HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2019-10-21FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2019CITY OF KITCHENER
The Finance and Corporate ServicesCommittee met this date, commencing at 10:02a.m.
Present:CouncillorS. Davey -Chair
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors D. Chapman, K. Galloway-Sealock,J. Gazzola,B.
Ioannidis, M. Johnston, S. Marsh, C. Michaud, D. Schnider and P. Singh.
Staff:D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, Deputy CAO& General Manager, Community Services
V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
D. McGoldrick,General Manager, Infrastructure Services
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning
J. Bunn, Manager, Council & Committee Services/Deputy City Clerk
S. Delaney, Committee Administrator
Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the municipal code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor
P. Singh to discuss consent item 1 listed on the agenda, which was voted on and Carried.
1.DSD-19-246-ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
-REEP GREEN SOLUTIONS ANNUAL REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL
SUPPORT
The Committee considered DevelopmentServices Departmentreport DSD-19-246, dated
October 8,2019recommending the allocation of $31,370. to Reep Green Solutions.
In response to questions, Mr. M. Mayadvised the annual request did not meet the criteria of a
Tier One community grant. He noted the City could enter into a multi-year funding agreement
with Reep and have the funds built into the base operating budget.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor M. Johnston entered the meeting at this time.
In response to questions, Mr. J. Readman notedthat staff will provide a copy of the budget and
financial statement to Council before the October 28, 2019 Council meeting.
On motion by CouncillorK. Galloway-Sealock -
it was resolved:
“That, subject to the 2020 budget deliberations, $31,370. be allocated to ReepGreen
Solutions as part of the Utilities 2020 Capital Budget, as outlined in Development Services
Department report DSD-19-246.”
2.FIN-19-077-2020 USER FEES
The Committee considered FinancialServicesDepartment report FIN-19-077, dated October
10, 2019 recommending approval of the 2020 user fees and charges.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock to approve the
recommendation as outlined in Report FIN-19-077.
In response to questions, Mr. R. Hageyadvised staff consideredraising user fees above
inflation, however based on previous input from Council, staff have aimed to meet the rise of
inflation by increasing fees and charges by 2%.
In response to questions regarding wedding fees, Mr.C.Bluhmadvised the Victoria Park
Pavilion is a highly affordable option and the proposed 2021 wedding package fees would be
charged Friday through Sunday only. Further discussion took place regarding booking fees and
hourly rates at the Victoria Park Pavilion,and Mr. Bluhm agreed to provide Council with
additionaldetails regarding the wedding rental fees, before the next Council meeting. Mr. Bluhm
furtheradvisedthat this proposal would not affect those people who have already booked the
pavilion, but would only apply to those who have yet to book. The increase would not have an
impact until at least 2021.
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 21, 2019-47-CITY OF KITCHENER
2.FIN-19-077-2020 USER FEES (CONT’D)
In response to questions regarding Engineering fees, Mr. Hagey advised the schedule is
separate from development charges,which have been set and cannot be adjusted. He noted
these fees and charges relate to other development services provided by staff. Mr. Hagey also
advised DC revenue continues to be collected.
Mr. J. Readmanadvised that a delicate balance is being sought in regards to parking rates, as
they are trying to attract industry and employment to downtown,as well as ensure restaurants
and other services are viable after 5p.m.Mr. Readman further advised that an effort is being
made to attract employers to the downtown while still recouping costs, and until additional data
on the LRTis available,it would be inadvisable to raise parking rates.
A motion was brought forward by Councillor J. Gazzola to include a 3% increase to user fees.
Councillor Gazzola’s amendment was then voted on and was Carriedon a recorded vote, with
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors J. Gazzola, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston, D. Schnider
and S. Davey voting favour; and, Councillors D. Chapman, S. Marsh, K. Galloway-Sealock and
C. Michaud voting in opposition.
In response to questions, Mr. J. Lautenbach advised information relating to the infrastructure
deficit shared with Councilin May, will be recirculatedbefore the next meeting.
On motion by CouncillorP. Singh-
it was resolved:
“Thatthe proposed fees and charges contained in the 2020 User Fee Scheduleattached
toFinancial Services Department report FIN-19-077 be approved, as amended; and
further,
ThatLegal Services staff be directed to prepare the necessary by-laws to amend The City
of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapters for fees and charges pertaining to licensing,
planning applications, building permits and Committee of Adjustment applications.”
Carried, on a recorded vote.
In Favour:Mayor B. Vrbanovic and
Councillors J. Gazzola, P. Singh, B.
Ioannidis, M. Johnston, D. Schnider, S.
Davey.
Contra:Councillors D. Chapman, S.
Marsh, K. Galloway-Sealock, C.
Michaud.
3.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at11:08a.m.
S. Delaney
Committee Administrator