HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2021-12-13 - Final Budget
Finance and Corporate Services
Committee Minutes
December 13, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Electronic Meeting
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Gazzola
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. Ioannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Marsh
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
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
L. MacDonald, City Solicitor
M. Seiling, Director, Building
G. St.Louis, Director, Utilities
B. Lam, Director, Sanitary and Stormwater Utility
K. Kugler, Director, Sport
B. Rowland, Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing
N. Lobley, Director, Parks and Cemeteries
P. McCormick, Manager, Parking Enterprise
D. Mange, Committee Administrator
D. Saunderson, Manager, Council and Committee
Services/Deputy Clerk
S. Goldrup, Committee Administrator
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1. Commencement
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held an electronic meeting this
date, commencing at 10:04 a.m., Chaired by Councillor S. Davey.
2. Discussion Items
2.1 FIN-2021-62 - 2022 Final Budget
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2021-62,
dated December 7, 2020, related to the 2022 Budget, which is primarily intended
to provide updates on the Operating and Capital Budget presentations and
provide information required by the Municipal Act. The Committee was also in
receipt of Issue Paper BD 14 entitled " 2022 Budget Public Input" including all the
feedback received through the online survey related to the budget, a Council
Report containing draft resolutions related to the 2021 Budget for consideration
this date, as well as a written submission from D. Truman, Cycle WR, including
comments on the 2022 Budget.
a. Overview
Jonathan Lautenbach provided opening remarks, noting the overall Operating
Budget includes a proposed tax rate increase of 1.9%, which represents a
$21/year annual impact to the taxpayer. J. Lautenbach noted the City's tax levy
increase is lowest of all of the municipalities within the Region.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock entered the meeting at
this time.
In response to questions, J. Lautenbach noted staff could review the budget
package information and for future years to include highlight information on the
proposed budget increase slide, and consider including the financial impacts of
cycling infrastructure and sidewalk maintenance on the City's budget.
Ryan Hagey stated any recommendation arising from the Finance and Corporate
Services Committee meeting would be forwarded to Special Council later this
date, which will conclude the 2022 Budget process and establish the final tax
levy rate and will take into consideration any adjustments made throughout the
meeting.
b. Boards
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a. Kitchener Public Library
M. Chevreau and A. Riddell, Kitchener Public Library (KPL), were in attendance
to respond to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock
it was resolved:
presented"
Carried
b. Centre in the Square
R. Sonoda and D. Daub, Centre in the Square (CITS), were in attendance to
respond to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock
it was resolved:
oved, as
presented"
Carried
c. Enterprise Operating Budgets
a. Building Enterprise
The Committee considered Issue Paper BD 01 entitled "Building Rate Increase
Scenarios" including information showing possible rate increases that would
improve the
remain unchanged as approved by Council in consideration of the user fees
outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2021-57.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
presented"
Carried
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b. Golf Enterprise
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
Carried
c. Parking Enterprise
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
presented."
Carried
d. Gas Utility
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
Carried
e. Water Utility
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
Carried
f. Sanitary Utility
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
Carried
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g. Stormwater Utility
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
Carried
d. Capital Budget
The Committee considered Issue Papers BD 02 entitled "Additional Funding for
Affordable Housing/Other Capital Options", Issue Paper BD 03 entitled
"Affordable Housing Reserve & Development Charges Grant" and Issue Paper
BD 04 entitle
requested by Council during the Finance and Corporate Services Committee
meeting on November 29, 2021.
R. Hagey provided opening remarks related to the Capital Budget, noting the
proposed Capital budget remains unchanged from the details presented at the
Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting on November 29, 2021.
J. Readman provided an overview of Housing for All, the affordable housing
strategy that was approved by Council in December 2020. J. Readman provided
a summary of the initiative the City can play a role in addressing the housing
crisis. It was noted the Housing for All Strategy includes 43 actions and 7 priority
areas. J. Readman further advised the most effective way the City of Kitchener
can incentivize supportive and affordable housing is through Development
Charge reimbursement for not-for-profit housing projects. J. Readman indicated
as part of the 2022 Budget deliberation, Council has an opportunity to allocate
funding to the Development Charge reserve to address affordable housing
initiatives. J. Readman stated staff anticipated reporting back in early 2022 on a
DC policy for supportive and affordable housing.
It was noted the 2022 Capital Budget also includes options for Council to make
additional investments in three priority areas. Options in a) affordable housing, b)
provided at the funding levels of $250,000, $500,000 and $1,000,000. As part of
the Capital Budget discussions in November, Council asked staff to find
additional funding for these priority areas. Staff have accomplished this and
identified nearly $1.8M of additional funding that could invested.
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Councillor B. Ioannidis brought forward a motion to allocate $2M. to affordable
infrastructure gap.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether it would be possible to approve the
proposed funding, but delay the allocation of $750K until further announcements
are made by the Federal Government, as there is a possibility that items such as
receive funding supports through other programs.
J. Lautenbach stated if it was Council's will, $750K could be held in reserves and
allocated at a later date.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic noted he would be willing to approve the funding but defer its
allocation until following the approval of the federal governments budget.
In response to questions J. Readman indicated it is anticipated that staff will be
reporting back in early 2022 on the Development Charges Policy for supportive
and affordable housing. In response to further questions, J. Readman stated staff
can follow up with Council to provide additional information the funding that has
currently been allocated to support a Better Tent City.
In response to questions, Denise McGoldrick stated if the funding was not
allocated by Council today, it could possibly impact staffs ability to complete
some of the projects in 2022. D. McGoldrick noted the complexity and stage of
the project is what would impact whether the funding allocation would have
impact on the projected work. In response to further questions, D. McGoldrick
stated if $250k of funding was allocated to community trails it would allow that
work to be completed in 2022.
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock brought forward an amendment to Councillor
Ioannidis's motion to allocate $2M. to affordable housing, $250K to community
Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with respect to Capital Projects
Mill St and Courtland Avenue, Second Avenue, Connaught Street and Franklin
Street as members of his family own property in the vicinity of the subject
projects. Accordingly, he did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding
those matters.
Councillor J. Gazzola brought forward a further amendment to allocate $1M to
affordable housing, $1M to reduce the 2022 tax levy and $250K for affordable
housing.
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In response to questions, J. Lautenbach noted $500K of the identified is Federal
Gas Tax Funding and would not be eligible to be transferred towards the tax levy.
Councillor Gazzola requested a recorded vote.
Councillor Gazzola's amendment was then voted on and LOST on a recorded
vote, with Councillors D. Chapman and J. Gazzola voting in favour; and, Mayor
B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Marsh, M. Johnston, B. Ioannidis, P. Singh, K.
Galloway-Sealock, C. Michaud, D. Schnider and S. Davey voting in opposition.
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock's amendment to allocate $2M. to affordable
infrastructure gap was then voted on and LOST on a recorded vote, with Mayor
B. Vrbanovic and Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock voting in favour; and,
Councillor D. Chapman, J. Gazzola, S. Marsh, M. Johnston, B. Ioannidis, P.
Singh, C. Michaud, D. Schnider and S. Davey voting in opposition.
The following motion was then voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote,
with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Marsh, D. Chapman, M. Johnston, B.
Ioannidis, P. Singh, K. Galloway-Sealock, C. Michaud, D. Schnider and S. Davey
voting in favour; and, Councillor J. Gazzola voting in opposition.
Moved by Councillor B. Ioannidis:
it was resolved:
"That the Capital Investment Funding Option be allocated as follows:
* $2M allocated to Affordable Housing Reserve & DC Grants;
* $250K Facility Infrastructure Gaps; and,
* $500K Community Trails."
The Committee was then requested to vote on the creation of an Affordable
Housing Reserve, noted as resolution #3 on the Draft Resolution sheet.
Councillor J. Gazzola requested a recorded vote.
Moved by Councillor M. Johnston
it was resolved:
"That the Affordable Housing reserve (with terms of reference to be
determined at a later date) be approved."
Carried unanimously on a recorded vote.
e. Tax Supported Operating Budget
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R. Hagey noted the Operating Budget remains unchanged, but projected deficit
has been reviewed and updated since the November 15, 2021 Finance and
Corporate Services Committee meeting - Operating Budget Day. R. Hagey
further advised the operating portion of the agenda does also include a number
of issue papers that were requested of staff from Council on that date for
consideration.
a. BD 07 Neighbours Day Funding Increase
The Committee considered Issue Paper BD 07 - Neighbours Day Funding
Increase related to identifying ways that the City could enhance Neighbours Day
coming out of the pandemic, if the budget was permanently increased to
$50,000.
On motion by Councillor P. Singh
it was resolved:
"That the total budget for Neighbours Day operations, be increased from
$30,000 to $50,000 funded by the tax levy."
Carried
b. BD 08 House of Friendship Food Distribution at Community Centres
The Committee considered Issue Paper BD 08 - House of Friendship Food
Distribution at Community Centres related to a letter received from the House of
Friendship on December 2, 2021 the House of Friendship requesting additional
funding to support food distribution at our community centres.
On motion by Councillor D. Chapman
it was resolved:
"That the House of Friendship be provided one-time $50,000 grant
allocation in 2022 funded by the tax levy, as outlined in Issue Paper BD
08."
Carried
c. BD 09 - Social Development Centre Waterloo Region Funding Request
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The Committee considered Issue Paper BD 09 entitled Social Development
Centre Waterloo Region Funding Request related to their grant funding request
in the amount of $63,200.
Councillor D. Chapman requested a recorded vote.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic requested the funding request and staffs recommendation to
work with the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region to assist in advancing
their work be voted on separately.
The Social Development Centre Waterloo Region was then voted on and was
LOST on a recorded vote with Councillors S. Marsh and D. Chapman voting in
favour and Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, J.
Gazzola, C. Michaud, K. Galloway-Sealock, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston
voting in opposition.
The following recommendation was then voted on.
On motion by Councillor D. Chapman
it was resolved:
"That staff be directed to work with the Social Development Centre
Waterloo Region on a grant submission request to the Region of Waterloo
or other funders to further develop the Civic Hub Program and Eviction
Prevention Work; and further,
That research on the feasibility and implications of a tenant assistance
policy conducted by City of Kitchener staff include engagement with the
Social Development Centre and other local not for profits."
In Favour (11): Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor S.
Davey, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor J. Gazzola,
Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor K. Galloway-
Sealock, Councillor P. Singh, Councillor B. Ioannidis,
Councillor M. Johnston, Councillor D. Chapman, and
Councillor S. Marsh
Carried unanimously (11 to 0)
d. BD 10 - Resources to Explore Planning Policies to Accelerate Purpose-Built
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Councillor P. Singh brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation
outlined in BD 10 - Resources to Explore Planning Policies to Accelerate
Purpose-Built.
It was noted the Committee would need to recess and the balance of the
discussion related to this matter would be addressed once the Committee
reconvened.
The Committee recessed at 12:48 p.m. and reconvened at 1:34 p.m., Chaired by
Councillor S. Davey with all members present.
In response to questions, J. Readman advised if the position is hired later in the
year it would impact the incentivization of these purpose-built development
applications.
Councillor D. Chapman brought forward a motion to approve the
recommendation outlined in BD10 as a one-year pilot project to further assess
rental-units outside of the affordable housing category.
Councillor Chapman requested a recorded vote.
Councillor Chapman's amendment was then voted on and was LOST on a
recorded vote with Councillor D. Chapman voting in favour; and, Mayor B.
Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Marsh, M. Johnston, B. Ioannidis, P. Singh, K.
Galloway-Sealock, C. Michaud, J. Gazzola, D. Schnider and S. Davey voting in
opposition.
The following motion was then voted on, on a recorded vote.
On motion by Councillor P. Singh
it was resolved:
"That an additional Full Time Equivalent (FTE) and associated operating
budget be approved, to fund a Project Manager with the Planning Division
that is focused on accelerating purpose-built rental development
applications."
In Favour (11): Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor S.
Davey, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor J. Gazzola,
Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor K. Galloway-
Sealock, Councillor P. Singh, Councillor B. Ioannidis,
Councillor M. Johnston, Councillor D. Chapman, and
Councillor S. Marsh
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Carried unanimously (11 to 0)
e. BD 11 - Heritage Planning Resource
The Committee considered Issue Paper BD 11 - Heritage Planning Resource
related to the possibility/need to hire an additional Heritage Planner to implement
the work of Heritage Kitchener subcommittees.
Councillor D. Chapman moved the recommendation outlined in BD 11 - Heritage
Planning Resource.
Councillor Chapman's motion was voted on and was LOST.
f. BD 12 - Downtown Snow Clearing
The Committee considered Issue Paper BD 12 - Downtown Snow Clearing
including additional information about expanding the Downtown area for winter
sidewalk maintenance by the City of Kitchener to improve access to the Market
District and light rail transit (LRT).
g. BD 13 - Change the Mileage Requirements
The Committee considered Issue Paper BD 13 - Mileage & Per Diem rates
including a comparison of the current mileage and per diem rates used by local
municipalities.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That effective January 1st of each year, the City of Kitchener adopt the
reimbursement rate. For 2022, the mileage rate will be $0.59/km for the
first 5,000 kilometres driven, and $0.53 for each additional kilometre; and
further,
breakfast, $20 for lunch, $35 for dinner)."
Carried
f. Resolutions
Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with respect to Capital Projects
Mill St and Courtland Avenue, Second Avenue, Connaught Street and Franklin
Street as members of his family own property in the vicinity of the subject
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projects. Accordingly, he did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding
those matters.
The Capital Projects subject to the declared pecuniary interest were then voted
and were Carried.
The following motion was then voted and was Carried.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
Operating Budget be approved, as outlined in the draft resolution sheet
Carried
3. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 2:06 p.m.
Dianna Saunderson
Manger, Council and Committee Services/
Deputy Clerk
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