Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1996-11-04CSC\1996-11-04 NOVEMBER 4, 1996 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:15 p.m., with all members present except Councillor K. Redman. Others Present: Ms. S. Frenette, Ms. D. Arnold, Ms. P. Houston, Messrs. J. Gazzola, R. Arnot, T. Clancy, T. McCabe, M. Price, M. Mahaffey, D. Daly and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. ST. JEROME'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS The Committee was in receipt of a report from the St. Jerome's Project Study Team, titled PD 96/107, dated October 29, 1996, containing recommendations and background information on the feasibility of pursuing a Centre for the Arts at the former St. Jerome's High School. Ms. S. Frenette, Director, Policy, Research & Housing Division, was in attendance to represent the report and explain its contents. Beginning with the recommendations contained in the report, Ms. Frenette provided the Committee with the team's justification for each recommendation. Ms. Frenette explained that the team felt that the City should hire the consultant to prepare the Fundraising Feasibility Study before Council puts any money into this project. The team felt it was important to determine if the community is willing to support such a project financially. She advised that the Congregation of the Resurrection is willing to work with the municipality to allow for mothballing of the buildings for a limited time in order to allow for a determination to be made on fundraising potential for this project. With respect to recommendation #2, Ms. Frenette advised that a clear statement from Council, as to how much money they are willing to contribute to this project, is important as it will make it easier for fundraising. Contributors are easy to find if they know who their partners will be. The report recommends that the Downtown Development Team continue to be involved with this project to work with local realtors to market and secure a purchaser for the Duke Street building. Ms. Frenette emphasized the importance of the Fundraising Feasibility Study in determining whether there is money available in the community for such a project and that staff are not recommending that the City take a leadership role but rather a partnership role. Councillor T. Galloway questioned when the City should take ownership of the building and Ms. Frenette advised that the team is recommending that the City not take ownership. Councillor T. Galloway then questioned the $1 million contribution to the endowment fund and when it would be locked in. Mr. J. Gazzola advised that when this report came before Management Committee there was no dollar figure determined. He advised that it would not need to be put aside until the other monies were there and the building was in use. He suggested spreading out the contribution over a 5 year period starting approximately in 1999 and subject to the other $5 million being raised. With respect to the terms of the agreement, Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether the Congregation of the Resurrection have agreed. Ms. Frenette advised that the Congregation of the Resurrection has agreed to allow the City to mothball the buildings up to 1997 and further if it can be seen that real action is happening. Councillor B. Vrbanovic also questioned paying for the fundraising study and questioned whether others could pay. Ms. Frenette advised that it would be possible for a partnership to be created for this purpose but there is a need for a City role. Councillor M. Wagner questioned the endowment fund and clarified that the Centre for the Arts would not be able to touch the $1 million but only use the interest. Mr. J. Gazzola confirmed that was correct. He advised that based on Council's direction that it would not support the operation of this centre on a ongoing basis but would contribute to the initial costs, staff felt that this was the best way. Councillor C. Weylie stated that if this Committee and Council approves of these recommendations, would the City be buying the building eventually. Mr. J. Gazzola responded ST. JEROME'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1996 - 75 - CITY OF KITCHENER that he did not think that it was absolutely necessary for the City to take title to the building but it could be held by another corporation. Councillor Weylie then questioned how we legally separate the building from the school. Mr. Gazzola stated that this will happen in time when the Feasibility Study is completed. Councillor C. Weylie then stated that she would be in support of these recommendations but only if the City does not take title to the property. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether staff was being overly cautious at its recommended $4 million for restoration and repair and Ms. Frenette advised that there is a cushion built in to this figure for the unforeseen as normally happens when dealing with a building of this age. Councillor B. Vrbanovic then questioned the governance structure as it is suggested in the staff report that the centre be governed by a board of directors. Councillor M. Yantzi stated that he felt the endowment fund was a good way to provide for ongoing operations; however, by putting all of the City's contribution into an endowment fund, would this encourage fundraising and had staff considered matching funding in the capital portion of the budget. Ms. S. Frenette advised that staff were trying to achieve two things; show that the City is in support of this project and also look after Council's concern of not providing ongoing operational funds. Councillor John Smola questioned the dollars being spent, on a one-time basis to mothball the building and the annual cost of securing the building at $12, 400. He questioned how many years these annual costs would be born by the City. He also questioned a 5 year program for the $1 million and when it would start and would these figures be seen during the budget process. Mr. J. Gazzola responded that the mothballing money would come out of the Downtown fund and also the cost of the Feasibility Study. Mr. Gazzola also advised that the $1 million is not included in the capital forecast at this time and any budget figures in this regard should wait until the outcome of the Feasibility Study. Councillor Jake Smola commented that the contribution from the City should be made in capital dollars and not contribute to the endowment fund, which is to cover operating funds, which Council said they did not want to support. Mr. J. Gazzola responded that in dealing with this recommendation at Management Committee, it was felt that the $1 million was not out of line in comparison to other projects the City has supported. The City could decide to contribute to bricks and mortar or contribute to the endowment fund for the long term. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that if the Feasibility Study shows this to be a viable project, then the City should start putting money away so that the total is there when the project is ready to open. Councillor M. Wagner questioned the cost of the Fundraising Feasibility Study and stated the he was not sure that such a study was necessary as the Friends of St. Jerome's have already determined that funds are available in the community for this project. He questioned why it would not be possible to set up a fundraising committee at the same time and start fundraising. Further, he noted that he thought the Friends of St. Jerome's were going to pay for such a study. Ms. S. Frenette advised that the recommendation is a first step to determine whether there are dollars in the community and are they in fact available for such a project. This would be a step that could save some time. Further, the people who are giving money over need the security of knowing that it is worthwhile. Further, it was Ms. Frenette's opinion that the City should stay involved in this project in an active leadership way up to the end of the Feasibility Study. Councillor M. Wagner commented that by the City paying for the Feasibility Study it maintains some measure of control. Councillor Jake Smola commented that it would be a great loss to the community if these buildings were demolished as they are some of the nicest heritage buildings in the City. Councillor T. Galloway referred to recommendation #1 and the hiring of a consultant. He questioned whether the study group realizes the consequences of who does the hiring. It was 1. ST. JEROME'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1996 - 76 - CITY OF KITCHENER his experience that people don't look at the City as a desirable designation for their charitable dollars. He advised that this was his experience with respect to fundraising for the Huron Natural Area. Mr. D. Bourgeois of the Friends of St. Jerome's was in attendance and thanked the team for the work they had done as well as thanking City Council. He stated that this report and the recommendations do demonstrate the City's commitment to this project. He stated that the Feasibility Study is a good next step; however, he wondered whether contributions such as goods & services and sweat equity would be considered in along with other financial contributions. Mr. Bourgeois then advised his opinion that he felt it was important to take one step at a time and if the end result of this Feasibility Study is that this is not a feasible project then everything is not lost. With respect to the renovations/restoration of the building, Mr. Bourgeois was of the opinion that the cost could be reduced, from those noted in the staff report, through contributions of goods & services and time. Further, co-op students could be brought in to assist with this project at minimal cost. Mr. Bourgeois stated that he felt the next step was to clean up the College Street building as people want to see the building and it is an asset with respect to fundraising if people can see the tangible thing. Councillor T. Galloway questioned Mr. Bourgeois whether or not the Friends of St. Jerome's would fund or direct the hiring of the consultant for the Fundraising Feasibility Study. Mr. Bourgeois responded that if Council feels that a Fundraising Feasibility Study done by the Friends would meet their needs then the Friends of St. Jerome's would be prepared to take this on. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned Mr. Bourgeois as to whether the Friends of St. Jerome's would do this jointly with the City of Kitchener and Mr. Bourgeois advised that they would. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that he was prepared to move the recommendations contained in the staff report with some modifications. It was his opinion that the City should have control over the Feasibility Study. Councillor T. Galloway advised that he was opposed to recommendation #1 and he very strongly felt that it should be undertaken by a non-profit organization. It is important to tell the community that this project is being run by a non-profit organization. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he agrees to Councillor Galloway's request for an amendment to recommendation #1. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that it is important to make it clear to the community that this is being done by a non-profit agency. He felt that the cost of the Feasibility Study should be shared on a 50/50 basis as this shows a partnership. Councillor J. Ziegler agreed to the requested amendment of Councillor B. Vrbanovic. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that he wished to add two further clauses to the recommendations being considered, the first one dealing with the future ownership of the building to be with a non- profit corporation, and further, that the Fundraising Feasibility Study, should it prove unfavourable, the City would end its agreement with the owners who must then assume responsibility for the future of the buildings. A further discussion took place on minor amendments to the recommendations contained in the staff report. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Friends of St. Jerome's hire a consultant to prepare a Fundraising Feasibility Study, the cost of which is to be paid on a 50/50 basis by the Friends of St. Jerome's and the City of Kitchener, to objectively evaluate the prospects for raising the necessary capital and endowment funds, in the amount of $6 million, to cover the capital and long term operating costs for the St. Jerome's Centre for the Arts, and further, 1. ST. JEROME'S CENTRE FOR THE ARTS (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1996 - 77 - CITY OF KITCHENER That the City of Kitchener shall be involved in the steering committee and shall approve the terms of reference for the study, and further, That, under agreement with the Congregation of the Resurrection, the City of Kitchener undertake minimal repairs and install security devices, at a cost of $21,000.00 and pay annual costs, estimated at $12,400.00, for security, insurance and maintenance for the historic Duke and College Street buildings for a period ending June 1, 1997, renewable at the City's option and upon approval of the Congregation of the Resurrection, should the results of the Fundraising Feasibility Study be favourable, and further, That, as part of the fundraising feasibility analysis, Council commit to a capital contribution of $1 million, over a 5 year period, and further, That the City shall commence setting aside these funds upon the satisfactory conclusion of the Fundraising Feasibility Study, and further, That the Downtown Development Team continue to work with local realtors to market and secure a purchaser for the Duke Street building as an adaptive re-use development, and further, That the future ownership of the College Street building shall be with a non-profit corporation which will be set-up to own and operate the building in conjunction with the Friends of St. Jerome's, and further, That, if the Fundraising Feasibility Study proves unfavourable, that City of Kitchener shall end its agreement with the owner, who must then assume responsibility for the future of the buildings." Councillor B. Vrbanovic and other members of the Committee thanked staff for a well thought out report and recommendations. They also thanked Mr. D. Bourgeois for his contribution to the process so far. They felt that the process which had taken place this date shows a change that governments can be involved in these types of projects and partnerships. DELEGATION - MARY ANN WASILKA The Committee was in receipt of a letter from Ms. M. Wasilka, dated October 28, 1996, with respect to St. Anne's Drop In members request for the City of Kitchener to consider a community/service provider/City partnership to study the need for parental/preschool resources at a neighbourhood level. Councillor Jake Smola declared a conflict of interest with this matter as his wife works for Owl Daycare and did not participate in any discussion with respect to this matter. Following Ms. Wasilka's presentation it was determined by the Committee that Ms. Wasilka meet with Parks and Recreation staff and determine how this could be achieved with a report to come back to the Community Services Committee. TREE REMOVAL - 148 LOUISA STREET The Committee had been provided with copies of a memorandum from Councillor John Smola, dated November 1, 1996, with respect to the request of the owners of 148 Louisa Street to have a tree, owned by the City of Kitchener, removed from in front of their property in order to allow them to move their driveway to the side of their house. Ms. A. Habkirk was in attendance to represent this request and Councillor John Smola introduced this matter. Councillor John Smola advised that this is part of Louisa Street which is being reconstructed and the curbs could easily be poured to accommodate the new driveway. Ms. Habkirk advised that the construction workers will put in the new curb cut. Mr. M. Mahaffey advised that this tree is in good condition and there is no real reason to have 3. TREE REMOVAL - 148 LOUISA STREET (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 1996 - 78 - CITY OF KITCHENER it removed except to accommodate the property owner's request to relocate their driveway. Further, he advised that the tree is on City property. Ms. Habkirk advised that she would be willing to plant another tree to replace this one and that she would be willing to pay the cost of removing the existing tree. Mr. M. Mahaffey advised that the cost of removal of the tree would be approximately $750.00. Further, he advised that as the tree is on City property the City would hire the contractor to remove the tree. On motion by Councillor John Smola - it was resolved: "That the tree, located on City property adjacent to 148 Louisa Street, be removed by the City, at the expense of the owners of 148 Louisa Street, in order to accommodate their need to relocate their driveway." ROCKWAY GOLF CLUB PETITION Councillor J. Ziegler addressed this matter advising that the delegation who had first requested permission to come before this Committee did not come because of a letter received from Mr. Kett. Mr. T. Clancy advised that staff are looking at a master plan for the golf club which would be done by the end of the fall and then staff will look at the issues outlined in the petition. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that the petitioners are happy with the public meeting that is to be held in February and will not pursue this matter with the Committee at this time. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary