Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 2000-08-21COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2000 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 1:58PM, with the following members present: Councillors T. Galloway, John Smola, B. Vrbanovic, C Weylie, M Yantzi, J. Ziegler. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors Jake Smola and K. Taylor-Harrison were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. C. Ladd, Ms. S. Adams, Ms. M. Sanderson and Messrs J. Gazzola, F. Pizzuto, D. Daly, G Melanson, P. Beaudry, T. Potworka, K. Baulk, J. Nelson and Ms. D. Gilchrist. CSD-00-063 - Ontarians With Disabilities Act - K-W Barrier Free Advisoq/Committee The Committee was in receipt of staff report CSD-00-063, dated August 11, 2000, in which staff recommend support for the resolution of the K-W Barrier Free Advisory Committee, urging the Province of Ontario to enact a strong and effective "Ontarians With Disabilities Act" during this term of Government. Mr Brad UIIner and Ms. Susan Solursh appeared as delegations representing the Kitchener- Waterloo Barrier Free Advisory Committee report and presented the report including the 11 principles for an effective "Ontarians With Disabilities Act." They stressed that the legislation must deal with issues which confront people with disabilities in their everyday life. They suggested that it must have an orientation which will ensure that people are able to have happy and successful lives and the ability to participate in all processes. Councillor T. Galloway put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report and thanked the delegations for coming forward with this very important issue. He also noted that this Council, in 1998, passed a resolution asking the Province to move forward with the consultation process for such legislation. Councillor C. Weylie thanked the delegation for coming forward and asked them for examples of what things the City of Kitchener could do to further improve accessibility at City Hall. Mr. UIIner suggested, as an example, deaf interpretation at Committee and Council meetings. Ms. Solursh suggested further physical accessibility to this building, noting that the doors in the City Hall parking garage do not allow for handicap accessibility. Mayor C. Zehr also thanked the delegations and asked that as part of the resolution it be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the local MPPS, which was accepted by Councillor Galloway as a friendly amendment. Councillor B. Vrbanovic asked that direction be given to staff to look into the issue of the doors in the City Hall parking garage. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison entered the meeting during this discussion. On motion by Councillor T. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener supports the resolution of the Kitchener-Waterloo Barrier Free Advisory Committee, as considered by the Community Services Committee on August 21, 2000, urging the Province of Ontario to enact a strong and effective "Ontarians With Disabilities Act" during this term of government; and further, That this resolution be forwarded to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the local MPPs." Councillor G. Lorentz invited the delegation to pass on any further suggestions with respect to accessibility to City Hall to a member of Council. CSD-00-065 - Operatinq Aqreement for Budd Park The Committee was in receipt of staff report CSD-00-065, dated August 15, 2000 with respect to staff's recommendation for a new agreement with Kitchener Minor Soccer and Bud Canada Inc. in relation to the operation of the future expansion of Budd Park. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2000 - 70 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-00-065 - Operatinq Aqreement for Budd Park (CONT'D) Mr. P. Beaudry was in attendance and provided the Committee with an overview of the staff report. Mr. L. Gilmour of Kitchener Minor Soccer appeared as a delegation advising that they are requesting this Committee to authorized the lease with Budd Canada; with the actual agreement to go to Council at the next meeting. Councillor B. Vrbanovic put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. Councillor J. Ziegler asked for clarification of the wording of the recommendation and Mr. Melanson advised that this report is presented in anticipation that Budd Canada Inc. will sign the lease and once completed the expansion can go forward. Councillor Ziegler asked for an amendment to the wording in the recommendation to state that the City of Kitchener agree in principle and also with respect to the wording "of the to be expanded Budd Park" Councillor Ziegler asked that it be changed to "of the future expansion of Budd Park." Councillor Vrbanovic agreed to the amended wording. Councillor T. Galloway questioned the tax status on the property and Ms. Houston advised that, because of the agreement, it has to be taxed as commercial occupied. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - It was resolved: "That the Corporation of the City of Kitchener agree, in principle, to enter into a new agreement with Kitchener Minor Soccer and Budd Canada Inc. with respect to the operation of the future expansion of Budd Park, as set out in staff report CSD-00-065, dated August 15, 2000; and further, That the new operating agreement shall not effect the current operating agreement or come into effect until it has been drafted to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and approved by Council." FIN-00-012 - 2000 Grant Allocations - K-W Art Gallery and K-W Symphony The Committee was in receipt of staff report FIN-00-012, dated August 14, 2000, with respect to a reallocation of the Year 2000 grant allocation for the K-W Art Gallery and K-W Symphony. Mayor C. Zehr put forward the recommendation contained in the staff report. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he supports the recommendation but was concerned about the split in grant funding between Kitchener and Waterloo, noting that the groups funded have the same concern. He asked the split be reviewed with Waterloo Council. Mayor Zehr advised that he agreed with Councillor B. Vrbanovic and provided a brief background as to how the existing split came about. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - It was resolved: "That the 2000 grant allocation for the K-W Art Gallery be increased by $10,540. and the grant for the K-W Symphony be decreased by $10,540." CSD-00-058 - Up-date on Community Services Department Restructurinq The Committee was in receipt of staff report CSD-00-059, dated August 15, 2000, providing an update and background to the restructuring taking place in the Community Services Department. Attached to the report was a copy of the Department's quarterly Newsletter. 4. CSD-00-058 - Up-date on Community Services Department Restructurinq (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2000 -71 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. F. Pizzuto, General Manager of Community Services reviewed the staff report and the changes to date noting that changes to the unionized positions still continue. He also advised that changes to Community Programs and the Administration Divisions in the Department will take longer because the changes are more significant. He also pointed out the relevance of the restructuring of the Department to the Compass Kitchener process. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison suggested that the integrity of the programs have been maintained and requested continuing communication with the Neighbourhood Associations. CSD-0-058 - Public Consultation Process - The New Market The Committee was in receipt of staff report CSD-00-058, dated August 14, 2000, in which staff request approval in principle to retain a consultant to complete public consultation sessions in relation to the new Market. Mr. F. Pizzuto introduced the report advising that staff believe that a public consultation process is essential. He noted that this process would take several months to complete. Mr. Pizzuto advised that today staff are looking for approval in principle and that the tender for the consultant will require Council approval. Councillor Yantzi questioned what skills staff are looking for in a consultant and Mr. Pizzuto advised that they are looking for a consultant who is good in the consultation process. He noted that this would be the first step only and that the second step would be to hire a consultant skilled in developing a market. It was suggest by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison that the consultation process be along the lines of that used Compass Kitchener. Councillor C. Weylie suggested that the multi-cultural input is essential and that their opinions may have to be solicited. Councillor John Smola suggested that the City will have to let the public know the cost of this new Market and questioned at what point that information would be released. Mr. J. Gazzola advised that the first part of the process is listening to the public and then a price tag will have to be attached to all the things people advise that they want. From that point Council will have to decide the direction. Councillor Jake Smola asked that a press release be issued on the direction the City is taking and Mayor C. Zehr agreed with Councillor Jake Smola's request. He also suggested that the City must deal with some of the misperceptions with this project and agreed with Mr. J Gazzola on the timing for releasing the cost of the Market. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - It was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener approve, in principle, the retention of a consultant to complete public consultation sessions, generally as outlined in staff report CSD-00-058, dated August 14, 2000, in relation to the new market; and further, That a press release be issued in this regard." CSD-00-062 -Victoria Park Botulism Manaqement Mr. D. Daly was in attendance to present the information report, CSD-00-062, dealing with a work plan to prevent botulism outbreaks of a similar magnitude as the two which have taken place over the past 13 years. He reviewed the City's relationship with Limnoterra Ltd. to develop an ongoing Botulism Management Program. He also noted that, because of the West Nile Virus, Regional Health have asked that City staff monitor any dead birds. Up to this point there have been no outbreaks. Councillor M. Yantzi suggested that there is a good possibility of involvement by the Universities and suggested to staff that the Neighbourhood Association would like to be involved. He questioned whether there was any need for some physical changes. Mr. Daly advised that the 6SD-00-062 - Victoria Park Botulism Manaqement (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 21, 2000 - 72 - CITY OF KITCHENER Public Works Department is working on a new Master Stormwater Management Plan. He suggested that the concrete channels were not a high priority, but in some of the green areas changes are being proposed. Pla¥,qround Up-date The Committee was in receipt of information report CSD-00-057, advising of the status of the replacement playlots. Mr. J. Nelson was in attendance to provide information on some of the City's playgrounds, noting that Chandler Park is now complete. He reviewed other parks where the structures have been installed, but not the resilient surfacing. 2002 International Conqress Softball Championships Councillor T. Galloway advised the City was successful in getting the bid for the 2002 International Congress Softball Championships. Ms. R. Pitfield was in attendance and advised of the process of the bid and its success. Councillor T. Galloway thanked Mr. D. McClelland and Ms. Pitfield and other staff for the preparation and presentation of the bid. He asks that monies be advanced in the Capital Budget so that all the necessary improvements to the Peter Hallmand Ball park could be completed, not only for this Championship but for all users of the Ball park. He also advised that he was looking forward to working with staff on the improvements. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned 2:50 p.m. D. Gilchrist Committee Administrator