The Corporation of the Town of LaSalle

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

Wednesday, February 08, 2023

9:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.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. Hadre, Director of Strategy and Engagement, 
• R. Hyra, Director of Human Resources, 
• 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, 
• 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, 
• I. Middleton, IS Administrator, 
• 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, 
• J. Woods, Deputy Chief of Police, 
• M. Abbruzzese, Supervisor of Revenue, 
• S. Diago-Berkeley, Supervisor of Programming, 
• S. Bisson, Manager of Recreation and Culture, 
• M. Masanovich, Manager Fleet and Facilitiess, 
• R. Mamak, Human Resources Generalist, 
• T. Brydon, Supervisor of Parks, 
• A. Coghill, Supervisor of Roads/Drainage, 
• and J. Wigle, Superintendent Water and Wastewater 

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A.

Opening Business

1.

Call to Order

Mayor Meloche called the Meeting to order at 9:31 am.

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

None disclosed.

B.

2023 Budget Summary & Corporate Overview

Mayor Meloche reported that Council met in Closed Session immediately before Budget Deliberations and received information regarding the security of municipal property and personal matters about identifiable individuals.

J. Milicia, Chief Administrative Officer, provided introductory comments regarding the budget process and the Town's financial position.

D. Langlois, Director of Finance, and G. Ferraro, Manager of Finance, reviewed the Budget Presentation.

Mayor Meloche called for a recess at 10:39 a.m.  The meeting reconvened at 10:55 a.m.

D. Langlois and G. Ferraro continued to review the Budget Presentation.

C.

Reports

1.

Application Based Funding and Grant Update

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

• 32/23
  Moved by: Councillor Carrick
  Seconded by: Councillor Renaud

  That the report of the Manager of Finance/Deputy Treasurer dated January 6, 2023 (FIN-02-2023) regarding Application Based Funding and Grant Update be received for information.

  Carried.

D.

Delegations

None.  

E.

Departmental 2023 Budget Review & 2023 Capital Budget Review

Each Department reviewed their financials and any changes to their scorecards for Council.

Mayor Meloche recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.m. The meeting reconvened at 12:30 p.m.

Departments continued to review their scorecards and financials for Council.

• 33/23
  Moved by: Councillor Burns
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That Administration prepares a report on the Alley Program administered by the Town, the costs associated with administration of the program and whether there are any alternative options.

  Carried.

  Administration proposed a Tax Rate Increase of 5.25%, which is an $11/month tax increase cost per household.

  Council indicated that the Tax Rate proposed by Administration was too high. 

  Mayor Meloche stated that she would like to see the Tax Rate Increase below 5%. She explained that if the Town reduces the Tax Rate Increase below 4%, there will be a reduction in services.

  J. Milicia, Chief Administrative Officer, stated that Administration could report back to Council with a Tax Rate Increase of between 4.5% and 5%, which reduction will not affect current forward-facing services.

  
  

• Council requested that Administration provide the details of what items Administration is recommending be reduced or removed from the 2023 Budget to achieve the tax rate range put forward and further requested that current service levels not be reduced.

  34/23
  Moved by: Councillor Riccio-Spagnuolo
  Seconded by: Councillor Burns

  That Administration comes back to Council at the February 28, 2023 Council Meeting with a revised budget for Council's consideration, with a municipal tax rate increase of between 4.5% and 5.0%.

  Carried.

F.

By-laws

• 35/23
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Councillor Desjarlais

  That the following By-law be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed:

  8766 – A By-law to amend By-law number 7852 being a By-law to establish User Fees or Charges for Services, Activities or the Use of Property

  Carried.

G.

Confirmatory By-law

• 36/23
  Moved by: Councillor Renaud
  Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Akpata

  That Confirmatory By-law 8767 be given a first, second, and third reading and finally passed.

  Carried.

H.

Adjournment

Meeting adjourned at the Call of the Chair 2:16 pm.