HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 2001-10-29COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 29, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 4:05
p.m., with the following members present: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, J. Ziegler, B.
Vrbanovic, C. Weylie and M. Galloway.
Officials Present:Ms. S. Adams and Ms. J. Billett, and Messrs. J. Fielding, R. Pritchard, F. Pizzuto,
J. McBride, K. Baulk and D. Daly.
1.
CSD-01-182-STANDARD CONTRACT - INSTRUCTOR FOR DIRECT LEISURE COURSES
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-182, dated
October 9, 2001 recommending approval of a standard contract for the purpose of retaining an
instructor to provide direct leisure courses and to provide authorization to the Supervisor of the
Program Co-ordinator to sign the contract.
It was resolved:
“That subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, the standard contract for retaining an
instructor for provision of direct leisure courses, as contained in Community Services
Department report CSD-01-182, be approved; and further,
That the Supervisor of the Program Co-ordinator be authorized to sign the instructor
contract.”
2.
CSD-01-169 -ON-STREET PARKING - MOOREGATE CRESCENT
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-169, dated
October 12, 2001, recommending that parking be prohibited on the north-west side of Mooregate
Crescent from a point 401 metres north of Hazelglen Drive to a point 46 metres west thereof.
It was resolved:
“That parking be prohibited on the north-west side of Mooregate Crescent from a point 401
metres north of Hazelglen Drive to a point 46 metres west thereof; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.”
3.
CSD-01-173 -ON-STREET PARKING - HIGHLAND CRESCENT
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-173, dated
October 12, 2001, recommending a parking prohibition on the north-east side of Highland
Crescent, from Highland Road West (south intersection) to a point 145 metres north thereof.
It was resolved:
“That parking be prohibited on the north-east side of Highland Crescent from Highland
Road West (south intersection) to a point 145 metres north thereof; and further,
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.”
4.
CSD-01-178-ON-STREET PARKING - LINDEN AVENUE
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-178, dated
October 12, 2001, recommending that a parking prohibition be implemented on the east side
of Linden Avenue, from a point 52 metres south of Joseph Street to a point 12 metres south
thereof.
It was resolved:
That parking be prohibited on the east side of Linden Avenue from a point 52 metres
“
south of Joseph Street to a point 12 metres south thereof; and further,
4.
CSD-01-178-ON-STREET PARKING - LINDEN AVENUE (CONT’D)
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 29, 2001- 74 -CITY OF KITCHENER
That the Uniform Traffic By-law be amended accordingly.”
5.
CSD-01-193 -REQUEST FOR FREE SATURDAY PARKING IN DOWNTOWN - CHRISTMAS
SEASON
The Committee was in receipt this date of Community Services Department report CSD-01-193,
dated October 29, 2001, recommending that the request of the Kitchener Downtown Business
Association to provide free parking on Saturdays within the Downtown, over the Christmas
season, be approved.
It was resolved:
“That the request of the Kitchener Downtown Business Association to provide free
parking in all City of Kitchener operated parking facilities within the Downtown on
Saturdays commencing November 17, 2001 and extending through the Christmas
season to December 29, 2001 inclusive, be approved.”
6.
CSD-01-185-TRAFFIC CONTROL - FISCHER-HALLMAN ROAD / ACTIVA AVENUE
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-185, dated
October 18, 2001, recommending that traffic control signals not be installed at the intersection
of Fischer-Hallman Road / Activa Avenue at this time and that traffic patterns at this location
continue to be monitored for potential future installation of traffic control signals.
Councillor M. Galloway commented that even though this intersection does not meet warrants at
this time, it is likely warrants will be met in the near future as further development takes place. He
noted that area residents are concerned with the safety of children crossing Fischer-Hallman Road
to attend school and have requested installation of traffic control signals. Alternatively, residents
have suggested implementing a crossing guard facility and/or installing a pedestrian refuge island.
Councillor M. Galloway noted that Fischer-Hallman Road is a major arterial, with speeds in
excess of 50 km/h, and intersects with the main entrance into the subdivision at Activa Avenue. In
this regard, he expressed the opinion that it was important to address issues of safety regarding
children and motorists and, as traffic warrants are expected to be met in the near future, he
proposed that traffic control signals be recommended for installation, subject to the 2002 budget
deliberations.
Councillor J. Ziegler requested that staff provide additional information for consideration during
budget deliberations respecting the number of households within the subdivision, the number of
children crossing Fischer-Hallman Road and statistics on traffic volume and speeds. Councillor G.
Lorentz requested that the information also include the number of future homes to be built to assist
in determining traffic impacts.
In response to Councillor J. Ziegler, Mr. McBride advised that staff would not support installation of
a pedestrian refuge island as warrants are very close to being met and it is expected that signals
will be installed shortly.
Councillor M. Galloway suggested that staff should investigate a mechanism to identify the need
for traffic control signals during the planning process for new subdivisions. In this regard, Mr. J.
McBride pointed out that a review process is now in place for plans of subdivision that identifies
where signals will be required in the future and provides for the cost of installation to be borne by
the developer. He pointed out, however, that a number of subdivision plans pre-date this review
process.
Councillor C. Weylie referred to development of new schools and suggested the School Boards
also pay for installation of traffic control signals. Mr. McBride advised, however, that the school
alone may not necessarily create the need for traffic signals but rather a combination of the school
and surrounding residential development.
6.
CSD-01-185-TRAFFIC CONTROL - FISCHER-HALLMAN ROAD / ACTIVA AVENUE
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 29, 2001- 75 -CITY OF KITCHENER
(CONT’D)
On motion by Councillor M. Galloway -
it was resolved:
“That subject to the 2002 budget deliberations, traffic control signals be installed at the
intersection of Fischer-Hallman Road / Activa Avenue.”
7.
CSD-01-186-SCHOOL TRAFFIC SAFTEY
-LACKNER / ZELLER – STREET LANE RE-ALIGNMENTS
-CROSSING GUARD FACILITIES
-LACKNER BOULEVARD & ZELLER DRIVE
-OTTAWA STREET NORTH & MONTCALM DRIVE
-OLD CHICOPEE DRIVE & HOLBORN DRIVE
-RIVER ROAD & BRADLEY DRIVE
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-186, dated
October 16, 2001 recommending that crossing guard facilities at Lackner Boulevard and Zeller
Drive, and at Ottawa Street North and Montcalm Drive, be maintained; the Region of Waterloo be
requested to change lane designations on Lackner Boulevard west of the intersection; lunch hour
service at the crossing guard facility at Old Chicopee Drive and Holborn Drive be eliminated; and,
the lunch hour service at the crossing guard facility on River Road at Bradley Drive be reinstated.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that staff provide a follow-up report by June 2002 respecting
the intersection of Lackner Boulevard and Zeller Drive, to include current warrant statistics relative
to traffic volumes and speed. By general consent, it was agreed to revise the staff
recommendation to include Councillor Vrbanovic’s request.
On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic –
it was resolved:
“That the crossing guard facilities at Lackner Boulevard and Zeller Drive, and at Ottawa
Street North and Montcalm Drive, be maintained, and that the Region of Waterloo be
requested to change lane designations on Lackner Boulevard west of the intersection; and,
That the lunch hour service at the crossing guard facility on Old Chicopee Drive and
Holborn Drive be eliminated and the lunch hour service at the crossing guard facility on
River Road at Bradley Drive be reinstated; and further,
That staff provide a follow-up report by June 2002 to the Community Services Committee,
respecting the intersection of Lackner Boulevard and Zeller Drive, to include current
warrant statistics relative to traffic volumes and speeds.”
8.
CSD-01-187-COMMUNITY SAFETY ZONE PROGRAM - EXTENSION OF TRIAL PERIOD
-SPEED ADVISORY PROGRAM
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-187, dated
October 22, 2001, recommending that the Community Safety Zone Program be extended for an
additional trial period until January 2003; no further zones be implemented until the trial period has
been completed and evaluated; the existing Community Safety Zone on Westmount Road from
Chopin Drive to Erb Street be maintained; the Community Safety Zone on Queen’s Boulevard from
Highland Road to Westheights Drive be removed; and the Speed Advisory Program continue to be
operated.
Mayor C. Zehr questioned the merit of continuing the Community Safety Zone Program given the
difficulties encountered in enforcing the program. Mr. J. McBride advised that the Waterloo
Regional Police Services indicated that the number of zones implemented was too high to provide
consistent enforcement. Accordingly, a reduction in the number of zones Region-wide from 14 to
6 is now proposed. Mr. McBride stated that Police representatives feel that with the
8.
CSD-01-187-COMMUNITY SAFETY ZONE PROGRAM - EXTENSION OF TRIAL PERIOD
-SPEED ADVISORY PROGRAM (CONT’D)
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 29, 2001- 76 -CITY OF KITCHENER
reduction in zones, enforcement will be achievable and the modified program worth giving another
chance.
Councillor B. Vrbanovic expressed the opinion that the focus of Police enforcement should be on
areas that have been identified as a concern, such as Community Safety Zones and School
Zones.
In response to Councillor M. Galloway, Mr. McBride advised that Kitchener’s Speed Advisory
board may be loaned out to community groups; however, Cambridge and Waterloo will use their
own. He further advised that while Kitchener’s Speed Advisory board will primarily be used on
local roads, it may also be used on Regional roads located within Kitchener.
Councillor G. Lorentz commented that the concept of Community Safety Zones is good; however,
key areas of concern need to be identified and the issue of enforcement should be pursued with
the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board. Councillor M. Galloway agreed with Councillor
Lorentz’s comments and suggested that a meeting should be arranged with Police Services and
the police representative in charge of enforcing the Speed Advisory Program be requested to
attend.
Mayor C. Zehr agreed to forward concerns relative to the issue of enforcement of Community
Safety Zones to the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board for their consideration at an
upcoming meeting.
In response to Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Mr. McBride advised that use of the Speed Advisory board
is co-ordinated with Police enforcement and results of data collected are provided to Police.
On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic -
it was resolved:
“That the Community Safety Zone Program be extended for an additional trial period until
January 2003 and that no further zones be implemented until the trial period has been
completed and its effectiveness further evaluated; and,
That the existing Community Safety Zone on Westmount Road (Regional Road #50) from
Chopin Drive to Erb Street in the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo, be maintained; and,
That the Community Safety Zone on Queen’s Boulevard from Highland Road to
Westheights Drive be removed; and,
That Traffic & Parking By-law No. 2000-159 be amended to incorporate the changes to the
Community Safety Zone Program; and further,
That the Speed Advisory Program, in conjunction with the Regional Municipality of
Waterloo and the Waterloo Regional Police Services, continue to be operated.”
9.
CSD-01-190-SEPTEMBER 11 TRAGEDIES IN THE UNITED STATES
-REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF DEFERRAL RE: CLAUSE 12 OF OCTOBER
22, 2001 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-01-190, dated
October 29, 2001, respecting Clause 12 of the October 22, 2001 Community Services Committee
report. Clause 12 deferred and referred Community Services Department report CSD-01-174
(Freedom Walk – Williamsburg Cemetery) and requested staff to provide additional alternatives to
memorialize the tragic events that occurred in the United States, to the October 29 Community
Services Committee meeting. It was noted in the report that staff have considered a number of
options; however, require additional time to develop a process that will include citizen participation.
Accordingly, staff are requesting that the period of deferral be extended to the Committee’s
meeting scheduled for November 19, 2001.
9.
CSD-01-190-SEPTEMBER 11 TRAGEDIES IN THE UNITED STATES
-REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF DEFERRAL RE: CLAUSE 12 OF OCTOBER
22, 2001 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE REPORT (CONT’D)
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
OCTOBER 29, 2001- 77 -CITY OF KITCHENER
Mayor C. Zehr commented that while it is important to recognize the tragedies that occurred on
September 11, it is also important to take time to decide on an appropriate course of action. In this
regard, he stated that November 19 may not be enough time and suggested a future date in 2002
may be more appropriate.
Following further discussion, it was generally agreed that the date of deferral as outlined in Clause
12 of the October 22, 2001 Community Services Committee report would be extended to
November 19, 2001.
10.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:30 p.m.
Janet Billett
Committee Administrator