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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2010-09-13COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE The Community Services Committee met this date, commencing at 3:04 p. m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors C. Weylie, K. Galloway, J. Gazzola, J. Smola and B. Vrbanovic. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer P. Houston, General Manager of Community Services T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services J. Willmer, Interim General Manager of Development & Technical Services D. Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services and City Treasurer M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs J. Witmer, Director of Operations K. Baulk, Director of Enterprise Division I. Pregel, Manager of Cultural Development G. Hastings, Manager of Golf Courses C. York, Arts & Culture Co-ordinator D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator CSD-10-054 -ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT ON ACHIEVEMENTS The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-10-054, dated August 20, 2010, outlining the work and achievements of the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee during the term which commenced on December 1, 2008. Ms. J. Breithaupt, Co- chair ofthe Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC), presented this report. In her presentation, Ms. Breithaupt advised that the Committee's achievements include: Culture Plan II - mentorship programming for new immigrant artists, arts and media relations, networking opportunities for artists, a cultural mapping study and enabling organization support and establishing a youth category on the Committee. In addition, ACAC serves as a resource for advocacy, networking and information sharing; and, has supported public art and the Artist- in-Residence program, which it has done since 1996. The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee has established future goals and objectives vis-a-vis Culture Plan II: 1. Defining the City's role in arts and culture development within the context of the Region's position and the positions of other private and public sector agencies; 2. Developing strategies for youth engagement in arts and culture; 3. Contributing to the scope for a feasibility study as a first step for a downtown multi-use arts centre; 4. Developing an arts and culture cluster development strategy in partnership with economic development agencies, arts organizations and private enterprise; and, 5. Developing strategies to build audiences and cultural tourism. Mayor Zehr questioned the need for amulti-use arts centre in the downtown given all of the arts facilities already existing downtown. Ms. Breithaupt advised that art has moved into the new media, so such a facility may not be required; although, many arts groups are in need of rehearsal space, which is in short supply. If there is to be a feasibility study, ACAC will play a role. In response to a question from Mayor Zehr, Ms. York advised that the public art for Charles Street Parking Garage will be installed the first week of October, the Country Hills public art will be installed next week and the Kingsdale Community Centre public art will be installed in the Spring of 2011. In response to a question from Councillor Vrbanovic, concerning the multi-use arts facility, Ms. Breithaupt advised that arts groups are currently finding rehearsal space in downtown churches and in terms of using space in schools, ACAC is hopeful to have a member of the school board on the Committee in the future. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 13. 2010 - 35 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1. CSD-10-054 -ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT ON ACHIEVEMENTS, CONT'D On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - itwas resolved: "That the end-of-term report by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee be accepted." CSD-10-053 -ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE TERMS OF REFERENCE The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-10-053, dated August 16, 2010 recommending changes to the Terms of Reference for the Arts and Culture Committee. Those changes are intended to: provide the Committee with the skills and experience necessary to undertake upcoming work; ensure that Council receives the best information and advice on arts and culture matters; and, streamline and clarify responsibilities to provide members with a more meaningful and satisfying volunteer experience. Ms. I. Pregel presented the report, advising that the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee needs a good balance of members and noted that there are specific areas of experience and skills required, such as arts educators and youth members. Councillor Gazzola questioned what is different now and Ms. Pregel advised that the strategic emphasis of ACAC requires specific areas of skill and experience. Publicizing specific skills and areas of needed experience and areas of expertise when going to the community for new members provides direction to the community. Councillor Galloway advised that ACAC is aware that all the areas of expertise may not be covered when the new committee is appointed. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - itwas resolved: "That amendments to Policy I-65, Arts and Culture Advisory Committee Terms of Reference, be approved as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-10- 053" CSD-10-058 -PUBLIC ART FIVE-YEAR PLAN The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-10-058, dated August 23, 2010, presenting the Public Art Five-Year Plan (2011-2016), and an amendment to Council Policy I-816 (Public Art Policy) which will clarify the nature of "eligible projects". Ms. C. York presented the report, noting that the changes to Council Policy I-816 clarify terminology for a program that has been working very well. With respect to the 5 Year Plan, Ms. York outlined 6 Strategies: Strategy 1 is Percent for Art, as outlined in Council Policy 1- 816; Strategy 2 is continuation of the Pooled Fund with consideration of adding new elements for 2011-2016 programming; Strategy 3 involves partnerships with other arts agencies, with capital grant or loan recipients, and with other municipalities; Strategy 4 involves private sector partnerships with institutional and private developers with projects at prominent sites throughout the City, Strategy 5 involves collection management guidelines and procedures; and, Strategy 6 involves promotion and public education. Councillor Gazzola questioned the staff recommendation to waive the purchasing process. Ms. York responded that the current process has resulted in some contractors who could not really do the required work. She stated that advice from the Purchasing Section is that a request for proposal process would give better results. Councillor Gazzola then suggested that this matter should be referred to the new council who should make these kinds of decisions. Both Mayor Zehr and Councillor Vrbanovic disagreed, noting that many of Council's decisions will affect the community beyond this Council and if the new Council wishes, they can review this Council's decisions. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 13. 2010 - 36 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CSD-10-058 -PUBLIC ART FIVE-YEAR PLAN, CONT'D On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - itwas resolved: "That Council Policy I-816, Public Art Policy, be amended to clarify the nature of eligible construction projects as detailed in Community Services Department report CSD-10- 058; and further, That the five-year public art plan strategies outlined in the staff report be approved." CSD-10-050 -GOLF ENTERPRISE PROPOSED 2011 MEMBERSHIP CHANGES The Committee considered Corporate Services Department report CSD-10-050, dated September 8, 2010, recommending a revised golf membership system to start in 2011. This revised membership system will include a re-introduction of unlimited play memberships. Mr. G. Hastings presented the report. He advised that the golf landscape in general, has changed and with the Doon expansion, there is the opportunity for different styles of membership. The fee structure we have now was determined 10 years ago and our competitors have been offering full memberships. Mr. Hastings advised that staff has studied revenues and has determined that the fees recommended in the report are appropriate. He also advised that the results of communications about these proposed membership fees have resulted in total positive feedback. Mr. Hastings cautioned that staff believes that they have hit the proper price point; however, fees may have to be adjusted in 2012. Mayor Zehr questioned whether daily green fee rates for 2010 have been established and Mr. Hastings advised that these fees will be considered next. They are considering a simpler (or similar?) system which will slightly reduce these fees. Mayor Zehr then questioned how the two types of fees could be considered separately, and Mr. Hastings responded that the green fee rates will not change drastically and we can compare them to what we have now. Mr. K. Baulk advised that it is essential to determine membership fees now so that people will be able to compare them to our competitors and we will do the same with green fees. Councillor Smola stated that he would like to have some comparison charts for 2008, 2009 and 2010. He noted that he needs to know the green fees, in order to know if the proposed membership fees are appropriate. Mr. Hastings advised that revenue tables have been completed and the cost per round is known. Further, other courses are offering similar styles of membership. Councillor Smola directed that prior to next weeks Council meeting staff provide comparisons for 2009, 2009 and 2010 green fee rates. Councillor Gazzola stated that he was hoping to see green fees and market membership rates. He also directed that information be provided with a comparison with other courses on pay-as- you-play rates and membership rates. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - itwas resolved: "That consideration of the following recommendation be referred to the Council meeting of September 20, 2010, to allow staff an opportunity to provide a report on green fee rates and turf maintenance costs for the years 2008, 2009 and 2010; a comparison of the City of Kitchener rates and the rates of other golf courses in terms of memberships and "pay-as-you-play" rates: 'That the golf membership system as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-10-050, be adopted for the 2011 golfing season and beyond."' NEW BUSINESS Notice of Motion Councillor K. Galloway referred to a letter received from the Grand River Accessibility Advisory COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE NEW BUSINESS (CONT'D) Committee, dated September 6, 2010, in which they advise that the federal government has recently decided to cut several surveys, including the Participation and Activity Limitation survey (PAL). The letter further advised that the PAL survey is the major data collection for StatCan on persons with disabilities and this data is relied on across Canada for accessibility planning by municipalities, including the City of Kitchener. Councillor Galloway gave Notice of Motion that she will introduce the following motion at the September 20, 2010 Council meeting: "That a letter be sent by the Mayor, on behalf of Council, to the Prime Minister of Canada expressing the City of Kitchener's concern with the federal government's elimination of the Participation and Activity Limitation (PAL) survey; and further, That copies of this letter and the letter from the Co-chairs of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee to City Council, dated September 6, 2010, be sent to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, all Ontario Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and all local MPs." Mayor Zehr directed that staff report to this Committee on the unfinished business item "development of the proposed trail network and possible trail routes in the Doon South Community" and also on the timing of the Grand River Pedestrian Bridge to Doon. Mayor Zehr and Councillors Lorentz and Vrbanovic spoke of problems for community groups who wanted to hold street parties during the Festival of Neighbourhoods and some groups who want to hold events or have groups at community centres, not getting coverage through the City's insurance. They directed that staff report to Council in this regard. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m Dianne Gilchrist Committee Administrator