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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2006-03-06COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 5:00 p.m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Gazzola, M. Galloway, J. Smola and C. Weylie. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer A. Pappert, General Manager of Community Services G. Sosnoski, General Manager of Corporate Services & City Clerk R. Browning, Interim General Manager of Development & Technical Services R. Gosse, Director of Legislated Services S. Adams, Director of Community Services & Corporate Planning K. Currier, Director of Operations M. Hildebrand, Director of Aquatics & Athletics S. Turner, Director of Enforcement K. Woodcock, Special Projects Officer C. Allen, Marketing Communication Associate J. Hutchison, Facilitator /Volunteer Resource D. Schmitt, Urban Forest Technologist C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-06-026 -EARTH DAY 2006 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-026, dated February 16, 2006 regarding the Earth Day 2006 Memorandum of Agreement with Earth Day Canada. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - itwas resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute the `Memorandum of Agreement - Earth Day 2006' with Earth Day Canada, as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-06-026, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." 2. CSD-06-029 - 2004 FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBOURHOODS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT - MOUNT HOPE-BREITHAUPT PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-029, dated February 23, 2006 regarding a proposed use for the 2004 capital improvement grant awarded the Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - itwas resolved: "That the 2004 Festival of Neighbourhoods capital improvement grant for the Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association be used for a movie projector and costs related to the installation of an outdoor winter rink adjacent to Breithaupt Centre." 3. DELEGATION PRESENTATION -MARKET COVENANT Mr. Albert Norris spoke in regard to his suggestion that the Region of Waterloo Public Health Department assume the management of Your Kitchener Market as it was his opinion they would be the optimum choice. 4. CSD-06-027 - FRIENDS OF KITCHENER'S NATURAL AREAS - COLLABORATIVE STEWARDSHIP AND EDUCATION PROGRAM The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-027, dated February 20, 2006 regarding "Friends of Kitchener's Natural Areas" Collaborative Stewardship and Education Program. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2006 -14 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CSD-06-027 - FRIENDS OF KITCHENER'S NATURAL AREAS - COLLABORATIVE STEWARDSHIP AND EDUCATION PROGRAM (CONT'D1 Mr. D. Schmidt advised that Community Services staff have been working with the Kitchener- Waterloo Field Naturalists and the Waterloo Stewardship Network since 2004 to develop a stewardship and education program for Kitchener's natural areas. He stated that the Trillium Foundation has provided a grant of $52,000. to be used over the next two years, which is in addition to the $70,000. of existing capital allocated to this program. Mr. Schmidt reviewed the progress of the collaborative stewardship and education program, outlining the various activities planned for 2006. In response to questions, Mr. D. Schmidt advised that Council through a recommendation from the Environmental Committee, supported the Trillium Grant application and the development of a stewardship and education program for Kitchener's natural areas. He noted that a member of the City's Environmental Committee sits on the program's Steering Committee. He stated that the program started in January 2006 with the hiring of a University of Waterloo co- op student, who is working out of the Community Services Department. He added that over the next 2 years, this co-op position (Stewardship and Education Co-ordinator) will be the primary person developing and running the program based on direction from the Steering Committee. He stated that during the 2006 Capital Budget process, Council approved a long- term funding program for natural areas, which is scheduled to commence in 2009. Mr. Schmidt further advised that he conservatively estimated the number of anticipated participants due to the uncontrollable variables that can affect participation at their planned outdoor activities. He noted that the City of Calgary has a similar program in place, and after their first year they experienced a 700% increase in participant turn-out. Several members expressed support for this program, noting that it will serve as a means of promoting environmental stewardship and educating the public as to the value of Kitchener's natural areas. 5. CSD-06-024 -COMMUNITY CLEANLINESS STRATEGY PROGRESS REPORT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-024, dated February 21, 2006 regarding the status of the development of a community cleanliness strategy. Mr. K. Currier noted that this initiative arose from a shared agenda item and reviewed the objectives of the strategy, as outlined in the staff report, requesting input from the Committee. In response to questions, Mr. K. Currier advised that the community cleanliness strategy will serve to consolidate and co-ordinate the various community cleanliness initiatives that have been underway for several years. He stated that the City will be purchasing an additional street sweeper, which should allow staff to sweep every City street approximately 3 to 4 times a year. He noted that the streets in the downtown area are swept on an average of 3 to 4 times a week. Mr. S. Turner advised that staff is working with their counterparts at the City of Waterloo to develop standards regarding landscaping on City boulevards. Mr. S. Turner further advised that with regard to graffiti, many of the occurrences are located on structures that are owned by other agencies, and compliance is subject to the agreements the City has in place with those agencies. He stated that the removal of graffiti on private property is enforced under Municipal Code Chapter 665 Property Standards for Maintenance and Occupancy). He added that staff are currently developing astand-alone by-law which will provide a more effective means of dealing with graffiti on private properties. The new by-law will allow staff to access properties, clean the area and then charge the cleaning costs back to the owner through their property taxes. He noted that the City of Cambridge is also currently developing astand-alone graffiti by-law. Mayor C. Zehr questioned what could be done to gain access to Ministry of Transportation Ontario (MTO) lands located adjacent to the City's highway entrances to increase the regularity with which those areas are maintained. He stated that in some areas the grass COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2006 -15 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. CSD-06-024 -COMMUNITY CLEANLINESS STRATEGY PROGRESS REPORT (CONT'D) grows high enough to represent a safety hazard and being covered with litter casts a negative image on the City. Mr. K. Currier advised that staff are currently holding discussions with the MTO regarding these issues and in instances where the publics' safety is at risk, he noted that City staff have entered the lands to cut the grass. Councillor G. Lorentz suggested that the Committee could pass a resolution to send a letter to the Premier's Office, encouraging the Province to invest funds to increase standards for maintenance of highway entrance lands. He added that alternatively, the City could make a request to the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to apply pressure to the Province to raise their standards. Mayor C. Zehr stated that it was his recollection that Council has taken similar action in the past and requested that staff research previous actions of Council for further review in consideration of an appropriate course of action. 6. LETTER OFSUPPORT - KIDSABILITY CENTRE FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT The Committee was in receipt this date of draft correspondence from Mayor C. Zehr to the Honourable Mary Anne V. Chambers, Minister of Children and Youth Services, dated March 6, 2006 regarding the KidsAbility Centre for Child Development. Mayor C. Zehr advised that at a recent Regional Council meeting, a facts sheet was distributed concerning the funding difficulties being faced by the KidsAbility Centre for Child Development. He noted that the Region of Waterloo has one of the longest waiting lists in the Province for these programs and as such, he has drafted a letter to the Minister of Children and Youth Services requesting that these issues be addressed. He noted that due to the timelines with respect to the upcoming Provincial budget, it is necessary that this matter be dealt with this date. Mayor Zehr requested the members support for the recommendation outlined in the draft correspondence. It was noted that any recommendation from this Committee will be considered at the special Council meeting to be held later this date. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the Mayor be authorized to write a letter indicating the Kitchener City Council's support for the funding request of KidsAbility Centre for Child Development, to meet this community's need for necessary therapy services in an effort to shorten wait times and provide equitable access to services." 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator