Minutes - May 2, 2019 Finance & Facilities Committee Meeting

Committee Members Present:

Mr. Matt Reid (Chair)
Ms. Maureen Cassidy
Ms. Tino Kasi

Regrets:
Ms. Trish Fulton
Ms. Kelly Elliott

Others Present:

Dr. Christopher Mackie, Secretary-Treasurer
Ms. Lynn Guy, Executive Assistant to the Medical Officer of Health (Recorder)
Ms. Laura Di Cesare, Director, Healthy Organization
Mr. Brian Glasspoole, Manager, Finance

Media:
Mr. Gerry Dewan, Reporter, CTV News London

Disclosure of Conflict(s) of Interest

Chair Reid inquired if there were any disclosures of conflicts of interest. None were declared.

Approval of Agenda

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Ms. Kasi, that the AGENDA for the May 2, 2019 Finance & Facilities Committee meeting be approved. Carried

Approval of Minutes

It was moved by Ms. Kasi, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the MINUTES of the March 7, 2019 Finance & Facilities Committee meeting be approved. Carried

New Business

Q1 Financial and Factual Certificate Update (Report No. 015-19FFC)

Mr. Glasspoole provided the details for this report. He noted that at this time, significant progress has been made toward the gapping target required to avoid a deficit, and further progress is expected over the year.

Dr. Mackie advised that even though the provincial government announced its budget last month, he could not say for certain what the financial impact would be for MLHU. The latest estimate is a $2.5M reduction, but this could range from $1M to $3.5M.

The Ministry announced that there will be a change in funding ratios, moving to a 70/30 split. The Health Unit currently works with an approximate ratio of 75/25, obtaining 75 percent of its funding from the Ministry and 25 percent from municipalities. Dr. Mackie noted that the Province has advised that there may be opportunities for some one-time funding to offset some of the loss of funds. It was noted that MLHU’s municipalities have not been asked for additional funds since 2005. It is not known at this time how much additional funding the municipalities will be asked to provide.

Dr. Mackie noted that there will be a phone call tomorrow morning with Ministry staff and he is hopeful that more questions will be answered at that time.

Dr. Mackie added that the boundaries for the ten new health unit entities are currently being developed and it is anticipated that they will be announced in the fall of this year.

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Ms. Kasi, that the Finance & Facilities Committee review and recommend to the Board of Health to approve Report No. 015-19FFC re: “Q1 Financial Update and Factual Certificate.” Carried

4.2 Financial Controls Checklist (Report No. 016-19FFC)

Mr. Glasspoole explained that this checklist provides financial accountability for the Health Unit and is a critical part of the organization’s internal controls system. He advised that the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care is currently revising the checklist and it is anticipated it will be completed for review within the month. The Health Unit is in compliance with all financial controls requirements of the Ministry.

It was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Ms. Kasi, that the Finance & Facilities Committee receive Report No 016-19FFC re: “Financial Controls Checklist” for information. Carried

4.3 Q2 Physical Assets and Facilities Update (Report No. 017-19FFC)

Ms. Di Cesare noted that termination-of-lease letters have been given to the landlords for both of MLHU’s London-based offices. There was discussion regarding the lease for 50 Front Street in Strathroy. Noted was the importance of continuing to have an office in the County to provide services to the residents who live there. However, in these uncertain times, staff will strive to negotiate a fair rate on a relatively short-term lease.

There was discussion about the many uncertainties that MLHU is currently facing.

It was moved by Ms. Kasi, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Finance & Facilities Committee review and recommend that the Board of Health:
1) Receive Report No. 017-19FFC re: “Q2 Physical Assets and Facilities Update” for information; and
2) Direct staff to begin negotiations with Canba Investments Limited regarding the Strathroy Office at 51 Front Street.
Carried

Other Business

Next meeting: June 6, 2019.

Confidential

At 9:25 a.m., it was moved by Ms. Kasi, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Finance & Facilities Committee move in-camera to consider matters regarding identifiable individuals and information (e.g., a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, or financial) that belongs to the Middlesex-London Health Unit and has monetary value. Carried

At 9:38 a.m., it was moved by Ms. Kasi, seconded by Ms. Cassidy, that the Finance & Facilities Committee return to public session.
Carried

At 9:38 a.m., the Finance & Facilities Committee returned to public session.

Adjournment

At 9:39 a.m., it was moved by Ms. Cassidy, seconded by Ms. Kasi, that the meeting be adjourned. Carried

At 9:39 a.m., Chair Reid adjourned the meeting.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Matt Reid
Committee Chair

Christopher Mackie
Secretary-Treasurer