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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1996-02-05CSC\1996-02-05 FEBRUARY 5, 1996 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:30 p.m., with all members present. Others Present: Messrs. T. McKay, T. Clancy, R. Arnot, R. Wyatt, T. O'Brien, J. Maslanka and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. EARLY RETIREMENT INCENTIVE Councillor J. Ziegler advised that there will be a meeting of the sub-committee reviewing the Early Retirement Incentive on Monday, February 26, 1996, at 4:00 p.m.. He advised that the report which was requested at the Finance and Administration Committee meeting earlier today should be available for that meeting. 2. 1996 MINOR SPORTS GRANTS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics, Arenas, Design/Development, dated January 18, 1996. In the report, Mr. Wyatt provides 3 options to handle the $25,000 reduction from the 1995 approved budget for such grants and recommending option #3. The specific grant amounts per group being recommended in the report are shown in chart 2 of the report. Councillor J. Ziegler put forward the recommendation contained in Mr. Wyatt's report. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether there has been any discussion with these groups. Mr. Arnot advised that staff have discussed the recommended grants with the Minor Sports groups and they were advised of today's meeting. Councillor John Smola advised that he was not in support of the recommendation because he feels that the reduction in the grant to Minor Hockey is excessive considering that the rate for ice time has been increased by 7%. He advised that he agrees with the increase in the ice rental costs but not in the decrease of the grant. Mr. J. Maslanka addressed the Committee advising that Minor Hockey has expressed concern about the double hit but so have other groups. He stated that hockey is in a good financial situation and they are in a better position to deal with the decrease than other groups. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the 1996 Minor Sports Grants, as contained in the report of Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics/Arenas/Design-Development, dated January 18, 1996, and considered by the Community Services Committee on February 5, 1996, be approved." Councillor Jake Smola requested a report from staff, once the City of Waterloo has awarded their grants, on what is happening with groups who are funded by both municipalities. Mr. J. Maslanka advised that most of the Minor Sports groups operate in both municipalities; however, the City of Kitchener only provides funding based on the number of Kitchener residents in each group. 3. KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, dated January 31, 1996, commenting on a letter received from the Waterloo Wellington Chapter of the Kidney Foundation of Canada, dated February 1996. In Mr. Arnot's report, he recommends no funding be approved, as such funding has not been approved in the past and financial support would result in a number of very deserving and worthwhile organizations coming forward for similar assistance. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: 3. KIDNEY FOUNDATION OF CANADA (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1996 -7- CITY OF KITCHENER "That no action be taken on the request of the Kidney Foundation of Canada for a financial contribution." 4. 1996/97 GENERAL PROVISION GRANT SCHEDULE The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, dated January 31, 1996, recommending a quarterly timetable for the consideration of General Provision Grants. The Committee was also provided, at the meeting, with a revised schedule showing that grant applications received in the first 3 months of 1996 would be considered as received. This timetable implements Council's direction of last October that General Provision Grants be considered quarterly. Mr. R. Arnot distributed a revised schedule at the meeting showing that grant applications received during January, February and March 1996 would be considered when received. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That we approve the revised "quarterly timetable" for consideration of general provision grants, as distributed at the Community Services Committee meeting of February 5, 1996." Councillor B. Vrbanovic then referred to a report, provided by Mr. Arnot and distributed at the meeting, concerning General Grants. Councillor Vrbanovic questioned why the grant for the Food Bank of Waterloo Region was being deducted from the General Provision Account, as he thought that it had already been considered with the annual grants. Mr. Arnot advised that staff could include to the Food Bank with the annual grants, if that was the Committee's wish. Councillor Vrbanovic then advised that he wished to discuss grants as new business later in the meeting. 5. DELEGATION - NOTRE DAME SCHOOL ASSOCIATION The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. O'Brien, Landscape Architect, and Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics, Arenas, Design/Development, dated January 29, 1996, recommending that the City contribute $750.00 towards the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at Notre Dame Separate School. Mrs. Barbara Braun was in attendance on behalf of the Notre Dame School Association to represent the request. Messrs. T. O'Brien and R. Wyatt were in attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. Councillor Jake Smola thanked Ms. Braun for the Association's fundraising efforts. On motion by Councillor Jake Smola - it was resolved: "That we approve the request of the Notre Dame School Association for a grant in the amount of $750.00, to be funded from the 1996 Capital Playground Features Account #674806, to assist with the purchase and installation of new playground equipment at Notre Dame Separate School." 6. DELEGATION - 38TH SCOUT GROUP The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, dated January 31, 1996, recommending an in-kind facility rental grant in the amount of $260.25, representing half of the cost of renting the Victoria Park Pavilion on February 24, 1996 for a fundraising dance. Mr. Arnot's report also recommended that this group not rely on municipal funding in the future. It was noted that Mr. King was not able to attend the meeting. Councillor C. Weylie put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. DELEGATION - 38TH SCOUT GROUP (CONT'D) Councillor M. Yantzi advised that he was not in favour of the wording of the staff recommendation, as it sounded like the group would never be allowed to come back for a grant again. Mr. Arnot advised that staff are concerned about them coming back year after year when the grant policy COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1996 -8- CITY OF KITCHENER specifically discourages this type of dependence on City grants. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That we approve an in-kind facility rental grant for the 38th Scout Group, in the amount of $260.25, to cover half the cost of renting the Victoria Park Pavilion for their fundraising event to be held on February 24, 1996, and further, That this group not rely on municipal funding in the future." 7. DELEGATION - MILL COURTLAND COMMUNITY GROUP The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, dated January 29, 1996, recommending an in-kind facility rental grant in the amount of $231.00 to cover half the cost of renting the Subscribers Lounge by the Mill Courtland Community Group. The purpose of their use of the facility is for a fundraising dance to assist the Martin family with the medical costs for their daughter to undergo a 2 year chemotherapy program to battle Leukemia. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That we approve an in-kind facility rental grant in the amount of $231.00 for the Mill Courtland Community Group to cover half the cost of renting the Subscribers Lounge for a fundraising dance on February 24, 1996." Ms. L. Pepper was in attendance to thank the Committee for supporting Holly Martin and for working with the community. 8. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. 9. GRANT REVIEW Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that the sub-committee who previously reviewed the grant policy, meet again to review the criteria by which grants are awarded and report back to the Community Services Committee by September 1996 with any recommendations for change. Councillor Vrbanovic listed the sub-committee members as being himself, Councillor K. Redman, Councillor T. Galloway and Councillor G. Lorentz. Councillor M. Wagner requested that he be included on the sub-committee. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That a sub-committee, composed of Councillors K. Redman, B. Vrbanovic, T. Galloway, G. Lorentz & M. Wagner, review the criteria by which the City awards grants and report to the Community Services Committee no later than September 1996 on any recommended changes to the criteria." 10. LETTER FROM JENNIFER LIND Councillor Weylie referred to a letter received by each Member of Council and that the timetable is conflicting with Council's schedule. Mr. T. Clancy advised that these arrangements were made through the Mayor's Office and was thought to provide each Member of Council with ample COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 5, 1996 -9- CITY OF KITCHENER 11. opportunity. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 1:55 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary