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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1995-06-12CSC\1995-06-12 JUNE 12, 1995 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the Chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:10 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor John Smola, Councillor K. Redman, Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor M. Yantzi, Councillor J. Ziegler, Councillor M. Wagner and Councillor Jake Smola. Others Present: Messrs. P. Beaudry, G. Nixon, R. Arnot, T. Clancy, J. Shivas, T. McCabe, K. Baulk, Fire Chief J. Hancock, Deputy Fire Chief N. Kuntz, Ms. J. Koppeser, Ms. D. Arnold, Ms. J. Murray and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. AQUATICS DIVISION- RE-ORGANIZATION The Committee was in receipt of an information report from Mr. P. Beaudry, Manager of Aquatics, dated June 5, 1995, titled "Aquatics Division Re-organization". Mr. Beaudry was in attendance to present the report and to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. Mr. Beaudry explained those issues and events which brought about need for re-organization and that the re-organization has been conducted in consultation with the Union and the Human Resources Division. Discussions took place over the need for the position of Supervisor of Aquatics Maintenance and comparisons in staff compliment with other municipalities. 2. ROCKWAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, dated June 7, 1995, titled "Lawn Bowling Project". Mr. T. Clancy gave a brief introduction to the report advising that the Committee members were in receipt of a plan showing the proposed site. Mr. Clancy advised that it wasn't until the end of last week that he had spoken to Mr. McKay and been advised that this is a prime site for a new fire station. He advised that this recommendation is being made on the understanding that this site may have to be used for a future fire station site. Mr. G. Nixon displayed the proposed site plan on the overhead and it was noted that the proposed greens are located on the site plan. Mr. M. Sanderson addressed the Committee on behalf of the Lawn Bowling Club advising that he is the president of Lawn Bowling Club's Technical Committee. He introduced the other members of the Club who were in attendance in the audience. He advised that the staff report has been reviewed and that the Technical Committee is in support of the staff recommendation. He stated that there are advantages to the Club in that they would be able to have a two green facility and that this site provides for a separate Club House. Further its location vis-a-vis the community centre and pool is an advantage. He stated that this plan provides for a staged and logical development for the Lawn Bowling Club and he requested that this Committee and Council endorse staff's proposal. Councillor M. Wagner questioned whether the Club has long term plans to turn the portable building into a permanent building. Mr. Sanderson advised that this would depend on need, finances and membership expansion. Councillor Wagner questioned whether the site of the permanent building would be the same as that of the portable building, to which Mr. Sanderson responded that their long term plans are indefinite at this time. Councillor Jake Smola questioned when Mr. Sanderson found out that this is a proposed fire station site. Mr. Sanderson replied that they didn't understand that this was the definite site for the fire station, only that is was a possible site along with several others. Mr. Sanderson replied that a fire station in this location would cause some difficulties in terms of a permanent relocation. Ms. V. Davies addressed that Committee advising that she represents the senior bowlers. She spoke of the awards recently won by her team. She advised that she wanted some assurance that if the new green is not ready by the beginning of next season, that they would still be able to play on the old green. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 1995 - 56 - CITY OF KITCHENER ROCKWAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB - cont'd Councillor T. Galloway questioned staff as to how this would affect the inventory of lighted soccer fields in the city. Mr. T. Clancy responded that currently two female travel teams play on this field. If this recommendation is adopted by Council, these teams will be relocated. Mr. Clancy advised that the City has been able to meet the requirements of soccer and that staff will be reviewing their requirements. Regarding the concerns of the School Board, Mr. T. Clancy advised that they see this as an opportunity to add a new activity not currently available. The Committee also questioned whether the lighting would be adequate and Mr. Clancy advised that the Lawn Bowling Club feels the lighting is very adequate. Councillor Galloway questioned the Fire Chief as to whether the site fits into the ten year capital forecast. Fire Chief J. Hancock advised that it is and it is also included in both Fire Station Location Studies. Mr. Clancy suggested that there would not be adequate parking for a small fire hall, although parking could be provided elsewhere on the site. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether the Club House and fire station on this site would be operationally practical. Fire Chief J. Hancock responded that the two would not be compatible as pedestrian traffic could be a problem. Councillor T. Galloway then questioned the possibility of shifting the green to the west, to make room for the fire station. Mr. Clancy advised that this would not be recommended for several reasons. Councillor Galloway stated that he is concerned that we are going to design out the ability to put a fire station on this site. Mr. T. Clancy responded that he does not want to have to move the lighting as it is too expensive. Councillor Jake Smola questioned whether other sites for the fire station have been considered. Deputy Fire Chief N. Kuntz responded that the department is in the preliminary stages of identifying sites in this area; however, it is necessary to locate very close to this site in order not to hinder response times to the King Street area. Councillor Jake Smola questioned staff concerning park land dedication and the park trust fund and was advised that the fund is currently in a deficit situation. Staff responded that they are and they have no concerns with this; however, the two teams that play there will have to be relocated. In response to questioning, Mr. Clancy advised that the site will have to be graded in early July and seeded in August in order for the site to be available for next year's lawn bowling season. Councillor Jake Smola advised that this is still considered a site for the proposed fire station and it appears that there will be parking problems down the road. He stressed the importance of the fire station.. He suggested that the Lawn Bowling Club and the fire station on that site will really be jammed in and that the City may have to purchase property down the road for a fire station. Councillor Wagner put forward a motion to adopt the staff recommendation. Councillor T. Galloway stated that he wants the recommendation to be amended to include a statement that the site plan would include the potential for a future fire station on this site. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that there is a lack of programming space and that the City should be looking at a combined community centre/fire station site. Councillor T. Galloway stated the if this site precludes a fire station then it becomes a very expensive lawn bowling site. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 1995 - 57 - CITY OF KITCHENER ROCKWAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB - cont'd Councillor Jake Smola stated that in the future the City needs to obtain more land in this area. Perhaps there could be a combined use of, for example, a library and fire station site. He felt that the current site is getting too crowded. Councillor Wagner stated that today we were here to approve a lawn bowling site and that the fire station is secondary. He thanked the Lawn Bowling Club for their participation and patience. He urged the Committee to approve the recommendation in the staff report and to deal with the fire station separately. Councillor John Smola stated that he agreed with Councillor Jake Smola. If the community centre and pool are to be given room to expand and the Lawn Bowling Club is going on the site, then there is no room left for a fire station. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner it was resolved: "That we support the location of a lawn bowling green on Rosenberg Park Soccer Field subject to staff developing an agreement, to be approved by Council, between the former Rockway Lawn Bowling Club and the City of Kitchener; and That a single green, portable building and related accessories be constructed in July for August seeding/sodding for playing during the later part of the 1996 season; and That the Bowling Club pay $40,000.00 over 10 years and develop a second green at their cost, in the future; and further That funding sources be investigated between the Parks & Recreation Department and the Commissioner of Finance to advance the $40,000.00 to the Club." Councillor G. Lorentz thanked the Lawn Bowling Club for their participation and their patience. Councillor T. Galloway put forward a motion that the site plan for the proposed lawn bowling green should allow for a potential fire station. Councillor K. Redman questioned the "future expansion" shown on the plan submitted by staff. Mr. Clancy advised that as the Club develops and a second green is developed, they may want a permanent club house facility. A fire station on site would eliminate this possibility. Mr. T. McCabe spoke of a potential problem with the site plan. He also spoke about park land dedication and that most of the subdivisions in this area have already been approved. Obtaining another site in this area for a fire station, via park land dedication, would not be possible. He advised that the cost of land in this area is around $200,000.00 - $250,00.00 per acre. Councillor Jake Smola suggested amending the motion to require staff to report back on possible locations for a fire station and the cost of each. Councillor Galloway stated that he is sensing that the Committee is quietly closing the chapter on this being a fire hall site. Councillor Yantzi advised that he was concerned that by the action taken this date, that the Committee does not eliminate this as a potential fire station site. On the understanding that Mr. T. Clancy would have the lawn bowling facility designed in such a way as to not preclude a fire station on this site, Councillor Galloway withdrew his motion. 2. ROCKWAY LAWN BOWLING CLUB- cont'd COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 1995 - 58 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor Jake Smola questioned when the Fire Station Location Study Plan would be ready. The Fire Chief advised that it would probably be ready around the middle to end of December. 3. STUDENT COFFEE HOUSE Ms. J. Murray, District 1 Supervisor, was in attendance and distributed copies of her memorandum, dated June 12, 1995, on the subject of the Student Coffee House, along with background information. She advised that the problem is that the students can not get a sponsor and that they need one as they are under 18 years of age. Councillor Redman suggested that the agreement is too legalistic. Mr. J. Shivas responded that at a bare minimum, there should be some kind of licensing agreement. They need to find someone who will accept responsibility. Councillor Redman questioned whether the mentors could agree to be responsible without signing the agreement. Mr. Shivas advised that the agreement would be necessary for insurance purposes and to hold the City harmless. Councillor Wagner questioned how this situation would change if this became a City program. Mr. Shivas stated that he would need an example of another City program where the program is run entirely by volunteers. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that the parents would have to take responsibility or nothing would happen. Councillor Yantzi advised that he would like to see if the youths would agree to this becoming a City program. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner it was resolved: "That the student coffee house be encouraged to proceed and that they seek the backing of a valid, recognized sponsor." Councillor Jake Smola asked for clarification and Councillor M. Wagner advised that the City is not to be the sponsor. Councillor K. Redman questioned whether there is a window of opportunities after which this is a no go. Ms. Murray advised that a sponsor is needed by July 1st. 4. K-W HOSPITAL CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Ms. L. Fryfogel, Mayor's Office Co-ordinator, dated June 12, 1995, outlining a request from the Centennial Committee for the K-W Hospital for the provision and funding of picnic tables for their festivities scheduled for Saturday June 17, 1995. Councillor G. Lorentz advised that he has spoken with Mayor Turnbull and that the City of Waterloo is willing to fund half the cost of renting picnic tables from the City of Kitchener. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway it was resolved: "That we approve an in-kind services grant for the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital Centennial Committee in the amount of $200.00, to cover half the cost of renting 25 picnic tables from the City of Kitchener for their centennial celebrations scheduled for Saturday June 17, 1995." 5. NEW BUSINESS Councillor K. Redman advised that she had been contacted by Ms. S. Wey of the White Owl Native Ancestry Association concerning the Pow Wow to be held at the Auditorium. She is questioning why Artsfest only pays one dollar for the Hawkers & Peddlers licence and the Pow 5. NEW BUSINESS - cont'd COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 12, 1995 - 59 - CITY OF KITCHENER Wow has to pay the full fee. She advised that Ms. Wey sees this as a form of discrimination. It was noted that in March of this year the Pow Wow was approved for a grant of $2,000.00. This grant is to be an in-kind facility rental grant. However, in 1994 the grant that was awarded was split with $500.00 being put toward the facility rental cost and $500.00 to cover the licence fee. The question was raised as to whether Oktoberfest and Artsfest are declared to be civic celebrations. Ms. J. Koppeser advised that Oktoberfest is declared, by Council, to be a civic celebration; however, Artsfest is not and they obtained a waiver of the Hawkers & Peddlers licence fee from Council. It was suggested by some members of the Committee that the $500.00 licence fee could be paid out of the $2,000.00 grant already approved; however, they were not willing to grant another $500.00. Councillor M. Wagner suggested that arts are part of the whole community and that Artsfest should be declared a civic celebration. Ms. J. Koppeser explained that when Council approved the grant of $2,000.00, Ms. Wey appeared as a delegation requesting that part of the grant be used to cover the licence fee. It was generally agreed that Councillor Redman contact Ms. Wey in this regard. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. Mr. T. Clancy advised that the official unveiling of the Clock Tower will take place on Saturday July 1, 1995. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary