City Council Meeting Abstract

Summary

The Infrastructure and Corporate Services Committee tackled traffic safety concerns and administrative policies. After hearing from frustrated residents about dangerous traffic conditions and an opaque petition process, council approved measures to improve transparency and communication around traffic calming requests. The committee also advanced several infrastructure projects, including a police satellite location and bus rapid transit expansion, while debating travel expense policies and environmental initiatives.

Topics Discussed

1. TRAFFIC CALMING PROCESS OVERHAUL: Council unanimously approved a motion to review and improve the traffic calming petition process after multiple residents testified about dangerous conditions, years-long delays, and poor communication. The city's two-person traffic team handles over 300 annual requests for a population of 400,000+. Changes will include better tracking systems, clearer timelines, and improved transparency about petition status and project implementation.

2. POLICE SATELLITE LOCATION AT MASONVILLE PLACE: London Police Services is establishing a 2,500+ square foot satellite facility at Masonville Place shopping center with parking for six vehicles. The lease agreement between the police service, Cadillac Fairview, and the city is expected to return to council within the next couple of months, potentially as early as April, addressing resident concerns about police visibility in the northeast and northwest areas.

3. BUS RAPID TRANSIT EXPANSION: Council approved $14-16 million for nine new buses for the East London Link, despite the project being delayed to Fall 2027 (from Spring 2026). The Wellington Gateway project is now delayed to Fall 2028 or later. Buses take 1.5-2 years to arrive after ordering, and costs face uncertainty from 3-15% tariff fluctuations and new EPA engine requirements.

4. TRAVEL EXPENSE POLICY REVISION: After contentious debate, council approved current policy updates (including per diem changes) while directing staff to create two separate policies—one for elected officials and one for civic administration—to be presented in 2027. The separation addresses concerns about inappropriate provisions for elected officials, such as pre-approval requirements for taxis.

5. ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT AGREEMENTS: Council approved multiple Federation of Canadian Municipalities Green Municipal Fund agreements totaling $316,000 in municipal costs, including studies on community energy systems ($92,000 project with $54,000 grant), fleet electrification ($89,000), and building retrofits. Staff emphasized potential long-term savings, citing $27,000 annual fuel savings from electric F-150 pickups and $35,000 from electric Zambonis.

Motions

Passed: - Traffic calming process review and transparency improvements (5-0) - Police Service lease agreement advancement - FCM Green Municipal Fund agreements for energy studies (5-0 and 4-1 on separate items) - Municipal fleet decarbonization feasibility study (5-0) - Wellington Gateway BRT Phase 2A contract (3-2) - Bus procurement for rapid transit - 9 buses (4-1) - Travel and business expense policy update with direction to separate policies (3-2) - Amended motion 2.13 (5-0)

Rejected: - Referral motion to delay travel policy updates until 2027 (0-5)

Deferred: - Restricted acts of council after nomination day - referred back to staff for clearer definitions and reporting requirements (3-2)

Attendees

Committee Members: - Deputy Mayor Lewis (Chair) - Councilor Stevenson - Councilor Mallister - Councilor Frank - Councilor Trusso - Councilor Pribble - Councilor Leman - Councilor Rome - Councilor Ramen (visiting)