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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Admin - 2000-06-12FAC\2000-06-12 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Administration Committee met this date commencing at 10:20 a.m., Chaired by Councillor J. Ziegler, with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillors John Smola, C. Weylie, B. Vrbanovic, G. Lorentz, M. Yantzi, Jake Smola and J. Haalboom. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison was in attendance for part of the meeting. Officials Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. C. Ball, Ms. L. Marshall, Ms. G. Kruse, Messrs. J. Gazzola, J. Shivas, B. Stanley, F. Pizzuto, R. W. Pritchard, D. Paterson, G. Melanson and G. Sosnoski. 1. REFERRAL - 5 LAYTON STREET BY-LAW TO AUTHORIZE CLEAN-UP - CHAPTER 650 (LOT MAINTENANCE) OF MUNICIPAL CODE Consideration of a by-law to authorize removal of waste material at 5 Layton Street was referred by Council to the meeting this date pending a report from staff on whether the work has been completed by the owner as of June 12, 2000. Ms. G. Kruse advised that she had inspected the property earlier this date and nearly all of the waste material had been removed with the exception of several large window panes, some wooden pallets and plywood screening. She suggested that Council proceed to enact a by-law, though in all likelihood it will not be required. Ms. Kruse advised that she will be re-inspecting the property on June 19. On motion by Councillor John Smola - it was resolved: "That City Council consider a by-law at its special meeting of June 12, 2000 authorizing the removal of waste material at 5 Layton Street at the expense of the property owner, if the work has not been done by the owner on or before June 12, 2000." BPS-00-047 - 55-57 SCHUELLER STREET 39 INGE COURT 3, 35 & 75 MARISA STREET BY-LAW TO EFFECT OUTSTANDING REPAIRS CHAPTER 665 (PROPERTY STANDARDS FOR MAINTENANCE AND OCCUPANCY) OF MUNICIPAL CODE The Committee considered the above Business and Planning Services staff report from B. Wolfe recommending that Council enact a by-law at its June 19 meeting authorizing repairs to the properties listed above. The report notes that the properties have a history of non-compliance with municipal by-laws, in particular Chapter 665 (Property Standards for Maintenance and Occupancy) of the Municipal Code. The report notes that construction of three of the houses has been partially completed, and the proposed by-law would allow completion of these along with a variety of other work outlined in Schedule 'A' of the staff report. On motion by Councillor John Smola - it was resolved: "That City Council consider a by-law at its June 19, 2000 meeting authorizing repairs to 57-55 Schueller Street, 39 Inge Court, 3, 35 & 75 Marisa Street as set out by the Property Standards orders, and at the owner's expense, if this has not been done by the owner on or before June 19, 2000." 3. CRPS-00-022 - NAMING OF PROPOSED SIX WARDS - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee considered the above Corporate Services and City Clerk's Department report from R.W. Pritchard dated June 7, 2000 concerning naming of the proposed six Wards and which includes suggested names for discussion purposes. Mr. Pritchard spoke to his report, noting that Bill 62 has received third reading, and the City is anticipating a ministerial regulation identifying the new six-Ward system in the near future. He stressed that the Ward names in the report are not staff recommendations and are submitted for FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 2000 - 52- CITY OF KITCHENER discussion purposes only, CRPS-00-022 - NAMING OF PROPOSED SIX WARDS - CITY OF KITCHENER - (CONT'D) Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this time. Councillor J. Ziegler referred to his e-mail correspondence to Council on June 10, 2000 in which he outlined preferred names in respect to Wards 3 and 4. Councillor Ziegler advised that his preference would be that Ward #3 be named 'Fairview-Gateway', in recognition that the Ward encompasses the Fairview area but is also the first point of entry into the City from Highway #401. Councillor C. Weylie suggested that Ward #6 be named 'Westmount-Victoria Park' or 'Highland- Westmount' as these are more expressive of the area, her preference being for the former. A brief discussion took place as to whether numbering the Wards alone will suffice, with several members of Council expressing a preference for numbers and/or names. A motion by Councillor Jake Smola to use Ward numbers only was voted on and was Lost. Moved by Councillor G. Lorentz - "That Kitchener Council recommend to the Province of Ontario that the six wards proposed for the City of Kitchener be named as follows: Ward #1 Ward #2 Ward #3 Ward #4 Ward #5 Ward #6 Bridgeport-Centre Ward Chicopee-Grand River Ward Fairview-Gateway Ward South Ward Forest-Rockway Ward West-Victoria Park Ward." A motion by Councillor J. Haalboom to amend the recommendation to rename Ward #4 'Southwest Ward' rather than 'South Ward' was voted and was Lost. The main motion by Councillor G. Lorentz recommending the names for the six wards was voted on and Carried. CRPS-00-021 - NORMAL RETIREMENT AGE FOR FIRE DEPARTMENT MANAGEMENT The Committee considered the above Corporate Services and City Clerk's Department report from C. Ball dated June 12, 2000 recommending that the position of Fire Chief and Deputy Chief have a normal retirement age of 65. The report argues that the current retirement age of 60 shortens the tenure of senior positions and can hamper long range planning. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That By-law 73-90 be amended to provide for normal retirement age 65 for the Fire Chief and Deputy Fire Chief." BPS-00-072 - KING CENTRE, 25 WATER STREET SOUTH - APPLICATION UNDER DOWNTOWN FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM The Committee considered the above Business and Planning Services Department report from W. Pearce dated May 24, 2000 recommending the awarding of a grant to assist in the renovation of the former Sears outlet to provide office space. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 2000 -53- CITY OF KITCHENER BPS-00-072 - KING CENTRE, 25 WATER STREET SOUTH - APPLICATION UNDER DOWNTOWN FINANCIAL INCENTIVE PROGRAM - (CONT'D) On a motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That Council approve an application from Manulife for a 'Grant-in-Lieu of Building Permit Fee', in the amount of $12,420 under the Downtown Financial Incentive Program for renovations to the King Centre, 25 Water Street South." 6. FIN-00-004 - BANKING SERVICES FOR CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee considered the above Finance Department report from G. Luciantonio dated May 30, 2000 recommending the banking services contract be awarded to CIBC for an estimated annual savings of approximately $60,000. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned why there was no mention of a no-charge banking machine, which he understood was requested by Council during previous discussion. Ms. P. Houston replied that the City can only negotiate this on expiry of the regular contract, of which there are two years remaining, but that the request will be addressed at that time. Ms. Houston also requested that the staff recommendation be amended so as to provide authorization for the Mayor and Clerk to execute the necessary agreement. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener's Banking Services be awarded to the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (ClBC) for a period of three (3) years from October 1, 2000 to September 30, 20003; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the necessary agreement." 7. LEG-00-016 - DANGEROUS DOG REGISTRY The Committee considered the above Legal Department staff report from A. Menon dated June 7, 2000 recommending that no action be taken at this time in regard to the creation of a Dangerous Dog Registry as previously directed by Council. The report indicates that a Coroner's Inquest as a result of a recent dog attack recommends that the Province create a Central Registry of Violent Dogs. In addition, the Legislature will be asked to deal shortly with a Private Member's Bill which also suggests a central registry. Councillor J. Ziegler asked that consideration of this matter be referred to the next Finance and Administration Committee meeting. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That consideration of the staff recommendation that no action be taken at this time with respect to the creation of a Dangerous Dog Registry pending action by the Province on creation of a central Registry of Violent Dogs and an amendment to the Dog Owner's Liability Act be deferred and referred to the June 26, 2000 Finance and Administration Committee meeting." FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 2000 -54- CITY OF KITCHENER LEG-00-015 - SET FINES FOR BY-LAW 85-1 (ZONING) - SET FINES FOR MUNICIPAL CODE: - CHAPTER 408 (ANIMALS - REGULATION) - LICENSING CHAPTERS INCREASING SET FINES FOR CHAPTER 530 (DOGS) The Committee considered the above Legal Department staff report from L. Marshall dated June 7, 2000 directing staff in respect to the creation of set fine amounts and short form wording for the City's Zoning By-law and Municipal Code Chapters relative to Animals and Licensing matters. Ms. L. Marshall requested that the recommendation in the staff report be amended to reflect that the Licensing chapters will be re-enacted from time to time under Bill 26. Moved by Councillor G. Lorentz - "That the City Solicitor be directed to provide set fine amounts and short form wording for Zoning By-law 85-1, for consideration by Council at its meeting of August 28, 2000; and, That the City Solicitor be directed to provide set fine amounts and short form wording for applicable Municipal Code Chapters, including Chapter 408 (Animals - Regulation) and the Licensing Chapters, as re-enacted from time to time under Bill 26, for consideration by Council at its meeting of August 28, 2000; and further, That the City Solicitor be directed to provide an increase in the set fine amounts of the Municipal Code Chapter 530 (Dogs), for consideration by Council at its meeting of July 4, 2000." Councillor Jake Smola questioned whether, in view of the abundance of litter on City streets, the set fines are high enough to be effective. Ms. Marshall advised that she would have to enquire further in this regard, and Councillor J. Ziegler asked that this information be provided to Council on or before June 19, 2000. He also requested information as to the number of fines levied where the City already has provision for set fines. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned whether a mechanism could be put in place to review the amount of set fines on an annual basis. Mr. R. W. Pritchard indicated that staff will report back in this regard. The motion by Councillor G. Lorentz adopting the staff recommendation, as amended, was voted on and was Carried. 9 CSD-00-039- CITY HALL RENTAL FEES, CITY RENTAL POLICY AND RENTAL AGREEMENT The Committee considered the above Community Services Department staff report from F. Pizzuto, P. Houston, G. Melanson and M. Price dated June 7, 2000 recommending revised City Hall rental fees, a rental policy and rental agreement. The report notes that a Committee consisting of staff and two members of Council have met to review options for restructuring the fees and charges process for City Hall rentals to reduce the number of routine requests, ensure fairness for all groups, reduce and simplify administration and improve customer service. Mr. G. Melanson and Mr. F. Pizzuto were in attendance in support of the staff recommendation. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested an amendment to the Eligibility Criteria outlined in Appendix 3 of the staff report to reflect that the events listed under sub-section (b) are considered Community Festivals, and that there be no expectation that such Festivals would reach financial independence after three years of operation, though this would be expected of other groups. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that the Heritage Greens Lawn Bowling should be recognized in Appendix 3 as a City-endorsed group based on their ongoing use of the FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 2000 -55- CITY OF KITCHENER 9 large CSD-00-039- CITY HALL RENTAL FEES, AGREEMENT - (CONT'D) CITY RENTAL POLICY AND RENTAL meeting room at the Lyle Hallman Pool Complex. Mr. G. Melanson advised that the group could be added to category (a) by the Committee in the future and Mr. F. Pizzuto suggested that category (b) - Grant Groups may be a more appropriate category. Mr. Pizzuto advised that staff will investigate the matter further and report back at a future date. In response to a question from Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. Pizzuto also agreed to provide, on or before June 19, 2000, a list of which groups fall into the categories listed in Appendix 3 of the staff report. The Committee then voted on the staff recommendation and an amendment to Appendix 3. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the proposed Fee Structure - City Hall Rentals (Appendix 1) and Extra Fee Categories (Appendix 2) as appended to Community Services Department report CSD- 00-039 and dated June 12, 2000 be approved; and, That the Eligibility Criteria for Groups or Event Usage of City Hall, Community Centres and Rooms in other Facilities (Appendix 3 of the above report) be amended to reflect under sub-section (b) - Grant Groups, that Christkindl Market, Festival of Trees and ArtWorks are examples of Community Festivals, and that the last paragraph under (b) - Grant Groups - Criteria for Eligibility for Grant be amended to reflect that those groups who should be encouraged to reach financial independence after three years do not include Community Festivals which may take longer than this to become self-sufficient; and, That Appendix 3, as amended, be approved and adopted as a Policy Resolution; and further, That the Facility Rental Agreement with the attached Terms and Conditions (Appendix 4) be approved and be authorized for use as a pre-approved rental contract for all City facility room/hall rentals including City Hall (but not including ice and field rentals)." 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:00 a.m. Gary M. Sosnoski Deputy City Clerk