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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1998-05-11CSC\1998-05-11 MAY 11, 1998 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:35 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor John Smola, Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor M. Yantzi and Councillor J. Ziegler. Mayor C. Zehr, Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison and Councillor B. Vrbanovic were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston, Messrs. J. Gazzola, T. Clancy, R. Wyatt, P. Beaudry, J. Shivas, M. Price D. Daly and Ms. D. Gilchrist. Councillor G. Lorentz advised that a fire station headquarters design meeting would be held today at 3:00 p.m.. 1. TRANS CANADA TRAIL - PARTICIPATION IN PROGRAM The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. P. Wetherup, Parks Planner, and Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, dated May 4, 1998, recommending that the City link with the Trans Canada Trail. Mr. T. Clancy was in attendance and introduced the report. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That Council endorse, in principle, the concept of linking the Trans Canada Trail from Cambridge to Elora; as outlined in Plan 3 of the report of Mr. P. Wetherup, Park Planner, dated May 4, 1998, and further, That we approach the Trans Canada Trail Committee with the intention of registering a section of the trail through the City of Kitchener as part of the Trans Canada Trail." 2. APPOINTMENT TO PUBLIC ART COMMITTEE The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. M. Price, Manager, Arts, Culture, Events, and Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, dated May 4, 1998, recommending the appointment of Keith Masterman and Robert Achtemichuk to the Public Art Committee. Mr. M. Price introduced the report. On motion by Councillor Jake Smola - it was resolved: "That Mr. Keith Masterman and Mr. Robert Achtemichuk be appointed to the Public Art Committee for a term to expire November 30, 1998." 3. BULLAS FOUNTAIN STATUARY The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. M. Price, Manager, Culture, Events, Leisure Programs, and Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, dated May 4, 1998, recommending the purchase of the Bullas Bros. Furniture statuary. Councillor J. Haalboom recommended that the report be deferred for 2 weeks for a further appraisal. Councillor J. Ziegler recommended that the cost of the repairs be obtained as well. Councillor T. Galloway questioned to what extent the Public Art Committee was involved in this process and Mr. Price responded that this was direction for staff to investigate but the Public Art Committee was aware of it. On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom - it was resolved: "That consideration of the report of Mr. M. Price, Manager, Arts, Culture, Special Events, dated May 4, 1998, recommending the purchase of the Bullas Bros. Furniture statuary, be deferred for a further appraisal and an estimate on the cost of repairs." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 1998 - 41 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. FEES AND CHARGES POLICY Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. P. Beaudry, Manager of Aquatics, and Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, Parks and Recreation, dated May 6, 1998, recommending that a project team be established to develop a review process, implement that review process and ultimately formulate a comprehensive fees and charges policy for the Parks and Recreation Department. Mr. T. Clancy addressed the Committee stating that this is a somewhat different approach which he thinks is innovative. He advised that the staff were aware that they must watch for pitfalls along the way. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting at this time. Mr. P. Beaudry reviewed the report and the background information contained therein. He advised that it includes Council in the process as the policy is being developed. He advised that he is hoping for an end result by the end of this year, to have the policy in place for next year. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether this ties in with the golf course fees. Mr. T. Clancy advised that the golf course will be coming back with a report. He stated that the philosophy should be consistent between the enterprises and the non-enterprises. Councillor T. Galloway then questioned whether there would be an implementation plan for those fees which are currently out of whack. Mr. Beaudry advised that they would have to develop plans for those fees which are inconsistent with the policy. Councillor John Smola questioned whether we are going to look at fees in a global view and come up with a general policy. Mr. Beaudry advised that he is hoping that this will set guidelines so that every year there are no problems setting the fees. The intent is to maintain the fees each year without going through a lot of trouble. Councillor Jake Smola felt that the golf course was the driving force behind this report. He questioned whether we would be looking at our competitors fees. Mr. T. Clancy responded that staff will be bringing comparisons from other municipalities. Councillor G. Lorentz questioned who from staff would be on the team and Mr. Beaudry advised that they had not been appointed yet. Councillor Lorentz noted that staff are requesting 2 members from Council to be on this project team. Mr. T. Clancy responded that because of the concept and the development of the philosophy, he thought it would be better to work with Council through the process. Councillors John Smola and Jake Smola volunteered to be on the study team. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That a project team be established to develop a review process, implement the review process and ultimately formulate a comprehensive fees and charges policy for the Parks and Recreation Department, based on the criteria outlined in the report of Mr. P. Beaudry, Manager of Aquatics, dated May 6, 1998, and further, That Councillors John and Jake Smola be appointed to the project team." Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this time. 5. DELEGATION - OPEN EARS FESTIVAL Mr. T. Clancy introduced Ms. M. Leach of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony who advised of the program planned for the "Open Ears Festival" to take place in Kitchener this coming weekend. Ms. Leach distributed pamphlets, posters and ID Magazines to the members 5. DELEGATION - OPEN EARS FESTIVAL (CONT'D) MAY 1 1, 1998 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - 42 - CITY OF KITCHENER of Council. She thanked Council for its support for the festival. Ms. Leach advised of the cost of tickets and passes and also advised that there would be some free concerts. EASTERN ONTARIO DISASTER RELIEF COMMITTEE Councillor T. Galloway referred to the letter from the Eastern Ontario Disaster Relief Committee contained in the information items in the agenda. He advised that he had previously asked for a report on what the City of Kitchener could donate in this regard. He asked for the matter to be stricken from the unfinished business agenda as it seems no longer to be required. Mr. T. Clancy advised that they are still $5M short and have been asking municipalities to help them out. Councillor Galloway stated that the City of Kitchener directed its funds through the Red Cross. He asked that it be taken from the unfinished agenda. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That item #3 be removed from the Community Services Committee unfinished agenda." VICTORIA HILLS COMMUNITY GARDEN Councillor C. Weylie referred to item #8 on the Committee's unfinished business agenda. She stated that staff had advised that 12 to 14 sites are available in the area and requested a list of the sites. Mr. T. Clancy advised that he would make this list available to her. Mr. J. Gazzola stated that he did not want to make the list public until it had been reviewed and considered as to whether all of these sites were appropriate. DELEGATION -VICTORIA PARK BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT/CONCESSION OPERATION Mr. M. Teppo was in attendance to answer any questions the Committee might have in regards to the report of staff recommending that an agreement be entered into with him for operation of the Victoria Park Boathouse Tea Room. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Manager, Athletics, Community Arenas, Design & Development, dated May 4, 1998, in this regard. Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked Mr. Teppo for coming forward, as he felt this was a great idea. Mr. Teppo advised that he is obtaining an estimate on the windows and doors to be replaced, as he would like to see more air flow. He advised that he is referring to the windows and screen doors on the water side of the Boathouse. Councillor J. Haalboom questioned whether Mr. Teppo would be working with the existing openings and he advised that he would be. A brief discussion then took place with respect to the food carts. Mayor C. Zehr questioned whether this was a 12 month operation or seasonal and Mr. Teppo advised that he would like to run 12 months but it may not be all the time, depending on the circumstances. Mr. R. Wyatt explained the process which had been undertaken stating that the normal process was not successful and it was only through the efforts of Councillor M. Yantzi that Mr. Teppo and 3 others were found. He stated that staff had not had an opportunity to sit down with Mr. Teppo to work out all the details and that is why the recommendation of staff includes that the agreement must be satisfactory to the City Solicitor. Councillor M. Yantzi stated that he thought that this was an exciting proposal to have a tea room and an ice cream parlour. He stated that there will be an open air festival in the park this weekend and he is hoping that this matter can be considered by Council today in order to allow Mr. Teppo to open for this weekend. Councillor B. Vrbanovic put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. Councillor Vrbanovic stated that if a final agreement is not reached by this weekend, he would 8. DELEGATION - VICTORIA PARK BOATHOUSE RESTAURANT/CONCESSION OPERATION (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 11, 1998 - 43 - CITY OF KITCHENER like to have Mr. Teppo be able to open this weekend for the open air festival. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Michael Teppo for a term of 5 years, and a 5 year renewal option, to operate The Boathouse Tea Room at the Victoria Park Boathouse with the terms of such agreement being satisfactory to the City Solicitor, and further, That every effort be made to allow Mr. Teppo to operate in the Victoria Park Boathouse for the Victoria Day weekend, including a temporary agreement, if necessary." 9. DELEGATION - SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL Ms. A. Klassen and Ms. T. Beaulne were in attendance on behalf of the Social Planning Council to present a report titled "Support of Families with Children Ages 0 - 6 Years in Kitchener" which was tabled with the Committee at the April 27th meeting. Ms. Klassen gave some background to this report and reviewed the identified gaps, the role of the City and the 9 suggestions contained in the report. Ms. Klassen also reviewed the statistics and the conclusion by issues and capacities. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether Ms. Klassen was aware of any other communities which had taken such comprehensive view. He then questioned whether this was a city jurisdiction, regional jurisdiction or jurisdiction of another body and also questioned where we draw the line between the levels of responsibility. He also noted that there was no budget attached to the recommendations and questioned what budget consequences there would be as there is no funding request. Ms. Klassen advised that this is focusing on staff time and it is not speaking to funding at this time. Mr. T. Clancy stated that this was probably a great opportunity for community development and it would help staff set some direction. He suggested that this might go back to Management Committee to come back to this Committee with a consensus for approach. There are so many things the City is doing which are heading in this direction. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he was supportive but questioned how these things were inter-related. Councillor J. Haalboom stated that the report speaks to a broader issue including physical planning of subdivisions. She stated that there is a greater philosophical issue, as to where this community is heading. Ms. Beaulne asked the Committee to remember this report was requested by Council last summer. She questioned whether the Committee wanted the Planning Department involved. Councillor J. Haalboom stated that it should be considered in conjunction with a demographic report from the Department of Planning and Development. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison thanked the delegations for preparing the report and coming today. She stated that she agreed with Mr. Clancy and Councillor Haalboom and suggested that the report go to the City's Management Committee. A brief discussion took place with respect to formal and informal programs and Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison stated that the informal programs are at least as important as the formal programs. She recommended that the report go forward and be passed on to other groups. Councillor M. Yantzi felt that the more informal and the more local the programs the more there were a City responsibility. He recommended that staff time be spent to work with groups such as churches to use these facilities better. 9. DELEGATION - SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL (CONT'D) Councillor G. Lorentz thanked the delegations for the report and all the work put into it. He noted MAY 1 1, 1998 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES - 44 - CITY OF KITCHENER 10. that Ms. M.A. Wasilka was in attendance and offered her an opportunity to make a presentation. Ms. Wasilka stated that she had been working on a similar report including a cost benefit analysis. Ms. Wasilka referred to a U.S. study stating that the cost savings for every dollar in care given to children between 0 - 6 years of age saved approximately $11.00 over the long term. She then spoke of other books and information that she had obtained which indicates a value to a society in caring for children. She stated that she also agreed that the Planning Department should be involved. She stated that when you invest in preschoolers the costs all the way down the line are saved and people are happier. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that Ms. Wasilka should be working together with the Social Planning Council to come back with a community approach. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the report of the Social Planning Council titled "Supporting Families with Children Ages 0 6 Years in Kitchener", dated January 1998, be deferred and referred to Management Committee for co-ordination and an estimate of costs; with a report to be presented to the Community Services Committee on September 28, 1998." ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary