HomeMy WebLinkAboutFin & Corp Svcs - 2006-09-18FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 1$, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic -Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, G. Lorentz, J. Gazzola, M. Galloway and
C. Weylie.
Staff: P. Houston, General Manager, Financial Services & City Treasurer
R. Browning, General Manager, Development & Technical Services
A. Pappert, General Manager, Community Services
S. Williams, Assistant City Solicitor
R. Upfold, Director of Accounting
R. Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development
D. Paterson, Director, Human Resources
S. Turner, Director of Enforcement
P. Harris, Manager of Licensing
J. Billett, Committee Administrator
1. CRPS-06-142 -REQUEST TO AMEND THE FOLLOWING CHAPTERS OF THE
MUNICIPAL CODE:
CHAPTER 500 (GENERAL PROVISIONS -ISSUE OF LICENSES)
CHAPTER 501 (BUSINESS LICENSE FEES)
CHAPTER 502 tADULT ENTERTAINMENT PARLOURS)
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-06-142, dated
September 11, 2006 in regard to housekeeping amendments to Chapters 500, 501 and 502 of
the Municipal Code.
On motion by Councillor M. Galloway -
it was resolved:
"That staff prepare the required by-laws to amend Chapters: 500 (General Provisions -
Issue of Licences); 501 (Business Licence Fees); and, 502 (Adult Entertainment
Parlours) of the Municipal Code to change the title "Deputy City Clerk" to "City Clerk";
and further,
That staff initiate the required public process with respect to the amending by-laws."
2. CRPS-06-144 -EXEMPTION TO CHAPTER 450 (NOISE) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
- SHAWN COOPER I ALBUM RELEASE PARTY, VICTORIA PARK PAVILION
- OCTOBER 20, NOVEMBER 17 AND DECEMBER $, 2006
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-06-144, dated
September 12, 2006 regarding a request for a noise exemption for events to be held at
Victoria Park Pavilion.
On motion by Councillor M. Galloway -
it was resolved:
"That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be
granted to Shawn Cooper for album release events to be held at the Victoria Park
Pavilion on October 20, November 17 and December 8, 2006, between the hours of
7:00 PM and 10:00 PM."
3. CRPS-06-143 -EXEMPTION TO CHAPTER 450 (NOISE) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
- K-W OKTOBERFEST INC. -VARIOUS EVENTS
-OCTOBER 6 -14.2006
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-06-143, dated
September 12, 2006 concerning noise exemption requests by K-W Oktoberfest Inc. for various
events to be held during the Oktoberfest celebrations.
Mr. S. Turner advised that citizen concerns raised with respect to an event to be held October 12, 2006
at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, Hip-Hop Night, requires further discussion of all
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 1$, 2006 - 126 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CRPS-06-143 -EXEMPTION TO CHAPTER 450 (NOISE) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
- K-W OKTOBERFEST INC. -VARIOUS EVENTS
-OCTOBER 6 - 14, 2006 tCONT'D)
parties in order to reach a consensus and accordingly, staff are recommending that this particular
event be separated from the series of events and be dealt with under a subsequent report.
On motion by Councillor M. Galloway -
it was resolved:
"That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be
granted to K-W Oktoberfest Inc. for a series of events being held at various clubs
between October 6th and October 14th, 2006, as outlined in the letter from K-W
Oktoberfest Inc., dated August 2, 2006, attached to Corporate Services Department
report CRPS-06-143, with the exception of the event being held at the Kitchener
Memorial Auditorium Complex on October 12, 2006."
4. CRPS-06-139 -REQUEST TO REPEAL CHAPTER 539 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
tELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR -MASTER ELECTRICIAN)
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-06-139, dated
September 11, 2006 requesting permission to repeal Chapter 539 of the Municipal Code
(Electrical Contractor -Master Electrician), in light of the new Provincial licensing system for
electricians. It was noted that this will result in a loss of licensing revenue of approximately
$30,000.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
it was resolved:
"That staff prepare a by-law to repeal Chapter 539 of the Municipal Code (Electrical
Contractor -Master Electrician); and further,
That staff initiate the required public process with respect to the repealing by-law."
5. CRPS-06-140 - REQUEST TO AMEND CHAPTER 57$ OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE
(PLUMBING CONTRACTOR -MASTER PLUMBER -JOURNEYMAN
PLUMBER)
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-06-140, dated
September 11, 2006 in regard to proposed amendments to Chapter 578 of the Municipal Code
(Plumbing Contractor -Master Plumber -Journeyman Plumber), relative to changes in
Provincial legislation which provides that a municipality may no longer examine businesses or
individuals carrying on or engaged in a trade, other occupation or skill set to determine his or
her competency to perform the trade, if the individual holds a certificate in that trade,
occupation or skill set under the Trades Qualification and Apprenticeship and Certification Act,
1998. It was noted that the legislation does permit municipalities to license trades and
occupations and in the interest of consumer protection staff are recommending that the City
continue to license Master Plumbers and Plumbing Contractors. It was also noted that a public
meeting must be held prior to passing the amending licensing by-law and should a decision be
made to not license the plumbing industry it would result in a loss of licensing revenue of
approximately $30,000.
On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz -
it was resolved:
"That staff prepare a by-law to amend Chapter 578 of the Municipal Code (Plumbing
Contractor-Master Plumber-Journeyman Plumber) to remove the requirement of writing
and passing an exam to obtain a municipal licence; and further,
That staff initiate the required public process with respect to the amending by-law."
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 1$, 2006 - 127 - CITY OF KITCHENER
6. CRPS-06-141 -REQUEST TO AMEND CHAPTER 533 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE (DRAIN
LAYER)
The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CRPS-06-141, dated
September 11, 2006 concerning proposed amendments to Chapter 533 of the Municipal Code
(Drain Layers), to add a definition fora "Master Drain Layer".
On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz -
it was resolved:
°~That staff prepare a by-law to amend Chapter 533 of the Municipal Code (Drain Layers)
to add a definition fora "Master Drain Layer"; and further,
That staff initiate the required public process with respect to the amending by-law."
CAO-06-056 -ADDENDUM TO REPORT CAO-06-052
- END OF MANDATORY RETIREMENT
The Committee considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-06-056, dated September
11, 2006 prepared as an addendum to report CAO-06-052 previously considered and deferred
by the Committee at its meeting of September 5, 2006. The original report outlined proposed
changes to Council policies required to comply with new legislation that ends mandatory
retirement, effective December 12, 2006. The addendum report provides additional
information on options for continued provision of ensured benefits for employees age 65 and
over.
Mr. D. Paterson commented that staff originally recommended that benefits not be provided to
employees beyond age 65; however, during Committee discussion it was suggested that in the
event Council wished to recognize ongoing benefit costs they be provided on the basis of a
percentage, or at a fixed dollar amount, in lieu of benefits. Mr. Paterson advised that two
existing private plans available to post age 65 employees were examined, Municipal Retirees
Organization Ontario (MROO) and Manulife's "Follow Me" program, which provide extended
health care and dental benefits but do not include long-term disability or life insurance. In
comparison of costs, it was determined that the City's average costs are higher than the cost
of the private insurance plans, in part because there is nothing available to the City's plan to
off-set the Ontario Drug Benefit available to those over 65. Accordingly, to provide the same
level of coverage applied to employees under age 65 would be prohibitively expensive. Mr.
Paterson suggested that 6% of earnings would approximate the cost of private insurance for
extended health care and dental coverage but noted this would be subject to taxation. He
added that staff is not recommending continuance of long-term disability given private plans
do not provide this service; nor life insurance as it is cost prohibitive.
Mayor C. Zehr commented that the intent of continuing benefits was to recognize the value in
continued service beyond age 65 and suggested that any such employees should be in no
different position of coverage on the day after, as they were on the day before, turning age 65.
In response to Councillor J. Gazzola, Mr. Paterson explained that while the legislation permits
employees to work beyond age 65 it removes requirement for provision of benefits and
therefore, provision of benefits is not required by law. He added that while the number of
employees affected in the Corporation within the next year is small, it is difficult to predict
future financial impacts to the Corporation.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested such employees be placed in a plan that would allow the
employee to purchase what they want and/or need at the same value as any other employee.
Ms. R. Upfold advised that the Corporation would pay actual costs associated, noting that
costs are uncontrollable and typically senior generations spend more in benefits. Mr. Paterson
added that if a percentage is given and the individual enrolls in a private plan, the company
involved assumes all liability; whereas, if it is a City plan, regardless of how much an individual
contributes the City would assume all liability.
Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that this matter be more fully investigated prior to setting any
policy, commenting that changing trend in the market may spur the industry to react in regard
FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
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7. CAO-06-056 -ADDENDUM TO REPORT CAO-06-052
- END OF MANDATORY RETIREMENT tCONT'D)
to provision of coverage for individuals over age 65. He also suggested that discussion should
be undertaken with other municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO)
in terms of developing a collective policy that could benefit all municipalities.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
it was resolved:
°~That staff report to the December 11, 2006 Finance & Corporate Services Committee
meeting on the principle of providing benefits to employees aged 65 and over based on
the premise that such employees shall be in the same position of coverage as at prior
to age 65; and further,
That any recommendation arising from the Committee concerning this matter shall be
considered at the special Council meeting to be held the same date. "
8. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
Janet Billett, AMCT
Committee Administrator