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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1996-10-21CSC\1996-10-21 OCTOBER 21, 1996 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:40 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor K. Redman, Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor John Smola, Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor M. Wagner, Councillor M. Yantzi, Councillor J. Ziegler and Councillor C. Weylie. Mayor R. Christy was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Messrs. J. Hancock, D. Trask, H. Hoist, C. Monique, K. Baulk, R, Arnot, T. Clancy, W. Sleeth, J. Gazzola, P. Wetherup, J. Nelson and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. COLLISION AVOIDANCE PROGRAM Mr. D. Trask of the Kitchener Fire Department was in attendance to give a verbal presentation on the Collision Avoidance Program developed by the Fire Department. He advised that it is an in- house driver training program which has become of interest provincially and Canada wide. This program has been published and presented at conferences. The program is being offered to other fire departments and other emergency services on a fee for service basis. Mr. C. Monique of the Kitchener Fire Department then explained how the program was developed. He advised that it is being presented in a team concept and in this manner they have been able to keep the cost down. Mr. Monique then thanked Mr. D. Heubach and other City staff outside the Department who assisted in the development of the program. Mayor R. Christy left the meeting at this time. Mr. Monique then showed a video of the driver training program and explained the procedure involved in the practical driver training. He advised that the drivers learn to recognize hazards, know the defence and how to act accordingly. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. Trask advised that the information is provided free of charge; however, a fee for service is charged if the Department provides the instruction. 2. IRON HORSE TRAIL The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. W. Sleeth, Landscape Architect, dated October 16, 1996, recommending a budget allocation, over a 3 year period, for the development of the community trail over the former CP Rail line. Councillor T. Galloway put forward the recommendation contained in Mr. Sleeth's report. Councillor M. Yantzi questioned what monies, if any, were left from the provincial grant. Mr. T. Clancy advised that the grant was partially for land acquisition and partially for development and the remaining money is that noted in Mr. Sleeth's report. A brief discussion then took place concerning what the City of Waterloo is doing about its portion of the trail. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That a Special Projects budget be established in the Parks and Recreation Capital Budget for the development of the community trail along the former CP Rail line between Ottawa Street in Kitchener and John Street in Waterloo, with this budget to be set at $60,000 for each of 1997, 1998 and 1999, for a total capital budget of $180,000." 3. KITCHENER BASEBALL - DRESSING ROOMS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, dated October 15, 1996, recommending the construction of a dressing room facility at Jack Couch Park and its financing. Mr. Baulk was in attendance to represent the report. KITCHENER BASEBALL - DRESSING ROOMS (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 1996 - 70 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. M. Rausch was in attendance to represent Kitchener Tournament Baseball. He advised the Committee that it is Kitchener Tournament Baseball, an incorporated, non-profit organization, which is involved with this project and not Kitchener Baseball Incorporated. He also advised that the facility is to be used by Kitchener Minor Baseball, Kitchener Tournament Baseball and the Kitchener Panthers, contrary to the first clause of Mr. Baulk's recommendation. Mr. Rausch also advised that they have money available to commence the project. Mr. Baulk then advised that senior staff feels that there should be an interest charge. There was a brief discussion on other groups who have received interest free loans from the City. Mr. Rausch responded that he has spoken with the others involved and if there is to be an interest charge, they will not go ahead with the project. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That we approve the construction of a dressing room facility at Jack Couch Park, to be used by Kitchener Minor Baseball, Kitchener Tournament Baseball and the Kitchener Panthers, and further, That Kitchener Tournament Baseball pay the full cost of construction, and further, That Kitchener Tournament Baseball make an initial payment of a minimum of $30,000 with the balance funded through an interest free loan from the City of Kitchener at an upset limit of $50,000, and further, That Kitchener Tournament Baseball make 5 annual payments of $10,000 on September 1st of each year, commencing in 1997, to repay the loan." 4. 1997 PARKS AND RECREATION FEES AND CHARGES The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated October 16, 1996, recommending a schedule of fees and charges for 1997 for various Parks and Recreation programs and rentals. Mr. R. Arnot introduced the report and requested that the Victoria Park Pavilion rentals not be considered. He advised that this would be brought back to Committee at its next meeting along with the Cemetery Division fees and charges. Councillor T. Galloway noted the recommended 5% increase at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium for prime ice rental rates. He stated that he has a problem with this and that he wants it excluded from the report. Councillor Galloway suggested that the recommendation be adopted, except for the ice rental rates. Councillor Jake Smola advised that he had a concern about the ice rental rates at the community arenas and the recommended rental rate increase for licensed events in the Viewing Room at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Councillor J. Ziegler spoke of his concern about season passes at the pools and specifically outdoor pools and what happens when the outdoor pools close early, as they did this year, when the weather was still good. Mr. Arnot advised that this matter will be addressed in a separate report to the Committee. Councillor Ziegler stated that the hours of operation at the outdoor pools are not well advertised. He suggested the possibility that the outdoor pools be contracted out. He requested a report from staff in this regard in November. Councillor K. Redman referred to pages 4/10 and 4/11 in the agenda, concerning rental of banquet tables, etc.. She asked if this were charges to the public or inter-departmental charges and how these figures were arrived at. Staff responded that these charges are usually in connection with a facility rental. 4. 1997 PARKS AND RECREATION FEES AND CHARGES (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 1996 -71 - CITY OF KITCHENER On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That we approve the proposed 1997 fees and charges for the Parks and Recreation Department, as considered by the Community Services Committee on October 21, 1996; save and except for the ice rental rates, the Viewing Room charges for licensed events and the Victoria Park Pavilion rental rates, and further, That a staff report be presented to the Community Services Committee, on November 4, 1996, with respect to ice rental rates, Viewing Room charges for licensed events and Victoria Park Pavilion rental rates." SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF KITCHENER-WATERLOO It was noted that consideration of the recommendation of the grant sub-committee, with respect to the 1997 grant for the Social Planning Council, had been deferred at the October 7, 1996, Community Services Committee meeting in order to allow a representative of the Social Planning Council to be in attendance. Ms. F. McFarlane, Vice President of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo was in attendance and introduced those other members of the Social Planning Council in the audience. She stated that she was here today to convince this Committee of their worth. Ms. McFarlane then gave an explanation of their social planning function, which she advised is behind the scenes work and may not get a lot of publicity, so that Council may not be aware of it. She spoke of such things as community planning days, presentations to schools and faith groups, their print shop and a suicide prevention committee. She stated that the work which lies below the surface is able to exist because of the City's financial support. Ms. McFarlane then spoke of their own fundraising arm. Ms. McFarlane advised that the board has worked to reduce costs wherever possible. Also, she advised that, in September 1996, the board approved a restructuring committee. For their board, the recommendation of the grant sub-committee was a signal that closer ties with City Council are required. She also stated that the board realizes that they must work differently to survive. Ms. McFarlane asked the City to recognize the value of the social planning function of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo. Councillor M. Yantzi asked for clarification of the relationship between the Social Planning Council and the Community Information Centre. Ms. McFarlane responded that the Community Information Centre is a program of the Social Planning Council. Councillor C. Weylie questioned what portion of the grant is used to run the Community Information Centre. Mr. E. Ginsler advised that the question was not easily answered because many of the operating costs and the rent are shared. Councillor Jake Smola referred to the "Waterloo" portion of their name and questioned what financial support was received from the City of Waterloo. Mr. Ginsler advised that no grant is received but the City of Waterloo would hire their services as the need arose. Upon questioning by the Committee, Mr. Ginsler provided examples of the Social Planning Council's involvement with City of Kitchener projects, committees and task forces. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether the City of Kitchener provided the only financial support for the social planning function. Mr. Ginsler responded that the City of Kitchener provides the only government funding. Other funds are obtained through the sale of publications and through their own fundraising arm. Councillor B. Vrbanovic then questioned whether the social planning function would have to shut down if the City of Kitchener funding was reduced. Mr. Ginsler advised that if the Social Planning Council were to lose $60,000 then it would have to shut down the social planning function. There is, however, some distance between no reduction in funding and a $60,000 reduction in funding and there is a point at 5. SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF KITCHENER-WATERLOO (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 1996 - 72 - CITY OF KITCHENER which they would have to close the doors. He suggested that Council and the board will have to sit down and discuss these things together. Councillor B. Vrbanovic then questioned Mr. Ginsler on areas of restructuring and Mr. Ginsler responded that their own restructuring has been put on hold until their finances can be determined. Councillor Vrbanovic then questioned other funding sources such as the organizations they serve, the City of Waterloo and the Region. Mr. Ginsler advised that the organizations they serve have all faced funding cuts and do not have any money to give, the Region has been approached and they will be approaching the City of Waterloo again. The following delegations were in attendance to speak on this matter: Ms. S. Poetschke of the Interfaith Movement for Social Justice, Mr. C. Nelson of the Labour Council, Ms. M. Sahas of the Multicultural Centre, Mr. B. Porlier of the K-W Counselling Services and Mr. A. Hill of the Waterloo Regional Coalition for Social Justice. Each spoke of their organizations relationship with the Social Planning Council, the benefits of the Social Planning Council in today's society and in opposition to the grant reduction proposed by the grant sub-committee. Councillor Jake Smola put forward a motion that the City approve a grant, being 5% less than that approved in 1996, to fund both the Community Information Centre and the social planning function. It was his opinion that the recommendation of the sub-committee is too drastic. Councillor G. Lorentz explained how the sub-committee had reviewed groups who did not fit in to the City's current grant criteria. He asked that one of the members of the sub-committee explain how the current recommendation was arrived at. Councillor K. Redman then explained how the sub-committee came to its recommendation explaining that they got the impression from the Social Planning Council that they wanted all or nothing. Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that the message needs to be sent out about what an important service this is. He also stated that the restructuring exercise needs to continue and they need to determine where they are going in the future. Councillor M. Wagner advised that he could support the intent of Councillor Jake Smola's recommendation but not the amount. He felt that what the delegations have said today made a lot of sense; however, he suggested that the grant be reduced more than 5%. He felt that the current recommendation maintains the status quo and makes this group the same as all the rest. He stated that he is not in support of the motion but does support funding. Councillor C. Weylie spoke in support of the recommendation. She also stated that the Social Planning Council communicates directly with staff but not the politicians, which means that the politicians have been kept in the dark about the valuable functions performed by the Council. Councillor K. Redman spoke in support of the motion. Councillor G. Lorentz also spoke in support of the motion. Councillor Vrbanovic questioned if they cound get by on a grant of a lesser amount and Councillor Ziegler suggested that Councillor Vrbanovic be permitted to amend the motion on the floor. Councillor G. Lorentz advised that he would not accept an amendment to the motion at this time. Councillor John Smola spoke in favour of the motion for a 5% reduction in funding. A discussion then took place concerning the restructuring of the Social Planning Council. The motion put forward by Councillor Jake Smola was called and a recorded vote was requested by Councillor G. Lorentz. 5. SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF KITCHENER-WATERLOO (CONT'D) Moved by Councillor Jake Smola - COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 21, 1996 - 73 - CITY OF KITCHENER "That we approve a 1997 grant for the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo, in an amount equal to their 1996 grant minus 5%, to assist with the cost of the Community Information Centre and the social planning function." In Favour: Councillor John Smola, Councillor K. Redman, Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor G. Lorentz, Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor M. Yantzi and Councillor Jake Smola. Contra: Councillor J. Ziegler and Councillor M. Wagner. Carried. 14. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary