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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1999-04-12CSC\1999-04-12 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 12, 1999 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 2:15 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, Councillor M. Yantzi. Mayor C. Zehr, Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison and Councillor J. Ziegler entered the meeting shortly after its commencement. Others present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. L. Pasternak, Ms. A. Duffy, Messrs. J. Gazzola, T. Clancy, R. Wyatt, R. Weber, G. Kett and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. GRASS CUTTING CONTRACT SERVICES The Committee was in receipt of a report, from Kim Nihls, Supervisor of Turf, dated March 25, 1999, recommending that the City of Kitchener renew the grass cutting services contract with K-W Habitation for 1999. The committee was also in receipt of a requested amendment to the recommendation to allow the Mayor and Clerk to sign an agreement as prepared by the City Solicitor. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway, it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener renewed the grass cutting services contract for 1999, with K-W Habitation Services, for a total estimated cost of $36,229.00, and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to sign an agreement with K-W Habitation for grass cutting services, as prepared by the City Solicitor." 2. SIGNING AUTHORITY - LIQUOR LICENCE RENEWALS - GOLF COURSES The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. G. Kett, Manager, Cemetery and Golf Course Operations, dated February 18, 1999, recommending that Council delegate the authority to sign LLBO Liquor Licence Renewal Application to the Golf Course Supervisors. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway, it was resolved: "That Council delegate to each of the supervisors of Doon Valley Golf Course and Rockway Golf Course, and in their absence, to the Manager of Cemetery and Golf Course Operations, the authority to sign LLBO Liquor Licence Renewal Applications for their respective facilities." 3. DELEGATION - K.P.L. - LIBRARY LINKS FOR LIFE PROGRAM Ms. M. Walshe of the K.P.L. was in attendance to advise the Committee of the Library Links for Life Program, being a new program run by the K.P.L., in conjunction with their partners. Ms. Walshe advised that the target group for the program is children from birth to six years of age. She noted that there has been a serious concern about the reading readiness of children starting school. She noted that many of these children don't have access to books. Ms. Walshe then advised if the partners, both volunteer and financial partners who have contributed to this program, where the books are located and the proposed expansion of the program. Ms. Walshe also advised of how this program has worked in the Women's Prison, with mothers and grandmothers taping stories and sending the tapes and the books to their children and grandchildren. Ms. Walshe then noted the contribution of Ms. M. Sawa who made the program happen. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison stated that this is a very impressive program. She noted that the staff at the MilI-Courtland Community Centre have commented on how successful this program has been. Severally members of the Committee commented on how innovative this program is and thanked Ms. Walshe and her staff volunteers for their work on this program. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 127 1999 - 30 - CITY OF KITCHENER DELEGATION - VOLUNTEER ACTION CENTRE OF K-W AND AREA - GRANT APPEAL Ms. C. Taylor was in attendance on behalf of the Volunteer Action Centre of K-W and Area to appeal Council's decision of March 29, 1999, to take no action on the Center's grant request. The Committee was in receipt of a copy of the report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manager, dated March 16, 1999 and a copy of the grant application. Ms. Taylor explained that the Volunteer Action Centre co-ordinates the volunteer week activities and works with 133 agencies. This is a community wide event and that is why it is held in the Rotunda. She advised that they do not have a budget for this event. She noted that last year, it was held in the Breithaupt Centre, which they got at no charge. Councillor Lorentz advised that if Council's resolution is to be reconsidered, a Notice of Motion would be required today. Councillor J. Ziegler noted that most of the Center's revenues come from fund raising and donations. He questioned whether they include a budget when applying for grants. He questioned why they don't include this event as part of their annual grant applications and suggested they include this next year. Mayor C. Zehr advised that he agreed with Councillor Ziegler. Councillor B. Vrbanovic gave Notice of Motion that he would bring forward a motion to reconsider this grant application at next Monday night's Council meeting. Councillor M. Yantzi pointed out that we have not approved increases in grants for the pass few years. Councillor Vrbanovic stated that organizations such as this take a load off the Municipality and considerably enhance the quality of life in the community. He also noted that new fees for the Rotunda will be proposed, with a report coming to this committee shortly and the fees will be much less next year. Councillor Jake Smola noted that the City of Kitchener recognizes its volunteers also and after a brief discussion it was agreed that the Volunteer Action Centre and Parks and Recreation staff would discuss the possibility of a common volunteer appreciation event. Mayor C. Zehr advised that when the letters go out to the annual grant recipients, at the end of the year, they emphasize that an annual grant recipient will not be eligible for any additional grants during the year. Councillor G. Lorentz asked that a copy of this letter be attached to the next agenda. Councillor Jake Smola suggested that we should be identifying the groups we want to target for the Rotunda. DELEGATION - K-W SPECIAL OLYMPICS - GRANT REQUEST The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manager, dated April 7, 1999, recommending that the Committee not approve the grant request of the K-W Special Olympics, as they do not meet certain grant criteria. Mr. Wyatt address the Committee advising that he was now in receipt of information not available to him before. He advised that this organization does meet the grant criteria and staff are now in support of the request. Ms. A. Couchman and Ms. A. Bilodeau were in attendance to represent the grant request, explaining the propose of the event and changed Provincial rules. Ms. Couchman also advised of the various organizations they have applied to for funding. On motion by Councillor J. Zielger it was resolved: "That Council approve the request of the K-W Special Olympics for a cash grant in COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 127 1999 -31 - CITY OF KITCHENER DELEGATION - K-W SPECIAL OLYMPICS - GRANT REQUEST - CON'D the amount of $3,2(58.00, and an in-kind grant in the amount of $1,731.00, for their event to take place from July 30-August 1, 1999." DELEGATION - WATERLOO COUNTY AND AREA QUILT FESTIVAL - GRANT REQUEST The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manger, dated April 7, 1999, recommending that the grant application of the Waterloo County and Area Quilt Festival not be approved, as they do not met certain grant criteria. Ms. C. Dysart was in attendance to represent the grant request, advising that she was aware of the staff recommendation. She then provided the Committee with background information on the event, noting that it had attracted 22,000 visitors last year and it had the potential to become a national event. Ms. Dysart then advised of other funding applied for and/or received. Councillor M. Yantzi spoke in support of the grant and recommended that this organization be added to the list of organizations to be considered for annual grants. Several other members of the Committee spoke in support of the grant. Upon questioning, Mr. T. Clancy explained what is happening the former Registry Office. Councillor Haalboom suggested that it could be considered as the venue for the quilt display next year. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi it was resolved: "That we approve the request of the Waterloo County and Area Quilt Festival for a cash grant in the amount of $1,700.00 and an in-kind grant in the amount of $300.00 for the Waterloo County and Area Quilt Festival to be held from May 20-30, 1999, and further, That the Waterloo County and Area Quilt festival be added to the list of organizations to be considered for annual grants." CANADIAN WORLD YOUTH - GRANT REQUEST It was noted that the delegation registered to represent this grant application was not in attendance. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manager, dated April 7, 1999, recommending that this grant application not be approved, as it does not need certain grant criteria. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi it was resolved: "That no action be taken on the request of the Canada World Youth for a grant in the amount of $1,000.00." DELEGATIONS - BETTY THOMPSON YOUTH CENTRE - GRANT REQUEST Ms. C. Motz and Mr. C. McLean where in attendance, of behalf of the Betty Thompson Youth Centre for a cash grant in the amount of $10,000.00. The Committee was in receipt of a report of Mr. R. Wyatt interim Assistant General Manager, dated April 7, 1999, recommending that the grant not be approved. Ms. Motz addressed the Committee advising of the work currently done at the Youth Centre and of their current status. She also advised of the purpose of the grant. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 127 1999 - 32 - CITY OF KITCHENER DELEGATIONS - BETTY THOMPSON YOUTH CENTRE - GRANT REQUEST - CONT'D Mr. McLean advised the Committee that they are seeking a grant to address a growing need for a program for anger management in the 12-15 year old category, and there are no such programs currently available for this age group. He noted that the grant would allowed them to create a template for an anger management program, which could then be used by other organizations. He noted that a program of this nature could prevent them from becoming troubled youth at an older age. Councillor T. Galloway suggested they contact Community Health at the Region and was advised that the Centre is looking for partnerships with other community groups. A discussion then took place concerning those areas that the City funds and those funded by the Region. Councillor M. Yantzi suggested that they contact the Federal Crime Prevention Program and Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison advised that she agreed with Councillor Yantzi. Councillor T. Galloway put forward a motion of no action on the grant request and that consideration be given to adding this group to the list of annual grants for City services, such as recreational opportunities or transit assistance. He noted the he remembered when the organization approached the City for a start-up grant and the City agreed to a declining grant. He felt that Social Services should look at this. It was suggest that perhaps the Safe City Co-ordinator could help. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway it was resolved: That no action be taken on the request of the Betty Thompson Youth Centre for a cash grant in the amount of $10,000.00, and further That staff work with the Betty Thompson Youth Centre on the possibility of them becoming an annual grant organization relating to their recreational or transit requirements." DELEGATION - TRAUMA REDUCTION, INJURY PREVENTION & SAFETY COALITION Ms. C. Cooper was in attendance to represent the request of the Trauma Reduction, Injury Prevention & Safety Coalition's request for an in-kind grant in the amount of $466.87 to cover the cost of rental of the Rotunda on May 20, 1999. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R, Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manger, dated April 7, 1999, recommending that the grant not be approved. Ms. Cooper advised that they are co-ordinating the Ministry of Transportation's Road Safety Challenge. She explained the event noting that the members include one City staff person. Councillor M. Yantzi stated that this is a bureaucratic organization and staff time has been put in to this. He felt that it was an extension of our work as a Municipality and similar to many other open houses. He suggested that no fee be charged. On motion by Councilor M. Yantzi it was resolved: "That no fee be charged for the Trauma Reduction Injury Prevention and Safety Collation's use of the City Hall Rotunda on May 20, 1999." 10. DELEGATION - W.L.U. SCHOOL OF BUSINESS - COPORATE GOLF COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 127 1999 - 33 - CITY OF KITCHENER 11. Mr. G. Kett introduced three students from W.L.U. School of Business who had conducted marketing research on corporate use of the City Golf Courses. Mr. Kett distributed a brief report at the meeting and provided background and an overview of the study. The three students gave a PowerPoint presentation of their study, giving the background, focus for the future and alternatives. The presentation included the immediate, medium and long term goals for attracting corporate clients to the golf courses and implementing a corporate card with prepaid green fees and golf carts. Councillor T. Galloway thanked the students for their presentation and questioned whether the corporate system proposed could work from noon hour on and the students advised that it could. Councillor G. Lorentz and Mr. Kett thanked the students for their work. Mr. Kett noted that there is an absolute wealth of information contained in their report and he was excited to have had the opportunity to work with these students. He noted that he had several copies of the report, which he would provide to the Committee Administrator so that members of Council could access them. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:55 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 127 1999 - 34 - CITY OF KITCHENER