Finance and Corporate Services

Committee Minutes

Monday, June 05, 2023 at 2:30 P.m. - 5:00 P.m.

Council Chambers - Hybrid

City of Kitchener

200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7

Present:

• 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 A. Clancy

Absent:

• Mayor B. Vrbanovic

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
• C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development
• K. Abu-Eseifan, Manager Gas Supply & Engineering Infrastructure Services
• B. Cronkite, Director, Transportation Services
• G. St. Louis, Director, Gas and Water Utilities
• E. Robson, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
• H. Fylactou, Manager, Licensing
• D. Saunderson, Deputy Clerk
• E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries
• M. Mills, Committee Administrator

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1.

Commencement

The Finance and Corporate Services Committee held a meeting this date commencing at 2:37 p.m.

2.

Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof

There were no conflicts declared.

3.

Consent Items

3.1

The Auditorium - Delegated Authority for Talent, Suite, and Marketing Agreements, CSD-2023-233

The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-2023-233, dated April 15, 2023 recommending that the Manager of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud) be authorized to execute talent offer sheets and talent purchase agreements; and, that the Director of Sport be authorized to execute sponsorship agreements, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor. 

Moved by Councillor B. Ioannidis

• it was resolved:

  "That the Manager of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium (The Aud) be authorized to execute talent offer sheets and talent purchase agreements, suite lease and rental agreements, as well as sponsorship agreements at The Aud in accordance with the approval parameters set out in Community Services Department report CSD-2023-233; said agreements to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor; and further,

  That the Director of Sport be authorized to execute sponsorship agreements, pertaining to The Aud, in accordance with the approval parameters set out in Community Services Department report CSD-2023-233; said agreements to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor."

  Carried

4.

Discussion Items

4.1

44 Gaukel Creative Workspace Pilot Report, DSD-2023-143

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-143, dated May 17, 2023 recommending that staff prepare an issue paper for the 2024 budget process regarding an annual allocation of funds for ongoing operations of the Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel Street; and, that staff assess the various options for the long-term location of the Creative Hub.

E. Robson and E. Rumble provided a presentation noting the Creative Hub proved to be a successful pilot project as it provided multidisciplinary studio spaces for artists, promoted collaboration between artists and offered a platform for arts-based events. Citing examples of waitlists for studios at 44 Gaukel, E. Robson noted the demand for affordable creative spaces located within a centralized hub persists.

Councillor M. Johnston entered the meeting at this time.

A. Glass, Arts Builds Ontario, provided a presentation noting the organization is the onsite operating partner for the Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel Street and provides tools, training, and advice on managing the hub.  A. Glass emphasized the need for sustainable long-term spaces that anchor arts organizations in the community and noted, the Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel Street contributes in fulfilling this need.

M. Grubsvic, Artshine Incorporated - Arts4All, provided a presentation noting the organization was the City's first skilled trades partner at the Creative Hub. M. Grubsvic highlighted an in-kind rent subsidy model with the Creative Hub, that enabled the organization to provide free monthly art workshops at community centres in the City. It was noted these arts programs provide many benefits to the community including building confidence and facilitating emotional healing.

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

J. Pineda, Just Ideas, provided a presentation and noted the Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel Street has supported with attracting attention to the City's artists and musicians. 

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

In response to questions from the Committee, E. Robson noted many physical improvements could be made to the Creative Hub such as soundproofing and developing the contemporary design of the space. Further, E. Robson noted future potential of the Creative Hub includes provision of spaces that are suitable for a greater diversity of art disciplines such as digital media. In response to further questions, E. Robson noted, a future issue paper will explore new models of maintaining the financial sustainability of the Creative Hub.

In response to suggestions from the Committee, C. Bluhm noted Staff will work on showcasing the success stories of artists at 44 Gaukel Street on the Love My Business website.

Moved by Councillor P. Singh

• it was resolved:

  "That staff prepare an issue paper for the 2024 budget process requesting an annual allocation of funds for the ongoing operations of the Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel Street; and further,

  That staff assess various options of the long-term location of the Creative Hub, as outlined in Development Services Department report DSD-2023-143, and return to City Council with recommendations for consideration as part of the 2025 budget process."

  Carried

4.2

Community Benefits Charge (CBC) Direction, FIN-2023-255

The Committee considered Financial Services Department report FIN-2023-255, dated April 5, 2023 recommending that staff be directed to develop a Community Benefits Charge (CBC) strategy and bylaw.

J. Lautenbach provided an overview of recent Legislation that requires revisions to the initial implementation plan of the City's CBC strategy and bylaw. It was noted, recent legislation changes now provides permission for CBCs to fund the capital costs of any public service associated with new growth, including parkland, if those costs are not already recovered from development charges and parkland provisions. J. Lautenbach noted a benefit of this change in legislation is that CBCs could replace lost development charges and parkland revenue and provide funding for services that are currently not included in development charges. However, due to the impacts of Bill 23, CBC revenues will be much smaller than the loss in revenue thus, will generally require additional administration and cost.

The Committee asked Staff to conduct research on the approach other municipalities have taken in implementing their CBC by-law and present their findings to the Committee at a later date. 

Councillor P. Singh left the meeting at this time and re-entered.

Councillor S. Davey noted he would likely bring forward a deferral of this item at the June 26th 2023 Council Meeting as the province has yet to provide information on its' support to municipalities in terms of funding the implementation of CBC by-laws in light of the cuts to development charges. Councillor S. Davey encouraged Staff to conduct advocacy to the Province for further information on this matter.

Moved by Councillor P. Singh

• it was resolved:

  "That staff be directed to develop a Community Benefits Charge (CBC) strategy and bylaw, as outlined in Financial Services Department report FIN-2023-255."

  Carried

4.3

Natural Gas Purchase Policy Review - 2023, INS-2023-247

The Committee considered Infrastructure Services Department report INS-2023-247, dated May 22, 2023 recommending approval of the proposed updates to Policy No. FIN-ACQ-560, as provided in Appendix A of Report INS-2023-247.

K. Abu-Eseifan and G. St. Louis were in attendance and responded to questions from the Committee.

Moved by Councillor B. Ioannidis

• it was resolved:

  "That the proposed updates to Policy No. FIN-ACQ-560, Gas Purchase Policy, as proposed by Infrastructure Services Department report INS-2023-247 and provided in Appendix 'A' be approved."

  Carried

4.4

Appointment of Licensing Appeal Tribunal Members, COR-2023-246

The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report COR-2023-246, dated May 16, 2023 regarding the appointment of three Councillors as members of the Licensing Appeal Tribunal.

H. Fylactou was in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.

Moved by Councillor P. Singh

• it was resolved:

  "That Councillors P. Singh, S. Davey, and A. Owodunni be appointed as the members of the Licensing Appeal Tribunal, as outlined in Corporate Services Department report COR-2023-246."

  Carried

4.5

Manchester Road Traffic Calming Review, DSD-2023-209

The Committee considered Development Services Department report DSD-2023-209, dated May 9, 2023 recommending the implementation of the proposed traffic calming plan for Manchester Road, as outlined in Attachment 'A' of Report DSD-2023-209.

B. Cronkite was in attendance to respond to questions from the Committee.

Moved by Councillor D. Schnider 

• it was resolved:

  "That staff be directed to implement the proposed traffic calming plan as outlined in Attachment 'A' (Manchester Road – Proposed Traffic Calming Plan) of Development Services Department report DSD-2023-209."

  Carried

5.

Adjournment

On motion, this meeting adjourned at 4:23 p.m.

 

Marilyn Mills
Committee Administrator