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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Admin - 2001-09-10FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Administration Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor M. Galloway, commencing at 10:05 a.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors G. Lorentz, J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic and C. Weylie. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Others Present:Ms. P. Houston, Ms. L. MacDonald, Ms. C. Tarling, Ms. J. Koppeser, Ms. C. Heal, Ms. D. Adams, Ms D. Gilchrist and Messrs. R. Pritchard, G. Sosnoski, F. Pizzuto, R. Gosse, M. Grummett, B. Stanley, L. Proulx and G. Melanson. 1. INTRODUCTIONS Mr. G. Sosnoski introduced Ms. C. Tarling, the City’s new Manager of Corporate Records and Mr. R. Gosse, the City’s new Deputy City Clerk, who were welcomed by the Committee. 2. WATERLOO REGION CHILDREN’S MUSEUM The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-01-160, dated September 5, 2001, providing the Committee with the current status of the Waterloo Region Children’s Museum project and requesting approval for additional City costs, the donation of construction materials, and permission to proceed to tender based on reassurances by the Museum Board that they can finance the additional costs associated with the revised construction program. Ms. Janna Levitt, Levitt Goodman Architects Ltd. was in attendance, and with the aid of a slide presentation, outlined the design features for the front elevation and interior of the museum. Ms. Levitt noted the use of the sandstone from City Hall and the pediment from the Old City Hall which connects and identifies this building with the City of Kitchener, and links it with the institutional and cultural face of King Street. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting and assumed the Chair during Ms. Levitt’s presentation. Several members of the Committee commented favourably on the design for the museum, and thanked Ms. Levitt for her excellent design. Ms. Joy Roberts of the Children’s Museum Board advised the Committee of the fund raising efforts undertaken by the Board, noting that when they announced their fundraising goals last fall, their intention was to raise $9M for this project, which has now been revised to $9.6M to accommodate the additional project costs. They will also raise an additional $500,000. to cover their initial operating costs. To date, $5M has been raised, and they are now approaching the general public, through a mailing to 13,000 households, to raise additional funds. Mr. Paul Roth, Museum Board Treasurer advised that he is excited to be involved in this project which will produce a world-class museum. He stated that he looked forward to the City’s continued support in this project. Ms. Rosemary Archer offered thanks, on behalf of the Museum Board, to staff, Council and the architects for their excellent work in and continued support of the Waterloo Region Children’s Museum. Mayor C. Zehr moved the recommendation contained in the staff report with an amendment to recommendation number two that the firewall costs not be associated with the cost of the Museum. He stated that the firewall was constructed to allow the City to sell a portion of the Goudie’s building to Bramante Studios, not to construct the Museum. He stated that the use of the Old City Hall pediment in the design of the museum is unique. Mayor Zehr spoke in support of proceding to tender, given the reassurance provided by the Museum Board as to their financial situation, noting that the Board has also considered their operating sustainability. 2. WATERLOO REGION CHILDREN’S MUSEUM (CONT’D) FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2001-98-CITY OF KITCHENER On motion by Mayor C. Zehr – it was resolved: “That a purchase order be authorized for additional fees for architectural services in the amount of $187,500. plus GST, to reflect the revised construction budget for the Waterloo Region Children’s Museum project; and, That the City assume responsibility for the cost of the firewall; and, That the sandstone and Old City Hall pediment, requested by the architect on behalf of the Children’s Museum, be provided by the City with the installation costs for these materials, estimated at $18,500., being a further contribution by the City of Kitchener to the Museum; and further, That staff proceed to tender construction of the Waterloo Region Children’s Museum based on reassurances that the Museum board can finance the additional costs associated with the revised construction program.” Carried unanimously 3. CRPS-01-155 – MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 586 (REFRESHMENT VEHICLES) – APPEAL TO LOCATE HOT DOG CART AT 2644 KING STREET EAST The Committee was in receipt of a Corporate Services Department report CRPS-01-155, dated August 22, 2001, seeking the Committee’s direction with respect to an appeal received from Mr. Carl Trieb to locate a hot dog cart at 2644 King Street East, Kitchener. It was noted in the report that the proposed location for the hot dog cart does not comply with the separation distance required in Municipal Code Chapter 586 (Refreshment Vehicles) which provides for a 200 metre distance separation from Places of Refreshment. It was noted that there are four places of refreshment within the 200 metre distance separation, which have been advised of the appeal and this meeting. When questioned by the Committee, Ms. Koppeser advised that no objections to approval of Mr. Trieb’s appeal have been received. Ms. Koppeser also advised that there has been a hot dog cart in this location previously, operating without complaint. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz – it was resolved: “That notwithstanding the separation requirements of Municipal Code Chapter 586 (Refreshment Vehicles) the appeal of Carl Trieb for a licence to locate a hot dog cart at 2644 King Street East, Kitchener, be approved.” 4. CRPS-01-156 KITCHENER WATERLOO ROWING CLUB – REQUEST FOR BINGO LOTTERY LICENCE The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-01-156, dated August 22, 2001, in response to a request from the Kitcnener Waterloo Rowing Club to operate bingos at Kitchener Charities Bingo Palace. Councillor B. Vrbanovic declared a pecuniary interest in this matter as he is associated with an organization that derives income from bingos, and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this matter. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr – it was resolved: “That the City of Kitchener has no objection to a Bingo Lottery Licence being issued to the Kitchener Waterloo Rowing Club to operate bingos at Kitchener Charities Bingo Palace, 29 King Street East, Kitchener.” 5 .CRPS-01-157 – RESPONSE TO ALCOHOL AND GAMING COMMISSION – BINGO PRIZE FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2001-99-CITY OF KITCHENER BOARD STRATEGY PROPOSAL The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-01-157, dated September 5, 2001, attached to which was a document titled “City of Kitchener Response to Proposal of the Bingo Strategy Working Group (July 2001) Prize Board Strategy”. It was noted in the report that the attached document has been prepared in response to a proposal received from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. On motion by Councillor J. Smola – it was resolved: “That the document titled “City of Kitchener Response to Proposal of Bingo Strategic Working Group (July 2001) Prize Board Strategy”, as attached to Corporate Services Department report CRPS-01-157 be forwarded to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.” 6. AMENDMENT TO SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator, Safe City Committee, dated September 5, 2001, advising of an issue raised by the Safe City Committee at its meeting of September 4, 2001, with respect to the composition of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee approved by Council on August 27, 2001. The Safe City Committee requests that the Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood be added to the list of neighbourhoods from which an “Inner City Resident” could be drawn for appointment. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that the addition of the Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood also be included in all those advisory committees whose membership draws one representative from the inner city area. Mayor C. Zehr agreed with Councillor Vrbanovic that as a housekeeping item, where any of the City’s new advisory committees draw an appointment from an inner city area that the Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood be added to the list of neighbourhoods from which this person may be chosen. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr – it was resolved: “That with respect to the membership of all the City’s advisory committees as approved on August 27, 2001, in each instance where an advisory committee membership includes one member from “Inner City Resident”, the list of neighbourhoods include the Mount Hope-Breithaupt Neighbourhood.” 7. K-W FELLOWSHIP CHRISTIAN SCHOOL The Committee was in receipt of a letter from the Fellowship Christian School, dated June 20, 2001, in which they request a grant from the City of Kitchener to cover part or all of their expenses paid to the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo in association with the construction and development of the school. Mayor Zehr commented that he did not recall having provided this type of grant in the past. Mr. B. Stanley noted that the only situation he could recall are grants for Habitat for Humanity. Mayor Zehr noted that the work of Habitat for Humanity is more closely related to municipal function than schools. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr – it was resolved: “That the request of Fellowship Christian School for a grant to cover some or all of the fees and charges paid to the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo, associated with the development and construction of the school, be denied.” FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2001-100-CITY OF KITCHENER 8. BPS-01-111 – RECOMMENDATION OF DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE – ALL AGE DANCES IN DOWNTOWN KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report BPS-01-111, dated September 4, 2001, relaying to the Committee, and requesting endorsement of, a resolution of the Downtown Advisory Committee that a legal opinion be obtained within 60 days regarding the City of Kitchener’s ability to produce a by-law or other legal control that would restrict and/or control all age dances in Downtown Kitchener. The recommendation of the Downtown Advisory Committee also requests a legal opinion regarding the effectiveness and feasibility of suspending the business licences of licensed establishments which violate regulations such as smoking and noise by-laws, fire and safety regulations, and particularly for those licensed establishments who have their liquor licences suspended by the Province. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested the possibility of requiring licensed establishments to hire paid duty officers before they can obtain a licence. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he is concerned about a by-law that would ban all ages dances, as young people need places to go to enjoy themselves. He stated that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission has an obligation to enforce their laws and regulations. He did agree that it is important to have a stronger impact on those who are charged for not complying with regulations. Councillor G. Lorentz stated his support for Councillor Vrbanovic’s comments that licensed establishments have a responsibility and regulations should be enforced. Ms. C. Heal addressed the Committee requesting that an additional item, to ask the Association of Municipalities of Ontario to support the control of all age events at the provincial level, be considered by this Committee and Council. Councillor Vrbanovic responded that Ms. Heal’s request is premature and he would like to review the requested staff report first. Mr. G. Melanson advised the Committee that Legal Services and Licensing staff are already engaged in an extensive review of liquor licences in the downtown, including a review of “Building a Safer Community – Safer Communities Through Co-operative Enforcement” initiatives of the Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations, and as directed by Council, the review will include obtaining information from other municipalities and through public input. Mr. Melanson advised that the review will take six to eight months, and requested that the two components brought forward in the staff report be incorporated into the investigation already under way. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr – it was resolved: “That Legal Services and Licensing include as part of their overall review of business licences, for those businesses which also have liquor licences, the issue of whether the City can produce a by-law or other legal controls that would restrict and/or control all ages dances in downtown Kitchener; and further, That this review also include the effectiveness and feasibility of suspending the business licences of licensed establishments that violate regulations such as: smoking and noise by-laws, fire and safety regulations, and particularly to evaluate the feasibility of suspending the business licence of establishments whose liquor licences have been suspended by the province.” FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 10, 2001-101-CITY OF KITCHENER 9. CRPS-01-154 – FOLLOW-UP REPORT TO COMMITTEE’S REQUESTS OF JUNE 25, 2001 AND STAFF REPORT FIN-01-009 – PROPOSAL FOR PERMANENT GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SECTION The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-01-154, dated September 5, 2001, which contains staff’s response to issues raised by this Committee when it considered staff report FIN-01-009 at its June 25, 2001 meeting, with respect to a permanent Geographic Information System for the City of Kitchener. The Committee was also in receipt of Finance Department staff report FIN-01-009, containing recommendations with respect to a permanent Geographic Information System which were not considered by this Committee on June 25, 2001. Mr. B. Stanley outlined the information contained in this report including direct and indirect cost savings to the municipality, as well as improved customer service. Additionally, the report addressed concerns relative to the possible sale of information by the Region which they have obtained free of charge from the City of Kitchener. Mr. Stanley also noted those tasks, such as fire dispatch and ward boundary changes in the year 2000 which could not have been undertaken without a Geographic Information System. Following a brief discussion about sharing information between the City and Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro, Mayor Zehr spoke in support of a permanent Geographic Information System, noting that these service levels are in line with the City’s new “Service First” philosophy. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie – it was resolved: “That a permanent Geographic Information System (GIS) be created within Information Services, reporting to the Manager of Database Administration and GIS, as outlined in staff report FIN-01-009; and, That the existing contract positions of GIS Technician, GIS Technologist, GIS Application Specialist and GIS Project Manager be made permanent full-time positions effective August 1, 2001; and further, That future staffing requirements and funding proposal as outlined in staff report FIN- 01-009, be approved in principle and referred to the operating budget process for 2002 and subsequent years.” 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11:05 a. m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator