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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1992-12-03 SCSC\1992-12-03-SPE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 1992 The Community Services Committee held a special meeting this date commencing at 8:10 a.m. under the Chairmanship of Alderman G. Lorentz with the following members present: Aldermen T. Galloway, J. Ziegler, G. Leadston, C. Zehr, C. Weylie and B. Stortz. Also attending the meeting were the following representatives of the Council of the City of Waterloo: Councillor S. Forwell, C. Hoddle, B. McKenty, J. McKinnon and R. Brown. Officials Present: For the City of Kitchener Mr. T. McKay, Mr. J. Gazzola, Mr. R. Arnot, and Mr. L.W. Neil. For the City of Waterloo Ms. G. Luciantonio, Mr. L. Ayers and Mr. B. McFarlane 1. GRANT REQUEST RE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA Alderman G. Lorentz advised that the purpose of this special meeting of the Community Services Committee and members of the Council of the City of Waterloo was to review the grant request and hear a presentation from the Board of Directors of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra Inc. Mr. R. Hobson and Mr. B. Cole appeared as a delegation on behalf of the K-W Symphony regarding their 1993 Operating Grant Request. Mr. Hobson commented on the positive momentum that has been achieved by the orchestra in respect to its financial operations. He advised that a financial plan had been put together that addressed concerns respecting the operations of the orchestra and that this plan involved a funding commitment from the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo which resulted in the orchestra being able to secure additional grant funding from other sources. He advised that the Board of Directors was forecasting a balanced budget in the next fiscal year. He reviewed the cost reduction programs that have been undertaken in order to meet commitments made by the Board to Kitchener and Waterloo as part of the funding agreement with both cities. Finally Mr. Hobson stated that the Board must have the support that was agreed to with the cities to maintain a positive momentum especially in order to assure other outside funding sources. As information, Councillor J. McKinnon referred to a City of Waterloo resolution relating to increased funding levels for 1992, 1993 and 1994 and the understanding that both cities were fully supportive of that agreement. Alderman J. Ziegler referred to the Auditor's Report of the K-W Symphony and explanations were provided by Councillor S. Forwell relative to expenditures on fundraising salaries and benefits and telemarketing. It was indicated that the approach to telemarketing has been completely revised. Councillor J. McKinnon suggested that when the question of Symphony funding from the Canada Council is dealt with, that representatives from the Councils of Kitchener and Waterloo attend. Alderman C. Zehr noted that there was a strong commitment from Kitchener City Council to support the Symphony. He asked for explanation of how the accumulated deficit was to be covered off with the endowment funds. Mr. B. Cole explained how the deficit would be off-set so as to arrive at an operating deficit of $141,000.00 by 1994 which represented the figure that the Board was working to eliminate. In response to Councillor C. Hoddle, Mr. Cole advised an operating deficit has existed for the seven years that he has been with the Symphony. In reference to new sources of revenue, Mr. Cole commented that increased ticket sales invariably generate additional financial donations. Also he stated that the Board has decided to increase ticket prices by 5% next year. Alderman T. Galloway referred to the 10% guideline and questioned what it means to Kitchener and Waterloo and commented on the City of Cambridge support level. Mr. Hobson noted that it was a breakthrough to receive financial support from the City of Cambridge. Alderman C. Zehr 1. GRANT REQUEST RE KITCHENER-WATERLOO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - 154 - DECEMBER 3, 1992 commented that the 10% figure related to the total budget when discussions for an increase were originally undertaken and the increases were then brought forward based on a fixed dollar amount for each year. On motion by Councillor R. Brown, it was resolved: "That the 1993 Grant Request of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Orchestra Association Inc. be supported based on a continuation of increased funding schedules previously agreed to by the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo." Alderman J. Ziegler and Councillor C. Hoddle requested that they be recorded as opposed to the resolution. Aldermen M. Wagner and J. Ziegler left the meeting at this point. 2. PROJECT LIFT GRANT Alderman G. Lorentz advised that since elected representatives of Kitchener and Waterloo were in attendance he wished to raise a matter that could be addressed in more detail at a later date. In reference to Project Lift, he commented that there might be an opportunity to utilize taxi companies to meet the service needs that Project Lift could not fill. Alderman Lorentz suggested that the cities may want to consider the merits of utilizing the private sector if the opportunity for cost savings was apparent. He noted that taxi companies were prepared to present a submission in this regard. Councillor R. Brown indicated that Project Lift services should remain with a 0% increase for 1993 and that alternatives to achieve cost savings could be discussed during 1993 and implementation considered for the following year. Alderman C. Weylie suggested that any submission that taxi companies might wish to make should be presented to the Board of Directors of Project Lift. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 9:00 a.m. L. W. Neil, AMCT Assistant City Clerk