Finance and Corporate Services

Committee Minutes

Monday, August 12, 2024 at 3:30 P.m. - 4:30 P.m.

Electronic Meeting

Present:

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

Absent:

• Councillor B. Ioannidis

Staff:

• D. Chapman, Chief Administrative Officer
• 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
• S. Saleh, Director, Revenue
• B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services
• M. Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs and Services
• A. Fusco, Director Legislated Services / City Clerk
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• M. Mills, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 3:38 p.m.

1.1

Live Stream Link

For direct access to the meeting livestream, please visit the following link: https://youtube.com/live/pE1WgJ3d7EI?feature=share

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

2.1

Councillor C. Michaud - Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing, FIN-2024-299

Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict with Item 5.1 Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing, FIN-2024-299 due to her employment, and did not participate in any voting or discussion related to the matter.

3.

Consent Item 

Pursuant to Chapter 25 (Procedure) of the Municipal Code, a motion was brought forward by Councillor D. Chapman to discuss Consent item 3.4 listed on the agenda, which was voted on and was Carried.

3.1

Uncollectable Miscellaneous Receivable Accounts Write-Off June 2024, FIN-2024-312

The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-312, dated July 9, 2024 recommending that uncollectable miscellaneous receivable accounts amounting to $13,531 be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Receivables.

• On motion by Councillor J. Deneault

  it was resolved: 

  "That uncollectable miscellaneous receivable accounts amounting to $13,531 be written off against the Allowance for Doubtful Receivables, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-312."

  Carried

3.2

Uncollectable Utility Write-Off June 2024, FIN-2024-295

The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-295, dated July 9, 2024 recommending uncollectable that utility accounts amounting to $70,384 be written off against the allowance for doubtful utility receivable.

• On motion by Councillor J. Deneault

  it was resolved:

  "That uncollectable utility accounts amounting to $70,384 be written off against the allowance for doubtful utility receivables, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-295."

  Carried

3.3

Noise Exemption - Holy Trinity Serbian Church - 700 Fischer Hallman Road - August 31 - September 1, 2024, CSD-2024-296

The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2024-296 dated July 22, 2024 recommending an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church at 700 Fischer Hallman Road, for their annual Barbeque and Bull Roast.

• On motion by Councillor J. Deneault

  it was resolved: 

  "That an exemption to Chapter 450 (Noise) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be granted to the Holy Trinity Serbian Orthodox Church at 700 Fischer Hallman Road, for their annual Barbeque and Bull Roast to be held on August 31 – September 1, 2024 between the hours of 11am and 10pm, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-2024-296."

  Carried

3.4

Parking Management Renewal Agreements, DSD-2024-323

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2024-323 dated June 21, 2024 recommending a ten year extension to the agreement with the Waterloo Region District School Board to operate public parking at 787 King Street West and 828 King Street West; and, to provide semester and daily permits for students and staff at 787 King Street West; and further, a ten year extension to the agreement with the Grand River Hospital to operate public parking at 850 King Street West. 

B. Cronkite was in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.

• On motion by Councillor J. Deneault

  it was resolved:

  "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a ten (10) year extension agreement with the Waterloo Region District School Board to operate public parking at 787 King Street West subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-323; and,

  That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a ten (10) year extension agreement with the Waterloo Region District School Board to operate public parking at 828 King Street West subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and,

  That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an extension agreement with the Waterloo Region District School Board to provide semester and daily permits for students and staff at 787 King Street West subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further,

  That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a ten (10) year extension agreement with the Grand River Hospital to operate public parking at 850 King Street West subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor."

  Carried

3.5

Lodging House By-law, COR-2024-344

The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2024-344 dated July 12, 2024 recommending approval of the Lodging House By-law attached to the staff report; the fees set out in Appendix “B” of the report; and, the request for two Full Time Equivalents to support the administration, inspection, and enforcement of the Lodging House By-law as part of the 2025 Budget. 

• On motion by Councillor J. Deneault

  it was resolved:

  "That the Lodging House By-law be approved in the form shown attached to Corporate Services Department report COR-2024-344 as Appendix “A”; and,

  That the fees set out in Appendix “B” of staff report COR-2024-344 be approved; and further,

  That the request for two (2) Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) to support the administration, inspection, and enforcement of the Lodging House By-law be approved as part of the 2025 Budget."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing, FIN-2024-299

• Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor C. Michaud declared a conflict with Item 5.1 Property Tax Exemption for Affordable Housing, FIN-2024-299 due to her employment, and did not participate in any voting or discussion related to the matter.)

The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-299 dated July 26, 2024 recommending Council support a property tax exemption for the City's portion of the levy to non-profit and co-operative affordable housing service providers for a period of 20 years starting in 2025; and, that staff report back to Council following the first full year of implementation of the program; and further, that the draft by-law attached to the report be approved.

S. Saleh provided a presentation on this matter including a minor amendment to omit reference to the Housing Services Act in the draft by-law attached to report FIN-2024-299 as Appendix “A”. J. Readman and J. Lautenbach were also in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.

S. Campbell, Union Co-operative provided comments in support of the recommendation and the proposed amendment related to the draft By-law.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting at this time.

In response to questions from the Committee, J. Lautenbach noted Staff recommend the City provide a property tax exemption for the City's portion of the tax levy to non-profit and co-operative affordable housing service providers for a period of 20 years rather than 60 to allow the City an opportunity to assess for-profit developers' interest in the program and the administration of the program as it is a new initiative. J. Lautenbach also noted the proposed contract length aligns with other agreements the City has previously entered into. Further, S. Saleh noted the property tax exemption program may require an increase in taxes for tax-paying properties however, the rate increase is unknown as there is no data to make this analysis.

Councillor P. Singh brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation as outlined in report FIN-2024-299.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic re-entered the meeting at this time.

Councillor D. Chapman brought forward an amendment to Councillor Singh's motion for the City's portion of the tax levy to non-profit and co-operative affordable housing service providers to be provided for a period of 60 years rather than 20 years. Councillor D. Chapman's amendment was then voted on and was LOST.

The following motion was then voted on.

• On motion by Councillor P. Singh

  it was resolved:

  "That Council support participation in the Region of Waterloo’s property tax exemption program, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-299, by providing a property tax exemption for the City's portion of the levy to non-profit and co-operative affordable housing service providers for a period of 20 years starting in 2025; and,

  That staff report back to council following the first full year of implementation of the program to assess:

  • The outcomes of the exemption in the first year of the program.
  • The potential tax shifts/increases an exemption may create for other tax-paying properties.
  • The level of interest from for-profit developers for this affordable housing incentive and potential to include them in the program.
  • The appropriate duration of a property tax exemption program and potential sunset provisions; and further,

  That the draft by-law attached to report FIN-2024-299 as Appendix “A”, as amended, allowing the City of Kitchener to participate in the  Region of Waterloo Property Tax Exemption for affordable housing program as it relates to non-profit and co-operative affordable housing providers, be approved."

  Carried

4.2

Stanley Park Neighbourhood Association Partnership Agreement, CSD-2024-260

The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2024-260 dated May 22, 2024 recommending the proposed 3-year Partnership Agreement, between the Stanley Park Community Association and the City of Kitchener be approved; and, that the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of Community Services be authorized to execute the agreement and any future renewals to this agreement.

M. Hildebrand and C. Letizi, President, Stanley Park Community Association provided a presentation on this matter and responded to questions from the Committee.

• On motion by Councillor D. Schnider

  it was resolved:

  "That the 3-year Partnership Agreement, between the Stanley Park Community Association (SPCA) and the City of Kitchener, as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-2024-260 be approved; and,

  That the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of Community Services be authorized to execute said agreement, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further,

  That the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and General Manager of Community Services be authorized to execute any future renewals to this agreement, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor."

  Carried

5.

Information Items

5.1

None.

6.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m.

 

Marilyn Mills
Committee Coordinator