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PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MINUTES
MARCH 1, 1993
The Public Works and Transportation Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Alderman
J. Smola with all members present, excepting His Worship Mayor D. Cardillo and Alderman J.
Ziegler.
Others Present:
Messrs. T. McKay, B. Liddle, S. Gyorffy, J. Shivas, D. Collie, D. Snow, D.
Gardner, J. Webster, D. Suzuki, J. O'Rourke and L.F. Parkhouse.
This meeting of the Public Works and Transportation Committee commenced at 10:20 a.m.
1 .Kolb Drain Realignment and Improvement Project
Mr. B. Liddle, Director of Engineering, advised the Committee that the realignment of the Kolb Drain
has been under review for many years. At this time a Class Environmental Assessment Study
has been completed and will be available for public review for a period of 30 days.
Mr. Ralph Thompson representing Cumming Cockburn Ltd. appeared before the Committee and, by
way of a slide presentation, provided information regarding the various alignment alternatives
which were considered and the environmental considerations which had been taken into
account. It was noted that the requirements of the Federal Fisheries Act have been considered
in detail and the recommended realignment and its development are in accordance with the
provisions of this legislation.
Following discussion and on motion by Alderman G. Lorentz -
it was resolved:
"That the plans for the preferred alignment of the Kolb Creek (Drain) Realignment and Improvement
Project as presented at an Open House held on November 25, 1992 be approved, and
further,
That the Class Environmental Assessment Report for this project be filed with the City Clerk for the
mandatory period of 30 days for public review."
2. Utilities Division - Clerical Assistance
The Committee was advised that, as part of the 1993 budget process, the Utilities Division was
provided with funding which will allow a full time temporary Utilities Clerk to be replaced with a
permanent Utilities Clerk. It was noted that the core complement for the Utilities Division
should be increased accordingly.
On motion by Alderman G. Lorentz-
it was resolved:
"That the core complement of the Utilities Division of the Department of Public Works be increased
by one to allow the existing full time temporary Utilities Clerk position to become a
permanent position."
3.Direct Purchase - Natural Gas
The Committee considered a report dealing with a previous direction which had been given which
would have resulted in the direct purchase of natural gas for City-owned facilities. It was noted,
however, that market conditions are changing and, accordingly, there is no longer a financial
incentive for such an arrangement.
When questioned by the Committee, Mr. D. Collie, Manager of Customer Relations and Marketing,
indicated that some residential users who entered into direct purchase arrangements are
finding that their deals with Gas Brokers are collapsing and they are returning to the City
system. In some cases, residential owners may experience a financial loss because of initial
payouts they made to a Gas Broker.
It was noted that residential users who stayed with the City system will not be faced with cost
increases due to other residential users and/or large commercial users returning to the system.
PUBLIC WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION
COMMITTEE MINUTES
-10-
MARCH 1, 1993
3.Direct Purchase - Natural Gas (Cont'd)
On motion by Alderman M. Wagner-
it was resolved:
"That the City of Kitchener not pursue a direct purchase supply of natural gas for City-owned
buildings at this time."
4.Operations Division - Projects in Proqress
This report was filed with the members of the Committee for their information.
5. Adjournment
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m.
L.F. Parkhouse, AMCT
Deputy City Clerk