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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1993-04-05CSC\1993-04-05 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MONDAY APRIL 5, 1993 The Community Services Committee met this date, under the Chairmanship of Alderman G. Lorentz, with the following members present: Mayor D. Cardillo, Alderman T. Galloway, Alderman G. Leadston, Alderman B. Stortz, Alderman M. Wagner, Alderman C. Weylie, Alderman M. Yantzi, Alderman C. Zehr and Alderman J. Ziegler. Others Present: Messrs. J. Wallace, F. Graham, R. Wyatt, K. Janke, L. Wiegand, R. Arnot, T. McKay, K. Baulk, B. Stanley, Ms. L. Bamford, Ms. C. Oliver, Ms. D. Brophy and Ms. D.H. Gilchrist. This meeting of the Community Services Committee commenced at 1:10 p.m. 1. Minutes On motion by Alderman M. Wagner it was resolved: "That the minutes of the regular meeting of the Community Services Committee of March 22, 1993, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 2. Deleqation - Volunteer Action Centre Ms. R. Cooper, Executive Director and Mr. T. Wichman, Treasurer, Volunteer Action Centre, were in attendance at the request of this Committee to discuss their status with respect to municipal grants and funding. The Committee was provided with copies of their presentation and brochures on "Corporate Volunteerism" and "Good Neighbours". Ms. Copper advised of the relationship between the Volunteer Action Centre and the City of Kitchener and Mr. Wichman answered the questions outlined in the letter from Alderman G. Lorentz, dated March 31, 1993. A copy of their presentation is attached hereto and forms part of these minutes. Ms. Cooper and Mr. Wichman answered questions from the Committee, advising that the Corporate Volunteerism program is one of the very few of its kind in Canada. It offers corporations a way to give back something to the community over and above the financial contributions made. Further, Ms. Cooper advised that these companies have been developing their own ways to make contributions. Mayor D. Cardillo questioned whether they had any students working for them on work terms and was advised that they have a Social Work student, a student on a work program from the Ministry of Community and Social Services and a student from the Ontario Business College. Alderman C. Weylie questioned the Adopt a Park program and was advised that this program is only in the preliminary stages at this time and that the Centre will be working with the City to train volunteers through the neighbourhood associations. Alderman C. Zehr questioned the budget figure for media services and Ms. Cooper advised that this is not a total for all media services provided, as some corporations do not wish to put a dollar value on the service they provide, as they do this as a community service. She explained some of the services included in the budget figure. 3. Volunteer Committee - Annual Report Ms. L. Bamford was in attendance and gave a brief computerized presentation reviewing the work of the Volunteer Committee during 1992. She provided the committee members with copies of the "Kitchener Parks & Recreation Volunteerism Committee Annual Report 1992" and the pin which will be given to volunteers in recognition of their time and effort. Ms. Bamford advised that Volunteer Week will be held April 18 - 24, 1993. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE - 37 - APRIL 5, 1993 4. Parks & Recreation Department Mission Statement The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. F.S. Graham, dated March 31, 1993, outlining the Department's mission statement, commitments and major goals. He advised that the contents of the report are seen as the Department's direction for the future and he is seeking the Committee's endorsement. Mr. R. Wyatt gave a computerized presentation, reviewing the mission statement, core values and major goals. He stated that the commitment and goals go hand in hand and it is important for all Parks & Recreation staff to buy into this philosophy; as this is the manner in which they will be expected to perform their jobs. Alderman C. Weylie questioned how the Department has changed its mission statement to accommodate the current economic situation. Mr. Graham advised that it will be built in at the staff level. Alderman Weylie advised that she wants the goals for the community centres changed so that they accommodate the social and economic needs of the community. Alderman Weylie also advised of her concern that there has been no community participation in compiling these goals. She questioned if staff really know what the public wants; as they have not been involved in the preparation of these goals. Mr. Wyatt explained that this is a starting point. When questioned by Alderman Wagner, Mr. Wyatt advised that staff would be meeting with athletic volunteers in May and Mr. Graham advised that these goals will be publicly displayed at all City facilities. Alderman Yantzi questioned if there was any difficulty in getting feedback from outside groups and Mr. Graham advised that it could be done. Mr. T. McKay advised the Committee that there are direct and indirect costs associated with public participation. Alderman C. Zehr responded that public meetings are not required but asked that comments from the stakeholders be sought and returned to this Committee. Alderman T. Galloway requested that the Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee be asked for their comments. On motion by Alderman C. Zehr it was resolved: "That the Parks & Recreation Department Mission Statement, Commitments and Major Goals, as presented to the Community Services Committee on April 5, 1993 be accepted as a draft document, to be circulated to known stakeholders for comment; and further, That a revised Mission Statement, Commitment and Major Goals be prepared, based on comments received, to be presented to the Community Services Committee for final approval." Kiwanis Park The Committee was in receipt of a letter from Mr. A.R. Holmes, Chief Administrative Officer, Grand River Conservation Authority, dated March 23, 1993, in which he advised that staff have been instructed, by the Executive Committee, to prepare a further report on the possibility of keeping the Kiwanis Conservation Area open for 1993 and what funding might be available. The Committee was distributed with copies of a report from Mr. F.S. Graham, dated April 5, 1993, advising of a meeting held with various people interested in the park. He advised of the Kiwanis members in attendance at the meeting and their interest in committing both volunteers and funds to have the park stay open in 1993. Mr. Graham advised that the two main issues facing the park are: can the park be open in 1993 given the fact that there is no direct funding available from Kitchener or Waterloo and what is the long term future of the park. He advised that there is a further meeting tentatively arranged for April 23, 1993 and that a recommendation would be forwarded to the G.R.C.A. Executive Committee for their decision. He advised that he would keep this committee informed. 6. Grants Update COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE - 38 - APRIL 5, 1993 The Committee was in receipt of a memo from Mr. L. Wiegand, dated March 31, 1993, giving an update on 1993 grants already approved and the status of the General Provision Account for the Committee's information. Alderman C. Zehr questioned the terminology being used to identify the types of grants and requested that some grant recipients referred to as "Non-Recurring Grants" in fact are recurring grants and requested that they be reclassified. Mr. T. McKay recommended that the term "Ordinary Grants" be renamed "Operational Support Grants". Mr. Wiegand advised that the reclassification and terminology could be changed prior to the 1994 grant presentation. Mr. F.S. Graham advised the Committee that presentations have now been made from most of the large grant recipients and questioned whether the Committee wished to review grants and funding with any other of the smaller grant recipients. It was generally agreed that this wouldn't be necessary. Information Items The Committee acknowledged receipt of the following for information purposes: a) b) Golf Unit Survey Information KMA Summaries: i) I.B.E.W. Local #804 Rentals Canadian Hockey Enterprises Hockey Tournament KMA Monthly Summary February 1993 Hockey Breakdown March 1993 Upcoming Events Next Meetinq The next regular meeting of the Community Services Committee is scheduled for Monday April 19, 1993, at 1:00 p.m, in Committee Room 4. Adiournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary