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2018-03-13 Finance Committee Minutes - Open SessionFinance Committee Meeting Open Session March 13, 2018 MINUTES — OPEN SESSION FINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MARCH 13, 2018 AT 5:00 PM 8t" FLOOR BOARDROOM, CITY HALL Present: Mayor D. Darling Councillor D. Merrithew Councillor G. Sullivan Councillor S. Casey Councillor D. Reardon Councillor G. Norton Also Present: City Manager J. Trail Deputy City Manager N. Jacobsen Commissioner of Finance and Treasurer K. Fudge Commissioner Growth and Development Services J. Hamilton Comptroller Finance C. Graham Senior Manager Financial Planning H. Nguyen Deputy Commissioner Administrative Services I. Fogan Deputy Fire Chief J. Armstrong Administrative Fire Office J. Hennessey Assistant Comptroller Finance and Administrative Services C. Lavigne Deputy Commissioner Transportation and Environment Services J. Hussey Director Corporate Performance S. Rackley -Roach Solicitor M. Tompkins Commissioner Saint John Water B. McGovern Police Chief J. Bates Director HR and Finance Police M. Corscadden Common Clerk J. Taylor Administrative Assistant K. Tibbits 1. Meetiniz Called To Order Councillor Merrithew called the Finance Committee open session meeting to order. 1.1.1 Approval of Minutes— December 6, 2017 Moved by Councillor Reardon, seconded by Mayor Darling: RESOLVED that the minutes of December 6, 2017, be approved. LTA IQ1[47►[4L1:k]k]1if91 1.2 Long Term Financial Planning Mr. Fudge reviewed the submitted presentation "Long Term Financial Planning" and commented on proposed policies related to Debt Management, the Operating Budget, and the Finance Committee Meeting Open Session March 13, 2018 Capital Budget. The City's financial health scorecard, key performance indicators related to sustainability, flexibility and vulnerability was discussed from a financial perspective. Ms. Rackley -Roach reviewed the proposed approach for public engagement used by other municipalities with a goal of obtaining citizen input on services and long range financial planning. Moved by Councillor Reardon, seconded by Mayor Darling: RESOLVED that the submitted presentation "Long Term Financial Planning", be received for information. MOTION CARRIED. 1.3 2018 Revised General Operating Budget Mr. Fudge reviewed the revised 2018 General Operating budget. A provincial funding agreement was approved resulting in an additional $3.4M in funding for 2018. The revised budget includes this additional funding which complies with the provincial agreement to minimize the impact on front line services. The overall City establishment has been reduced by 11 full-time positions, for a final establishment number of 630. The establishment is reduced by one inside worker position in the Police Commission, for a total of 203 positions. Overall establishment change is 845 positions to 833 positions. Moved by Councillor Sullivan, seconded by Councillor Reardon: RESOLVED that the Finance Committee recommend that Common Council approve the 2018 Establishment of Permanent positions at 630; and that the revised 2018 General Operating Budget be approved as submitted. MOTION CARRIED. 1.4 Water and Sewerage By -Law Amendment Mr. McGovern reviewed the proposed changes to the Water and Sewerage Bylaw. The proposed amendments include housekeeping items, the repeal of a provision considered inequitable and outside the city's authority, the creation of a new provision to improve the allocation of water costs among ratepayers, and improved by-law enforcement provisions. The provision related to improved allocation of water costs among ratepayers is projected to increase revenue to the utility by approximately $85k. Moved by Mayor Darling, seconded by Councillor Reardon: RESOLVED that the Finance Committee recommend that Common Council give First and Second reading to the amendment to the Water and Sewerage By-law, By-law No. M-16, attached to the submitted report dated March 6, 2018. MOTION CARRIED. Adjournment Moved by Councillor Reardon, seconded by Mayor Darling: RESOLVED that the open session meeting of the Finance Committee meeting be adjourned. MOTION CARRIED. The Finance Committee open session meeting held on March 13, 2018 was adjourned at 6:25 p.m.