Finance and Corporate Services

Committee Minutes

Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 5:00 P.m. - 7:00 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
• J. Readman, General Manager, Development Services
• J. Lautenbach, Chief Financial Officer, Financial Services
• D. McGoldrick, General Manager, Infrastructure Services
• R. Bustamante, Director, Planning
• C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• J. Oostervold, Manager, Customer Experience and Project Management
• B. Bennett, Manager, Business Development
• J. Brown, Economic Development Analyst
• J. McCallum, Coordinator, Planning and Zoning Services
• M. Blake, Committee Coordinator
• M. Mills, Committee Coordinator

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1.

Commencement

The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 5:31 p.m.

1.1

Waive Notice - Procedural By-law - Agenda Publishing Timeline

• On motion by Councillor M. Johnston

  it was resolved:

  “That pursuant to Section 13.1.4 of Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code, the Committee agreed to shorten publishing timeline for the Committee agendas.”

  Carried, with the required 2/3 members present

   

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

2.1

Councillor P. Singh - Bramm Yards Master Plan Visioning, DSD-2024-240

Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with respect to Bramm Yards Master Plan Visioning, DSD-2024-240 on the agenda this date due to a member of his family owning property within the vicinity of the subject site. Accordingly, Councillor P. Singh did not participate in any discussion or vote regarding this matter.

2.2

Councillor M. Johnston - Bramm Yards Master Plan Visioning, DSD-2024-240

Councillor M. Johnston declared a pecuniary interest with respect to an amendment brought forward by Mayor B. Vrbanovic for the Bramm Yards Master Plan Visioning, DSD-2024-240 on the agenda this date, due to her place of employment. Accordingly, Councillor M. Johnston did not participate in any discussion or vote specifically regarding the amendment.

3.

Consent

3.1

Increase to Purchase Order 213285 - Dundee North Secondary Plan, DSD-2024-254

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2024-254, dated May 22, 2024, recommending an increase in cost for a Purchase Order for the Dundee North Secondary Plan.

• On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni

  it was resolved: 

  "That Purchase Order 213285 – Dundee North Secondary Plan, be increased in the amount $150,000, plus HST of $19,500, for a total of $169,500, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-254."

  Carried

3.2

2025 Budget Process and Timelines, FIN-2024-285

The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-285, dated May 29, 2024, recommending the 2025 budget timelines outlined in the report FIN-2024-285 be approved; and further, that Council shorten the 30-day period Council may pass a resolution to amend the Mayor's proposed budget to coincide with the budget meeting scheduled for December 12, 2024.

• On motion by Councillor A. Owodunni

  it was resolved: 

  "That the 2025 budget timelines outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2024-285 be approved; and further,

  That Council shorten the 30-day period that Council may pass a resolution making an amendment to the Mayor's proposed budget to coincide with the completion of the meeting scheduled on December 12, 2024."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

Sign Bylaw Amendment Application SVA2023-009, 1495 Victoria Street North, DSD-2024-204

Councillor S. Davey vacated the Chair position noting the subject billboard is located within his Ward. Councillor B. Ioannidis assumed Chair. 

The Committee considered the Development Services Department report DSD-2024-204, dated April 15, 2024 recommending refusal of a Sign By-law Amendment Application requesting that a billboard with an automatic changing copy replace the existing billboard sign without an automatic changing copy.

Joanne M. provided a presentation on this matter. R. Bustamante and J. Oosterveld were also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.

D. Hannam and A. Davis, Zelinka Priamo Ltd. provided a presentation in support of application and requested the Committee consider approving the variance. In response to questions from Committee related to the proposed front yard setback, A. Davis noted a 5.0 metre setback is being requested as it provides sufficient visibility from the property line compared to the required 6.0 metre setback outlined in the Zoning By-law.

In response to questions from the Committee, J. Oostervold noted the existing billboard sign has a front yard setback of 2.0 metres.

Councillor S. Davey brought forward a motion to approve the application subject to the first two conditions of approval outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2024-204 with an additional condition that the digital billboard sign be turned off between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m; and, that the digital billboard sign have a front yard setback of 5.0 metres rather than the required 6.0 metres; and further, that the digital billboard sign have a maximum area of 20.24 square metres.

• On motion by Councillor S. Davey

  it was resolved:

  "That Sign By-law Amendment Application SVA2023-009 related to 1495 Victoria Street North for Zdeno Cycle for the purpose of allowing a billboard sign with automatic changing copy to replace the existing billboard sign without automatic changing copy, as outlined in Development Services report DSD-2024-204, be approved, subject to the following conditions:

  1. 1. That the luminance of the digital billboard sign shall not exceed 3000 nits between sunrise and sunset, and 150 nits between sunset and sunrise; and,
     2. That the Illuminance shall be measured with the digital screen turned off and again with the digital screen displaying a white image. The difference between the off and white image, measured vertically (parallel to the sign face) shall not exceed 0.3 footcandles at any point along the street line or measured a distance of 10 metres from the sign face from an abutting property; and,
     3. That the digital billboard sign shall be equipped with a sensor or other device that automatically determines the ambient illumination and shall be programmed to automatically dim according to ambient light conditions; and,
     4. That the digital billboard sign be turned off between the hours of 12 a.m. and 6 a.m.; and,
     5. That the digital billboard sign have a front yard setback of 5.0 metres rather than the required 6.0 metres; and further,
     6. That the digital billboard sign shall not exceed 20.24 square metres in sign area."
  Carried, as amended

4.2

Bramm Yards Master Plan Visioning, DSD-2024-240 

• Councillor P. Singh declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor P. Singh declared a pecuniary interest with respect to Bramm Yards Master Plan Visioning, DSD-2024-240 on the agenda this date due to a member of his family owning property within the vicinity of the subject site. Accordingly, Councillor P. Singh did not participate in any discussion or vote regarding this matter.)
• Councillor M. Johnston declared a conflict on this item. (Councillor M. Johnston declared a pecuniary interest with respect to an amendment brought forward by Mayor B. Vrbanovic for the Bramm Yards Master Plan Visioning, DSD-2024-240 on the agenda this date, due to her place of employment. Accordingly, Councillor M. Johnston did not participate in any discussion or vote specifically regarding the amendment.)

Councillor S. Davey re-assumed Chair.

The Committee considered Development Services Department DSD-2024-240 report, dated June 3, 2024 recommending approval of the revised vision and development principles for the Bramm Yards Master Plan; and, an allocation of funds to support the completion of pre-design reports; and, that staff be directed to undertake a market assessment; and further, that Procurement Services and Realty Services be authorized to implement a competitive land disposition process.

C. Bluhm and J. Brown provided a presentation on this matter and responded to questions from the Committee. B. Bennett was also in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.

In response to questions from the Committee, C. Bluhm noted the proposed disposition of the Bramm Yards site is aligned with the land disposition process Council previously approved. Further, C. Bluhm noted Staff have engaged the University of Waterloo to ensure a shared vision related to the development plan of the Bramm Yards site.

Councillor B. Ioannidis brought forward a motion to approve the recommendation with an amendment that Staff be directed to provide additional information at the June 24, 2024 Council meeting regarding a rating criteria for the assessment of Request for Proposals (RFP) related to the Bramm Yards land disposition process. 

Mayor B. Vrbanovic brought forward an additional amendment that Staff be directed to solicit the participation of University of Waterloo in the market assessment analysis of the Bramm Yards site.

Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time.

Due to the previously declared conflict by Councillor M. Johnston, Mayor B. Vrbanovic's amendment was voted on separately and was Carried.

Mayor B. Vrbanovic's amendment was then voted on and was Carried.

Councillor B. Ioannidis' amendment related to the RFP rating criteria was then voted on and was Carried.

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

• On motion by Councillor B. Ioannidis

  it was resolved:

  "That the revised vision and development principles for the Bramm Yards Master Plan be approved, as outlined in Development Services Department DSD-2024-240; and,

  That up to $400,000 from the Environmental Remediation Reserve be allocated to support the completion of necessary pre-design reports for the redevelopment of Bramm Yards (55 Bramm Street and 130 Park Street); and,

  That Staff be directed to undertake a market assessment to determine the appropriate timing to proceed with the disposition of the Bramm Yards, and to identify any potential development limitations, in order to maximize the likelihood of a successful redevelopment process, for Council consideration; and,

  That Procurement Services and Realty Services be authorized to implement a competitive land disposition process, based on the vision and development principles approved as part of Development Services Department report DSD-2024-240, through the issuance of a public request for proposals (RFP) seeking a Master Developer who would acquire the Bramm Yards and lead a multi-phased redevelopment of the property; and,

  That Staff be directed to provide additional information at the June 24, 2024 Council meeting regarding a rating criteria for the assessment of Request for Proposals (RFP) related to the Bramm Yards land disposition process; and further;

  That Staff be directed to solicit the participation of University of Waterloo in the market assessment analysis of the Bramm Yards site."

  Carried, as amended

5.

Information Items

5.1

None.

6.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.

 

Marilyn Mills
Committee Coordinator