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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFinance & Corp - 2003-04-07FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 7~ 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, G. Lorentz and C. Weylie Others Present:: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. J. Koppeser, Ms. J. Sheryer, and Messrs. J. Fielding, G. Sosnoski, F. Pizzuto, D. Trask, R. Kalan, H. Gross and R. Gosse. KPL REPORT - NAMING OF NEW COMMUNITY LIBRARY - HOMER WATSON BOULEVARD AND BLOCK LINE ROAD = The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. M. Walshe, Secretary-Treasurer, Kitchener Public Library Board, dated March 20, 2003, recommending the name for the new Community Library to be situated in conjunction with St. Mary's High School. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway it was resolved: "That Council support the name 'Country Hills Community Library' for the new community library to be situated in conjunction with St. Mary's High School at the corner of Block Line Road and Homer Watson Boulevard." DTS-03-051 - DIRECT DETECT PARTNERSHIP - ONE YEAR PILOT - COLDWELL BANKER PETER BENNINGER REALTY The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 03-051, dated March 27, 2003, recommending a special Direct Detect rate to clients of Coldwell Banker Peter Bennigner Realty, for a one year period. R. Kalan, Assistant Chief Fire Prevention Officer, attended advising that Peter Benninger of Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty has approached the Fire Department with a proposal to promote the Direct Detect Program. Officer Kalan explained that the proposal would allow agents of the real estate firm to offer its customers the Direct Detect Program at a reduced rate for one year and then at the regular rates for subsequent years if they so choose to do so. Councillor J. Gazzola questioned the rationale of an exclusive partnership in promoting the Direct Detect program suggesting that it be open to other Real Estate companies. He suggested that discounts be applied on a volume basis which may in turn provide Coldwell Banker with a lower rate due to the large number of Real Estate transactions conducted by the company. J. Fielding, Chief Administrative Officer, advised that Mr. Benninger approached the City with this idea with the intent to obtain a competitive advantage in return for developing the promotion project. Councillor G. Lorentz asked if other Real Estate companies would be considered in this promotion should they express an interest. J. Fielding explained that if the City enters into an exclusivity contract with Coldwell Banker then other firms would not be considered until the pilot project was completed. Mayor C. Zehr expressed his support for the pilot project advising that in dealing with one company at this time all issues regarding the partnership could be worked out efficiently by both parties in order to establish the program for other companies should Council decide that the project is viable. Councillor Gazzola advised that although he does not support exclusivity he would support the program as a means of promoting the Direct Detect Service. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr it was resolved: "That a one year pilot project be initiated in which a special Direct Detect rate of $85.00, for one year, be offered exclusively through the agents of Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty to their clients; and further, FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 7~ 2003 - 43 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DTS-03-051 - DIRECT DETECT PARTNERSHIP - ONE YEAR PILOT - COLDWELL BANKER PETER BENNINGER REALTY (CONT'D) "That the Fire Chief or Deputy Fire Chief be authorized to sign the modified Direct Detect Contract Agreements, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, regarding the one year pilot project with Coldwell Banker Peter Benninger Realty, as set-out in Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-03-051 ." CRPS-03-064 - PROPOSED 2003 STREET VENDORS' BY-LAW PROPOSED ITINERANT/TEMPORARY/PERMANENT VENDORS' BY- LAW The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-064, dated April 2, 2003, recommending Council adopt two by-laws: one to Licence Street Vendors on property owned by the City; the second to Licence and Regulate Itinerant, Temporary and Permanent Vendors and Temporary and Permanent Markets. It was noted that a Public Notice was published in The Record on March 28, 2003, advising the public that the Finance and Corporate Services Committee would consider this staff report this date. On motion by Councillor J. Smola it was resolved: "That a by-law to Licence Street Vendors and a by-law to Licence Itinerant/Temporary/Permanent Vendors, and Temporary and Permanent Markets be considered, substantially in the form of the draft by-laws dated April 4, 2003, attached to Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-064." CRPS-03-057- WAIVER OF CONSULTANT SELECTION PROCESS NEW KITCHENER MARKET TENANT WORK The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-03-057, dated April 7, 2003, recommending waiver of the City's normal consultant selection process with respect to tenant work to be undertaken in the new Kitchener Market. The report also recommends that Roth Knibb Architects Inc., be hired for this purpose, as they are currently providing architectural, mechanical and electrical consulting services to Barrel Works Kitchener Group for the Market building, and are familiar with the City's requirements. Councillor J. Gazzola raised a concern regarding the recommendation not to go to tender suggesting that the tender process will provide the City with the best price. Councillor Gazzola suggested that the fact the firm of Roth Knibb Architects Inc. is already familiar with the project, in all likelihood they would have an advantage in obtaining the tender. F. Pizzuto, General Manager of Downtown Development, advised that the original plan for the new market envisioned the City utilize the same architect firm and, that the price given by Roth Knibb Architects Inc. was presented to the New Market Construction Committee, obtaining their support. He also advised that obtaining the services of another firm might cause a delay in the project. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway it was resolved: "That the normal consultant selection process be waived, and Roth Knibb Architects Inc. be retained to complete design and construction drawings and specifications for the tenant work component of the new Kitchener Market project." 5. DTS-03-054 - AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC CONSULTING LTD - PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE EXTENDED CLIENT SUPPORT The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS- 03-054, dated March 31,2003, recommending an Extended Client Support agreement FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 7~ 2003 - 44 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. DTS-03-054 - AGREEMENT WITH STANTEC CONSULTING LTD - PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE EXTENDED CLIENT SUPPORT (CONT'D) with Stantec Consulting Ltd., for the Permanent Management System Software currently used by the City. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Pavement Management System Software Extended Client Support Agreement with Stantec Consulting Ltd. in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor." 6. FIN-03-016 - 2003 Tax Policy Decisions The Committee was in receipt of Financial Services Department report FIN-03-016, dated April 2, 2003, with respect to 2003 Tax Policy Decisions. Attached to the Financial Services Department report was a report from the Region of Waterloo Finance Department, F-03-020, dated April 2, 2003. Ms. P Houston, General Manager of Financial Services and City Treasurer, attended, advising that Tax Policy issues are the jurisdiction of the Region but it is important that City Council be informed of the potential impacts for the City's property taxpayers. In referring to the Region's report, she explained that tax policy planning and adjustment to tax ratios are an opportunity to achieve a number of tax policy objectives with minimal impacts on the residential taxpayer. The objectives include among other things equity across the business classes, reducing capping costs and mitigating the re-assessment impacts. Ms. Houston noted that municipalities do not receive additional tax revenue from Tax Policy decisions or re-assessments and emphasized that Tax Policy decisions only redistribute the tax burden within the respective property classes. Ms. Houston gave a brief Power Point presentation summarizing the options being reviewed by the Region and the expected impact of the proposed Regional Tax Policy decisions on City of Kitchener taxpayers. She noted that the preferred option of Regional staff would result in an overall average household impact for Kitchener's households of 1.92%, including budgetary changes. In answer to a question from Councillor J. Gazzola, Ms. Houston explained that the Region's ability to adjust tax ratios and redistribute the tax burden between the property classes is limited by the "fairness ranges" established by the Province. The "fairness ranges" is a means of equalizing the tax burden between the business community and the residential taxpayer. Ms. Houston noted Municipalities may not move ratios away from the "fairness range". Mayor C Zehr raised a concern regarding the residential assessment in comparison to the Cities of Waterloo and Cambridge and the higher impact on Kitchener which may result from the proposed tax ratio shifts. Councillor B. Vrbanovic pointed out that residents cannot write off their taxes like businesses and the proposed tax ratios appear to be hitting farms and residential properties harder. Councillor J. Gazzola suggested that the tax ratios remain at the 2002 rates but he did have a concern regarding multi-residential owners passing any tax increases onto their tenants. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola it was resolved: "That the Finance Services Department report FIN-03-016 regarding 2003 Tax Policy be deferred and referred to the April 14, 2003 Council meetinq in order to obtain further information from staff concerning: if a multi-residential owner can pass onto their tenants, any increases resulting from the Tax Policy; the total multi-residential assessment in the City of Kitchener; and, the number of multi-residential units that have converted to condominiums." 7. DTS-03-047 - Storm Connections Proqram - Current Applications FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 7~ 2003 - 45 - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Department report DTS-03-047 dated March 24, 2003 with respect to the current applications for storm drain connections. Councillor G. Lorentz raised a concern regarding the number of applicants still waiting for the storm sewer connection and requested that staff investigate ways of funding the program in order to complete these applications this year. On motion by Councillor G. Lorentz it was resolved: "That J. Fielding, Chief Administrative Officer, be directed to have a report prepared recommending a funding and time schedule to complete the outstanding applications for storm drain connections as listed on Table 1 attached to Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-03-047, for consideration at a future Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting." 8. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:21 p.m. Randy Gosse Deputy City Clerk