Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1996-04-01CSC\1996-04-01 APRIL 1, 1996 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:52 p.m., with all members present except Councillor K. Redman. Mayor R. Christy and Councillor M. Yantzi entered the meeting shortly after it's commencement and Councillor B. Vrbanovic was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. L. Gove, Messrs. K. Baulk, D. Daly, L. Gordon, R. Arnot, T. Clancy, J. Hancock, J. Shivas, J. Gazzola, R. Pritchard, M. Price and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT SERVICES The Committee was in receipt of a report from Kim Nihls, Supervisor of Turf Programs, dated March 3, 1996, recommending the renewal of the grass cutting services contract with K-W Habilitation for 1996. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener renew the grass cutting service contract with K-W Habilitation for 1996, at a total estimated cost of $29,943.00." 2. INDOOR AND OUTDOOR ELECTRONIC SIGNAGE PROPOSAL The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, dated March 25, 1996, recommending, in principle, a 5 year agreement with Neon Sign Products to provide one indoor and one outdoor full colour message centre at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. Mr. K. Baulk was in attendance to represent the report and Mr. R. Schell of Neon Sign Products was in attendance to answer any technical questions the Committee might have. With the aid of the overhead, Mr. Baulk gave a presentation and showed drawings of the proposed sign. He advised the Committee that staff had publicized a call for Expressions of Interest in this regard and among others, Neon Sign Products had responded to the call. He advised that the agreement would be for one outdoor sign on the Ottawa Street frontage of the Auditorium and an indoor sign to go on the north wall of the Auditorium. A brief discussion took place in this regard and Mr. J. Gazzola advised that the City of Kitchener has no money for this. Hopefully, the staff won't be looking to the City for Capital Funds as there are none available. Mr. Baulk responded that this is absolutely correct, that the signage would be at no cost to the taxpayer, and the final proposal will be discussed with Finance Department staff prior to a presentation being made to this Committee. The question was raised as to whether any contact had been made with the neighbourhood and Mr. Baulk advised that notices had sent to property owners on Ottawa Street, with one response received and no serious concerns expressed. He advised that staff will have an open house once they know what is going to happen. Aisc, Parks and Recreation staff will obtain all the necessary permits from the Planning Department prior to the sign being erected. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That we approve, in principle, a 5 year agreement with Neon Sign Products to provide one outdoor Daktronic full colour message centre at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, and further, That the arrangement be risk free by the guarantee of an overall revenue benefit to the City of Kitchener over the term of the 5 year period, and further, That staff consider the benefits of ownership, lease of space rental options and make a final recommendation to the Community Services Committee no later than August 1, 1996." 1997-1999 CANADIAN INTERCOLLEGIATE HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 1, 1996 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, dated March 11, 1996, recommending that the City support the bid to bring the 1997-1999 C.I.A.U. Hockey Championships to the City of Kitchener and that a $5,000.00 grant be allocated to the host committee in each of the 3 years to help off-set expenses should the championships be awarded to the City. Councillor T. Galloway put forward the recommendation as outlined in Mr. Baulk's report. Councillor M. Wagner questioned whether the hockey championships would conflict with the timing for the Brier should it be awarded to the City of Kitchener in 1999 and Mr. Baulk responded that it was his understanding that the championships would be the week following the Brier but that he would investigate and make sure that there would be no conflict in the timing. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener supports the bid to bring the 1997 to 1999 C.I.A.U. Hockey Championships to Kitchener, and further, That a $5,000.00 grant be allocated to the host committee in each of the 3 years to help off- set expenses, should the C.I.A.U. award the championship to the City of Kitchener." 4. 1999 LABATTS BRIER CANADIAN CURLING CHAMPIONSHIPS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, dated March 12, 1996, recommending that the previous commitment which was approved by City Council in 1994, for the 1997 Labatts Brier, be recommitted for the pursuit of the 1999 Brier. Councillor M. Wagner put forward the recommendation as contained in the staff report. Mr. J. Finnan, Chairman of the Local Bid Committee, was in attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. Mr. Baulk was also in attendance to represent his report. Mr. Baulk advised that the 1997 Brier has been awarded to Calgary and the 1998 Brier has been awarded to Winnipeg and since the Brier would have taken place in western Canada for 4 out of the last 5 years, he felt that the City of Kitchener would be successful in 1999. He advised that the only negative is that there is such a large turnout, between 6,000 and 7,000 people, and that the Auditorium is on the border of that seating capacity. Mr. J. Gazzola reminded the Committee that part of the recommendation approved by Council in 1994 is for an interest free loan and if Council approves this recommendation then the funds would have to be allocated from the contingency funds in the Capital Forecast. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That the previous commitment as approved by Council in 1994 for the 1997 Labatts Brier Canadian Curling Championships be recommitted for the pursuit of the 1999 Labatts Brier Canadian Curling Championships." 5. WATERLOO REGIONAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated March 27, 1996, recommending that the Committee approve a grant-in-kind to the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation for the waiving of rental fees at the Victoria Park Pavilion for the Foundation's annual meeting to be held on June 11, 1996. It was noted that the Foundation's annual meeting will be held at the Victoria Park Pavilion in recognition of the Park's 100th year 5. WATERLOO REGIONAL HERITAGE FOUNDATION GRANT APPLICATION (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 1, 1996 - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER celebration. Councillor T. Galloway put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. Councillor Ziegler pointed out the Foundation's financial position and questioned why there was a need to subsidize the rent in this instance. Councillor M. Wagner advised that he had a conflict of interest with this matter as his wife sits on the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation. Councillor Ziegler advised that he is opposed to the recommendation. Councillor T. Galloway responded that he is a member of the Foundation by virtue of being on Regional Council. He pointed out the purpose of the Foundation advising that their budget, which is provided by Regional Council, is for the purpose of supporting heritage within the community. He also advised that the Foundation gave a $3,000.00 grant to the Victoria Park 100th Anniversary Committee for the publication of their book. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That we approve the request of the Waterloo Regional Heritage Foundation for an in-kind facility rental grant in the amount of $300.00 for use of the Victoria Park Pavilion on June 11, 1996." DELEGATION -WESTERN REGION RINGETTE Mr. K. Kaiser of Western Region Ringette was in attendance to present the City with a plaque which has been awarded to them as sponsor of the year. Mr. Kaiser spoke of the number of championships for ringette which have taken place within the region and specifically within the City of Kitchener and spoke of the opportunities for the young people involved in this sport. He advised that since January 1996 there has been 5 ringette championships held within the region and that along with the championships come substantial economic spinoff to the community. He stated that he is here today to present this award because the championships would not have been as successful without the help of the City of Kitchener. Councillor G. Lorentz, as Committee Chairman, and Mayor R. Christy on behalf of Council accepted the plaque offered by Mr. Kaiser. DELEGATION - KIWANIS CLUB OF KITCHENER-WATERLOO Messrs. T. Howell and W. Renaud were in attendance on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Kitchener- Waterloo to represent their request for a grant in the amount of $8,720.00 to help off-set transportation costs for the Annual E.C.C. Convention to be held from July 31 to August 3, 1997 in the City of Kitchener. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated March 27, 1996, requesting the Committee's direction with regard to this grant application. In the report, Mr. Arnot advised that the reason for the early request is that the Kiwanis Club must formulate the registration fee for delegates before August 1996 and the registration fee will be formulated based on the amount of assistance the Club receives from Kitchener and Waterloo. He further advised that the money will be allocated in the 1997 General Provision Grant budget. Mr. Howell addressed the Committee advising that this is request for a grant-in-kind and that the amount of money being requested represents 50% of the cost of transportation for this convention, as advised by Kitchener Transit. Councillor T. Galloway questioned how many delegates there will be and Mr. Howell responded that there will be between 1,000 and 1,200 people attending, 800 of whom would be delegates and 300 to 400 spouses. Further, he advised that this budget is based on the convention being a non-profit event. He stated that this is an annual convention and the last time it was held in 7. DELEGATION - KIWANIS CLUB OF KITCHENER-WATERLOO (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 1, 1996 - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER the City of Kitchener was in 1982. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. Councillor T. Galloway questioned why the City of Waterloo is being asked for half the grant that the City of Kitchener is being asked for. Mr. Howell advised that most of the hotels that will be used are in the City of Kitchener, so most of the transportation will be in Kitchener. He advised that there will only be one hotel in Waterloo which will be used for the convention. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That we approve an in-kind services grant for the Kiwanis Club of Kitchener-Waterloo in the amount of $5,000.00 to help off-set transportation costs for the Kiwanis Annual E.C.C. Convention to be held from July 31 to August 3, 1997, in the City of Kitchener." 8. DELEGATION - KITCHENER PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS COMBAT CHALLENGE Mr. R. Kalan was in attendance on behalf of the Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters Association Combat Challenge Program to represent their request for a grant in the amount of $5,000.00 to off- set the costs involved in hosting the 1996 Combat Challenge competition in Kitchener on July 27, 1996 and to assist in attending at other competitions as part of this program. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated March 27, 1996, requesting the Committee's direction with regard to this grant application. Mr. Kalan pointed out to the Committee that although a loan was approved for them in 1995, the Association did not need the loan as they were able to obtain funding from other sources within the community for the 1995 event. Mr. J. Hancock spoke very highly of this program and the positive impact it has on the Department. He also advised that it compliments the Department's own wellness program. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether this could not be considered a bonafide part of the Department budget. Mr. J. Hancock responded that because it is an Association event rather than a Department event he did not think that he could pay for it from the department budget. Mr. R. Kalan stated that this is an Association team and not a Department team. A discussion took place over possibilities of finding funding in other sources as was obtained in 1995 and why it would not be possible to obtain the same funding this year. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That we approve a grant, in the amount of $1,000.00 and a loan up to $3,000.00, for the Kitchener Professional Fire Fighters Association to help off-set the costs involved in hosting a sanctioned 1996 Combat Challenge competition, in Kitchener, on July 27, 1996 and assist in attending other competitions as part of the program." 9. DELEGATION - VICTORIA PARK 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated March 29, 1996, recommending that the Committee approve the request of the Victoria Park 100th Anniversary Committee for a grant-in-kind to support the production of major community activities during 1996 to celebrate Victoria Park's centennial. Ms. L. O'Krafka was in attendance to represent the grant application and she provided additional printed information at the meeting. 9. DELEGATION - VICTORIA PARK 100TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 1, 1996 - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mayor R. Christy questioned the success of the fundraising efforts to date and Ms. O'Krafka advised that there is no total figure at this time. Mayor Christy requested that the total figure be provided for the Council meeting on Tuesday, April 9, 1996. Councillor T. Galloway stated his belief that at the time that the part-time staff was approved for hiring, he thought that the Committee was advised that all other necessary funds would be obtained through corporate sponsors and that no more grants would be requested. Mr. R. Arnot advised that he had reviewed the situation and that was not the case. Councillor Galloway then questioned how this two day festival compares with the Multicultural Festival in terms of the need for Parks Operations staff and services. He also questioned whether some of this work could be done by volunteers. Staff advised that this festival would be comparable to the Multicultural Festival. Ms. O'Krafka advised that there are certain things such as erecting stages that need to be done by qualified people and could not be handled by volunteers. Councillor M. Yantzi put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned some of the specific items contained in the budget provided with the grant application. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That we approve the request of the Victoria Park 100th Anniversary Committee for a grant- in-kind in the amount of $13,176.00 to support the production of major community activities during the 1996 celebration of Victoria Park's centennial." 10. GRANT APPLICATION - KITCHENER-WATERLOO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA The Committee was advised that this grant application has been withdrawn. 11. DELEGATION - KITCHENER FARMERS' MARKET Mr. A. Norris and Ms. S. Cook-Scheerer were in attendance concerning the future of the Kitchener Farmers' Market. Mr. Norris distributed a printed copy of his presentation which was read aloud by Ms. Cook-Scheerer. Mayor R. Christy responded to the presentation by advising that the market building is attached to a shopping mall and the latest individuals interested in purchasing the mall wanted to take over the parking garage and market building. Council's decision was to look at a proposal which does not take $3,000,000.00 out of the budget; as the costs of repairs needed on the garage is $3,000,000.00. The control of the garage was necessary to the proposed purchasers; however, the sale did not take place, so now we must wait for new purchasers. Mayor Christy also stated that no deal has been made and Council is committed to preserving the Farmers' Market. Further, staff has been working hard to gain back a larger share of market patrons and we have to work together to gain back some of the tour buses. He agreed that it's a very awkward situation and he encouraged the vendors to stick with the City. Mr. Baulk advised that the vendors have been informed on a regular basis of the information that was available to staff. He has been trying to keep the vendors informed. Councillor G. Lorentz stated that Council is committed to a strong market and they haven't forgotten anybody. He asked that the vendors bear with the City through this situation. 12. INFORMATION ITEMS COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 1, 1996 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER 13. The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. Mr. T. Clancy advised of the sculpture competition for the work of art to be chosen for Victoria Park. He advised that they are on display in the Duke Street lobby and requested that the members of the Committee view them. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:20 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary