HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2022-08-08
Finance and Corporate Services
Committee Minutes
August 8, 2022, 1:30 p.m.
Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present: Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Gazzola
Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. Ioannidis
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor S. Marsh
Absent: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor M. Johnston
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy
Chief Administrator
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
H. Gross, Director, Engineering
S. Saleh, Director, Revenue
A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
R. Scott, Manager, Procurement
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
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1. Commencement
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date
commencing at 1:30 p.m.
2. Consent Items
On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola
"Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was
brought forward to discuss Consent items 2.1 and 2.3. listed on the
agenda."
Carried
2.1 Uncollectable Miscellaneous Receivable Accounts Write-Off June 2022,
FIN-2022-308
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-308,
dated July 4, 2022 recommending the uncollectable Miscellaneous Receivable
Accounts amounting to $44,184 be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful
Receivables.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That uncollectable Miscellaneous Receivable Accounts amounting to
$44,184 be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Receivables, as
outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-308."
Carried
2.2 Uncollectable Utility Receivable Account Write-Off, FIN-2022-309
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-309,
dated July 4, 2022 recommending the uncollectable utility accounts amounting to
$231,528 be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Utility Receivables.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That uncollectable utility accounts amounting to $231,528 be written off
against the Allowance for Doubtful Utility Receivables account, as outlined
in Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-309."
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Carried
2.3 Waterloo Region Small Business Centre - Three Party Municipalities
Agreement, DSD-2022-370
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2022-
370, dated July 15, 2022 authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to sign an agreement
between the City of Kitchener, City of Cambridge and City of Waterloo to
collaborate on the delivery of the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre
services and programs. C. Bluhm was in attendance to respond to questions
from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement, subject to
the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, between the City of Kitchener, City of
Cambridge and City of Waterloo to collaborate on the delivery of the
Waterloo Region Small Business Centre services and programs funded in
part by the Province of Ontario, in accordance with Development Services
Department report DSD-2022-370; and further,
That the General Manager Development Services be authorized to
execute, on behalf of the City of Kitchener, subject to the satisfaction of
the City Solicitor, any amendments pertaining to the agreement, services
and programs provided by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre."
Carried
2.4 200 King Street West - Ground Floor - Lease, DSD-2022-375
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2022-
375, dated July 18, 2022 authorizing the Mayor and Clerk to execute a lease
agreement with Canadian Caribbean Association of Waterloo Region for ground
floor office space at 200 King Street West.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a lease agreement,
subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, with Canadian Caribbean
Association of Waterloo Region, within the Small Business Centre at City
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Hall municipally known as 200 King Street West, as outlined in
Development Services Department report DSD-2022-375."
Carried
2.5 T20-042 Stirling Avenue Reconstruction Purchase Order Increase, DSD-
2022-378
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2022-
378, dated July 19, 2022 regarding a purchase order extension for the Stirling
Avenue South Road Reconstruction T20-042. H. Gross and C. Spere were in
attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That the Purchase Order for the Stirling Avenue South (Greenbrook Drive
to Mausser Avenue) Road Reconstruction T20-042 be increased by
$1,500,000, funded by existing surpluses in the Water Infrastructure
Program (WIP), as outlined in Development Services Department report
DSD-2022-378."
Carried
3. Discussion Items
3.1 Vacant Home Tax, FIN-2022-284
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-284,
dated May 20, 2022 regarding a vacant home tax not be implemented at this
time. This matter was previously scheduled for the June 8, 2022 and due to time
constraints was referred to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee
meeting agenda this date.
S. Saleh, Director of Revenue provided a presentation outlining the provisions
under the Municipal Act permitted and other municipal Vacant Home Tax
programs were highlighted. Specific scenarios were highlighted that could apply
to the Kitchener, however the lack of vacant homes in the City were noted.
Correspondence received from KW Realtors was noted. Staff's recommendation,
to not pursue a vacant home tax program, was noted and rationale provided.
Members of Committee raised questions regarding the 1% tax ratio calculation,
whether multi-residential properties were included, water usage calculations, and
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short-term accommodations, and consultations with the Region of Waterloo and
area municipalities regarding the staff report, housing statistics, and received
responses from staff.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That a Vacant Home Tax not be implemented at this time, as outlined in
Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-284."
Carried
3.2 Procurement By-law Review - FIN-2022-296
The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2022-296,
dated June 1, 2022 recommending repeal and replacement of the City's
Procurement By-law.
Ryan Scott, Manager of Procurement, provided a presentation outlining the
context to the Procurement By-law review, stakeholder engagement and
proposed changes designed to streamline administration and award of bids
within budget, adhere to best practices.
Councillor J. Gazzola brought forward a motion to defer the report to the third
Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting in 2023.
Councillor J. Gazzola's motion was then voted on and was LOST on a recorded
vote, with Councillors J. Gazzola, P. Singh and D. Chapman voting in favour;
and, Councillors K. Galloway-Sealock, S. Marsh, D. Schnider and B. Ioannidis
voting in opposition.
Councillor P. Singh brought forward a motion to adopt the Procurement By-law
for a 1-year pilot with direction to staff to report back in August 2023.
Councillor P. Singh's motion was then voted on and was LOST, on a recorded
vote with Councillors D. Schnider, D. Chapman and P. Singh voting in favour;
and, Councillors J. Gazzola, B. Ioannidis, S. Marsh and K. Galloway-Sealock
voting in opposition.
The following motion was then voted on, on a recorded vote.
On motion by Councillor S. Marsh
it was resolved:
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"That the Procurement By-law attached as Appendix 2 to Financial
Services Department report FIN-2022-296, be approved; and,
That the contents of The City of Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 170,
Purchasing and Materials Management be repealed and replaced by the
Procurement By-law; and further,
That By-law 2017-106 being a By-law to cover Purchasing and Materials
Management policies be repealed."
In Favour (7): Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor K. Galloway-Sealock, Councillor
P. Singh, Councillor B. Ioannidis, Councillor M. Johnston, Councillor D.
Chapman, and Councillor S. Marsh
Contra (1): Councillor J. Gazzola
Carried, on a recorded vote (7 to 1)
4. Information Items
4.1 None.
5. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 2:47 p.m.
Amanda Fusco
Director Legislated Services & City Clerk
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