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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1998-06-08CSC\1998-06-08 JUNE 8, 1998 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:50 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor John Smola, Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison and Councillor J. Ziegler. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. L. Gove, Messrs. J. Gazzola, T. Clancy, R. Arnot, D. Daly and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. DELEGATION - CHRISTKINDL MARKET 1998 Mr. T. Bergmeier was in attendance to present the request of the Christkindl Market 1998 for an in- kind grant in the amount of $10,000.00 to cover the in-kind costs for the 1998 Christkindl Market to be held December 10 - 13, 1998. Mr. Bergmeier addressed the Committee and read a list of the members of the committee introducing 2, sitting in the gallery. He advised that he had been in Germany recently and the German Christkindl markets have cups, which are being proposed for the 1998 Christkindl Market in Kitchener. He stated that they eliminate paper cups; they are a remembrance and they also might make a profit. He stated that the cups will be green. Mr. Bergmeier went on to explain that this year the market will be bigger, with 70 vendors instead of the 50 in 1997. He stated that they are going to take in the upstairs of the Rotunda this year and they have now run out of inside space. They will also increase the amount of entertainment. With respect to the budget, Mr. Bergmeier referred the members to the proposed budget attached to the agenda. He stated that this year they are looking for financial support in the amount of $10,000.00. He noted that last year they returned to the City $11,304.64. He stated that they are asking for help again this year and whatever is left over will go back to the City. Mr. Bergmeier then showed the Committee a bottle, advising that they are proposing to run a booth selling hot mulled wine in 1998 and that the Symphony Committee volunteers will supply the volunteers for the booth and they will split the profits 50/50. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned how much their grant had been last year and was advised that their grant was $10,000.00 and they returned $11,304.64 to the City. Councillor Ziegler suggested that they would probably make more money than the cost of the grant. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned whether the mug would be dated and Mr. Bergmeier advised that it would not, as they don't know how well it will sell. Councillor Lorentz then referred to the wooden Christmas trees and Mr. Bergmeier advised that they have 4 trees on offer, for free. Last year the mechanism to tie down the tree was put in place, so it is available for this year's market. Mr. Bergmeier then stated that they see this being a self-funding event in the future and suggested that the City set up an account for this money. He also stated that, in time, he would see this Christkindl Market incorporating as Oktoberfest is incorporated. He suggested that the City set up an account and keep the proceeds from each Christkindl Market, as he anticipates they will be coming back year after year. Ms. P. Houston offered a clarification stating that in 1997 the City offered a grant to the Christkindl Market in the amount of $23,000.00, part of it being a one-time grant and part of it being an in-kind grant. There were additional costs which came through after the financial statements were prepared and she advised that in fact they made a profit of $3,800.00. Councillor T. Galloway put forward a motion to approve the in-kind grant in the amount of $10,000.00. He stated that it was an exciting event and there are very few times when the City sees a profit from these grants. He felt that it was worthy of the City's support. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That we approve the request of the Christkindl Market 1998 for an in-kind grant in the amount of $10,000.00 for the event to take place on December 10 - 13, 1998." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 8, 1998 - 54 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DELEGATION - CANNABIS AWARENESS PROJECT Mr. D. Charney was in attendance on behalf of the Cannabis Awareness Project to request permission to use space in Victoria Park for their event to take place on July 25, 1998. He advised that their group wants to push for the decriminalization of cannabis and they are requesting a grant. He advised that the City staff had told him that there will be a fee for their fundraising in the amount of $290.00 and he wants the fee granted or reduced significantly. Mr. Charney advised that should Council allow the use of this space for this event it does not show that Council is approving of this but that they are approving of freedom of expression. This is a public space and it is the only space where they can promote this idea. He stated that this is public space and they want to express public ideas. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned whether they were really asking for a grant and Mr. Charney responded that they were not asking for money but just the use of the space. Mr. R. Arnot advised that the $290.00 is a licence fee for a bake sale. Mr. Charney then stated that there are 2 issues, the first being freedom of speech and the second being the fundraiser; however, he noted that the fundraiser is a side issue and the main issue is the freedom of speech. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned whether they would need access to power and Mr. Charney advised that he was aware that the cost of electricity is $20/hour and they are O.K. with this amount. Councillor G. Lorentz then questioned whether they were promoting the use of cannabis at this event and Mr. Charney advised that they would not be advocating drug use. Their speakers will not be promoting this, only that it should not be illegal. Councillor G. Lorentz then stated that Council would have to have some kind of assurance that this will be a law abiding group using this site. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned whether they were going to marshal this event and ask people who would be smoking not to smoke. Mr. Charney advised that they would not be marshalling the event. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison questioned what they will be selling and what will they be made of. Mr. Charney advised that they had not decided exactly what would be sold at the fundraiser or if it would just be a request for donations and stated that there may be some baked goods and perhaps hemp bracelets. Councillor J. Ziegler put forward a motion to allow the Cannabis Awareness Project to use space in Victoria Park, on July the 25th, and that they pay the incidental costs incurred and that they obtain a licence to sell at the event. Councillor J. Haalboom asked for a recorded vote. Councillor T. Galloway advised that he could not support this motion as the event organizers do not intend to marshal the event. He stated that it is inherent in this type of event that there would be problems and given that the City knows what will happen it would be remiss if it approved this request. Councillor John Smola advised that he was in agreement with Councillor T. Galloway and that he does not want the police in the park and he does not want to have a problem there. He stated that he was concerned that the group would not marshal the event. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison stated that she agreed with the freedom of expression for a legal event but had concerns about the fact that the group does not propose to marshal the event. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that he would change his motion to include a condition that the event be marshalled to the satisfaction of City staff. Councillor John Smola stated that he thought perhaps the police should be satisfied with the marshalling of the event. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that staff should decide whether 1 or 2 marshalls are required and should train these people on how to properly marshall the event. He stated that marshalling is a safeguard and if our staff want to contact the police for instruction that would be O.K.. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That, subject to paying all expenses incurred and subject to the event organizers marshalling the event to the satisfaction of City staff, we approve the request of the Cannabis Awareness Project to hold a rally at Victoria Park on Saturday, June 25, 1998, from noon to 4:20 p.m., and further, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 8, 1998 - 55 - CITY OF KITCHENER DELEGATION - CANNABIS AWARENESS PROJECT (CONT'D) That the Cannabis Awareness Project shall pay for and obtain all necessary licences for this event." In favour: Councillor John Smola, Councillor G. Lorentz, Councillor K. Taylor- Harrison, Councillor J. Ziegler. Contra: Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor T. Galloway. Carried. MAYOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL ON YOUTH The Committee was provided, under separate cover, with a copy of the grant application for the Mayor's Advisory Council on Youth requesting an in-kind grant in the amount of $756.43 for use of the Civic Square for an event called the Canada Day Youth Talent Showcase. There was a brief discussion on where this money should come from and whether it should come from the Mayor's account. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That we approve the request of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Youth for an in-kind grant, in the amount of $756.43 for their Canada Day Youth Talent Showcase to take place in Civic Square on June 30, 1998." A CHRISTMAS FANTASY IN VICTORIA PARK The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, dated June 3, 1998, as a follow-up to the presentation made at the Community Services Committee meeting of May 25, 1998. Mr. Clancy addressed the Committee and advised that this was really an information report and that the Committee had approved the grant in principle. He noted that the Committee had been concerned because it thought that the Hydro workers volunteered their time to this event and City staff get paid. Mr. Clancy noted that our staff do volunteer here and our staff have volunteered in many situations such as Goderich and Durham and the recent problem in Eastern Ontario. He also noted that this event has changed and over the years more and more things have been added. He stated that the method of accounting is not the issue. Mr. Clancy advised that if the City has to pay the costs then the money has to be taken from somewhere else. He also noted that he had sent this report to Mr. Loney last Thursday hoping that he would come to this meeting. He also noted that this event started out with no financial requests of the City and it has now turned into a significant amount of money. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:28 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary