HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2007-08-13COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
AUGUST 13, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors B. Vrbanovic, J. Smola, J. Gazzola, K. Galloway and
C. Weylie.
Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer
T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services
A. Pappert, General Manager of Community Services
R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services
L. MacDonald, Director of Legal Services & City Solicitor
K. Currier, Director of Operations
M. Hildebrand, Interim Director of Community Programs & Services
D. Keehn, Interim Director of Aquatics & Athletics
R. Willms, Supervisor of Administration
J. Billett, Committee Administrator
1. DELEGATION PRESENTATION - RINGSIDE WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS
Mr. Fitzroy `The Whip' Vanderpool, former World Boxing Champion, introduced Christian
O'Brien, the new Ringside Light Heavyweight World Boxing Champion. Mr. O'Brien achieved
his title at the Ringside World Boxing Championship held recently in Kansas, USA. Mr.
Vanderpool invited those present to attend the Tri-City Boxing Championships at Bingemans
on Saturday, August 25, 2007.
2. DELEGATION PRESENTATION - ARTS COUNCIL AND CULTURAL DIRECTORY
Ms. Marilyn Scott and Mr. Martin Degroot, Waterloo Regional Arts Council, introduced the
newest edition of the Cultural Directory (2007-2008). The Directory is a resource not
duplicated anywhere else in the Region of Waterloo which provides contact and capability
information of numerous individual artists, performers, arts organizations and arts supporters.
3. CSD-07-076 - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM GRANT
- CHERRY PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-07-076, dated
August 8, 2007 concerning a grant allocation for the Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association
(CPNA).
Ms. Deb Chapman attended on behalf of CPNA, advising that the Association was resurrected
in 2004 under a new name encompassing a boundary along King Street, Victoria Street,
Belmont Avenue and the City limits (near Union Street). She provided an overview of the
group's accomplishments in addressing issues of safety; having worked with the Police,
Community Crime Prevention Council, Ward Councillor and City staff over the past year to
create a sense of community within the area neighbourhood. She noted that the group is
presently investigating an opportunity to lease the smaller of two unoccupied buildings located
at the corner of Strange and Dominion Streets, known as the Air Boss Facility. It was
acknowledged that leasing arrangements must be negotiated and it is intended that an
environmental assessment of the building be conducted. Ms. Chapman added that CPNA is
currently in the process of refining its constitution to achieve incorporation, so as to be eligible
in the long term for funding by senior government agencies. She asked for support of the
requested grant allocation to enable the Association to meet its financial needs for the
remainder of 2007.
Ms. Chapman responded to questions, advising that in the interim of the facility investigation
an application has been made to use space in the King Edward Public School and should they
be successful in leasing the Air Boss Facility, this space will be sufficient to accommodate their
needs to a minimum of 10-years.
Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that the City has no budgeted funding available to cover the cost of
the environmental assessment and pending the Association's ability to garner other source
funding, a request may be made to Council at a future date. He added that the type of long
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AUGUST 13, 2007 - 45 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CSD-07-076 - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM GRANT
- CHERRY PARK NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION tCONT'D)
term support by the City would require Council's consideration and in keeping with the Leisure
Facility's Master Plan, before a permanent facility is provided, completion of a needs
assessment and a business case would be required for consideration of Council.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
it was resolved:
"That an $11,300. grant allocation be approved for the Cherry Park Neighbourhood
Association, from the Community Development Infrastructure Program for expenses
related to incorporation, 2007/2008 program and administration costs, and costs
associated with investigating the feasibility of using the Air Boss centre for community
programming space."
4. CSD-07-073 - RENEWAL OF TWO PARK LICENCE AGREEMENTS -ONTARIO REALTY
CORPORATION
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-07-073, dated
August 1, 2007 regarding licence agreement renewals for City /public use of lands located in
the Forest Heights community.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
it was resolved:
"That subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, the Mayor and Clerk be authorized
to execute License Agreement Renewals (5 years) with Ontario Realty Corporation
(formerly Hydro One Networks Inc), relating to lands in the Forest Heights community,
more particularly described as Part Lot 37, German Company Tract and Part Lots 36 &
37, Germany Company Tract, giving the City a license to use and allow the public to
use those lands."
5. CSD-07-070 - IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERIM PROCESS - 200$ ANNUAL GRANTS
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUESTED
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-07-070, dated July
27, 2007 regarding a transitional implementation approach for the 2008 annual operating
grants for the K-W Performing Arts Association /Theatre & Company; Homer Watson House
& Gallery; and Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo.
Ms. A. Pappert advised that in June 2007, Council approved an interim transitional approach
to 2008 annual operating grants with the exception of the three groups noted, pending
additional information from staff. The additional information was provided in an internal
memorandum to Council at the end of June and the purpose of this report is to receive
endorsement of the staff recommendation or alternative direction from the Committee. The
equivalent of the 2007 grant allocation plus a 2% increase is recommended for the K-W
Performing Arts Association /Theatre & Company and the Homer Watson House & Gallery;
and deferral of a decision is recommended relative to the Social Planning Council of
Kitchener-Waterloo, pending results of a meeting with City staff and representatives of the City
of Waterloo regarding co-funded service organizations within the context of the Community
Investment Strategy. Ms. Pappert advised that in light of having provided funding to K-W
Performing Arts Association /Theatre & Company over the past three years, it was decided to
carry forward in 2008 to ensure sustainability of the group during the pending review of the
annual grant allocation process. She added that the issue with the Homer Watson House &
Gallery relates to wage equity and it is staff's opinion based on comparative figures provided
that the organization has achieved wage equity in 2007.
Councillor J. Gazzola noted that the K-W Performing Arts Association /Theatre & Company
had originally brought forward athree-year plan ending in 2007, after which the organization
was to become self-reliant. He inquired if a financial statement was available to indicate the
organization's current financial position and whether their deficit had been eliminated. Ms. R.
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5. CSD-07-070 - IMPLEMENTATION OF INTERIM PROCESS - 200$ ANNUAL GRANTS
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REQUESTED tCONT'D)
Willms advised that a financial statement will be requested as part of the upcoming budget
process. She also clarified that the organization had originally proposed athree-year plan to
assist with their deficit which included a $50,000. annual grant in each of the three years for a
total of $150,000. She pointed out that in the third year the organization requested that the
$50,000. grant be increased to $82,000. and asked that the increased amount be added to
their base funding rather than allocated as an annual grant. Mayor C. Zehr added that it was
his understanding that the organization still carries a deficit and the proposed grant allocation
is to stabilize the group through the transitional period.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr the staff recommendation contained in report CSD-07-070 was
brought forward for consideration.
In regard to the Homer Watson House & Gallery, Councillor J. Gazzola inquired as to how
current the figures are in the comparative wage schedule and was advised that the schedule
was prepared approximately six months ago. Councillor Gazzola requested that a decision on
the grant allocation for the Homer Watson House be deferred to allow the schedule to be
updated with more current information.
Mayor C. Zehr agreed to amend his motion to defer a decision on the Homer Watson House &
Gallery to the August 27 Council meeting, pending receipt of the information requested by
Councillor Gazzola and including a comparison of total grant equity with that received by the K-
WArt Gallery.
At the request of Councillor J. Gazzola, paragraph 1 of the motion dealing with the 2008
annual grant to the K-W Performing Arts Association /Theatre & Company was voted on
separately and Carried, with Councillor Gazzola voting in opposition.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
it was resolved:
"That a 2008 annual operating grant in the amount of $55,284. ($51,000. cash one
time; $4,284. in kind parking) be approved to Kitchener-Waterloo Performing Arts
Association/Theatre & Company; and,
That consideration of a 2008 annual operating grant in the amount of $191,760. to
Homer Watson House & Gallery be referred to the August 27, 2007 Council
meeting, pending additional information from staff including updated comparative
industry wages and total grant equity as compared to the K-W Art Gallery; and further,
That a decision on the 2008 annual operating grant allocation to the Social Planning
Council of Kitchener-Waterloo be deferred pending the results of a meeting to be
scheduled with City staff and representatives from the City of Waterloo to discuss co-
funded service organizations within the context of the Community Investment Strategy."
6. CSD-07-074 - VICTORIA PARK STAFF I CITIZENS WORKING GROUP
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-07-074, dated
August 3, 2007 regarding creation of a staff/citizens working group to provide a venue for
residents to relay ideas and concerns to City staff regarding Victoria Park issues.
Mr. K. Currier advised that the proposed group would consist of cross-departmental staff and
3-4 community members recommended by the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association; and
once established, the goals of the group will be further refined.
Councillor J. Gazzola expressed the opinion that City-wide representation is also important,
pointing out that the park is a public domain and as such, the issues surrounding the park go
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6. CSD-07-074 - VICTORIA PARK STAFF I CITIZENS WORKING GROUP tCONT'D)
beyond the park neighbourhood, having impact to the community at large.
Councillor G. Lorentz pointed out that decisions on operational issues regarding Victoria Park
would still ultimately be made by Council. Ms. C. Ladd added that the purpose of the working
group is to address day-to-day issues regarding the park and surrounding neighbourhood as
opposed to long term strategic planning.
Councillor C. Weylie noted that the intent is to provide residents with direct contact to City staff
on issues related to Victoria Park and saw no difficulty with adding to the membership as
deemed appropriate. Mr. K. Currier agreed that the working group could review the
membership structure to determine if representation is adequate or if it should be modified.
At the request of Councillor C. Weylie, it was agreed that the following motion would go
forward for consideration to the special Council meeting to be held later this same date.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
it was resolved:
"That astaff/citizens working group be created to address Victoria Park issues, wherein
residents can express ideas and concerns through to City staff."
7. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Janet Billett
Committee Administrator