Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2007-10-15 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER A special meeting of City Council was held at 12:33 p.m. this date, chaired by Acting Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present except Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor J. Gazzola. Notice of this special meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code. Moved by Councillor J. Smola Seconded by Councillor C. Weylie "That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held this date to consider a personal matter, a labour relations matter, one land acquisition /disposition matters which is also subject to solicitor- client privilege, one land acquisition /disposition /litigation /potential litigation which is also subject to solicitor-client privilege and a matter subject to solicitor-client privilege." Carried. The meeting then recessed and re-convened at 1:16 p.m., chaired by Acting Mayor B. Vrbanovic with all members present except Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor J. Gazzola. Acting Mayor B. Vrbanovic requested that Council, staff and members of the public in attendance stand for a moment of silence for retired Captain James Rebbeck who passed away on October 10, 2007. Council considered a matter that was deferred from the October 1, 2007 meeting regarding a proposal from the Minor Boys Softball Association to construct a concession stand in Wilson Park. Council was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-07-094, dated October 11, 2007, concerning the proposed concession stand which had attached, the original report CSD-07-078 dated September 6, 2007 that was presented to the Community Services Committee on September 10, 2007. Mr. Mark May, representing Kitchener Minor Boys Softball Association, attended advising that the Minor Boys Softball Association has worked for many years on the proposal to construct a concession stand and picnic shelter in Wilson Park and that the intent has never been to create a problem for the surrounding neighbourhood. Mr. May explained that the proposed buildings would be for the use of the players and their families as well as the community at large. In closing, Mr. May pointed out that it would appear the main concern from the neighbourhood is the proposed location for the buildings and at the last public meeting another alternative location was discussed. Mr. Blair Norris, area resident, attended advising that he and other residents have concerns with the proposed location of the concession stand. He explained that the building will be placed facing Shelley Drive and that the residents will be looking at a 40 ft. long building structure. He added that the park has always had problems with vandalism and litter and he believes these buildings will add to that problem and with the location being close to Shelley Drive, the area residents will be impacted. Mr. Norris further advised that the other issue was with the way notice was given to the area residents in this matter stating it caused a lot of confusion and in his opinion was a poor way of notifying residents of something that would have an impact on them. Mr. Norris suggested that the proposed buildings should be located on the far side of the soccer fields closer to Wilson Avenue as this would have the least impact on the area residents. He added that when this location was suggested, the representative from the Police Services was not in agreement due to poor visibility and proximity to the wooded area of the park which will contribute to further vandalism and loitering issues. Mr. Andy Kline, area resident, attended advising that he and other area residents are not opposed to the concession stand and picnic shelter being constructed in Wilson Park but do have concerns regarding the location of the buildings. He advised that there has been trouble with vandals and security issues in the past and with the buildings located in close proximity to Shelley Avenue these problems will continue and have an impact on the area residents. He further advised that he does not want the buildings constructed adjacent to Shelley Avenue and agreed that the preferred option would be the far side of the soccer field closer to Wilson Avenue. Mr. Gerry Dickson who was listed on the agenda as a delegation in this matter was not in attendance. Acting Mayor B. Vrbanovic asked if there were any other delegations to speak on this matter, there were none. SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES OCTOBER 15, 2007 - 257 - CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor K. Galloway read from an email sent by the Ward Councillor to members of Council regarding this matter. Councillor Galloway advised that Councillor Gazzola stated that the positives outweigh the negatives with respect to the proposed concession stand and picnic shelter and that the proposal should move forward with the location being recommended by staff. Councillor J. Smola asked for clarification as to the location of the recommended site. Ms. D. Keehn, Interim Director, Aquatics and Athletics, advised that the recommended site is located between Options 2 and 3 previously identified and being west of the northerly ball diamond on the Shelley Avenue side of the park. Councillor Galloway asked if the proposed shelter will have closures that could be used if it is found that it becomes a problem with loitering. Mr. G. Hummel, Manager, Park Planning, Development and Operations, advised that the shelter will be the same that is currently being used in the Huron Natural Area but that staff would look at a closure system should this become a problem. Councillor Galloway asked if staff could look into implementing `No Parking' on one side of Shelley Avenue in order to mitigate parking problems in the area of the proposed concession stand and shelter. Ms. A. Pappert, General Manager, Community Services Department, advised that staff will look into this and follow-up. Councillor G. Lorentz cautioned that a `No Parking' zone may have an impact on the area residents and suggested that staff look at the parking permit process being used around the hospitals. Councillor Lorentz asked if the plans will include more landscaping in order to soften the effect of the buildings. Mr. Hummel responded that it has been suggested by the Police Services that the building maintain high visibility but staff are investigating landscaping plans to accommodate the visibility and the affect of softening the buildings. Councillor Weylie asked if the buildings will be lit and Ms. Keehn advised that the recommendation to have it lit was received with mixed reaction therefore staff is continuing to investigate the best option in this regard. Moved by Councillor G. Lorentz Seconded by Councillor K. Galloway "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an Agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with the Kitchener Minor Boys Softball Association (KMBSA) regarding the construction of a small building for use as a concession, and the subsequent operation of the concession in Wilson Park, said Agreement to authorize KMBSA to be responsible for the construction of the building in cooperation with Facilities Management and Parks Operations based on the conditions as laid out in Community Services Department report CSD-07-078; and further, That the General Manager of Community Services be authorized to execute a renewal of this Agreement as it pertains to the operation of this concession for the years 2008 and 2009, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." Carried. Moved by Councillor G. Lorentz Seconded by Councillor J. Smola "That leave be given the Mover and Seconder to introduce a by-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council and that the same be taken as read a first, second and third times, be finally passed and numbered 2007-184 by the Clerk." Carried. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:45 p.m. MAYOR CLERK