administration; b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to undertake a comprehensive review considering current conditions and existing plans. This should involve the removal of outdated components from previous work, prioritizing essential elements. Additionally, the examination should determine the necessity of a new downtown master plan, extending beyond the immediate 2023-2027 City of London Strategic Plan timeline while aligning with its scope; and c) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee with a prioritized grouping of next steps including short term actions, a longer-term plan of action, draft targets, metrics and fulfilment requirements to a future meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee; it being noted that recent funding approvals by Municipal Council for the Downtown London and Old East Village Business Improvement Associations provides some bridge funding to assist with short-term challenges and needs while this work is being undertaken; it being further noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated November 19, 2023 from B. Maly, Executive Director, Downtown London and S. A. Collyer, LDBA Board Chair with respect to this matter.

Motion to receive a communication dated November 19, 2023 from B. Maly, Executive Director, Downtown London and S. A. Collyer, LDBA Board Chair with respect to this matter.

Motion to open the public participation meeting.

Motion to close the public participation meeting.

Motion to amend the proposed 2024-2027 Consolidated Fees and Charges By-law "Climate Change and Environmental Stewardship, Bike Locker - Hourly Rental Rate" to allow for two hour free bike locker parking for every 24-hour rental period.

Motion to approve item 3.1, as amended.

That, on the recommendation of the Deputy City Manager, Environment & Infrastructure and the Deputy City Manager, Finance Supports, the following actions be taken with respect to the 2024 Water and Wastewater rates and charges: a) the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated November 21, 2023 as Appendix “A”, to amend By-law WM-28 being “A by-law for regulation of wastewater and stormwater drainage systems in the City of London”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held November 28, 2023 to effect rates and charges increases of 4.0 percent for wastewater and stormwater services effective January 1, 2024; and, b) the proposed by-law as appended to the staff report dated November 21 2023 as Appendix “B”, to amend By-law W-8 being “A by-law to provide for the Regulation of Water Supply in the City of London”, BE INTRODUCED at the Municipal Council meeting to be held November 28, 2023 to effect rates and charges increases of 2.5 percent for water services effective January 1, 2024; it being noted that no individuals spoke at the public participation meeting associated with this matter.

Motion to open the public participation meeting. Yeas: (15): J. Morgan, H. McAlister, S. Lewis, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, C. Rahman, S. Lehman, A. Hopkins, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Franke, E. Peloza, D. Ferreira, and S. Hillier

That it BE NOTED that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received the Annual Update from C. Fox, Chief Executive Officer, TechAlliance.

That it BE NOTED that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received the Annual Update from K. Lakhotia, President and Chief Executive Officer, London Economic Development Corporation.

That it BE NOTED that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received the Annual Update from S. Pellarin, Executive Director, Small Business Centre, London. Yeas: (15): J. Morgan, H. McAlister, S. Lewis, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, C. Rahman, S. Lehman, A. Hopkins, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Franke, E. Peloza, D. Ferreira, and S. Hillier

Motion to appoint the following to Planning and Environment Committee: Councillor C. Rahman Councillor S. Hillier Councillor S. Lewis Councillor S. Franke

Motion to appoint the following to Civic Works Committee: Councillor J. Pribil Councillor D. Ferreira Councillor S. Trosow

Motion to appoint the following to Community Protective Services Committee: Councillor D. Ferreira Councillor H. McAlister Councillor J. Pribil Councillor S. Trosow

Motion to appoint the following to Corporate Services Committee: Councillor P. Cuddy Councillor P. Van Meerbergen Councillor H. McAlister Councillor S. Stevenson

Motion to appoint the following to Corporate Services Committee: Councillor Rahman

Motion to appoint the following to Civic Works Committee: Councillor S. Franke

That the Committee recess at this time.

That the Communication dated November 13, 2023, from Mayor Morgan with respect to standing committee chairs BE RECEIVED.

The delegation request for Sarah Campbell, Executive Director, Ark Aid Street Mission, BE APPROVED to be heard at this time. Yeas: (15): J. Morgan, H. McAlister, S. Lewis, P. Cuddy, S. Stevenson, J. Pribil, S. Trosow, C. Rahman, S. Lehman, A. Hopkins, P. Van Meerbergen, S. Franke, E. Peloza, D. Ferreira, and S. Hillier

Motion to approve part b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the following contract for overnight spaces to support the cold weather plan: i) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to enter into a contract with The Ark Aid Street Mission in the amount up to $826,686 (excluding HST) for the provision of all services to operate 30 overnight spaces at 696 Dundas Street for the cold weather response overnight spaces from December 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024, as per the Corporation of the City of London Procurement Policy Section 14.2;

Motion to approve part b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the following contract for overnight spaces to support the cold weather plan: ii) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to enter into a contract with The Ark Aid Street Mission in the amount up to $1,472,739 (excluding HST) for the provision of all services to operate 65 spaces at 432 William Street for the cold weather response overnight spaces from January 8, 2023, to May 31, 2024, as per the Corporation of the City of London Procurement Policy Section 14.2;

Motion to approve part b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the following contract for overnight spaces to support the cold weather plan: iii) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to enter into a contract with The Ark Aid Street Mission in the amount up to $404,323 (excluding HST) for the provision of all services to operate 15 overnight spaces at CMHA Coffee House, 371 Hamilton Road for the cold weather response overnight spaces from December 11, 2023, to May 31, 2024, as per the Corporation of the City of London Procurement Policy Section 14.2;

Motion to approve part b) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to proceed with the following contract for overnight spaces to support the cold weather plan: iv) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to enter into a contract with The Ark Aid Street Mission in the amount up to $335,216 (excluding HST) for the provision of all services to operate 10 overnight spaces at CMHA My Sisters Place, 566 Dundas Street for the cold weather response overnight spaces from December 15, 2023, to May 31, 2024, as per the Corporation of the City of London Procurement Policy Section 14.2;

Motion to approve parts a, c, and d.

That the following actions be taken with respect to the Impacts of Asylum Claimants: a) the Civic Administration BE DIRECTED to report back to Council on the impacts of Asylum claimants on our local shelter system. Based on the findings from the staff report, that staff apply if appropriate for Interim Housing Assistance Program (IHAP) funding if necessary, to address the impacts on local shelters; b) the Mayor BE REQUESTED to undertake immediate advocacy efforts with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Ontario Big City Mayors Caucus, and the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario to advocate for resources for cities to address the influx in asylum claimants; and c) the Mayor BE REQUESTED to write a letter on behalf of Council in support of the request by London Cross Cultural Learning Centre (CCLC) in collaboration with Mission Services for funding from the Province of Ontario to support the hiring of staff to provide additional supports for Asylum claimants; it being noted that the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee received a communication dated November 12, 2023 from Councillor Rahman and Mayor Morgan and a communication dated November 16, 2023 from E. A. Ronson, Executive Director, Mission Services of London with respect to this matter.

Motion to amend part e) to read as follows: e) the Community Advisory Committee structure BE REFERRED to Governance Working Group to review potential redundancies and to review opportunities to improve operations of advisory committees.

That the following actions be taken with respect to the 12th Report of the Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Oppression Community Advisory Committee from the meeting held on November 14, 2023: a) the request from the Awards and Recognition Sub-Committee for budget allocation of up to $2,500.00 for the 2023 Diversity, Race Relations and Inclusivity Award, BE APPROVED; and b) clauses 1.1, 2.1 and 2.2 BE RECEIVED for information.

That the meeting BE ADJOURNED.