1 00:05:43,185 --> 00:05:47,244 1400 hours and I will call the meeting to order. 2 00:05:47,244 --> 00:05:49,004 I will note that we are meeting on Treaty 6 3 00:05:49,044 --> 00:05:51,484 Territory, which is the traditional homeland of the May T 4 00:05:51,524 --> 00:05:58,204 people. And we will confirm that Councillor Donauer, Councillor Ford, 5 00:05:58,204 --> 00:06:04,724 are present absent, or sorry, is anybody online. Not yet. 6 00:06:04,724 --> 00:06:08,724 Are we expecting Councillor Jeffries to be online? Yeah, he 7 00:06:08,724 --> 00:06:11,604 indicated he would be, but I don't see him yet. 8 00:06:11,604 --> 00:06:15,444 All right, so absent then, our Councillor Dubois and the 9 00:06:15,625 --> 00:06:19,890 mayor. I'm gonna ask for confirmation agenda, but we do 10 00:06:19,890 --> 00:06:22,530 need one minor change. It needs someone to make a 11 00:06:22,530 --> 00:06:26,210 motion to pull the in - camera item to and 12 00:06:26,250 --> 00:06:27,970 postpone it to next month. Can I have somebody move 13 00:06:28,010 --> 00:06:33,602 that? Thank you, Councillor Ford. Any opposed. That carries. I 14 00:06:33,642 --> 00:06:35,842 should also confirm that I have confirmed with the city 15 00:06:36,263 --> 00:06:40,626 clerk that this is quorum. So three people do make 16 00:06:40,666 --> 00:06:45,414 up quorum. I just wanna make that clear today. Next, 17 00:06:45,414 --> 00:06:50,070 we're gonna have any declarations of conflict of interest. Not 18 00:06:50,070 --> 00:06:53,030 seeing any adoption of minutes. Can I have somebody move 19 00:06:53,131 --> 00:06:58,301 the adoption emits? Thank you, Councillor Donauer. Any discussion. Any 20 00:06:58,322 --> 00:07:03,535 opposed. That carries. We have no unfinished business, and so 21 00:07:03,575 --> 00:07:08,975 we're gonna jump right into item 6. 2. 1 proposed 22 00:07:09,236 --> 00:07:14,495 marquees, sorry, industrial land exchange, Mr. Hack. Take it away, 23 00:07:14,495 --> 00:07:18,335 please. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This report is seeking approval 24 00:07:18,375 --> 00:07:21,135 to proceed with a land swap with York Realty in 25 00:07:21,135 --> 00:07:24,596 the Marquis Industrial Area. As part of preparing phase 12 26 00:07:24,636 --> 00:07:29,316 of Saskatoon lands Marquis Industrial Land Development, Saskatoon LAN contacted 27 00:07:29,417 --> 00:07:32,916 York Realty as an adjacent owner to discuss servicing timelines 28 00:07:33,657 --> 00:07:36,836 through these conversations. York Realty proposed an exchange of lands 29 00:07:36,937 --> 00:07:41,476 that would improve site configurations within each ownership area. Appendix 30 00:07:41,516 --> 00:07:43,876 I and two provides an overview of the land areas 31 00:07:43,876 --> 00:07:46,516 being recommended to be exchanged. And due to the equal 32 00:07:46,556 --> 00:07:48,836 amounts of land proposed for the exchange, there are no 33 00:07:48,876 --> 00:07:54,116 financial implications to the proposed transaction. Without, two recommendations included 34 00:07:54,156 --> 00:07:55,636 in the report, and a min would be happy to 35 00:07:55,636 --> 00:08:00,276 answer any questions. Thank you, Mr. Hack. I will open 36 00:08:00,297 --> 00:08:06,513 it up to questions. All right, Councillor Ford, and I 37 00:08:06,513 --> 00:08:08,353 don't have a screen working, so I'll just leave it 38 00:08:08,353 --> 00:08:12,470 to. Thank you. Thank you. Chair. I just had one 39 00:08:12,510 --> 00:08:18,470 question. Are they equivalent swaps? And is the market value 40 00:08:18,571 --> 00:08:24,971 the same. Through the chair, yes, and yes. Okay, great, 41 00:08:24,971 --> 00:08:31,529 thank you. All right. So this is just a straightforward 42 00:08:31,790 --> 00:08:35,849 land exchange, same value, same everything. So is my understanding. 43 00:08:36,350 --> 00:08:39,269 So if we have no further questions of administration, any 44 00:08:39,269 --> 00:08:43,982 comments. All right, I need somebody to move it. Councillor 45 00:08:43,982 --> 00:08:48,645 Ford, thank you. We'll call the question any opposed. That 46 00:08:48,645 --> 00:08:53,922 carries. Item 6. 2. 2, land acquisition for link BRT, 47 00:08:53,922 --> 00:08:59,865 first avenue, South in 19th Street East. Administration. Thank you, 48 00:08:59,905 --> 00:09:03,465 Mr. Chair. This report is seeking to acquire approximately 10, 49 00:09:03,966 --> 00:09:06,585 200 square feet of land for the purpose of establishing 50 00:09:06,606 --> 00:09:10,505 a connection between First Avenue South and 19th Street East 51 00:09:10,505 --> 00:09:14,158 for the link bus rapid transit system. This acquisition is 52 00:09:14,198 --> 00:09:16,238 integral to the link blue line route, as it would 53 00:09:16,238 --> 00:09:19,518 allow buses to travel north along First Avenue from 19th 54 00:09:19,558 --> 00:09:22,478 Street to 20th Street and is required regardless of whether 55 00:09:22,659 --> 00:09:25,678 dedicated transit lanes are provided on First Avenue or not. 56 00:09:26,112 --> 00:09:29,051 Total purchase price for the land is 180, 000 dollars 57 00:09:29,792 --> 00:09:34,411 or 180, 250 dollars and conditions related to the agreement 58 00:09:34,672 --> 00:09:37,451 are included in the report. The funding for this acquisition 59 00:09:37,472 --> 00:09:41,211 would come from the link bus rapid transit capital project. 60 00:09:41,211 --> 00:09:43,531 There are two recommendations included in the report, and a 61 00:09:43,571 --> 00:09:45,531 min would be able to answer any questions there may 62 00:09:45,531 --> 00:09:48,808 be. And with that, I will open it up to 63 00:09:48,848 --> 00:09:55,655 any questions. And seeing none, are there any comments. Seeing 64 00:09:55,676 --> 00:09:58,695 none, I will call the question. Sorry, do we have 65 00:09:58,695 --> 00:10:01,870 somebody move this yet. No, sorry, I have somebody, thank 66 00:10:01,870 --> 00:10:06,614 you Councillor Donauer. I'll call the question any opposed. That 67 00:10:06,614 --> 00:10:11,449 carries. Next, item 6. 2. 3 EPC Project update and 68 00:10:11,489 --> 00:10:16,891 loan conversion request, Mr. Hack. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This 69 00:10:16,891 --> 00:10:20,091 report provides an update on the City's Energy Performance Contracting 70 00:10:20,112 --> 00:10:23,371 Project, as well as Seek's Approval to convert the existing 71 00:10:23,472 --> 00:10:26,011 variable rate line of credit into a fixed - term 72 00:10:26,011 --> 00:10:29,274 loan. The report in Appendix I provide a summary of 73 00:10:29,274 --> 00:10:32,874 the work completed under the Energy Performance Contracting Project, which 74 00:10:32,975 --> 00:10:36,714 includes 48 buildings with LED lighting upgrades, nine buildings with 75 00:10:36,735 --> 00:10:40,474 boiler upgrades, a replacements, and 28 buildings connected to a 76 00:10:40,474 --> 00:10:44,514 new building automation network to name a few examples. In 77 00:10:44,514 --> 00:10:47,974 total, the project costs were approximately 26 million, and were 78 00:10:47,974 --> 00:10:50,714 mainly funded through 12. 8 million dollars from the Civic 79 00:10:50,735 --> 00:10:54,874 Building Comprehensive Maintenance Reserve and 11. 6 million from boring, 80 00:10:54,874 --> 00:10:58,403 which is being repaid through Utility Savings. Up until this 81 00:10:58,403 --> 00:11:01,123 point, the project has been utilising a variable rate line 82 00:11:01,123 --> 00:11:03,763 of credit for the borrowing funding, as this has allowed 83 00:11:03,763 --> 00:11:06,243 the project to proceed in phases and not take on 84 00:11:06,424 --> 00:11:09,839 boring costs until phases are completed. Now that the phases 85 00:11:09,839 --> 00:11:13,039 of this project are complete, administration is recommending converting the 86 00:11:13,300 --> 00:11:17,279 existing outstanding principle loan of 10. 6 million into an 87 00:11:17,279 --> 00:11:21,765 18 year fixed loan. Converting this into a fixed loan 88 00:11:21,805 --> 00:11:24,965 provides the project with more payment certainty, as well as 89 00:11:24,986 --> 00:11:27,845 reduces the amount of administrated effort required each year as 90 00:11:28,026 --> 00:11:31,285 interest rates fluctuate. With that, there is one recommendation included 91 00:11:31,325 --> 00:11:33,045 in the report, and at men would be happy to 92 00:11:33,085 --> 00:11:36,414 answer any questions. All right, having said that. Can I 93 00:11:36,414 --> 00:11:39,454 have somebody move the item, please? Councillor Ford, do we 94 00:11:39,454 --> 00:11:43,905 have questions. Okay. Councillor Ford. Thank you. 95 00:11:53,520 --> 00:11:58,304 61, 000 in annual savings. Well, the initial annual debt 96 00:11:58,325 --> 00:12:02,544 servicing is around 973, 000. And my one question is, 97 00:12:02,584 --> 00:12:07,050 how is the gap funded. And what happens if the 98 00:12:07,071 --> 00:12:10,810 utility savings fall below the fixed payment in the future 99 00:12:10,991 --> 00:12:20,786 years? Yeah, through the 100 00:12:20,786 --> 00:12:23,586 chair, I don't know if Ms. Selther or Ms. Thieves 101 00:12:23,687 --> 00:12:27,986 any other additional context to add. Right now, the projected 102 00:12:28,026 --> 00:12:32,386 utility savings would work within the 18 - year, fixed 103 00:12:32,386 --> 00:12:34,306 payment term, if that was to change at any given 104 00:12:34,346 --> 00:12:36,466 time, we would have to come back to committee to 105 00:12:36,506 --> 00:12:39,266 either adjust the loan, um, or with another alternative solution. 106 00:12:42,584 --> 00:12:46,598 Okay. I'm fine with that, thanks. You're okay, you're good 107 00:12:46,598 --> 00:12:52,721 with that? Okay. Any other questions for administration. Any comments. 108 00:12:54,080 --> 00:12:59,792 Alright, I will call the question. Are any opposed. That 109 00:12:59,832 --> 00:13:04,198 carries. Moving on to item 6. 3 information reports. Uh, 110 00:13:04,198 --> 00:13:07,058 we have 6. 3. 1 investment income follow - up 111 00:13:07,058 --> 00:13:10,538 report before we begin with these. Would anybody objectively move 112 00:13:10,578 --> 00:13:14,230 these in bulk. Can I, would you make that? Councillor 113 00:13:14,230 --> 00:13:18,390 Downour moves these together as one item. So we'll proceed 114 00:13:18,411 --> 00:13:22,230 with item 6. 3. 1 follow - up report. Mr. 115 00:13:22,411 --> 00:13:26,874 Hack. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This report provides an update 116 00:13:26,874 --> 00:13:31,994 on the city's investment income forecast for 2026 and 2027, 117 00:13:31,994 --> 00:13:34,314 as well as addresses the direction provided by committee at 118 00:13:34,314 --> 00:13:38,474 the April 8, 2026 standing policy committee on finance meeting. 119 00:13:39,605 --> 00:13:41,984 As outlined in the report, the city's approach to budgeting 120 00:13:42,085 --> 00:13:46,064 and utilising investment income has changed significantly since introducing equities 121 00:13:46,325 --> 00:13:51,033 and alternative investments into the city's investment portfolio. The city's 122 00:13:51,033 --> 00:13:55,033 approach now includes providing an operating budget contribution as general 123 00:13:55,054 --> 00:13:59,753 revenue to support core services and reduce property tax requirements. 124 00:13:59,753 --> 00:14:03,993 And in 2026, this is set at 17. 63 million, 125 00:14:03,993 --> 00:14:06,153 and is to be provided regardless of how the city's 126 00:14:06,153 --> 00:14:10,472 investment portfolio performs. Any remaining surplus or deficit that is 127 00:14:10,472 --> 00:14:14,392 actually realised in the City's investment portfolio is provided two 128 00:14:14,392 --> 00:14:18,726 or from the Investment Income Reserve. The amount provided for 129 00:14:18,827 --> 00:14:22,406 in the operating budget is generally recommended to be conservative, 130 00:14:22,406 --> 00:14:24,886 as this allows for fluctuations in the city's investment earnings 131 00:14:25,387 --> 00:14:27,526 and the investment income to be a source of capital 132 00:14:27,627 --> 00:14:31,867 funding in the future. However, based on 2025's net investment 133 00:14:32,048 --> 00:14:36,187 earnings forecast of 25. 73 million, and potentially up to 134 00:14:36,288 --> 00:14:41,307 32, 06, room to adjust the city's operating budget investment 135 00:14:41,408 --> 00:14:45,947 income in 2027 while continuing to be conservative. As such, 136 00:14:45,947 --> 00:14:49,867 the administration is currently working on the 2027 budget update, 137 00:14:49,867 --> 00:14:51,547 and as part of that, we'll be recommending an increase 138 00:14:51,547 --> 00:14:54,347 to the City's investment income amount, which is included in 139 00:14:54,347 --> 00:14:57,387 the operating budget. An increase like this could be used 140 00:14:57,648 --> 00:15:01,547 for a variety of reasons, including reducing budgetary risk in 141 00:15:01,547 --> 00:15:04,507 other areas we know have been overstated, such as franchise 142 00:15:04,547 --> 00:15:08,347 fees, grants and loose, or other general revenues. Enhancing service 143 00:15:08,347 --> 00:15:11,787 levels or programs through an expenditure increase, or reducing the 144 00:15:12,128 --> 00:15:16,549 2027 property tax requirement. At this point, the administration is 145 00:15:16,549 --> 00:15:19,589 likely to recommend a combination of these adjustments, and we'll 146 00:15:19,629 --> 00:15:23,509 be presented for decision at budget deliberations. Without the report 147 00:15:23,530 --> 00:15:26,389 at this time is recommended to be received as information, 148 00:15:26,389 --> 00:15:30,384 but administration would be happy to answer any questions. All 149 00:15:30,384 --> 00:15:34,869 right, do we have any questions of administration. Seeing done? 150 00:15:34,869 --> 00:15:37,989 We'll move on to item 6. 3. 2. The 2026 151 00:15:38,330 --> 00:15:43,601 mid - year financial forecast. Thank you, Mr. Chair. This 152 00:15:43,622 --> 00:15:46,161 report provides a mid - year update on the City's 153 00:15:46,201 --> 00:15:50,321 Financial Projections as compared to budget for 2026. As outlined 154 00:15:50,361 --> 00:15:52,801 in the report, the city's SNOA Nice Management Program is 155 00:15:52,841 --> 00:15:56,161 currently forecasting a 3 million dollar deficit, largely due to 156 00:15:56,161 --> 00:15:58,881 the extended winter and snowfall in the first half of 157 00:15:59,142 --> 00:16:02,321 2026, which saw snow up until the May long weekend. 158 00:16:03,316 --> 00:16:06,575 The SNO and ice management program is anticipated a typical 159 00:16:07,076 --> 00:16:10,575 second half of 2026, and this forecast could change based 160 00:16:10,575 --> 00:16:14,711 on whether experience later this year. The remaining civic budget 161 00:16:14,751 --> 00:16:18,711 is currently projecting an additional 1. 5 million dollar deficit. 162 00:16:18,711 --> 00:16:21,591 And although almost all areas are within there approved expenditure 163 00:16:21,591 --> 00:16:24,871 budgets, shortfalls in some of the city's general revenues, such 164 00:16:24,871 --> 00:16:28,471 as fines and penalties, franchise fees, and grants in lieu 165 00:16:28,511 --> 00:16:30,871 are placing additional pressure on the city being able to 166 00:16:30,972 --> 00:16:35,140 achieve a balanced budget in 2026. Combine the mid - 167 00:16:35,140 --> 00:16:37,460 year forecast is projecting a potential four and a half 168 00:16:37,561 --> 00:16:41,060 million - dollar deficit, which is a 0. 6 percent 169 00:16:41,321 --> 00:16:46,094 variance from the Approved budget. Overall, the administration remains focused 170 00:16:46,134 --> 00:16:50,094 on addressing and reducing any potential deficit through the remainder 171 00:16:50,134 --> 00:16:53,454 of 2026. However, if realised the city would look to 172 00:16:53,555 --> 00:16:57,214 rely on the SNOA ice management contingency reserve and fiscal 173 00:16:57,235 --> 00:17:00,814 stabilization were deserved, which have current balances of 8. 6 174 00:17:00,854 --> 00:17:05,774 million and 16. 3 million, respectively. These reserves were specifically 175 00:17:05,875 --> 00:17:08,654 created and funded to provide for funding in years where 176 00:17:08,675 --> 00:17:12,414 deficits are realised. With that, this report is recommended to 177 00:17:12,414 --> 00:17:15,134 be received as information and administration be opened to any 178 00:17:15,395 --> 00:17:18,925 questions. All right, do we have any questions for administration 179 00:17:18,965 --> 00:17:23,115 on this report? Not seeing any. We will move on 180 00:17:23,216 --> 00:17:27,495 to item 6. 3. 3. My property online service, Mr. 181 00:17:27,495 --> 00:17:31,036 Hack. Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I'll have Mr. Mike 182 00:17:31,137 --> 00:17:34,356 Voth, our director of Corporate Revenue present this report, as 183 00:17:34,356 --> 00:17:36,076 well as short PowerPoint presentation. 184 00:17:54,113 --> 00:17:58,332 Okay, good afternoon, Mr. Chair and members of committee. Once 185 00:17:58,332 --> 00:18:00,092 again, my name is Mike Voth. I am the director 186 00:18:00,092 --> 00:18:03,605 of Corporate Revenue. Today it's my privilege to introduce you 187 00:18:03,626 --> 00:18:06,885 to an exciting new service. We'll be providing residents and 188 00:18:06,925 --> 00:18:11,903 customers of the city named My Property. Next slide, please. 189 00:18:12,742 --> 00:18:15,281 So to start off, I would like to take a 190 00:18:15,281 --> 00:18:17,761 bit of time to share a summary of what my 191 00:18:17,862 --> 00:18:21,629 property is. In a nutshell, my property is a secure 192 00:18:22,050 --> 00:18:25,469 online self - service portal for residents who prefer digital 193 00:18:25,570 --> 00:18:29,149 access to delivery of their utility assessment and property tax 194 00:18:29,189 --> 00:18:32,068 notices. It is a convenient, easy - to - use 195 00:18:32,109 --> 00:18:36,023 portal. That allows for customers to access current and pass 196 00:18:36,063 --> 00:18:38,848 notices, and it's all - in - one place. It's 197 00:18:38,869 --> 00:18:41,568 an optional service, meaning no one will be required to 198 00:18:41,669 --> 00:18:43,968 use it, but it does come at no cost to 199 00:18:43,968 --> 00:18:49,888 the customer. We anticipate launching my property in early October, 200 00:18:49,888 --> 00:18:52,528 uh, but of course that is contingent on the continued 201 00:18:52,568 --> 00:18:56,288 success of our user acceptance testing, which is currently ongoing. 202 00:18:57,349 --> 00:18:59,648 A communications plan has also been developed to support the 203 00:18:59,669 --> 00:19:03,648 launch, as there will be additional communications once launch day 204 00:19:03,688 --> 00:19:11,084 is set. Next slide, please. I did want to also 205 00:19:11,084 --> 00:19:13,164 take a bit of time to talk about the design 206 00:19:13,825 --> 00:19:17,644 and the key principles that went into the design of 207 00:19:17,825 --> 00:19:24,929 the service. Excuse me. You know, one of the key 208 00:19:25,110 --> 00:19:28,129 focuses for us was to ensure that the technology used 209 00:19:28,470 --> 00:19:31,409 provides customers with a secure platform to view their data. 210 00:19:32,078 --> 00:19:36,697 Uh, this includes an emphasis on cybersecurity protection and encryption. 211 00:19:37,523 --> 00:19:40,062 Another design philosophy was to ensure it will work on 212 00:19:40,163 --> 00:19:45,742 all commonly used modern browsers, and commonly used expected devices 213 00:19:46,003 --> 00:19:51,102 like desktops, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, et cetera. In all 214 00:19:51,102 --> 00:19:54,542 cases, my property does use data pulled directly from CIS, 215 00:19:54,542 --> 00:19:58,302 which is the city's current billing system. So this will 216 00:19:58,302 --> 00:19:59,902 allow customers to have up - to - date access 217 00:19:59,942 --> 00:20:02,222 to the information that the City uses, just as if 218 00:20:02,222 --> 00:20:05,182 they were to contact a customer service representative in corporate 219 00:20:05,222 --> 00:20:11,018 revenue. Next slide, please. So the good news for folks 220 00:20:11,018 --> 00:20:13,098 like me is signing up for my property is very 221 00:20:13,119 --> 00:20:18,967 simple and quick, especially if you're an existing customer. All 222 00:20:18,988 --> 00:20:23,127 existing customers will have been provided a unique access code. 223 00:20:23,127 --> 00:20:26,327 These were provided over the last few months on utility 224 00:20:26,367 --> 00:20:30,487 bills assessment notices and property tax notices. Setting up for 225 00:20:30,527 --> 00:20:33,527 the account is just a few clicks of a button. 226 00:20:33,527 --> 00:20:36,967 It essentially links your individual customer number, uh, to that 227 00:20:37,148 --> 00:20:41,927 excess code and allows for the information in CIS to 228 00:20:42,268 --> 00:20:45,443 then flow through to the portal. New customers, however, will 229 00:20:45,483 --> 00:20:47,363 be able to also sign up for my property during 230 00:20:47,544 --> 00:20:50,789 account setup. Or once they've been entered into the system. 231 00:20:50,789 --> 00:20:53,029 And a good example of that would be those customers 232 00:20:53,050 --> 00:20:55,429 that sign up through Express address. It's a very common 233 00:20:55,530 --> 00:20:58,469 tool. Those folks will be able to sign up for 234 00:20:58,650 --> 00:21:06,104 my property once we've processed their entry into CIS. City 235 00:21:06,205 --> 00:21:09,464 staff will, of course, continue to promote the service and 236 00:21:09,965 --> 00:21:14,953 the adoption of electronic notices as they do today. Once 237 00:21:15,294 --> 00:21:17,833 signup is complete, a customer will have immediate access to 238 00:21:17,873 --> 00:21:21,033 their current and historical notices and bills, as well as 239 00:21:21,073 --> 00:21:24,873 other features similar to those provided by the current existing 240 00:21:25,134 --> 00:21:29,353 MyUtil account. And just for some additional context, the historical 241 00:21:29,374 --> 00:21:32,073 notices go back two years for utilities in seven years 242 00:21:32,113 --> 00:21:37,656 for property tax and assessment. Next slide, please. So I 243 00:21:37,677 --> 00:21:39,896 want to talk a little bit about the benefits for 244 00:21:39,997 --> 00:21:44,056 the customers. So why switch over? What's the point? Um, 245 00:21:44,317 --> 00:21:47,416 I biased view, but there are lots of benefits and 246 00:21:47,456 --> 00:21:50,696 efficiencies that customers will find in setting up their My 247 00:21:50,696 --> 00:21:55,336 property account, including delegating the ability to delegate access for 248 00:21:55,336 --> 00:21:58,216 assessment and property tax information to others, such as property 249 00:21:58,216 --> 00:22:03,586 managers. My property will allow easy maintenance, or excuse me, 250 00:22:03,767 --> 00:22:07,466 it maintains the current functionality that smart utility has. So 251 00:22:07,466 --> 00:22:10,626 for those folks that haven't explored that, you're able to 252 00:22:10,647 --> 00:22:14,946 set things like usage alerts, uh, graphing past consumption, weather 253 00:22:14,986 --> 00:22:17,266 overlays all of that type of information, again, all in 254 00:22:17,447 --> 00:22:23,831 one portal. One login. It'll allow, or provides links for 255 00:22:23,852 --> 00:22:29,271 customers to discover more asset, more detailed assessment data for 256 00:22:29,311 --> 00:22:33,615 their properties. And, uh, it will also be a great 257 00:22:33,876 --> 00:22:37,615 entry portal for applications for related services such as the 258 00:22:37,796 --> 00:22:41,135 help and CELT programs and more in the future as 259 00:22:41,135 --> 00:22:46,560 well. Next slide, please. Additional benefits for the customer include, 260 00:22:46,560 --> 00:22:49,520 it's a single secure login for all the account holders 261 00:22:49,560 --> 00:22:52,000 property information. So no need to go from site to 262 00:22:52,040 --> 00:22:54,960 site, depending on like the assessment tax tool versus my 263 00:22:54,981 --> 00:22:58,000 util. It's all in one place. Um, it provides the 264 00:22:58,000 --> 00:23:01,840 ability to download and save bills and notices at any 265 00:23:01,840 --> 00:23:05,044 time. And I think I would suggest the biggest benefit 266 00:23:05,465 --> 00:23:07,924 of my property is that it lays the foundation for 267 00:23:08,265 --> 00:23:11,764 future phases and plans, including online payment options for things 268 00:23:11,764 --> 00:23:17,596 like utility bills and property tax. The other sort of 269 00:23:17,817 --> 00:23:20,836 future plans or future phases will include a lot of 270 00:23:20,857 --> 00:23:25,076 assessment related information, including the ability to submit requests for 271 00:23:25,076 --> 00:23:27,716 information online as opposed to having to physically mail or 272 00:23:27,716 --> 00:23:33,461 drop them off to our office. Next slide, please. So 273 00:23:33,722 --> 00:23:35,461 the benefits to the city, there are several as well. 274 00:23:36,835 --> 00:23:40,174 Obvious one, paper and mailing cost savings. Uh, I can't 275 00:23:40,275 --> 00:23:43,374 provide you an exact figure today. Uh, but just for 276 00:23:43,414 --> 00:23:48,334 some context, each customer that switches from paper to electronic 277 00:23:48,435 --> 00:23:50,734 notice for their utility bill would save the city a 278 00:23:50,774 --> 00:23:55,054 dollar 75 per month. Whereas assessment and property tax would 279 00:23:55,094 --> 00:23:57,934 be about two dollars per notice The reason there's a 280 00:23:57,955 --> 00:24:00,894 slight difference is assessment and property tax notices tend to 281 00:24:00,894 --> 00:24:03,774 be additional pages. So the little bit of an increased 282 00:24:03,814 --> 00:24:09,128 cost in the printing. Maling is the same. Other benefits 283 00:24:09,128 --> 00:24:12,008 to the city include, you know, if we're able to 284 00:24:12,029 --> 00:24:15,288 provide customers with more self - service options, uh, this 285 00:24:15,389 --> 00:24:19,848 allows, or sorry, excuse me, we should see a hopeful 286 00:24:19,848 --> 00:24:23,368 reduction in queue times for the contact centre and corporate 287 00:24:23,408 --> 00:24:27,528 revenue. And we'll allow the staff there then to better 288 00:24:27,568 --> 00:24:30,168 focus on the more complex inquiries that do require the 289 00:24:30,269 --> 00:24:34,312 customer to reach out to us. Uh, the improved technology 290 00:24:34,413 --> 00:24:37,352 used for the implementation of the portal allows for higher 291 00:24:37,392 --> 00:24:41,992 customer traffic online. And also utilised a new firewall strengthening 292 00:24:43,133 --> 00:24:50,025 the cybersecurity for our web applications. Next slide, please. So 293 00:24:50,446 --> 00:24:53,625 a few common questions that we've already seen on social 294 00:24:53,665 --> 00:24:57,145 media since we've been our marketing campaign just to provide 295 00:24:57,185 --> 00:25:01,625 you with today. The first being, when can folks start 296 00:25:01,665 --> 00:25:06,185 using my property? We're currently scheduled to launch in the 297 00:25:07,086 --> 00:25:11,465 first week of October, again, like I mentioned prior. It's 298 00:25:11,465 --> 00:25:15,705 contingent on acceptable user acceptance testing. Um, but of course, 299 00:25:15,705 --> 00:25:18,425 as we get closer to, once that decision is made, 300 00:25:18,425 --> 00:25:21,545 we'll provide more information to customers. But first week of 301 00:25:21,566 --> 00:25:25,102 October, is our anticipated release date at this time. Second 302 00:25:25,142 --> 00:25:27,982 question, will I still receive paper notices if I create 303 00:25:27,982 --> 00:25:31,902 a MyProperty account? Again, it's an optional service. So customers 304 00:25:31,923 --> 00:25:35,982 can choose online, uh, access or paper access or a 305 00:25:35,982 --> 00:25:38,382 combination of both. There's no requirement one way or the 306 00:25:38,382 --> 00:25:42,553 other. Next slide, please. And sort of the last most 307 00:25:42,553 --> 00:25:46,393 common question we've seen already is I'm already on an 308 00:25:46,414 --> 00:25:49,673 eBill customer. Why do I need to set up a 309 00:25:49,673 --> 00:25:52,633 My property account? So there's a few different reasons for 310 00:25:52,673 --> 00:25:57,093 this. Number one being that, uh, the provincial legislation, the 311 00:25:57,093 --> 00:26:01,513 cities act does require us to, uh, allow customers to 312 00:26:01,553 --> 00:26:04,473 opt in to an e - notices for property tax 313 00:26:04,494 --> 00:26:07,913 and assessment, uh, whereas that's not a requirement for utility 314 00:26:07,953 --> 00:26:12,313 bills. So, um, that's one key piece we need to 315 00:26:12,353 --> 00:26:15,433 provide a customer with an access code so they can 316 00:26:15,454 --> 00:26:19,353 sign up and truly opt in to that service. Another 317 00:26:19,454 --> 00:26:23,113 reason is we've got over 50, 000 eBIL accounts active 318 00:26:23,153 --> 00:26:26,313 already. Some of those have been active for a number 319 00:26:26,353 --> 00:26:29,113 of years. And so a launch like this provides us 320 00:26:29,134 --> 00:26:33,513 with a great opportunity to start, you know, again, with 321 00:26:33,553 --> 00:26:36,073 a good check on making sure our information is as 322 00:26:36,073 --> 00:26:38,393 accurate and up to date as possible. So we want 323 00:26:38,393 --> 00:26:40,313 to make sure that the folks signing up for the 324 00:26:40,334 --> 00:26:44,153 service are indeed the folks who are in billing and 325 00:26:44,174 --> 00:26:49,244 requesting it. And with that, I will turn it over 326 00:26:49,284 --> 00:26:53,763 to you folks. If you do have any questions. All 327 00:26:53,763 --> 00:27:00,833 right. Do we have any questions. Councillor Fort. Mr. Both. 328 00:27:01,998 --> 00:27:04,697 Just, you know, on the financial piece, it talks about 329 00:27:04,737 --> 00:27:09,017 the savings. What was the cost for the software and 330 00:27:09,038 --> 00:27:13,726 labour? And that, is there any fees there? So there 331 00:27:13,747 --> 00:27:16,286 was no, uh, no official costs. There was no capital 332 00:27:16,467 --> 00:27:19,726 project or anything. This was all done in - house. 333 00:27:19,726 --> 00:27:22,526 Just want to give a big thanks to the digital 334 00:27:22,566 --> 00:27:25,566 technology and business transformation groups, as well as the Corporate 335 00:27:25,566 --> 00:27:28,526 Revenue staff. It was all designed, implemented, and tested in 336 00:27:28,526 --> 00:27:35,929 - house. Wow, that's fantastic. Just for your adoption rate. 337 00:27:37,484 --> 00:27:39,783 What's your forecast for year one of how many people 338 00:27:39,804 --> 00:27:42,709 will sign up. You have those kind of numbers or 339 00:27:42,749 --> 00:27:46,061 expectations in that regard. Yeah, thank you for the question 340 00:27:46,242 --> 00:27:51,901 through you, Mr. Chair. Our current utility eBill adoption rate 341 00:27:52,162 --> 00:27:58,621 is just shot. It's 49. 5 percent, I don't want 342 00:27:58,621 --> 00:28:00,621 to sit here and tell you that every single e 343 00:28:00,621 --> 00:28:03,101 - bill customer will adopt my property and go to 344 00:28:03,682 --> 00:28:05,981 e - notices for assessment and property tax because a 345 00:28:05,981 --> 00:28:08,621 lot of utility customers don't own property. You know, the 346 00:28:08,621 --> 00:28:11,101 lots of tenants and that type of thing. Um, I 347 00:28:11,282 --> 00:28:13,821 can promise you, however, that we're going to continue to 348 00:28:13,842 --> 00:28:17,901 market my property is diligently as we do eBill. There 349 00:28:17,901 --> 00:28:22,941 will be marketing campaigns as well. And because of the 350 00:28:23,122 --> 00:28:26,141 setup of my property, we have some new tools that 351 00:28:26,162 --> 00:28:28,981 will be available to us for some direct marketing. So 352 00:28:28,981 --> 00:28:32,041 for example, if you have a My property account, but 353 00:28:32,041 --> 00:28:35,501 you haven't ticked the box to get your notices electronically, 354 00:28:35,501 --> 00:28:38,301 we could reach out directly to them just to provide 355 00:28:38,402 --> 00:28:41,901 some marketing materials and see if we can, uh, increase 356 00:28:41,941 --> 00:28:46,397 the adoption rate that way. So I think it sounds 357 00:28:46,397 --> 00:28:50,397 like it's a great online portal. Is the plan to 358 00:28:50,418 --> 00:28:53,357 eventually eliminate e - bills and move everybody to my 359 00:28:53,397 --> 00:28:57,555 property. Thank you for the question. Through you, Mr. Chair. 360 00:28:57,555 --> 00:29:02,035 Yeah. So my property will replace eBuill altogether. Yeah. Okay. 361 00:29:04,216 --> 00:29:07,795 I notice it is a payment port of legislate. Would 362 00:29:07,795 --> 00:29:10,035 other applications be like a person could pay the parking 363 00:29:10,035 --> 00:29:12,355 ticket. And those types of things says any of that 364 00:29:12,536 --> 00:29:18,073 been ever considered. Through Mr. Chair. It's definitely a consideration. 365 00:29:18,073 --> 00:29:20,153 It would be a later phase. Uh, I know we 366 00:29:20,193 --> 00:29:24,153 were looking at getting the information available to customers as 367 00:29:24,174 --> 00:29:26,873 sort of the first step. I think phase two is 368 00:29:26,913 --> 00:29:29,113 more on the assessment side. Phase three is where we 369 00:29:29,113 --> 00:29:32,713 have some, some tentative plans about maybe looking at online 370 00:29:32,753 --> 00:29:37,493 payment portals, you know, four utilities and property tax. You 371 00:29:37,493 --> 00:29:40,313 know, I think other services would come online as well. 372 00:29:40,654 --> 00:29:43,513 That's a fairly big lift, like corporately. As I'm sure 373 00:29:43,513 --> 00:29:46,773 you can appreciate, but it's definitely in the plans. And 374 00:29:46,773 --> 00:29:50,997 this is the foundation. Anyway, thank you for the report. 375 00:29:50,997 --> 00:29:55,560 And thanks. Those are my questions. Thanks. All right, Councillor 376 00:29:55,600 --> 00:29:59,320 Donauer. Thank you. Uh, thanks for the report, Mr. Bauth. 377 00:29:59,320 --> 00:30:02,680 All good news. Uh, the report refers to residents and 378 00:30:02,720 --> 00:30:05,480 property owner. So I just want to clarify, is this 379 00:30:05,501 --> 00:30:08,600 residential only or would this be commercial industry property owners 380 00:30:08,640 --> 00:30:11,640 as well? Can they access the portal and find the 381 00:30:11,640 --> 00:30:14,980 same information about their properties as well? Through you, Mr. 382 00:30:14,980 --> 00:30:17,480 Chair. Yeah. Short answer yes. I think it was just 383 00:30:17,520 --> 00:30:21,480 residents versus property owners residents being utility customers property owners 384 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:24,440 being anybody who owns property commercial or residential. Okay. So 385 00:30:24,480 --> 00:30:27,080 all the property classes. Yes. That's great. Thank you very 386 00:30:27,080 --> 00:30:33,757 much. All right. Seeing no further questions, any comments. Councillor 387 00:30:33,757 --> 00:30:40,739 Doner. With your indulgence, my comment isn't just about this 388 00:30:40,840 --> 00:30:43,939 report, but it is also both this report. I just 389 00:30:43,979 --> 00:30:47,099 wanted to say we're about to wrap up. This is 390 00:30:47,099 --> 00:30:49,219 a quick meeting. There wasn't a bunch of fireworks and 391 00:30:49,219 --> 00:30:52,339 this wasn't a very contentious meeting at all. But highlight 392 00:30:52,440 --> 00:30:55,459 all the good work that's being done at City Hall, 393 00:30:55,459 --> 00:30:58,499 including this report, Mr. Voth. You know, just today in 394 00:30:58,499 --> 00:31:02,179 the past 25 minutes, we've heard about an EPC project 395 00:31:02,680 --> 00:31:06,099 that's talking about investments in energy and efficiencies. And we're 396 00:31:06,120 --> 00:31:09,219 repaying that loan with the savings that we've achieved through 397 00:31:09,480 --> 00:31:13,459 investing in our own properties and upgrading them. Uh, investment 398 00:31:13,560 --> 00:31:15,619 income has created a problem and that we now have 399 00:31:15,619 --> 00:31:17,939 to decide what to do with the surplus. And Mr. 400 00:31:18,040 --> 00:31:20,259 Hack will be bringing some budget options for us about 401 00:31:20,299 --> 00:31:24,899 that. In our media financial forecast, despite snow events, we're 402 00:31:24,899 --> 00:31:27,539 working to balance the budget, but we've got healthy reserves 403 00:31:27,640 --> 00:31:31,379 for snow and fiscal stabilization. And for my property online, 404 00:31:31,419 --> 00:31:34,419 we're enhancing service to our customers and staying up to 405 00:31:34,459 --> 00:31:37,460 date with technology and looking towards the future. Despite the 406 00:31:37,500 --> 00:31:39,700 fact that this was kind of a vanilla meeting, that's 407 00:31:39,721 --> 00:31:42,580 a lot of incredible work that's being done across a 408 00:31:42,580 --> 00:31:44,420 bunch of different departments. And I just wanted to highlight 409 00:31:44,601 --> 00:31:47,805 that and say thank you to all of you. Well, 410 00:31:47,826 --> 00:31:50,125 I'm going to echo those sentiments as well. And I 411 00:31:50,125 --> 00:31:52,525 was thinking along the same lines. We did get through 412 00:31:52,786 --> 00:31:54,445 a very quick meeting and I'm not going to belabor 413 00:31:54,445 --> 00:31:57,165 this by standing on a soapbox. But I, I do 414 00:31:57,165 --> 00:32:01,932 think this is indicative of the good work. That are 415 00:32:01,972 --> 00:32:04,572 administration and people do, uh, I just want to commend 416 00:32:04,612 --> 00:32:07,612 everybody, uh, for the work that they do. And it 417 00:32:07,612 --> 00:32:10,492 allows us to make these meetings fairly quick in straightforward. 418 00:32:10,492 --> 00:32:13,452 So on that note, I believe, uh, we just need 419 00:32:13,492 --> 00:32:19,009 to call the question. Has anybody or any opposed. To 420 00:32:19,030 --> 00:32:23,009 these information imps? I see none. Thank you for coming. 421 00:32:25,366 --> 00:32:29,505 Are there any, previously given? Is there any urgent business, 422 00:32:29,505 --> 00:32:37,379 Mr. Heck. All right. Uh, anybody giving notice today. We 423 00:32:37,419 --> 00:32:40,019 have no request to speak, no communications. Our in - 424 00:32:40,019 --> 00:32:44,259 camera session has been pulled. And we have no rise 425 00:32:44,259 --> 00:32:46,899 in report. So on that note, I adjourn.