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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1997-01-13CSC\1997-01-13 JAN UARY 13, 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 T. Galloway, Councillor K. Redman, Councillor John Smola, Councillor M. Wagner, Councillor C. Weylie and Councillor M. Yantzi. Councillors B. Vrbanovic and J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. R. Willms, Ms. C. Oliver, Ms. B. Spry, Messrs. K. Baulk, O. den Ouden, R. Wyatt, M. Price, J. Nelson, R. Arnot, J. Gazzola and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. CANADIAN COUNTRY MUSIC ASSOCIATION BID PRESENTATION The Committee was in receipt of a memorandum from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex and Kitchener Farmers' Market, dated December 31, 1996, advising that the Canadian Country Music Convention and Awards Show Bid Committee made its presentation to the selection committee, in Toronto, in December. A short video highlighted the presentation. He acknowledged the work of the Marketing Division and in particular Ms. C. Oliver, who led the development of the video presentation in conjunction with CKCO Television. A final decision on awarding the Convention and Awards Show will be made in May 1997. Mr. Baulk verbally acknowledged the work put in to this presentation by Ms. C. Oliver and the video was viewed by the Committee. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. Several members of the Committee congratulated staff on an excellent job and remarked on the quality of the video. Ms. C. Oliver advised that the City of Kitchener is on the short list and it was a job well done even to get on the short list. Councillor T. Galloway advised that he sits on the Bid Committee and that Kitchener has a good track record. It was his opinion that the City needs to enhance its bid process and he asked staff to give some thought on how to evolve the bid process by enhancing it. Councillor Galloway suggested that these kind of events are desirable. He again asked staff to give some thought to enhancing the bid process and requested that they report to the Community Services Committee on how the bid process could be enhanced. 2. DELEGATION - MR. D. JOHNNY - SKATE CANADA '96 Mr. D. Johnny was in attendance on behalf of Skate Canada 1996 to advise of the tremendous success of this event and to thank the City of Kitchener and the Committee for its support for this event. He thanked the Committee for its generous contribution to the event and the way of hosting the opening reception, banners and bus transportation. He advised that the board of directors has approved a legacy fund to contain some of the profits made from this event to go towards ice time for the skating clubs in K-W. Mr. Johnny advised the Committee of the tremendous support received from the staff at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex stating that there was never a task too large or too small for them to deal with. The ice conditions were perfect and they were equal to or better than any other venue. The volunteers were excellent and they put in long, long hours and did us proud. Mr. Johnny then quoted comments received from some of the people involved in the event which supported his comments. Finally, Mr. Johnny stated that the K-W Skating Club would like to say thank you to Council, staff and the management of the facilities and the volunteers. 3. DELEGATION - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY COMMITTEE - GRANT APPLICATIONS Ms. K. Harvey and Ms. M. Wilson of the International Women's Day Committee were in attendance to ask the Community Services Committee to reconsider the decisions on their 2 grant requests. Ms. Harvey addressed the Committee and read from the City's grant criteria explaining how she felt that their grant requests fit in to the City's grant criteria. She also stated that they would like to come back to the City Hall because of the facility itself and because of its location within the community. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 13, 1997 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DELEGATION - INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY COMMITTEE - GRANT APPLICATIONS (CONT'D) Councillor C. Weylie questioned whether this was a non-profit group and was advised that it is. She also questioned whether the groups who take part in the Health Fair are charged to participate in this event. Ms. Harvey responded that they are not charged but it could be something that they would consider doing in 1998. For this year's event, they have already corresponded and made arrangements with these health practitioners and it would not be possible, at this time, to start charging them to participate in the event. Councillor K. Redman put forward motions to approve the full amounts being requested for both grants, for this year only and suggested that this International Women's Day Committee investigate charging their user groups for subsequent years in order to make some money to cover their costs. Councillor M. Wagner agreed with Councillor Redman. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned whether this group could receive Regional funding. Councillors Wagner and Redman suggested that if they serve 3 or more municipalities within the Region that they would qualify for funding from the Region. Councillor Lorentz suggested to the delegation that they apply to the Region next year for funding. On motion by Councillor K. Redman - it was resolved: "That we approve the request of the Health Fair/International Women's Day for an in-kind grant in the amount of $663.42 to waive Rotunda rental costs involved in holding a community health fair as part of International Women's Day festivities, and further, That we approve the request of the Waterloo Regional International Women's Day Committee for an in-kind grant in the amount of $663.42 for rental of the Rotunda on Saturday, March 8, 1997, and further, That these grants be approved for 1997 only." DELEGATION - PROPOSAL FOR CAROUSEL RIDE IN VICTORIA PARK Mr. C. Issighos was in attendance to represent his request to place a carousel amusement ride in Victoria Park. The Committee was in receipt of a written proposal from Mr. Issighos, as contained in the agenda. Mr. Issighos was in attendance to represent his request. Mr. Issighos advised that his tapestries are currently on display in the Rotunda. He stated that he has been involved with carousels for approximately 25 years. In the last 2 years he has decided to build a carousel to be displayed somewhere where it can be a landmark in the city. Mr. Issighos explained that because of his standards, he cannot produce more that 6 or 7 carousel characters in a year. In order to increase production he will have to hire 2 more carvers. He would require approximately 20 characters to start his carousel. He stated that the proposal before the Committee today is based on the idea of him paying for the carousel. He must assure that it has artistic value. He then explained that 10 of the animals will talk about this area and the pictorials will be about this area. Mr. Issighos advised that he has 9 characters completed and 2 more will soon be completed and that each carousel character is valued at between $7,000 and $12,000. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. Mr. Issighos advised the Committee that he is requesting a loan from the City to enable him to complete the carousel. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether $175,000 was the total amount being requested. Mr. Issighos advised that it was and that there is a logical sequence to the payments proposed and advised that he would give the carousel animals to Council, in trust, for the loan. He anticipated that, with the loan, the carousel would be completed by May 1998 and the gazebo would be ready by September 1998. He felt that by May 1998 there would be something COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 13, 1997 -3- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. DELEGATION - PROPOSAL FOR CAROUSEL RIDE IN VICTORIA PARK (CONT'D) operational which can generate an income. The loan payments would be structured in a way that he can repay the loan and at the same time continue to produce more carousel animals. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether Mr. Issighos always wanted to retain ownership of the carousel. Mr. Issighos responded that it is his aim to own the carousel, which would be his monument. Councillor T. Galloway then partner with a service club. Mr. Issighos vision. He advised that he would be willing the gazebo. questioned whether Mr. Issighos would be willing to responded that he could not have interference in his to sit down with a committee to discuss the painting for Councillor T. Galloway stated that there are still a lot of details to be worked out. Councillor Galloway questioned whether, in Mr. Issighos understanding, there is anything Victorian about carousels. Mr. Issighos responded that carousels came in, in Victorian times; however, they came mostly from Germany and Italy. Councillor K. Redman stated that 2 things are being proposed: firstly, public art and secondly, a business plan. She stated that there a still a lot of unanswered questions about the business plan. Councillor K. Redman questioned whether the wood would withstand the Canadian winter. Mr. Issighos responded that the wooden carousel on Centre Island has to be heated in the winter. Councillor Redman advised that she supported looking at this proposal for further consideration. Councillor M. Yantzi stated that this was an exciting concept. He felt it should be looked into as soon as possible. Councillor Yantzi stated that the loan would have to be secured and the location in Victoria Park would have to be addressed. When questioned by the Committee as to his time constraints, Mr. Issighos advised that by March 1997 he must hire additional carvers. Councillor M. Wagner stated that this is an intriguing possibility which has long term ramifications. He suggested a meeting with a staff group composed of Finance, Parks and Legal staff to look at the proposal and decide if we should proceed with it. If it is determined that we should proceed, then we will have to work out the process. Staff should come back to this Committee with a proposal and if a decision is to proceed that staff should recommend the necessary steps. Mr. J. Gazzola recommended that the matter be referred to him and that he will put together a staff group much like that done for St. Jerome's. The proposal will be reviewed by Management Committee and then presented to this Committee. Councillor Redman requested that they look at a business plan and the long term aspects of the project. Mr. Gazzola was asked to bring back a report to this Committee in 1 month. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he doesn't understand what is pushing this project and he would find it hard to support a $175,000 loan. 5. 'I'VVIN CITY BICYCLE COMMITTEE Councillor M. Wagner advised that the Twin City Bicycle Committee was initiated by himself and Councillor Joan MacKinnon from the City of Waterloo. The committee worked on initiating the Regional Bicycle Master Plan and the Region's Bicycle Committee. Now that these things are in place, Councillor Wagner suggested that this committee may no longer be required. Councillor Wagner asked that appointments to this committee be deferred for 1 year to determine whether the Region's Bicycle Committee can look after the needs of Kitchener cyclists. On motion by Councillor M. Wagner - it was resolved: 5. 'I'VVIN CITY BICYCLE COMMITTEE (CONT'D) "That the City of Kitchener withhold any action on appointments to the Twin City Bicycle Committee for a period of 1 year, in order to determine whether the Regional Bicycle COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 13, 1997 -4- CITY OF KITCHENER Committee will look after the needs of Kitchener cyclists." QUEENSMOUNT TENNIS COURTS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics, Community Arenas, Design-Development, dated December 6, 1996, providing the background and a recommendation with respect to the tennis courts located beside Queensmount Arena. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the 3 tennis courts located beside Queensmount Arena be taken out of play and the fencing posts and hard surface be removed, and further, That the single tennis court established beside the arena in the compound area be retained." 1997 SOUTHWEST REGIONAL GAMES FOR ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated January 6, 1997, recommending the waiving of facility rental costs for facilities at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex with respect to hosting the 1997 Southwest Regional Games for Athletes with Disabilities on Saturday, May 24, 1997. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That we waive the facility rental costs, totalling $500, for use of the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium track, arena floor and Subscribers Lounge, to host the 1997 Southwest Regional Games for Athletes with Disabilities, on Saturday, May 24, 1997 (Athletics and Boccia)." INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:45 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary