Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Corp - 2002-12-02FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 2, 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, commencing at 2:25 p.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors M. Galloway, J. Gazzola, J. Smola and C. Weylie. Councillor G. Lorentz entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. L. Baillargeon, Ms. J. Sheryer, Ms. J. Koppeser, Ms. D. Gilchrist and Messers R. Pritchard, G. Sosnoski, D. Quinn, R. Gosse and G. Melanson. 1. FIN-02-046 - MILEAGE RATE The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-02-046, dated December 2, 2002, recommending the City's mileage rate remain at $0.37 and continue to be reviewed annually at budget time. It was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener's mileage rate remain at $0.37 per kilometre, and the rate continue to be reviewed annually as part of the budget process." CRPS-02-276 - AMENDMENTS TO MUNICIPAL CODE RE: SNOW DISPOSAL SITES - CHAPTER 665 (PROPERTY STANDRDS FOR MAINTENANCE OCCUPANCY) - ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW LICENSING CHAPTER This matter was referred to the Development and Technical Services Committee meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. this date, to be considered in conjunction with Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-02-253, with respect to Zone Change Application ZC 02/40/TC/CB - Regulations for Privately Operated Snow Disposal Sites. CRPS-02-269 - SPAY/NEUTERAGREEMENT WITH KITCHENER-WATERLOO & NORTH WATERLOO HUMANE SOCIETY AND CITY OF WATERLOO The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-269, dated November 20, 2002, recommending an agreement between the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo and the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society with respect to establishing a spay / neuter program. Ms. J. Sheryer advised that since the staff report was written, discussions have taken place with the College of Veterinarians who do not support veterinarians participating in a voucher program. Consequently, the owner of the animal will return the voucher to the Humane Society. The Humane Society will absorb the transportation and after care costs. She advised that the agreement attached to the agenda will be amended accordingly. Ms. Sheryer advised that there is a cap of $66,000. for this program, which will operate on a first come first served basis. She also advised that the City committed to a spay / neuter program when it last negotiated the contract with the Humane Society. Ms. P. Houston advised that the Committee will have the opportunity to add the spay / neuter program to the operating budget when it is reviewed on January 6, 2003. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the City enter into an agreement with The Corporation of the City of Waterloo and the Kitchener-Waterloo and North Waterloo Humane Society, substantially as outlined in the attachment to Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-269 save and except for revisions to the voucher proposal as discussed at the December 2, 2002 Finance & Corporate Services Committee meeting, regarding the creation of a spay/neuter program to commence on January 1, 2003 and terminate on December 31, 2003, to be partially funded by a one time grant of up to $66,000; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign such agreement, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 2, 2002 4. CRPS-02-270 - 106 - CITY OF KITCHENER FINAL REPORT ON COUNCIL COMPENSATION FROM AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON COUNCIL COMPENSATION The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-270, dated November 26, 2002, containing the final report and recommendation of the Ad hoc Citizens Advisory Committee on Council Compensation. Mr. Dan Carli, representing the Ad hoc Citizens Committee, was in attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. All members of the Committee thanked Mr. Carli and the other members of the Ad hoc Citizens Advisory Committee on Council Compensation for their work and the report. The Committee debated clause 2 of the recommendation with respect to the Mayor and Councillors receiving contributions to an RRSP in lieu of contributions to the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement Savings Plan (OMERS). Mayor Zehr pointed out that currently, and for many years, the Mayor has received a contribution to an RRSP in lieu of regular rate OMERS contribution. Councillor J. Smola suggested an amendment to Clause 2 of the recommendation that Councillors be entitled to receive this contribution, and that acceptance of the contribution not be mandatory. It was generally agreed that all aspects of this proposed compensation package be effective December 1, 2003, when the new Council takes office, and the effective date of Clause 2 be changed accordingly. Most members of the Committee spoke in favour of the recommendation, noting that regular annual increases which keep pace with inflation are more acceptable to the community than large periodic increases. Councillors Galloway and Gazzola spoke against the recommendation suggesting that the position of Councillor is part-time, voluntary and something a person chooses to do as a community service. Councillors Weylie and Gazzola offered their support for the suggestions in the report that the City give consideration to developing a citizens 24 hour hot line to receive telephone inquiries and complaints. With respect to Clause 4 of the recommendation dealing with annual salary adjustments, it was suggested that at times non-union and management salaries receive different annual adjustments. It was generally agreed that the annual adjustment to salaries for all members of Council be the lesser of the adjustment to the non-union group or the management group salaries. Councillor G. Lorentz moved the recommendation of the Ad hoc Citizen Advisory Committee on Council Compensation, and accepted the following as friendly amendments: 1. recognition that the Mayor currently receives a contribution to his RRSP equal to the regular rate OMERS contribution; 2. that Councillors be entitled to receive contributions to an RRSP at the regular rate OMERS contribution; 3. that the effective date for RRSP contribution for Councillors be December 1, 2003; 4. that annual salary adjustments for all members of Council be the lesser of the annual salary adjustment for the non-union employees or the M-band group of employees. FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 2, 2002 - 107 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CRPS-02-270 FINAL REPORT ON COUNCIL COMPENSATION FROM AD HOC CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON COUNCIL COMPENSATION (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the Mayor's and Councillors' current base salary remain at $62,200 and $32,000 respectively for the remainder of the current term; and, That effective December 1, 2003 the Mayor and Councillors be entitled to receive contributions to their individual RRSP in lieu of the regular rate OMERS contribution; it being recognized that the Mayor currently receives contributions to his RRSP in lieu of the regular rate of OMERS contribution; and, That effective December 1, 2003, the base salary of the Mayor and Councillors be set at $63,444 and $32,640 respectively; and That effective with the election of City Council in 2003, the Mayor and Councillors receive an annual salary adjustment equal to the lesser of the annual adjustment received by City staff classified as M-band or classified as non-union employees, which shall take effect on the same date as the staff adjustment; and further, That Council adopt a policy which establishes: the base salary of the Mayor and Councillors; the contribution in lieu of OMERS pension; the annual salary adjustment; and, that any amendment to the policy will require at least one public meeting of which sufficient notice shall be given." Councillor M. Galloway then put forward a motion which would require that 6 months prior to each municipal election a review of compensation for Mayor Councillors take place, which was voted on and lost. FIN-02-047 - DOONBROOK PLACE - WATER SYSTEM ASSUMPTION OPTIONS The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-02-047, dated November 25, 2002, with respect to the need of certain residents on Doonbrook Place and Doon Village Road for access to an alternate water supply, rather than their own private water supply. The report recommends the use of trenchless technology to connect these properties to the municipal water supply. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - it was resolved: "That the Financial Services Department be directed to pursue the alternative of municipal water provision to residents currently served by a private water system near Doonbrook Place; and, That staff review and incorporate the use of trenchless technology techniques to reduce the cost of the job while funding about half of the cost of the job from funds for this type of development; and further, That staff be directed to initiate and process an Area Surcharge in accordance with Section 2 of the Public Utilities Act on all affected residents." FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 2, 2002 - 108 - CITY OF KITCHENER 6. FIN-02-049 - NATURAL GAS RATES - TRANSPORTATION & DELIVERY COMPONENTS - GAS FIXED CHARGE The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-02-049, dated November 27, 2002, requesting approval for increases in the transportation and delivery components of the Natural Gas rate, effective January 1, 2003. The Committee was also in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-02-048, explaining how it is that Kitchener Utilities customers are not having to pay the same type of retroactive charges as Union Gas customers. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the transportation component of the natural gas rates be increased to 4.529 cents per cubic meter effective January 1, 2003, or the actual interim rate and date as approved by the National Energy Board if different; and further, That the delivery component of the natural gas rates be changed as proposed in Appendix A of Financial Services Department report FIN-02-049, effective January 1, 2003, or the actual rates and dated as approved by the Ontario Energy Board for Union South if different." 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator