HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-09-30
FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date commencing at 10:33 a.m.
Present: Councillor S. Davey - Chair
Councillors J. Gazzola, D. Glenn-Graham, B. Ioannidis, Z. Janecki, K. Galloway-
Sealock, Y. Fernandes, F. Etherington and P. Singh.
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
W. Malcolm, Director of Utilities
D. Hergott, Manager, Facilities Management
K. Feere, Manager, Interim Market Manager
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
FCS-13-150 - RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (REEP) GREEN
1.
SOLUTIONS
- 2014 FUNDING REQUEST
The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-13-150,
dated September 20, 2013 regarding the allocation of $27,500. to the Waterloo Region Green
Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), as part of the Environmental
Committee’s 2014 Operating Budget.
Ms. Mary Jane Patterson, Executive Director of REEP, and Mr. Dave Blake, Business
Development Manager, reviewed REEP’s achievements in 2012/2013 and their goals for 2014,
stating that the grant request of $27,500. would represent the City of Kitchener’s contribution to
REEP’s 2014 core budget. Ms. Patterson stated that REEP continues to work towards healthier
homes and sustainable communities, with a mandate to go beyond home energy evaluations
into a broader environmental programming based on community need. Mr. Blake noted that
REEP is engaged in the following programs: REEP House for Sustainable Living; ClimateAction
WR plan; RAIN: an ecological approach to stormwater management; Home Energy Efficiency;
REEP Corporate Partnership Program to help employees of organizations live more sustainably;
and, the Home Assistance Program geared towards energy poverty and electricity conservation.
Councillor D. Glenn-Graham questioned whether REEP was seeking new ways to evolve the
home energy evaluations to provide greater encouragement to residents to continue with
improving their homes efficiencies. Mr. Blake advised that REEP is currently working with the
City to develop a Local Improvement Charge Financing (LIC) program that is anticipated to
renew the interest in home energy evaluations. He further advised that there are still details to
be determined but it is anticipated that LIC program details will be circulated to Council prior to
the end of 2014.
In response to questions, Mr. W. Malcolm agreed to follow-up regarding the subsidy that
Kitchener Utilities has provided residents since 2012 as an incentive to participate in the home
energy evaluations.
In response to questions from Councillor J. Gazzola, Ms. P. Houston agreed to follow up on the
number of Kitchener residents that have participated in the RAIN program and the number of
storm water rebates that have been received since the launch of the program in 2012.
Mr. D. Chapman responded to further questions noting that currently the grant provided to REEP
is listed as a line item within the Environmental Committee annual operating budget. He further
advised that approving the grant outlined in Report FSC-13-150 would still be subject to
approval as part of Council’s 2014 Budget deliberation.
On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes -
it was resolved:
FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 30, 2013 - 92 - CITY OF KITCHENER
FCS-13-150 - RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROGRAM (REEP) GREEN
1.
SOLUTIONS
- 2014 FUNDING REQUEST (CONT’D)
“That subject to the 2014 budget deliberations, $27,500. be allocated to the Waterloo
Region Green Solutions, Residential Energy Efficiency Project (REEP), as part of the
Environmental Committee’s 2014 Operating Budget, as outlined in Finance and
Corporate Services Report FCS-13-150.”
INS-13-077 - MIK GAS RATES FOLLOW-UP
2.
- GAS SUPPLY OPTIONS
The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-13-077, dated
September 24, 2013 regarding natural gas purchasing supply options. In addition the
Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Mr. H. Drewitz, dated September 30, 2013
concerning the City’s natural gas rate purchasing policy. Mr. W. Malcolm was in attendance and
responded to questions from the Committee.
Mr. Harald Drewitz, Resident, addressed the Committee expressing concerns regarding the
effectiveness of the current natural gas purchasing policy. In addition, he questioned why the
policy had not been updated since 2006.
In response to questions, Ms. P. Houston advised that the subject Report was provided in
response to direction given at the May 27, 2013 Finance and Corporate Services Committee
meeting, where staff were requested to review the feasibility for purchasing gas supply from
Union Gas. She further advised that staff will be undertaking a comprehensive public review
prior to the next purposed rate change on July 1, 2014, to review the current natural gas
purchasing policy.
At the request of Councillor P. Singh, Mr. Malcolm agreed to report back on the public
engagement process and the options being purposed to obtain feedback prior to undertaking the
policy review.
CAO-13-021 - KITCHENER MARKET UPDATE 2013
3.
The Committee considered Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-13-021, dated September 9,
2013 regarding an update on the Kitchener Market. In addition the Committee was in receipt of
a presentation entitled “Kitchener Market Update 2013”, dated September 30, 2013. The
Committee was in further receipt of a revised chart entitled “Financials 2009 - 2012 Overview”.
Ms. K. Feere presented the report.
ADJOURNMENT
4.
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 1:08 p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator