Governance Review Task Force 

Statement of Purpose

That Councillors review and consider the following questions that will be addressed as part of their review on municipal governance:

1. Questions on municipal governance and decision-making:
• Is the decision-making (mechanisms and priorities) of upper-and lower-tier municipalities efficiently aligned?
• Does the existing model support the capacity of the municipalities to make decisions efficiently?
• Are two-tier structures appropriate for all of these municipalities?
• Does the distribution of councillors represent the residents well?
• Do the ways that regional councillors/heads of council get elected/appointed to serve on regional council help to align lower- and upper-tier priorities?
2. Questions on municipal service delivery:
• Is there opportunity for more efficient allocation of various service responsibilities?
• Is there duplication of activities?
• Are there opportunities for cost savings?
• Are there barriers to making effective and responsive infrastructure and service delivery decisions?
3. Questions regarding the local democratic process

Composition

• Councillor Carlos Garcia
• Councillor Joseph Kushner
• Councillor Lori Littleton
• Councillor Bill Phillips
• Councillor Bruce Williamson  

Term of Appointments

The Task Force will remain in place until a final report is presented to Council, no later than April 23, 2019.

Reporting Structure

This committee reports directly to Council.

Administrative support to the Task Force shall be provided by the Legal and Clerks Services Department, which shall assign a staff liaison to the Task Force.

Additional staff resources will be provided from time to time as required to assist the Task Force with questions.

Schedule of Meetings

The Task Force meets at the discretion of the Chair.

Other

The Task Force shall conduct its meetings in accordance with and otherwise comply with the City of St. Catharines Simplified Meeting Procedures for Advisory Bodies and in accordance with Part 17 of the Simplified Rules staff liaison’s shall not vote.