Regional Chair Kolb called the Budget Meeting to order at 11:17 a.m. in the Council Chamber, Regional Administrative Headquarters, 10 Peel Centre Dr., Brampton.

A. ROLL CALL

B. DECLARATIONS OF CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Councillor Miles declared a conflict of interest with respect to the salary portion of the Region of Peel Budget, as a family member is employed with the Region of Peel.

Councillor Moore declared a conflict of interest with respect to the salary portion of the Region of Peel Budget, as a family member is employed with the Region of Peel.

Councillor Saito declared a conflict of interest with respect to the salary portion of the Region of Peel Budget, as a family member is employed with the Region of Peel.

C. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

RECOMMENDATION GCB-2-2007:

That the agenda for the February 8, 2007 General Committee - Budget meeting be approved.

D. DELEGATIONS/PRESENTATIONS

1. Regional Programs

a) Health
Presentation by Janette Smith, Acting Commissioner of Health

Received

Councillor Fennell departed at 11:31 a.m.
Councillor Prentice arrived at 11:49 a.m.

RECOMMENDATION GCB-3-2007:

Whereas the population of the Region of Peel has a large seniors population;

And whereas, many seniors retire without basic coverage;

And whereas, dental health is essential to quality of life and to the prevention of chronic diseases;

And whereas, a number of other jurisdictions such as Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton and Calgary provide reduced-cost dental clinics for seniors who live below certain benchmark income levels;

And whereas, community health care falls under the jurisdiction of regional government;

Therefore be it resolved, that the Health Department of the Region of Peel undertake a study which includes the following:

1. An audit of dental health programs provided by comparable municipalities throughout Ontario, as well as a cross-section of jurisdictions outside the province, including a per capita cost and the impact on the regional budget;
2. Design and cost of a basic program of dental care for Peel Seniors living under a benchmark income as based on and determined by Canadian standard measurements;

And further, that staff report back with the requested information by June 1, 2007.

RECOMMENDATION GCB-4-2007:

That the 2007 Current Budget include $200,000 for the Homemakers and Nursing Services Program;

And further, that staff report back on the availability of provincial funding for the Homemakers and Nursing Services Program;

And further, that staff prepare an implementation plan for the Homemakers and Nursing Services Program, including clearly defined objectives, within the approved 2007 budget.

RECESS

General Committee recessed at 12:05 p.m.

General Committee reconvened at 12:42 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Members:	G. Carlson¨, C. Corbasson, F. Dale, G. Gibson, A. Groves¨, E. Kolb, K. Mahoney, S. McFadden¨, G. Miles¨, M. Morrison¨, P. Mullin, P. Palleschi, C. Parrish¨, R. Paterak, M. Prentice¨, P. Saito, J. Sanderson, J. Sprovieri, A. Thompson, R. Whitehead
Members Absent:	E. Adams; S. Fennell; N. Iannicca; H. McCallion, due to other municipal business; E. Moore
________________________________ * See text for arrivals ¨See text for departures

b) Paramedic and Emergency Services
Presentation by R. Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor

Received

c) Housing and Property
Presentation by Keith Ward, Commissioner of Housing and Property and General Manager, Peel Living
Received

d) Public Works
Presentation by Mitch Zamojc, Commissioner of Public Works

Received

Councillor McFadden departed at 2:05 p.m.
Councillor Morrison departed at 2:32 p.m. due to other municipal business.

RECOMMENDATION GCB-5-2007:

That the Clarkson Community Recycling Centre (CRC) be included in the 2007 budget.

Councillor Parrish departed at 2:56 p.m.
Councillor Prentice departed at 3:02 p.m.
Councillor Miles departed at 3:16 p.m.
Councillor Carlson departed at 3:20 p.m.
Councillor Groves departed at 3:22 p.m.

e) Internal Support
Presentation by David Szwarc, Chief Administrative Officer; Dan Labrecque, Treasurer and Commissioner of Finance; Laura Nashman, Commissioner of People, Information and Technology; and R. Kent Gillespie, Commissioner of Corporate Services and Regional Solicitor

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

f) Assessment, GO Transit and Toronto Tax (Pooling)
Presentation by Dan Labrecque, Treasurer and Commissioner of Finance

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

g) Regional Planning
Presentation by Nick Tunnacliffe, Commissioner of Planning

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

E. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

1. Staff Reports

a) 2007 Budget

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

b) Tax Rate Management - Long Term Care

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

c) Future Long Term Care Services

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

d) Planning Department Staff Complement

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

e) Increases in Construction Costs

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

f) 2007-2016 Capital Plan - Funding Sustainability Challenges

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

F. OTHER BUSINESS

G. IN CAMERA MATTERS

G1. Labour relations or employee negotiations

Referred to the February 15, 2007 Regional Council - Budget meeting

 

H. ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.