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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Admin - 2000-03-27FAC\2000-03-27 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 277 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Administration Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor J. Ziegler, commencing at 10:08 a.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillors T. Galloway, J. Haalboom, G. Lorentz, Jake Smola, John Smola, K. Taylor-Harrison, B. Vrbanovic, C. Weylie and M. Yantzi. Officials Present: Ms. J. Koppeser, Ms. P. Houston, Ms. H. Setka, Messrs. J. Gazzola, F. Pizzuto, R. Pritchard, G. Sosnoski, G. Melanson, L. Proulx, J. Witmer, O den Ouden and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. REQUEST FOR CAPITAL GRANT - MARILLAC PLACE Ms. M. Bickers and Ms. C. Schwark appeared as a delegation to represent their request for a capital grant of $10,000 to cover the development charges and building permit fees for the development of their new location at 109 Young Street, Kitchener. The Committee members had previously been provided with a written submission from the delegation. The delegation provided information on the various aspects of their program: housing, pre-natal and post-natal care, education and training, parenting skills and life skills. They advised that these young women and their children stay at Marillac Place for one year or longer, and are provided with the care and training needed to become participating members of the community. They advised that their program is unique in southern Ontario. The delegation then advised of their fundraising efforts, including applications for various government grants and those which have been successful and those not. The members of the Committee made suggestions to the delegation as to other sources of funding. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that the delegation make their presentation to the Region's Social Services Committee, even though they may have already applied to the Region for grant funding. It was suggested that Councillor Lorentz request that the delegation be placed on an agenda for an up-coming meeting of the Regional Social Services Committee. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison advised that she is familiar with the work of Marillac Place and spoke very highly of the work done there. She put forward a motion to support a capital grant equal to the City's portion of the development charges and the Building Permit Fees, equalling approximately $5,200, and encouraged Council to support her motion. Several members of the Committee spoke in favour of the motion. On a motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That Council approve a cash grant for Marillac Place equal to the City's Development Charges and Building Permit Fees for their development at 109 Young Street, Kitchener, totalling approximately $5,200.00." It was suggested to Ms. Bickers and Ms. Schwark that they appear as a delegation as the Council meeting on Monday April 3, 2000, when this recommendation will be considered. 2. REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 586 (REFRESHMENT VEHICLES) - 702 KING STREET WEST The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000, attached to which was a letter from Mr. Ken Kondert requesting an exemption from the distance requirements of Chapter 586 (Refreshment Vehicles) of the Municipal Code to locate his chip wagon at 702 King Street West, Kitchener. Also attached to Ms. Koppeser's report were two letters of objection from Ms. J. Chominiec, operator of J. C. Diner at 684-686 King Street West and Big General Pizza located at 692 King Street West. Under separate cover was a letter from 7-11 Canada with respect to their location at 648 King Street West. It was noted that Mr. Ken Kondert had registered as a delegation but was not in attendance. Ms. J. Chominiec was in attendance to express her concern about the location of a chip wagon at 702 King Street West noting that she owns a small family restaurant and business is difficult for her as it is without the location of a chip wagon so close. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 27, 2000 -21- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. REQUEST FOR EXEMPTION FROM MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 586 (REFRESHMENT VEHICLES) - 702 KING STREET WEST - CONT'D Councillor John Smola advised that based on the objections received and Council's policy that he would move that the request of Mr. Kondert be refused. Other members of the Committee spoke on support of Councillor John Smola's motion. On a motion by Councillor John Smola - it was resolved: "That Council refuse the request of Ken Kondert for an exemption to Municipal Code Chapter 586 (Refreshment Vehicles) to locate a chip wagon at 702 King Street West, Kitchener." REVISED AMUSEMENT ARCADE BY-LAW The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000, recommending that staff prepare a revised Amusement Arcade By-law to comply with Bill 26. Councillor B. Vrbanovic referred to the criteria with respect to hours of operation suggesting that it may not be practical for as bars which have Amusement Arcades in them. Mr. G. Sosnoski advised that criteria will be part of the planning process and staff are, at this time, looking for direction. Councillor Vrbanovic then questioned how many will be grandfathered and Mr. Sosnoski advised that three arcades would be grandfathered. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned other forms of arcade such as virtual reality and Mr. Sosnoski advised that the by- law will still apply to that type of operation. On a motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Manager of Licensing, in conjunction with the Legal Department, prepare a revised Amusement Arcade By-law to comply with Bill 26, to be considered for enactment in conjunction with a related Zoning By-law Amendment, and to include the following changes: a) Removal of the provision that the By-law does not include premises licensed under the Liquor Licence Act; b) Provide for a new class of licence for Arcades in D-1 and D-2 zones, including criteria which is consistent with the zoning amendment; c) Provide a grandfathering clause for those Arcades in operation at the time the by-law is enacted; and, d) Restrict the hours of operation." REVISED OLD GOLD BY-LAW The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000, attached to which was a draft by-law revising the Old Gold By-law. Questions were raised by the Committee with respect to inspections and cost recovery and Mr. G. Sosnoski advised that the majority of the inspections would be conducted by the Police and the licence fee is reflective of cost recovery for the City only. A question was also raised as to whether or not the number of licences could be limited and Mr. G. Melanson advised that there is no basis on which to limit the number of licences. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 27, 2000 - 22- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. REVISED OLD GOLD BY-LAW - CONT'D On a motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That Council adopt the revised Old Gold By-law attached to the report of J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000." 5. FLYER/SAMPLE DISTRIBUTION POLICY The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000, recommending a policy with respect to the enforcement of the Flyer/Sample Distribution By-law enacted by Council late last year. Councillor G. Lorentz declared a pecuniary interest in this matter as he is employed by Canada Post and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this matter. Mayor Zehr questioned Clause No. 4 of the policy as to whether or not the notices are sent Registered Mail with verification of receipt and Mr. G. Sosnoski advised that staff usually hand deliver the notices. Following further discussion it was agreed that Clause No. 4 would be revised to require that the notice shall be sent Registered Mail. On a motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That Council adopt the Flyer/Sample Distribution Policy attached to the report of J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000, subject to an amendment to Clause 4 requiring notices to be sent by registered mail." 6. YEAR 2000 STREET VENDORS BY-LAW The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000, attached to which was the draft Street Vendors By-law for the year 2000. On a motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That Council adopt the Year 2000 Street Vendors By-law as attached to the report of J. Koppeser, Manager of Licensing, dated March 22, 2000." 7. REVENUE DIVISION REORGANIZATION The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. P. Houston, Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer, dated March 22, 2000, recommending reorganization of the Revenue Division. Ms. P. Houston introduced the report noting that there were no changes proposed in the full time equivalent. She noted that the changes proposed would increase the flexibility in work flow and customer service. Councillor V. Vrbanovic put forward a motion to approve the recommendation contained in the staff report. Mayor C. Zehr questioned when the Finance Department would be able to incorporate the billing for fire alarm monitoring and Ms. Houston advised that a definite date could not be provided at this time but it would probably take place in the fall. Mayor Zehr asked for a billing system updated and Mr. J. Gazzola advised that some of these issues will be discussed at next week's Caucus meeting. The Committee then briefly discussed the possibility of pre-authorized payments for utility bills and the opportunity for combined billing with Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 27, 2000 - 23- CITY OF KITCHENER 10. REVENUE DIVISION REORGANIZATION - CONT'D On a motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That Council approve the Revenue Division reorganization as outlined in the report of P. Houston, Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer, dated March 22, 2000." POLICY TO REDUCE INVOICE FOR POSTER REMOVAL The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. J. Shivas, City Solicitor, dated March 20, 2000, with respect to this Committee's request, at its meeting of October 25, 1999, to reduce administrative fees for poster removal for first-time offenders. Mr. G. Melanson reviewed the report pointing out that the charge for the administrative portion is approximately 1/3 of the actual cost. Mr. J. Witmer advised that the only way to know the exact administrative cost in each instance would be to time each one. He advised that these posters do not contain the necessary information to determine who erected them and staff spent a lot of time researching this information. Councillor G. Lorentz spoke favourably of the report, suggesting that the postering by-law is primarily for re-offenders. He put forward a motion to maintain the fee at $60.00 with staff to have the discretion to reduce the invoice for a first-time offenders up to 25% A discussion then took place as to the best way to communicate the by-law requirements to the public. On a motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the standard charge of $60.00 per poster be confirmed to remove posters contrary to the City's Sign By-law, from highways, rights-of-way and walkways; and further, That, at the discretion of staff, first time offenders who display posters contrary to the City's Sign By-law may have their invoice reduce by up to 25%." SOUND OF FAITH BROADCASTING INC. TRANSMITTER The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. L. Proulx, Director of Facilities Management, dated March 21, 2000, recommending that the Sound of Faith Broadcasting Inc. be permitted to install a transmitter and antenna in the City Hall Cooling Tower at no charge. On a motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Sound of Faith Broadcasting Inc. be permitted to install a transmitter and antenna in the City Hall Cooling Tower at no charge, subject to the Legal Department issuing a "non-exclusive licence to use" letter to provide for indemnification." ADDITIONAL STAFF REQUEST - FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. L. Proulx, Director of Facilities Management, dated March 22, 2000, recommending the hiring of one additional electrician. Attached to the report were cost comparisons of an employee versus a contract electrician. The Committee debated whether the cost savings were sufficient to justify hiring an electrician and also the savings in materials which would result from adding an electrician to the staff compliment. Councillor T. Galloway put forward a motion to approve the staff recommendation advising FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 27, 2000 - 24- CITY OF KITCHENER 10. that, in his experience, it is better to hire trades. He noted that contractors require as much or ADDITIONAL STAFF REQUEST - FACILITIES MANAGEMENT DIVISION - CONT'D 11. 12. more supervision. On a motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the Facilities Management Division be permitted to hire one additional electrician." NOISE BY-LAW EXEMPTIONS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. G. Holstead, Co-ordinator of Programs, dated March 24, 2000, recommending exemptions to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the Municipal Code for various events to take place in the Downtown this summer. On a motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the following events be exempt from Municipal Code Chapter 450 (Noise): Event Block Party Big Band Saturday Night K-W Multicultural Festival Tooney Tuesdays Salsa Cruise Night World Beat Sunday Concerts Location Civic Square and surrounding block Civic Square Victoria Park Civic Square Civic Square King Street Civic Square Victoria Park Date June 2 June 17 June 24, 25 July 4, 11, 18, 25 July 7, 8 or 8, 9 July 14 July 15, 20, 27 July/August Time 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. 7 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. 10 a.m. - 11 p.m. 6:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. 12 p.m.- 11 p.m. 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. 2 p.m. - 4 p.m." ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. D. H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator