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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2004-10-18COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 187 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 3:40 p.m. Present: Chair - Councillor G. Lorentz Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors C. Weylie, M. Galloway and B. Vrbanovic Councillor J. Smola was in attendance for part of the meeting. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer F. Pizzuto, General Manager of Community Services P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer R. Browning, Interim General Manager, Strategic Services S. deMoree, Assistant City Solicitor K. Currier, Director of Operations S. Adams, Director of Community Programs & Services M. Hildebrand, Manager of Aquatics & Athletics G. Hastings, Manager of Golf Courses D. Chapman, Supervisor of Special Events L. Palubeski, Supervisor of Program & Resource Services A. Grafstein, District Facilitator A. Fritz, Resource Centre Coordinator K. Steiss, Inclusion Coordinator K. Braun, Inclusion Coordinator J. Ouellette, Youth Coordinator J. Billett, Committee Administrator C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator CSD-04-171 - AMENDMENT TO DOWNTOWN SIDEWALK SNOW SHOVELING BY-LAW 76-21 The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-171, dated October 5, 2004 concerning an amendment to the Downtown Snow Shoveling By-law to provide additional snow shoveling services to a portion of Water Street. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That By-law No.76-21 (Downtown Snow Shoveling) be amended by adding the following portion of street: the west side of Water Street at 52 Water Street North." CSD-04-176 - SUPERBUILD MILLENNIUM PARTNERSHIP PROJECT COMPLETION EXTENSION The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-176, dated October 12, 2004 requesting approval to extend the completion date of the SuperBuild millennium project to December 31,2006. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener endorse a project completion request to extend SuperBuild millennium project completion from March 31,2006 to December 31,2006; and further, That this request be forwarded to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo for submission to the Province of Ontario." DELEGATION PRESENTATION - CHRISTMAS FANTASY IN VICTORIA PARK UPDATE AND FUTURE PLAN COSTS The Committee was in receipt of correspondence dated September 27, 2004 from Ms. Nancy Crossley, Chairperson, A Christmas Fantasy in Victoria Park, outlining details of the 2003 event and an overview of future plans over the next 5 year period. Councillor G. Lorentz advised that Ms. Crossley was listed on the Committee agenda as a delegation to speak to this item; however, was unable to attend this date. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 187 2004 - 65 - CITY OF KITCHENER DELEGATION PRESENTATION - CHRISTMAS FANTASY IN VICTORIA PARK UPDATE AND FUTURE PLAN COSTS (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor M. Galloway, it was agreed to defer and refer this item to the October 25, 2004 Council meeting and the delegation be invited to attend at that time. CSD-04-173 - KINGSDALE COMMUNITY PROGRAM FUNDING FOR PART-TIME ASSISTANT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-173, dated October 7, 2004 regarding approval of a general provision grant to assist the House of Friendship to fund a part-time community centre assistant position at the Kingsdale Community Centre until December 31,2004. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That a general provision grant in the amount of $1,982 be approved to provide the House of Friendship with funding to staff a part-time community centre assistant position at the Kingsdale Community Centre until December 31,2004." CSD-04-175 - CHRISTKINDL MARKET ENDORSEMENT AS OFFICIAL CITY OF KITCHENER EVENT FOR INSURANCE PURPOSES RATIFICATION OF DECISIONS MADE BY CHRISTKINDL COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT OF MANAGEMENT MODEL The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-175, dated October 12, 2004 regarding management of the 2004 Christkindl Market event. The Committee was circulated this date with a copy of a sample vendor agreement to be used in conjunction with this event. Councillor J. Smola entered the meeting at this time. Mr. D. Chapman advised that staff are requesting endorsement of the Christkindl Market as an official City of Kitchener event to allow members of the volunteer event Committee to be included under the umbrella of the City's Liability Insurance program. The event Committee members would then operate as direct City volunteers and be protected against potential personal liability claims. In response to Councillor M. Galloway, Mr. Chapman advised that this approach is intended as an interim step and staff will work with the event Committee to explore alternative methods for future management of this event. He added that it is the intention of the event Committee to work toward a self-sufficient management model and any potential for municipal subsidy of the event would be subject to application under the City's grant process. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That Christkindl 2004 be endorsed as an official City of Kitchener event; and, That the decisions made by the Christkindl Committee be ratified as relating to the 2004 event and as overseen by City staff; and further, That staff be directed to explore options for the development of a new working model for the Christkindl festival." CSD-04-170 - MOE NORMAN HISTORICAL ROOM, ROCKWAY GOLF COURSE OFFICIAL NAMING The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-170, dated September 29, 2004 concerning the renaming of the Historical Room at Rockway Golf Course to recognize internationally renouned golf professional and native to the City of Kitchener, Moe Norman. Mr. G. Hastings advised that the late Moe Norman played a significant role at Rockway COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 187 2004 - 66 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-170 - MOE NORMAN HISTORICAL ROOM, ROCKWAY GOLF COURSE - OFFICIAL NAMING (CONT'D) and was an important contributor to the golf course's history. In honour of his memory, it is being recommended that the newly renovated Historical Room at Rockway be renamed the "Moe Norman Historical Room". The room will be used to display the rich heritage of the Golf Course, including Canadian and Provincial golf champions. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the Historical Room at Rockway Golf Course be officially and permanently named the 'Moe Norman Historical Room'." CSD-04-168 - PROHIBITION OF USE OF CELL PHONES, CAMERAS, PDA'S & ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT WITH PHOTOGRAPHIC CAPABILITIES IN CITY FACILITY CHANGE ROOMS AND WASHROOMS - AMENDMENTS TO COUNCIL POLICIES 1-345 (UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVlOUR) AND 11-290 (TELEPHONES) The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-168, dated October 8, 2004 to address a facility alert received by the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA) concerning technological advancements that provide photographic capabilities in cell phones and personal digital assistants (PDA's). Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that the new technology allows users to secretly photograph objects while appearing to dial a phone number and presents the potential for deviant behaviour to occur in sensitive areas. Accordingly, amendments to Council policy are being recommended to prohibit their use in City facility change rooms and washrooms. Appropriate signage will be posted at a cost of $7,000 to be funded from the 2004 operating budget. Councillor M. Galloway questioned if ORFA had issued any direction to advise patrons of such facilities to take self-protective precautions and Mr. Hildebrand advised that they had not. He suggested that staff could develop similar wording or take an approach to ask patrons to report any deviant behaviour witnessed. Councillor M. Galloway requested that optional wording for the signs be developed and provided to Council for the October 25, 2004 Council meeting. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the use of all cell phones, cameras, personal digital assistants (PDA's), and electronic equipment with photographic abilities be prohibited in City facility change rooms and public washrooms; and, That necessary changes be made to Council Policy 1-345 (Unacceptable Conduct in Community Services Facilities) and Human Resources Policy 11-290 (Telephones) to enforce this directive, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-04-168; and further, That at the October 25, 2004 Council meeting, staff provide options for wording of signage to be placed in City facilities with respect to this prohibition, including direction to users of such facilities to take self-protective precautions and/or report abuses of the policy." CSD-04-172 - PROGRAM AND RESOURCE SERVICES - 2004 SUMMER PROGRAM UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-172, dated October 5, 2004 which outlines a general review of 2004 summer programs offered by the City's Program and Resource Services. Various staff of Program and Resource Services gave an overview of the staff report, providing commentary on the following programs as detailed in the staff report: PlayCreate; Summer COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 187 2004 - 67 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-172 - PROGRAM AND RESOURCE SERVICES - 2004 SUMMER PROGRAM UPDATE (CONT'D) Playgrounds; Drama School; Youth Leadership (renamed Building Youth Leadership Development program); Youth Day; Every Kid Counts; and Youth Drop-In & Doon Skatium. Mayor C. Zehr commented on the importance of supporting this kind of programming as it has a positive impact in prevention of youth crime. Councillor G. Lorentz referred to prior reciprocal agreements with the local School Boards and questioned if there was opportunity to return to a co-ordinated approach to services. Mr. F. Pizzuto advised that a Provincial allocation of $20 M to School Boards for use of school gymnasiums has presented an opportunity whereby the directive stipulates that non-profit groups will not be subject to a facility charge. He noted that there is potential for non-profit groups and summer playground programs utilizing school and/or City facilities to benefit. He advised that all City facility agreements are being reviewed and a report will be brought forward at a future date outlining budgetary implications for 2005. CSD-04-174 - 2004 LEISURE ACCESS CARD FEE SUBSIDY FOR KITCHENER COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-174, dated September 30, 2004 in which a summary of January to December 2003 activities of the Leisure Access Card (LAC) service program is provided. The service provides financial subsidy to families and individuals who otherwise could not afford to participate in Kitchener Community Services programs. Ms. K. Braun advised that in 2003, 96% of all applications were eligible for 100% subsidy. From 2000 to 2004, the program experienced a 142% user increase, attributed to advertising and word of mouth; as well as an increase in the number of individuals and families living at or below the poverty line. Ms. Braun advised that because of the overwhelming success of the program, new applications are not being accepted for the remainder of 2004. She noted that the 2004 budget of $20,000 has been fully spent and an additional over-expenditure of approximately $53,000 will be absorbed in program budgets. She commented that the funding shortfall cannot be sustained and accordingly, staff will review options for provision of the LAC service in 2005, including potential reductions in program availability, seeking alternate sources of funding, and increasing budget funding. Mayor C. Zehr noted that the majority of users are single moms and suggested that staff look at incorporating programs attractive to single dads to ensure equity in the program. The Committee then entered into discussion with regard to impact of the success of the program as it relates to overall costs and the trend toward user increases. Staff advised that it is intended to have discussions with the Region of Waterloo and Social Services, as well as pursue additional partnering opportunities with the National Child Benefit program, to enhance funding resources. Councillor B. Vrbanovic asked that staff also investigate the feasibility of creating a non- profit/charitable foundation to undertake annual fundraising campaigns. In response to Councillor M. Galloway, Mr. Pizzuto advised that a tracking system was not available to monitor changes made to the program in 2003; however, tracking is in place for 2004 which will provide a more accurate accounting of the program. Councillors B. Vrbanovic and G. Lorentz suggested that given the socio-economic benefits accrued as a result of community LAC service programs, senior levels of government should share in the responsibility to provide funding assistance. Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that given the importance of such programming, he would support giving direction to staff to continue to accept new applications for the remainder of the year and permit an over-expenditure to the 2004 budget to cover associated costs. Councillor G. Lorentz commented that the burden of such programming should not be borne by the municipality alone and suggested that Mayor Zehr undertake to lobby with the Region of Waterloo and Social Services. Mayor C. Zehr stated that the issue is far more reaching, suggesting that City Council should collaborate in sending a strong message to senior levels of government and lobby together for their financial support. In this regard, he suggested that staff undertake to draft an appropriate resolution to be considered as part of a subsequent report to be brought forward by staff in December 2004. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 187 2004 - 68 - CITY OF KITCHENER CSD-04-174 - 2004 LEISURE ACCESS CARD FEE SUBSIDY FOR KITCHENER COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That Community Services staff be directed to continue to accept new applications for the Leisure Access Card (LAC) service during the remainder of 2004; and, That a budget over-expenditure in 2004 be permitted to off-set costs associated with continuance of the LAC program; and further, That as part of a report to be considered by the Community Services Committee in December 2004 concerning 2005 funding of the LAC program, staff prepare a draft resolution to strongly convey to senior levels of government the socio-economic value to be accrued by their support of LAC programs and encourage provision of Federal and Provincial sources of funding." 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:50 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator