Climate Action Council

Burlington

Private Tree By-law update

  • The social, environmental, and economic value that urban forests provide to communities has been a focus of municipal discourse over the last several years across Ontario and Canada. The City of Burlington has taken steps to promote the growth of the urban forest through the adoption of the Corporate Tree Protection and Enhancement Policy, as well as establishing metrics for success with the City’s Vision to Focus document with guidelines for implementation within the City’s Official Plan.
  • To support urban forest growth, City council adopted a Private Tree By-law in 2020 within the City’s Urban Boundary with the purpose of preserving healthy trees and giving tree removal a sober second thought. The Public and Private Tree By-laws are administered by the Forest Protection branch of the Forestry section. In addition, this team provides inter-departmental support as subject matter experts for other tree related matters. In 2021, within the development stream, staff reviewed 419 applications for injury or removals, with 285 permits issued.
  • Within the non-development stream, staff reviewed 1,300 applications for injury or removals with 945 permits issued. It should be noted that applications and permits are issued on a per application basis and could include multiple trees. A combined total of nearly 1,370 trees were removed between both permit streams in 2021, regardless of condition or exemption. A total of 1,142 replacement trees will be planted as conditions of these permits, in addition to $228,000 paid as cash-in-lieu of replacement. These funds are earmarked for investment in incentive-based strategies to support urban forest growth in future.

Hydro business plan

This report is intended to provide committee with an overview of the 10-year Hydro business plan on the following key areas:

  • 10-Year Forecast of net income
  • Capital expenditures
  • Balance sheet
  • Dividend flow
  • Shareholder risks

Submission on Region of Halton’s Draft Preferred Growth Concept and Draft Land Needs

  • The purpose of this report is to introduce Halton Region’s Draft Preferred Growth Concept and the associated Draft Land Needs Assessment and to provide comments from the City of Burlington perspective to inform the completion of the Integrated Growth Management Strategy (IGMS) and the next stage of the Regional Municipal Comprehensive Review/Regional Official Plan Review.
  • City of Burlington staff have reviewed the Region of Halton’s Draft Preferred Growth Concept and Draft Land Needs Assessment released in November. Staff have prepared a submission to inform the Region as work continues on the Regional Municipal Comprehensive Review/Regional Official Plan Review.

Major Transit Station Area (MTSA) Area-Specific recommended Preferred Precinct Plans

  • The purpose of this staff report is to seek Council’s endorsement, in principle, of the recommended Preferred Precinct Plans in order to proceed with the preparation of Area-Specific Plans for Burlington’s MTSAs by June 2022.
  • This report will:
    • Provide an overview of the MTSA Area-Specific Planning Project as completed to date
    • Share Dillon Consulting Limited’s Interim Report for the MTSA Area-Specific Plan Project
    • Present a high-level overview of the various inputs that have influenced the preparation of the Recommended Preferred Precinct Plans
    • Share a summary of the Fall 2021 Engagement Period
    • Provide an update on the Technical Studies completed to date and outline how they and the remaining technical studies have or will inform the project in its various stages
    • Describe the next steps in the project and the importance of the project timeline

City Of Burlington Housing Strategy, Inclusionary Zoning initial report

  • The purpose of this report is to present the information contained in the Inclusionary Zoning initial report (Appendix A).
  • This report and its attachment provide an overview of the Inclusionary Zoning policy tool and regulations as set out in the Planning Act as well as a review of various Inclusionary Zoning programs in Ontario, Canada and the United States.
  • Additionally, this report also provides details about the next steps in the Housing Strategy Project

Integrated Mobility Plan- presentation of the preferred network solution

Purpose:

  • To present study progress, as completed to-date
  • To present an overview of the inputs that have influenced the preparation of the recommended network solution
  • To present the rationale for the preferred network solution
  • To describe the next steps in the project and timeline for completion

Sustainable Building and Development Guidelines update

  • The purpose of this report is to share the findings of the research conducted as part of Program One of the Climate Action Plan and to recommend minor amendments to the Guidelines as a result of this work.
  • The Climate Action Plan (2020) sets a target for the community to become net carbon neutral by 2050.
  • One of the key program areas identified in the plan is that the City should consider an update to the Guidelines to create a tiered set of performance measures for new buildings.
  • Program One states that: “Staff will update the existing Sustainable Building and Development Guideline, researching best practices in other jurisdictions and legislative authority. The Guidelines will include a tiered set of performance measures that will require, incentivize and/or encourage new buildings to be built to a low carbon standard. Financing mechanisms will be explored that help reduce upfront costs.”
  • Additionally, this report also provides feedback on the staff direction from SD-15-18 to: “Direct the Director of City Building to report back on the feasibility of implementing a by-law regarding green roofs and other technologies including the review of other municipalities (SD-15-18)”.

Investment Policy

  • The City engages in investment activity in accordance with the Ontario Municipal Act 2001 S. 418-420 as well as in accordance with the City’s approved Investment Policy. While the Municipal Act sets out eligible investments, the City’s policy sets out guiding principles for the overall investment strategy. The policy serves as a guide to the planning and implementation of the City’s investment program.
  • The City’s long-term investments consist of primarily bonds issued by the Federal, Provincial, Regional and Municipal governments and Canadian banks. The City actively trades these bonds to realize capital gains on long term investments. 2020 investment activity included purchases and sales totalling approximately $295 million in trades. Short term investments held by the City include money market instruments with Schedule I and II Canadian banks and credit unions.
  • The City’s Investment Policy is reviewed annually by Finance staff. The last update was approved by Council in report F-19-20 on December 14, 2020 providing an increase to the maximum holdings limit on provincial bonds to add more flexibility and potential investment opportunities to the policy.
  • An annual review of the investment policy is considered essential in order to respond to changing economic conditions.
  • After reviewing the current investment policy, staff have updated the language on banking investment restrictions to expand investment opportunities beyond only bonds to also include additional bank products such as structured notes and term deposits. The restrictions on amount, term and rating requirements were not changed.
  • The current low rate interest environment is anticipated to continue, this refinement to the investment policy gives staff the opportunity to consider new banking products being offered by the banks specifically tailored to municipalities.
  • Aside from the amendment noted above no further changes to the investment policy are needed at this time.

2022 budget review and approval

  • On November 3, 2021 the Corporate Services, Strategy, Risk and Accountability (CSSRA) Budget Committee received finance department report F-36-21 providing the 2022 budget overview.
  • Committee members also received the proposed 2022 budget book which will be required for consideration at the meeting on November 30, 2021.
  • Appendix A provides Council Motion Memorandums, Appendix B contains a Consolidated Listing of Budget Action Requests (BAR), Appendix C contains Confidential Budget Action Requests and Appendix D provides a consolidation of budget related questions and answers from Members of Council.
  • If more time is required for review of the 2022 budget, the CSSRA Budget Committee meeting will continue on December 2, 2021 with final approval of the 2022 budget taking place at the December 14, 2021 City Council meeting.

Municipal Consent By-law Update

  • A Municipal Consent (MC) is the municipality’s authorization for a utility or private infrastructure to occupy a specific location within the City’s rights of way.
  • The permit allows for installations to occur within standard utility corridors and alignments that are established to avoid conflicts between existing, proposed and future utility and municipal infrastructure.
  • MC’s are only issued to companies or persons who have the authority to construct, operate and maintain their infrastructure within the right of way.
  • The objective of the bylaw is to provide for the efficient review of applications for third party installations within the City of Burlington right of way to ensure that the City receives the information necessary to effectively fulfill its responsibilities.
  • Standards and processes for the design and construction within the municipal right of way ensure that required safety criteria and procedures are being followed and adhered to, clearances and separations are maintained, and that physical space is optimally utilized.
  • Adherence to these requirements will protect the interests of the City of Burlington, the community and utilities occupying the right of way.

2021 Asset Management Plan

Purpose:

  • To obtain approval of the City’s 2021 Asset Management Plan (AMP), which establishes compliance with Ontario Regulation 588/17, Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure ahead of the next regulatory deadline of July 1, 2022.
  • The purpose is also to provide an overview of the AMP that reports on the state of the City’s assets, service levels, strategies and long-term infrastructure requirements.
  • Report F-34-21, on the same agenda, addresses the implementation strategy for meeting the financial needs of those requirements.

Executive Summary:

  • Burlington’s asset management planning process plays a key role in enabling the organization to realize value from assets as organizational objectives are pursued.
  • The Asset Management Plan (AMP) and related Asset Management Financing Plan (AMFP) are long-term plans and strategies that are developed to provide information to City staff, Council and the public, in order to make informed decisions about the City’s infrastructure.
  • Completing the 5-year update to the City of Burlington’s AMP was a significant undertaking. It involved a comprehensive review and assessment of the City’s asset information and strategies in order to develop a document that combined state of the infrastructure, service levels, risk, lifecycle strategies and long-term investment needs.
  • The AMP has been finalized in accordance with Ontario Regulation 588/17, Asset Management Planning for Municipal Infrastructure and is in alignment with the City’s Asset Management Policy, which outlines the core principles and corporate commitment to asset management planning. Corporate asset management information and processes are constantly evolving. The
    numerous factors driving changes to the results and outcomes from 2016 to 2021 have been documented and discussed, including impacts that are reflected in the annual investment need, backlog calculation and long-term strategies. Moving forward, staff will continue to refine asset management strategies and data. Throughout the development of the AMP several continuous improvement opportunities have been identified that will enhance future plan documents and guide the advancement of asset management at the City of Burlington in line with best practices.

2021 Asset Management Financing Plan Update

  • The Asset Management Plan (AMP) guides the management of the portfolio of city assets, and how much it will cost to maintain those assets to provide service.
  • The city’s Asset Management Financing Plan (AMFP) is the city’s implementation strategy for meeting the financial needs of the Asset Management plan.
  • The Asset Management Financing plan is aligned with and supports the city’s Vision 2040 Strategic Plan document through an Engaging City.

Red Tape Red carpet (RTRC) update for Q3 2021

  • On September 23, 2019, City Council approved the 22 recommendations arising from the Mayor’s Red Tape Red Carpet (RTRC) Task Force initiative to better serve our customers as part of the City’s commitment to continuous improvement.
  • A draft implementation plan was presented at the October 8 Planning and Development Committee and approved by City Council on October 21, 2019.
  • An online Red Tape Red Carpet Dashboard was launched and presented at the December 3, 2019, Planning and Development Committee to provide regular updates on implementation of the recommendations and ensure transparency and accountability.
  • It breaks out each of the 22 recommendations and provides interactive tools to review the status and what’s been done so far. The dashboard has been updated to reflect progress against RTRC Implementation in Q3 2021 and is available for review at https://www.burlington.ca/en/your-city/red-tape-red-carpet-task-force-progress.asp.
  • A spreadsheet outlining progress against the 22 recommendations is also detailed in Appendix A.
  • The last RTRC update was provided to Committee in the report BEDC-03-21 Red Tape Red Carpet (RTRC) Update Q1 2021 at the April 6th CPRM Committee meeting.
  • As we continue to evolve as a City to respond to the needs of both businesses and residents during COVID-19, we are continuing to look for opportunities to cut red tape and provide responsive and flexible supports to our community

2022 Budget Overview

This report provides an overview of the proposed 2022 operating and capital budget and forecast

Tender Award – EICS-21-45 Mountainside Pool Revitalization

  • The outdoor concrete pool at Mountainside was constructed in 1962 and has reached the end of its lifecycle.
  • The pool is forecasted to be closed September 2021 for a period of 1 year to construct a new pool, replace pool filtration systems and replace aged site services.
  • In consultation with the community during the design phases several amenities were added based on public feedback and discussion.
  • These additional amenities include:
    • Providing a 50m lap area to expand the play all day experience to lap swimmers;
    • Maintaining current amenities such as the splash pad and waterslide;
    • Providing ample pool space and amenities for all age ranges and abilities;
    • Meeting AODA requirements to provide barrier-free access;
    • Adding a beach entry with spray features;
    • Adding a rock-climbing wall; and
    • Increasing the amount of shaded areas.
  • The lowest compliant bid is $1,000,000 more than was dedicated to this project in the capital budget.
  • Staff are recommending that the additional amount be funded using the 2021 Infrastructure Levy that was returned due to funding secured through the Safe Restart Agreement and a draw from the Corporate Accessibility Implementation capital project.

Cootes to Escarpment EcoPark System 2022-2026

  • The MOU, initially executed in 2013 and extended in 2016 to 2021, formally recognizes the EcoPark System partnership and provides the framework for joint decision-making among the partners
  • The current MOU expires on December 31, 2021. In order to facilitate ongoing progress of the EcoPark System through the partnership, a continuation of the current working model is proposed for a further five years
  • It is anticipated that each of the partner agencies will endorse and sign the MOU by Q3 this year to confirm the continued commitment of the partnership for the next five years.

Investing in Canada Infrastructure (ICIP) – Community, Culture and Recreation Stream funding agreement

In November of 2019, the City of Burlington submitted the Civic Square Revitalization project to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure (ICIP) – Community, Culture and Recreation Stream funding program. ICIP is a national cost-shared infrastructure funding program between the federal government, provinces and territories, and municipalities and other recipients. The cost-share breakdown for total eligible costs is:

  • Federal Contribution 40.00%
  • Provincial Contribution 33.33%
  • Municipal Contribution 26.67%

The Community, Culture and Recreation Stream was launched in 2019. There was approximately $407 million in federal funding and $320 million in provincial funding available, over 10 years starting in 2019-20 in this application-based stream.

This stream supports the construction of new facilities and upgrades to existing facilities that improve community infrastructure (e.g., community centres, libraries), recreational venues (e.g., arenas, recreational spaces) and cultural spaces (e.g., theatres, museums).

In April 2021, the City of Burlington, together with the Governments of Canada and Ontario in a virtual event, celebrated the funding approval of the Revitalization of the Civic Square project. To facilitate a transfer of the funding from the federal and provincial governments to the City, a fully executed transfer payment agreement is necessary.

Electric Mobility Strategy Development

  • The purpose of this report is to obtain council approval to work with the BurlingtonGreen organizaton to develop a community based Electric Mobility Strategy for Burlington.
  • The development of an Electric Mobility Strategy is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector in Burlington. An Integrated Mobility Plan is also underway to support sustainable and active modes of transportation, and public transit, which will also support the goals of the Climate Action Plan.