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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2004-09-27COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27~ 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 3:05 p.m. Present: Vice Chair- Councillor J. Smola Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Gazzola, M. Galloway and C. Weylie. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer G. Stewart, General Manager of Development & Technical Services S. deMoree, Assistant City Solicitor K. Baulk, Director of Enterprises K. Currier, Director of Operations S. Adams, Director, Community Programs and Services R. Willms, Administration Co-ordinator E. Harris, Co-ordinator, Arts & Culture T. O'Brien, Landscape Architect D. Chapman, Supervisor, Special Events S. Massel, Supervisor, Kitchener Market J. Billett, Committee Administrator C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator Ms. S. Massel spoke to the recent success of the Grand Opening of the new Kitchener Market, introducing one of the market shop vendors, Hannah Lore Maiterth. They invited all those present to enjoy samples of various types of multicultural cuisine now available at the Market. CSD-04-166 - 55 PLUS EMPLOYMENT SERVICES - CO-OPERATIVE AGREEMENT RENEWAL The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-166, dated September 16, 2004 concerning an agreement for provision of employment services to unemployed elderly workers wishing to enter or re-enter the labour market. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute a Cooperative Agreement with Lutherwood (55 Plus Employment Services), as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-04-166, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." 2. CSD-04-165 - KITCHENER'S ENTRANCE SIGNAGE - HIGHWAY 401 The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-165, dated September 17, 2004 requesting approval to proceed with creation of City of Kitchener Highway 401 entrance feature signs and site selections. Mr. T. O'Brien attended to present an update of the work plan to establish two new decorative municipal signs on Highway 401. He advised that the estimated cost of this project is $200,000, with $100,000 to be allocated per entrance sign. He stated that all entrance signs have shared characteristics that can affect both cost and design and that $100,000 is becoming the standard cost of a quality entrance sign. Mr. O'Brien displayed examples of signage from various municipalities to illustrate the relative costs of creating entrance feature displays that range from modest to those having a greater visual impact. He advised that various sites along the 401 are being investigated, including: Homer Watson Boulevard and the 401; Highway 8 on the eastbound side of the 401; the 401 in the area of the Kinsmen and Kinette building; and on the 401 along the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) corridor. Soil testing will be conducted to determine viable site locations. He stressed that at this time staff is not proposing a specific site location or design; however, staff is asking for confirmation to use the City's logo (The Clock Tower) in the designs. Mr. O'Brien advised that it is staff's intention to bring a final design and site plan to the Committee in the spring of 2005. Mr. T. O'Brien responded to questions, advising that there will be a rigorous in-house design COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27~ 2004 - 60 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-04-165 - KITCHENER'S ENTRANCE SIGNAGE - HIGHWAY 401 (CONT'D) phase, assisted by a sign consultant. He advised that staff will benefit by having a consultant's expertise in solar flood lighting and other nuances of entrance sign design. The estimated cost of a consultant is $2,000. Further, the entrance sign installation groundwork will be tendered out. Mr. ©'Brien added that the $200,000 allocated is for signage costs alone and does not include land rental or site soil testing. He advised that in view of limited City-owned lands, the intent is to locate the sign within the MT© corridor and while it is his understanding that there will be no cost to locate on the MT© lands, this is yet to be confirmed. Mayor C. Zehr requested that staff hold preliminary discussions with MT© and the City of Cambridge relative to site location issues. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That staff be directed to proceed with detailed signage design and specific site selections for Kitchener's Highway 401 City entrance signage features, and report back to the Community Services Committee with recommendations for review and approval; and further, That Council confirms to staff that the City of Kitchener's logo is to be the overall theme of the City entrance signage features to be constructed along the Highway 401 corridor." 3. PRESENTATION - SPECIAL EVENTS UPDATE Mr. D. Chapman presented an overview of special events hosted by the City this summer. He advised that the Special Events Team focused on the following goals: plan and implement successful events; work with community partners; focus on downtown; and grow events in both number and size. He advised that this year there was a record number of attendance at events; six new events and partnerships; and five summer blockbuster festivals. He further advised that due to a change in the organizational structure, the Special Events Team is now responsible for booking the Victoria Park Pavilion and City Hall rentals; and Film KW will be under the guidance of the Special Events Team. The Special Events Team has a number of future events currently in the development stages that should build upon the successes of this year and is working on four initiatives of strategic development being: a strategic business direction; business plan development; brand marketing promotion for 2005; and website enhancement. CSD-04-152 - GRANT REQUEST - BETHANY EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-152, dated September 17, 2004 regarding a grant request by the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church to waive rental and transportation costs for a 200-seat bleacher, for use at their annual Christmas Pageant in December 2004. Mr. Ray Stewart attended in support of the grant request and circulated a written copy of his presentation. Mr. Stewart noted that this is the 9th year for this event, drawing people from across the Region and other communities in South Central Ontario. The pageant is advertised as a free event through various forms of media and has brought people into the downtown area. He reviewed various services provided by the Church to the Downtown community and asked that the City continue to support it's practice of donating use of the bleachers for this event. Councillor J. Gazzola and Mayor C. Zehr spoke in favour of staff continuing to provide the bleachers at no cost and recommended that no action be taken with regard to the staff recommendation. At the request of Councillor M. Galloway, staff agreed to provide Council with a copy of the policy related to the waiving of fees for City services. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - it was resolved: COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27~ 2004 -61 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-152 - GRANT REQUEST - BETHANY EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH (CONT'D) "That no action be taken on the staff recommendation contained in Community Services Department report CSD-04-152, dealing with a grant request by the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church; and further, That staff be directed to continue the practice of providing a 200-seat bleacher at no cost to the Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church for their annual Christmas Pageant to be held December 3 to 5, 2004." CSD-04-163 - GRANT REQUEST - TAMIL CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF WATERLOO REGION The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-163, dated September 16, 2004 regarding a grant request from the Tamil Cultural Association of Waterloo Region for expenses related to their 4th Annual Cultural Nite. Mr. Bala Thambypillai attended in support of the grant request, advising that the Association is a non-profit organization whose focus is on promoting the Tamil arts, culture and language within the Region of Waterloo. He advised that their annual event has traditionally been free of charge and is held to showcase the Tamil culture and to promote multiculturalism within the community. He pointed out that the Association's request was for a grant in the amount of $3,800 and asked that consideration be given to approving the full amount. In response to questions, Mr. Thambypillai advised that a request for funding to the City of Waterloo was received too late for their grant process; however, he has received assurance that Waterloo staff will work with the Association in 2005. He added that, if approved, the amount recommended in the staff report may result in the Association not being able conduct the event free of charge. Councillor J. Gazzola stated that he was in support of the staff recommendation as it was his opinion that funding should be proportionately divided among area municipalities. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - it was resolved: "That a one time general provision grant in the amount of $1,000 be approved to the Tamil Cultural Association of Waterloo Region to assist with expenses related to hosting their "4th Annual Cultural Nite" on October 16, 2004." CSD-04-164 - GRANT REQUEST - CANADIAN AUTHORS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005 The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-164, dated September 17, 2004 regarding a grant request from the Canadian Authors Association, Waterloo-Wellington Branch relative to specific events for their National Conference to be held in June 2005. Mr. Bob Paul attended in support of the grant request, advising that the requested funding is associated with three specific events taking place at the conference, being: the "Spoken Word Cafb" reception; "Meet the Authors" event; and sponsorship of two youths and two seniors from the City of Kitchener as full participants. In response to questions, Mr. Paul advised that funding is also being sought from the Cities of Waterloo, Cambridge and Guelph. Councillor J. Gazzola and Mayor C. Zehr questioned the need for the grant funds given the conference participants will pay a registration fee and the projected revenues appear to indicate a small surplus will be accrued. Ms. R. Willms explained that the Association's budget is relative to hosting of the conference only and the three specific events identified for grant funding are not included in the conference budget. Councillor J. Gazzola stated that he was not in support of granting the full amount recommended, suggesting that half the amount would be more appropriate in view of additional funding anticipated from other area municipalities. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27~ 2004 - 62 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-164 - GRANT REQUEST - CANADIAN AUTHORS ASSOCIATION NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2005 (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That a one time general provision grant in the amount of $5,000 be approved to the Canadian Authors Association, Waterloo-Wellington Branch, to assist with expenses for their National Conference to be held in Kitchener on June 23 to 26, 2005, specifically for expenses related to the "Spoken Word Cafb" reception, "Meet the Authors" event, and sponsorship of two youth and two seniors (Kitchener residents) as full participants of the conference." CSD-04-159 - INDUSTRIAL ARTIFACTS PROJECT - KAUFMAN STEAM ENGINE PROPOSAL The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-159, dated September 17, 2004 requesting consideration of $25,000 for the removal, restoring and reinstallation of the Kaufman Steam Engine in the 2005 Capital Budget process. Mr. Nicholas Rees addressed the Committee advising that the steam engine represents a significant part of the City's industrial history and culture. The steam engine is considered to be one of the largest of its kind and in addition, the City will receive a marine steam engine at no cost. He expressed the opinion that the Kaufman steam engine would become the "jewel" in the City's collection of artifacts and has potential to create a tourist attraction. In response to questions, Mr. Rees agreed that it would be ideal to leave the steam engine in its current location; however, the owner of the Kaufman building has indicated a desire to have it removed by the spring of 2005. He added that initially there had been some discussion to leave the steam engine in the Kaufman building and create a museum around it. He pointed out, however, that the costs involved would be substantial and be borne by the City. Councillor J. Gazzola stated that he would support the recommendation subject to staff undertaking discussions with the building owner regarding leaving the artifact in the Kaufman building. Ms. C. Ladd advised that a meeting is scheduled with the building owner in the near future at which time staff will raise the issue and, if necessary, the building owner will be invited to speak to Council. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - it was resolved: "That subject to further discussion with the owner of the Kaufman building respecting the feasibility of leaving the Kaufman Steam Engine in its current location, an amount of $25,000 for the removal, restoring and reinstallation of the Kaufman Steam Engine be included in the 2005 Capital budget process." 8. CSD-04-160 - CULTURE PLAN II - SUMMARY REPORT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-160, dated September 17, 2004 outlining a brief summary of activities of the Culture Plan II Steering Committee. Mr. Martin de Groot, Chair of the Culture Plan II Steering Committee, advised that the Committee has been actively developing a 5 year strategic plan for arts investment in the community. He pointed out that stakeholder interviews have been held with more than 80 members of the public and arts community. In addition, 3 public input sessions as well as 2 special sessions with working artists and multicultural communities, have been held. Results indicate that the original Culture Plan was very productive and an excellent investment in the community, and there is strong commitment within the community to move forward with an updated plan. He advised that a final report regarding Culture Plan II will be presented to the Committee in December 2004 and will include updated values, principles and a community "Vision2010"; a 5 year strategic plan - COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 27~ 2004 8. - 63 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-160 - CULTURE PLAN II - SUMMARY REPORT (CONT') "Arts Investment Package"; and benchmarks of City resources and arts / culture programming. In response to questions, Mr. de Groot advised that the final report will specify the intent of the City's involvement and any financial implications associated therewith. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Colin Goodeve Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator Committee Administrator