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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Admin - 2000-01-24FAC\2000-01-24 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Administration Committee met this date, Chaired by Councillor J. Ziegler, commencing at 10:03 a.m. with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor John Smola, Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor M. Yantzi and Councillor J. Ziegler. Councillors G. Lorentz, K. Taylor-Harrison and B. Vrbanovic were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others present: Ms. J. Koppeser, Ms. L. Macdonald, Ms. P. Houston, Ms. B. Baker, Ms. L. Bansen, Ms. C. Ball, Ms. P. Ferraro and Messrs. J. Gazzola, K. Baulk, G. England, J. McBride, J. Moore, L. Proulx, J. Witmer, D. Paterson, D. Hergott, R. Pritchard and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. 50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION - KITCHENER MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM COMPLEX The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, Kitchener Farmer's Market, dated January 18, 2000 recommending Council support for a 50th Anniversary Celebration for the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. Mr. K. Baulk was in attendance to represent the report and introduced Messrs. D. McLelland and E. Davies, members of the organizing committee. Messrs. Davies and McLelland made presentations with respect to events to take place during the celebrations and of a commemorative wall proposed for the Auditorium in honour of the 50th Anniversary. On a motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That Council support a 50th Anniversary celebration for the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex from May 2000 to May 2001; and further, That Councillor John Smola be appointed Chair of the organizing committee to develop and implement the celebration." REDUCTION OF TEMPORARY VENDOR LICENCE FEES - DOON HERITAGE CROSSROADS -SEEDY SATURDAY The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated January 17, 2000, with respect to a request received from Doon Heritage Crossroads for a reduction in the Temporary Vendor Licence Fees for three vendors at the annual "Seedy Saturday" event to be held on February 19, 2000. On a motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That Council grant the request of Doon Heritage Crossroads for a reduction in the required Temporary Vendor Licence Fee to $10.00 for a Show referred to as "Seedy Saturday" to be held on Saturday, February 19, 2000." SURPLUS LANDS The Committee was in receipt of two reports from Mr. J. Shivas, City Solicitor, dated January 18 & 19, 2000 with respect to declaring surplus the following City-owned lands: Fire Station #2, at 629 Guelph Street; 156-158 King Street West, and vacant lands adjacent to 42-50 Wilfred Avenue and 55 Ross Avenue flanking Weber Street East. On a motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That Fire Station #2 at 629 Guelph Street, described as Part of Lot 4, Plan 671 and Lot 111, Closed Streets and Lanes, being .50 acres together with buildings and other land improvements; be declared surplus to the City's needs; and further, That the City Solicitor be directed to dispose of the site with all Offers to Purchase to be presented to Council for consideration." FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 247 2000 -10- CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee then reviewed the recommendation with respect to 156-158 King Street West. SURPLUS LANDS, CONT'D Councillor M. Yantzi advised that some discussions have taken place with Kitchener Housing to use those storeys above the ground floor level. He requested that an opportunity be made available to explore this possibility prior to declaring the lands surplus. Councillor Yantzi noted and Councillor J. Haalboom enlarged on the discussions which had taken place with respect to facade improvements for the property. Councillor Yantzi requested a deferral of the matter to allow discussions of both the facade improvements and Kitchener Housing. Mayor C. Zehr enlarged on the comment made by Councillor M. Yantzi with respect to Kitchener Housing noting that, potentially, leasing portions of the building for housing units could make the property more saleable, although this is not necessarily so. Mr. J. Gazzola advised that if the lands are declared surplus, there is no need for an immediate sale, and staff could move on a sale as Council directs. Councillor J. Haalboom advised that she would be in support of a deferral of the recommendation; as she would like to have all the information presented to Council before a decision is made. She also advised that discussions have taken place at Heritage Kitchener as to how the facade might be dealt with, and they will again review the matter at their February meeting. A motion by Councillor M. Yantzi that consideration of declaring 156-158 King Street West as surplus to the City's needs be deferred and referred to the February 7th Finance and Administration Committee meeting, to allow more to review possible use of this building by Kitchener Housing and facade improvements by Heritage Kitchener was voted on and Lost. Councillor Haalboom questioned how Council would deal with the sale of the King Street property in light of the King Street Facade Study, and what direction would be given for the sale of the property. She stated that, as the City owns the building, it is important to ensure that this structure is maintained. Ms. L. Macdonald noted that, as was done with the Goudies building, Council could impose conditions in the sale. If conditions are to be imposed they should be done at this time. Councillor T. Galloway spoke against imposing conditions on the sale, noting that the property was purchased under duress and conditions may make the property less marketable. Councillor M. Yantzi suggested that declaring the lands surplus provides an opportunity to explore other options, such as use of the property by Kitchener Housing and the facade improvements, and that these matters could be considered when the City is ready to sell the property. Mayor C. Zehr stated that he could support declaring the land surplus on the understanding that it not be listed for sale for two weeks; during which time use of the property by Kitchener Housing and facade improvements could be investigated. He asked that the matter come before the Finance and Administration Committee at its next meeting for direction on listing the property. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that separate motions would be considered for 156-158 King Street West and the vacant land. Councillor Haalboom put forward an amendment to the motion concerning 156-158 King Street West, to require facade treatment in light of the King Street Facade Study, which was voted on and Lost. On a motion by Councillor John Smola - it was resolved: "That the property at 156-158 King Street West, described as Part of Lots 2 and 3, Plan 362, consisting of a three storey building and basement totalling 17,630 sq. ft. with a lot size of approximately 5,460 sq. ft., be declared surplus to the City's needs; and further, That the City Solicitor be directed to dispose of the site with all Offers to Purchase to be presented to Council for consideration." SURPLUS LANDS, CONT'D On a motion by Mayor C. Zehr - FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 247 2000 -11- CITY OF KITCHENER it was resolved: "That the vacant land located adjacent to 42-50 Wilfred Avenue and 55 Ross Avenue flanking Weber Street East described as Part of Lot 94, Plan765 designated as Part 2, Plan 58R-12250 with a lot size of 4,854 sq. ft. be declared surplus to the City's needs; and further, That the City Solicitor be directed to dispose of the site with all Offers to Purchase to be presented to Council for consideration." Councillors G. Lorentz, K. Taylor-Harrison and B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. 4. SURVEY RESULTS - HUMAN RESOURCES BENCHMARKING Members of Human Resources staff were in attendance to provide a PowerPoint presentation with respect to Human Resources Benchmarking Network Annual Benchmarking Survey. Ms. B. Baker introduced this matter and advised that this survey had originally been designed to benchmark health services and has recently been expanded to include government and industrial representatives. Mr. D. Paterson presented the results which covered the following general areas: administration, benefits and recruitment, labour and salary, training and WSIB, and other. He noted that the statistics were from 1998. After reviewing the statistics in each category, Mr. Paterson noted that the City's overall ranking was 14 out of 39. He advised the Committee that the City participated in this survey to get an appreciation of where the City ranks; however, he suggested that benchmarking should not be the only measurement but mixed with other indicators, showing where the City could improve. Upon questioning, Mr. Paterson advised caution on the data suggesting that it is a relative indicator. Referring to the data presented on Lost Time Incident Rate and Lost Work Hours Rate, Councillor Weylie questioned whether the City of Kitchener as a process to get people back to work. Mr. Paterson advised of the team for Health and Safety and the Modified Work Program. Mayor Zehr referred to the rankings for legal costs questioning whether they were outside legal costs only, and whether Human Resources staff were aware what our internal legal costs would have been during this period. Mr. Paterson advised that Human Resources involvement with Legal Department staff is not extensive and certainly not equal to our outside legal costs. Mr. Gazzola advised that the majority of Human Resources issues are handled outside the Legal Department. With respect to orientation training, Mayor Zehr questioned whether there was a correlation between that and the Lost Time Incident Rate, suggesting that it may make sense to put more emphasis on orientation training. Mr. Paterson responded that staff believe that spending time in orientation is important and it is a matter of shifting resources. 5. ACCELERATED ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - 1999 REVIEW Mr. J. Moore, Energy and Systems Specialist, gave a PowerPoint presentation providing a year end review of the Accelerated Energy Management Program. He advised that in 1999 the focus was the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, and that the program is now entering its third decade. Mr. Moore then reviewed energy management, the Accelerated Energy Management Program at the Auditorium, Facilities Management staff, other projects and two new technologies for the year 2000. Mr. Moore, through his presentation reviewed accumulated savings and anticipated accumulated savings through 2006. Mayor Zehr questioned, once the payback had been achieved, how the savings would be noted in the Budget, and Ms. P. Houston responded that they are in the process of developing a monitoring system. Mayor Zehr then requested that staff report to this Committee ACCELERATED ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM - 1999 REVIEW - CONT'D in one month's time on the monitoring system. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 247 2000 -12- CITY OF KITCHENER 6. KITCHENER MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM REQUEST FOR FUNDING OF NON-ENERGY REPAIRS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. L. Proulx, Director of Facilities Management, dated January 18, 2000 recommending an additional $331,000 be provided from the energy management fund to implement non-energy repairs at the Auditorium. Mr. Proulx was in attendance to represent the report and explained that the Auditorium heating distribution system and electrical system are recommended for repair. Mayor Zehr noted the potential annual savings of $200,000 identified in the report and questioned whether this figure was based on consumption volumes. Mr. Proulx confirmed that the dollar figure was based on reduced consumption. On a motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That the non-energy repairs at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium, in the amount of $331,000.00, be funded from the Energy Management Fund; with repayment to come from accrued future savings." DOPWR - 2000-03 - TRAFFIC CONTROL - LAURENTIAN DRIVE AT HOWLAND DRIVE 8 The Committee was in receipt of Department of Public Works Staff Report DOPWR-2000-03, dated 1999-12-03 with respect to the installation of an all-way stop control at the intersection of Laurentian Drive and Howland Drive. Councillor B. Vrbanovic put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. Councillor T. Galloway advised that he had asked that this matter be referred to this meeting, stating that he was in support of the recommendation provided there was a review in one year's time. This was accepted as a friendly amendment. On a motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That an all-way stop control be installed at the intersection of Laurentian Drive and Howland Drive; and, That the uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly; and further, That the need for this all-way stop control be reviewed in one year." ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:22 a.m. D. H. GILCHRIST COMMITTEE ADMINISTRATOR