Minutes of Committee of the Whole - City Council

Council Chambers, 4th Floor, City Hall

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4th Floor City Hall
Present:
  • Mayor Danny Breen
  • Councillor Maggie Burton
  • Councillor Sandy Hickman
  • Councillor Debbie Hanlon
  • Councillor Deanne Stapleton
  • Councillor Jamie Korab
  • Councillor Ian Froude
  • Councillor Wally Collins
  • Councillor Shawn Skinner
Regrets:
  • Deputy Mayor Sheilagh O'Leary
Staff:
  • Kevin Breen, City Manager
  • Derek Coffey, Deputy City Manager of Finance & Administration
  • Tanya Haywood, Deputy City Manager of Community Services
  • Jason Sinyard, Deputy City Manager of Planning, Engineering & Regulatory Services
  • Lynnann Winsor, Deputy City Manager of Public Works
  • Elaine Henley, City Clerk
  • Maureen Harvey, Legislative Assistant
Others
  • Victoria Etechegary, Manager of Organizational Performance and Strategy

    Shelley Traverse, Communications and PR Officer


  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Skinner
    Seconded ByCouncillor Froude

    That the agenda be adopted as presented.



    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Korab
    Seconded ByCouncillor Stapleton

    That the minutes of the meeting held December 9, 2020 be adopted as presented.



    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 0)

The Manager of Organizational Performance and Strategy, in consultation with David Head of MQO Research, conducted a powerpoint presentation outlining the results of a Citizen Satisfaction Survey which was used to guide the process of strategic planning.

Questions were raised and answered throughout the presentation by members of Council.

The Committee thanked the presenters and acknowledged the following conclusions:

  • Overall, the City is performing well as evidenced by notable increases in satisfaction on key indicators in comparison to 2018. This suggests investments made by the City as part of the new strategic directions are paying dividends in the eyes of residents.
  • Residents were also more satisfied this year with the City’s ability to communicate and be accountable to St. John’s residents. Ratings for all communication and accountability metrics increased compared to 2018 which speaks well for the performance of city staff.
  • Most residents exhibited some level of trust in the City of St. John’s.  They also showed strong support for the City’s key areas of strategic direction, and perceptions of elements related to the City’s strategic directions were very positive.
  • Residents of St. John’s are mixed in their experiences of how the pandemic has impacted their lives.
  • In light of the pandemic the City should ensure that programs and services are easily accessible to all residents (whether online or in-person), that the City is responsive to requests for assistance, and that City staff continue to positively interact with residents.
  • When it comes to public spending, residents are concerned with key areas of infrastructure maintenance but are also supportive of capital spending on non-essential infrastructure. These should be areas of focus for investment moving forward; a well-rounded budget will ensure focus on a variety of key areas to improve quality of life for all City residents.
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Skinner
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hickman

    That Council approve the attached Occupational Health and Safety Program manual and that Emergency and Safety Services division implement a mandatory awareness program for City of St. John’s managers and supervisors.



    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Hickman
    Seconded ByCouncillor Hanlon

    That Council approve access to funding from the Windsor Lake WTP Equipment Reserve Fund to support the purchase of a replacement High Zone Pumping Station Pump #3 at the Windsor Lake Water Treatment Plant.



    MOTION CARRIED (9 to 0)
  • Recommendation
    Moved ByCouncillor Collins
    Seconded ByCouncillor Stapleton

    That the matter of Galway Decorative Lighting be deferred to the next Committee of the Whole meeting scheduled to take place on January 27, 2021. 



    MOTION CARRIED (8 to 1)

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 10:33 am