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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2022-04-04 Finance and Corporate Services Committee Minutes April 4, 2022, 10:00 a.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 C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development L. MacDonald, City Solicitor B. Rowland, Director, Corporate Communications and Marketing R. Hagey, Director, Financial Planning A. Fusco, Director of Legislated Services and City Clerk A. Ramsaroop, Social Planning and Affordable Housing Program Lead D. Becks, Manager of Downtown Development and Innovation D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk S. Goldrup, Committee Administrator _____________________________________________________________________ 1 1. Commencement The Finance & Corporate Services Committee held an electronic meeting this date commencing at 10:04 a.m. 2. Consent Items 2.1 Region of Waterloo Planning and Works Project Team Appointments, COR-2022-137 The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2022- 137, dated March 7, 2022, regarding Region of Waterloo Planning and Works Project Team appointments for the Schneider Creek Multi-Use Path-Manitou Drive to Block Line Road Study Team, and the Separated Cycling Facilities Study. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis it was resolved: "That Councillor J. Gazzola be appointed to the Schneider Creek Multi- Use Path Manitou Drive to Block Line Road Study Team, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report COR-2022-137; and further, That Councillor S. Davey be appointed to Separated Cycling Facilities Study (Erb Street, Bridgeport Road) including the Conversion of the Pilot Network." Carried 3. Discussion Items 3.1 Downtown Financial Incentive Program Update: Façade Grant Program, DSD-2022-112 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2022- 112, dated March 16, 2022, regarding the façade grant program as outlined in the Report. D. Becks presented the report and responded to questions from the Committee. Councillor P. Singh entered the meeting at this time. In response to questions, D. Becks advised the program has not had any major modifications from previous years, save and except for the inclusion of Accessibility facade improvements. In response to questions, D. Becks stated if it 2 was Council's will to increase the grant allocations, there would need to be a review undertaken on the Community Improvement Plan (CIP), which includes a regulated public process, noting if Council was interested in assisting a greater number of businesses it would be easier to increase the funding in the overall program. Councillor S. Marsh requested staff report back on the options to expand the CIP, as well as other options that could support small businesses in recovery. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis it was resolved: "That the Façade Grant Program be reinstated, with the City accepting applications until December 31, 2027, in accordance with the Downtown Community Improvement Plan, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2022-112; and, That Council Policy FIN-GRA-535 be repealed and replaced with the revised Council Policy FIN-GRA-535 as attached to Report DSD-2022- 112, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and Clerk; and further, That staff be directed to consider businesses that have made inquiries and registered interest in a façade grant, during the period of January 1, 2021 to the date of approval of this report by Council, as eligible for the Façade Grant program in accordance with Report DSD-2022-112." Carried 3.2 Love My Business Support Programs, DSD-2022-150 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2022- 150, dated March 17, 2022, recommending endorsement of the proposed "Love My Business" support program as outlined in the Report. J. Dolson presented the report and responded to questions from Committee. It was requested and agreed that a follow-up report be provided on the overall success of the program prior to the 2023 budget process. Questions were raised regarding expanding the program to make the program more available to all businesses within the City. C. Bluhm indicated the Municipal Act does have some restrictions on the types of grants municipalities are able to provide. C. Bluhm stated where possible staff continue to review opportunities to expand support programs to make them as responsive as possible. In response to further questions, J. Dolson stated where possible the program is intended to 3 be as flexible to encourage collaboration between all type businesses and community groups. On motion by Councillor P. Singh it was resolved: "That the proposed programs for the Love My Business initiative, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2022-150, be endorsed; and further, That City staff be directed to implement additional direct assistance programs where deemed permissible by the Ontario Municipal Act, as generally outlined in Report DSD-2022-150." Carried 3.3 Affordable Housing Development Charge (DC) Waiver Policy, FIN-2022-158 Councillor B. Ioannidis declared a conflict on this item. (Declared a conflict as he is employed by a Not-for-Profit and did not participate in any voting or discussion regarding this matter.) Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict on this item. (Declared a conflict as she is employed by a Not-for-Profit and did not participate in any voting or discussion regarding this matter.) The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-158, dated March 23, 2022, recommending approval of the Affordable Housing Development Charge (DC) Waiver Policy. A. Ramsaroop and R. Hagey presented the report and responded to questions from the Committee. In response to questions, R. Hagey agreed to bring forward an issues paper as part of the 2023 budget process to keep Council apprised on the overall success of the program. It was further requested and staff agreed to follow up prior to the April 11, 2022 Council meeting on the following items: the inclusion of a potential appeal process; a review of not-for-profits and how the policy would apply to those organizations; the implications related to the proposed 20-year timeframe and whether their affordability status changes within that time; and, further consideration related to mixed-use developments. On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic 4 it was resolved: "That financial policy FIN-PLA- Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-158; and, That the terms of reference for the Affordable Housing Reserve be approved as outlined in Attachment B to Report FIN-2022-158; and, That staff be directed to prepare an Issue Paper as part of the 2023 Budget process to provide a follow-up on the overall success of the program; and further, That staff continue to advocate with other levels of government, including the school board to identify ways to address affordable housing." Carried 3.4 In-Person and Hybrid Council and Committee Meetings, COR-2022-154 The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2022- 154, dated March 15, 2022 recommending approval of the Hybrid Meeting Protocols for a one-year pilot, outlined in Attachment 'A' as attached to COR- 2022-154 with a review in 2023 as part of the Procedure By-law Review. A. Fusco presented the report and responded to questions from Committee. Councillor B. Ioannidis brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation as outlined in Report COR-2022-154. Councillor J. Gazzola brought forward an amendment to Councillor Ioannidis's motion to amend the protocols to include the requirement that if a member of Council opted to attend a meeting virtually rather than in person, that the reason for virtual attendance be filed with the Clerk and available to the public. Mayor B. Vrbanovic questioned rather than creating an administrative process, to address the concern raised, rather than filing a reason with the Clerk, he suggested members of Council could declared during the meeting that their absence was in compliance with the policy and thus recorded in the minutes. Councillor Gazzola agreed to revise his amendment to note the reason for attending virtually as part of the public meeting rather than filing a record with the Clerk. Councillor Gazzola's amendment was then voted on and was LOST on a recorded vote with Councillor J. Gazzola voting in favour; and, Mayor B. 5 Vrbanovic and Councillors S. Davey, D. Schnider, P. Singh, B. Ioannidis, M. Johnston, D. Chapman, S. Marsh and K. Galloway-Sealock voting in opposition. The following motion was then voted on, on a recorded vote. On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis it was resolved: "That the Hybrid Meeting Protocols as outlined in Attachment A to Corporate Services Department report COR-2022-154 be approved for a one-year pilot; and, That staff be directed to report back to Council in 2023 with a review of the Hybrid Meeting Protocols, as part of the Procedure By-law Review; and further, That beginning with the Council meeting of May 9, 2022, or as determined by the Mayor and Chief Administrative Officer, staff be directed to facilitate meetings in a hybrid manner with in-person and remote Members of Council and the public." In Favour (11): 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, and Councillor S. Marsh Carried unanimously (11 to 0) 4. Information Items 4.1 None. 5. Adjournment On motion, this meeting adjourned at 1:48 p.m. Dianna Saunderson Manager/Council and Committee Services/Deputy Clerk 6