HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2020-11-02FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 2, 2020CITY OF KITCHENER
The Finance and Corporate ServicesCommittee held an electronic meeting this date,commencing
electronically 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
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
R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning
C. Bluhm, Executive Director of Economic Development
B.Bennett, Managerof Business Development
D. Saunderson, Committee Administrator
S. Goldrup, Committee Administrator
The Committee then unanimously agreed to consider Item 2 regarding Development Services
Department report DSD-20-178 regarding the Make It Kitchener 2.0 Partnership Opportunity.
1.DSD-20-178-MAKE IT KITCHENER 2.0 PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY
Councillors M. Johnstondeclared a pecuniary interest with respect to Development Services
Department report DSD-20-178 regarding the Make it Kitchener 2.0 Partnership Opportunity as
they are employed by the University of Waterloo and as such did not discuss or vote on this
matter.
Councillor S. Marshdeclared a pecuniary interest with respect to Development Services
Department report DSD-20-178 regarding the Make it Kitchener 2.0 Partnership Opportunity as
they own property near the project site and as such did not discuss or vote on this matter.
CouncillorP. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with respect to Development Services
Department report DSD-20-178 regarding the Make it Kitchener 2.0 Partnership Opportunity as
their family owns property near the project site and assuch did not discuss or vote on this matter.
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-20-178, dated
October 27, 2020 recommending approval of the Make it Kitchener 2.0 Partnership Opportunity.
Cory Bluhm, Executive Director of Economic Development, and Brian Bennett, Manager of
Business Development, presented to the Committee regarding the anticipated growth in the
health industry, projected health spending, the strategic alignment of the project, and the history
of the current Health Sciences Campus. B. Bennett further spoke to the opportunity, including
the potential economic impact, the capital investment needed, partnership details with the
University of Waterloo, and Velocity to create a leading centre for healthinnovation.
Feridun Hamdullahpur, President of the University of Waterloo, presented to the Committee in
support of the project. In response to the Committee’s questions, F. Hamdullahpur spoke to the
other levels of government and local partners potentially supporting the initiative, the potential
economic growth to be created by the project, and the University of Waterloo’s commitment to
be a partner in the economic development of the Region.
Adrien Cote, Velocity, presented to the Committee in support of the report. In response to the
Committee’s questions, A. Cote spoke to the proposed facility's unique opportunity and the
estimated jobs to be created.
Tony LaMantia, Waterloo EDC, Keean Sarani, Avro Life Science, and Seray Cicek, LSK
Technologies,presented to the Committee in support of the initiative. In response to questions
from the Committee, S. Cicek spoke to what has drawn their company to the community.
B. Bennett further answered questions regarding future proposed uses for space within the
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 2, 2020-17-CITY OF KITCHENER
1.DSD-20-178-MAKE IT KITCHENER 2.0 PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITY (CONT’D)
Tannery Building, the potential benefits of the proposed investment, teaching hospitals, the
Small Business Centre location at Kitchener City Hall, the health innovation sector in Kitchener,
deep sciences, the history of the property, and the opportunitiescreated for graduates of the
University of Waterloo. C. Bluhm further spoke to the Health Sciences Campus’s future vision,
the unique opportunities presented bythis initiative, and why now is the right time for the project.
The Committee debated the opportunities created by the initiative, the City of Kitchener's
mandate, and the importance of local solutions to healthcare challenges demonstrated by
COVID-19. The Committee further discussed how this unique facility would provide opportunities
for health technology organizations, create jobs, investment opportunities, and other economic
development opportunities.
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock requested a recorded vote.
On motion by CouncillorD. Schnider -
it was resolved:
“That up to $8.5M from the Kitchener Economic Development Investment Fund 2.0 be
allocated to support the renovation of the University of Waterloo’s building located at 280
Joseph St W, to expand the Downtown Kitchener Health Sciences Campus to house the
University of Waterloo’sVelocity program and new Health Innovation opportunities, in
accordance with Development Services Department report DSD-20-178; and further,
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute all documentation required to
complete the transaction, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, in accordance
with report DSD-20-178.”
Carried on a recorded vote in accordance with the declared pecuniary interest.
In Favour:Mayor B. Vrbanovic and
Councillors S. Davey, K. Galloway-
Sealock, B. Ioannidis, D. Schnider, and
C. Michaud.
Contra:CouncillorsJ. Gazzola and D.
Chapman.
Pecuniary Interest:Councillors M.
Johnston, S. Marsh, and P. Singh.
2.FIN-20-063-2021 USER FEES
The Committee considered FinancialServices Departmentreport FIN-20-063, datedOctober
20, 2020,recommending approval of the 2021user fees and charges.
Ryan Hagey, Director of Financial Planning, presented to the Committee regarding the 2021
User Fees and reviewed tax supported budget revenues, the 2021 user fee strategy, and noted
fee changes.
In response to questions from the Committee, J. Readman, General Manager for Development
Services, explained that due to an excess in reserves for the Building Enterprise, the related
fees had been lowered. J. Readman further spoke to considerations for future staffing needs
and stated that the fees should not fluctuate for some time.
On motion byCouncillorB. Ioannidis-
it was resolved:
“That 2021 user fees be held flat at 2020 rates with the exception of those fees specifically
identified in Report FIN-20-063; and,
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
NOVEMBER 2, 2020-18-CITY OF KITCHENER
2.FIN-20-063-2021 USER FEES (CONT’D)
That the proposed fees and charges contained in the 2021 User Fee Schedule attached
to Financial Services Department report FIN-20-063 be approved; and further,
That Legal Services staff be directed to prepare the necessary by-laws to amend The City
of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapters for fees and charges pertaining to licensing,
planning applications, building permits and Committee of Adjustment applications.”
3.ADJOURNMENT
On motion, this meeting adjourned at3:35p.m.
S. Goldrup
Committee Administrator