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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Admin - 1998-05-11FAC\1998-05-11 MAY 11, 1998 FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Administration Committee met this date commencing at 10:00 a.m., and Chaired by Councillor J. Ziegler with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillors T. Galloway, K. Taylor-Harrison, M. Yantzi, John Smola, Jake Smola, B. Vrbanovic, J. Haalboom, G. Lorentz and C. Weylie. Others present: Ms. P. Houston, Mrs. J. Koppeser, Ms. J. Jantzi, Messrs. J. Gazzola, B. Stanley, O. den Ouden, L. Parkhouse, J. Shivas, M. Grummett, T. Clancy, R. W. Pritchard, and G. Sosnoski. 1. DISTANCE REQUIREMENT EXEMPTIONS - REFRESHMENT VEHICLE BY-LAW Consideration of the April 27, 1998 Committee recommendation was deferred by Council and referred back to the meeting this date to consider additional information from the applicants. Mr. Steven Webb appeared in support of his April 23, 1998 request for an exemption from the Refreshment Vehicle By-law to allow him to locate a refreshment vehicle at 1426 Weber Street East (Kinzie Avenue and Weber Street). The By-law requires that temporary refreshment vehicles be located a minimum of 200 meters from permanent places of refreshment. It was noted that at least one such establishment, T. J.'s Roadhouse, is within the 200-meter radius. Mr. Webb indicated that he was prepared to approach the owners of T. J.'s Roadhouse to determine whether they had an objection to his request. Mrs. Koppeser cautioned against acceding to the request as this would involve an exemption to the by-law requirement, which has in the past been denied for other applicants. Councillor B. Vrbanovic put forward a motion to grant a one year license to Mr. Webb and Mr. Hamm involving an exemption to the Refreshment Vehicle By-law provided no objections are received from either T.J.'s Roadhouse or Jack Astor's relative to the two locations proposed. Councillor Jake Smola cautioned against setting an exemption precedent, and reminded Committee members that the by-law is intended to protect restaurants which have greater fixed costs and pay business taxes. Councillor Ziegler suggested that the request is worth supporting as a hot dog stand serves a different clientele market than that of established restaurants. Councillor Galloway pointed out that it was his understanding there were other establishments within the 200-meter radius as it relates to the 1426 Weber Street East location. Councillor B. Vrbanovic amended his earlier motion to reflect that licenses would only be granted if no objections were received from refreshment establishments within a 200-meter radius. He also accepted, as a friendly amendment, a suggestion from Councillor T. Galloway that staff investigate possible changes to the Refreshment Vehicle By-law to reflect that exemptions would be granted if no objections were received from neighbouring businesses. Mrs. Koppeser reminded the Committee that if a license is granted in 1998, it automatically gives the recipient a right to a license in 1999. She pointed out that a change of ownership in one of the permanent establishments could cause a problem in this regard. Councillor Ziegler suggested that staff could assume that the initial notification of no objection would stand unless withdrawn by a subsequent owner. The main motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic was then voted on, as amended. On a motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, it was resolved: "That notwithstanding the distance requirement of Chapter 586 (Refreshment Vehicles) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, and subject to their being no objection from the owners/operators of permanent places of refreshment within 200 meters of the proposed locations, Mr. Richard Hamm and Mr. Steven Webb be granted 1998 licenses to operate stationary refreshment vehicles at the Toys 'R Us (Fairway Road/Wilson Avenue) and 1426 Weber Street East (Kinzie Avenue/weber Street) respectively; and further That staff investigate the feasibility of amending Chapter 586 so as to allow the above exemption at any time, provided there are no objections from owners/operators within the separate distances stipulated in the Chapter." FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 1998 - 82- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. USE OF GOUDIES GREEN - KITCHENER DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION The Committee was in receipt of a report and recommendation from J. Koppeser dated May 5, 1998 in support of a request from N. Brawley, Executive Director, Kitchener Downtown Business Association. On a motion by Mayor C. Zehr, it was resolved: "That the Kitchener Downtown Business Association be granted permission to use Goudies Green, except for the land already approved for use by Mr. Sub, during the Sidewalk Sale to be held June 24 - 27, 1998, subject to the necessary City staff reviewing the proposal prior to setup, and the applicant obtaining any required license." 3. YEAR 2000 ISSUES Ms. Houston gave a presentation updating the Committee on activity involving the problems the Year 2000 (Y2K) poses for older computer systems. She advised that the City is in reasonably good shape in terms of its response to these problems, and that Information Services began addressing these approximately five years ago. She outlined components of the action plan including an assessment of information systems, changes in operations technology, external forces having a potential impact on City operations, and the municipality's role as a community leader. Ms. Houston advised that a corporate team has been assembled to deal with related issues and referred to several probable impacts on the City if agencies such as the banks, the Region of Waterloo and natural gas suppliers have not properly dealt with the Y2K problem. Questions were raised as to whether new computer acquisitions and workstations are free of any Y2K problems and Mr. Grummett replied that all tenders require Y2K compliance and that staff test this equipment before installation. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested a periodic update be provided to the Committee regarding progress on the Y2K conversion. Councillor Galloway enquired as to the need for additional policies for areas such as bill payment in the event Y2K problems are encountered. Ms. Houston responded that these would form part of the City's contingency plan. 4. DOWNTOWN FINANCIAL INCENTIVE - 55 KING STREET WEST (TRUSCAN REALTY) The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development Department report PD98/57 (S. FrenetteAN. Pearce) recommending awarding of a renovation grant. On a motion by Councillor G. Lorentz, it was resolved: "That Council approve an application from Truscan Realty Ltd. for a Grant-In-Lieu of Building Permit Fee in the amount of $2,997.50 under the Downtown Financial Incentive Program for renovations to 55 King Street West." 5. FUNDING PROPOSAL - COMMUNITY GARDEN The Committee was in receipt of Planning and Development report PD98/56 (S. Frenette/B. Stanley/R. Arnot) concerning a request for a $15,000.00 Social Infrastructure Grant to the Working Centre to assist in development of a community garden on lands owned by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Ms. Sara MacDonald, Mr. Greg Newton and Mr. Joe Mancini appeared in support of their request and the staff recommendation. Ms. MacDonald advised that development of the community garden at Queen Street South and Mitchell Avenue will not only provide gardening space but also encourage community involvement. She suggested that the model developed in the course of the project would be used to create additional community gardens in the City which will hopefully be self-sustaining. Mr. Newton advised that he and Ms. MacDonald plan to document the entire process and project outcome. Councillor Vrbanovic noted that other local garden initiatives have proceeded without the benefit of a grant and referred to a recent garden FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 1998 - 83- CITY OF KITCHENER 5. FUNDING PROPOSAL - COMMUNITY GARDEN - CONT'D in Centreville Chicopee. He indicated that for his part he would like to be assured that at minimum information and resources developed in the course of the project will be shared with other community groups interested in developing such gardens. In response to a question from Councillor Haalboom, Ms. MacDonald clarified that the grant funding will be used to pay herself and Mr. Newton to oversee the project and act as facilitators and resource co-ordinators. She further noted that project and individual gardener evaluations are planned. Mr. Newton added that they had planned to document the assessment procedure and to include a guidebook as well as a final project report. Mr. Clancy advised that he supports the project, in principle, and that the site appears suitable; however, the sustainability of the project is a possible concern. He also referred to the work put into other similar community garden projects without benefit of City funding, and questioned the precedent which would be set by funding this particular project. Councillor Yantzi noted that the Social Infrastructure Grant is intended to fund initiatives related to social and community structure, and not to provide capital funding for the garden alone. Mayor Zehr indicated similar concern over the funding of a particular community garden and suggested that the staff recommendation be amended to indicate that a significant amount of time is to be spent developing and documenting a model/process in regard to starting up and running community gardens over and above the time spent in encouraging development of this particular site. Moved by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, "That Council approve a one-time Social Infrastructure Grant in the amount of $15,000.00 for the Working Centre to help facilitate the development of a community garden on lands owned by the Regional Municipality of Waterloo at the corner of Queen Street South and Mitchell Avenue, with the above amount to be debited from Capital Account 715056 (Community Infrastructure Program); and, That in addition to the development of the garden, the applicants be required to provide advice and programming for other community garden projects in 1998, and upon completion to provide a community garden "how to" manual which can be used by other Kitchener community garden projects; and further, That upon completion of the project, the Downtown Kitchener Community Garden Committee provide an evaluation of its success and plans for sustaining the garden in future years." It was noted that both Ms. MacDonald and Mr. Newton are Waterloo residents, and Councillor Weylie pointed out that the success of a community garden usually depends on the proximity of the project leaders to the site in order to provide advice and assistance. Mr. Newton responded that they are aware of the time allotment required and are planning to work from the Downtown offices of the Working Centre. Councillor Yantzi clarified that approval of the request does not mean that Council is obliged to fund the development of other community gardens, rather this is intended to provide a model or catalyst for the development of other projects independent of City funding. The motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic to approve a one-time social infrastructure grant was voted and Carried. 6. PLAQUE INSTALLATION - SCOTS FUSILIERS Mayor Zehr noted that Council had previously approved the manufacture of a plaque to accompany the grandfather clock donated to the City by the Scots Fusiliers Sergeant's Mess Association and outlined various location options, noting that his first preference would be to install the plaque on the clock itself. Councillor Lorentz suggested that the location of the plaque and clock should suggest permanence and indicated that he would support mounting the plaque on the stone work in the Rotunda. FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 1998 - 84- CITY OF KITCHENER 6. PLAQUE INSTALLATION - SCOTS FUSILIERS - CONT'D On a motion by Councillor G. Lorentz, it was resolved; "That the commemorative bronze plaque to accompany the grandfather clock donated to the City by the Scots Fusiliers Sergeant's Mess Association in memory of those who served during World War II be mounted in the Rotunda on the stone wall adjacent to the clock; and further, That in mounting the plaque, staff use installation techniques which minimize damage to the stone surface." 7. MARKET VALUE TAX IMPACT P. Houston gave a presentation on the impact of market value assessment on local tax groups, noting that the figures provided are estimates only. She pointed out that estimated cost increases at the City level would be approximately 4 per cent, 5.3 per cent at the Region and estimated 0 per cent relative to school taxes. She also noted that with the shift to market value assessment there will also be shifts between individual property classes and not just within classes as was the case in the past. She also noted that each property class now has a different split between City/Region and School taxes. Ms. Houston referred to the Ward maps circulated to individual members of Council this date comprising a graphic representation of the changes. Ms. Houston also noted the tax impact on residential properties throughout the City, as well as the impact of the recent Provincial budget on commercial and industrial properties. Mr. Gazzola emphasized that the new assessment system allows changes between different properties classes, and this will likely result in a detrimental impact on residential properties. He also noted that this new system complicates the tax bill as increases are not at a uniform percentage for a particular class of property, and as a result no two properties in the City will have the same increase or decrease. Mayor Zehr indicated that it was his impression Regional Council had control over the shift between classes and that a decision was made to retain the current balance. Ms. Houston replied that tax policy should take most of this into account; however, some minor shifts will take place. She agreed to investigate this comment further and advise. Mr. Gazzola further noted that in the past the percentage of decreases, increases and properties staying at the same level was approximately 1/3; whereas, under the new system 21 per cent of assessments went down, 53 per cent increased and 26 per cent stayed the same. 8. NEXT MEETING The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Finance and Administration Committee will be held on Monday, May 25, 1998. 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:40 a.m. G. Sosnoski Manager of Corporate Records and Assistant City Clerk