HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Corp - 2002-06-24FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 24~2002
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor J. Ziegler,
commencing at 1:37 p.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors M.
Galloway, G. Lorentz and J. Smola. Councillor C. Weylie was in attendance for part of the meeting.
Others Present:
Ms. P. Houston, Ms. G. Luciantonio, Ms. L. MacDonald, Ms. D. Gilchrist and
Messrs. R. Pritchard, G. Sosnoski, R. Gosse, H. Gross, D. Quinn, B. McDonald
and G. Melanson.
1. CRPS-02-135
APPEAL
REQUEST TO LOCATE HOT DOG CART AT 50 VICTORIA STREET
NORTH
The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-135, dated
June 3, 2002, considered at the Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting June 10,
2002, advising of the appeal of Anna and Irena Marszalek of the refusal of the Manager of
Licensing to issue them a licence to operate a hot dog cart at 50 Victoria Street North. It was
noted that City Council had deferred its consideration of the appeal, at its meeting of June 17,
2002, and referred the matter to this meeting.
Ms. A. Marszalek was in attendance to represent the appeal, advising that the owner of the
Station Cafe, 100 Victoria Street North is still opposed to their operation of a hot dog cart at 50
Victoria Street North. She noted that food items sold at the Station Caf~ are different than those
to be sold at their hot dog cart.
Councillor J. Smola spoke in support of the appeal. He noted that the City is in receipt of two
conflicting letters from the owner of the Station Cafe, and the products to be sold at the hot dog
cart different than those offered for sale at the Station Cafe. He put forward a motion to grant the
appeal.
On motion By Councillor J. Smola -
it was resolved:
"That the appeal of Anna and Irena Marszalek be granted and the Manager of Licensing
be directed to issue a licence which will allow the appellants to operate a hot dog cart at
50 Victoria Street North."
MEMORANDUM
CENTRE IN THE SQUARE
CORPORATE PARTNERSHIP PLAN
The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Mr. J. Grant, General Manager, Centre in
the Square, dated June 18, 2002 responding to Council's request of January 18, 2002 for an
update on Corporate Sponsorship Plans at the Centre in the Square. Mr. J. Grant was in
attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard, and introduced
Ms. Mary Joy Aitken, the Centre's new Manager of Development and Marketing, whose
responsibility it is to assist the Centre in meeting its Strategic Plan objectives relative to
Corporate Sponsorships.
The Committee congratulated Mr. Grant and Ms. Aitken on their success to date and requested
that Council receive regular progress reports in this regard.
CRPS-02-162
DANDY'S RESTAURANT - REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
EXTENSION OF ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT FOR OUTDOOR
PATIO
The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-162, dated
June 19, 2002, advising of Council's decision of May 6, 2002, to consider extending the
encroachment agreement with Dandy's Restaurant, 85 King Street West, with respect to their
outdoor patio. It was noted in the report and by staff present at this meeting that no complaints
have been received to date with respect to this year's operation of the patio.
It was noted by Ms. L. MacDonald that it is possible for Council to review and revoke the
encroachment agreement at any time if the conditions set out in the agreement are not met.
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CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CRPS-02-162
DANDY'S RESTAURANT - REQUEST FOR DIRECTION
EXTENSION OF ENCROACHMENT AGREEMENT FOR OUTDOOR
PATIO (CONT'D)
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
it was resolved:
"That the encroachment agreement between Dandy's Restaurant, 85 King Street West
and the City of Kitchener, permitting the operation of a sidewalk patio in front of the
restaurant, be extended to October 31,2002."
FIN-02-031
PRESENTATION RE: 2001 ANNUAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-02-031, dated June
18, 2002, attached to which is the official Annual Financial Report of the City of Kitchener for the
period ending December 31, 2001. Included with the Annual Financial Report is a "Financial
and Statistical Review" providing a concise picture of the financial progress of the City between
1997 and 2001, as well as the Financial Information Return required by the Province.
Ms. T. Fischer, Ernst & Young LLP, the City's external auditors, and Mr. B. McDonald presented
a PowerPoint presentation of the highlights of the Annual Financial Report. Ms. Fischer offered
her thanks for the co-operation of City staff through this process. She advised that there are no
significant control weakness in the City's financial processes.
Councillor C. Weylie entered the meeting at this time.
When reviewing the state of the City's Reserves and Reserve Funds, Ms. Fischer noted that the
Sick Leave Reserve Fund is currently at 6% of the City's liability; whereas, Council Policy
requires 25% of liability. She then noted that there is a process in place to build this Reserve
Fund to the 25% point.
CRPS-02-163 ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO COUNCIL POLICIES
The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-163, dated
June 19, 2002, recommending administrative changes to a specific list of Council Policies.
It was resolved:
"That routine administrative changes to Council Policies, as referenced in Corporate
Service Department report CRPS-02-163, be approved."
FIN-02-032
TAX MITIGATION PROPOSAL
Councillor M. Galloway assumed the Chair at this time.
The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-02-032, dated June
21, 2002, in response to a request made by Councillor Ziegler at the May 6, 2002 Council
meeting to explore the possibility of the implementing a Tax Arrears Mitigation Program.
Councillor Ziegler introduced this matter, explained his intentions and offered support for the
proposals contained in the staff report. He suggested that the Program commence in
September 2002 and be advertised with September tax notice.
On motion by Councillor J. Zielger -
it was resolved:
"That the following Tax Arrears Mitigation Process be approved:
a) That staff report to Council on a regular basis as to tax arrears by property class
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June 24~2002
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CITY OF KITCHENER
6. FIN-02-032
TAX MITIGATION PROPOSAL (CONT'D)
in the form of Appendix 'B' attached to Financial Services Department report FIN-
02-032; and,
b)
That an application process be established whereby mortgagees may, for a fee, be
provided with ongoing tax statements for properties for which they hold mortgages:
Fee Schedule
(i) 1 year application
(ii) 2 or 3 year application
(iii)5 year application
$35.00
$45.00
$65.00;and,
c)
That a one year pilot project be established to offer owners of owner occupied
single family residential units relief on the interest charged on their tax arrears,
subject to the following conditions:
(i)
relief be offered to a maximum of 50% of interest charges on unpaid taxes
from 2002 forward;
(ii)
the number of applicants shall be limited so as not to exceed $100,000. in
relief in 2002; and,
that 'Needs Test' criteria be established in conjunction with a credit
counselling agency, acceptable to the Financial Services Department from
time to time, to ensure only those truly in financial need receive this benefit;
and,
d)
That staff report to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee one year from
implementing the interest relief pilot project, identifying the following:
(i) an assessment of the benefits of the program;
(ii) the administrative cost of the program;
(iii)the financial impact of the program; and,
(iv) the program's effects on payment behaviour; and further,
e)
That the Tax Arrears Mitigation Process commence in September 2002, nd be
announced in the September tax notices."
Councillor Ziegler resumed the Chair at this time.
7. DTS-02-147
INSTALLATION OF TEMPORARY KINGSWAY DRIVE BY-PASS AT
REQUEST TO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION TO REIMBURSE
COSTS
The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-
02-147, dated June 13, 2002, seeking the Committee's endorsement of actions taken by staff to
construct a temporary Kingsway Drive by-pass at Franklin Street to improve traffic flow for
residents and area businesses during the time the Franklin Street Bridge closed by the Ministry
of Transportation. The report also recommends that the Ministry of Transportation be requested
to reimburse the cost incurred to construct and remove the by-pass.
Several members of the Committee thanked Mr. Gross, on behalf of residents and Council for
actions taken to construct the by-pass.
Mayor Zehr requested that staff report to the August 12, 2002 Finance and Corporate Services
Committee meeting on the response of the Ministry to the City's request to for reimbursement of
costs.
7. DTS-02-147 INSTALLATION OF TEMPORARY KINGSWAY DRIVE BY-PASS AT
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
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CITY OF KITCHENER
REQUEST TO MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION TO REIMBURSE
COSTS (CONT'D)
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
it was resolved:
"That installation of the temporary Kingsway Drive by-pass at Franklin Street be
approved; and,
That a request for re-imbursement be submitted to the Ministry of Transportation for all
costs incurred by the City of Kitchener associated with the construction and removal of
the by-pass; with staff to report at the August 12, 2002 Finance and Corporate Services
Committee meeting as to the Ministry's response; and further,
That staff's authority to enter into agreements with the owners of 1620 Franklin Street
South and 2399 Kingsway Drive, relative to use of their lands for the temporary Kingsway
Drive by-pass, as outlined in Development and Technical Services Department report
DTS-02-147, be confirmed."
CRPS-02-159
NEW COUNCIL POLICY RESOLUTION
"SUMMONS TO WITNESS - INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE"
The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-159, dated
June 17, 2002, recommending a new Council Policy with respect to independent legal advice for
Councillors and staff summonsed as witnesses in proceedings.
On motion by Councillor M. Galloway-
it was resolved:
"That the new Council Policy resolution regarding and titled 'Summons to Witness -
Independent Legal Advice - Councillors and Employees', attached to Corporate Services
Department report CRPS-02-159, be approved."
CRPS-02-161
NEW COUNCIL POLICY RESOLUTION
"AGREEMENTS - RESOLUTIONS - AUTHORIZATION TO ENTER"
The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-161, dated
June 19, 2002, recommending a new Council Policy with respect to authorization for the entering
into agreements. Mr. G. Melanson was in attendance to represent the report noting that at the
March 25, 2002 Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting, staff was directed to
prepare a policy in this regard.
On motion by Councillor M. Galloway -
it was resolved:
"That the new Council Policy resolution regarding and titled 'Agreements - Resolutions -
Authorization to Enter', attached to Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-161,
be approved."
10. CRPS-02-160
BILL 111 (NEW MUNICIPAL ACT)
TAX FREE STATUS
The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-160, dated
June 19, 2002, requesting Council's direction with respect to a stipulation in the Municipal Act
requiring the present tax-free status of 1/3 of Council's remuneration to end on January 1, 2003
unless a resolution is passed by that date expressly stating an intention to continue the tax-free
status. The report notes that the current exemption relates to the fact that 1/3 of the
remuneration is deemed to be for expenses incurred in performing the duties of a member of
Council.
10. CRPS-02-160 BILL 111 (NEW MUNICIPAL ACT)
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CITY OF KITCHENER
TAX FREE STATUS (CONT'D)
The Committee also noted that Council had passed a resolution on January 29, 2001, requiring
an Ad Hoc Citizen Advisory Committee be established to review compensation for the Mayor and
members of Council at the mid-point of the their current term of office.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
it was resolved:
"That pursuant to Section 255 of the Ontario Municipal Act, R.S.O. 1990, as amended,
and Section 283 of the Municipal Act, R.S.O. 2001, one third of the remuneration paid to
elected members of Kitchener Council continue as expenses incident to the discharge of
their duties as Members of Council."
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr-
it was resolved:
"That staff prepare a report for consideration at the August 12, 2002 Finance and
Corporate Services Committee meeting outlining a recommended process for a review, by
an Ad Hoc Citizen Advisory Committee, of compensation for the Mayor and Members of
Council, said review to be in keeping with Council's resolution of January 29, 2001 ."
11. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Dianne H. Gilchrist
Committee Administrator
