Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-08-12 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 12, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date commencing at 9:35 a.m. Present: Councillor S. Davey - Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, B. Ioannidis, Z. Janecki, Y. Fernandes, B. Vrbanovic, P. Singh, K. Galloway-Sealock and J. Gazzola. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance & Corporate Services P. Houston, Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development L. Johnston, Director, Corporate Communications & Marketing S. Turner, Director, By-Law Enforcement R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning P. Harris, Manager, Licensing C. Bluhm, Manager, Downtown Development C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator D. Livingstone, Committee Administrator FCS-13-128 - SOCIAL GAMING EVENT 1. - BETH JACOB CONGREGATION - OCTOBER 2, 2013 The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-13-128, dated August 1, 2013 regarding the issuance of a Provincial Lottery Licence to the Beth Jacob Congregation. It was noted on the agenda that any recommendation arising from the Committee regarding this matter would be considered at a special Council meeting being held later this date. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That the City of Kitchener has no objection to a Provincial Lottery Licence being issued to the Beth Jacob Congregation to conduct a social gaming event at the Beth Jacob Synagogue, 161 Stirling Avenue South, Kitchener, on October 2, 2013.” FCS-13-130 - LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATION 2. - UNION BURGER - 281 KING STREET WEST The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-13-130, dated August 2, 2013 recommending that no action be taken to oppose the liquor licence application for Union Burger. It was noted on the agenda that any recommendation arising from the Committee regarding this matter would be considered at a special Council meeting being held later this date. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That subject to the applicant entering into an agreement with the City including certain conditions of operating a licensed establishment as set out below, that Council take no action to oppose the application for a liquor licence for Union Burger located at 281 King Street West, applied for by Obsidian Group Inc. (herein referred to as the “Applicant”); and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to enter into an agreement with the applicant should they be willing wherein the applicant agrees to abide by the following conditions and to request they be added to their licence if the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario chooses to issue the licence: 1. to post in a conspicuous place and abide by the Downtown Licensed Establishments Code of Conduct; FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 12, 2013 - 82 - CITY OF KITCHENER FCS-13-130 - LIQUOR LICENCE APPLICATION 2. - UNION BURGER - 281 KING STREET WEST (CONT’D) 2. to become an active member of the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area’s License and Entertainment Committee and attend its meetings; 3. to abide by a set 30% monthly ratio of alcohol sales to gross refreshment sales (including food and other sundries) in other words alcohol sales will be limited to 30% of gross refreshment sales; 4. to stop serving alcohol by 2:00 a.m. daily; 5. to notify the Clerk of the City of Kitchener in writing of any application to change the license at the time the application for the change is made to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission, and not to expand the establishment without the consent of the City Council; 6. to comply with the Noise By-law and the Region of Waterloo Smoking By-law; and, 7. these conditions shall bind all successors, assigns and subsequent licence holders (if any).” FCS-13-124 - DOWNTOWN KITCHENER BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT AREA (BIA) 3. - BOUNDARY EXPANSION BY-LAW The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-13-124, dated July 23, 2013 recommending an expansion of the boundaries for the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area (BIA). Messrs. C. Goodeve and C. Bluhm provided an overview of the staff report, indicating that the proposed by-law would come into effect as of January 1, 2014. Councillor B. Ioannidis declared a pecuniary interest as he owns property within the BIA boundaries; and accordingly, he abstained from all discussion and voting regarding this matter. Carried The following motion was voted on and was on a recorded vote, with Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, Z. Janecki, Y. Fernandes, P. Singh, J. Gazzola, S. Davey, and B. Vrbanovic voting in favour. Councillor B. Ioannidis refrained from voting due to his declared pecuniary interest. Councillors F. Etherington and K. Galloway-Sealock were absent and accordingly did not vote. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - it was resolved: “That the by-law, as attached to Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-13-124, be enacted to amend City of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 70 (Board of Management Downtown Improvement Area) to expand the boundaries of the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area (BIA).” CAO-13-020 - DOWNTOWN FINANCIAL INCENTIVE REVIEW 4. - SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION The Committee considered Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-13-020, dated August 6, 2013, regarding the Downtown Financial Incentive Review. Messrs. C. Bluhm and R. Regier presented the report, indicating that the final recommendations on the Downtown Financial Incentive program are anticipated to be brought forward in the fall of 2013. Councillor B. Ioannidis declared a pecuniary interest as he owns a property within the designated boundaries of the Downtown; and accordingly, he abstained from all discussion and voting regarding this matter. FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 12, 2013 - 83 - CITY OF KITCHENER CAO-13-020 - DOWNTOWN FINANCIAL INCENTIVE REVIEW 4. - SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION (CONT’D) Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest as he has relatives who own a property within the designated boundaries of the Downtown; and accordingly, he abstained from all discussion and voting regarding this matter. Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock entered the meeting at this time. At the request of Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. Bluhm agreed to report back with information outlining the comments from the local Homeowners Association on the proposed changes to the Downtown Incentive program. In addition, he agreed to provide further information on what kind of performance related incentives could be implemented for future development to encourage such things as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification. In response to questions from Councillor Z. Janecki, Mr. Bluhm agreed to investigate the parameters set out in the Planning Act with respect to calculating payments of cash-in-lieu of parkland based on the number of units that are proposed to be constructed as part of a particular development. At the request of Councillor D. Glenn-Graham, Mr. Bluhm agreed to provide information on the potential impact of expanding the Downtown’s designated eastern boundary to incorporate the six blocks extending to Betzner Avenue South. Mr. Bluhm further agreed to circulate information outlining the total costs associated with providing the various Downtown Incentive programs as well as an overview of the specific incentives provided to the City Centre project. At the request of Councillor J. Gazzola, Mr. Regier agreed to circulate a web link to a study conducted by KPMG outlining the economic impact of the Communitech Hub on the City of Kitchener. Carried The following motion was voted on and was on a recorded vote, with Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, K. Galloway-Sealock, Z. Janecki, Y. Fernandes, S. Davey, and B. Vrbanovic voting in favour; and, Councillor J. Gazzola voting in opposition. Councillors B. Ioannidis and P. Singh refrained from voting due to their declared pecuniary interests. Councillor F. Etherington was absent from this meeting and accordingly did not vote. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: “That, subject to the direction provided by the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, staff present final recommendations on the Downtown Financial Incentive Review to a future Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting in the fall of 2013, as outlined in Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-13-020.” The Committee recessed at 11:58 a.m. and reconvened at 12:02 p.m. Chaired by Councillor S. Davey with all members present except Councillor F. Etherington. FCS-13-120 - 2014 BUDGET PROCESS 5. The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-13-120, dated August 6, 2013 regarding the proposed process for setting the 2014 Budget. Mr. R. Hagey presented the report, advising that staff are proposing a 2014 tax-supported budget with a levy increase not exceeding 1.25%; which is projected to align with inflation while maintaining existing service levels. At the request of Councillor Y. Fernandes, Ms. P. Houston agreed to investigate the potential to reduce some of the City’s non-fixed costs, such as electricity by adjusting the timing of when lights are shutoff in City facilities. Ms. Houston noted that Facilities Management staff anticipates bringing a report forward on this issue in the fall of 2013. FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 12, 2013 - 84 - CITY OF KITCHENER FCS-13-120 - 2014 BUDGET PROCESS (CONT’D) 5. In addition, Mr. D. Chapman agreed to provide a budget issue paper on the City’s overtime costs as well as a Caucus report related to unionized and non-unionized wage increases. On motion, Councillor P. Singh brought the recommendation contained in Report FCS-13-120 forward for consideration with an added clause directing staff to bring forward suggestions for an additional 0.25% reduction to the 2014 levy increase, which could be achieved through alternate revenue sources, such as the municipal sponsorship strategy, while having a minimal impact on service levels. Carried The following motion was voted on and was on a recorded vote, with Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors D. Glenn-Graham, K. Galloway-Sealock, B. Ioannidis, P. Singh, S. Davey, and B. Vrbanovic voting in favour; and, Councillors Z. Janecki, Y. Fernandes and J. Gazzola voting in opposition. Councillor F. Etherington was absent from this meeting and accordingly did not vote. On motion by Councillor P. Singh - it was resolved: “WHEREAS the City of Kitchener has established Strategic Directions for Financial Management that, when setting direction for property tax increases, require the City consider: comparison to other municipalities; inflationary factors, including those unique to municipalities; balance of service levels versus affordability; and, WHEREAS Kitchener has the lowest tax burden of cities in the Waterloo region and is well below the average of similar Ontario cities based on an independent study conducted annually by BMA Management Consultants Inc.; and, WHEREAS inflation projections for 2013 range between 1.3% to 1.5%; and, WHEREAS Kitchener citizens and City Council have indicated a preference towards inflationary tax rate increases that maintain services; THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED that staff be directed to submit the 2014 tax-supported budget with a levy increase not exceeding 1.25%; and, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that staff be directed to bring forward suggestions for an additional 0.25% reduction to the 2014 levy increase, which could be achieved through alternate revenue sources, such as the municipal sponsorship strategy, while having a minimal impact on service levels.” CSD-13-081 - HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENT MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 650 6. (LOT MAINTENANCE) The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-13-081, dated August 6, 2013, recommending an amendment to Municipal Code Chapter 650 (Lot Maintenance) regarding the outdoor storage of collectable waste materials. Mr. S. Turner was in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee. It was noted on the agenda that any recommendation arising from the Committee regarding this matter would be considered at a special Council meeting being held later this date. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That a by-law be enacted to amend Chapter 650 (Lot Maintenance) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, with respect to the outdoor storage of collectable waste, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-13-081.” FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 12, 2013 - 85 - CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 7. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 1:05 p.m. C. Goodeve Committee Administrator