HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2020-01-13 - Public BudgetSPECIAL FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 13, 2020CITY OF KITCHENER
The Special Finance and Corporate ServicesCommittee met this date, commencing at 7:34p.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
V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
D. McGoldrick,General Manager, Infrastructure Services
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning
B. Bennett, Manager, Business Development
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
1.FIN-20-004-2020BUDGET PUBLIC INPUT
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-20-004summarizing the
public input received through the City’s online survey regarding the City’s 2020Budget.
Mr. R. Hagey provided opening remarks, advising there were a number of consultative measures
used to receive feedback from the public on the 2020Budget, including: a dedicated telephone
line; email address; social media; a dedicated webpage on the City’s website; and, Engage
Kitchener. He stated the most popular way the City received feedback was through the budget
survey posted on Engage Kitchener. He provided the Committee with a summary of the budget
survey and responses received, noting 474 comments were received,which are outlinedin
Report FIN-20-004.
Councillor P. Singh entered the meeting at this time.
Mr. T. LaMantia, Waterloo Economic Development Corporation (WEDC),provided an overview
of the WEDC including,but not limited to the following: key highlights for 2019; an update on
their 5-year Strategic Plan; updates regarding their marketing objectives and plans; their
upcoming challenges; and, their goals for 2020. He expressed appreciation for the continued
support and partnership with the City of Kitchener through the 2020 Budget.
Mr. I. Klugman, Communitech, expressed appreciation for the continued support and partnership
with the City of Kitchener through the 2020 Budget.He provided an annual update on the work
completed by Communitech in 2019.
Mr. S. Geoby, University of Waterloo, addressed the Committee in support of the continued
funding for participatory budgeting.He highlighted the previous participatory budget projects
undertakenby the City andsome of the key highlights related to those pilot projects. He indicated
participatory budgeting encourages residents to engage in their neighbourhoods and allows
citizens to make decisions on what would benefit their community.
Mr. S. Nabi and Mr. M. Rodrigues, Downtown Kitchener Neighbourhood Association(DTKNA),
addressed the Committee in support of the GaukelStreet conversionto a pedestrian-first street
between Victoria Park and City Hall.
Mr. M. Rodrigues, Cycling and Trails Advisory Committee, provided an overview of the work
completed by the Committee in 2019, and their goals for 2020. He expressed support for
Kitchener’s commitment to active transportation within the 2020 Budget.
Ms. M. Bowman addressed the Committee in favour of various items within the 2020 budget
including,but not limited to: the affordable housing initiative; LoveMyHood Initiative; the
expanded Leisure Access Card to include neighbourhood association programming; active
transportation and complete streets; sidewalk snow clearing;GaukelStreetpedestrian first
conversion; Environmental Sustainability; Urban Forest Strategy; supporting arts and culture;
and, Kitchener Public Library. She stated she would prefer to pay higher taxes locally to see
programs and services expanded to residents of the municipality.
SPECIAL FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICESCOMMITTEE MINUTES
JANUARY 13, 2020-2-CITY OF KITCHENER
1.FIN-20-004-2020 BUDGET PUBLIC INPUT(CONT’D)
Ms. E. Slofstra, CycleWR,addressed the Committee in support of Kitchener’s commitment to
CompleteStreets and active transportation within the 2020 Budget.
Ms. R. Brusse addressed the Committee in support of Kitchener’s commitment to the affordable
housing and requested consideration be given to adding a permanent fundingallocationwithin
the City’s budget foraffordable housing, starting in 2020.
Ms. C. Masher,Ms. T.Thomsen,Ms. L. Cromptonand Ms. S.Farooqui addressed the
Committee on behalf of the City’s commitment tobeing a caring community andaddressing
affordable housing.
Mr. P. Mortonrequested Council seek means to support residents and volunteers wherever a
need has been identified.
2.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 9:06p.m.
D. Saunderson
Committee Administrator