Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2004-03-01COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 1~ 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 4:45 p.m. Present: Chair - Councillor G. Lorentz Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, J. Gazzola, M. Galloway and C. Weylie Councillor B. Vrbanovic - in attendance for part of the meeting. Staff: J. Fielding, Chief Administrative Officer P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer S. deMoree, Assistant City Solicitor K. Baulk, Director of Enterprise H. Gross, Director of Project Administration S. Massel, Supervisor- Market K. Kugler, Manager- Auditorium and Community Arenas L. EckeI-Braun, Manager of Cemeteries B. Snyder, District Facilitator- Forest Heights Community Centre J. Billett, Committee Administrator CSD-04-030- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROPOSAL - "DOWNTOWN EAST: YA GOTTA LUV IT" PROJECT PROGRAM GRANT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-030 (J. Fielding), dated February 10, 2004, concerning a grant request from the Cedar Hills Community Group for the "Downtown East: Ya Gotta Luv It" Project. Ms. Karen Taylor-Harrison attended on behalf of the Cedar Hills Community Group in support of the grant request. Ms. Taylor-Harrison advised that the project is geared towards changing negative perceptions of the Downtown 'east end' area by developing a strategic plan to address concerns primarily related to absentee landlords and tenant behaviours. She stated that while the focus will be in the Cedar Hills area it is hoped that the project can become a model for other community areas. She commented that the project is in keeping with the objectives of the Community Development Infrastructure Grant program and will contribute to downtown revitalization goals through development of stable residential areas within the core. It was noted that an application has been submitted to the Ontario Trillium Foundation to cover the majority of the project budget. The funding requested by the City will allow hiring of a full time staff person to oversee the project. Additional funding requests over the 5 year time frame of the project will come forward on an annual basis and be subject to review of a report outlining project activities, work plan achievements, evaluation criteria and disclosure of expenditures. In response to questions, Ms. K. Taylor-Harrison clarified that the Ontario Trillium Foundation grant request totals $64,401. and the project will cover an area on both sides of King Street bounded by Stirling Avenue, Victoria Street North and Courtland Avenue East. Ms. Taylor- Harrison also stated that it is important that the person hired to oversee the project fully understands the nature of the Cedar Hills neighbourhood and evaluation criteria will assist in forming a benchmark from which to measure success of the project. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. Councillor J. Smola advised that he currently works with the Neighbourhood Mobilization Alliance Group, established by the Mount Hope Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association and raised concerns with respect to duplication of efforts as this group already provides similar service. He also questioned if the Kingsdale Neighbourhood Association had been contacted to determine their support of the proposed project. Ms. Taylor-Harrison advised that to date she had been unable to reach representatives of the Kingsdale Neighbourhood Association; however, she agreed to provide a written response to members of Council prior to the March 8 Council meeting. Councillor J. Smola requested to be recorded as being opposed to the recommendation. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 1~ 2004 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-030- COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM PROPOSAL - "DOWNTOWN EAST: YA GOTTA LUV IT" PROJECT (CONT'D) GRANT On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That a one-time grant in the amount of $30,000, to be funded from the Community Development Infrastructure Program, be approved for the 'Downtown East: Ya Gotta Luv It' project, under the stewardship of the Cedar Hills Community Group." 2. CSD-04-034 - CONTRACT RENEWAL - 2004 GOLF PROFESSIONAL SERVICES The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CSD-04-034 (J. Hastings), dated February 13, 2004, concerning execution of an agreement for provision of golf professional services. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Mike Martz regarding the provision of golf professional services and other related matters for both City of Kitchener golf courses, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-04-034." CSD-04-039 - CAPITAL RESERVE FUND ALLOCATION - KITCHENER MEMORIAL AUDITORIUM COMPLEX - AUDITORIUM SHOWS AND EVENT OPERATING ACCOUNT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-039 (K. Kugler) dated February 23, 2004, concerning a request to allocate up to 25% of revenue generated from the Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) to the Auditorium Shows and Event Operating Account. Ms. K. Kugler advised that the CRF is a ticket surcharge established to generate funds for future capital improvements to the Auditorium Complex and annual increases to the CRF has contributed to exceeding budget targets, resulting in a surplus of funds in the reserve account. She stated that while the CRF is accepted by promoters and event organizers they continue to negotiate for reduction in rental rates, resulting in a negative impact on operating expenses. Accordingly, she advised that staff are requesting permission to use a portion of the funds generated by the CRF to off-set operating expenses. In response to questions, staff clarified that capital reserve targets will continue to be met annually and only funds in excess of the targeted amount will be directed to the operating account up to a maximum of 25% of the surplus funds. Mayor C. Zehr commented that wording of the recommendation contained in the staff report does not clearly reflect the intent as described by staff and advised that he was prepared to support the request in principle, subject to clarification of how the allocation is to be applied. Councillor J. Gazzola expressed the opinion that the CRF revenues should not be used to off-set operating expenses and requested that this matter be referred to the 2004 Budget deliberations. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That the request of staff to allocate up to 25% of revenue generated from the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex - Capital Reserve Fund (CRF) to the Auditorium Shows and Event operating account on an annual basis, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-04-039, be approved in principle, subject to clarification as to how the allocation is to be applied and be referred to the March 29, 2004 Budget deliberations for final consideration." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 1~ 2004 - 13 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CSD-04-032 - YOUR NEW KITCHENER MARKET - OPENING DATE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department information report CSD-04- 032 (K. Baulk), dated February 23, 2004, concerning the opening of the new Kitchener Market. Mr. K. Baulk advised that opening dates have been established with the Farmers' Market to open Saturday, May 22, 2004 and the Market Shops to follow on Saturday, September 4, 2004. He noted that there is still substantial work to be completed and the dates established will allow the Market to be in a condition that provides the best situation for opening. Councillor J. Gazzola requested an update on the residential component of the Market and Mr. F. Pizzuto advised that Barrel Works still has interest in moving ahead but would like the City to contribute. He pointed out that Barrel Works has extended the completion date of the contract and must come forward with a proposal by the Spring of 2004. 5. CSD-04-029 - YOUR KITCHENER MARKET - VENDOR RECRUITMENT UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department information report CSD-04- 029 (S. Massel), dated February 9, 2004, with respect to vendor recruitment for the new Kitchener Market. Mr. K. Baulk outlined progress to date with respect to recruitment for the Market Shops as follows: 8 vendors are in the process of finalizing leases; negotiations are on-going with 4 other vendors; 2 vendors are completing business cases; and another 5 vendors have shown interest. He advised that staff are confident that the occupancy target for the Market Shops would be met by the opening date. With respect to the Farmers' Market, he advised that all cooler stands have been filled and the majority of the table / produce vendor stands have also been filled. At the request of Councillor J. Gazzola, Mr. Baulk agreed to provide further information to Council concerning the total number of indoor table / produce vendors, both during winter and summer months. CSD-04-022 - YOUR NEW KITCHENER MARKET - INTERNAL MARKET BUILDING REQUIREMENTS The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-022 (H. Gross), dated February 23, 2004, regarding an additional allocation to the Kitchener Market capital budget for provision of centralized refrigeration and air conditioning. Mr. H. Gross advised that there is a need to provide centralized refrigeration for the Market Shops as the coolers are required to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. He pointed out that the existing Farmers' Market refrigeration system cannot be re-used as it is outdated and inefficient. The cost to provide a centralized refrigeration system is estimated at $130,000., of which $60,000. can be funded from the existing budget and the remaining $70,000. forms part of the additional funding request. Mr. Gross also advised that concerns have been raised with respect to the lack of air conditioning in the market. He noted that vendors are concerned with the potential for food to spoil and the lack of air conditioning will make additional vendor recruitment difficult. It is being recommended that air conditioning be provided for the full market at an additional cost of $420,000. in capital funding. Mr. Gross responded to a number of questions, during which it was noted that adding air conditioning to the Market will require an increase to the operating budget of approximately $21,000. per year and while the original intent was to have an 'open' atmospheric concept to the market, air conditioning is being specifically requested by vendors. In response to Mayor C. Zehr, Ms. P. Houston advised that the additional funding requested would have to be built into the capital forecast and the forecast re-balanced. Councillor J. Gazzola questioned if the Market Shops would be required to pay property tax and Ms. Houston advised that it would not apply to the Market Shops; however, property tax would be applied to the street level retail businesses. Mr. K. Baulk added that markets in several other municipalities have been given exemptions for the retail component and staff intend to investigate the potential to receive exemptions for the Kitchener Market. Councillor B. Vrbanovic asked that staff provide additional information with respect to the potential for property tax exemptions and while he agreed it may be helpful to attract vendors, he cautioned against creating inequities between Market retail businesses and COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 1~ 2004 - 14 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-022 - YOUR NEW KITCHENER MARKET - INTERNAL MARKET BUILDING REQUIREMENTS (CONT'D) the private sector. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- it was resolved: "That an additional $490,000. be allocated to the Kitchener Market capital budget for the provision of centralized refrigeration for the Market Shops and air conditioning for the Market." CSD-04-038 - PRESENTATION - DISTRICT 6 UPDATE - FOREST HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTRE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department information report CSD-04- 038 (B. Snyder), dated February 16, 2004, outlining activities of the Forest Heights Community Centre. Ms. B. Snyder advised that the Forest Heights Community Centre continues to be well used within the Forest Heights and Forest Hill Neighbourhoods, providing a variety of programming and special events. 8. CSD-04-042 - YEAR END REPORT - CEMETERY OPERATION The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department information report CSD-04- 042 (L. Eckel-Braun), dated February 23, 2004, summarizing activities of the Cemetery Operation in 2003. Ms. L. EckeI-Braun presented results of a customer survey, noting a 99% customer satisfaction rate. In addition, she advised that the operating deficit was reduced in 2003 to $157,000, with funds generated by cremation internment contributing significantly to the reduction. In response to Councillor G. Lorentz, Ms. Eckel-Braun advised that the cremation component is on target, and has become a viable revenue generating component of the Cemetery Operation. 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator