Annual Budget Process, 2008-04-01

[keoadmin]

Kingston City Council will consider the following motion at its meeting to be held on April 1, 2008.

-- Kingston Electors

Moved by Councillor Hector
Seconded by Councillor Hutchison

WHEREAS the annual budget process is long and intense for staff and Council; and,

WHEREAS timing of completion of the budget process is important to the operational planning of the coming year;
and,

WHEREAS there is a need to commit to budget in a timely manner for efficient and effective city management;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff introduce draft 2009 budget guidelines to Council at the 2nd meeting of
Council in June 2008;

- and further -

THAT Council be presented the 2009 budget no later than the first week of November 2008;

- and further -

THAT Council begin budget deliberations no later than the third week of November 2008 with the intent to complete
the 2009 budget process before end December 2008.

[Lydia]

Recently I received a copy of a letter that Don Scott submitted to Robert Matheson. As Don has given me permission to place this on Kingston Electors, I am doing so. The reason I am doing so is that no questions should be ignored.

Whether we agree or disagree with Donald on these questions isn't important. All that is important is that answers be given. Just like the questions are important it is also important that Don and anyone who believes the way he does should be given the answers. Likewise it is not important that Don likes the answers.

All that is important is that Questions are always answered. So here goes:


Mr Matheson,

I have some questions that I would like the answers to. They are:

1. What is the total costs including financing, interest , etc on the following projects:
a. LVEC;
b. The new police station;
c. The Grand Theatre project;
d. The megaplex; and,
e. The rink behind City Hall

2. What is the opinion of the City Solicitor concerning the legality of the donation/levy made by Council to Kingston General Hospital for the next decade and as it is not a tax, what is the punishment if a person chooses not to pay?

3. Why is council considering a spray pad, etc in City Park, a stone’s throw from the lake? Considering the high cost of water in the West end since the city took over and the emphasis on water conservation, I think it is a stupid idea. In addition, I am getting tired of subsidizing downtown lifestyles.

Don Scott

[Dogma]

Letters to the Editor


Rosen's record as mayor unparalleled for last 50 years


Rosen's record as mayor unparalleled for last 50 years

Posted 3 hours ag


Since Rosen became mayor, he has overseen the following projects:

A final resolution to the question of what to do about Block D after 40 years. The new condos and apartments will contribute millions in taxes to the city every year.

A partial resolution to the Marine Museum and dry dock situation and a new wharf to service large tour ships.

Federal contributions to Fort Henry that, to date, equal $11 million.
A new police station with a value of $35 million.

A renovated Ravensview sewage plant and auxiliary storm sewage storage sites; value, $130 million.

A multiplex complex; value, $35 million.

The K&P walking and biking trail, including a $1million underpass under all six lanes of Highway 401 at Highway 38; value, $2 million.

the Springer Market Square renovation and ice pad; value, $7 million

the K-Rock Centre; value, $42 million
the Grand Theatre renovation; value, $17 million.

Total: About $280 million. That's right: $280 million in capital spending and only a four-per-cent tax increase for this year.




Of course, the mayor had assistance. His first council was very supportive of the major projects it adopted. The current council has more of a stewardship approach. Glen Laubenstein, our city's chief administrative officer, and his staff should also be commended for managing these significant projects.

We were fortunate that Rosen's relationship with our provincial member of Parliament, John Gerretsen, and our federal member, Peter Milliken, helped to bring hundreds of millions into our various civic projects.

Every team needs a leader, and I will go on record that Rosen's performance as mayor is unparalleled for the last 50 years. My approval rating is 80 per cent.

Michael Davies Kingston

[Lydia]

How, I have to admit that Rosen's accomplishments are unparalled. I don't always agree with him, however, his decisions and his mannerism has certain shaken this city.

The one thing I have to admit is that this city certain has not been stagnant under his mayorality. He is a futurist. Only the future will true admire his leadership. This happens to all futurists.

The question that we all need to ask ourselves now is this: "Is this city better place to be due to all the accomplishments that this major and previous and present councils have and are doing.

If yes, that we should be proud. If no, then I would ask you is if you are not pleased with what has and is happening that are you willing to get involved?

One thing I have to admit about Don is that He HAS AND DOES get involved by expressing his displeasure with the way things have happened.

The question now becomes has this council or previous councils EVER really looked, listened, and spoken, to or written to the people who are not happy.

I have and will continue to send e-mails TO ALL THE COUNCILORS regarding concerns. Other than Robert Matheson, Mark Gerreson and Ed Smith, the others have not replied to many of my e-mails. I guess their idea is that they ONLY represent their citizens living in tHEIR districts. If that is their opinion then they are very narrow-minded and only give a dang about THEMSELVES only.

Now I happen to know the majority of these councilors and I don't believe that they are that narrow minded. The proof is in their communications with others.

At least these councilors are at least LOOKING at stewardship and responsibility. Isn't that why they were elected in the first place??

[Dogma]

Most local citizens concerns relate to tax rates.

Citizen concerns and debates, including funding for policies on environmental, infastructure and governance accountability - are frankly Federally and Provincially jurisdictions and regulated.

Taxes are levied on citizens by the municipality based on the current "tax base". Expenses for city services, are paid for by revenues (taxes)

As one can see, the tax increases over the past 20 years have average 6-4% each and every year. Inflation has been 2-3%. So, this year a 1% tax increase based on current funding services is average. The issue is the past 15 years - the increases 4-6% have not been changed to reflect a change in local demographics, investments with sustainable use of taxes to support our "future" quality of life, has been mis-appropriated.

Futurist? Maybe. Accountable somewhat? Something for your money? Or just more awareness and input?

Mr Matheson - a Canadian citizen with reasonable in tact beliefs is not a heavy weight in council. Mr. Glover is.

Mr. Hutchenson -are likely the most to benefit from their taxes. Its older part of town which includes downtown and uptown area in terms of financial means is moderate. But, with the LVEC, road and sewer construction and general infastructure and rise of investment in housing. They have little to complain about. Mr. Matheson is rather provincial in terms of who he represents, and may fail to consider that (tax bills) go to all citizens of Kingston. Not to just his district.


Maybe spring will chill peoples hot heads?

[Lydia]

I actually like Robert, althought, I don't necessary agree with his environmental stands. However, I do believe that he is busy doing what he believes to be a great job for his district.

If you are environmentalist you will LOVE Robert. I only like him lol lol. I'm not an environmentalist. lol lol.

However, your preception of Robert being more Provincially mind is actually a very sore thing with some of his residents in his district. People do believe that he should be more accountable to the MUNICIPAL issues rather than the Provincial issues.


I am just happy that he is dealing WITH ISSUES. How if i could only find a way to CONVINCE him that MY way
is best.Hummmmmmmmmmmm lol lol

[Dogma]

Each mayor leaves a legacy

Posted 2 days ago

Re: Michael Davies' letter "Rosen's record as mayor unparalleled for the last 50 years" (April 3).

Davies should get his facts straight before giving credit to Mayor Harvey Rosen for the initiatives outlined in his letter. Many of the initiatives Davies lists were accomplished during former mayor Isabel Turner's term in office.

It was Turner who successfully negotiated with MPP John Gerretsen and MP Peter Milliken to secure provincial and federal funding for Fort Henry, the Ravensview sewage treatment plant and the Grand Theatre, to name just a few projects. It was her determination and political savvy in having monthly meetings with the local provincial and federal members that led to the transfer of funds for many projects in Kingston. Turner established an excellent working relationship between these two political offices and city hall, one unparalleled during any previous mayor's term of office.

It was not just Turner, but also her council, that led the way in beginning projects such as the Ravensview upgrade, the new police station, the Market Square project and the Grand Theatre renovations.

So, for Davies to give all the accolades to Rosen is a rewrite of history, and not the true facts. Even his comment on $280 million in capital spending and a four-per-cent tax increase for this year is questionable. What about the funding shortfalls for the K-Rock Centre, the Market Square project and the Grand Theatre project? Who is going to have to pick up those costs? The taxpayers of Kingston will have to do it, and it is unknown how much they will have to pay for these underfunded initiatives. I wonder if Davies will add this to Rosen's legacy?

Each mayor and council leave their legacy to be built upon by the next mayor and council.

Brian Evoy
Kingston

[Lydia]

The ONLY problem with Isabelle Turner's Mayority position was her inability to tell the public what her stand actually was on at least 10 different conflicts of interest that she did declare during her term,

Isabelle is dearly loved by the people in the Former Township of Kingston as an excellent revee.

Had Isabelle indiciated her conflict of interest, not voted or deal with the issue until a decision was made by council as a whole, THEN once a decision was, she could have then expressed her position on what was actually accepted. I believe she would still have been the Mayor instead of Mr. Rosen if only she did inform the public of her stand on things.

Her only down fall was that the other councilors didn't really pay much attention to her because she was very soft spoken. She is an extremely clever politican, she is perswayive, however, she didn't have the authoritive manner that Rosen has.

Of course it is that authoritive manner that half of this city does not like. lol lol So no matter what all Mayors do and will continue to do their legacy will be felt by this city.

[Rob Matheson]

Lydia, I cannot believe that you only just like me! lol And here I was expecting eternally devoted love and admiration from all! lol

As to me being more provincially orinted than municipal, not quite sure as to the references here but open to learn.

The reason I logged in at long last and my apologies to anyone who may have missed me, was to answer Don Scott's questions that Lydia was good enough to post.

The first is related to the project budgets, and they are itemised as follows.

1)

KRock Centre aka LVEC/KRSEC 46.8 M
Police Station 35 M
The Grand Theatre 17.5 M
Multiplex 33 M
Market Square Rink 6.5 M

2) The second was related to our legal advice in relating to the recent City approved investment/grant for the Hospitals Infrastructure program that provincially requires a 90/10 split for infrastructure funding.

This is what our legal dept has verified for us ...

"The City as a level of government has decided to make this investment in our local health care facilities in the form of a grant. The authority to make a grant is found in S.107 of the Municipal Act which provides that a municipality may make grants for any purpose that Council deems to be in the interests of the municipality."

"The City is making the grant from it's primary source of funds the tax base. It appears on the tax bill and has the same ramifications for non payment."

Further in my own opinion I supported the Levy rather than this investment being hidden in a blanket tax increase, in order that once this investment is fully paid. It will actually be removed from the tax bill.

3) The 3rd question was in relation to why are we putting a splash pad at City park.

This was already approved by the previous Council and money had already been allocated for the concept plan, and is a part of the overall parks and recreation Master Plan.

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan will be fully completed for across the city in November and will be reporting on when and where to extend these type of facilities across the city, not just centrally.

City Park is the second splash pad the first was Shannon Park, and next on the list will be consideration of west end parks for these type of facilities. Lake Ontario Park is definitely being considered.

The key advantage of these facilities is that they are environmentally friendly, accessible to all residents, and a great way to quickly cool down on hot summer days.

The extra good news for west end residents is that the Multiplex which is almost complete is the most obvious location for the new 50M Aquatic Facility being considered.

On another positive note, I will try to do better at posting on Kingston Electors more often going forward, now that I have had my password reset, instead of just visiting to read what was going on.

Currently I sit on Planning Committee, Environment Infrstructure and Transportation Policies, FOCUS Kingston, Cataraqui Conservation Authority, Lemoine Point Advisory Committee, the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee, I am Councils Representative on the Lafarge Community Relations Committee, and have just taken on the Kingston Arts Council Selctions Commitee as well. More importantly (I feel) as I committed to during the election I helped begin the Loyalist-Cataraqui Community Association which I'm proud to say both Lydia and Don are members of, and we meet on a monthly basis, so that I do keep in touch with the area residents that elected me to ensure I am adequately representing they're needs locally at the municipal level.

On top of that I have been meeting with Professor Hesp of Queens and our Public works dept staff to incorporate his work on road construction methods into our future road works, so that we can hopefully turn one of our greatest weaknesses into a great strength, Council willing.

If I can do anything more muncipally to make me more local instead of provincial (whatever that means) please let me know. Actually I hope at some point you also consider me federal as well. lol

I truly believe that all levels of government are interconnected and should be working together for the benefit of all our constituents. Whether I am considered a light weight or heavy weight is moot, as long as I am effective and representative of what Kingstonians in the west end and across the city want.

I will try to get back here to post more often. Though no gurantees. It may take Lydia prompting me whenever she posts some questions.

I hope everyone will be helping out Friday for Pitch in Kingston. Lydia myself and another association member Karen will be helping out at Old Colony Park. Though I don't know if I want to work with Lydia now that she only likes me! lol

Happy belated Earth Day to everyone, and here's to a well earned Summer ahead for everyone.

Sincerely,

Rob Matheson
Deputy Mayor

City Councillor
Loyalist-Cataraqui

[Lydia]

Robert, I LIKE YOU, lol the last person i have devoted love and admiration has been suffering because of it for the past 40 years and I call him my husband. HE HAS BEEN TRYING TO RUN AWAY ALL THOSE YEARS. lol lol.

I think that people that I have spoken with believe you are closer to your Green Party Ties and that is why people tend to believe that your aspirations is more PROVINCIAL or Federal. Either way, the best start to any of those is to start at the Municipal level. i.e. Tony Clement, Mike Collie, etc etc etc.just to name 2 that I person know a little about.

Anyway, thank you for addressing Don Scott's questions and hopefully it will help. Doing it on here is fair game for not just Donald but also so that everyone on here knows as well.

Always keep in mind that you can't please everyone with the answers but you can please everyone by answering their questions. Good for you.

[Rob Matheson]

Not sure where that comes from. I will admit like most of my peers on Council and I do have affiliation with a political party, mine just happens to be the best one in the Green Party! lol

However to stretch that into thinking that I am making a run for MLA or MPP is way to great a stretch. I have been asked alot recently (for whatever reason) about running for Mayor.

Again at this point my only aspirations are to do the best job I can as a Councillor and sometimes Deputy Mayor for the City of Kingston and my fellow citizens here. We will see what the future holds down the road.

Don Scott wrote a letter to the editor in reference to Councillor Salaries which I certainly got a kick out of, indicating he thought all of Council were closet Green Party Members, and that we were implementing they're platform at the local level. I can reassure Don that I am the only Green Party member on Council, the rest belong to all the other political parties across the spectrum or have not indicated they're political affiliation.

I can also happily say that everything I have said I was going to do on my election brochure when I ran, is being accomplished slowly in some cases but surely. Yes it does contain some environmental issues.

Why Don may think this entire Council has a green agenda, is because the environment in particular is now an issue that crosses political dogma, it is a human issue. Climate change is very real, and a real concern!

The reason the Green Party is about the only party growing in support is because it brings Canadians from all political stripes together in a common cause, with pragmatic and sensible solutions on all issues, not just the environment.

I can only hope that if nothing else the other parties and local politicians continue to co-opt all the elements of the Green Party, ie open votes, proportional representation etc... to name a few.

The only thing better would be for cititizens to vote for the real thing!

PS in defence of those Councillors who do not have the time to respond to all resident emails. Most are working 30-50 hours a week on Council on top of other jobs that they may already have, and then we also have to balance family time as well.

So please do go easy on those Councillors who do not always respond to all the emails and correspondence that we recieve. We are all very busy doing the best job we can with the limited resources we are provided in order to do it. As long as you like what your Councillor stands for and are doing on your behalf, that should be what counts.

This is not the part time job that it is advertised as. It is full time and more on occassion.

Sincerely,

Rob Matheson

[Lydia]

Thanks Robert for the above posting. Just to let you know where I stand on affiliations to political parties. I HAVE NONE. I have and always WILL support the Politican who impresses me at the time of elections.

You impressed me when you first ran for the councilor's position because, YOU were the ONLY ONE WHO WOULD POST A REPLY ON HERE TO MY QUESTIONS. You didn't hide your name you posted under your own name. You also welcomed the other two members that ran to post their replies as well.

I have voted for every single politicial party that we have had. I also voted to Liberal Party provincially and Progressive Conservative Federally. I voted for the NDP previously as well. Although I never voted for the Green Party, I also respect our Kingston representative and I would consider her for the next election. So you see I am not a one-party person.

However, I will Party with anyone. lol lol.

I vote for the person whom I respect, who are open and friendly, who can tell me off when i over step my bounds and whom I feel will LISTEN to my position, evaluate it and accept or correct my position in things.

[Lydia]

For Immediate Release
2008-05-05 11:25 AM

For further information contact:
Paul MacLatchy, Director, Strategy, Environment & Communications, 613-546-4291, ext. 1226. Or call the City of Kingston's media hotline at 613-546-4291, ext 2300.

Public Invited To Free Sustainability Presentation

FOCUS Kingston is inviting community organizations, businesses and residents to attend a free public presentation and networking event on May 15, 2008 from 7 to 9 p.m. in Memorial Hall, City Hall, 218 Ontario St. This City committee's new FOCUS is to define ways to make Kingston Canada's most sustainable city.

This presentation will feature:

- Outcomes from a strategic planning charrette with Kingston's leaders in environmental, economic, social and cultural stewardship.

- Lessons learned from the Hotel Dieu Hospital's efforts to integrate sustainability into their business practices.

- A keynote address by Bob Willard, renowned sustainability pundit and author of The Sustainability Advantage: Seven Business Case Benefits of a Triple Bottom Line and The Next Sustainability Wave: Building Boardroom Buy-in.

The FOCUS Kingston Steering Committee is engaged in the development of a new cycle of community strategic planning for the City with the goal of completing an Integrated Community Sustainability Plan (ICSP). This ICSP is a long-term plan, developed in consultation with community members, which will provide direction for the City to realize its sustainability objectives for the social, cultural, economic and environmental dimensions of its identity.

For more information on FOCUS Steering Committee go to:
<http://www.cityofkingston.ca/cityhall/committees/focus/index.asp>

For more information on the Group of Seven projects go to:
<http://www.cityofkingston.ca/cityhall/strategic/seven/>

For more information on the presentation please contact Andrea Flowers at Jacques Whitford (sustainability consultants) by email at <mailto:andrea.flowers@jacqueswhitford.com> or phone at 613-738-0708 ext. 3311.

[Lydia]

Memorial Centre Revitalization 5,350,000 Yes

Public Works Maintenace Facility 30,000,000 Yes

John Counter Blvd Facility Expansion 5,000,000 Yes

City Administration Building 15,000,000 NO

Repurposing Wally Elmer Arena 1,150,000 Yes

Energy Retrofit Program 8,000,000 Not Sure

Lake Ontario Park Upgrades 8,500,000 Depends

Accessibility Requirements 9,000,000 Yes

Here is one of three Council's Wish list. I have indicated the ones I would endorse. If anyone wishes to copy this and send it to your coucilor with YOUR CHOICES, please feel free. I figure the more correspondence the councilors get on this from the residents the better. That way they know what we think.

[Lydia]

Here is one of three Council's Wish list. I have indicated the ones I would endorse. If anyone wishes to copy this and send it to your coucilor with YOUR CHOICES, please feel free. I figure the more correspondence the councilors get on this from the residents the better. That way they know what we think.

Downtow Parking Facility 10,000,000 NO, COUNCIL knew there was not enough parking when they built the LVEC and it didn't matter to them then.

Servicing Cataraqui Business Park 20,000,000 Not Sure
Phase 3

Old Industrial Park Revitalization 1,000,000 Depends

John Counter Blvd Expansion & 54,000,000 Yes
Grade Separation

Wellington Street & Mid Block Extension 15,820,000 Yes

3rd Crossing Construction 85,750,000 Yes, but where is the federal and provincial money that Kevin George and Leonore Foster said they had gotten
approval for during last Council.

North Block 1,250,000 Depends

[Lydia]

Here is one of three Council's Wish list. I have indicated the ones I would endorse. If anyone wishes to copy this and send it to your coucilor with YOUR CHOICES, please feel free. I figure the more correspondence the councilors get on this from the residents the better. That way they know what we think.

Aquatic Centre Project 30,000,000 YES

Memorial Centre Revitalization 30,000,000 Yes
Undetermined

Cataraqui Woods West (new Subdivision) 16,800,000
Community Centre NO Loyalist Cataraqui District 2 can use the Community Rooms at the Multiplex if there is a need for Community Meetings. Belonged to the Loyalist Cataraqui Community Association and never heard of this project.

Fire (re Master Plan) 11,400,000 YES

Building Renovations 362 Montreal St 2,000,000 DEPENDS

Deep Sea Dock 7,000,000 YES

Waterfront Land Acquisition/ Trail 3,000,000 YES
Development

Parks and Open Space Land ????????? NO UNLESS BUDGET INDICATES AMOUNT TO BE USED

Track and Field Facility/College 1,500,000 YES

Transit Downtown Terminal (exclusive 4,700,000 NO
of Land)

Transit West End Terminal 500,000 NO

9 North Street 1,500,000 NO

Affordable Housing-Municipal Investment 5,000,000 YES AND MORE IF NEEDED

JK Tett Building 13,000,000 NO

Cook Youth Centre 2,000,000 YES

Artillery Park Complex Upgrades 6,500,000 YES

Museum Upgrades 2,000,000 DEPENDS