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Home My WebLink AboutFin & Corp Svcs - 2005-09-12 FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date, commencing at 3:30 p.m. Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic - Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors G. Lorentz, J. Smola, C. Weylie and M. Galloway. Councillor J. Gazzola was in attendance for part of the meeting. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer P. Houston, General Manager, Financial Services & City Treasurer G. Sosnoski, General Manager, Corporate Services & City Clerk R. Browning, Fire Chief K. Currier, Director of Operations D. Quinn, Director of Utilities J. Sheryer, Assistant City Solicitor C. Allan, Marketing & Communications Associate J. Billett, Committee Administrator 1. CRPS-05-130 - PROVINCIAL LOTTERY LICENCE - FAIR / EXHIBITION GAMING EVENT (OCTOBER 7-15, 2005) - KITCHENER-WATERLOO OKTOBERFEST INC. The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-130, dated September 2, 2005 concerning issuance of a Provincial Lottery Licence for a Gaming Event in Kitchener. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener has no objection to a Provincial Lottery Licence being issued to Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Inc. to hold a Fair or Exhibition Gaming Event from October 7 to October 15, 2005 at Bingeman's Marshall Hall, 425 Bingeman Centre Drive, Kitchener." 2. CRPS-05-131 - 2005 OKTOBERFEST (OCTOBER 6-16, 2005) - VENDORS / ACTIVITIES ON CITY PROPERTY - KITCHENER-WATERLOO OKTOBERFEST INC. The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-131, dated September 6, 2005 concerning a request to allow vendors, and activities to take place, on City property in conjunction with the 2005 Oktoberfest festivities. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the request of Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest Inc. to allow the following vendors and/or activities to take place on City property be approved, provided the necessary licences, including Health and Fire approval, are obtained: - 1 Beer and Food Tent on Frederick Street; - 6 Food Vendors - five on Benton Street and one on Frederick Street; - 6 tents/stages/activity areas - five on Benton Street and one in the parking lot on Goudie's Lane; and, That those selling food provide proof of insurance naming the City as an additional insured; and further; That building permits for any tents, if required, are obtained." FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12 2005 - 98- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CRPS-05-129 - AMENDMENTS TO COUNCIL POLICIES: 1-130 (BOARD & COMMITTEE - STANDING COMMITTEES) 1-105 (FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES - TERMS OF REFERENCE) The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-129, dated August 24, 2005 recommending amendments to Council Policies 1-130 and 1-105 with respect to removal of references to the term "Strategic Services". On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That Council Policy 1-130 (Board & Committee - Standing Committees) and Council Policy 1-105 (Finance and Corporate Services Committee - Terms of Reference) be amended to remove any and all reference to the term 'Strategic Services' to be replaced by the term 'Chief Administrator's Office'." 4. CAO-05-033 - OKTOBERFEST PARADE FLOAT - 2005 DESIGN SUBMISSION The Committee was in receipt of Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-05-033, dated September 6, 2005 regarding a proposed design for the 2005 Oktoberfest Parade Float. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the proposed design of the City's Oktoberfest Parade submission be approved and staff proceed with construction of the float." 5. CRPS-05-128 - EXEMPTION TO CHAPTER 450 (NOISE) OF MUNICIPAL CODE - FREEDOM IN CHRIST FAMILY CHURCH - 1643 BLEAMS ROAD - SEPTEMBER 23 2005 The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-128, dated September 7, 2005 concerning a request for a noise exemption for an event to be held September 23, 2005. It was noted in the agenda that any recommendation from this Committee will be considered at the special Council meeting to be held later this date. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Freedom in Christ Family Church at 1643 Bleams Road, on Saturday, September 23,2005, between the hours of 6:30 PM and 11 PM." 6. CRPS-05-135 - EXEMPTION TO CHAPTER 450 (NOISE) OF MUNICIPAL CODE - CONCORDIA CLUB - 429 OTTAWA STREET SOUTH - SOWA TOOLS ANNIVERSARY PARTY - SEPTEMBER 29 2005 The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-135, dated September 7, 2005 concerning a request for a noise exemption for an event to be held September 29, 2005. It was noted in the agenda that any recommendation from this Committee will be considered at the special Council meeting to be held later this date. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Concordia Club at 429 Ottawa Street South, on Thursday, September 29,2005, between the hours of 7:00 PM and 12 AM." FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12 2005 - 99- CITY OF KITCHENER 7. CAO-05-032 - CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER The Committee was in receipt of Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-05-032, dated August 31, 2005 requesting permission to immediately hire a Customer Service Manager to undertake development of the Customer Service Delivery Implementation Plan. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the Customer Service Manager be hired immediately, funded through over- expenditure for the remainder of 2005, and funded from within the existing FTE's in the 2006 budget." 8. CRPS-05-134 - CHANGES TO PROVINCIAL DOG OWNERS' LIABILITY ACT RESPECTING PIT BULLS The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-05-134, dated September 6, 2005 recommending that notwithstanding amendments to the Dog Owners Liability Act, the City continue to enforce provisions of its By-law 2004-265 (Dogs) with respect to pit bulls. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That after review and consideration of the amendments to the Dog Owners' Liability Act, the City continue to enforce the provisions of By-law 2004-265 (Dogs) with respect to pit bulls; and further, That Communications staff be directed to inform the public, through a newspaper advertisement or media release, of the continued application of the City's By-law 2004- 265 (Dogs) and some of the new provisions of the Dog Owners' Liability Act." 9. FIN-05-028 - NATURAL GAS RATES The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-05-028, dated September 6, 2005 recommending an increase in the supply component of natural gas rates, to be effective October 1, 2005. Mr. D. Quinn advised that since the beginning of the supply program, the City has consistently provided supply rates at some of the lowest levels in Ontario, saving the average Kitchener residential customer over $100. this past winter alone. Mr. Quinn advised that surveys were conducted to determine customer satisfaction and approximately 80% of respondents indicated they much prefer rate stability over fluctuations and retroactive billing. Overall, he stated that Kitchener residents have experienced less price increases than customers of other major supply companies. In response to questions, Mr. Quinn advised that the City's rates are often the lowest during the highest consumption season, being the winter months. Under the City's supply program, customers will not incur a price increase from October 2005 through March 2006, while other major supply companies may petition for an increase on January 1, 2006. Mr. Quinn also spoke to recent media reports which suggest American residents may experience increases of up to 80%. He pointed out that a number of cumulative effects such as oil and natural gas price increases; hot summers; and the effect of Hurricane Katrina; has resulted in projections of significant price increases across the border. He advised that the impact to the City's portfolio at this time is marginal; however, staff will continue to pursue opportunities to pre- purchase natural gas over the winter months to help stabilize the City's surplus rates for the coming spring. Mr. Quinn also commented that staff are preparing to accommodate a potential influx of new customer requests from residents wishing to convert from oil to natural gas as a result of oil price increases. He added that staff are undertaking various forms of media messaging to relay the City's success in achieving savings for its natural gas customers. FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12 2005 - 1 00 - CITY OF KITCHENER 9. FIN-05-028 - NATURAL GAS RATES (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz- it was resolved: "That the supply component of the natural gas rates be increased to 27.7 cents per cubic meter from 25.9 cents per cubic meter for system gas customers of the City of Kitchener, effective October 1,2005." 1 O. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:45 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator