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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 1998-07-15 SCOUNCIL\1998-07-15-SPE JULY 15, 1998 SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER A special meeting of City Council was held at 4:05 p.m. this date and Chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with the following members present: Councillors M. Yantzi, John Smola, B. Vrbanovic, J. Ziegler, T. Galloway, G.Lorentz and C.Weylie. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison was in attendance for part of the meeting. Notice of this special meeting had previously been given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code. Council was in receipt of a report from J. Jantzi, Director of Economic Development and Business Facilitation, dated July 9, 1998 recommending execution of an Offer to Purchase property in the Huron Business Park. Ms. Jantzi further clarified that construction of a building of a minimum square footage on the purchased land is not being required, and that the owner is purchasing at this time for expansion purposes. Ms. Jantzi indicated that the wording in the agreement has been changed so as to indicate that the lands to be purchased at this time cannot be sold in isolation of the first part which is also owned by the purchaser. Mr. J. Shivas stressed that the Offer involves the City selling approximately 5 acres of land without any commitment to build, something which has never been done in the past. He suggested that a commitment for a minimum size building to be constructed within a specified time should be required and outlined in the agreement. He cautioned that the purchaser could hold the lands and not construct the building and at a later date sever and sell the property which in the interim would have merged on title with lands presently owned by the purchaser. Ms. J. Jantzi clarified that the purchaser is planning to build on this site, but does not wish to guarantee construction at this time. Moved by Councillor T. Galloway Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic "That the City enter into an Offer to Purchase dated the 6th day of July, 1998 with Wittan Holdings Inc. for land in Phase II of the Huron Business Park, being composed of Part of Lot 16, Registrar's Compiled Plan 1471 shown as Part 2 on Reference Plan 58R-6266 and consisting of approximately 4.72 acres, for a total purchase price of $354,000 calculated at the rate of $75,000/acre; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to execute any other necessary documentation required by the City Solicitor." Carried. Council was in receipt of a memorandum from Mayor C. Zehr concerning the City's appointment to the Grand River Hospital Board of Trustees, recommending the appointment of Councillor Tom Galloway for the remainder of the term of Council. Councillor Galloway indicated he was prepared to accept the appointment. Moved by Councillor J.Ziegler Seconded by Councillor M. Yantzi "That Councillor T. Galloway serve as the representative of Kitchener City Council on the Board of Trustees for the Grand River Hospital Corporation for a term expiring on November 30, 2000." Carried. Council was in receipt of a memorandum from Mr. J. Shivas, City Solicitor, dated July 14, 1998 requesting a change in the wording of the July 6, 1998 Council resolution involving the sale of property in Huron Industrial Park to Mitchell Plastics Limited. Moved by Councillor C.Weylie Seconded by Councillor T. Galloway "That the resolution passed by Council on July 6, 1998 to accept an Offer to Purchase dated June 19, 1998 for Part 1 on Reference Plan 58R-9683 in Phase III of the Huron Industrial Park be amended by deleting the words 'Mitchell Plastics Limited' and substituting therefor the words '1090504 Ontario Limited."' Carried. JULY 15, 1998 SPECIAL COUNCIL 1VHNUTES - 404- CITY OF KITCHENER Council was in receipt of a memorandum from Mr. J. Shivas dated July 14, 1998 in regard to a Quit Claim Deed for a property in the Huron Industrial Park known municipally as 565 Trillium Drive. Moved by Councillor J. Ziegler Seconded by Councillor T. Galloway "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Quit Claim Deed releasing all rights of the City contained in paragraph 2 of the Schedule to Instrument No.988600 respecting Part 6 on Reference Plan 58R-5849 and municipally known as 565 Trillium Drive, Kitchener." Carried. Council was in receipt this date of a report from Ms. P. Houston, Chief Financial Officer and City Treasurer, dated July 14, 1998 concerning the 1998 tax rate by-law and tax billing. Ms. Houston spoke to her report advising that the proposed by-law reflects a levy of $67,501,168 as approved by Council on May 15, 1998, and which represents a tax increase of approximately 2.53%. She added that the by-law requires that the balance of the 1998 taxes be paid in a single instalment on September 1, 1998, rather than the normal two instalments of July 2 and September 1. She also outlined the communications strategy planned in regard to the September 1, 1998 tax billing. Councillor J.Ziegler referred to the reference in the draft by-law that there will be only one payment date on September 1, 1998 for the total balance owing and suggested that this date should be after Labour Day and on September 15, 1998. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether it is appropriate in this particular year, given the reassessment and all of the other changes, to have a single payment date and indicated his support for two dates. Councillor G.Lorentz suggested that a single date would be more appropriate, and that it is important to begin advertising this fact immediately, including use of the City's Home Page. Ms. P. Houston responded that a newspaper advertisement would be placed later this week and every effort made to provide advance notice, including an additional notice closer to the September due date, and a Home Page posting. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this time. Councillor T. Galloway suggested two due dates on the 1st of September and October with an option of paying the entire amount in September. Ms. P. Houston advised that there would be a cash flow impact of $250,000 to $300,000 if two instalment dates are used. Mr. J. Gazzola advised that staff favour one instalment on September 1, as many tax bills are paid by mortgage companies who normally would pay the entire amount on the September date in any case. He also advised that staff encourage the use of the pre-authorized payment plan which provides the option of splitting the balance owing over four instalments. Moved by Councillor J. Ziegler Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic "That there be two due dates for the remainder of 1998 taxes; namely, September 1 and October 1, 1998." A recorded vote was requested. In Favour: Councillors B. Vrbanovic and J. Ziegler. Contra: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillors K. Taylor- Harrison, M. Yantzi, John Smola, T. Galloway, G. Lorentz and C. Weylie. Motion Lost. Moved by Councillor M. Yantzi Seconded by Councillor John Smola JULY 15, 1998 SPECIAL COUNCIL 1VHNUTES - 405- CITY OF KITCHENER "That the by-law to levy the 1998 rates of taxation as submitted by staff be given three readings this date, subject to an amendment to recognize the pre-authorized payment option; and further, That staff promote the pre-authorized payment plan for 1998 taxes in any and all tax notices and communications." Carried. Councillor J. Ziegler asked that he be recorded as opposed to the tax by-law as submitted. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested an insert in the "Leisure" publication of the Parks & Recreation Department advertising the pre-authorized payment plan. Councillor T. Galloway suggested that a Press Release on the payment options may be appropriate at this time. Moved by Councillor John Smola Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic "That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce the following by-laws for three readings this date: (a) A by-law to establish the levy for rates of taxation (By-law No. 98-98) (b) A by-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council (By-law No.98-99) and that the same be taken as read a first, second and third times, be finally passed and numbered serially by the Clerk." Carried. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested an update on the hiring of the City's Corporate Communications Officer, and Mr. J. Gazzola advised that advertising has ended and the City has received approximately 150 applications which are being reviewed by staff at this time in order to identify ten short listed applicants. He advised that an administrative group is being set up to review the short listed applicants and interview dates are planned for the first week of August, with the successful applicant beginning work in September of this year. Councillor Vrbanovic enquired as to the advisability of a Council representative(s) on the review group. Councillor T. Galloway suggested that this is not required given the level of the position; however, it may be appropriate to give members of Council an opportunity for input. Mayor C. Zehr indicated that he would continue to work with Mr. Gazzola in regard to the review process and keep Council advised. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. MAYOR CLERK