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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2015-04-27COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 27, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Council of the City of Kitchener met this date with all members present. 1. COMMENCEMENT — The meeting began with the singing of "0 Canada ". 2. MINUTES — On motion by Councillor K. Gal loway- Sealock, the minutes of the regular meeting held April 13, 2015 and special meeting held April 20, 2015), as mailed to the Mayor and Councillors, were accepted. 3. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF - NIL 4. COMMUNICATIONS REFERRED TO FILE — NIL 5. PRESENTATIONS — 5.a. 2014 Annual Report of Kitchener - Wilmot Hydro / Kitchener Power Corporation Messrs. Jerry Van Ooteghem, President and CEO, and Mark Jackson, Chair, Kitchener - Wilmot Hydro, were in attendance to present the 2014 annual report of Kitchener - Wilmot Hydro Inc. (KWHI) / Kitchener Power Corporation. Mr. Jackson presented a cheque for the 2014 Reforestation Grant of $45,000. to Mr. D. Chapman, Deputy CAO - Finance & Corporate Services and City Treasurer, representing KWHI's commitment to replenish trees removed as a result of maintenance of its hydro lines; as well as a dividend cheque in the amount of $3.9M. 6. DELEGATIONS — 6.a. Samuel/ Simeon Street Reconstruction —Sidewalk Inf ill Council was in receipt of Infrastructure Services Department report INS -15 -037 (S. Allen), dated April 22, 2015 regarding the Samuel / Simeon Streets Reconstruction project, which includes the installation of sidewalks along both sides of the affected streets. Mr. David Bradshaw and Ms. Mary Stevens, area residents, gave a presentation in which they requested Council forego the installation of sidewalks along both sides of Simeon Street. The delegation suggested the current configuration of sidewalks leading down Simeon toward Sheppard Public School forces children to cross at the corners, funneling children to the eastern side of the street and causing them to cross in the relative safety of side streets. Additionally, concerns were expressed the proposed sidewalk would result in the removal of a number of street trees, thereby negatively impacting the unique heritage dimensions of a neighbourhood established in 1932. Ms. Stevens noted they have a petition signed by 170 residents, all of whom are opposed to the proposed sidewalk. Mr. Mike Boos addressed Council in support of the City's sidewalk infill policies, advising the City has established policies in place to promote the installation of sidewalks; however, every time this issue comes forward there are complaints from area residents stating sidewalks are not compatible with their neighbourhood. He suggested if the City does not apply a consistent approach to this issue, it will not be able to achieve its goals of creating walkable pedestrian - friendly communities. In response to questions, Mr. S. Allen, Manager — Engineering Design & Approvals, advised that where possible, the proposed sidewalk is placed near the road, with a minimum boulevard, to keep it as far from the homes as possible. He stated there are some areas where the sidewalk alignment runs closer to the homes than others to avoid damage to existing trees; however, it is always on the City right -of -way. He estimated a total of four trees would have to be removed along Simeon Street as a result of the sidewalk, commenting that two of those trees are smaller than the calibre of tree the City would normally replant as part of a reconstruction project. Mr. Allen confirmed the sidewalk could be removed from this project even after the tender for the road reconstruction has been approved. He noted it would not be feasible to implement any revised alignments of the sidewalk as that would necessitate the road being redesigned. Questions were raised regarding the development of a comprehensive Sidewalk Infill Policy. Mr. J. Readman, Director— Transportation Services, advised the Policy is anticipated to come forward to APRIL 27, 2015 COUNCIL MINUTES -81- CITY OF KITCHENER the May 25, 2015 Community and Infrastructure Services Committee meeting. Additionally, he agreed to provide further information as to the number of complaints the City has received regarding pedestrian safety along Simeon Street. Moved by Councillor S. Marsh Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider "That the installation of sidewalks as part of the Samuel / Simeon Streets Reconstruction project be deferred pending consideration of a Sidewalk Infill Policy, which is scheduled to be dispensed with prior to June 30, 2015." Carried Unanimously, on a recorded vote. Identifying Cultural Heritage Landscapes (CHL) Mr. Bob Huck, Huck Glove, addressed Council in opposition to the identification of the Warehouse District within the Cultural Heritage Landscapes (CHL) Study, listed as Clause 2 on the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee report. He stated his property at 120 Victoria Street South is located in the Warehouse District, adding in 2010 Council recommended it not be listed on the City's Municipal Heritage Register. He expressed concern he was not properly informed about the proposed identification of his property in the CHL Study and requested it be excluded from any future phases of this project. Mr. Mark McInnis advised that even though he lives in one of the City's four designated Cultural Heritage Districts, he is opposed to the CHL Study citing concerns regarding any potential limitations this may pose to the redevelopment of his properties which have been identified within one of the 55 proposed CHLs. He expressed concern regarding the lack of consultation undertaken to date with respect to the CHL Study and requested this matter be deferred to allow time for the affected property owners to be notified. In response to questions, Mr. L. Bensason, Co- ordinator — Cultural Heritage Planning, advised the entire City was the study area for this initiative, adding community engagement measures reflected the broad study area and included a webpage, newspaper ads and public meetings. He stated that while all property owners were not circulated individual notices, notice letters were sent to property owners of candidate CHLs where the boundary encompassed a single property. He added notice of the Study progress and all public and committee meetings was also sent to all Neighbourhood Associations, interest groups, individuals who attended public meetings and others who asked to be put on a mailing list. He noted public meetings were well attended and the local newspapers provided excellent coverage. Mr. Bensason further advised in Phase II, the City will mail individual notices to engage all property owners within significant CHLs prior to the identification of significant CHLs in the Official Plan and listing on Municipal Heritage Register. He commented the City has a strong history of success in balancing development and heritage conservation efforts, particularly in the Downtown by proactively identifying significant CHLs, the City would continue to accommodate change and development while addressing heritage policy requirements. On motion by Councillor P. Singh, seconded by Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock, Clause 2 of the Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee report was brought forward for consideration. At the request of Councillor S. Davey, it was agreed that Paragraph 3 of Clause 2 of the Committee report would be revised to accept the inclusion of the word "heritage" in the three locations identified on the documentation circulated to Council this date. A motion was brought forward by Councillor B. loannidis, seconded by Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock, to defer consideration of Clause 2 of the Committee report to the October 5, 2015 Council meeting to allow time for notification to be sent to all affected property owners. Councillor B. loannidis' deferral motion was then voted on and was LOST on a recorded vote, with Councillor B. loannidis voting in favour; and, Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors K. Galloway - Sealock, S. Marsh, D. Schnider, J. Gazzola, F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, Z. Janecki, S. Davey and P. Singh voting in opposition. APRIL 27, 2015 COUNCIL MINUTES -82- Moved by Councillor P. Singh Seconded by Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock CITY OF KITCHENER "That Clause 2 of the Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee report, as revised, be adopted." Voted on Clause by Clause. Clause 2, Paragraph 3 as revised — Carried on a recorded vote In Favour: Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors K. Galloway - Sealock, P. Singh, D. Schnider, B. loannidis and S. Davey. Contra: Councillors J. Gazzola, F. Etherington, S. Marsh, Y. Fernandes and Z. Janecki. Balance of report — Carried Unanimously on a recorded vote. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS — HERITAGE KITCHENER Moved by Councillor Z. Janecki Seconded by Councillor J. Gazzola "That the report of Heritage Kitchener be adopted." Carried. 6.b. Tenders Mr. D. Chapman, Deputy CAO — Finance and Corporate Services, introduced Ms. Michelle Palmer - Novakovic, who was recently hired as the new Director of Supply Service, and was in attendance to answer questions arising from the tender(s) listed on the Committee of the Whole agenda of this date. Messrs. Levi Oakey and Mike Boos were in attendance and addressed Council in support of the installation of sidewalks and bicycle lane installation proposed as part of the Tender T15 -001 - Union Street, Maple Avenue & Sereda Road project. Moved by Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock Seconded by Councillor D. Schnider "That Tender T15 -001 Union Street, Maple Avenue & Sereda Road (Lancaster Street West to Sereda Road /Arnold Street to Union Street), be awarded to G.R.T. Excavating Ltd., Woodstock, Ontario at their corrected and amended tendered price of $2,843,148.36, including provisional items and contingencies of $183,170.50, plus H.S.T. of $369,609.29, for a total of $3,212,757.65." Carried. Moved by Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "That Expression of Interest E15 -026 Consultant Services — Class Environmental Assessment and Preliminary Design for Old Mill Sanitary Sewer, be awarded to MTE Consultants Inc., Kitchener, Ontario at their estimated fee of $202,299.35, including contingencies of $18,390.85 plus H.S.T. of $26,298.92, for a total of $228,598.27, based on a satisfactory contract being negotiated and an upset fee being established." - and - APRIL 27, 2015 COUNCIL MINUTES -83- "That Proposal P15 -005 Banking Services, be awarded as follows: CITY OF KITCHENER • CIBC Commercial Banking, Hamilton, Ontario, for banking services, based on their service fees at an approximate cost of $1,700 per year; • Global Payments Canada GP, Toronto, Ontario, for merchant services, at an approximate cost of $260,000 per year; and, • U.S. Bank National Association, Toronto, Ontario, for purchasing card services, at an approximate rebate of $18,000 per year, each for a five -year period, with options to negotiate one additional three -year term and one additional two -year term for each of the three components of the proposal award." - and - "That the City of Kitchener piggyback on the City of Guelph Tender 14 -139 Supply and Delivery of Various Food Supplies, with Sysco Toronto, Mississauga, Ontario, at their tendered unit prices for an eight (8) month period, with an option to renew for three (3) additional twelve (12) month periods." Carried. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS — COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES Moved by Councillor B. loannidis Seconded by Councillor F. Etherington "That the report of the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee be adopted." At the request of Councillor S. Davey, Council agreed to vote separately on Clauses 4 and 7 of the Committee report related to the Ever After Music Fest being held at Bingemans. The Committee report was then voted on clause by clause. Clause 4 — Carried on a recorded vote. In Favour: Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors K. Galloway - Sealock, S. Marsh, Y. Fernandes, F. Etherington, D. Schnider, Z. Janecki, J. Gazzola, B. loannidis and P. Singh Contra: Councillors. S. Davey. Clause 7 — Carried on a recorded vote. In Favour: Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors K. Galloway - Sealock, S. Marsh, Y. Fernandes, F. Etherington, D. Schnider, Z. Janecki, J. Gazzola, B. loannidis and P. Singh Contra: Councillors. S. Davey. Balance of report — Carried. 7. COMMITTEE REPORTS — PLANNING AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES Moved by Councillor P. Singh Seconded by Councillor K. Galloway- Sealock "That the balance report of the Planning & Strategic Initiatives Committee be adopted." Carried. APRIL 27, 2015 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS — COUNCIL MINUTES -84- CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor D. Schnider advised that as a result of enhanced media coverage the City received 29 applications for the Aeronautical Noise Management Committee; accordingly, he proposed those applications be reviewed by the Nominating Committee. Moved by Councillor D. Schnider Seconded by Councillor P. Singh "That notwithstanding the Terms of Reference for the Nominating Committee, the applications received for the City of Kitchener citizen volunteer representatives on the Aeronautical Noise Management Committee for the 2014 -2018 term be referred for review by the Nominating Committee, with a recommendation to be provided to the June 1, 2015 Council meeting." Carried. 9. NEW BUSINESS — NIL 10. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS — Responding to questions, Mr. J. Willmer, Chief Administrator, advised the City's approach to how citizens are engaged as part of public meetings is a project that is listed on the City's current Business Plan. Accordingly staff will be providing a report on the issue of consistency in the methods used to consult with the public. Moved by Councillor Y. Fernandes Seconded by Councillor B. loannidis "That pursuant to Section 25.4.11 of Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code, the proceedings of the Council this date shall be allowed to continue beyond 11:00 p.m. to conclude matters as listed on the agenda." Carried Unanimously. 11. BY -LAWS (FIRST READING) — Moved by Councillor D. Schnider Seconded by Councillor J. Gazzola "That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce the following by -laws, namely: a. Being a by -law to exempt certain lands from Part Lot Control — Part of Lot 77, Registered Plan 58M -532 — Maitland Street. b. Being a by -law to exempt certain lands from Part Lot Control — Part of Block 2, Registered Plan 58M -561 — 1 Adam Street. C. Being a by -law to assume certain lands within the City of Kitchener as a public highway. d. Being a by -law to amend By -law 2013 -065 to extend the time period for exemption from Part Lot Control — Lot 14, Registered Plan 58M -464, and Lot 1, Registered Plan 58M- 553 — Joseph Schoerg Crescent. e. To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council. and that the same be taken as read a first time and stand referred to the Committee of the Whole." Carried. APRIL 27, 2015 12. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - COUNCIL MINUTES -85- CITY OF KITCHENER On motion, the Council resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole to consider its agenda and Mayor B. Vrbanovic appointed Councillor K. Galloway - Sealock as Chair. On motion, the Council rose from the Committee of the Whole and Mayor B. Vrbanovic occupied the Chair. Moved by Councillor K. Galloway- Sealock Seconded by Councillor S. Davey "That the proceedings and the recorded pecuniary interests and conflicts taken in the meeting of the Committee of the Whole held this date, as attached hereto and forming part of these minutes are hereby adopted and confirmed." Carried. 14. BY -LAWS (THIRD READING) - Moved by Councillor D. Schnider Seconded by Councillor J. Gazzola "That the by -laws be given third reading, namely: a. Being a by -law to exempt certain lands from Part Lot Control — Part of Lot 77, Registered Plan 58M -532 — Maitland Street. (By -law No. 2015 -042) b. Being a by -law to exempt certain lands from Part Lot Control — Part of Block 2, Registered Plan 58M -561 — 1 Adam Street. (By -law No. 2015 -043) C. Being a by -law to assume certain lands within the City of Kitchener as a public highway. (By -law No. 2015 -044) d. Being a by -law to amend By -law 2013 -065 to extend the time period for exemption from Part Lot Control — Lot 14, Registered Plan 58M -464, and Lot 1, Registered Plan 58M- 553 — Joseph Schoerg Crescent. e. To confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council. (By -law No. 2015 -045) (By -law No. 2015 -046) be taken as read a third time, be finally passed and numbered serially by the Clerk." Carried. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 10:58 p.m. MAYOR CLERK COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 27, 2015 -86- CITY OF KITCHENER REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE — 1. That the 2014 City of Waterloo Drinking Water Summary Report be received for information as required by O.Reg170 /03 Schedule 22 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as outlined in Infrastructure Services Department report INS -15 -010, and further, That the six 2014 Region of Waterloo Annual Water Quality Reports, as attached to Report INS -15 -010 (Strange St. Well Supply System, Well K34, Mannheim Water Treatment Plant and Pumping Station, Greenbrook Well Supply System, Woolners Well Supply -K80s and the Parkway Well Supply System) be received for information as required by O.Reg170 /03 Schedule 22 of the Safe Drinking Water Act. 2. That the Strasburg Creek Flood Control Environmental Assessment (EA) Pedestrian Crossing Addendum dated April 2015, as outlined in Infrastructure Services Department report INS -15- 033, be received and approved; and further, That the Strasburg Creek Flood Control EA Pedestrian Crossing Addendum, dated April 2015, be filed with the Ministry of the Environment for the mandatory thirty (30) day review period. 3. That subject to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) deciding not to hold a hearing with respect to this application for a liquor licence and 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 at this time to oppose the application for a liquor license for The Berlin at 41 King Street West, applied for by Gushue Inc. (herein referred to as the "Applicant ") as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS -15 -053; and, That should the AGCO decide to hold a hearing with respect to the application for liquor licence for The Berlin, located at 41 King Street West, and applied for by the Applicant, the City request party status at the hearing and notwithstanding any agreement entered into with the Applicant may change its position stated in this recommendation in response to evidence presented or heard at that hearing; 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 AGCO chooses to issue the licence: a) to participate as an active member of the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area's License and Entertainment Committee if such a committee is established; b) to abide by a set 35% monthly ratio of alcohol sales to gross refreshment sales (including food and other sundries) in other words alcohol sales will be limited to 35% of gross refreshment sales; c) to stop serving alcohol by 2:00 a.m. daily; d) 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; e) to comply with the Noise By -law and the Region of Waterloo Smoking By -law; and, f) these conditions shall bind all successors, assigns and subsequent licence holders (if any). COUNCIL MINUTES APRIL 27, 2015 -87- CITY OF KITCHENER REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL COMMUNITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES COMMITTEE — (CONT'D) 4. That Ever After Music Festival be granted permission to operate a midway at 425 Bingemans Centre Drive during the Ever After Music Festival for May 30 and 31, 2015 subject to the following: Date of Operation Hours of Operation Saturday, May 30 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 P.M. Sunday, May 31 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 P.M. That the music at the Midway be turned down at 10:00 p.m.; and further, That the required licence be obtained prior to operating the Midway, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS -15 -054. (Carried on a recorded vote) 5. That the revised Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) Terms of Reference, as outlined in Appendix `A' of Community Services Department report CSD -15 -032, be approved; and further, That the appointment of Donna Hartzler and Rob Bender, to GRAAC, for a 4 year term ending December 31, 2018, be approved pending ratification by the partnering municipalities of the Region of Waterloo, City of Waterloo, Township of North Dumfries, Township of Wellesley and Township of Woolwich. 6. That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted for the Downtown Special Events, as outlined in the revised Schedule `A', dated April 20, 2015, outlined in Community Services Department report CSD -15 -023. 7. That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted for the Ever After Music Fest, to be held at Bingemans Center, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m., for the period of May 30 and May 31, 2015, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD -15 -033, subject to the following conditions, which, if not complied with, will render the noise exemption null and void: a) There shall be no offensive language, in the opinion of City staff, generated from this music festival, audible in any adjacent residential neighbourhood; and, b) The event organizers will ensure that there is an on -site contact person accessible to correspond with City staff at all times during the event; and further, c) The event organizers agree to respond accordingly to requests from City staff, during the event, in order to address community concerns that may arise with regard to the impact of noise heard within adjacent residential areas. (Carried on a recorded vote) 8. That the Urban Design Brief, dated June 2013, prepared by GSP Group for the Bromberg Property, be adopted, as outlined in Appendix `A' of Community Services Department report CSD -15 -039. PLANNING AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE — 1. That consideration of the following be deferred to the May 25, 2015 Planning & Strategic Initiatives Council meeting to allow time for additional analysis and further information to be provided: APRIL 27, 2015 COUNCIL MINUTES REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL PLANNING AND STRATEGIC INITIATIVES COMMITTEE — (CONT'D) 1. (Cont'd) CITY OF KITCHENER "That the Blue Dot Movement `Model Municipal Declaration: for the Right to a Healthy Environment', be endorsed, as outlined in Appendix `A', of Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS -15 -057; and further, That the Mayor, on behalf of City Council, correspond with the Right Honourable Stephen Harper and the Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario calling for the development of federal and provincial legislation that recognizes that all people have the right to live in a healthy environment." 2. That the findings and conclusions of the Kitchener Cultural Heritage Landscape Study (CHLS) dated December 2014, prepared by The Landplan Collaborative Ltd., including the 55 areas identified in Appendix 4 and 6 of the CHLS as significant cultural heritage landscapes, be approved; and, That the Planning Division engage property owners and other stakeholders in proceeding with Phase Two of the CHL conservation process, as outlined in Community Services report CSD- 15 -034; and further, That the City of Kitchener confirms that the intention and purpose of identifying Westmount Golf & Country Club Limited as a significant cultural heritage landscape in the Official Plan and listing Westmount Golf & Country Club Limited as a significant cultural heritage landscape on the Municipal Heritage Register is to support the conservation of Westmount Golf & Country Club Limited by preserving its status as "open space" (or similar land use designation) under the Official Plan and as "golf course" (or similar zoning classification) under the zoning By- law. Accordingly, no heritage impact assessments, heritage conservation plans or any other heritage reviews or heritage assessments by the City of Kitchener will be required for any development or site alterations made to any part of Westmount Golf & Country Club Limited unless, in connection with such development or site alterations, applications are required to be submitted under the Planning Act (Ontario) (or any successor legislation) for (i) Official Plan amendment to change its designation of "open space" (or similar land use designation) or (ii) zoning by -law amendment to change its classification of "golf course" (or similar zoning classification). (Dealt with under Delegations and Carried, on a recorded vote) HERITAGE KITCHENER — (Meeting of April 7, 2015) 1. That pursuant to Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the following properties be listed on the Municipal Heritage Register each as a non - designated property of cultural heritage value or interest, in accordance with the respective Statement of Significance, as outlined in Appendix 'A' of Community Services Department report CSD -15 -035: • 141 Borden Avenue North; • 40 Bridge Street West; • 255 Carwood Avenue; • 442 Caryndale Drive; • 98 Corfield Drive, • 255 Fischer Hallman Road; • 31 Herbert Street; • 43 Highland Road West; • 135 Highland Road West; • 10 Huron Road; • 300 Lookout Lane; • Old Mill Road (Ferrie Mill); • 1755 Old Mill Road; • 105 Onward Avenue; APRIL 27, 2015 COUNCIL MINUTES -89- REPORTS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL HERITAGE KITCHENER — (Meeting of April 7, 2015) — (Cont'd) 1. (Cont'd) • 754 Queen Street South; • 834 Queens Boulevard; • 5 Rusholme Road; • 44 Rusholme Road; • 285 Simeon Street; • 100 St. Leger Street; • 394 Stirling Avenue South; • 396 -398 Stirling Avenue South; • 217 Strange Street; • 265 Weber Street East; • 278 Weber Street East; and, • 49 Woolwich Street. CITY OF KITCHENER (Dealt with under Delegations and Carried) APRIL 27, 2015 Fill A COUNCIL MINUTES -90- CITY OF KITCHENER COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE BY -LAWS LISTED ON THE AGENDA — 2ND READING — It was resolved: "That the by -laws considered by this Committee be taken as read a second time and be recommended for enactment." ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS — 1. Various Tenders Dealt with under Delegations. 2. Donation — Canadian Red Cross In accordance with Section 25.7.14 of the City's Procedural By -law, Council agreed to dispense with the requirements to provide notice by an affirmative vote of two - thirds of the whole of Council. It was resolved: "That $5000 be donated to the Canadian Red Cross Nepal Region Earthquake Fund for earthquake disaster relief efforts in Nepal to aid in the provision of immediate relief and basic assistance to the thousands of people affected by this natural disaster."