Additions to Council, May 8, 2012ADDITIONS TO COUNCIL, TUESDAY, MAY 8, 2012
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
1. MW- 2012 -29
Peer Review of Development Charges
Background Study and Policies
a) Revised Copy of presentation ( minor changes)
2. MW- 2012 -30
Regional Niagara Waste Contract
Multi- Residential Waste Collection
a) Correspondence from Kurt Klein, Klein Developments Limited
COUNCIL
Consent Agenda
1. R &C- 2012 -10 - Arts & Culture Wall of Fame Induction Criteria
The report has been pulled.
City of Niagara Falls
Peer Review of Development Charges
Study and Policies
Tuesday, May 8th, 2012
HEMSON
NiagaraFFalls
Development Charges
Help To Fund Infrastructure
• DCs are fees imposed on development to
fund "growth- related" capital costs
• Underlying principle of DCs is that "growth
pays for growth"
• DCs are the primary source of funding for
growth - related capital costs
HEMSON
Overview of the Development
Charges Act
• Service exclusions
- Cultural and entertainment facilities, including
museums, theatres and art galleries
- Tourism facilities including convention centres
- Parkland acquisition
- Hospitals
- Headquarters for general administration of
municipalities and local boards
- Waste management
HEMSON
z
Services Funded by DCs
100% Cost Recovery 90% Cost Recovery
• Engineered Services: • Studies
- Roads & Related • Parks and Recreation
- Sidewalks • Library
- Water • Transit
- Sanitary Sewer
- Storm Water
Management
• The DCA provides for a very broad
definition of capital costs
HEMSON
3
DCs Don't Fully Fund Growth
• Statutory Limitations:
— Ineligible services
— 10% service discounts
— Intensification examples
— Historic service level limitations
• City DC Exemptions & Discounts:
— Affordable housing
— Brownfield redevelopment
— Downtown Community Improvement Project Area
HEMSON
4
Background to DC Peer
Review Study
• City staff issued a RFP for a peer review of
the current DC Study to shed light upon
"best management practices" of DC
policies and practices
• The peer review puts the City in a more well -
informed position for the next DC by -law
review
HEMSON
5
Contents of Peer Review
• The peer review includes:
- A technical review of the 2009 DC Background
Study, and identification of areas where the DCs
can be maximized
- A review of the City's current local service
definitions, best practices, and
recommendations
- A best practices survey of 12 municipalities
dealing with DC policies, practices, and
definitions
- Other policy recommendations and findings
HEMSON
6
Review of 2009 DC Study
• Service level calculations can be more
comprehensive (which can increase
general service DC rates)
• Sector allocation shares (between
residential and non - residential) need to be
more closely examined
• Current DC rates do not include financing
costs associated with the borrowing of funds
HEMSON
7
Review of Local Service Definitions
• Defines which shares of projects are to be
funded directly from developers, and what
is eligible to include in the DC calculation
• The City currently has local service
definitions, but it is recommended that a
more comprehensive set be developed
• Refine definitions to maximize recoveries
through subdivision agreements
• Can be initiated before next DC By -law
review
HEMSON
8
Best Practices Survey
• Ten practices were examined in 12
municipalities
• The City's current practice was contrasted
to the surrounding and Tike- municipalities
• A recommendation on each of the
practices was issued
• More detail contained in the peer review
HEMSON 9
Best Practices Survey
• Survey topics included:
— DC By -law definitions
— Differentiation of residential and non - residential
charge
— Collection policies and practices
— DC rate indexing
— Discounts and exemptions
HEMSON
10
Other Recommendations and
Findings
• City may wish to geographically delineate
DC rates
— Greenfield vs. built boundary charges
• Closely monitor Region's by -law review
process
— Proposed adoption of new by -law: May /June 2012
• Restructure format of DC By -law
— Alleviate redundancy
— Difficult to follow
HEMSON
11
Time to Amend?
• Technical review of DC Study does not
warrant an amendment at this time
• However, City appears to be issuing building
permits at a rate greater than growth
forecast contained in Study
• Transportation Master Plan contains capital
plans to 2031
• Other Master Servicing Plans?
HEMSON
12
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05/04/2012 FRI 9:29 FAX 905 354 9312 Klein Developments
1
Klein
Developments Limited
May 4, LUIZ
®001/002
Geoff Holman, C.E.T.
Director of Municipal Works
City of Niagara Falls
4310 Queen Street
P.O. Box 1023
Niagara Falls, Ontario
L2E 6X5
Dear Geoff,
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Subject: Niagara Regional Waste Collection
Multi- Residential Waste Collection
5581 Heritage Drive
File: G- 280 -21
This is to express my concern regarding your endorsement of the Region's
recommendation to reduce waste removal service levels, at this property, by 50 %.
I received the November 3, 2011 letter from Public Works and responded with
my concerns on January 5, 2012 (letter attached). In this letter I advised the Region
that, based on our own weekly inspections, we had determined that a 50% reduction
(from twice weekly to only once weekly) would not adequately address our removal
needs and would create additional problems, including the dumping of garbage
adjacent to the dumpster. I also offered an alternative option, to reduce the bin size, but
received no response from the Region.
Geoff, we support the objective of increasing waste diversion rates, but believe
strongly that more time is needed to realize the benefits of the enhanced recycling
program implemented last year. The proposed 50% reduction in the service level at this
property will negatively impact our tenants and could pose additional health and safety
risks.
We respectfully request that our concerns be given further consideration and that
a more reasonable service level option be adopted.
Sincerely,
Kurt Klein
Attachment
Phone: (905) 354 -3412
6279 Huggins Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2J 1H2.
RECEIVED
MAY 0 4 2012
r =. ' 3II4EERtNG
1,
05/04/2012 FRI 9:29 FAX 905 354 9312 Klein Developments
1
Klein
Developments Limited
®002 /002
January 11, 2012
Ms. Kate Ashbridge
Waste Collection /Diversion Co- ordinator
Public Works - Waste Management Services
2201 St. David's Road, P.O. Box 1042
Thorold, Ontario, L2V 4T7
Re: Multi - Residential Waste Collection Services
at 5581 Heritage Drive
Dear Ms. Ashbridge,
This is to request that the dumpster collection service at 5581 Heritage Drive, in Niagara
Falls, not be reduced from twice per week to once per week and that an alternative option for
this property be considered.
Our own weekly inspection of the dumpster at this location indicates that waste volume
(on each pick -up day) continues to be at 67 -75% capacity or approximately 10.7- 12 cu yds. per
week. Even with the introduction of enhanced cart-based recycling in 2011, we have not seen
garbage volume at less than or equal to 50% of dumpster capacity at the time of pick -up, as
was indicated in your November letter.
We believe that a 50% reduction in service will not adequately address our removal
needs and will create additional problems, including the dumping of garbage adjacent to the
dumpster.
As an alternative option, could the Region consider a reduction in the bin size to 6 cu
yds. with continued twice weekly removal service?
While many of our residents are now actively involved in the enhanced recycling
program more time is needed to promote and encourage greater tenant participation. We
respectfully ask that the Region not reduce our service level by 50% and consider the
alternative option proposed, for service beyond March 1, 2012.
Sincerely,
citi Kurt Klein
cc: Mrs. Catherine Habermebl - Associate Director, Waste Collection /Diversion Operation
Phone: (905) 354-3412
6279 Huggins Street, Niagara Falls, Ontario L2J 1H2.