City Council Agenda - November 26, 2012 - City of Guelph

Standing Committees 2009 2010 2011 2012 forecastedto Dec. 31/12Number of Meetings 46 41 51 58Average length ofMeetings*Average MonthlyTime Spent AttendingCommittee Meetings1.5 hrs 1.3 hrs 1.6 hrs 1.5hrs5.75 hrs 4.4 hrs 6.8 hrs 7.25 hrsThe above data is an approximate average of all Council and Committee meetings.Clearly it is not reflective of related time commitments such as research andmeeting preparation time, attendance at community events, constituency work etc.Aside from a current quantification of time commitments, other factors whichshould be considered prior to modifying the employment status of Councillorsinclude, but are not limited to; budgetary impacts associated with an increase incompensation and benefits and the need for an enhanced level of administrativesupport. The prospect of transitioning to full time councillor status inherently raisesfurther questions surrounding council composition, ward boundary adjustments andcommunity engagement/support.The 2008 employment status comparative review considered 31 single and lowertier municipalities in Ontario with populations greater than 60,000. The reviewconcluded that 8 of these municipalities considered their Councillors to be full time.The ratio of elected officials to population for these full time councillors rangedanywhere from 22,600 to 60,800 residents. Based on the 2011 Guelph censuspopulation (122,362), the ratio of Ward Councillors to population in Guelph isapproximately 1 to 10,200.A full study, comparative assessment and best practices review would need to beconducted in order to inform a recommendation regarding the employment statusof Councillors. The time involvement and costs associated with such aninvestigation would largely be dependent on the process selected to undertake thereview. An approximation based on the 2008 process review options could requireanywhere from 3 to 8 months of work and could cost up to $10,000 in order tocomplete. As the review would require staff support from multiple areas, there mayalso need to be adjustments made to those respective departmental work plans.It is important to note that this approximation is focused only on the process toreview the merits of modifying the employment status of Councillors. If the reviewwere to consider potential adjustments to Council composition or the current wardboundary system, there would need to be an additional allocation of resources inorder to support the work.Council Composition ReviewThe Municipal Act provides that the composition of council can be changed by wayof council by-law. If the by-law is passed prior to the year of an election, the newcomposition would come into force the day the new council is organized (theelection held immediately prior to the new composition would be conducted as ifPage 3 of 5CITY OF GUELPH COMMITTEE REPORT