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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2004-11-01COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 3:00 p.m. Present: Vice-Chair - Councillor J. Smola Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors C. Weylie, M. Galloway and J. Gazzola Councillor B. Vrbanovic - 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 G. Stewart, General Manager of Development & Technical Services L. MacDonald, Director of Legal Services and City Solicitor K. Currier, Director of Operations K. Baulk, Director of Enterprises S. Adams, Director of Community Programs and Services G. Hummel, Manager of Park Planning, Development and Operations D. Chapman, Supervisor of Special Events T. Konstantinidis, Supervisor, Parking Operations G. Holstead, Special Events Co-ordinator J. Billett, Committee Administrator C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-04-178 - FREE DOWNTOWN SATURDAY PARKING - CHRISTMAS SEASON The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-178, dated October 19, 2004 concerning provision of free parking during the Christmas season in the downtown. Mayor C. Zehr asked that staff review and report to a future Community Services Committee meeting as to the feasibility of implementing free parking on Saturdays in the downtown on a year round basis. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That free parking be provided in all City of Kitchener operated parking facilities within the downtown on Saturdays commencing on November 27, 2004 and extending through the Christmas season to December 25, 2004 inclusive." CSD-04-162 - AMENDMENT TO PRE-APPROVED AGENT AGREEMENT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-162, dated October 27, 2004 concerning an amendment to a pre-approved agent contract regarding the 2004 Festival of the Night. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the Facilitator of Special Events be authorized to increase the amount payable to The Agency Group, from $7,000 to $16,000, within the Pre-Approved Agent contract for the 2004 Festival of the Night; and, That Schedule 'C' of the Pre-Approved Agent Contract be waived; and further, That subject to the approval of the City Solicitor, the Facilitator of Special Events be authorized to make changes to the rider contained in Schedule 'B' of the Pre-Approved Agent Contract." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17 2004 - 70 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DELEGATION PRESENTATION - AVAILABLE SPACE ART PROJECT - UPDATE Mr. Denis Pellerin and Ms. Virginia Eichhorn, Available Space Art Project (ASAP) Committee; Ms. Sheila McMath, Artist; and Ms. Nancy Finkle, Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA), attended to provide an update on the activities of the ASAP project since its inception in January 2004. ASAP provides a venue to showcase artwork of local artists by using existing businesses and / or vacant space in the downtown. Mr. D. Pellerin presented highlights of ASAP activities, as follows: · project launch, held on May 13, 2004 at the Walper Terrace Cafe, included installation of artwork by Michael J. Ambedian, former Kitchener Artist-in-Residence and a number of other local artists; · recruitment of an Installation Co-ordinator was undertaken in August 2004; · artwork installations in existing downtown businesses and vacant buildings, including: Muses Cafe; Pestche Shoes; Vista Hospitality; 28, 102 and 109 King Street West and Mayfair Hotel; · a sidewalk art project organized in partnership with Eastwood Collegiate, involving student artwork and community participation; · artists have benefited from an accessible format in which to display their work to the general public and downtown businesses have expressed great interest in the project as a method of attracting patronage to their business · financial assistance was received from the Waterloo Community University Research Alliance; the Kitchener Arts and Culture Advisory Committee; and the Waterloo Region Arts Foundation; in addition, in-kind support has been received from City of Kitchener Community Services Staff and the KDBA; · development and launch of a Waterloo Region Arts Guide, designed to promote ASAP installations as well as other arts and cultural projects in the Region. Ms. Virginia Eichhorn advised that ASAP will host a sidewalk art event on November 11,2004 to recognize citizens of Waterloo Region who lost their lives in times of war and a scavenger hunt for young children is in the development stage to encourage visitation to the downtown and to promote downtown businesses. Ms. Sheila McMath advised that she acts in the position of Installation Co-ordinator and commented on the quality of artwork, as well as the enthusiasm of local artists involved in the project. Ms. Nancy Finkle advised that the KDBA fully endorses ASAP, commenting on the positive impact it has had for downtown businesses and beautification of vacant space. Councillor J. Smola congratulated ASAP on successfully launching this project and encouraged the Committee to continue its momentum. DELEGATION PRESENTATION - WORD ON THE CITY (INITIATIVE OF WORD ON THE STREET) - UPDATE Ms. Gina Holstead attended to present details of a project funded by the National Literacy Secretariat, as supported by Word on the Street Kitchener and The Literacy Group of Waterloo Region. The project is a collection of stories and poetry written by aspiring writers and poets living in the downtown, as published in a book entitled 'Word on the City'. The book is designed to meet the needs of adult literacy learners and new arrivals in the community through easy to read materials. Ms. Margaret O'Shea Bonner, Program Co-ordinator - The Literacy Group of Waterloo Region and contributing Editor, briefly reviewed the works included in the publication, noting that the stories and poems are relevant to the City and surrounding area, and the publication also provides community service information. She then introduced Mr. Greentree, a participating author, who advised that since attending programs of The Literacy Group, he has successfully achieved literacy skills and has seen his dream of becoming a published author come true. Mayor C. Zehr presented Ms. M. O'Shea Bonner with a commemorative plaque, depicting the publication cover, in recognition of her contributions to the "Word on the City" project. Mr. Keith Baulk also extended appreciation to Community Services staff for their assistance in this project. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17 2004 -71 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. GUELPH STREET PARK DEVELOPMENT PLAN-UPDATE Mr. Greg Hummel presented a verbal update on activities concerning redevelopment of the Guelph Street Park. He commented on features to be incorporated into the redesign, many of which resulted from resident input received at a public meeting held September 23, 2004, including: trails, benches, landscaping and upgrading of the playground. He noted that, pending comment from the Regional Health Department and the Ministry of the Environment on the City's plan to deal with discoloured soils and debris found earlier this year below the playgrounds surface, work to implement the redevelopment plan is anticipated to begin in the Spring of 2005. 6. CSD-04-161 - DRAFT LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-04-161, dated October 27, 2004 regarding the status of the Leisure Facilities Master Plan study, and a copy of the 'Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan', as prepared by F. J. Galloway Associates Inc., Consultant, dated October 2004. Mr. Greg Hummel advised that an overview of recommendations contained in the 'Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan' would be provided this date; however, he pointed out that staff are asking that the 'Draft Plan' be referred to a future meeting of the Community Services Committee for full discussion to allow public consultation sessions to be held and additional input arising therefrom to be included in a final draft. Mr. Fred Galloway, Consultant, attended to present details of the 'Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan', which is designed to set the foundations and to give specific direction for the City's leisure facilities over the next 15 years. Mr. Galloway advised that recommendations contained in the draft plan are divided into 3 categories, being: the Plan Foundation (vision and mission statements, principles, values and goals); Leisure Service Policies and Delivery Strategies (policy foundation from which to develop, deliver and evaluate services); and Specific Leisure Facilities Initiatives (actions, investments and approaches). He commented that the City is a leader in the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of leisure services and through this plan will continue its leadership role by: facilitating and supporting community groups and individuals in developing leisure services; entering into partnerships, joint ventures and related collaborative initiatives that will result in selected shared responsibility or service delivery; and undertake the direct delivery of leisure services and facilities where other delivery strategies are not viable or available. Delivery strategy recommendations also included: improved data collection, analysis and evaluation; continuation of a community grant program; new policies development; multi- municipal approaches; facilities project development (ie. multi-use, business plans); and community use of schools. Further, a Resource Centres Development Criteria is proposed, including: a minimum number of years of sustainable programming by the group proposing a new centre; an identifiable core of committed volunteers; a definable neighbourhood; exploration of use of other service facilities (ie. schools, churches, etc.) prior to additions to existing resource centres; a business plan to be completed for any new facilities over $250,000; and use of portables or shared facilities up to 5 years as a pre-development strategy. Mr. Galloway then reviewed recommendations pertaining to specific leisure facility initiatives, including: community resource centres (ie. Victoria Hills / Chandler-Mowat / Kingsdale / South Kitchener / Mill- Courtland); community arenas (ie. Queensmount / Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex); outdoor pools; seniors centres (ie. woodworking); park and open space initiatives, including: Grand River corridor; park master plans (ie. Kiwanis, Victoria, McLennan); trail development; and outdoor facilities (ie. skateboard / soccer / basketball etc.). Mr. Galloway advised that the process to finalize the plan will involve 2 additional public consultation sessions, a final review and revision of the draft plan to incorporate any additional input or information received as a result of further consultation, and presentation of the final draft plan to Council. The Committee then raised a number of questions, responded to by Mr. Galloway, including the following points: · need for use of commercial kitchens in centre facilities should be defined within a business plan and the Regional Health Unit consulted with regard to regulatory requirements; · total elimination of tablelands in Kiwanis Park for residential use is not recommended as adequate amounts of tableland are required for sustainability of the park; COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 17 2004 - 72 - CITY OF KITCHENER 6. CSD-04-161 - DRAFT LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN (CONT'D) timeframe for specific leisure facility initiatives is based on timing already identified in the 10 Year Capital Forecast and / or relevant timing in alignment with other projects; prioritization of community centre nitiatives to be completed following the final consultation process; exploration of an integrated serwce delivery with local municipalities and the Region of Waterloo in selected leisure service areas is recommended to engage a broader geographic delivery model (ie. users are not necessarily aligned with urban boundaries); if closed, Cameron Heights Pool could potentially be used as a support facility, however, given it has a substantially lower use profile a decision of this nature would be more likely based on an investment perspective rather than on demand; a long term role for the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex needs to be fully investigated to remain competitive; eg. attract convention space; suggestion of a Nordic facility is considered a regional (or beyond) level of use and does not represent a specific initiative for Kitchener; no recommendation to invest or assume a leadership role has been made; proposal to establish an operating replacement reserve fund is still in development; applying an annual allocation establishes maintenance as a business expense and assures that funding is available to address aging infrastructure; resource development criteria is designed to provide a benchmark to determine need and timing of new centres. Councillor B. Vrbanovic brought forward the staff recommendation contained in report CSD-04- 161 for consideration and proposed additional wording to require that the draft plan be circulated to neighbourhood associations and other interested parties, and that staff host 2 public consultation meetings as outlined by the consultant. Mayor C. Zehr suggested that circulation include all municipalities in the Region to obtain their comments and in particular, with respect to the "Multi-Municipal Approaches" delivery strategy. Mr. F. Pizzuto advised that he could make available a summary document of the "draft plan" for circulation. He added that the date contained in the staff recommendation should be revised to January 10, 2005 to allow sufficient time for the public consultation process to be completed. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the "Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan", prepared by F. J. Galloway Associates Inc., Consultant, as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-04-161, be received and referred to the January 10, 2005 Community Services Committee meeting for discussion; and further, That prior to consideration of the "Draft Plan" on January 10, 2005 staff undertake the following: a) a summary document of the "Draft Leisure Facilities Master Plan" be circulated to Neighbourhood Associations and other interested parties for comment, including all municipalities in the Region of Waterloo to invite municipal comment on that portion of the "Draft Plan" dealing with "Multi-Municipal Approaches" (ie. Section 4.3.7 - Leisure Services Delivery Strategies); and, b) staff host 2 community consultation meetings in late November, as outlined by the Consultant, for the purpose of obtaining public input on the "Draft Plan"." 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator