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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-02-02 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 2. 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date commencing at 7:00 p.m. Present: Councillor S. Davey-Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway- Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. loannidis, Z. Janecki, S. Marsh, D. Schnider, and P. Singh. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services H. Gross,Acting Deputy CAO, Infrastructure Services R. Hagey,Acting Deputy CAO, Finance &Corporate Services J. Rehill, Fire Chief D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1. DRAFT 2015 BUDGET-PUBLIC CONSULTATION The Committee was in receipt this date of a draft of 2015 Budget Issue Paper 11 (Public Input — Draft for Public Input Night), which provides an overview of the various methods that were employed to engage residents in the 2015 budget deliberation process. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of presentation materials from: Doon Pioneer Park Community Association; Mill-Courtland Neighbourhood Association; Mr. Harald Drewtiz; and, Mr. Vaughn Bender. Mr. R. Hagey presented the draft Issue Paper, advising it will be updated and redistributed as part of the Final Budget Day package. He reviewed the consultative measures, including: public meetings; a dedicated telephone line; email address; mail; interactive budget calculator webpage on the City's website; and, social media. He noted that Council is anticipated to finalize the 2015 Budget on February 23, 2015. Councillor S. Davey welcomed members of the public and advised that this special meeting was being held to receive input and feedback with respect to the draft 2015 Budget. He stated that public consultation is the foundation of the budget process and recognized the importance of reaching as many citizens as possible to provide input and engage Council. He commented that as the intent of this meeting was to hear from the public, Councillors were encouraged to refrain from asking any questions of the delegations; except those needed to clarify what a delegation had stated. Ms. Pam Ritz, Doon Pioneer Park Community Association, addressed the Committee to express concerns for the further deferral of the expansion of the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre (DPPCC). She stated that the proposed expansion was first discussed in 1999 and scheduled for construction in 2007. She noted that it has since been delayed in the 2015 Capital Budget for the fifth time to 2017. She indicated that the population in the DPPCC catchment area has increased by 20% since 2011, and the Centre is already struggling to meet the needs of the residents, which is evident from the growing waitlists. She further advised that the deferral will continue to restrict the Centre's ability to meet the needs of the growing community. Ms. Jennifer Urosevic, Mill-Courtland Neighbourhood Association and Ms. Julie Allen-Gilbert, Highland Stirling Community Group, addressed the Committee, advising that both of their neighbourhood groups operate out of the Mill-Courtland Community Centre. They expressed sympathy with the growing demands on the City's Budget and noted that they respect the decision to postpone the expansion of the Centre, to allow for higher priority expansions such as DPPCC and the southwest communities to be addressed. Ms. Urosevic requested that Council and staff continue to engage the Neighbourhood Associations in the decisions that are made regarding the Community Centre and the proposed expansion, currently scheduled for 2019. Ms. Allen-Gilbert further advised that the Centre does have one immediate need, and requested that an outdoor storage unit be purchased. She noted that there are times that programming cannot be accommodated due to the lack of storage space at the Facility, and an outdoor storage unit would help to alleviate some of those challenges. In response to questions regarding the outdoor storage facility, Ms. Urosevic advised that it was her understanding that purchasing the unit was beyond the current budget allocation for the Centre. She noted that they would be seeking a modest sized storage unit approximately the size of one parking space. FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 2. 2015 -23 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1. DRAFT 2015 BUDGET-PUBLIC CONSULTATION (CONT'D) Mr. John Nolan, Rockway Advisory Council, was registered as a delegation but advised he could not be in attendance this date. Councillor S. Davey called Mr. Jeffrey Beckner forward to address Committee; however, Mr. Beckner was not in attendance at the meeting. Messrs. Frank Prospero, Michael Yasher and Tom Fenske, Williamsburg Community Association, addressed the Committee expressing concerns with the possibility of amendments to the Capital Budget that would further delay the construction of a Community Centre in the southwest end of the City. Mr. Prospero advised that the Williamsburg Community Association has been operating for over 5 years in one of the fastest growing areas of the City. He advised that his Association currently utilizes a 3,000 sq.ft. space located on the second floor of the Williamsburg Town Centre. He noted that space is limited and they are struggling to meet the needs of the growing community. Mr. Prospero requested that when considering the Capital Budget that Council not make any changes that would further postpone construction of a permanent centre beyond 2020 as proposed in the 2015 Capital Forecast. In response to questions, Mr. Prospero agreed to provide the Committee with copies of his presentation. Mr. Harald Drewitz addressed the Committee regarding the proposed 2015 tax levy and fee increases related to municipal services, indicating that the City's rates have outpaced inflation. He expressed concerns with the tax rate, noting that with the increases from the Region of Waterloo and the local area School Boards, the average homeowner is anticipated to see an increase on their annual tax bill of over $100. He expressed further concerns with the procedures relating to delegations and the time limits imposed on them, noting that the City of Waterloo and the Region permit delegations to address Council for 10 minutes during the Budget process. Mr. Jeff Maclntyre, Creative Enterprise Initiative (CEI), requested that Council maintain the grant funding support for CEI in 2015 equal to the grant provided in 2014. He noted that CEI is an organization that helps to enrich the community by supporting arts and culture. He stated that currently the organization is undertaking a strategic review to evaluate their current operational structure, indicating that while undertaking the review they are still fully operational. He further advised that CEI receives funding through various public sources, and have been able to meet their commitment to leverage $305,000. in matching funding from the private sector. In response to questions, Mr. Maclntyre agreed to provide the Committee with their 2014 financial statements. Mr. Paul Britton, MHBC Planning Inc. addressed the Committee on behalf of Hallman Construction, Freure Homes, Sunvest Reid and Activa Holdings. He expressed concerns with the possible postponement of the Strasburg Road Trunk Sewer Extension, noting that it is currently scheduled in the Capital Forecast for 2015. He requested that the timing of the Trunk Sewer remain unchanged as a number of the projects, both public and private are dependent on that Sewer. Mr. Vaughn Bender, Becker Estates Inc. and RBJ Schlegel Holdings, addressed the Committee expressing concerns for the possible postponement of the Strasburg Road Trunk Sewer Extension. He reference the Huron Community Plan circulated to the Committee this date, noting that developers and builders in the subject area have been investigating methods to advance the construction of portions of Strasburg Road. He advised that although the sewer will assist in advancing private development, it is also required for public developments, including a proposed Catholic School, library and potential Regional Transit hub. He further advised that he is in support of the current timing for the proposed Strasburg Road Trunk Sewer Extension. Mr. Terry Ross addressed the Committee, expressing concerns for approving a budget that is reliant on funding from other levels of governments that have not yet finalized their budgets. He noted that, in his opinion, the City should focus on maintaining existing infrastructure prior FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE FEBRUARY 2. 2015 -24- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. DRAFT 2015 BUDGET-PUBLIC CONSULTATION (CONT'D) to approving budgets for the construction on new infrastructure. He further advised that the City should not approve a budget that is unaffordable or sustainable. Ms. Monica See addressed the Committee, expressing concerns relating to snow removal, specifically the amount of time that lapses between snow fall ending and the entire City being fully cleared of snow. 2. ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:56 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator