HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2021-11-15 - Public Budget
Finance and Corporate Services
Committee Minutes
November 15, 2021, 7:00 p.m.
Electronic Meeting
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Gazzola
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. Ioannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Marsh
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
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
D. Andrade, Manager, Budgets
D. Saunderson, Manager of Council/Committee Services and
Deputy Clerk
D. Mange, Committee Administrator
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1. Commencement
The Special Finance and Corporate Services Committee held an electronic
meeting this date, chaired by Councillor S. Davey, commencing at 7:18 pm.
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2. Discussion Items
2.1 Draft 2022 Budget - Public Consultation
D. Andrade provided opening remarks on the 2022 Budget - Public Input process
stating that 167 responses from citizens had been received to this date through
the online survey. D. Andrade spoke of the survey being the most effective form
of engagement with citizens and stated its goal to increase public participation
through questions regarding the following matters: the proposed water utilities
rate increase; weight on different investment options of unallocated capital
funding and strategic goals and priority areas for the 2022 budget.
2.2 Delegations
2.2.a Ian McLean and Art Sinclair, Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce
I. McLean and A. Sinclair, Greater Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce,
were in attendance to present an update of the work undertaken by their
organization. I. McLean expressed appreciation for the continued support and
partnership with the City of Kitchener through the 2022 budget.
2.2.b Aleksandra Petrovic and Barbara Spronk, The Social Development Centre of
Waterloo Region
The Committee was in receipt of a written submission from the Social
Development Centre of Waterloo Region. A. Petrovic and B. Spronk, Social
Development Centre of Waterloo Region, provided an overview of the work
currently being completed by their organization, noting as outlined in their written
submission, they were requesting additional financial support in 2022 in the
amount of $63,200. to enhance their work being completed by their Civic Hub
program which services underrepresented groups in the city; as well as, for their
Eviction Prevention program. In response to questions from the Committee, A.
Petrovic explained that if no funding is secured for their proposal, the Centre's
capacity to create connections with housing experts and other service providers
would be lost and the community would be impacted by less affordable housing
units.
2.2.c Tony LaMantia, Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation
T. LaMantia presented the 2021 update and highlights for the Waterloo Region
Economic Development Corporation, including, but not limited to the following:
new firms established in the region; updates on the five-year Strategic Plan; as
well as their continued support to local businesses during the global pandemic.
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2.2.d Fadhilah Balogun, African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region
F. Balogun, African Women's Alliance of Waterloo Region, addressed the
Committee in support of the Social Development Centre of Waterloo Region's
funding request. F. Balogun indicated the Civic Hub provides a number of
services to support the community, including but not limited to: access to mental
health services; leadership training; health services supports; and cooking
programs.
Councillor S. Davey left the meeting at this time and Councillor K. Galloway-
Sealock took the chair.
Councillor S. Davey returned to the meeting, and resumed the Chair.
3. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
Daniela Mange
Committee Administrator
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