The introduction of a new Council Fundraising Policy, as well as changes/updates to the management of the Community Projects Fund and the Council Expense Policy. Also a concerning motion that appears to be approving a councillor's trip and expenses for an event after he's already returned and expensed the trip.
Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/citybarrie (direct link not yet available)
Agenda: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1105966&GUID=28FA17AD-EDB9-4E84-A653-B3CDCF980F13
Meeting Location: Council Chambers
đ§âđŤđ Presentations
Nil
âŞď¸đĽ Referred Items
đ¤đŹ Confidential Correspondence â Potential Land Disposition Matter - Dunlop Street East Area
Confidential correspondence concerning a potential land disposition matter re: Dunlop Street East area
đđ Advisory Committee Reports
Nil
đđ Staff Reports
đ¤đ§âđť Confidential Solicitor-Client Advice Matter â City Projects
đŤ´đľ Council Fundraising Policy
Recommending to adopt the proposed Corporate Policy on Council Fundraising
a new policy, aiming to ensure that any fundraising by members of Council for City projects is done so in an ethical, accountable, and transparent way
đđ Community Projects Fund and Update to the Council Expense Policy
Recommending approval of the project submission and approval process outlined in the report, as well as the revised Council Expense Policy
Approval process recommendations:
the community project should be in the councillor's ward
funds can be used for projects such as improvements to playgrounds and playcourts, art installations, traffic calming, and initiatives that have a longevity to them, such as tree planting or community gardens; funds can go to multiple projects as long as they don't go over the $25,000 budget; funded projects must align with Council's Strategic Priorities
funds can not be used for items or office expenses covered under the Council Expense Policy, donations to organizations, or any item that would be considered bonussing under the Municipal Act
a project submission form would have to be submitted to the clerk, detailing the project, alignment to strategic priorities, benefits to the ward, etc. â these would be sent to the executive management team to provide costing, potential project timing, etc., then presented to Finance and Good Governance Committee for consideration and final approval; any changes once approved would have to go through Council approval
project submissions deadline is March 30 2025, with completion and unveiling completed by December 2025
projects should be vetted through a Reference Committee
Council Expense Policy
remuneration and expenses paid to members of Council must be done in a way that conforms to the Municipal Act reporting requirements
there needs to be a clear distinction between what the Community Project Fund and the Councillor Expense Accounts are used for
there needs to be more specific wording to the policy to identify what is an eligible expense
to keep in line with the new Lobbyist Registry, members need to seek a written opinion from the Integrity Commissioner if they are working with individuals on ward events who may be on the Registry
education dollars can be allocated towards education opportunities that support members of Council in their role on Council
đĄđŁď¸ Items of Discussion
âď¸đŞ Attendance at Mosaic - A Festival of Cultures 2023 in Regina Saskatchewan
This item states that Councillor Nigussie already attended this festival, and used his Councillor expense account to cover it, and this motion is to support this opportunity
This has definitely raised some eyebrows, as from the wording of the item, it appears they're seeking approval for his attendance and expenses after he's already attended and expensed the festival â highly problematic, from an accountability and transparency standpoint, as well as fiscal responsibility
