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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 2002-05-13 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13. 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, Chaired by Councillor J. Smola, commencing at 3:30 p.m. with the following members present: Councillors B. Vrbanovic, M. Galloway, C. Weylie and J. Ziegler. Officials Present: Ms. P. Houston, Ms. R. Pitfield, Ms. S. Adams, Ms. K. Kugler, Ms. J. Billett and Messrs. J. Fielding, R. Pritchard, F. Pizzuto, G. Melanson, K. Baulk, M. Hildebrand and K. Nihls. 1. CSD-02-105 - REALLOCATION OF CAPITAL FUNDS TO FUND PLAYGROUND IMPROVEMENTS The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-02-105, dated May 1, 2002 respecting playground improvements required in 2002 which will result in an over expenditure of the playground budget. Councillor J. Ziegler requested clarification with respect to the swing set alterations and in particular, improvements that were to be undertaken at Oaten Park. Mr. F. Pizzuto advised that extensive improvements to playgrounds, including Oaten Park, were undertaken in 2001 and the proposed swing set alterations are additional improvements proposed for 2002 that could not be accommodated last year due to budget constraints. Councillor J. Ziegler suggested, and it was agreed, that staff be directed to prepare a small, card sized handout that would list the City's Community Services Department assets; ie. number of playgrounds, community centres, arenas, parks, community trails, etc.; that could be used as a promotional tool to apprise citizens of City services provided in return for tax dollars. Mr. Pizzuto agreed to take this under advisement. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That $42,000. be reallocated from the 2002 Parks Operations Improvement capital account to the Playground Features account to cover the cost of improvements to children's playground facilities as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-02-105." 2. CSD-02-108 - LAND EXCHANGE - WATERLOO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD - CONSTRUCTION OF STANLEY PARK COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-02-10S, dated May 7, 2002 respecting a proposed exchange of land with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Mr. Mark Hildebrand provided details of discussions undertaken with community stakeholders respecting construction of a community centre in the Stanley Park/Grand River area. He advised that it had been determined that the St. Anthony Daniel School/Midland Park site was the best location and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board was very receptive to the concept. Following discussions with the School Board, he advised that it had been agreed the most appropriate location would be to attach the community centre to the end of the school facing Franklin Street. Accordingly, Mr. Hildebrand advised that staff are recommending lands be exchanged between the City and the School Board to accommodate the community centre on City-owned lands, with the school to remain on School Board lands. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested, and it was agreed, that staff be directed to ensure that the agreement for exchange of land with the School Board includes provision for protection of the green space that the School Board is ultimately to take ownership of and for the City of Kitchener to have first right of refusal at a nominal cost in the event the School Board chooses to close the school at some future date. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13. 2002 - 40 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-02-108 - LAND EXCHANGE - WATERLOO CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD - CONSTRUCTION OF STANLEY PARK COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTRE - (CONT'D) On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That Legal Services staff be directed to initiate the necessary steps to exchange land with the Waterloo Catholic District School Board to accommodate construction of the Stanley Park Community Resource Centre." 3. CSD-02-107 - RENEWAL OF TICKETING AGREEMENT - CENTRE IN THE SQUARE - TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM THE CAPITAL CONTINGENCY FUND The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-02-107, dated May 3, 2002 respecting replacement of current ticketing hardware equipment and communication links and an agreement for provision of ticketing services at the Auditorium Complex. Ms. Kim Kugler advised that following review of the current ticketing system, staff undertook to investigate alternate systems that would reduce operating costs and still meet the needs of the Centre in the Square, their users and the Auditorium Complex. Accordingly, she advised that staff are recommending replacement of the existing ticketing system and continued sharing of the system with the Centre in the Square to take advantage of cost benefits and efficiencies in staff resources, database collection and customer accessibility. On motion by Councillor J. Ziegler- it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener enter into an agreement with the Centre in the Square (CITS) for a 5 year period for provision of ticketing services for the Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex; and, That $28,000. be transferred from the Capital Contingency Fund to fund the costs related to replacement of current ticketing hardware equipment and communication links; and further, That subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the agreement with the Centre in the Square." 4. TREE REMOVAL - 14 BINGE MAN STREET - QUOTATIONS PROVIDED BY MR. A. CHRISTIE AND RECIRCULATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT CSD-02-089 This matter was originally considered at the April 15 Community Services Committee meeting at which time it was deferred to allow Mr. Anthony Christie to obtain 3 written quotations respecting the removal of a tree at 14 Bingeman Street. The Committee was in receipt of 3 written quotations provided by Mr. Christie, together with Community Services Department report CSD- 02-089, dated April 4, 2002 recommending that the City not assume responsibility for removal of the tree. Councillor J. Smola advised that the delegation was not in attendance at this time and it was suggested that this matter be deferred and referred to the May 27 Council meeting for inclusion on the Committee of the Whole portion of the Council agenda. In this regard, Ms. J. Billett advised that the delegation had been invited to attend at 4:00 p.m. and suggested that this meeting be temporarily adjourned to allow Mr. Christie an opportunity to arrive. Councillor J. Ziegler commented that the tree in question is in good shape and the staff report indicates no damage occurred during reconstruction. Accordingly, Councillor Ziegler suggested that staff be directed to develop a policy with respect to this type of request and that further consideration of Mr. Christie's request be deferred pending development of the policy. 4. TREE REMOVAL - 14 BINGE MAN STREET - QUOTATIONS PROVIDED BY MR. A. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13. 2002 CHRISTIE AND RECIRCULATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT CSD-02-089 (CONT'D) - 41 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor J. Smola noted that the City's Property Standards Officer had inspected the tree and ordered it to be removed. He further pointed out that results of an independent Tree Inspection Report classified the tree as hazardous, at a rating of 10 out of 12. Mr. K. Nihls reviewed the evaluation criteria used by the Arborist in determining the hazard rating; however, advised that if the tree were located on City property, it would not be high priority for removal as it is still in good condition. In response to a question from Councillor Ziegler respecting timing for development of a policy, Mr. Nihls indicated that he would have to consult with Engineering staff and was unsure of what was expected in terms of a policy. He pointed out that when there is an issue of ownership respecting trees, staff undertake to obtain information prior to the start of reconstruction projects to ensure appropriate preservation measures are taken. Councillor J. Smola referred to reconstruction that took place in the area of 42 Bingeman Street and advised that Council had made a decision to pay the property owner 50% of the cost to remove a tree up to a maximum of $1,000. He suggested that as reconstruction projects take place similar requests will come forward and it appears concern with the amount of financial assistance given needs to be addressed. Mr. F. Pizzuto advised that the City currently has a policy with respect to trees on City boulevards and suggested that if Council directed, staff could expand this policy to include trees on private property. Councillor J. Ziegler stated that it was not his intention to encourage development of a policy that would make provision for financial assistance to remove trees from private properties. He pointed out that in this case the staff report indicates concerns respecting this tree existed prior to reconstruction. Councillor Ziegler stated that perhaps it would be better to consider requests on an individual basis and accordingly, suggested that Mr. Christie's request be deferred until such time as he is available to make further representation to the Committee. Following further discussion, Mr. Christie entered the meeting and at the request of Councillor J. Smola, Councillor B. Vrbanovic occupied the chair to allow Councillor Smola the opportunity to fully participate in discussion. Mr. A. Christie advised that he had obtained one further estimate from Four Seasons Expert Tree Maintenance & Removal Inc. at a cost of $2,800. Mr. Christie then responded to several questions from Councillor Smola, advising that during a recent storm no further limbs had fallen and when measured from the crown, the tree overhangs City property by approximately 30 to 50%. Councillor B. Vrbanovic pointed out that the estimate from Davey Tree Care Experts was the lowest at $2,200. Councillor J. Smola then put forward a motion to provide 50% of the cost of tree removal up to a maximum of $1 ,000. Councillor J. Ziegler pointed out that this case is different from 42 Bingeman Street in that, staff have indicated concerns respecting this tree existed prior to reconstruction occurring. Councillor Ziegler commented that the difference between this case and that of 42 Bingeman Street should be distinguished and accordingly, advised that if financial assistance was to be given he would only support up to 1/3 of the cost of tree removal. 4. TREE REMOVAL - 14 BINGE MAN STREET - QUOTATIONS PROVIDED BY MR. A. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 13. 2002 CHRISTIE AND RECIRCULATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT REPORT CSD-02-089 (CONT'D) - 42 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor Smola stated that these requests come forward only as a result of major reconstruction projects and expressed the opinion that it was unreasonable to expect that trees would not be impacted. He stated that in this case the tree has been identified as dangerous and assistance with its removal is being requested. Councillor M. Galloway referred to earlier discussions respecting development of a structured policy and suggested that staff should move in this direction given the difficult position of Council in arbitrating such requests. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned if it would be more feasible to remove trees identified as dangerous prior to reconstruction given the likelihood of additional expense in working around them. Mr. Nihls acknowledged that additional costs are incurred as a result of preservation measures taken to minimize the impact to trees during reconstruction projects; however, he pointed out that while staff can recommend removal, they cannot force the owner of a private tree to accept their recommendation. On motion by Councillor J. Smola- it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener pay 50% of the cost to remove the tree at 14 Bingeman Street up to a maximum of $1 ,000." 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:15 p.m. Janet Billett, AMCT Committee Administrator