Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2017-12-04 FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 4, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date, commencing at 11:00 a.m. Present: Councillor S. Davey - Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors, F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway- Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, Z. Janecki, S. Marsh, D. Schnider and P. Singh. Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer L. MacDonald, Interim Deputy CAO, Finance and Corporate Services M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services J. Miller, Executive Director, Office of CAO C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development C. Fletcher, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services J. Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services G. MacNeil, Director, By-law Enforcement C. Tarling, Director, Legislated Services/City Clerk H. Fylactou, Manager, Licensing L. Majcher, Manager, Strategy and Business Planning S. Savic, Interim Corporate Planning Advisor J. Bunn, Manager, Council & Committee Services/Deputy Clerk Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor J. Gazzola to discuss Consent items 1 and 2, which was voted on and Carried. 1. FCS-17-182 - UNCOLLECTABLE MISCELLANEOUS RECEIVABLE ACCOUNTS WRITE- OFF The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-182, dated September 30, 2017 recommending the uncollectable Miscellaneous Receivable Accounts amounting to $31,695. be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Receivables. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: That uncollectable Miscellaneous Receivable Accounts amounting to $31,695. be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Receivables, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-182. 2. FCS-17-183 - UNCOLLECTABLE UTILITY ACCOUNT WRITE-OFF The Committee considered Finance & Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-183, dated September 30, 2017 recommending the uncollectable Utility Accounts amounting to $313,820. be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Utility Receivables. In response to questions, Ms. L. MacDonald explained Council receives detailed information on uncollectable tax accounts, as permitted by the Municipal Act, 2001. She noted, it has been members of Council because of privacy legislation. She agreed to provide additional information on the privacy regulation to members of Council via email. In response to questions, Ms. L. MacDonald explained staff would follow-up via email to confirm what percentage of uncollectable utility accounts are collected by outside agencies. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: That uncollectable Utility Accounts amounting to $313,820. be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Utility Receivables, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-183. FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 4, 2017 - 58 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. FCS-17-195 - ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION - WATERLOO REGION GREEN SOLUTIONS (REEP) ANNUAL REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL SUPPORT The Committee considered Finance & Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-195, dated November 15, 2017 regarding REEP of $30,450. Ms. M. Patterson and Mr. D. Blake provided a presentation on the REEP Green Solutions Annual Report and to request support for the Environmental Advisory recommendation. They provided an overview of the work that is undertaken by REEP Green Solutions including the RAIN Smart Neighbourhoods project. In response to questions, Ms. Patterson advised REEP Green Solutions and the City of Kitchener are working collaboratively to study the results of the RAIN Smart Neighbourhoods Project and will be sharing those results with Council once they are finalized. She noted moving the RAIN Smart Neighbourhoods Project beyond the pilot may require a partnership between REEP and the City, as well as through funding opportunities. The following motion was voted on and was Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote. On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: That subject to the 2018 budget deliberations, and as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-195, $30,450. be allocated to Reep Green Solutions, as part of the Legislated Budget. 4. CAO-17-027 - 2018 CORPORATE BUSINESS PLAN - STRATEGIC ACTIONS The Committee report CAO-17-027, dated November 22, 2017 recommending the City of Kitchener 2018 Strategic Action Plan be approved, subject to budget deliberations. Ms. L. Majcher presented the Report and responded to questions from the Committee. In response to questions, Ms. G. MacNeil explained the City is engaged in Joint Services project and cost-sharing initiative with the City of Waterloo for the development of an Administrative Monetary Penalties System (AMPS). She indicated if the project is delayed to a future year, the City would have to cover the full cost in the research and development portion of this project, as well as potentially the full cost of hiring an AMPS Hearing Officer. In response to questions, Ms. MacNeil noted any review of the noise by-law with respect to weekend construction would require extensive public consultation and research. She further explained the City does receive inquiries related to whether or not weekend construction is permitted; the City receives minimal noise complaints relating to construction during weekends. In response to questions, Ms. L. Majcher explained Compass Kitchener will be leading the community survey process in 2018 and will be proposing a community engagement plan to follow-up on the results of the community survey. She indicated the survey will be completed in the Spring of 2018 and the results will be presented to Council prior to the summer recess. Mr. D. Chapman indicated staff will follow-up via email to a question if 5G technology is included within the advocacy for the Broadband & Fibre Optic Infrastructure Strategic Action Item. Councillor Y. Fernandes brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation as outlined in Report CAO-17-027. Mayor B. Vrbanovic brought forward an amendment directing staff to research a variety of options and best practices used by other municipalities to better control the cat population and increase the ability to return cats to their owners when they become lost (including, but not FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 4, 2017 - 59 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CAO-17-027 - 2018 CORPORATE BUSINESS PLAN - STRATEGIC ACTIONS (C limited to: licensing, microchipping, spay and neuter clinics), and to provide a report back to City Council in early 2019 with the results of the best practices research and a recommendation on which option, or combinations of options, the City should pursue. amendment was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Marsh, D. Schnider, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway- Sealock, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington, P. Singh, and S. Davey voting in favour; and, Councillors J. Gazzola, and Z. Janecki voting in opposition. Mayor B. Vrbanovic brought forward an amendment directing staff to study best practices in other municipalities to reduce speeds on residential streets, and in particular to look at a 40km/h speed limit, and to prepare a report for early 2019 having any next steps considered as part of the 2019 work plan. amendment was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Marsh, D. Schnider, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway- Sealock, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington, P. Singh, and S. Davey voting in favour; and, Councillors J. Gazzola, and Z. Janecki voting in opposition. Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock brought forward an amendment to move the South-West end Community Centre business case to 2018 and completion to 2019. Councillor K. Galloway-amendment was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Marsh, D. Schnider, K. Galloway- Sealock, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington, P. Singh, and S. Davey voting in favour; and, Councillors J. Gazzola, Z. Janecki, and Y. Fernandes voting in opposition. The following motion was voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors J. Gazzola, S. Marsh, D. Schnider, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway- Sealock, B. Ioannidis, F. Etherington, P. Singh, and S. Davey voting in favour; and, Councillor Z. Janecki voting in opposition. On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: That the City of Kitchener 2018 Strategic Action Plan outlined in Appendix B to Chief report CAO-17-027 be approved, as amended, subject to budget deliberations. The Committee recessed at 1:18 p.m. and reconvened at 1:41 p.m., Chaired by Councillor S. Davey with all members present. 5. FCS-17-149 - COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS LICENSE REVIEW The Committee considered Finance & Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-149, dated November 20, 2017 recommending the new Comprehensive Business Licensing By-Law be approved and the 2018 User Fee Schedule be amended to include the fees set out in the Report. Ms. H. Fylactou presented the Report and responded to questions from the Committee. On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: That the new Comprehensive Business Licensing By-law, as attached to and outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-149, be approved; and further, Tha effective April 1, 2018 be approved; and that the 2018 User Fee Schedule be amended to include . FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 4, 2017 - 60 - CITY OF KITCHENER 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 2:17 p.m. J. Bunn Manager, Council and Committee Services/Deputy City Clerk