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Home My WebLink AboutFCS Minutes - 2019-09-30FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30, 2019CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate ServicesCommittee met this date, commencing at 1:30p.m. Present:CouncillorS. Davey -Chair Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors D. Chapman, K. Galloway-Sealock,J. Gazzola,B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston, S. Marsh, C. Michaud, D. Schnider and P. Singh. Staff:D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer M. May, Deputy CAO& General Manager, Community Services J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services D. McGoldrick,General Manager, Infrastructure Services J. Winter, Director, Asset Management & Business Solutions G. St. Louis, Director, Utilities R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator 1.COR-19-043-EMPLOYEE CULTURE SURVEY RESULTS The Committee considered Corporate Services Departmentreport COR-19-043, dated September 19,2019regarding the 2019 Employee Culture Survey Results. Ms. J. MacDonald introduced Mr. Z. Rochon, Metrics@Work. Mr. Rochon presented the results of the City’s fifth Employee Culture Survey (ECS). Mr. D. Chapman provided an overview of key themes identified in the 2019 survey and how the results align with the City’s Strategic goals. He indicated staff are highly engaged, but thereareareas within the surveythat can be improved. He stated next stepswill include identifyingareasneeding improvement and creating action plans to address those areas. Mr. Rochon responded to questions from the Committee. In response to questions, Mr. M. May advised the Corporate Leadership Team has not yet received the report that disseminates the demographic information received through the ECS. Hestated once the report is received,the Corporate Leadership Team may share it with the Mayor’s Taskforce for Diversity and Equity to assist in determininghow and who it will be shared with once received. On motion by CouncillorB. Ioannidis- it was resolved: “That the 2019 Employee Culture Survey results, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report COR-19-043, be received; and further, That staff be commended for both their level of participation in the survey and their ongoing commitment to providing our residents and businesses with excellent customer service.” 2.FIN-19-078-2019 STATE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE REPORT The Committee considered FinancialServicesDepartment report FIN-19-078, dated August 26, 2019 regardingthe 2019 State of the Infrastructure Report. Mr. J. Winter presented the Report, and responded to questions from the Committee. In response to questions, Mr. Winter agreed to review the use of the data and how to better integrate it within the report, includingthe possibility of removing the pluses and minuseswithin the grading.In response to further questions, Mr. Winter advised he could provide greater clarification on the point in time in which the report card was reporting on. On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic- it was resolved: “That staff be directed to report annually on the state of the City’s infrastructure, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-19-078.” FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30, 2019-43-CITY OF KITCHENER 3.FIN-19-079-2020-2029 LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-19-079, dated September 19, 2019recommending approval of the endorsement of the 2020-2029 Long-Term Financial Plan (LTFP), which includes financial strategies and recommendations aimed at strengthening the City’s overall financial position. Mr. J. Lautenbach presented the Report and responded to questions from the Committee. In response to questions, Mr. Lautenbach advised Council was not being requested to approve the recommendations this date. He indicated staff intended on using the LTFP as direction in the future and where additional approvals would be required, staff will request Council direction on the various recommendations. Councillor S. Davey noted one item for consideration that was not highlighted within the LTFP that he would follow up with staff prior to the Council meeting, was any information/projections related to Assessment Growth. A motion was brought forward by Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock to approve the recommendation as outlined in Report FIN-19-079. Councillor S. Marsh brought forward an amendment to Councillor Galloway-Sealock’s motion to amendrecommendation 8.1 of the LTFP to read “Investigate and propose options to help address the Facilities Infrastructure Gap (2020)” rather than “Introduce a Special Facilities Infrastructure Levy to help address the Facilities Infrastructure Gap (2020)”. Councillor Marsh’s amendment wasthenvoted on and was Carriedon a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, D. Schnider, C. Michaud, D. Chapman, S. Marsh and K. Galloway-Sealock voting in favour; and, Councillor J.Gazzola voting in opposition. Councillor M. Johnston was absent and accordingly did not vote. Councillor D. Chapman brought forward anamendment Councillor Galloway-Sealock’s motion to amend the opening paragraph on page 22 of the LFTP under the heading of Recommended Actions to amend the first sentence to read “The following recommended actions will be investigated and considered to move the City forward under the identified Strategic Areas of focus, rather than “The following recommended actions will continue to move the City forward under the Strategic Areas of focus”. Councillor Chapman’s amendment was thenvoted on and was Carriedon a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors J. Gazzola, S. Davey, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, D. Schnider, C. MichaudandD. Chapman voting in favour; and, Councillors S. Marsh and K. Galloway- Sealock voting in opposition. Councillor M. Johnston was absent and accordingly did not vote. Councillor P. Singh brought forward an amendment to Councillor Galloway-Sealock’s motion to amend recommendation 4.2 of the LTFP to allocate 60% of “operating budget room” related to the Economic Development Investment Reserve Fund (EDIF) to facility infrastructure rather than 50%. Councillor Singh’s amendment was thenvoted on and was Carriedon a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors, S. Davey, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, S. Marsh, D. Schnider andD. Chapman voting in favour; and, CouncillorsC. Michaud,J. Gazzola andK. Galloway- Sealock voting in opposition. Councillor M. Johnston was absent and accordingly did not vote. The following motion was then voted on and was Carriedon a recorded vote, with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors, S. Davey,C. Michaud, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, S. Marsh, K. Galloway- Sealock, D. Schnider, voting in favour; and, Councillors J. Gazzola and D. Chapman voting in opposition. Councillor M. Johnston was absent and accordingly did not vote. On motion by CouncillorK. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30, 2019-44-CITY OF KITCHENER 3.FIN-19-079-2020-2029 LONG-TERM FINANCIAL PLAN (CONT’D) “That the 2020-2029 Long-Term Financial Plan be endorsed, as amended; and further, That staff be directed to incorporate the recommended actions as part of the annual business planning and budget process, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-19-079.” 4.INS-19-015-NATURALGAS RATES The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-19-015, dated September 19,2019recommending approval of the proposed natural gas rates, effective November 1, 2019, outlined in Appendix ‘A’ of the Report.Mr. G. St. Louis was in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee. In response to questions, Mr. St. Louis agreed to forward the Gas Supply reserve balances prior to the Council meeting. On motion by CouncillorB. Ioannidis - it was resolved: “That Kitchener Utilities’ natural gas rates be approved as proposed in Appendix ‘A’ to Infrastructure Services Department report INS-19-015, for all Kitchener delivery customers effective November 1, 2019.” 5.FIN-19-080-COMMUNITY, CULTURE & RECREATION GRANT APPLICATION The Committee considered FinancialServices Department report FIN-19-080, dated September 18, 2019recommending approval of the Community, Culture & Recreation Grant Application. Ms. D. McGoldrick and Messrs. D. Chapman, J. Lautenbach, M. May and R. Hagey were in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee. Councillor M. Johnston entered the meeting at this time. It was noted any recommendation arising from this matter would be considered at a Special Council meeting later this date. The following motion was voted on and Carriedon a recorded vote with Mayor B. Vrbanovic and Councillors J. Gazzola, P. Singh, S. Davey, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston, D. Schnider, K. Galloway-Sealock, C. Michard and S. Marsh voting in favour; and, Councillor D. Chapman voting in opposition. On motion by CouncillorK. Galloway-Sealock - it was resolved: “That the following project application be approved, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-19-080, for submission by the City of Kitchener to the Community, Culture & Recreation Funding Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: 1.Aquatic Centre (RBJ Schlegel Park); and, That the following project applications be endorsed for submission by partner organizations to the Community, Culture & Recreation Funding Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program: 1.Centre in the Square Washroom & Theatre Seating Replacement and Accessibility Improvements; 2.THEMUSEUM Rehabilitation and Accessibility Renovations; and further, FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 30, 2019-45-CITY OF KITCHENER 5.FIN-19-080-COMMUNITY, CULTURE& RECREATION GRANT APPLICATION (CONT’D) That the Chief Financial Officer and General Manager of Infrastructure Services be delegated authority, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor,to sign any relevant documentation and/or agreements pertaining to the project applications to the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.” 6.ADJOURNMENT On motion, this meeting adjourned at4:18p.m. D. Saunderson Committee Administrator