Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1997-01-27CSC\1997-01-27 JAN UARY 27, 1997 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:35 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor K. Redman, Councillor John Smola, Councillor M. Wagner, Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor M. Yantzi and Councillor J. Ziegler. Mayor R. Christy, Councillor T. Galloway and Councillor Jake Smola were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. D. Arnold, Ms. W. Love, Messrs. J. Gazzola, T. Clancy, R. Arnot, O. den Ouden, W. Beck, G. Nixon, M. Price, R. Wyatt and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. M. Price, Manager, Culture, Events, Leisure Programs, dated January 1997, recommending, on behalf of the Public Art Committee, that a purchase/commission be made from Carol Bradley, the 1996 Artist in Residence, with the commission to be paid for from the Public Art Trust Fund. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned how much the commission would cost and Mr. Price advised that it would be $4,000. Councillor Ziegler also asked how much money was left in the Public Art Trust Fund and Mr. Price advised that there is still $20,000 left in the fund. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: "That a purchase/commission be made from Carol Bradley, the 1996 Artist in Residence, for installation on the 2nd floor of City Hall, on the wall between the coat check rooms by the Council Chamber entrances, with the funds for the commission to be provided from the Public Art Trust Fund." 2. CO-PROMOTION: KITCHENER TRANSIT AND KITCHENER FARMERS' MARKET The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. W. Love, Market Supervisor, dated January 20, 1997, recommending the continuation of the free transit service to promotional ticket holders on market days, through 1997. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That the existing co-promotion between Kitchener Transit and the Kitchener Farmers' Market, which provides free transit service to promotional ticket holders on market days, be extended through 1997, and further, That Kitchener Transit provide 150 free tickets each week in support of the program, and further, That the Kitchener Farmers' Market receive approval for a budget adjustment of $31,000 from Market expenditures to gross up Transit revenue in payment of the tickets used over and above the allotted 150 free promotional tickets, with the cost of the program having no net effect on the overall City budget." Councillor Jake Smola entered the meeting at this time. HIGHWAY 401 SIGNAGE The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. G. Nixon, Landscape Architect, dated January 20, 1997, recommending a new entrance sign to be erected at the Doon Valley Golf Club and providing the Committee with a drawing of this sign, designed by Creative Design. Councillor J. Ziegler recommended that this signage be done in conjunction with the City of Waterloo or that the City get a corporate sponsor. Councillor K. Redman advised that she had some concerns with the proposed sign. She COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 27, 1997 -6- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. HIGHWAY 401 SlGNAGE (CONT'D) favoured the type of signage seen on the way to Toronto, in shrubbery. Mr. G. Nixon responded that staff did consider that type of signage; however, lighting is required for night time visibility and it would have cost approximately $20,000 for hydro at the originally proposed location. Councillor M. Wagner stated that he preferred the 2 original locations. Mr. Nixon responded that the Ministry of Transportation would restrict the height of signs to 1 metre if they were located on the right-of-way and that is why the location was changed. Councillor C. Weylie stated that she thought Council went through a discussion on lettering for this sign months ago. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he is in favour of the proposed location. He felt that the only people who would not see the sign would be those whose destination was Kitchener. Councillor T. Galloway entered the meeting at this time. Mr. T. Clancy addressed the Committee advising that highway signage has been around for a number of years. Originally, signage with Waterloo was proposed but they decided to go alone. Staff were then directed to come up with a proposal. Staff had chosen 1 location which is up high and visible. Staff can go back and discuss the matter with Waterloo again; however, the City wouldn't save much money. Further, it would be difficult to get a corporate sponsor for a City of Kitchener sign. Also, Mr. Clancy advised that this sign is much like those located in the industrial parks, for which we won an award. Councillor M. Wagner questioned whether Oktoberfest had been contacted, suggesting that they may wish to be party to this sign. Mr. Clancy advised that staff could go back to Oktoberfest if the Committee directed. Mr. G. Nixon and Mr. A. Probst, of Creative Design, displayed a sample of the lettering and lighting proposed for the sign. Councillor K. Redman commented that she did not like the exclamation mark. Councillor M. Yantzi questioned the need for cluttering the sign with other company names. He stated that this sign appears to be exactly what we wanted. Councillor Jake Smola stated that we should talk to Waterloo and give them the option to join us on this sign. He also suggested removing the exclamation mark. Councillor M. Wagner stated that we should approach Waterloo about the sign and that contact should be made with their Council and not the staff. Councillor M. Yantzi stated that he likes the exclamation mark. He likes the fact that the sign is simple. He suggested that the Committee either go forward or refer this signage to the next Council's term. He believed this to be appropriate signage and was loath to go through a whole new consultation. Councillor C. Weylie suggested that the R should be the same size as the K. She also agreed with removing the exclamation mark. She did not agree to any further consultation with Waterloo. Councillor Weylie put forward a motion to approve the sign with the R being as large as the K and the exclamation mark being removed. Councillor Jake Smola questioned the possibility of including the Clock Tower. Mr. Nixon advised that the M.T.O. would have to be approached for approval. Mr. T. Clancy stated that because of the distance of the sign from traffic and because of the speed of the traffic, a depiction of the Clock Tower would have to be quite large. Councillor C. Weylie questioned the suitability of neon. Mr. A. Probst advised that neon lasts HIGHWAY 401 SIGNAGE (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 27, 1997 -7- CITY OF KITCHENER for approximately 20 years. The longevity of the sign boils down to the quality of the construction of the sign. Councillor T. Galloway stated that he liked Councillor Jake Smola's idea of a time box. He questioned the possibility. Mr. Probst responded that it is possible; however, it would increase the price of the sign by $10,000 - $15,000. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned maintenance costs. Mr. Probst reviewed the components of the sign and their life expectancy. He stated that as long as the sign is put together properly, there should not be a great maintenance cost. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that staff should still explore the possibility of corporate sponsorship and we could erect a second sign. Mr. G. Nixon responded that if the Committee wanted a second sign, we would have to go through the approval process with the Ministry of Transportation all over again. Councillor T. Galloway stated that he was happy with the design presented; however, he would like the option for a clock in the future. He felt that a clock would attract more people and that the impact of the sign would increase exponentially. Councillor John Smola stated that he is opposed to the motion. He felt that a shrubbery sign would be better. Mr. T. Clancy spoke of a recent trip to the U.S. and signs being lit by solar panels. He stated that it may be possible in a couple of years to do that here with a shrubbery sign, which could be in addition to this proposed sign. Councillor C. Weylie's motion to make the R as large as the K was voted on and lost. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the Parks and Recreation Department be authorized to build a new entrance sign at the Doon Valley Golf Course in 1997, at a total cost of up to $55,000, and further, That the design for the sign be in accordance with the drawing prepared by Creative Design, dated 1-21-97, file # KITCH401A; save and except the exclamation mark which is to be eliminated." Councillor K. Redman and Councillor John Smola asked to go on record as being opposed to this motion. 4. DELEGATION - K-W HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION GRANT REQUEST Mr. B. Hutchings was in attendance on behalf of the K-W Home Builders' Association to request a grant from the City of Kitchener to waive taxes for the property at 47 Eby Street South for the period of September 27, 1996 to March 31, 1997. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated January 22, 1997, advising that it has been confirmed by the Provincial Assessment Office that they had designated this property to be tax exempt effective January 1, 1997; therefore, the grant, if approved, should consider those property taxes charged from September 27, 1996 to December 31, 1996, which are set at $470.58. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: 4. DELEGATION - K-W HOME BUILDERS' ASSOCIATION GRANT REQUEST (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 27, 1997 -8- CITY OF KITCHENER "That we approve the request of the K-W Home Builders' Association for an in-kind grant in the amount of $470.58 to cover the municipal property taxes for 47 Eby Street South from September 27, 1996 to December 31, 1996." 5. DELEGATION - KIWANIS CLUB OF TWIN CITIES - KIWANIS PARK Mr. A. Morscher of the Kiwanis Club of Twin Cities was in attendance to give the Committee a review of the works which have taken place at Kiwanis Park over 1996. Mr. A. Morscher advised the Committee of the renovations which the Kiwanis Club undertook at Kiwanis Park last year. He advised that the renovations to the swimming lake were completed, in spite of the problems encountered with weather and underground springs/streams. The renovations cost the Kiwanis Club $87,000. They also installed a complete new plumbing system. They could not open, except for the last 2 weeks of August and during that period they realized a revenue of $28,000. Mr. Morscher anticipated that, with good weather in 1997, they should break ever or perhaps make a profit. Mr. Morscher then advised that staff have been very co-operative. The City has spent $16,500 for various works about the park itself. He advised that the City of Waterloo has contributed a grant in-kind in the amount of $5,000, for grass cutting. Mr. Morscher asked this Committee if it would be willing to absorb the $16,500. He advised that the Club did not draw on the $25,000 interest free loan approved by the City last year. He requested that, if the City did not feel it could absorb this cost, that it extend the loan for 1 year to cover these costs. Mr. Morscher advised that in 1997, the Kiwanis Club would be bringing in municipal water for the swimming lake, at a cost of $25,000 and will be spending another $25,000 for this operating year. The Club believes it is well on its way with this project and is asking the City to absorb the $16,500 or extend the loan commitment for another year. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he had no problem in granting an extension to the loan. He recommended referring the $16,500 to budget for information from staff. Councillor Jake Smola stated that the Club should be assured that they will be given time to repay the money and at budget, Council will decide whether or not to absorb the $16,500. Councillor K. Redman recommended extending the $25,000 interest free loan either way. When questioned by the Committee, Mr. Morscher advised that the Club does get total approval from Parks and Recreation staff before doing anything in the park. Councillor K. Redman extended her thanks to the Kiwanis Club for all its work on this project. On motion by Councillor John Smola - it was resolved: "That we extend the $25,000 interest free loan to the Kiwanis Club of Twin Cities for 1 year, and further, That Council discuss, at budget, the possibilities of absorbing the $16,500 costs incurred by the Parks and Recreation Department for maintenance of Kiwanis Park in 1996, and further, That Parks and Recreation staff prepare a report for budget on the total cost of staff involvement in Kiwanis Park in 1996." 6. GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC SKATING IN MUNICIPAL ARENAS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics, Community Arenas, Design/Development, dated January 21, 1997, providing guidelines for public skating in municipal arenas. Mr. Wyatt was in attendance to review the draft guidelines with the 6. GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC SKATING IN MUNICIPAL ARENAS (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 27, 1997 -9- CITY OF KITCHENER Committee stating that further feedback would be requested from staff, the public and community agencies and that a final draft of the guideline will be presented to this Committee at its meeting of February 10, 1997. It was noted that these guidelines have been prepared as a result of the incident involving Christy Campbell and the subsequent response by staff concerning Christy's use of her sledge during a public skate at one of the City's community arenas. Mr. R. Wyatt then reviewed and provided an explanation for the contents of the guidelines for the Committee's benefit. Councillor T. Galloway congratulated staff for all their work on these guidelines. He stated that this started out to be a public relations disaster and staff have turned it into a positive situation. Councillor K. Redman also offered her congratulations. On motion by Councillor K. Redman - it was resolved: "That the Guidelines for Public Skating in Municipal Arenas, as considered by the Community Services Committee on January 27, 1997, be approved in principle, pending further solicited feedback from members of staff, the public and community agencies, and further, That the final draft of the guidelines be presented for consideration at the February 10, 1997 meeting of the Community Services Committee." ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary