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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFin & Corp Svcs - 2005-01-24FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES January 24, 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date, commencing at 1:10 p.m. Present: Chair - Councillor B. Vrbanovic Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors C. Weylie, J. Smola, J. Gazzola M. Galloway and G. Lorentz Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrator Officer P. Houston, General Manager, Financial Services & City Treasurer F. Pizzuto, General Manager, Community Services G. Stewart, General Manager, Development and Technical Services R. Browning, Interim General Manager, Strategic Services R. Gosse, Director of Legislated Services R. Pitfield, Director Corporate Communications/Marketing D. Paterson, Director of Human Resources R. Upfold, Director of Accounting J. Sheryer, Assistant City Solicitor R. Morgan, Capital Investment Advisor D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator CRPS-05-017 - DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE - AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL POLICY 1-90 (TERMS OF REFERENCE) The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-017, dated January 14, 2005, recommending an amendment to the Terms of Reference for the Downtown Advisory Committee. Mr. R. Gosse advised that the Economic Development Division has moved from the Development and Technical Services Department to the Strategic Services Department, and the change being requested is due to the fact that the Strategic Services Department reports to Council through the Finance and Corporate Services Committee. It was resolved: "That Council Policy 1-90 (Terms of Reference for the Downtown Advisory Committee) be amended by changing the procedure of reporting to Council through the Finance and Corporate Services Committee rather than the Development and Technical Services Committee." = CRPS-05-016 - REQUEST FOR A MIDWAY - 707 OTTAWA STREET SOUTH - APRIL 21 TO MAY 17 2005 The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-016, dated January 17, 2005, in response to a request received from Homeniuk Rides Incorporate to operate a Midway at 707 Ottawa Street South, from April 21 - May 1,2005. It was noted that the recommendation in the staff report is somewhat different from the request, with respect to turning off the music on nights proceeding school days, and is consistent with the conditions imposed by Council for this Midway in previous years. It was resolved: "That Homeniuk Rides Inc. be granted permission to operate a Midway at Weiland Ford, 707 Ottawa Street South, from April 21 to May 1,2005, subject to the following: FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 24, 2005 - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER CRPS-05-016 -REQUEST FOR A MIDWAY -707 OTTAWA STREET SOUTH -APRIL 21 TO MAY 1, 2005 (CONT'D) Hours of operation; and, Date Thursday, April 21 Friday, April 22 Saturday, Apriil 23 Sunday, April 24 Monday, April 25 to Thurs. April 28 Friday, April 29 Saturday, April 30 Sunday, May 1 Start Close 3:30 pm 10:00 pm 3:30 pm 11:00 pm 10:00 am 11:00 pm Noon 10:00 pm 3:30 pm 10:00 pm 3:30 pm 11:00 pm 10:00 am 11:00 pm Noon 9:00 pm That the music at the Midway be turned down at 8:00 p.m. excepting those evenings preceding a school day when it shall be turned off at 8:00 p.m.; and, That the music be turned off one hour before closing time on the evenings preceding a non-school day; and That parking arrangements be reviewed with Transportation Planning staff to ensure adequate off-street parking will be provided; and further, That the required licence be obtained prior to operating the Midway." FIN-05-003 - ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNCIL POLICY - EMPLOYEE COMPUTER PURCHASE PLAN The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-05-003, dated January 19, 2005, recommending the adoption of a policy with respect to the Employee Computer Purchase Plan. Councillor Gazzola suggested that interest be applied on these loans, as is done by the Region of Waterloo. Ms. R. Upfold advised that to do so would require extensive manual intervention by payroll staff. It was resolved: "That Policy 11-117 Employee Computer Purchase Plan (dated January 31, 2005) be adopted as a Council Policy effective April 1st 2005." CRPS-05-008 - LAND TRANSFER FROM MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION - ROSS AVENUE CUL-DE-SAC The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-008, dated January 7, 2005, recommending the City accept the transfer of land from the Ministry of Transportation, with respect to the new cul-de-sac created on Ross Avenue as a result of the reconstruction of Highway 8. It was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener accepts the transfer of land designated as Parts 13 and 16 on Reference Plan 58R-12055 from the Ministry of Transportation at no cost to the City provided the documentation to effect the transfer is to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." CRPS-05-018 -PUBLIC MEETING -RELOCATION OF TAJ MAHAL - ADULT ENTERTAINMENT PARLOUR -37 BRUCE STREET The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-018, dated January 19, 2005, with respect to the request received from Randy Zivkovic to relocate his Class D Adult Entertainment Parlour from 8-808 Courtland Avenue East to 37 Bruce Street. FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 247 2005 - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER CRPS-05-018 -PUBLIC MEETING -RELOCATION OF TAJ MAHAL - ADULT ENTERTAINMENT PARLOUR -37 BRUCE STREET (CONT'D) The report advises a public meeting is required for this purpose, and an advertisement was placed in The Record, and notices were sent to surrounding property owners to advise of the public meeting this date. Mr. R. Gosse advised that notice was sent to 65 property owners within 120 metres of 37 Bruce Street and many have submitted written comments objecting to the proposed re- location of the Adult Entertainment Parlour. He further advised that the owner of Taj Mahal has been advised of today's public meeting, but is not in attendance. Mr. Gosse explained that in order to relocate this Adult Entertainment Parlour an amendment to the licensing by-law would be required and any by-law amendment requires a public meeting. Mr. Gosse provided a brief overview of the report noting that the by-law pertaining to Adult Entertainment Parlours contains Iocational criteria with respect to a Class D parlour. Section 27 (h) of the by-law requires that a Class D parlour must have a distance separation of at least 400 metres from any property zoned M4. In the case of the request from Mr. Vivkovic, 37 Bruce Street does not meet this minimum requirement as it is located within 205.92 metres of M4 zoned lands. Mr. Gosse also noted that the subject property is located within 100 metres of several residential properties. Ms. T. Morissey, of Cowan Insurance, attended advising that Cowan Insurance is located on the abutting property at 25 Bruce Street and employs 100 people, most of whom have signed a petition in opposition to the requested relocation. She stated that the request does not meet Council's criteria for the location of an Adult Entertainment Parlour and such a business and the hours of operation for this business, are incompatible with the neighbourhood. She requested that the re-location of the Adult Entertainment Parlour to 37 Bruce Street be denied. Mr. H. Siembida, a residential neighbour, attended advising the Committee he was in agreement with the statements made by Ms. Morissey and to voice his opposition to the request to relocate a Class D Adult Entertainment Parlour to 37 Bruce Street. Mr. Siembida added that that Burger King located in the plaza across the street from 37 Bruce Street, has a children's playground which should be taken into consideration by the Committee. Mr. J. Spaetzel, of Spae Naur, attended advising that he too was in agreement with the objections put forth by Ms. Morissey and that as a residential neighbour, he was concerned for the neighbourhood children and the location of the parlour. He requested that the re-location be denied. Councillor J. Smola advised that considering the number of objections received from the surrounding commercial and residential property owners and the location of the proposed parlour with respect to residential properties; that the property is not suitable for an Adult Entertainment Parlour. In addition, the property at 37 Bruce Street does not meet the distance separation as specified in the by-law. On motion by J. Smola- it was resolved: "That the request of Randy Zivkovic, owner of the Taj Mahal Adult Entertainment Parlour, to relocate his Class D Adult Entertainment Parlour from 8-808 Courtland Avenue East to 37 Bruce Street, be denied, as the request does not meet all of the requirements of By-law 2004-271 ." Carried Unanimously PRESENTATION - KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY PROJECT UPDATE Ms. Sonia Lewis, Chief Executive Officer - Kitchener Public Library, provided the Committee with an update on the Central Library Project and the City of Waterloo's possible partnership in a Joint Central Library. Ms. Lewis advised that staff have had two meetings with the City of Waterloo and although Waterloo has expressed interest, they are still at an exploratory stage with respect to a possible New Central Library. She explained that the Waterloo Library Board FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 247 2005 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER 6. PRESENTATION - KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY PROJECT UPDATE (CONT'D) will be making some decisions in February with respect to their direction in this matter and that in the meantime, Kitchener Library staff will continue building on the Plan for a Central Library. In answer to questions raised by Mayor C. Zehr, Ms. Lewis explained that the Waterloo Library Board is investigating several different models for the growth of the library system and the decision on which model to go with will have a direct impact on whether they can proceed with the Joint Central Library facility. She further explained that staff at the two libraries are still discussing other joint initiatives such as reciprocal borrowing and other co-operative initiatives in order to find efficiencies and to provide better customer service. CRPS-05-010 - LAND TRANSFER AND CONVEYANCE OF AN EASEMENT TO THE REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY OF WATERLOO - KILKERRAN CRESCENT The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-010, dated January 10, 2005, regarding a Land Transfer and Conveyance of an Easement to the Region of Waterloo on Kilkerran Crescent. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the parcel of land municipally known as 103 Kilkerran Crescent, previously described as part of Blocks 131 and 132 of Registered Plan 1640 in the City of Kitchener, more particularly described as Parts 1,2 and 3 on draft reference plan dated November 12, 2003 prepared by McKechnie Surveying Limited be declared surplus for the purposes set out below; and, That Legal Services be directed to transfer said Parts 1 and 2 to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo for the continued operation of Well K-36 located on the lands, at market value, plus incidental costs associated with this transaction; and further, That Legal Services be directed to convey an easement over said Part 3 to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo for vehicle access to Part 1 ." CSD-05-018 - JOINT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN 2005 - ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT~ 2001 The Committee considered January 13, 2005, regarding Disabilities Act. Community Services Department the 2005 Joint Accessibility Plan report CSD-05-018, dated under the Ontarians with Ms. M. Sanderson provided an overview of the staff report and the attached Joint Accessibility Plan which was prepared by the Corporate Accessibility Steering Group of the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo and the Townships of Woolwich, Wellesley and North Dumfries in consultation with Dean Waterfield of ADW Consulting. Ms. Sanderson advised that the Plan describes the actions municipalities have taken over the past year and the short and long term initiatives to be completed over the next three years. She then reviewed the four priorities set out in the plan being Organizational Policies, Information Provision, Specialized Recreation Opportunities for People with Disabilities and Emergency Evacuation Strategies for People with Disabilities. Ms. Sanderson concluded her presentation advising that the Plan was circulated to the Accessibility Advisory Committee and their feedback is attached to the staff report. On questions from the Committee, Ms. Sanderson advised that the initiatives outlined in the Plan will have budgetary implication, but the costs are not known at this time. As the initiatives are developed and the cost become known, she will report back to the Committee requesting approval for funding. FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 247 2005 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-05-018 - JOINT ACCESSIBILITY PLAN 2005 - ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT~ 2001 (CONT'D) On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the 'Accessibility Plan' dated January 13, 2005 attached to the Community Services Department Report CSD 05-018 be adopted as the Annual Accessibility Plan 2005 for the City of Kitchener in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001; and further, That should the City of Waterloo, The Township of Woolwich, The Township of Wellesley and the Township of North Dumfries adopt the said Accessibility Plan, the Plan shall be a 'Joint Accessibility Plan' with the participating municipalities pursuant to Section 17(3) of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act (ODA, 2001 )." CSD-05-019 - GOVERNMENT BILL 118 - ACCESSIBILITY OF ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT 10. The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-05-019, dated January 18, 2005, regarding the Provincial Standing Committee on Bill 118, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. Ms. Sanderson provided a overview of the staff report advising that Bill 118, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, unanimously passed second reading in the Ontario Legislature and has now been sent to the Ontario Legislature Standing Committee on Social Policy for Public Hearings. She explained that Bill 118 proposed to replace the current Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 and is broader than the previous Legislation having an impact on private and government sectors. The Bill will require demonstrated action, not just planning, with attached timelines and enforcement. Ms. Sanderson concluded her presentation advising there is an opportunity for the City to make a submission to the Standing Committee with respect to Bill 118 and that staff are recommending this be undertaken which will allow the City to have a voice in the development of the Legislation. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - it was resolved: "That staff accept the province's invitation to make oral and/or written presentation to the provincial Standing Committee on Bill 118, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act." CONSOLIDATED MAINTENANCE FACILITY (CMF) Mr. Sosnoski advised that the Committee considered an Issue Paper regarding the proposed Consolidated Maintenance Facility (CMF) at its special meeting of December 13, 2004 and it was agreed that further discussion was to take place at the January 10, 2005 Committee meeting. The discussion was further deferred to the meeting this date (January 24, 2005). Mr. Sosnoski provided the Committee with a breakdown of the current square footage of existing facilities and required square footage of the proposed CMF. He advised on the estimated costs to temporarily move and accommodate the Fleet Division due to the Region's decision to close-out the Strasburg Road facility, which is scheduled for July 2007. The costs for a two-year interim accommodation is estimated at $607,000 with additional annual expenditures of approximately $250,000 should an interim facility be required longer. Mayor C. Zehr inquired if the interim measure for the Fleet Division could be handled differently in order to reduce costs. Mr. Sosnoski advised that the CMF Committee looked at a phased in approach for the Project, but found this would increase the overall costs and that other options such as leasing are being investigated. Councillor J. Gazzola raised a concern with disposing the Elmsdale facility and the associated costs with respect to an interim measure for the Fleet Division. Mayor Zehr pointed out that the Elmsdale lands fronting onto Ottawa Street is valuable development land and forms part of the proposed CMF Project. The Mayor asked if phasing in the Project was more appropriate with phase two being initiated once the Elmsdale lands were disposed of, therefore assuring FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 247 2005 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER 10. 11. 12. CONSOLIDATED MAINTENANCE FACILITY (CMF) (CONT'D) the funds from the sale of those lands were available for the Project. He also inquired as to the marketability of the Elmsdale lands. Ms. Ladd replied that staff have received many inquires from developers regarding the subject lands and that there is no question on the development potential of the property. Councillor G. Lorentz inquired if the Elmsdale property has been appraised and what the value of that property might be. Mr. R. Morgan advised that the location of the property makes it valuable and the inquires received by the Economic Development Division would indicate there would be no problem in disposing the property. He added that one issue from potential buyers would be the zoning that would be supported by the City for the property in order to allow an appropriate development to take place. Chair B. Vrbanovic requested that further information be provided the Committee prior to January 31, 2005 regarding the Elmsdale lands and the possible implications of rezoning the property for an appropriate development. Councillor M. Galloway raised the concern regarding the lack of public participation with respect to the proposal. Ms. Ladd responded that any rezoning of the lands will require a public process at which time the public will have an opportunity to make comments. Councillor G. Lorenz suggested that the proposed project is an important one with an opportunity to obtain efficiencies and at the January 31 budget day, the Committee should be prepared to deal with the proposal and make a decision with respect to the path to be taken regarding a Central Maintenance Facility. 2005 OPERATING BUDGET ISSUES Ms. Houston gave a presentation on suggested 2005 Budget Reductions, which included adjusting penalty and interest revenue, adjustment to the Tax Stabilization Reserve Contribution, adjusting expenditures across the Corporation, reduction of Full Time Equivalents (FTE's), reduction in the Economic Development Investment Fund contribution, and a reduction in Sports Tourism Budgets. Ms. Houston noted that a reduction in the Economic Development Investment Fund may have a positive impact on the tax increase, but over the 10-year period will reduce the funds available for the various projects within the Investment Fund. Ms. Houston then reviewed the 2004 and 2005 FTE changes, noting that in some cases, additional FTE's are required in order to service the growth of the City. Mayor C. Zehr put forward a suggestion that the dividend from the Kitchener Hydro Corporation be allocated so that the interest is put into the Capital Budget and the dividend be used to reduce the tax increase, therefore benefiting the tax payers who are essentially the owners of the Hydro System. He added that there is some flexibility regarding the Hydro dividend to assist in offsetting any tax increase and this should be investigated. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:51 p.m. Randy Gosse Committee Administrator