HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS Minutes - 2023-08-14
Finance and Corporate Services
Committee Minutes
August 14, 2023, 3:00 p.m.
Council Chambers - Hybrid
City of Kitchener
200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Present: Mayor B. Vrbanovic
Councillor S. Davey
Councillor D. Schnider
Councillor J. Deneault
Councillor C. Michaud
Councillor A. Owodunni
Councillor P. Singh
Councillor B. Ioannidis
Councillor M. Johnston
Councillor D. Chapman
Councillor A. Clancy
Staff: D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
G. MacNeil, Director, By-law Enforcement
G. St. Louis, Director, Gas & Water Utilities
G. Stevenson, Interim Director of Planning
D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
M. Blake, Committee Administrator
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Commencement
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date
commencing at 3:00 p.m.
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2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
2.1 Councillor M. Johnston - Collaboration Space in the UW Innovation Arena,
DSD-2023-328
Councillor M. Johnston, declared a conflict due with Collaboration Space in the
UW Innovation Arena, DSD-2023-328 listed on the agenda this date, due to her
place of employment and did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding
this matter.
3. Consent Items
Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought
forward by Councillor D. Chapman to discuss Consent item 3.1 listed on the
agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.
3.1 Approval of Terms of Reference - Committee of Adjustment and Property
Standards Appeal Committee, COR-2023-320
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2023-
320, dated July 15, 2023 recommending approval of the Terms of Reference for
the Committee of Adjustment, outlined in Appendix 'A', and the Terms of
Reference for the Property Standards Appeal Committee, outlined in Appendix
'B', as attached to COR-2023-320. D. Saunderson and G. Stevenson were in
attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That the Terms of Reference for the Committee of Adjustment attached
-2023-320
be approved; and,
That the Terms of Reference for the Property Standards Appeal
Committee attached
report COR-2023-320 be approved; and further,
That the Clerk be directed to include the approved Terms of References
existing number sequence."
Carried
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3.2 Appointments to Business Improvement Areas & Amendment to
Establishing By-law, COR-2023-332
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2023-
332, dated July 25, 2023 regarding appointments to the Belmont Business
Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management, and the Downtown Business
Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management with an amendment to the by-law
as outlined in the Report.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That Council confirm the following appointments to the Belmont Business
Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management for a term to expire on
November 14, 2026 or upon appointment of their successors, as outlined
in Corporate Services Department report COR-2023-332;
George Broughton
Linda Nelson
Margaret Tofflemire
Valeria Rigler
J D Zehr
Noelle English
That Council confirm the following appointments to the Downtown
Business Improvement Area (BIA) Board of Management for a term to
expire on November 14, 2026 or upon appointment of their successors;
Darryl Moore
Phong Tran
Cara Watson
Jessica Toomer
Jordan Dolson
Julie Phillips
Laird Robertson
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Martha Wallace
Michael Rederer
Sarah Pearson
That Chapter 70 of the Municipal Code be amended to reflect the
request of the Downtown Business Improvement Area Board of
Management to clarify the number of Directors to be elected, in
accordance with the by-law in Appendix B."
Carried
3.3 Noise Exemption - Holy Trinity Serbian Church - 700 Fischer Hallman Road
- Sept 2 and 3, 2023, CSD-2023-296
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2023-
296, dated June 27, 2023 recommending approval of a noise exemption to Holy
Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church located at 700 Fischer Hallman Road to be held
on September 2 and 3, 2023 between the hours of 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code be granted to the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church at
700 Fischer Hallman Road, for their annual BBQ and Bull Roast to be held
on September 2 and 3, 2023, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 10 p.m.,
as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2023-296."
Carried
3.4 Noise Exemption - The Falls Road Pub - 296 Victoria Street North, CSD-
2023-297
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2023-
297, dated July 17, 2023 recommending approval of a noise exemption for The
Falls Road Pub being held at 296 Victoria Street North on September 19, 2023.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
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"That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code be granted to The Falls Road Pub for their end of season
Bike Night, being held at 296 Victoria St North on September 19, 2023, as
outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2023-297."
Carried
3.5 Noise Exemption - K-W Oktoberfest Inc. - Various Locations - September 22
through October 14, 2023, CSD-2023-169
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2023-
196, dated June 26, 2023 recommending approval of a noise exemption for K-W
Oktoberfest Inc. being held at various locations from September 22nd through
October 14, 2023.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code be granted to K-W Oktoberfest Inc. for a series of events
being held at various clubs between September 22 through October 14,
2023, as outlined in the letter from K-W Oktoberfest Inc., dated May 16,
2023 attached to Community Services Department report CSD-2023-169."
Carried
3.6 Noise Exemption - Burning House Music Festival - Bingemans - September
16, 2023, CSD-2023-333
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2023-
333, dated July 25, 2023 recommending approval of a noise exemption for the
Burning House Music Festival to be held at 425 Bingeman Centre Drive on
September 16, 2023 between the hours of 4 p.m. and 11 p.m.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener
Municipal Code be granted to Sigma Chi Fraternity for Burning House
Music Festival event being held at 425 Bingeman Centre Drive on
September 16, 2023 from 4 p.m. 11 p.m., as outlined in Community
Services Department report CSD-2023-333, subject to the following
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conditions, which, if not complied with, will render the noise exemption null
and void:
a. There shall be no offensive language, in the opinion of City staff,
generated from the music events, audible in any adjacent residential
neighbourhood. The event organizers will ensure that there is an on-site
contact person accessible to correspond with City staff at all times during
the event(s);
b. The event organizer will be responsible for the cost of a pay-duty Noise
Officer, to be assigned specifically to these event(s);
c. The event organizers agree to respond accordingly to requests from City
staff, during the event(s), in order to address community concerns that
may arise with regard to the impact of noise heard within adjacent
residential areas; and
d. The maximum decibel level (dba) audible from a residential area shall not
exceed 55 dba.
e. All events must end no later than 11 p.m."
Carried
4. Discussion Items
4.1 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Development - Plan WITH Us Resident Panel Final
Report, CAO-2023-336
The Committee considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-2023-336,
dated July 27, 2023, for the information of the Committee. A. Fritz-Walters
provided an overview of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Development - Plan WITH
us Resident Panel Final Chief Administrative Office report, CAO-2023-336, and
introduced the members of the Resident Panel.
S. Kandala, M. Weir, R. Fisher, K. Thomas, Resident Panel provided a summary
of their involvement in the development of the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan, sharing
the panel process, composition and report recommendations. Members of the
panel noted the City of Kitchener's Resident Panel engagement approach
allowed the Strategic Plan to be reflective of resident priorities.
T. Glover, Compass Kitchener was in attendance and noted support for the City
of Kitchener's establishment of a Resident Panel and efforts to further engage
the public in the development of the Strategic Plan.
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In response to questions from the Committee, T. Glover noted the importance of
in person attendance at the resident panel meetings as a method of public
engagement and forming meaningful connections among participants.
4.2 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Development - Proposed Strategic Plan Content,
CAO-2023-337
The Committee considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-2023-337,
dated July 27, 2023 recommending approval of the initial set of Actions for the
2023-2026 Strategic Plan as contained in Appendix 'C' of the Report.
D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer, provided a brief presentation
regarding the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan Development - Proposed Strategic Plan
Content report, highlighting the proposed content for the Strategic Plan, including
an initial set of actions and a refined 20-year vision story.
D. Chapman outlined the 5 strategic goal priorities for the community and the
strategic focus for the Council term, including: building a connected city,
cultivating a green city, creating an economically thriving city, fostering a caring
city and stewarding a better city together.
In response to questions from the Committee, A. Fritz-Walters noted the
Strategic Plan launch and public communications are anticipated to begin in Fall
2023.
J. Wells, Compass Kitchener was in attendance in support of the 2023-2026
Strategic Plan process, noting public engagement, development indicators, and
data tracking as significant tools to inform the Resident Panel and the Strategic
Plan.
W. West and M. Bells, Active Transportation and Trails Advisory Committee, was
in attendance in support of the 2023-2026 strategic plan, with emphasis on city-
wide active transportation routes, improving safety and well-being, decreasing
environmental impact and reducing costs for residents and business.
On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic
it was resolved:
"That the initial set of Actions for the City of Kitchener 2023-2026 Strategic
Plan as contained in Appendix 'C' to Chief Administrator's Office report
CAO 2023-337 be approved."
Carried, unanimously on a recorded vote
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4.3 Collaboration Space in the UW Innovation Arena, DSD-2023-328
Councillor M. Johnston declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor M. Johnston,
declared a conflict due with Collaboration Space in the UW Innovation Arena,
DSD-2023-328 listed on the agenda this date, due to her place of employment
and did not participate in any discussion or voting regarding this matter.)
The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-
328, dated July 27, 2023 regarding the collaboration space in the UW innovation
arena.
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development and B. Bennett, Manager
Business Development provided an overview of the report, and were in
attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
At the request of B. Bennett, the Committee agreed to remove reference to the
unit number outlined in Clause 1 of the staff recommendation.
On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis
it was resolved:
"That up to $450,000 from the Economic Development Investment Fund
2.0 (EDIF 2.0) be allocated to support the completion of leasehold
Joseph St West, Kitchener Ontario; and,
That the annual operating costs for Common Area Maintenance fees,
estimated at $17,500, be referred to the 2024 budget process; 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, including the execution of a lease agreement, in accordance with
Development Services Department report DSD-2023-328."
Carried
4.4 2023/2024 Natural Gas Rates, INS-2023-334
The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-2023-
334, dated August 4, 2023 regarding the 2023/2024 natural gas rates.
G. St. Louis, Director, Gas & Water Utilities presented the report and was in
attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.
On motion by Councillor J. Deneault
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it was resolved:
"That the supply component of the natural gas rate be decreased to 16.70
cents per cubic meter from 20.85 cents per cubic meter for system gas
customers of Kitchener Utilities effective November 1, 2023; and,
approved as proposed in Infrastructure Services Department report INS-
2023-334 - Attachment 'A', for all Kitchener delivery customers effective
November 1, 2023; and further,
That the supply rate of natural gas be reviewed quarterly against market
conditions and necessary changes to be brought forward for Council
approval."
Carried
5. Information Items
5.1 None
6. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Mariah Blake
Committee Administrator
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