The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutFCS Minutes - 2017-02-13 FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date commencing at 2:01 p.m. Present: Councillor D. Schnider - Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors F. Etherington, Y. Fernandes, K. Galloway- Sealock, J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, Z. Janecki, S. Marsh, S. Davey and P. Singh. Staff: J. Willmer, Chief Administrative Officer D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance and Corporate Services M. May, Deputy CAO, Community Services C. Fletcher, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services J. Readman, Interim Executive Director, Infrastructure Services J. Miller, Executive Director, Chief Administrators Office L. Tansley, Assistant City Solicitor D. Murray, Director, Technology Innovation and Services C. Bluhm, Interim Executive Director, Economic Development C. Tarling, Director, Legislated Services and City Clerk R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning H. Gross, Director, Engineering Services P. Grivicic, Chief of Staff L. Cooper, Manager, Development Engineering J. Watkins, Interim Manager Business Relations & Solution Development D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1.INS-17-009 - STRASBURG ROAD – CREDIT/REFUND AGREEMENT REQUEST The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-17-009, dated January 3, 2017 recommending an agreement for development charges credit/refund for developers’ payment for the costs of engineering fees and construction of Strasburg Road. In addition, the Committee was in receipt this date of correspondence dated February 13, 2017, from the Waterloo Catholic District School Board in support of the staff recommendation. Mr. H. Gross and Ms. L. Cooper were in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee. Mr. P. Britton, MHBC Planning, addressed the Committee on behalf of Hallman Construction Ltd., Primeland Developments Ltd., Freure Developments Ltd., Activa Holdings Inc., Sunvest Reid Ltd., and Becker Estates Inc. in support of the staff recommendation. Mr. Britton indicated there are a number of development projects that are dependent on the proposed projects including, but not limited to, the proposed schools within the south west communities, as well as development of the South Kitchener District Park. He indicated this project has been approved by the City for over 20 years and the development group would like to expedite construction of these projects through the proposed credit/refund agreement, noting any possible risks associated with the agreement have been assumed by the property owners. Mr. H. Freure, Freure Developments Ltd. addressed the Committee in support of the staff recommendation. He noted three reasons for supporting the proposed credit/refund agreement, including: initial approval of Strasburg Road was completed 29 years ago; the desire to facilitate construction of proposed schools within the communities; and, to respond to the residents who are seeking new homes. The following motion was voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors B. Ioannidis, D. Schnider, P. Singh, S. Davey, J. Gazzola, S. Marsh, K. Galloway-Sealock, Z. Janecki and F. Etherington voting in favour; and, Councillor Y. Fernandes voting in opposition. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a development charges credit/refund agreement with the developers (Hallman Construction Ltd., Primeland Developments Ltd., Freure Developments Ltd., Activa Holdings Inc., Sunvest Reid Ltd., and Becker Estates Inc.) in respect to the developer’s payment for the costs of the engineering fees and construction of Strasburg Road, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further, FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2017 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER That the development charges credit/refund agreement will contain provisions authorizing the acceptance of lands from the developers by the municipality on which the three projects will be constructed, as outlined in Infrastructure Services Department report INS-17-009.” The Committee recessed at 2:48 p.m. and reconvened at 2:50 p.m., Chaired by Councillor D. Schnider with all members present. 2. FCS-17-022 – RANKED BALLOTS FOR 2018 ELECTION The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-022, dated January 23, 2017 recommending the use of the existing first-past-the-post election system for the City’s 2018 municipal election and, the monitoring of ranked ballot elections in Ontario. Ms. C. Tarling was in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee. The following motion was voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors B. Ioannidis, D. Schnider, P. Singh, S. Davey, J. Gazzola, K. Galloway-Sealock, Z. Janecki and F. Etherington voting in favour; and, Councillors S. Marsh and Y. Fernandes voting in opposition. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That the City of Kitchener’s 2018 municipal election be conducted using the existing first-past-the-post election system,as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-022; and, That staff be directed to monitor ranked ballot elections in Ontario, should any be conducted, and report back to Council before the 2022 municipal election.” 3.CAO-17-007 - KITCHENER-WATERLOO – FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES (FCM) 2019 BOARD MEETING REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL The Committee considered Chief Administrator’s Office report CAO-17-007, dated January 27, 2017 recommending the support of the Kitchener-Waterloo joint proposal to host a 2019 Federation of Canadian Municipalities Board meeting, and upon its success, the approval of up to $20,000. for Kitchener’s share and the authorization to execute the contract and any other documents related to this project. Mr. P. Grivicic was in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee. It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered at a special Council meeting later this date. The following motion was voted on and was Carried on a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors B. Ioannidis, D. Schnider, P. Singh, S. Davey, S. Marsh, K. Galloway-Sealock, Z. Janecki and F. Etherington voting in favour; and, Councillors J. Gazzola and Y. Fernandes voting in opposition. On motion by Councillor S. Marsh - it was resolved: “That the City of Kitchener support the Kitchener-Waterloo joint proposal to host a 2019 Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Board Meeting; and, That subject to the 2018 Budget deliberation process, up to $20,000. be approved for the 2019 Kitchener-Waterloo joint FCM proposal (Kitchener’s share) should the proposal be successful, as outlined inChief Administrator’s Office report CAO-17-007; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the contract documents between the City of Kitchener and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, and any other documents related to this project.” FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 2017 - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4.FCS-17-006 - DIGITAL KITCHENER – CIVIC INNOVATION LAB The Committee considered Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS-17-006, dated February 2, 2017 recommending an agreement with Communitech to establish a civic innovation lab for a three-year pilot term. Mr. D. Murray presented the Report and responded to questions from the Committee. In response to questions, Mr. Murray agreed to follow-up with additional information prior to the Council meeting on the reporting structure for the civic innovation lab. He noted staff anticipated providing more formal reports annually through the Digital Kitchener Strategy however, staff could investigate ways to provide more informal updates on the lab throughout the year as requested. On motion by Councillor S. Davey - it was resolved: “That staff be directed to establish a civic innovation lab at Communitech for a three year pilot term, as outlined in Finance and Corporate Services Department report FCS- 17-006; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Communitech for the civic innovation lab (Lean Lab), subject to the City’s continued funding for Communitech expansion and to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.” 5.ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator