HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2006-04-10COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 10, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 4:16 p.m.
Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Gazzola, B. Vrbanovic, M. Galloway, J. Smola and
C. Weylie.
Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer
A. Pappert, General Manager of Community Services
R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services & Fire Chief
P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer
L. MacDonald, Director of Legal Services and City Solicitor
S. Adams, Director of Community Services & Corporate Planning
K. Currier, Director of Operations
K. Baulk, Director of Enterprises
D. Keelan, Interim Director of Aquatics & Athletics
M. Hildebrand, Interim Director of Program & Resource Services
S. Williams, Assistant City Solicitor
D. Chapman, Supervisor of Special Events
K. Dever, Organizational Change Facilitator
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. CSD-06-045 -GRANT REQUEST
- J. STECKLE HERITAGE HOMESTEAD COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-045, dated
March 27, 2006 regarding aone-time grant request to cover the cost related to the start-up of
the J. Steckle Heritage Homestead Community Garden.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
itwas resolved:
"That aone-time grant in the amount of $1000. ($500. cash and $500. in-kind services
for transportation of topsoil and sod stripping), be approved to the J. Steckle Heritage
Homestead Garden Group, to cover costs related to the start-up of the J. Steckle
Heritage Homestead Community Garden."
2. CSD-06-049 -MINOR SPORTS AFFILIATION AND THIRD PARTY LIABILITY INSURANCE
REQUEST
- THE WATERLOO RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-049, dated
April 4, 2006 regarding inclusion of the Waterloo Rugby Football Club to the City's Minor Sport
Affiliation and Third Party Liability Insurance program.
Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that he will contact the City's Risk Management staff to investigate
the impact of accumulated costs of providing coverage to various Regional minor sports
groups under the City of Kitchener's Minor Sports Third Party Liability Insurance program.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
itwas resolved:
"That the Waterloo Rugby Football Club, be approved as an affiliated minor sport group
under the City of Kitchener Minor Sport Affiliation policy; and further,
That the Waterloo Rugby Football Club, be approved as an insured group under the
City of Kitchener Minor Sports Third Party Liability Insurance program."
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3. CSD-06-048 -COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM (CDIP)
GRANT REQUEST
- CENTRE FOR RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN HUMAN SERVICES
- PAULANDER COMMUNITY PARTICIPATORY ACTION NEEDS
ASSESSMENT
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-048, dated
March 29, 2006 regarding a Community Development Infrastructure Program (CDIP) grant
request to undertake a community needs resource assessment for the Paulander Drive
community.
Mr. Rich Janzen, Centre for Research and Education in Human Services (CREHS), requested
approval of a one-time $12,700. CDIP grant to undertake an 8-month participatory action
needs assessment for the Paulander Drive community. He stated that the proposal as
appended to the staff report identifies eight community partners that have come together to
support this initiative led by the CREHS. He added that overall the Paulander Drive
community has one of the highest densities of low income housing and new Canadians in this
Region. Mr. Janzen stated that the community needs resource assessment aims to build local
capacity to systematically explore the present situation while making recommendations to
improve the future living conditions of this area. He noted that this assessment is one part of a
multi-tier strategy that will be used to mobilize residents and community partners in an effort to
strengthen the Paulander Drive neighbourhood.
In response to questions, Mr. Janzen advised that CREHS is anon-profit charitable research
organization located in Kitchener, adding that all CREHS projects are led by a cross
stakeholders steering group that guides each step of the project's development. He noted that
this increases the likelihood that recommendations are implemented and momentum is
sustained. Mr. Janzen stated that their largest expenditure relates to staffing as CREHS hires,
trains and supports people who live in the study area to work as co-researchers.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
itwas resolved:
"That a one time Community Development Infrastructure Program (CDIP) grant in the
amount of $12,700., be approved to the Centre for Research and Education in Human
Services, to cover costs associated with conducting a community needs and resource
assessment for the Paulander Drive community, as outlined in Community Services
Department report CSD-06-048."
4. CSD-06-046 -ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING
- BLUES, BREWS AND BBQ'S
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-046, dated
April 5, 2006 regarding a summary of options for providing additional financial support for the
2006 Blues, Brews and BBQ's Festival.
Mr. Dan Graham, Kitchener Blues Community Inc., requested that additional funding in the
amount of $20,000. be provided for the 2006 Blues, Brews and BBQ's Festival. Mr. Graham
stated that the Festival Board of Directors anticipates the completion of their strategic plan by
the end of May 2006, noting that the Plan includes the development of a long-term
sponsorship strategy and the continued evolution of a management and board model to meet
the growth needs of the Festival. He added that the Festival is entering its sixth year and has
grown from a 5-hour event at City Hall to a 3-day, multi-venue, signature festival for the
community, which last year attracted 45,000 people to the Downtown. He advised that
additional resources, both financial and human, are required to support the Festival's growth
and future success. He outlined that part of the Festival's mandate is to remain free of charge
to the public and promote the City of Kitchener, particularly the Downtown area. He noted that
the Festival addresses strategic goals, endorsed by Council, for the Special Events Unit
specifically: enhancing community spirit and pride, bringing people downtown and supporting
event development. He pointed out that the City receives an exceptional return on its
investment, with a number of local businesses directly benefiting from an increase in patrons
over the three day period.
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4. CSD-06-046 -ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING
- BLUES, BREWS AND BBQ'S (CONT'D)
Ms. Deb Tileman, Kitchener Blues Community Inc., advised that the City's contribution to the
overall Festival's budget has been decreasing on a percentage basis, as the Festival's
operating budget continues to grow. She outlined that their goal is to keep the City's overall
financial contribution to 10% of the total operating cost, stating that in 2005 the City's
contribution represented 13% of their overall budget. She added that presently the City's 2006
contribution represents approximately 3.5% of their overall budget, noting that even if the
$20,000. is provided the City's contribution would still only represent 9.5% of the Festival's
overall operating budget. Ms. Tileman outlined that if the 2006 funding issues are not
addressed, they would only be able to provide a two day festival instead of three, as they
would be forced to eliminate the popular Sunday performances. Further, they would have to
cancel the Matt Osbourne Stage at the Kitchener Market and cancel the workshops and
outreach programs, which would negatively impact the local community.
In response to questions, Mr. D. Graham stated that the annual operating budget differentials
are resultant to the quality of headliners being provided, adding that the best way to expand
the Festival is to provide better known performers. He stated that by booking known
headliners the Board of Directors is better able to attract and retain sponsors, which in turn
alleviates the overall financial contribution needed from the City. He noted that the Festival
Board of Directors is actively pursuing various alternative forms of revenue generation, and
that the Festival has taken the necessary steps to move towards a more self sufficient
operating model by incorporating as anot-for-profit organization. He added that this allowed
them to secure a Trillium Grant, which enabled them to undergo a strategic review of the
Festival's operations. He further advised that the City of Ottawa blues festival had a similar
beginning, adding that now the Ottawa festival runs for 10 days and attracts over a million
people to that City. He stated that some day he would like to see this festival attain similar
attendance levels, noting that in the short-term his goal is to increase corporate sponsorship.
He stated that the comparative decrease in funding received from the City for the 2006
Festival has caused some corporate sponsors to be hesitant when asked to provide
contributions.
A motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic to provide additional funding of $20,000. ($10,000. cash
and $10.000. in-kind), to assist with costs related to providing the 2006 Blues, Brews and
BBQ's Festival, was brought forward for consideration.
After an examination of the 5 funding options outlined in the staff report, the Committee
agreed that the proposed $20,000. of additional funding should be provided through an over-
expenditure of the Special Events Operating Budget as opposed to the General Provision
Grant Account. Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that an over-expenditure would ensure that
funding is available to provide other, yet unknown groups, General Provision grants in 2006.
Councillor J. Smola suggested that staff pursue the development of a policy to set the annual
funding contribution to the Blues, Brews & BBQ's Festival at 10% of the Festival's annual
operating budget. Ms. A. Pappert advised that staff is currently developing an investment
strategy to determine the appropriate funding levels for these types of events and she
cautioned the Committee against committing to a particular funding percentage at this time.
On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic -
itwas resolved:
"That an over expenditure of the 2006 Special Events Operating Budget in the amount
of $20,000. ($10,000. cash and $10,000. in-kind services), be approved to assist
Kitchener Blues Community Inc., with costs related to providing the 2006 Blues Brews
and BBQ's Festival."
5. CSD-06-040 -COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC PLAN
The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-040 dated
March 29, 2006 regarding an overview of the process to be used in the development of the
Community Services Department Strategic Plan.
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5. CSD-06-040 -COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT STRATEGIC PLAN (CON'TD)
Ms. A. Pappert reviewed the staff report and requested the Committee's comments and
direction regarding the development of a Community Services Department Strategic Plan.
In response to questions, Ms. A. Pappert advised that Appendix `A' of the staff report outlines
the various phases of the plan's development, and added that while it only shows the plan
coming before this Committee in January 2007; she assured that information reports will be
presented to this Committee throughout the development process.
Councillor M. Galloway suggested that the development of the Community Services
Department Strategic Plan be added as an item to Council's Shared Agenda. Ms. C. Ladd
spoke in support of Councillor Galloway's suggestion as it would provide an increased level of
input from Council during the development process.
6. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator