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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1999-08-16CSC\1999-08-16 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 16, 1999 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor T. Galloway, commencing at 2:15 p.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr, Councillor J. Haalboom, Councillor John Smola, Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison, Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor M. Yantzi and Councillor J. Ziegler. Others present: Ms. A. Duffy, Messrs. J. Gazzola, T. Clancy, J. Witmer, P. Beaudry, K. Baulk, P. Sinnott, M. Price, G. Nixon and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. SURPLUS LAND - STANMORE AVENUE The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manager, undated, letters from the owners of 57 and 61 Stanmore Avenue, a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manager, dated June 17, 1999, and a letter from Mr. G. Andersen, Land Purchasing Officer, dated June 28, 1999, all with respect to declaring surplus to the City's needs a parcel of land known as Part Block 69, Registered Plan 1826, located between 57 and 61 Stanmore Avenue. It was noted that Ms. V. Rotar had registered as a delegation for this meeting but was unable to attend. Mr. T. Clancy addressed the Committee advising that there are neighbours letters attached to the agenda and the neighbours are concerned because people are using their property. The question was raised as to whether Councillor Jake Smola is still concerned about access to the park and Mr. G. Nixon advised that he is still concerned; however, staff's position is the same. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether the neighbours are willing to purchase the land and Mr. Nixon advised that they are and they are willing to pay all the legal and surveying costs involved. On motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That Part Block 69, Registered Plan 1826 providing access to Stanmore Avenue, located between 57 and 61 Stanmore Avenue be declared surplus to the City's needs and transferred to the abutting owners at nominal land cost plus all costs associated with a reference plan and legal transfers of title; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute documents as required and approved by the City Solicitor." 2. BOTULISM OUTBREAK IN VICTORIA PARK The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, dated August 10, 1999, with respect to an outbreak of avian botulism in the Schneider Creek and Victoria Park Lake area. Mr. J. Planck of Limnoterra Ltd. was in attendance to present his preliminary findings with respect to this outbreak of botulism. It was noted by Mr. Clancy that a full report would be presented to the Committee at a future meeting. Mr. Planck then gave a computer presentation outlining the situation advising that he had examined data over the past 11 years, since 1988, and spoke of his observations and a possible sequence of events. He noted the various recommendations that have been proposed over the years to rectify this situation which included such things as an increase in the water depth, draining the body of water, draining the upstream wetland pockets, putting the base flow of upstream channels into rock gravel sub-drains, restricting the base flow channels to a minimal size in upstream areas among others. Mr. Planck noted that in the next week it is predicted that the temperatures will be approximately 28 degrees celsius and he felt that this weather would allow for a diagnosis. Mr. Planck and Mr. Clancy answered various questions from the Committee in this regard. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether the final report would have an action plan for the Capital Budget. Mr. Clancy responded that it is anticipated and hopefully there will be 5 or 10 steps to the action plan which will be included in the Capital Forecast. He noted that the City would be facing this situation everytime there is a hot, dry summer. 3. KITCHENER-WATERLOO TOURISM - MILLENNIUM PROJECTS Ms. S. Millar and Mr. R. Smith, Chair of the Media Committee, where in attendance on behalf of COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 167 1999 - 59 - CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener-Waterloo Tourism to give a brief presentation with respect to their theme and special KITCHENER-WATERLOO TOURISM - MILLENNIUM PROJECTS (CONT'D) events being planned for the millennium. Ms. Millar advised that this presentation would be made at a public meeting to be held on Wednesday. With the assistance of a computer presentation, in conjunction with a printed handout distributed at the meeting, Ms. Millar explained the "Cherish the Past ... Celebrate the Future" theme for their marketing proposal for a millennium celebration. Ms. Millar noted that this would be a year long celebration. Some of those events being considered are: the Founding Families Program, a re-enactment of the Conestoga Wagon Trail from Lancaster County to Kitchener-Waterloo, a community festival and a Kitchener-Waterloo passport for millennium events. Ms. Millar explained each of these programs. Ms. Millar then referred to the back page of the printed handout asking that the Committee and Council endorse these recommendations. Several members of the Committee congratulated Ms. Millar on the proposal. Mayor C. Zehr offered his congratulations and advised that the invitations for the public meeting were endorsed by himself and Mayor Joan McKinnon. Ms. Millar answered several questions from the Committee with respect to the programs. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That City Council endorse Kitchener-Waterloo Tourism's "Cherish the Past ... Celebrate the Future" marketing proposal for a millennium celebration; and, Staff use the theme "Cherish the Past ... Celebrate the Future" as a common marketing element in municipal millennium events and publications and encourage community groups to incorporate the theme in their activities; and, That Kitchener-Waterloo Tourism be authorized to apply to the federal and provincial governments for special millennium project funding; and further, That the City of Kitchener request the Region of Waterloo to endorse the theme "Cherish the Past ... Celebrate the Future"." KITCHENER MINOR HOCKEY - BID TO HOST GERMAN WOMEN'S NATIONAL HOCKEY TEAM The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, dated August 4, 1999, recommending that the City of Kitchener support the bid to host the German Women's National Hockey Team for their World Championship Pre- competition Camp in the year 2000 and that the City approve a $2,000.00 grant to host a welcoming reception. Mr. T. Martindale of Kitchener Minor Hockey was in attendance in support of the staff recommendation. On motion by Councillor John Smola - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener supports the bid to host the German Women's National Hockey Team for their World Championship Pre-competition Camp from March 26 - April 1,2000; and further, That the City of Kitchener provide a grant of $2,000.00 to host a Welcoming Reception at the City Hall Rotunda." BROCHURE RACK PROMOTIONS PROJECT The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. P. Beaudry and Mr. R. Wyatt, dated June 22, 1999, with respect to a pilot project to locate brochure racks at Breithaupt Centre and Rockway Centre. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 167 1999 - 60 - CITY OF KITCHENER Questions were raised by members of the Committee with respect to having staff restock the BROCHURE RACK PROMOTIONS PROJECT (CONT'D) shelves and also the content of these brochures. Mr. Beaudry advised that the wording in 5a and 5c of the proposed contract with respect to contents comes from the City's Legal Department. He noted that there is a problem with listing things specifically as that there is a chance that something may be left out. With respect to stocking the shelves he advised that it is not an onerous task for staff as there is already somebody doing that for City brochures. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That Breithaupt Centre and Rockway Centre be designated as pilot sites for the Brochure Rack Promotions Project; and, That staff submit a comprehensive report on the Brochure Promotions Rack Pilot Project to the Community Services Committee prior to July 1,2000; and further, That the Centre SupervisodDivision Manager have delegated authority to sign the standard rental contract during the pilot project, in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor." CITY OF KITCHENER ENTRANCE SIGNS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. R. Wyatt, Interim Assistant General Manager, dated June 16, 1999, which had been circulated at the June 28, 1999 Community Services Committee meeting. It referred to a background report which had also been circulated at the June 28th meeting. Mr. P. Sinnott introduced the report advising that the City Entrance Sign Committee would like to look for a consultant. He questioned whether this Committee wanted the City Entrance Sign Committee to concentrate on a sign and entrance feature or just a sign. He noted that entrance elements are more expensive to develop because they are specific to the landscape. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned the need for a consultant, recommending that staff re-shuffle their priorities so they can accomplish this work. Mr. T. Clancy stated that staff are getting bogged down and can't keep up. There is also the issue that one of the members of design staff is taking a year's sabbatical. A brief discussion followed concerning partnering with an educational institution on this project. Mayor C. Zehr then referred to Rockway Gardens being an entrance feature and commented on the fact that the fountains still aren't operating. He stated that he did not want to put resources into new entrance features when this entrance feature still needs work. Councillor J. Haalboom supported Mayor Zehr's comments stating that Rockway Gardens is a significant entrance feature. She spoke against spending money on a consultant, as proposed by staff. Councillor Vrbanovic stated that he agreed with the Mayor; however, Rockway Gardens in now in the centre of the City and an entrance feature at the 401 is important for our community because of the volume of traffic. Mr. Clancy spoke of what has already been approved for Rockway Gardens and that Council has approved money in the budget for phase one. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the City Entrance Sign Committee be instructed to investigate an entrance feature for the 401 westbound lanes, considering desirable features; and, That the City Entrance Sign Committee look at developing partnerships with educational institutions for this project; and further, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 167 1999 -61 - CITY OF KITCHENER That design staff work on the entrance sign project and that no consultant shall be hired." SKILLS CANADA The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, dated August 4, 1999, requesting that the City support a bid to host the Skills Canada Provincial Competition at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex for a 5-year period. On motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener supports the bid to host the Skills Canada Provincial Competition at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex for a 5-year period from 2000 - 2004; and further, That Skills Canada representatives make any event grant requests on an annual basis." 8. ARMORY PARKING - KMA COMPLEX The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex, dated August 3, 1999, with respect to the City entering into negotiations with the Department of National Defense for shared parking and potential community use of the armory facility. Mr. Baulk introduced this report and answered various questions from the Committee. On motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener enter into negotiations with the Department of National Defense for shared parking at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex and armory sites; and further, That staff enter into discussions regarding potential community use of the armory facility." 9. KMA COMPLEX SKATE SHARPENING PRO SHOP The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk with respect to entering into an agreement with the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club to operate the Skate Sharpening Pro Shop at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex. Councillor T. Galloway declared a pecuniary interest in this matter as he is employed by the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club and did not participate in any discussion or voting with respect to this matter and Mayor C. Zehr chaired the meeting during consideration of this report. Mr. K. Baulk introduced the report and answered questions from the Committee. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement satisfactory to the City Solicitor which will provide the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club the right to operate the Skate Sharpening Pro Shop at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex for a 3-year term; and further, That the Kitchener Rangers Hockey Club pay the City of Kitchener 10% of the net profit which accrues from the operation of the Pro Shop." 10. TREE REMOVAL - CROCK AND BLOCK RESTAURANT 10. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, dated August 12, 1999, addressing the request of the manager of the Crock and Block Restaurant to remove 3 mature trees located on the right side of the restaurant. The Committee was also provided with TREE REMOVAL - CROCK AND BLOCK RESTAURANT (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 167 1999 - 62 - CITY OF KITCHENER 11. 12. the concerns of the general manager of the restaurant. Councillor J. Ziegler put forward a motion to remove the maple tree and not to remove the pine trees. Mr. Clancy explained the situation advising that he has discussed the matter with Mr. Moore. He noted that when it is a matter of removing mature trees, staff come to the Committee for a decision. A discussion took place over the needs of the restaurant and whether the restaurant could remove the tree which is 90% on their property. Councillor B. Vrbanovic felt the motion was taking an unreasonable approach considering the proponent was willing to plant trees at another location on the property and is doing this in an attempt to implement a Regional by-law. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That consideration of the request to remove trees at the Crock and Block Restaurant, 1211 King Street East, be deferred and referred to the Council meeting of August 30, 1999 to allow Mr. D. Moore, General Manager of the restaurant, and Mr. M. Mahaffey an opportunity to attend the meeting." INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. Councillor J. Haalboom raised the issue of an article from the New Hamburg Independent with respect to a public art to acknowledge the women who participated in World War II. Mr. T. Clancy responded and advised that staff would be involved with this. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 4:00 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator