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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 2001-03-26COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 2:06 p.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors M. Galloway, J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic and J. Ziegler. Others Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. J. Dean, Ms. R. Schumacher, Ms. D. Gilchrist and Messrs. R. Pritchard, F. Pizzuto, D. Daly, B. Stanley, G. Melanson, D. Trask, J. Nelson, S. Saleh and D. Chapman. 1. MOLSON CANADIAN FESTIVAL & EVENTS ONTARIO ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Mr. D. Chapman advised that the City of Kitchener won 2 of the top marketing awards, for Festival of the Night 2000, at the Festival & Events Ontario Annual Conference, on March 24, 2001. The awards won are the Molson Canadian Festival & Events Ontario Achievement Awards for: Best Event Poster and Best Newspaper Advertisement in the under $100,000. event budget category. Mr. Chapman then introduced Ms. Jolene MacDonald and Ms. Stephanie Keeping, who designed the newspaper advertisement and poster. The Committee congratulated them on their accomplishments. CSD-01-044 - GRANT REQUEST - K-W SYMPHONY The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department staff report CSD-01-044, dated March 16, 2001, requesting the Committee's direction and consideration of a grant request made by the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony in the amount of $7,500. with an additional in-kind services grant in the amount of $2,500., to assist with the costs of hosting a Victoria Day celebration on Sunday, May 20, 2001 at Victoria Park. Ms. L. Gove appeared on behalf of the Kitchener- Waterloo Symphony to represent the grant request. Ms. Gove advised the Committee of the Symphony's improved financial situation, and its efforts to redefine its role in the community. She advised of the Symphony's aims to become more involved in education and outreach programs and to find ways for the community to participate in orchestral music. Ms. Gove advised of the new funding received from the Canada Council for outreach, education and audience development. This money will be used to help finance a community outreach program which will run the last 2 weeks of May, and include a Victoria Day concert to be held Sunday, May 20, 2001, in Victoria Park. The Victoria Park concert will be the main event of the 2- week period and will cost $70,000. The 2 weeks of community events, including the Victoria Park concert, will cost $125,000. She informed the Committee that there will be 2 fundraising events held to help with the cost of these community events, and asked that the City of Kitchener provide a grant totalling $10,000. Mayor C. Zehr advised that he is generally supportive of this event, and referring to the financial statements attached to the grant application, noted that the Canada Council grant has been allocated to the other events to take place during the 2-week period. Ms. Gove responded that the Canada Council grant must go directly to orchestra costs. Mayor Zehr commented that the other 6 events will be paid for from the revenues generated from the Victoria Park event and questioned whether there are opportunities for other revenues and Ms. Gove advised that they are looking for a sponsor for the overall event. When questioned about other communities who will benefit from these events and whether they have been approached for funding, Ms. Gove advised that they will be requesting funding from the City of Waterloo for an event to take place in that municipality. Mayor Zehr then advised that he is inclined to support this event; however, he is concerned that the City of Kitchener will be sponsoring an event that will benefit the whole region. Councillor B. Vrbanovic put forward a motion to approve the grant request, noting that the Symphony is requesting a grant for an event which will take place in the City of Kitchener. The Symphony has been able to improve their financial situation and these proposed events will help them broaden their customer base. He stated that this sponsorship builds on our partnership and also helps bring people downtown. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 - 22 - 2. CSD-01-044 - GRANT REQUEST - K-W SYMPHONY (CONT'D) CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor J. Ziegler questioned whether Councillor Vrbanovic's motion would include ongoing support for this event, and Councillor Vrbanovic stated that his motion is for a grant for this year only; with any further financial support being subject to the regular grant process. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That approval be given to the request of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony for a grant of $7,500. and an in-kind services grant in the amount of $2,500., funded as an over- expenditure from the General Provision Grant budget, to assist with the cost of the Victoria Day celebration and concert to be held in Victoria Park on Sunday, May 20, 2001 ." KFD-01-001 - REGIONAL TRAINING FACILITY UPDATE Mr. D. Trask gave a PowerPoint presentation providing information on the status of the Regional Training Facility. A model of the site of the training facility was also displayed. Mr. Trask reviewed the history of this project noting that the Region of Waterloo has provided the land for this facility, adjacent to the landfill site on Erb Street, Waterloo, and has provided a grant of $5M - $7M over 3 years for the project. Mr. Trask then reviewed the future objectives for the project, culminating in the opening of the facility in October 2002. He then spoke of the involvement of the University of Waterloo in the Regional Training Facility Project, noting their involvement started as a research project and will ultimately end with the University having a research facility on this site. BPS-01-042 & CSD-01-045 - GRAFFITI BUSTERS PROGRAM Ms. J. Dean and Mr. J. Nelson presented information, with the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, on the City's Graffiti Busters Program. The Committee was in receipt of information report BPS- 01-042 and CSD-01-045, dated March 19, 2001, in this regard. Ms. Dean advised that this program was developed to receive calls, document incidents of graffiti, remove graffiti on public property and refer calls to other public agencies. Since June 2000, partnerships with the Kitchener Downtown Business Association and the John Howard Society have been developed to clean up graffiti on private property throughout the city at no charge. Mr. J. Nelson then advised of the number of incidents reported last year, the priority for removal of graffiti and methods of removal. Ms. Dean advised of the 2001 goals for the program, noting they are proposing to hire someone through the K.D.B.A., from Human Resources Development Canada Job Creation Program. Other goals are tracking costs, liaising with the police, developing a brochure and aiming for a 72-hour response time. A brief discussion then took place concerning the removal of graffiti from privately owned heritage properties, and the need to determine a removal method which will not be invasive to the historic building fabric. Ms. Dean and Mr. Nelson were congratulated by the Committee on the Graffiti Busters Program. CSD-01-042 - REGISTRATION, INFORMATION & INQUIRY SYSTEM - WORK PLAN COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-042, dated March 15, 2001, providing a work plan for the conceptual design stages of the registration, information & inquiry system. Mr. R. Weber introduced the report, advising that a consultant has been hired and will report to the Committee in the early summer. The report will also include the costs of the system. CSD-01-037 - GLASS BLOWING STUDIO - FEASIBILITY STUDY The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-037, dated March 5, 2001, concerning the Feasibility Study produced by N.L. Hushion and Associates with respect to locating a glass blowing facility in downtown Kitchener. The Committee members had also been provided with copies of the Feasibility Study. Mr. F. Pizzuto reviewed the staff report, noting that the Feasibility Study indicates there is a need for a hot glass studio and it would be a good fit for the City's commitment to arts, culture and downtown revitalization. Mr. Pizzuto advised that the initial cost to establish a hot glass studio would be between $126,000. and $222,000. and the City's contribution to operating costs would be in the vicinity of $35,000. - $50,000. per year. He reviewed the recommendation in the report that the study be received and referred to staff for further review in conjunction with community partners. It also recommended a further report after the review, on the potential for a self-sustaining glass blowing studio or disposition of the purchased equipment. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether the City would be looking at a new greenhouse in the future for Parks Operations. Mr. Pizzuto advised that a greenhouse is not in the forecast at this time; although, he has been advised that the heat from a glass blowing studio could heat a solarium. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested there are grants available for such a project. He moved the recommendation in the staff report. Mayor C. Zehr advised that he is in support of the motion and cautioned that the City should not be giving the impression that it intends to go forward with a glass blowing studio at this time. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That we receive, for information, the 'Feasibility Study Report on a Glass Blowing Studio in Downtown Kitchener', prepared by N.L. Hushion and Associates, dated February 2001; with this report to be referred to staff for further review in conjunction with affected community partners; and further, That staff report to the Community Services Committee by December 2001 on the potential of a self-sustaining glass blowing studio or the disposition of the purchased equipment." CSD-01-040 - CHANDLER-MOWAT COMMUNITY CENTRE - REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING PORTABLE STRUCTURE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-040, dated March 13, 2001, advising of the difficulties with the structural integrity of the current building used as the Chandler-Mowat Community Centre, and the recommendation of staff that the current portable structure be removed and replaced with a refurbished structure, of approximately the same size. The staff report also deals with recommended funding for this change at the Chandler- Mowat Community Centre. Mr. F. Pizzuto reviewed the report and noted that there should be a change of wording in the recommendation contained in the staff report, $55,000. to be an expenditure from the City's Capital Contingency Fund, as recommended to him by Ms. P. Houston. 6SD-01-040 - CHANDLER-MOWAT COMMUNITY CENTRE - REPLACEMENT OF EXISTING PORTABLE STRUCTURE (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the existing portable structure at the Chandler-Mowat Community Centre be removed and replaced with a refurbished structure of approximately the same size, to be placed in the same location as the existing structure, to be funded as follows: a) That the $95,000. currently identified in the 2001 Capital Budget for the expansion of the Chandler-Mowat Community Centre, be re-allocated to the purchase of the refurbished structure; and, b) That a contribution from the Capital Contingency Fund of up to $55,000. be approved for remedial work at the Chandler-Mowat Community Centre." CSD-01-041 - STANLEY PARK COMMUNITY CENTRE - WORK PLAN The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-041, dated March 14, 2001, providing information on the work plan for the Stanley Park Community Centre. CSD-01-043 - GOLF COURSES GOLF PROFESSIONAL CONTRACT REVISIONS 10. The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-043, dated March 21, 2001, recommending revisions to the standard Golf Professional Contract and also recommending that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the Golf Professional which would incorporate the changes recommended in the report, to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor. Mr. G. Hastings was in attendance and advised that staff have worked at simplifying the contract. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That approval be given to the changes to the Golf Professional Contract outlined in staff report CSD-01-043; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the Golf Professional, incorporating the above noted changes, satisfactory to the City Solicitor." CSD-01-047 - KITCHENER MINOR SOCCER ASSOCIATION - AGREEMENT 11. The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-047, dated March 19, 2001, recommending an agreement between the City and Kitchener Minor Soccer Association to permit the Association to construct an addition to the existing building at Meinzinger Park and to operate a concession. Councillor J. Ziegler advised that he was in support of the recommendation; however, the agreement should be executed by the Mayor and Clerk and not by the General Manager of the Community Services Department. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with Kitchener Minor Soccer Association, permitting the Association to construct an addition to the existing building at Meinzinger Park and to operate a concession, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement dated March 22, 2001 ." 6SD-01-046 - SOUTHWEST OPTIMIST CLUB - AGREEMENT COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 26, 2001 - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER 12. The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-046, dated March 19, 2001, recommending an agreement between the City and the Optimist Club of Southwest Kitchener to permit the club to enter upon and operate certain minor sports programs at Southwest Optimist Park and also to locate a portable type building at the park. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement with the Optimist Club of Southwest Kitchener, in the form as attached to staff report CSD-01-046, permitting the Club to enter upon and operate certain minor sports programs and to locate a portable type building at Southwest Optimist Park, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth in the agreement." ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:04 p.m. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Administrator