Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-03-23 (Special Meeting) Special General Purpose and Administration Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Municipal Clerk at 905-623-3379 ext. 2102. Minutes of a Special meeting of the General Purpose and Administration Committee held on Monday, March 23, 2015 at 9:30 AM at the Courtice Community Complex. Roll Call Present Were: Mayor A. Foster Councillor S. Cooke Councillor R. Hooper Councillor J. Neal Councillor W. Partner Councillor W. Woo Regrets: Councillor C. Traill Also Present: Chief Administrative Officer, F. Wu Municipal Solicitor, A. Allison Director of Engineering Services, T. Cannella Director of Community Services, J. Caruana Director of Planning Services, D. Crome Deputy Treasurer, L. Gordon Director of Operations, F. Horvath Director of Corporate Services & Human Resources, M. Marano Director of Finance/Treasurer, N. Taylor Director of Emergency & Fire Services, G. Weir Municipal Clerk, A. Greentree The Special meeting of the General Purpose and Administration Committee was convened for the purpose of facilitating the Council education session regarding the 2015 Development Charges (DCs) By-law update. Mayor Foster chaired this portion of the meeting. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest stated at this meeting. - 1 - Special General Purpose and Administration Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 Presentations Presentation of Craig Binning, Hemson Consulting Ltd. Nancy Taylor provided opening comments and introduced Craig Binning and thanked staff for their input on the steering committee. Nancy also advised of input from Clarington Board of Trade, Durham Homebuilders Association and BILD in the project. Today’s presentation will be made to these external agencies tomorrow. Craig Binning, Hemson Consulting introduced his colleague Jackie Hall and provided members of Committee an overview of the presentation. Craig presented and facilitated discussion regarding the following matters pertaining to the DC Study:  Recent OMB Decision – By-law 2010-058 was appealed by the building industry and land development association (BILD). A decision was released by the Board regarding the 2010 rates which results in lower rates and going forward Clarington will have to reset rates. Staff are currently reviewing options in response to the recent decision. Clarington will be required to refund approximately $4 million (as of December 1, 2014) which will be paid back to those who initially paid the DCs to the Municipality. This equates to approximately $1500-$1600 per each of the approximate 2600 units over the past 5 years. Nancy confirmed that these funds had been set aside.  Background of Clarington’s Study  Development Charges Overview – DCs can only be collected to maintain historical service levels, therefore in order to increase our service levels the increase must be funded through the levy. Craig highlighted those services which are 90% recoverable from DCs, those that are 100% recoverable from DCs, and those services which are ineligible for DC recovery. On March 5, 2015 the Province had its first reading of Bill 37 which proposed amendments to the Development Charges Act. Craig highlighted the Proposed changes to the Act including: transit, looking to future planned service levels rather than historical average service levels, removing the list of ineligible services and including it in regulations, consideration of area specific DCs, and the requirement for the asset management plan to be included in the DC background studies.  Preliminary Development Forecast – The 10-year forecast utilized for general services is based on 2015-2024 population/employment growth and for engineered services is based on 2015-2013. Craig and Nancy explained the projected housing growth completions anticipated during this time period and how it relates to provincially mandated growth targets to 2031. - 2 - Special General Purpose and Administration Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 Recess Resolution #GPA-200-15 Councillor Partner Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by That the Committee recess for 5 minutes. CARRIED The meeting reconvened at 10:52 AM. Craig continued with his presentation.  Capital Programs – Craig stated that a number of adjustments to the Capital Program list will be required. Nancy and Craig explained the Gross Project Costs, Ineligible Costs, DC Eligible Costs and timing of projects using examples from the Library Services. The capital projects for fire and emergency services, indoor recreation, park development and related facilities, operations, parking, general government, and roads and related works were then reviewed. Nancy confirmed that by enacting the by-law Council would be confirming intent of the capital projects, however there are many steps that would have to be undertaken before a project would necessarily be approved by Council for construction. Should the Council of the day resolve to not proceed with a given project, the funds may then be applied to another project but may only be used for a project within the same category of services for which the DCs were collected.  Preliminary Draft Proposed Rates – Craig reported that based on current calculations the DC residential rate is estimated at $15,866/single and semi- detached unit, $12,265/Rows & Other multiples, $8,579/large apartment and $6,562/small apartment. The non-industrial rates are calculated at $66.22/square metre and $35.81/square metre for Industrial. Craig highlighted the current vs. calculated rates based on the outcome of the OMB decision of the 2010 by-law appeal.  Policy Review – Craig highlighted the proposed policy amendments in the new by-law including 20(9),(10) and (11), 23(5), (6), and (7), industrial exemptions relative to expansions and new development. David Crome, Director of Planning Services provided a review of the proposed policy amendments pertaining to revitalization areas and incentives. These amendments include existing and two proposed new areas, being Camp 30 and portions of Courtice Main Street. Proposed incentives pertain to small business expansion, new residential apartment buildings, new mixed-use buildings and conversion of heritage structures, and higher densities in Bowmanville West Town Centre. Nancy provided an explanation of the proposed policy amendment pertaining to the treatment of apartments. - 3 - I Special General Purpose and Administration Committee Minutes March 23, 2015 Nancy reported that the staff will continue to finalize the policy recommendations and Y p p Y develop the draft DC by-law. As stated earlier in the meeting, a public open house is scheduled for March 24, 2015. The Public Meeting is scheduled for May 4, 2015, with the advertisement being published on April 13, 2015. It is anticipated that the 2015 DC by-law will be presented to Council on May 11, 2015 for consideration. Adjournment I Resolution #GPA-201-15 Moved by Councillor Partner, seconded by Councillor Woo That the meeting adjourn at 12:20 PM. CARRIED '6A YOR DFPI ITY CLERK i i - 4 - i i