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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1998-09-28CSC\1998-09-28 SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, under the chairmanship of Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:40 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor John Smola, Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor C. Weylie and Councillor J. Ziegler. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others present: Ms. A. Duffy, Ms. P. Houston, Ms. D. Arnold, Messrs. T. Clancy, R. Arnot, J. Shivas, D. Daly, R. Wyatt, T. O'Brien, G. Kett and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. DELEGATION CHRIST LUTHERAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL - PLAYGROUND GRANT REQUEST The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. O'Brien, Landscape Architect, dated September 22, 1998, recommending that the City award a grant in the amount of $750.00 towards the purchase and installation of a new children's playground facility for Christ Lutheran Elementary School, in accordance with the City's policy governing playground equipment grants for schools and community groups. Ms. P. Swatridge was in attendance to represent the grant request and answer any questions the Committee might have in this regard. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That we approve a grant to Christ Lutheran Elementary School, in the amount of $750.00, in 1998, towards the purchase and installation of a new children's playground facility for the school, in accordance with the City of Kitchener policy governing playground equipment grants for school and community groups." Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked staff including Messrs. T. O'Brien and R. Wyatt for their help with this playground. WILLOW LAKE PARK The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, dated September 23, 1998, providing background information and a recommendation that the City name the park on Old Mill Road at Pinnacle Drive "Willow Lake Park". Councillor J. Haalboom provided some historic background in this regard. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That Council name the park on Old Mill Road at Pinnacle Drive "Willow Lake Park"." FORMER SMILES 'N CHUCKLES PROPERTY - PURCHASE OF PORTION OF OPEN SPACE The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. P. Wetherup, Parks Planner, dated September 23, 1998, recommending that the City enter into negotiations with the developer of the former Smiles 'N Chuckles property to purchase a parcel of land to be added to the parkland to be dedicated to the City of Kitchener. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned the valuation of the land and, after an explanation from Mr. T. Clancy, put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this time. Councillor John Smola noted that there is a pile of concrete on this site. He advised that he had concerns about the proposal considering that Council pushed the public works required for this site forward in the Capital Forecast. He felt the City should not pay anything for Lot 20. 3. FORMER SMILES 'N CHUCKLES PROPERTY - PURCHASE OF PORTION OF OPEN SPACE COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 - 84 - CITY OF KITCHENER (CONT'D) Mr. T. Clancy advised that the whole issue was discussed at Management Committee and conditions have changed. Several members of the Committee stated that they agreed with Councillor John Smola. Councillor T. Galloway advised that he had some of the same concerns, although he did agree with the purchase of Lot 20. He questioned whether the purchase could be tied into the issuance of a building permit for Lot 21. After an explanation from staff, Councillor T. Galloway suggested an amendment to the recommendation that the purchase of Lot 20 take place upon completion of the grading of the park, which Councillor J. Ziegler accepted as a friendly amendment. Mr. J. Shivas stated that the recommendation is only to enter into negotiations and this can be included as part of the negotiations. Some members of the Committee again expressed concerns about the state of the site. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison stated that infill development in the downtown does not sell as well as in other areas in the city. She noted the Capital Forecast items were pushed through because it was the only way the land could be sold. Mayor C. Zehr stated that the circumstances are what they are. Council must deal with this as best it can. He felt that Council must deal with the known information and possibly this could let other lots sell faster. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener enter into negotiations with the developer (Broward Landev Corp.) of the former Smiles 'N Chuckles property to purchase a parcel of land, identified as Block 20 on the plan attached to the report of Mr. P. Wetherup, Parks Planner, dated September 23, 1998, for park purposes, and further, That no purchase of Block 20 of the former Smiles N' Chuckles property take place until the grading of the park is complete." Councillor John Smola asked it to be noted that he voted in opposition to this motion. 4. WILLOW GARDENS - NEW SECTION AT WILLIAMSBURG CEMETERY The Committee members were provided, under separate cover, with a report from Ms. L. Eckel- Braun, Supervisor of Cemeteries, dated September 24, 1998, with an accompanying draft by-law and tariff of charges, with respect to the Willows Cremation Garden at the Williamsburg Cemetery. Mr. G. Kett was in attendance and introduced the report advising that these are housekeeping items. He advised that the Willow Gardens lies between the dedication centre, the wetland and the lake and it is being developed solely for cremation. Councillor J. Ziegler questioned the prices in the tariff. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That Chapter 210 of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code be amended in accordance with the Draft By-Law attached to the report of Ms. L. Eckel-Braun, Supervisor of Cemeteries, dated September 24, 1998, to provide for Willows Cremation Gardens, and further, 4. WILLOW GARDENS - NEW SECTION AT WILLIAMSBURG CEMETERY (CONT'D) That the Cemeteries Division Tariff of Charges be amended in accordance with the Draft Tariff, attached to the report of Ms. L. EckeI-Braun, Supervisor of Cemeteries, dated COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 - 85 - CITY OF KITCHENER September 24, 1998, to provide for the fees to be charged at Willows Cremation Garden, and further, That staff be authorized to forward copies to the Registrar of the Cemeteries Regulation Branch." 5. EXEMPTION TO CHAPTER 210 OF THE CITY OF KITCHENER MUNICIPAL CODE The Committee was provided, at the meeting, with copies of the memorandum from Councillor B. Vrbanovic, with respect to a request for an exemption to Chapter 210 of the Municipal Code regarding the details, sizing and positioning of a memorial in Section W in Woodland Cemetery. Mr. G. Kett advised that staff have been working with this family for a considerable amount of time and explained the situation to the Committee. He also advised that staff are generally supportive of this request. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Manager of Cemetery & Golf Course Operations be directed to finalize arrangements with Mrs. B. Misselbrook regarding the details of the sizing and positioning of her memorial in Section W in Woodland Cemetery, and further, That a report be brought back to the Community Services Committee which outlines the final details of the agreement." 6. PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC PLAN Mr. T. Clancy presented the Committee with the Parks and Recreation Department 1998 - 1999 Strategic Plan. He advised that there have been some changes since the plan was developed. He stated that he would come back to this Committee in a couple of months with the changes. Assisted by Ms. A. Duffy, Mr. Clancy reviewed the 16 objectives in the strategic plan through a PowerPoint presentation. Mayor C. Zehr thanked Mr. Clancy, noting that the plan had more of a corporate view than a departmental view. He stated that there were a lot of good initiatives and questioned whether the new levels of service had budget implications. Mr. Clancy responded that a lot of the initiatives are a better way of working. Some new services will be coming along, but not at this time. A brief discussion took place concerning the exclusion of arts and culture, specifically, from the vision and mission statements. A discussion also took place respecting community development, with some members confused as to exactly what role is played by the department in community development. It was noted that other departments are also involved in community development. Mr. R. Arnot noted that there is a Community Development Committee which is a cross- departmental committee, that will be reporting to Council in the future. The Committee then discussed the strategic planning process and the role of volunteers in Parks and Recreation programs. 7. GOLF COURSE MEMBERSHIP Councillor T. Galloway noted that, at the October 26th Community Services Committee meeting, the golf course membership issue comes back. He noted that he had attended the open house and a group of members have taken it upon themselves to meet. He asked that a couple of members of Council participate in discussions with this group. The wisdom of meeting with small groups was then discussed. 7. GOLF COURSE MEMBERSHIP (CONT'D) Mayor C. Zehr noted that staff are preparing a report, for the meeting, with options. He requested that the report be made available to the Committee members at least one week prior to the meeting. He requested that it be distributed in the Council packages on October 16th. He COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 - 86 - CITY OF KITCHENER suggested that the matter not be discussed on October 26th if the report could not be made available at least one week in advance. Mr. Clancy advised that the report would be available as requested by the Mayor and copies would be made available to the public. 8. COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM UPDATE Mayor C. Zehr and Mr. T. Clancy gave an update with respect to the Communities in Bloom competition. Mr. Clancy advised that the City of Kitchener took 2nd place and he was very happy with that. Mayor C. Zehr advised that he enjoyed seeing all the other communities involved in this event and that even the smaller communities were amazing. He thanked all the community for participating in this community project and offered special thanks to Mr. T. Clancy for his involvement. 9. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:07 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary