Finance and Corporate Services

Committee Minutes

Monday, April 22, 2024 at 2:00 P.m. - 3:00 P.m.

Council Chambers - Hybrid

City of Kitchener

200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7

Present:

• Mayor B. Vrbanovic
• Councillor S. Davey
• Councillor D. Schnider
• Councillor J. Deneault
• Councillor C. Michaud
• Councillor A. Owodunni
• Councillor P. Singh
• Councillor B. Ioannidis
• Councillor M. Johnston
• Councillor D. Chapman
• Councillor S. Stretch

Staff:

• D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
• M. May, General Manager, Community Services and Deputy Chief Administrator
• V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services
• J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
• J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
• D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
• A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
• C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
• B. Bennett, Manager, Business Development
• M. Mills, Committee Coordinator
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 2:02 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

None.

3.

Consent Items

Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor D. Chapman to discuss Consent item 3.2 listed on the agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.

3.1

2024 Natural Gas Supply Rate Change 1 - INS-2024-168

The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report, INS-2024-168, dated April 3, 2024 recommending a decrease in the supply component of the natural gas rate and a review of the supply rate for natural gas. 

• On motion by Councillor M. Johnston

  it was resolved:

  "That the supply component of the natural gas rate be decreased to 11.63 cents per cubic meter from 16.70 cents per cubic meter for system gas customers of Kitchener Utilities effective May 1, 2024, as outlined Infrastructure Services Committee report INS-2024-168; and further,

  That the supply rate of natural gas be reviewed quarterly against market conditions and necessary changes to be brought forward for Council approval."

  Carried

3.2

Charles Street Terminal - Memorandum of Understanding with the Region of Waterloo - DSD-2024-144

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2024-144, dated April 11, 2024 recommending the General Manager of Development Services be authorized to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Region of Waterloo for pre-development work on Charles Street Terminal lands, subject to legal review.

Coucillor D. Chapman brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-144 including an amendment to add an additional clause stating that the Region of Waterloo shall carry the costs of pre-development works for the Charles Street Terminal Project, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-144, and that the City shall reimburse the Region for its share of the costs, as follows: should the City’s lands be sold as part of the redevelopment of the Charles Street Terminal lands, the City’s share shall be deducted from the value of the land sales; or, should the City’s lands not be sold as part of the redevelopment of the Charles Street Terminal lands, the City shall identify an alternate funding source, such as the Economic Development Reserve. 

Councillor D. Chapman noted the proposed amendment clarifies that the subject lands owned by the City of Kitchener have not been approved for sale and further outlines the share of costs, if it is later determined that the City's portion of the subject lands will be sold. 

In response to questions from the Committee, C. Bluhm noted Staff are amendable to the proposed amendment. 

Councillor D. Chapman's amendment was voted on and was Carried.

The following motion as amended was then voted and was Carried.

• On motion by Councillor D. Chapman

  it was resolved:

  "That the General Manager of Development Services be authorized to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Region of Waterloo pertaining to the pre-development work on the Charles Street Terminal lands, including any additional approvals/documents required to facilitate the pre-development work, as described in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-144, where said documentation shall be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and,

  That said documentation shall outline that the Region of Waterloo shall carry the costs of pre-development works for the Charles Street Terminal Project and the City shall reimburse the Region of Waterloo for its' share of pre-development work costs, as follows:

  • • Should the City’s lands be sold as part of the redevelopment of the Charles Street Terminal lands, the City’s share shall be deducted from the value of the land sales; or,
    • Should the City’s lands not be sold as part of the redevelopment of the Charles Street Terminal lands, the City shall identify an alternate funding source, such as the Economic Development Reserve.”  
  Carried, as amended

3.3

Outcomes of Accelerating Commercial Business Approvals Review - DSD-2024-159

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2024-159, dated March 25, 2024 recommending approval for using Building Enterprise funds to pilot a Project Manager secondment and support initial improvements for the 'Accelerating Commercial Business Approvals' project ; and, that the remaining Development Services Review capital budget funds be reallocated to further support the project.

• On motion by Councillor M. Johnston

  it was resolved:

  "That the use of Building Enterprise funds to: (1) pilot a Project Manager for an 18-month staff secondment position and (2) support the implementation of initial improvements for the ‘Accelerating Commercial Business Approvals’ Strategic Plan project, including supporting a portion of the cost to develop a roadmap/handbook for business owners be endorsed as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-159; and further,

  That the remaining funding in the Development Services Review capital budget be reallocated to support initial improvements for the ‘Accelerating Commercial Business Approvals’ Strategic Plan project as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-159."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

Communitech Partnership - DSD-2024-145

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2024-145, dated April 11, 2024 recommending an approval of a Partnership Agreement with Communitech.

B. Bennett and C. Bluhm presented the report noting a renewed partnership with Communitech will support the City of Kitchener in re-establishing onsite scaling companies and will further address the decreased use of office spaces in Downtown Kitchener following the COVID-19 pandemic. C. Bluhm highlighted correspondence from the Economic Development Advisory Committee, noting the Committee's feedback regarding the proposed partnership with Communitech will be incorporated into the final agreement pending Council's approval.

C. Albinson, CEO, Communitech provided a presentation in support of the Staff recommendation highlighting the Communitech Hub, an initiative that has proven to facilitate the use of office spaces in Downtown Kitchener. Further, C. Albinson noted the City of Kitchener's investment in Communitech contributes to the continuity of local technology startup companies as well as local talent attraction and retention.

E. Stephensen, DOZR Inc. addressed the Committee in support of the staff recommendation. 

Councillor A. Owodunni left the meeting at this time and re-entered.

The Committee noted the importance of collaborative efforts amongst the City of Kitchener's Economic Development Division, the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area Board and Communitech in building a vibrant Downtown Kitchener. The Committee requested Communitech bring back information at the April 29th, 2024, Council meeting regarding the number of businesses that operate within the City of Kitchener following their completion of Communitech programs and relocation from the Communitech office space. 

In response to questions from the Committee, C. Albinson indicated support for Communitech's participation in the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Area Board.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-145.

Councillor M. Johnston brought forward an amendment to the motion to add an additional clause regarding the allocation of office space within Communitech for a City of Kitchener, Economic Development Division employee, to be utilized at least once monthly, for the purpose of providing support and information to Communitech members about conducting businesses in Kitchener. 

Councillor Ioannidis brought forward a further amendment to the motion to add an additional clause regarding collaboration between Communitech and the City of Kitchener's Downtown Development Staff in growing the use of business spaces in downtown Kitchener.

A recorded vote was requested at this time.

Councillor B. Ioannidis' amendment was voted on and was Carried unanimously on a recorded vote. 

Councillor M. Johnston's amendment was voted on and was Carried unanimously on a recorded vote.

The following motion as amended was then voted and was Carried unanimously on a recorded vote.

• On motion by Mayor B. Vrbanovic

  it was resolved:

  "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Partnership Agreement with Communitech as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-145, subject to review by the City Solicitor; and,

  That the partnership include an allocation of office space within Communitech for a City of Kitchener, Economic Development Division Staff, to facilitate the provision of support and resources to Communitech members related to conducting business in Kitchener; and,

  That the partnership with Communitech include collaboration with the City of Kitchener's Downtown Development Staff, having an objective to develop a more vibrant downtown Kitchener by growing the use of business spaces in downtown Kitchener; and,

  That $500,000 from the Economic Development Investment Fund 2.0 be allocated in each of the 2024 and 2025 budget years to Communitech for programming outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-145; and further,

  That the General Manager of Development Services be authorized to extend funding to Communitech for each of the 2026 and 2027 budget years, subject to the following:

  1. 1. the availability of funding within the Economic Development Investment Fund 2.0, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-145;
     2. Communitech’s adherence to the goals outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-145; and,
     3. Staff’s determination that the needs articulated in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-145 remain relevant."
  Carried, as amended, on a recorded vote

5.

Information Items

5.1

None

6.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 3:36 p.m.

 

Marilyn Mills

Committee Coordinator