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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 2000-02-07CSC\2000-02-07 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 2:08 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor T. Galloway, Councillor Jake Smola, Councillor John Smola, Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor M. Yantzi and Councillor J. Ziegler. Councillor J. Haalboom and Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. B. Aikenhead, Messrs. J. Gazzola, K. Baulk, R. Wyatt, G. Melanson, D. Daly, R. Pritchard, M. Price, G. Kett, T. Potworka and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. PROGRESS REPORT - SENIORS' WOODWORKING AND CRAFT CENTRE Mr. A. Forler appeared as a delegation to provide a progress report on Council's resolution of November 29, 1999, with respect to establishing a seniors' woodworking and craft centre in the City of Kitchener. The Committee was in receipt of correspondence from Ms. B. Aikenhead, Manager of Seniors, Leisure Programs and Support Services, dated January 31, 2000, attached to which was a comprehensive progress report. Mr. Forler provided a response to the direction required of staff in Council's November resolution, noting that they were not able to resolve the issue of location. Mr. Forler advised that a number of buildings had been identified and 27 were visited, none of which were suitable. Concerning community support for this project, Mr. Forler advised that various methods had been used to obtain this information and 200 responses were received. Of the 200 responses, 118 indicated an interest in helping with the organization of this centre. Mr. Forler concluded that they were unable to find a suitable building, but were still hoping to find one. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting at this time. Councillor T. Galloway questioned the average lease costs for the buildings in Mr. Forler's report and was advised that the average was $8.00/square feet resulting in a total of $50,000 - $80,000 per year. Councillor Galloway questioned the suitability of a property recently acquired by the City, at 55 Joseph Street, and Mr. Forler advised that he was not aware that that building was available. Mr. R. Wyatt advised that this request has been included in the Monteith Study; which would be available in draft at the end of the month. He requested further direction from the Committee as to how to proceed with the seniors' woodworking and craft centre. Councillor Jake Smola questioned the possibility of use of school board facilities, as part of the City's reciprocal agreement with the school board. Mr. Forler advised that they had investigated use of school facilities and the maintenance building owned by the board but the board's facilities do not meet their needs. Councillor J. Haalboom noted that the Region runs a number of programs for less able seniors and requested that staff investigate the possibility of combining services with them. Councillor T. Galloway requested that staff provide an estimate of the cost of constructing an addition to one of the City's existing facilities to accommodate this use, noting that such things as washrooms would not need to be included. He suggested an addition of approximately 7,000 square feet. Councillor G. Lorentz requested another progress report from staff at the Community Services Committee meeting of March 27, noting that the Monteith Report would most likely be available for that meeting. GRANT REQUEST - CANADIAN SYNCHRONIZED SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS Ms. C. Fedy appeared as a delegation in support of the request of the K-W Figure Skating Club for a grant of $1,000.00 to offset the costs of a skaters' welcoming reception for the Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships to be held at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex from March 1 5, 2000. Ms. Fedy explained the program for this welcoming reception. The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2000 -4- CITY OF KITCHENER Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex/Kitchener Farmers' Market, dated January 31, 2000, GRANT REQUEST - CANADIAN SYNCHRONIZED SKATING CHAMPIONSHIPS (CONT'D) in support of this request. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener support the Canadian Synchronized Skating Championships to be held at the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex from March 1 - 5, 2000; and further, That the City provide a grant of $1,000.00 to offset the costs of a skaters' welcoming reception." GRANT REQUEST - K-W TOURISM Ms. S. Miller, Manager of Kitchener-Waterloo Tourism, appeared as a delegation in support of their request for a $20,000.00 grant to cover the cost of renting the Centre in the Square for a special event as part of the Cherish and Celebrate Millennium Project. The Committee members had been provided with a written request and financial information in their agendas. Ms. Miller noted that without the grant, the ticket prices would be too high for most people to afford. Councillor J. Haalboom commented on the project costs suggesting that it appears that they would operate at a loss. Ms. Miller advised that they are in the process of raising funds from the business community to support this event. Several members of the Committee raised questions with respect to the Centre in the Square expenses and Ms. Miller advised that these figures had been confirmed within the last week, subsequent to her appearance before City Council. Councillor C. Weylie put forward a motion to approve the request, suggesting that any inaccurate figures could be corrected prior to next Monday night's Council meeting. Mr. J. Gazzola suggested that this be handled as a budget over-expenditure for Tourism and not be dealt with as a grant. Ms. P. Houston questioned whether this would be a cash grant or an in-kind grant, and whether it would be to a maximum amount. Councillor Weylie amended her motion to provide for this financial support to be in the form of an in-kind grant and a budget over-expenditure. Several members of the Committee spoke against the motion as this is a region-wide event and the City already provides financial support for the Centre in the Square. They were in agreement for some form of financial support but not directly connected to use of the Centre in the Square. Councillor Weylie's motion was then voted on and lost. Councillor T. Galloway put forward a motion to provide a grant of $10,000.00 as an over- expenditure to the Tourism budget; then accepted a friendly amendment from Councillor John Smola that the funding come from the General Provision Grant Account. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That Council approve a grant of $10,000.00 for K-W Tourism in support of the Cherish and Celebrate Millennium Project." AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 270 (PARKS) RE: FEEDING WILD DUCKS, GEESE AND GULLS The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Potworka, Interim Manager of Parks Operations, dated January 28, 2000, recommending an amendment to Chapter 270 (Parks) of the Municipal Code, with respect to prohibiting the feeding of wild birds in parks and natural parks. Mr. Potworka was in attendance to present the report and answer any questions from the Committee. He advised that this came about as a result of the 1999 botulism outbreak AMENDMENT TO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 270 (PARKS) RE: FEEDING WILD DUCKS, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 7, 2000 -5- CITY OF KITCHENER GEESE AND GULLS (CONT'D) in Victoria Park, and the subsequent consultant's report. Mr. Potworka advised that signs are being designed to inform the public. The Committee requested that a brief explanation and the amount of the fine be included on the sign. It was noted by staff that this prohibition would apply for all parks and natural parks. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That Council approve an amendment to Chapter 270, Article 3 (Prohibited Activities) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code to include subsection (p) stating the following: In any park or natural park, no person shall engage in any of the following activities: (P) Feed any bird which is a member of the Order Anseriformes (for example, but not limited to, ducks, geese and swans) or the Order Charadriiformes (for example, but not limited to, gulls), unless authorized by the Board." BID FOR 2002 JUNIOR AND SENIOR NATIONAL TRACK AND FIELD CHAMPIONSHIP The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. K. Baulk, Manager, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex/Kitchener Farmers' Market, dated January 31, 2000, recommending the City's support for a bid to host the 2002 Junior and Senior National Track and Field Championship. On motion by Councillor J. Haalboom - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener support the bid to host the 2002 Junior and Senior National Track and Field Championship." USE OF SPACE AT ROCKWAY CENTRE BY MARMARO TRAVEL CLUB INC. AND LUTHERWOOD CODA The Committee was in receipt of a report from Ms. B. Aikenhead, Manager, Seniors, Leisure Programs and Support Services, dated January 28, 2000, recommending agreements for use of Rockway Centre by Marmo Travel Inc. and Lutherwood Community Opportunities Development Association. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute agreements for use of space at Rockway Centre with Marmo Travel Inc. from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2000 and with Lutherwood Community Opportunities Development Association from November 30, 1999 to December 1, 2000, subject to the agreements being satisfactory to the City Solicitor." INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee acknowledged receipt of the information items attached to the agenda. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator