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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-08-08 FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 8, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date commencing at 9:35 a.m. Present: Councillor S. Davey - Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway-Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, S. Marsh, D. Schnider and P. Singh. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance & Corporate Services M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development C. Fletcher, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services J. Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services C. Tarling, Director, Legislated Services & City Clerk G. MacNeil, Director, By-Law Enforcement J. Sheryer, Assistant City Solicitor C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator FCS-16-119 - AMENDMENT OF LIQUOR LICENSE CONDITION - DALLAS, 312 KING 1. STREET WEST The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-16-119, dated July 22, 2016, recommending amendments to the licensing agreement with Dallas. On motion by Councillor S. Marsh - it was resolved: That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an amendment to the licensing agreement with 1725194 Ontario Limited (o/a Dallas located at 312 King Street West, Kitchener, ON) to replace Condition 4 of the Agreement with the following: -duty Police Officer: (a) on Friday nights; (b) on Saturday nights if the threshold of 500 attendees has been reached for three consecutive Saturday nights until such time as the threshold of 500 attendees on a Saturday night has not been met for three consecutive Saturdays; and, (c) at any other time as deemed appropriate by the owner/management of the 1725194 Ontario Limited (o/a Dallas located at 312 King Street West, Kitchener, ON) has been amended and that the City has no objection to the AGCO modifying the conditions of the corresponding liquor licence accordingly, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-16-119 FCS-16-122 - KITCHENER-WATERLOO AND NORTH WATERLOO HUMANE SOCIETY 2. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR ANIMAL CONTROL, DOG LICENSING, AND BY-LAW SERVICES The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-16-122, dated July 20, 2016 recommending an amendment to the Animal and Dog Control and Pound Services Agreement to provide additional compensation for animal control, dog licensing, and by-law services. Councillor P. Singh entered the meeting at this time. In response to questions, Ms. J. Sheryer advised that in 2014 a change was made to implement a 12 month dog licence. Accordingly, some revenue from the sale of dog licences are now attributed to the next calendar year. She indicated this has contributed to the revenue shortfall facing the KW Humane Society. She estimated that there are approximately 45,000 to 50,000 dogs residing in the City of Kitchener; however, under half of those dogs have licences. Responding further, Ms. J. Sheryer spoke to the difficulty of trying to collect the licence fee at FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 8, 2016 - 35 - CITY OF KITCHENER FCS-16-122 - KITCHENER-WATERLOO AND NORTH WATERLOO HUMANE SOCIETY 2. REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR ANIMAL CONTROL, DOG LICENSING, AND BY- the time of sale or through a veterinarian. She noted most dogs are purchased online, adding veterinarians operate a private business and while they may be willing to provide information about the importance of dog licences, it is unlikely that they would want to take part in any enforcement measures. Mr. Jack Kinch, Executive Director, KW Humane Society, addressed the Committee in support of the recommendation contained in Report FCS-16-122. He advised the actual costs associated with pursuing active renewals of dog licences can typically exceed the revenue that is generated by going door-to-door. He noted there is a limitation on expenses where from a business perspective it becomes financially unsound to pursue those persons who do not obtain a licence. On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: Dog Control and Pound Services Agreement dated January 1, 2014 with the Kitchener- Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society providing for a one-time payment of $137,400 be made by the City in August 2016, as additional compensation for animal control, dog licensing, and by-law services in the City of Kitchener, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-16- FCS-16-115 - COMPREHENSIVE BUSINESS LICENSING REVIEW - UPDATE 3. The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-16-115, dated July 22, 2016 recommending the 2017 Business Licencing fees be held at the 2016 rates pending the completion of the Comprehensive Business Licensing Review. In response to questions, Ms. C. Tarling acknowledged that while the recommendation proposes the Business Licencing fees should be held at the current level, it is within purview to apply the standard 2% fee increase. She estimated that implementing the 2% increase would potentially generate approximately $7,500 in additional revenues. She commented that from an equity perspective, it would be preferable to either hold all of the licences at the 2016 rate, or increase all of the fees by the same amount. She indicated if following the Comprehensive Business Licensing Review some fees are found to be too high, A motion was brought forward by Councillor Y. Fernandes to apply a 2% increase to the 2017 Business Licence fees. Carried The following motion was voted on and was on a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors J. Gazzola, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, S. Davey, D. Schnider and Y. Fernandes voting in favour; and, Councillors K. Galloway-Sealock and S. Marsh voting in opposition. Councillors F. Etherington and Z. Janecki were absent and accordingly did not vote. On motion by Councillor Y. Fernandes - it was resolved: That subject to consideration as part of the 2017 Council budget deliberations, the 2017 Business Licencing fees be increased by 2% over the 2016 rate, save and except those that were previously held pending the completion of the Comprehensive Business Licensing Review Pursuant to Chapter 25.10.9(5) (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Carried. Councillor J. Gazzola to discuss the following Information Item, which was voted on and was FINANCE AND CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE AUGUST 8, 2016 - 36 - CITY OF KITCHENER FCS-16-117 - GROUP BENEFITS PROVIDER REVIEW 4. The Committee was in receipt of Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-16- 117, dated July 20, 2016 regarding a market analysis and review of the group benefits plan with Sun Life Financial ted. Responding to questions, Mr. D. Chapman agreed to provide additional information via email to the Committee regarding the total costs incurred by the City for health and dental services. ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, this meeting adjourned at 10:11 a.m. C. Goodeve Committee Administrator