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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2006-09-05COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 3:38 p.m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, M. Galloway 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 R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services R. Gosse, Director of Legislated Services and City Clerk J. Willmer, Director of Planning K. Currier, Director of Operations J. McBride, Director of Transportation Planning C. York, Arts & Culture Co-ordinator M. Hildebrand, Interim Director of Community Programs and Services C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. DTS-06-132 -JOSEPH STREET - ON-STREET PARKING The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06-132, dated August 23, 2006 regarding additional short-term on-street parking on Joseph Street. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That stopping be prohibited at anytime on the north side of Joseph Street from Victoria Street South to its westerly limit; and, That parking be permitted for a maximum time limit of one hour on the south side of Joseph Street from 30m west of Victoria Street South to the westerly limit of Joseph Street; and further, That a 15 minute loading zone be established on the south side of Joseph Street from a point 15m west of Victoria Street South to a point 15m west thereof." 2. CSD-06-092 -CULTURAL CAPITALS OF CANADA APPLICATION The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-06-092, dated August 23, 2006 regarding a Kitchener application to the Department of Canadian Heritage 2009 Cultural Capitals of Canada designation program. Mr. Dan Donaldson, General Manager of the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, advised that the previous broad theme for Kitchener's application to the 2009 Cultural Capitals of Canada Program was "celebrating Kitchener's tradition of innovation and exploration", which has since been refined to the phrase "Grand Assembly". He stated that these words evoke Kitchener's traditions of community/social assembly, creative assembly, industrial assembly and new technological assembly, all within the context of the Grand River Watershed. Mr. Donaldson then reviewed the proposed activities to be undertaken as part of Kitchener's application. Mr. Jamie Grant, General Manager of the Centre in the Square, stated that he knows of no city that has received the Cultural Capital of Canada designation and wished they had not. He outlined that if Kitchener's application is successful, the Federal Government will contribute funding in a ratio of 3-to-1 to that of the City. He added that this support will help to leverage further funding from other local area municipalities and the private sector. Mr. Martin de Groot, Waterloo Regional Arts Council, read a letter on behalf of the Prosperity Council outlining the need for elevating Kitchener's profile internationally to attract a labour market which thrives on arts and culture activities being available in a community. He stated COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 - 4$ - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-06-092 -CULTURAL CAPITALS OF CANADA APPLICATION tCONT'D) that the economic development benefits of arts and culture activities can be realized in Kitchener through a high profile project such as the Cultural Capitals of Canada designation. Mr. de Groot reviewed the extensive consultation process he undertook on behalf of the Waterloo Regional Arts Council, stating that the business and arts communities have welcomed the news of this application process and given overwhelming support to the Steering Committee's efforts. He also noted that through pursuing this application, the City can expedite the implementation of a number of CulturePlan II recommendations. In response to questions, Mr. M. de Groot advised that Saskatoon, Victoria, Regina, Toronto, and Vancouver have all been recipients of the Culture Capitals of Canada designations, adding that Kitchener's chances of being awarded a designation have increased as it will not have to compete against these major cities. He stated that the Department of Canadian Heritage advised that this Council could endorse the application in principle by the October 15, 2006 deadline; however, given the upcoming election a letter of explanation must accompany the application and, by January 13, 2007, a resolution passed by the new Council to commit a specific funding amount will be required. He noted that through informal discussions the other local area municipalities have indicated their support in principle for Kitchener's application. He added that other municipalities will have the opportunity over the next 2 to 3 years to contribute tangible support to the 2009 program through their own funding mechanisms to organizations and events based in their jurisdictions. Ms. P. Houston advised that the requested funding of $667,000. would be a new addition to the City's Capital Forecast to be ratified in January 2007. Ms. A. Pappert added that additional funding from other municipalities, granting agencies and the private sector will be solicited to service the total project budget of $4M. She noted that staff anticipates receiving notification as to whether or not Kitchener's application has been successful by April 2007. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That the submission of a City of Kitchener application to the Department of Canadian Heritage for its 2009 Cultural Capitals of Canada designation program, be endorsed; and further, That commitment of Kitchener's 25% share of the proposed 2009 program budget, to a maximum of $667,000. in new funds, be approved in principle, and referred to the 2007 Capital Budget process, subject to final confirmation prior to January 13, 2007, as required by the Department of Canadian Heritage." 3. DTS-06-050 - ON-STREET PARKING POLICY -NEW RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS The Committee was in receipt of Development and Technical Services Department report DTS-06-050, dated August 10, 2006 regarding a new policy for the design and implementation of on-street parking in new residential subdivisions. Mr. J. McBride advised that the proposed on-street parking policy is intended to address parking issues in new residential subdivisions and to complement guidelines, standards and expectations for subdivision design which will be addressed through the Neighbourhood Design Initiative process. He stated that the need for a review of parking conditions in these areas is in response to residents having difficulties in attaining sufficient parking on the street and within their property. He outlined that the proposed policy entails criteria specific to the number of on-street parking spaces to be required, their location, and the timing of parking plan submission relative to the subdivision approval process. He added that the criteria also ensures that the parking plans are coordinated with the overall grading, lotting and servicing design of the subdivision. Mr. McBride pointed out that a majority of the aspects of the proposed policy are currently being undertaken by staff and that this is merely a means of formalizing existing practices. He noted that a draft policy was presented to the Waterloo Region Homebuilders Liaison Committee for consideration and revisions have been incorporated based on their input. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 5, 2006 - 49 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. DTS-06-050 - ON-STREET PARKING POLICY -NEW RESIDENTIAL SUBDIVISIONS tCONT'D) In response to questions, Mr. J. McBride advised that aparking-by-permit system was investigated as a possible alternative, however, it was not found to be feasible in this instance. He added that staff will consider parking-by-permit as a possible solution to parking problems faced in subdivisions built during the 1980's and 1990's. Mr. J. Willmer advised that staff have examined the possibility of providing rear-yard alley-ways as a means of addressing on-street parking issues, but cost concerns and a lack of interest shown by home buyers in local area municipalities with these alley-ways indicate this is not a feasible alternative. He stated that the rise of on-street parking problems stem from increased density and an influx of more cars. Mr. Willmer outlined that in the 1970's, the average building lot was 40 to 50 feet wide, and each family typically only had one vehicle. He added that on average, new lots are 30 feet wide and most families have more than one vehicle. He noted that while this has created on- street parking issues, overall smaller lots represent a more efficient use of available lands. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the On-Street Parking Policy be received for information as outlined in Development & Technical Services Department report DTS-06-050, and be considered for inclusion in the Neighbourhood Design Guidelines at the October 2, 2006 Development & Technical Services Committee meeting." 4. CRPS-06-130 - REQUEST CHANGE IN BOARD COMPOSITION -CENTRE IN THE SQUARE The Committee was in receipt of Corporate Services Department report CRPS-06-130, dated August 30, 2006 regarding a request to change the composition of the Centre in the Square Board of Directors. Mr. Jamie Grant, General Manager of the Centre in the Square, advised that although the Centre in the Square Board of Directors currently has 12 members, only the 6 members appointed by Council are capable of undertaking the necessary operating and capital fundraising requirements. He added that with only 6 members from which to draw the necessary skills, there are times when compromise is required rather than obtaining what is best for the Board. Mr. Grant outlined that resultant to these pressures the Board is requesting the addition of 2 new members and that the office of past chair be created to be an ex-officio member of the Board. On motion by Councillor M. Galloway - it was resolved: "That the composition of the Board of Directors for the Centre in the Square be amended by increasing the number of Board members through the addition of two lay appointees to be selected by the Board of Directors and ratified by the Council of the City of Kitchener, for a term not to exceed three years; and, That the position of Past Chair, ex-officio without voting rights, be created whereby the term of the outgoing Chair of the Board of Directors is extended for one year to assist the newly elected Chair in transitioning into the position and to act as a resource for the Board and new Chair; and further, That a By-law be prepared to enact this amendment to the Board of Directors of the Centre in the Square." 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:23 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator