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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2006-05-01COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 1, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 4:40 p.m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors B. Vrbanovic, M. Galloway, J. Smola and C. Weylie. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer A. Pappert, General Manager of Community Services P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services and City Treasurer K. Currier, Director of Operations K. Baulk, Director of Enterprise M. Hildebrand, Interim Director of Community Programs and Services D. Keehn, Interim Director of Aquatics & Athletics G. Hastings, Manager of Golf Courses R. Cyr, Co-ordinator of Athletics C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-06-05$ -DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY - PRE-APPROVED ENTERTAINMENT AND SERVICE PROVIDER CONTRACTS The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-058, dated April 18, 2006 regarding an increase in the Facilitator of Special Events signing authority from $10,000. to $20,000. for pre-approved Entertainment and Service Provider contracts. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Facilitator of Special Events be authorized to execute the pre-approved Entertainment and Service Provider contracts, to a limit of $20,000., subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor and adherence to all Purchasing Guidelines." 2. CSD-06-052 -AGREEMENT -FARMING OF DOON VALLEY GOLF COURSE LANDS The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-052, dated April 10, 2006 regarding the 2006 Rental Agreement to permit farming of Doon Valley Golf Course expansion lands. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Manager of Golf Courses be authorized to execute an agreement, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, to rent the Doon Valley Golf Course undeveloped lands Parts 1 & 2, Plan 67R-1686 to Brian Domm Farms Ltd. for the growing of a soybean crop from May 2006, until October 2006." 3. CSD-06-056 -VICTORIA HILLS COMMUNITY CENTRE PUBLIC ART COMPETITION The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-056, dated April 25, 2006 regarding the public art commission for the renovated Victoria Hills Community Centre. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Public Art Commission for the renovated Victoria Hills Community Centre entitled `Toyland' by Nicholas Rees, as selected by a public jury in accordance with Council Policies I-650 (Percent for Art) and I-485 (Public Art), be endorsed; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Nicholas Rees regarding the public art commission, conditions of delivery and acceptance of his commission proposal `Toyland', as set out in Community Services Department report CSD-06-056." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 1, 2006 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CSD-06-057 -CHANDLER MOWAT COMMUNITY CENTRE PUBLIC ART COMPETITION The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-057, dated April 25, 2006 regarding the public art commission for the new Chandler Mowat Community Centre. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the Public Art Commissions for the new Chandler Mowat Community Centre entitled `Place of Friendship' and `Gathering of Hands' by Jim Balzan and Hellen Sturgeon Cumber respectively, as selected by public jury in accordance with Council Policies I-650 (Percent for Art) and I-485 (Public Art), be endorsed; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Jim Balzan and Hellen Sturgeon Cumber regarding the public art commissions, conditions of delivery and acceptance of the commission proposals' `Place of Friendship' and `Gathering of Hands', as set out in Community Services Department report CSD-06-057." 5. CSD-06-053 -AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER 210 (CEMETERIES -MUNICIPAL) OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-053, dated April 13, 2006 regarding adoption of a by-law to amend Chapter 210 (Cemeteries -Municipal) of the City of Kitchener's Municipal Code. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the draft by-law to amend Chapter 210 (Cemeteries -Municipal) of the City of Kitchener Municipal Code, as attached to Community Services Department report CSD- 06-053 and dated March 30, 2006, be adopted; and further, That pursuant to the Cemeteries Act (Revised), staff be directed to forward the amending by-law to the Provincial Registrar of Cemeteries for approval." 6. CSD-06-050 -REMOVAL OF KW MINOR FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION AND SOUTH WESTERN ONTARIO BALL HOCKEY LEAGUE FROM THE CITY'S MINOR SPORT LIABILITY INSURANCE POLICY The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-050, dated April 18, 2006 regarding the removal of the KW Minor Football Association and South Western Ontario Ball Hockey League from Kitchener's Minor Sport Liability Insurance Policy. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that the Minor Sport Affiliation Policy is reviewed annually and tied to the City's grant process. He stated that each year the policy is examined and sports groups are requested to provide up-to-date information as part of their continued affiliation requirements. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the KW Minor Football Association and the South Western Ontario Ball Hockey League, be removed from the list of approved Minor Sport organizations named as insured under the City's Minor Sport Liability Insurance Policy." 7. CSD-06-055 - KIWANIS PARK -FENCE CONSTRUCTION IN SWIMMING AREA The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-055, dated April 24, 2006 regarding the construction of a fence surrounding the swimming area at Kiwanis Park, as now required by the Region of Waterloo's Public Health Department. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 1, 2006 - 2$ - CITY OF KITCHENER 7. CSD-06-055 - KIWANIS PARK -FENCE CONSTRUCTION IN SWIMMING AREA tCONT'D) Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that in the summer of 2005, the Region of Waterloo's Public Health Department submitted a letter to the Kiwanis Club and the City of Kitchener requiring compliance with Ontario Health Regulation 565/90 pertaining to the re-designation of the swimming area at Kiwanis Park to that of a "pool". He stated that upon receipt of this directive, City staff approached the Ontario Lifesaving Society to conduct a full aquatic safety audit of Kiwanis Park. He added that their report confirmed that a fence should be constructed to restrict access to the pool during non-operational hours. Mr. Hildebrand commented that the members of the Kiwanis Club are in favour of staff's recommendation. Ms. P. Houston advised that the recommended allocation of $43,000. towards the construction of the fence is approximately 1/3 of the total budget for the Capital Contingency Fund. She noted that she was unaware at this time of any other pending needs for funding from this account; however, as it is still early in the year additional funding requests may come forward in 2006. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That $43,000. be transferred from the Capital Contingency Fund, to fund construction of a fence that will surround the swimming area at Kiwanis Park to be completed by the opening date for the 2006 summer season, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-06-055." 8. CSD-06-059 -POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH YMCA AND RBJ SCHLEGEL - LEASE OF SPACE - WILLIAMSBURG NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-059, dated April 26, 2006 regarding a potential partnership with YMCA and RBJ Schlegel, to lease meeting, office and community space at the proposed Williamsburg Family YMCA. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that on October 26, 2005, Community Services staff reviewed a proposal for the development of a community centre/family YMCA facility for the Laurentian West community. The proposal requested the City to commit to a capital investment of $2M as a proportional share of the building space. He stated that after several discussions between the parties, a second proposal with two additional project alternatives for the Williamsburg Family YMCA project was provided to Community Services staff in February, 2006. He outlined that these alternatives related to multi-year lease arrangements with the YMCA and/or RBJ Schlegel Holdings Inc. He added that a capital investment in the Williamsburg Community Centre/Family YMCA is not recommended at this time. Mr. Hildebrand pointed out that the Williamsburg community would benefit from amulti-year lease agreement with the YMCA, as a means of facilitating the development and growth of leisure and social service programs to community residents in this rapidly growing area. He commented that these initiatives would provide an investment to ensure citizen involvement in the process of both neighbourhood- based planning and of long-term development for the Huron Farm project. Mr. Hildebrand suggested that the following be taken into account by the Committee when considering these proposals: • more assessment and community input is needed to identify the optimal community site for a permanent community centre; • community capacity development is needed within Williamsburg; • the proposed budget asks for a City contribution of 24% of the overall project cost for a maximum of 16% of program space, not all of which is exclusively available to the City of Kitchener; • the cost per square foot is higher than current cost for facilities construction; • there is no allocated capital funding for this development in the capital budget forecast; • there is a potential for YMCA programs to compete with resident participation in neighbourhood programming initiatives; • the Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP) identifies the development of a community centre in South-west Kitchener in approximately 2012; and, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 1, 2006 - 29 - CITY OF KITCHENER 8. CSD-06-059 -POTENTIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH YMCA AND RBJ SCHLEGEL - LEASE OF SPACE - WILLIAMSBURG NEIGHBOURHOOD DEVELOPMENT tCONT'D) • leap-frogging one project over another could be perceived as detrimental to the integrity of the process for developing community criteria for community centres. Mr. John Haddock, CEO, YMCA, advised that the YMCA conducted a market survey in the Laurentian Hills, Laurentian West, Country Hills, Huron Park, South Plains, Trussler and New Dundee areas, which focused on projected opportunities for selling family memberships for fitness and recreation. He noted that the study concluded that the projected recreational trends for Southwest Kitchener are such that they affirm the YMCA's desire to develop recreational and fitness programs in the proposed area. Mr. Haddock further advised that they approached the City of Kitchener to partner with them based on: projected population growth in Southwest Kitchener; the Resource Centre model in place in community centres throughout the City; and, the identification of Southwest Kitchener in the Leisure Facilities Master Plan as a primary location for a future community centre. In response to questions, Mr. J. Haddock advised that the YMCA's vision is to operate rather than own the facility, noting that the YMCA traditionally serves a population of up to 30,000 residents per facility. He added that the YMCA only owns 2 out of the 36 YMCA program sites. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that given the population of Southwest Kitchener, it may be preferable to operate 2 facilities in that area as opposed to one large facility. He added that one of those 2 facilities could include this partnership proposal. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway, the staff recommendation was brought forward for consideration. Councillor Galloway stated that given the rapid growth of the Southwest Kitchener area, the City should pursue all options available to address that community's servicing needs while minimizing the overall economic impact to residents. Councillor G. Lorentz stated that he was unsure if the traditional model for community development is applicable, due to the dramatic increase in population in the subject area. He commented that the City should pursue innovative means to establish neighbourhood associations to support community development. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that existing staff resources lack the capacity to effectively support community development initiatives in emerging neighbourhoods. Mayor C. Zehr stated that he supports the partnership proposal as a pilot project, and cautioned against it receiving priority status over projects scheduled for development in other identified communities of need. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That Community Services Department staff be directed to investigate the potential to partner with the YMCA and RBJ Schlegel, for amulti-year lease of meeting, office and community space at the proposed Williamsburg Family YMCA facility, with details of the partnership to be brought to Council for approval, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-06-059." 9. CSD-06-060 -RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC EVENTS POLICY DEVELOPMENT The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-060, dated April 26, 2006 regarding the development of a corporate policy that provides insight as to how the City should mark significant events, individuals or occasions. Ms. A. Pappert advised that the staff report draws attention to the current Council policies as a means of identifying the need to develop a comprehensive corporate policy on how the City wishes to mark significant events, individuals or occasions by using markers, memorials, COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 1, 2006 - 30 - CITY OF KITCHENER 9. CSD-06-060 -RECOGNITION OF PUBLIC EVENTS POLICY DEVELOPMENT tCONT'D) monuments, legacy events and ceremonies provided by or in partnership with, the municipality. She pointed out that at this time, staff are discussing an approach to address this need and a subsequent report will come forward for consideration at a future date. 10. CSD-06-032 -LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN UPDATE Councillor M. Galloway questioned the proposed timing of when the Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP) recommendations will be brought before Council, noting a potential scheduling conflict with the upcoming municipal election. Ms. A. Pappert advised that it is staff's intention to only initiate dialogue with Council when the LFMP recommendations are brought forward in October or November of 2006, adding that Council will not be asked at that time to pass any recommendations. 11. 2417 ACCESS TO DOWNTOWN PUBLIC WASHROOMS Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that he attended the Sleepless Night Event held over the previous weekend and noted that he received a number of inquiries into the status of the City providing 24/7 access to public washrooms in the downtown area. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that staff are currently examining the means of implementing this initiative and anticipate bringing a report before this Committee in June 2006. 12. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator