Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Corp - 2003-03-24FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 24~ 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Finance and Corporate Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, commencing at 2:04 p.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillors M. Galloway, J. Smola, J. Gazzola and G. Lorentz. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. J. Koppeser, Ms. J. Sheryer, Ms. C. Ladd, Ms. I. Magid, and Messers J. Fielding, D. Quinn, G. Sosnoski, D. Paterson, G. Borovilos and R. Gosse. SSD-03-008 - EXTENSION OF BENEFITS TO COUNCILLORS AND EMPLOYEES BEYOND AGE 65 3. The Committee was in receipt of Strategic Services Department report SSD-03-008, dated March 10, 2003, recommending that benefits be extended to Councillors and employees beyond age 65. It was resolved: "That effective May 1,2003, benefits be extended to Councillors beyond age 65 for as long as they are in office with no age restriction, subject to the terms and conditions of the Insurance Carrier and that the Extended Health Care plan be integrated with the Provincial Plan; and further That effective March 1, 2003, employees of the Corporation choosing to work beyond the th th birthmonth of their 65 birthday - but not into their 66 year be covered for Extended Health Care (EHC), Dental and Life Insurance and that the EHC Plan be integrated with the Provincial Plan." CRPS-03-046 - NEGOTIATION OF LEASE AGREEMENT - WEDDING BELLE CHAPEL AND ROSE CHAPEL The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-046, dated March 12, 2003, recommending commencement of negotiations for a new three lease agreement for the City Hall Wedding Belle Chapel and Rose Chapel. It was resolved: "That staff be directed to negotiate and bring back for final approval a new three year lease agreement with Patricia Fretwell for the City Hall Wedding Belle Chapel and Rose Chapel premises located at 200 King Street West in the City of Kitchener." SSD-03-007 - COMPASS KITCHENER - REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE - APPOINTMENTS The Committee was in receipt of Strategic Services Department report SSD-03-007, dated March 14, 2003 recommending approval of the revised terms of reference for Compass Kitchener and appointments to the Committee for 2003. Ms. C. Ladd, General Manager of Strategic Services advised that the report before the Committee was the result of a review of Compass Kitchener Committee and its future mandate. Contained in the report are the revised Terms of Reference, setting out clarified goals and objectives for the Committee. As well, the report proposes a Committee composition, that ensures the needs and interests of the City's population are accurately reflected and represented. Ms. Mary Ann Wasilka was in attendance advising of a guiding document developed by the 2000 Compass Kitchener Committee that remains valid and should continue to be used as a guide for the new Committee. Ms. Wasilka noted that the document supports the Regional initiative for a Light Rail Transit System, the City's initiative for downtown redevelopment and initiatives supported by the Downtown Advisory Committee. She further advised she would be addressing the Development and Technical Services Committee later this date regarding the Regional Strategic Plan but wanted to make her comments known regarding Compass Kitchener and the guiding document. FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 24~ 2003 - 38 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. SSD-03-007 - COMPASS KITCHENER - REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE - APPOINTMENTS (CONT'D) Mr. J. Fielding, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that the guiding document developed by Compass Kitchener is still valid and would be used in the ongoing process by the new Compass Kitchener Committee. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz - it was resolved: "That the revised Term of Reference for Compass Kitchener attached to Strategic Services Department report SSD-03-077 dated March 14, 2003, be approved; and further, That the following appointments to the Compass Kitchener Committee for 2003 be approved: Mike Sully, Member at Large Donald Bourgeois, Member at Large George Sadder, Member at Large Pat Doherty, Member at Large Trudy Bunting, Environmental sector representative Trudy Beeline, Social sector representative Representative from Multicultural sector Jeff Fielding, CAO Carla Lad, General Manger of Strategic Services Shelly Adams, Director of Community Programs and Services Kathryn Dever, Organizational Change Facilitator" = PRESENTATION - CENTRE BLOCK STEERING COMMITTEE - REDEVELOPMENT WORK PLAN Mr. Craig Robson, representing the Centre Block Steering Committee attended advising of a proposed Centre Block Work Plan which would assist in developing a viable business plan for the Centre Block. Mr. Robson noted that the Committee would investigate all development opportunities with the options to be considered including: the selling of the land, with or without conditions; providing incentives to assist in developing the block; considering proposals that come forward from the development industry; and proposing and evaluating catalyst projects such as moving the Library to the block. Mr. Robson further advised that with the call for proposals to develop the block showing little interest by the development industry, the Committee is endorsing the option of evaluating catalyst projects including the Library as the best move for development. He explained that the Committee would explore the Library option as a starting point but that all other options and projects would be considered. Mr. Robson pointed out that the Kitchener Public Library Board would need to evaluate the adequacy of the current site in terms of current and future needs and to validate any proposal of a new library site. The board would determine all its requirements and if a new Library was required, investigate the best location including the Centre Block site. If the recommended option was to move the Library to the Centre Block site, the Steering Committee would need to determine all options available to Council from an investment and financing perspective for the new Library and determine the actual cost based on the need analysis conducted by the Kitchener Public Library Board. Mr. Robson noted that from this analysis the Steering Committee would recommend how best to achieve the new Library with minimal financing and would develop a RFP process based on the needs analysis, location, financial considerations and other uses. Mr. Robson concluded his presentation noting that the Centre Block site is in need of a catalyst project in order for development to proceed. The library proposal is the only project currently on the table and would be a starting point, but that all projects will be considered. 4. PRESENTATION - CENTRE BLOCK STEERING COMMITTEE FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 24~ 2003 - 39 - CITY OF KITCHENER - REDEVELOPMENT WORK PLAN (CONT'D) Mayor Zehr thanked the Steering Committee for their hard work on developing the work plan noting it allows for all options, including the library, to be considered. In answer to a question from Councillor B. Vrbanovic, J. Fielding advised that Council will need to consider the 'lame duck' provisions of the Municipal Act with respect to the proposed report from the Steering Committee in September 2003. Councillor J. Gazzola raised a concern that the committee may be focusing on only one option without ensuring work is continued on the other three options. Councillor Gazzola noted that time in this matter was not of the essence and that all four options should be fully explored adding that significant monies have been spent for the property and that the City now needs to ensure its' best use. Mr. J. Fielding advised that the concerns of Councillor Gazzola have been addressed in the work plan noting that Council will receive a report from the Library Board, that the committee will review all options and that no strict time frame is being advanced. Councillor M. Galloway agreed that the proposed time lines were sufficient to allow the Committee to review all options without pressure and asked that the work plan include bi-weely updates in order to keep Council informed. J. Fielding advised that the bi-weekly updates would be made available. A recorded vote was requested on this matter. On a motion by Mayor C. Zehr: it was resolved: ,,That the Centre Block Work Plan identified in the report from the Centre Block Steering Committee, dated March 21,2003, be approved." Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors M. Galloway, B. Vrbanovic, G. Lorentz, J. Smola and J. Gazzola voted unanimously in favour of the motion. CRPS-03-048 REQUEST FOR REDUCTION OF LICENCE FEES JOSEPH SCHNEIDER HAUS HERB FAIR AND HEART AND HAND (STORYTELLING) FESTIVAL AND CRAFT SALE The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-048, dated March 18, 2003, requesting direction regarding a request from the Joseph Schneider Haus for a reduction in licencing fees. Councillor Gazzola questioned the reduction in the licencing fee and asked if the vendors at the event are making a profit. Ms. J. Koppeser, Manager of Licencing, advised that Council has granted the reduction in the past and in answer to Councillor Gazzola's question, that the vendors do retain profits. Ms. Koppeser noted that she had no figures on the profits made by the vendors and that other events offering crafts for sale were required to pay the full licencing fee. Mayor Zehr moved that the licence fee for the Herb Fair on May 3, 2003 and the Heart and Hand (Storytelling) Festival on September 27, 2003 taking place at the Joseph Schneider Haus be reduced to $10.00. The motion was lost. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that staff provide Council at its meeting to be held on March 31, further information on the past events at the Joseph Schneider Haus. 6. FIN-03-013 - NATURAL GAS RATES - SUPPLY COMPONENTS FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 24~ 2003 - 40 - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-03-013, dated March 19, 2003, recommending that the supply component of the natural gas rates be increased effective April 1,2003. Councillor J. Gazzola asked if there were any other options other than the 19% increase in supply rates. Mr. D. Quinn, Director of Utilities, advised that the natural gas situation in North America was not very good and that the proposed increase is the best option in order to recover costs. He advised that other utilities have applied for an increase up to thirty cents per cubic metre showing, that the City of Kitchener is still keeping costs down for its' customers. Mr. Quinn did point out that step increases in the rates could be an option but cautioned that this may have a detrimental effect on the customers because it makes it very difficult for families to budget their heating cost with the step increases. On a motion by Councillor J. Gazzola: it was resolved: "That the supply component of the natural gas rates be increased to 26.9 cents per cubic meter from 19.8 cents per cubic meter for system gas customers of the City of Kitchener effective April 1,2003." CRPS-03-050 & - SSD-03-009 BUSINESS AND EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP AND RECOMMENDATION FROM SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-050, dated March 19, 2003 recommending that the City establish a partnership with the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region and to make a financial contribution. As well, the Committee was in receipt of Strategic Services Department report SSD-03-009, dated March 12, 2003, recommending that the City continue to explore opportunities to assist with the partnership. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Safe and Healthy Community Committee was in favour of establishing a partnership with the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region recommending a financial contribution of $5,000. Mayor C. Zehr raised the concern regarding the lack of information on the organization and its budget asking what the $5,000. contribution would be used for. Councillor J. Gazzola raised the question of whether there were any private sector contributions being made to the partnership. Mr. D. Paterson, Director of Human Resources, advised that he was unable to provide that information or what exactly the $5,000. Contribution would be used for. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: That consideration of the following recommendations contained in Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-050 and Strategic Services Department report SSD-03-009, be deferred and referred to the March 31, 2003 Council Meetinq, pending further information from staff regarding the organizational and financial structure of the Business and Educational Partnership of Waterloo Region: "That the City of Kitchener consider establishing a partnership with the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region; and, That a City financial contribution of $5,000. Be considered; and further, CRPS-03-050 & - SSD-03-009 BUSINESS AND EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP AND RECOMMENDATION FROM SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY COMMITTEE (CONT'D) FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 24~ 2003 -41 - CITY OF KITCHENER That the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region be requested to provide a report to the City within one year outlining how the City's funds have contributed to positively improving the career opportunities of youth in the community." - and - "That the City of Kitchener continue to explore opportunities to assist the Business & Education Partnership's work in the community." CRPS-03-051 - CONTRACTING REGIONAL POLICE FOR BY-LAW ENFORCEMENT RECOVERY THROUGH The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-051, dated March 13, 2003 recommending that the City not make efforts to contract the services of the Waterloo Regional Police Services in by-law enforcement. On a motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the City not make efforts to contract the services of the Waterloo Regional Police Services in by-law enforcement in order to recover police costs through increased licensing fees." CRPS-03-049- DOG DESIGNATION AND ANIMAL DESIGNATION APPEAL COMMITTEES - AMENDMENT TO COMMITTEES' COMPOSITION The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-049, dated March 19, 2003, recommending that the composition of the Dog Designation and Animal Designation Appeal Committees be amended to include two Members of Council. Mayor C. Zehr advised that the City has been unable to obtain the services of a veterinarian to sit as a volunteer on the Appeal Committees and, therefore, it has been recommended that a second Member of Council be appointed to the Committees. On a motion by Councillor G. Lorentz- It was resolved: That the following recommendation contained in Corporate Services Department report, CRPS03-049 be deferred and referred to the March 31, 2003 Council Meetinq, to allow further discussion by all Members of Council. "That the composition of the Dog Designation and Animal Designation Appeal Committees be amended to include two Members of Council and a representative of the Kitchener-Waterloo Kennel Club; and the second Council Member be appointed." 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Randy Gosse Deputy City Clerk