The Corporation of the Town of LaSalle

Minutes of the Budget Meeting of the Town of LaSalle Council held on

Wednesday, December 06, 2023

9:00 A.m. - 4:30 P.m.

Council Chambers, LaSalle Civic Centre, 5950 Malden Road

Members of Council Present:

• Mayor Crystal Meloche, 
• Deputy Mayor Michael Akpata, 
• Councillor Terry Burns, 
• Councillor Mark Carrick, 
• Councillor Sue Desjarlais, 
• Councillor Jeff Renaud, 
• and Councillor Anita Riccio-Spagnuolo 

Administration Present:

• J. Milicia, Chief Administrative Officer, 
• P. Marra, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, 
• J. Astrologo, Director of Council Services/Clerk, 
• G. Beggs, Director of Planning and Development, 
• D. Davies, Chief of Police, 
• P. Funaro, Director of Culture & Recreation, 
• D. Langlois, Director of Finance and Treasurer, 
• J. Osborne, Director of Public Works, 
• E. Thiessen, Director of Fire Service/Fire Chief, 
• M. Beggs, Manager of Roads & Parks, 
• K. Brcic, Manager of Planning & Development, 
• A. Burgess, Supervisor of Planning & Development, 
• M. Cappucci, Manager of Engineering, 
• A. Colucci, Manager of Building Services, CBO, 
• D. Dadalt, Legal Counsel, 
• N. DiGesu, Manager of IT, 
• G. Ferraro, Manager of Finance & Deputy Treasurer, 
• L. Jean, Deputy Clerk, 
• S. Nantais, Corporate Communication and Promotions Officer, 
• L.Petros, Manager of Water/Wastewater, 
• M. Seguin, Deputy Fire Chief, 
• O. Stichhaller, Supervisor of Program and Events, 
• D. Strajnic, Manager of Human Resources, 
• and J. Woods, Deputy Chief of Police 

Additional Administration Present:

• A. Coghill, Supervisor of Roads, R. Mamak, Human Resources Specialist, M. Masonovich, Manager of Fleet & Facilities, J. Turnbull, Supervisor of Programming, J. Wigle, Superintendent of Water and Wastewater, T. Brydon, Supervisor of Parks.

   

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A.

Opening Business

1.

Call to Order

Mayor Meloche called the Meeting to order at 9:02 a.m.

2.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Mayor Meloche read the Land Acknowledgement Statement.

3.

Moment of Silent Reflection and Playing of National Anthem

4.

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof

Deputy Mayor Akpata declared a conflict of interest on the discussion of the Police Services budget because he is going to be sworn in under the Police Services Act.

Councillor Carrick declared a conflict of interest as related to the presentation by Public Works with respect to the Malden Road Reconstruction Project because a family member owns property along Malden Road.

B.

2024 Budget Summary & Corporate Overview

J. Milicia, Chief Administrative Officer, offered some opening remarks for the budget.  

Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo entered the meeting at 9:10 a.m.

Councillor Burns entered the meeting at 9:21 a.m.

Deputy Mayor Akpata exited the meeting at 9:26 a.m. 

D. Langlois, Director of Finance, and T. Ferraro, Manager of Finance, provided an overview of the 2024 Budget.

Deputy Mayor Akpata returned to the meeting at 10:48 a.m.

  

C.

Reports

1.

Application Based Funding and Grant Update

T. Ferraro, Manager of Finance, presented the report.

• 261/23
  Moved by: Councillor Desjarlais
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Akpata

  That the report of the Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer dated November 9, 2023 (FIN-29-2023) regarding Application Based Funding and Grant Update be received for information.

  Carried.

2.

Town of LaSalle 2024 Schedule of Fees

T. Ferraro, Manager of Finance, presented the report.

• 262/23
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That the report of the Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer dated November 10, 2023 (FIN-30-2023) regarding Town of LaSalle 2024 Schedule of Fees be received for information;

  And that Council endorses the new fee schedule and directs administration to bring forward the fees and charges bylaw at a future regular meeting for Council adoption.

  Carried.

D.

Delegations

None.

E.

Departmental 2024 Budget Review & 2024 Capital Budget Review 

The Budget Presentation was reviewed for Council, with each Department making a presentation to Council.

Administration proposed a Municipal Tax Rate Increase of 6.85%, which is $16.11/month or $193.42/year for the average residential home.

Mayor Meloche called for a lunch recess at 11:42 a.m.

The meeting was reconvened at 12:34 p.m.

Councillor Carrick declared a conflict on the Malden Road Reconstruction Project and exited the meeting at 1:22 p.m. 

Councillor Carrick returned to the meeting at 1:29 p.m.

Mayor Meloche called for a recess at 2:18 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 2:40 p.m.

Deputy Mayor Akpata declared a conflict on the discussion of the Police Services budget and exited the meeting at 2:41 p.m. 

Deputy Mayor Akpata returned to the meeting at 3:10 p.m.

On behalf of Council, Mayor Meloche thanked Administration for their work on the budget and throughout the year.

• 263/23
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Carrick

  That Administration brings back a report to the January 9, 2024, Council Meeting outlining Municipal Tax Rate Increases of both 5.0% and 5.5%, including a detailed listing of the reductions being proposed at each rate increase.

  Carried.

F.

Confirmatory By-law

• 264/23
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That Confirmatory By-law 8840 be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed.

  Carried.

G.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at the Call of the Chair at 3:41 p.m.