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Home My WebLink AboutFCS Minutes - 2025-06-02Finance and Corporate Services Committee Minutes June 2, 2025, 4:30 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. loannidis Councillor M. Johnston Councillor D. Chapman Councillor S. Stretch 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 A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk K. VanDerGeld, Manager, Licensing E. Rumble, Coordinator Arts & Creative Industries D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk M. Blake, Committee Coordinator 1. Commencement 1 The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 4:40 p.m. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Consent Items 3.1 None. 4. Discussion Items 4.1 2025 Artist in Residence Appointment and Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre Public Art Selection, DSD -2025-244 The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD -2025- 244, dated May 13, 2025, recommending that Tara Cooper be appointed as the 2025 City of Kitchener Artist in Residence, and that the commission and installation of Tara Cooper's proposed artwork at Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre be approved, pending consultation and review. E. Rumble, Coordinator Arts & Creative Industries, provided opening remarks and introduced T. Cooper who is being recommended as the 2025 City of Kitchener Artist in Residence. T. Cooper provided an overview of their their past work and proposed art for 2025 and the Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre and responded to questions from the Committee. E. Rumble then responded to questions from the Committee. On motion by Councillor C. Michaud it was resolved: "That Tara Cooper be appointed as the 2025 City of Kitchener Artist in Residence as recommended by the selection committee and the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, as outlined in Development Services Department report, DSD -2025-244; and, That the commission and installation of Tara Cooper's proposed artwork at Doon Pioneer Park Community Centre be approved, pending consultation and technical review by Facilities Management and Arts & Creative Industries staff; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Tara Cooper, outlining the obligations of the Artist in Residence appointment and the public art commission design, fabrication and installation." Carried 4.2 Short-term Rental By-law, COR -2025-041 The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report, COR -2025- 041, dated April 17, 2025, recommending approval of the proposed short-term rental by-law. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of a written submission from M. Wolde related to this matter. The Mayor left and re-entered the meeting at this time. K. VanDerGeld, Manager of Licensing, introduced the report, noting the matter was initially presented to the Committee on June 3, 2024, at which time staff were directed to further examine concerns raised and report back. The Manager provided a detailed update on additional work undertaken, community engagement conducted, and proposed amendments to the regulations since 2024. An overview of the licensing and application requirements were also provided. R. Clark, Risk Manager, and A. Fusco, Director of Legislated Services and City Clerk, were also in attendance to respond to questions. A. Lavender and N. Thibeh addressed the Committee in opposition to the proposed short-term rental by-law, highlighting concerns over increased insurance costs due to the shift to commercial coverage, the City indemnification requirement, and licensing fees, and urged consideration of a registration system that excludes licensing and indemnification. E. Tjam attended the meeting in opposition to the proposed short-term rental by- law, seeking clarification on how properties are classified and when a rental is deemed commercial. E. Tjam stated that commercial rentals differ from acting as a "property host" and opposed restricting short-term rentals to principal residences. Questions were raised regarding the possibility of amending the proposed by-law to remove the City indemnification requirement, and whether indemnification is necessary at all times or only when in use. On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic "That an in -camera meeting of City Council be held immediately this date to consider a solicitor client -privilege matter as authorized by Sections 239 f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, respectively." Carried 3 4.3 Recess and Reconvene The Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting then recessed at 5:47 p.m. and reconvened at 6:19 p.m., chaired by Councillor S. Davey, with all members present. 4.4 Short-term Rental By-law, COR -2025-041 (Con'd) The Finance and Corporate Services Committee resumed consideration of Corporate Services Department report COR -2025-041. Councillor B. loannidis stated in his opinion that he does not believe that the City has adequate resources currently to establish and manage this program successfully at this time and as a result would be voting in opposition to the recommendation. Councillor B. loannidis brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation, as outlined in the Corporate Services Department report, COR - 2025 -041. Councillor J. Deneault brought forward a motion to defer the consideration of the staff recommendation as outlined in the Corporate Services Department report, COR -2025-041, to the Council meeting on June 23, 2025, to allow staff the opportunity to provide additional information regarding the indemnification requirement, by-law definitions, staffing needs, and related public feedback. Concerns were raised regarding the adequacy of the proposed staffing for the program, questioning whether one full-time equivalent position would sufficiently support its implementation amid the current economic climate. A recorded vote was requested. On motion by Councillor J. Deneault it was resolved: "That the following recommendation be referred to the June 23, 2025, Council Meeting to allow staff the opportunity to provide additional information regarding the indemnification requirement, by-law definitions, staffing needs, and related public feedback: "That the Short-term Rental By-law be approved in the form shown in Appendix "A" as attached to Corporate Services Department report, COR - 2025 -041; and, That the fees set out in Appendix "B" of staff report COR -2025-041 be approved; and further, M That the request for one (1) Full Time Equivalents (FTE) to support the administration, inspection, and enforcement of the Short -Term Rental By- law be approved." In Favour (6): Mayor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor J. Deneault, Councillor C. Michaud, Councillor M. Johnston, Councillor D. Chapman, and Councillor S. Stretch Contra (5): Councillor S. Davey, Councillor D. Schnider, Councillor A. Owodunni, Councillor P. Singh, and Councillor B. loannidis 5. Information Items 5.1 None. 6. Adjournment On motion, this meeting adjourned at 6:38 p.m. Mariah Blake Committee Coordinator Carried (6 to 5) G�