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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1997-02-24CSC\1997-02-24 FEBRUARY 24, 1997 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 2:12 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor K. Redman, Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor John Smola, Councillor M. Wagner, Councillor C. Weylie and Councillor M. Yantzi. Mayor R. Christy and Councillor J. Ziegler were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. R. Willms, Ms. D. Arnold, Ms. L. Gove, Messrs. R. Weber, R. Wyatt, T. Clancy, O. den Ouden, D. Snow, K. Carmichael, K. Nabert, M. Price, J. Cooper, R. Arnot, G. Nixon, T. McCabe, J. Gazzola and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. DELEGATION MS. D. SCHLICHTER, HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP CHANDLER MOWAT COMMUNITY CENTRE The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Weber, Manager, Community Development, dated February 19, 1997, recommending annual funding to the House of Friendship to assist with the operation of the Chandler Mowat Community Centre. The Committee was also in receipt of background information in this regard. Ms. D. Schlichter was in attendance on behalf of the House of Friendship to represent this funding request. She briefly highlighted certain areas of the report and gave a brief history of the community centre in this area, its commencement, prior locations and advised of the expanded programming and participation that has taken place in this facility since it has been located in the portable buildings. She advised the Committee that, with their assistance, the House of Friendship would be able to continue the current level of programming. Councillor T. Galloway questioned Ms. Schlichter with respect to the amount of funding required for 1997 and how their fiscal year related to the City's fiscal year. Ms. Schlichter responded that the fiscal year for them starts in March 1997. Councillor Galloway then put forward a motion to approve funding in the amount of 75% of the grant request to match up with the begin of the House of Friendship's fiscal year in March and ending with the City's fiscal year, December 31, 1997. Councillor Galloway advised that this is a very high needs area and the House of Friendship has done a remarkable job. He likened this program to similar things which have been done in the Cedar Hills neighbourhood. Councillor Galloway questioned whether it would be appropriate to have an amount of money set aside in the capital budget for community improvement projects to finance this operational funding request. Mr. T. Clancy responded that staff did not deal with where the money should come from but could deal with it after discussions with the Finance Department and advise this Committee. Councillor Jake Smola declared a conflict of interest with this matter as his wife works for a corporation who has 2 daycares in this area and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this matter. Councillor G. Lorentz directed staff to have information ready for the Council meeting of Monday, March 3, 1997, with respect to which account this funding should be paid from. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That we approve a grant for the House of Friendship, in the amount of $8,002.50, representing 75% of the grant request, to assist with their operation of the Chandler Mowat Community Centre." DELEGATIONS - PRESCHOOL RESOURCES AT NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Arnot, Assistant General Manager, dated February 19, 1997, with respect to the assistance provided by the Parks and Recreation Department to neighbourhood associations and their volunteer committees with respect to development and implementation of quality and safe preschool programs. The report had been prepared in response to a letter from Ms. M.A. Wasilka, dated October 28, 1996, in which she requested that the City consider a community service partnership to study the need for preschool resources at a neighbourhood level. DELEGATIONS - PRESCHOOL RESOURCES AT NEIGHBOURHOOD LEVEL (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 24, 1997 -16- CITY OF KITCHENER Ms. M.A. Wasilka of the St. Anne's Preschool Drop-In, Ms. T. Beaulne of Connecting for Children Project and Ms. L. Stewart, Co-ordinator, Community Action Program for Children of Waterloo Region, were all in attendance and each made a presentation to the Committee with respect to their concern and interest in providing preschool programs at the neighbourhood level and advising of its positive effects on the community as a whole. Ms. Wasilka provided printed information in support of her position which was distributed to the Committee members and Ms. T. Beaulne provided a written draft of her presentation which was also distributed to the Committee members. In her presentation, Ms. Wasilka stressed the need for a cost benefit analysis to help recognize the benefits of funding preschool programs in terms of the benefits to the community as a whole and these children's lives they save reach adolescence and the decreased crime rate as a result of having provided these programs at a preschool age. Ms. Wasilka suggested that the Social Planning Council could provide such a cost benefit analysis for the City. Ms. Wasilka was also requesting funding in the amount of $1,600.00 for staffing at the St. Anne's Preschool Drop-In. Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting at this time. After further discussion, Councillor M. Yantzi put forward the motion contained in the staff report. Mr. R. Arnot advised that staff would welcome the opportunity to sit down and discuss the situation with the Social Planning Council to determine if a cost benefit analysis could be produced by them. Councillor T. Galloway stated that the Social Services at the Region should be contacted as they have a large budget for such matters and a large staff for child care. He suggested that staff involve them as well. Councillor K. Redman stated that some of the delegations talked about liability insurance and also about incorporation. Mr. R. Weber advised that staff would support incorporation of neighbourhood associations and would assist them in this regard. He cautioned that it would cost the neighbourhood associations some money and would involve additional paperwork. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That the Parks and Recreation Department continue to assist the Neighbourhood Associations and their volunteer committees to develop and implement quality and safe preschool programs, as is currently provided." 3. VICTORIA PARK CAROUSEL RIDE PROPOSAL Councillor G. Lorentz advised that this matter would be deferred to the Committee's next meeting of March 17, 1997. 4. DELEGATIONS - 1997 GENERAL GRANT REQUESTS Councillor G. Lorentz advised those delegations present that no decision would be made today on their 1997 grants but these amounts would be decided on budget day. The following delegations were in attendance to represent their organizations: Mr. P. McPherson, Kitchener Horticultural Society; Mr. M. Carty, Ms. I. Stefanescu, Mr. M. de Groot, Art Works!; Mr. J. Spearan and Mr. M. Jamison, Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony; Mr. B. Blain, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery; Ms. N. Rivera, Kitchener-Waterloo Multicultural Centre and Ms. L. Kennedy and Ms. J. Falconer, Kitchener-Waterloo Area Visitor and Convention Bureau. Each delegation explained how their organization is operated and the effect of reduced funding on each of their operations. They also explained to the Committee what steps each had taken in order to run a more efficient organization and how they had coped with funding cuts in the preceding years. 4. DELEGATIONS - 1997 GENERAL GRANT REQUESTS (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 24, 1997 -17- CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor M. Wagner asked several of the delegates how funding cuts have effected their volunteers. In many instances, the delegations advised that funding cuts are becoming extremely hard on the volunteers and if grants continue to decrease there will be a greater volunteer burnout. Mayor R. Christy entered the meeting during the delegations on the 1997 grants. 5. SPECIAL EVENTS - TRAFFIC AND PARKING The Committee was in receipt of a report from Messrs. E. Kovacs and D. Snow, dated February 18, 1997, with respect to the Committee's request for a report on how to handle traffic and parking for special events. Mr. D. Snow, Director, Traffic and Parking Division, was in attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. Councillor M. Yantzi advised that he did not agree with the recommendations contained in the report and that the concept was to invest capital funds to reduce operating costs. He advised that he would like an opportunity to discuss this matter further and requested that the matter be deferred to the Committee's next meeting. It was generally agreed that this matter be deferred to the Committee's meeting scheduled for Monday, March 17, 1997, and Councillor G. Lorentz advised that it would be placed as the first matter on the agenda. 6. OUTDOOR SKATEBOARD FACILITY The Committee was in receipt of a report from Messrs. R. Wyatt and J. Cooper, dated February 19, 1997, responding to the request for a skateboard facility. The Committee advised that this report was for information only and that it would come back to the Committee for consideration at its meeting of Monday, March 17, 1997. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned the amount of $150,000, stating that he thought the amount which Council had agreed to was $50,000. 7. KITCHENER-WILMOT HYDRO - TREE PLANTING PARTNERSHIP The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, dated February 17, 1997, outlining the co-operation which the City has received from Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro with respect to participation in the City's tree planting and naturalization program. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That we express appreciation and thanks to the Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Commission for their ongoing participation in the City of Kitchener's tree planting and naturalization program, and further, That the Mayor send a letter of appreciation on behalf of Council." 8. SALE OF SURPLUS SCHOOL SITE - PIONEER PARK Mr. T. Clancy distributed a report at the meeting with respect to the purchase of a surplus school site at Pioneer Drive and Homer Watson Boulevard. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that he was not opposed to the motion except that he would ask that the recommendation contained in the staff report be amended to show that the surplus school site is being purchased from the Waterloo County Board of Education. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: 8. SALE OF SURPLUS SCHOOL SITE - PIONEER PARK (CONT'D) "That the City of Kitchener purchase the surplus school site, from the Waterloo County COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 24, 1997 -18- CITY OF KITCHENER 10. Board of Education, at Pioneer Drive and Homer Watson Boulevard, as per their letter of November 27, 1996, from Mr. G. Barnard, Administrator of Business Services, and further, That we develop a phased series of payments over several years, relating to an agreed upon value." INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 4:20 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary