Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1995-11-20CSC\1995-11-20 NOVEMBER 20, 1995 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 2:15 p.m., with all members present. Others Present: Ms. R. Willms, Messrs. T. McKay, R. Weber, R. Arnot, T. Clancy, J. Gazzola, T. McCabe, J. Hancock, R. Pedersen and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. A MAZE FOR VICTORIA PARK Mr. J. MacDonald was in attendance along with several students from St. Mary's High School to present their proposal regarding the installation of a maze in Victoria Park. The Committee was in receipt of a written proposal from Mr. J. MacDonald Architect Inc. outlining the proposal and those members of the project team contributing to this project. Mr. MacDonald briefly explained the proposal and advised that what is being sought by the project team is the City's commitment to land for the project, the City's approval in principle to the project, the City's contribution of staff time and an agreement that the City would be willing to take over the project once it is complete. Mr. MacDonald then called on 3 students from St. Mary's High School who gave brief presentations and the principal of St. Mary's High School, Mr. G. Leduc, who advised of the purpose of the students involvement in the project. Mr. MacDonald then advised that a pavement maze is being proposed because a hedge maze is expensive and the walls disorient children. The design is to be safe and non-threatening. Further, a pavement maze would allow the space to be capable for being used for outdoor theatre. When questioned by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. MacDonald advised that the project team proposes that the City's costs would be limited to staff time. When questioned by Councillor Vrbanovic, Mr. Arnot advised that existing staff would be able to fit this in to their time schedule. Councillor K. Redman commented that this is a wonderful concept and questioned how the actual design would be arrived at. Mr. MacDonald advised that the research team is preparing reports which will be considered by the design team. It may be that they will end up with a number of different designs by the end of this school term. The designs will then be pooled in February and displayed for public comment. Councillor M. Wagner questioned the use of pavement and Mr. MacDonald advised that the maze would consist of turf and pavement or other hard surface. Councillor Wagner commented that this shows how well partnerships can work and without public money. Councillor Wagner thanked the project team. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That we approve of the partnership and proposal for the construction of a pavement maze for Victoria Park, and further, That the City's involvement for this project be limited to in-kind services." 2. COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOLS Ms. M. Wasilka was in attendance to comment on the proposal of the Waterloo County Board of Education to charge for community use of schools. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics, Community Arenas, Design/Development, dated November 15, 1995, recommending that the City support, with reservation, the resolution of the Waterloo County Board of Education Management Committee regarding the recovery and collection of custodial overtime costs for the community use of schools and that Council support a complete review by City and Board staff, of the existing agreement between the City and the Board. Ms. Wasilka advised that she was not sure that she had a complete grasp of the situation and that she is attending the meeting this date on behalf of 4 neighbourhood associations who are COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1995 - 100 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOLS (CONT'D) requesting some help. She advised that she was looking for support from Council for community groups who don't have access to community centres. She listed 3 possibilities for this support. Ms. Wasilka stated that she was concerned that if adult programs moved to the Separate School that the Waterloo County Board of Education will start charging for all groups and not just adult groups. She requested that Council support community volunteers. When questioned by the Committee, Ms. Wasilka advised that she is representing the Stanley Park Neighbourhood Association, the Kitchener-Waterloo Hospital area, Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association and Rockway. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. R. Weber advised that there are approximately 30 neighbourhood associations in existence with approximately 15 of them offering programs. Councillor K. Redman questioned Ms. Wasilka as to how many hours these 4 neighbourhood associations need space. Ms. Wasilka advised that collectively they need approximately 700 hours of use. Ms. Wasilka advised that currently, Central Frederick does not use schools and at $9.00 per hour they could not afford to use schools. Central Frederick has had to find whatever Iow cost programming space is available in the area. She advised that the neighbourhood associations are looking for verbal or written support from Council. They want to know that Council supports their efforts. Councillor M. Yantzi suggested that perhaps it would be best to wait and see how this system works; as no one knows exactly what is going to happen. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested that it may be better to subsidize these groups' use of schools than build new community centres. When questioned by the Committee, Ms. Wasilka advised that it would cost approximately $7,000.00 for the City to subsidize all the groups who don't have access to community centres. Councillor K. Redman questioned staff as to what can be done to actively support neighbourhood association programming. Mr. R. Arnot acknowledged that the Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association works very hard at their programming. He identified a number of areas to be addressed over the next few months. He stated that he wants to try and eliminate overtime as much as possible. He further advised that the $9.00 charge will be reviewed at the end of June. He advised that if the hours of overtime are reduced, then the charge will be re-evaluated and the cost per hour will come down. He stated that staff will be working closely with the board of education and community groups to try and eliminate these costs. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that the cost of heating the Victoria School Centre is $10,000.000 per year. He suggested that the City consider supporting these groups at $7,000.00. This could be cost effective and it is too costly to build more community centres. Councillor K. Redman put forward the recommendation contained in Mr. Wyatt's report with an additional clause stating that Council values the input of volunteers and will work with community groups to try and reduce this fee. Mr. R. Weber advised that staff estimate that the cost to subsidize all groups is $72,000.00 per year and to subsidize only community associations is approximately $10,000.00 to $12,000.00 per year, based on current use. He advised that if it is possible to reduce overtime costs, then the $9.00 charge will be reduced. On motion by Councillor K. Redman - it was resolved: "That Council support, with some reservations, the resolution of the Waterloo County Board of Education Management Committee regarding the recovery and collection of custodial overtime costs for the community use of schools, as attached to the report of COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1995 - 101 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. COMMUNITY USE OF SCHOOLS (CONT'D) Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics, Community Arenas, Design/Development, dated November 15, 1995, and further, That Council support the change to the existing Community Use of Schools Agreement accordingly, and further, That Council support a complete review by City staff and Board staff of existing agreements between the City of Kitchener and the Waterloo County Board of Education, and further, That Council values the input of volunteers and will work with community groups to try and reduce this fee." 3. CHILDREN'S MUSEUM - DELEGATION Ms. R. Aicher was in attendance with two of her colleagues to thank the City of Kitchener for their support in allowing them to attend the conference on children's museums held in Philadelphia in May of this year. With the aid of a computer generated slide presentation the ladies listed the results and benefits of attending the conference. They also listed the 3 goals they had in attending the conference and how they were achieved. The Committee was advised that there will be a general public meeting held on November 29 to inform the public of the project and to recruit volunteers. It was intended that the delegate show a video presentation called "Trucks", however, as time was limited it was not shown and the Chairman suggested that the delegation make the video presentation at the Council meeting to be held on Monday, November 27, 1995. 4. HOTEL FIRE SAFETY ACT The Committee was in receipt of a report from the Fire Prevention Bureau, dated November 14, 1995, recommending that the Fire Prevention Bureau assume properties under the Hotel Fire Safety Act and the Nursing Home Act, currently the responsibility of the Fire Marshall's Office. Mr. R. Pedersen, Chief Fire Prevention Officer, and Mr. J. Hancock, Fire Chief, were in attendance to support these recommendations. Mr. Pedersen gave a brief overview of the report. Councillor T. Galloway questioned what benefit this would be to the community. Mr. Pedersen advised that this would give consistency as the City is performing a lot of these functions now, without authority. He advised that it may appear to be voluntary at this time; however, if not done now, it will be downloaded in the foreseeable future. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether there would be a liability issue. Mr. Pedersen stated that there is more liability now, as staff do not have the authority to perform these functions but do so on request. Councillor M. Wagner questioned whether fire drills are currently conducted in community centres. He stated that the Parks and Recreation Department should have evacuation plans for community centres. Councillor B. Vrbanovic put forward the recommendations contained in the staff report. Councillor K. Redman questioned whether there would be any cost involved. Councillor Jake Smola questioned whether there would be any funding from the Province to take on these responsibilities. He suggested that staff should try and negotiate compensation from the Fire Marshall's Office. Councillor Jake Smola put forward an amendment to Councillor Vrbanovic's motion in this regard which was accepted by Councillor Vrbanovic. Fire Chief J. Hancock advised that training is not required as his staff are already trained in these functions. 4. HOTEL FIRE SAFETY ACT (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 20, 1995 - 102 - CITY OF KITCHENER it was resolved: "That the Fire Prevention Bureau establish a program to assume properties presently inspected by the Fire Marshall's Office, under the Hotel Fire Safety Act, the Nursing Home Act, and further, That the Fire Prevention Division inspect, conduct prefire planning, fire drills and evacuation program with the existing staff in the Fire Prevention Division, and further, That the Fire Prevention Division expand upon its commitment to fire safety through prevention and education, and further, That this approval be subject to satisfactory compensation from the Fire Marshall's Office." A FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBOURHOODS Mr. J. MacDonald was in attendance on behalf of the Festival of Neighbourhoods to thank the City for its support for the 1995 Festival. The Committee was in receipt of a report in this regard, from Mr. MacDonald, dated November 15, 1995. Mr. MacDonald advised that he is seeking support, in principle, for the 1996 Festival and consideration of a grant for the 1996 Festival. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That we approve, in principle, the 1996 Festival of Neighbourhoods, and further, That the grant request of the 1996 Festival of Neighbourhoods, in the amount of $5,000.00, be referred to budget." INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items contained in the agenda. Councillor G. Lorentz offered his thanks to the members of Council who attended the lighting of the Tree of Hope and the Christmas lighting in Victoria Park. He voiced his concern over the vandalism to the lighting in Victoria Park. Councillor Jake Smola suggested having security staff make extra patrols in the park. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested talking to the organizers of the C.O.P. program. Councillor K. Redman referred back to the community use of schools. She stated that she hoped that the City will be able to hammer out something that is good for all groups and that this is an interim measure to a community centre. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary