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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2007-12-03COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 4:38 p.m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors B. Vrbanovic, J. Gazzola, K. Galloway and C. Weylie. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services P. Houston, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer A. Pappert, General Manager of Community Services R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services D. Keehn, Interim Director of Aquatics & Athletics G. Hummel, Acting Director of Operations P. Wetherup, Parks Planner J. Cooper, Co-ordinator of Athletics C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-07-115 - GENERAL PROVISION GRANT REQUEST - KITCHENER HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-07-115, dated November 27, 2007 regarding aone-time general provision grant request from the Kitchener Horticultural Society (KHS) to assist with expenses related to a broken water valve in the summer of 2007. Mr. Bruce MacNeil, KHS, advised that during the summer of 2007, a water valve broke on one of the KHS' cisterns, which resulted in a significant increase in water usage for the months of August and September. He stated that KHS' budget for water expenses is based on previous consumption rates and added that as a result of the broken valve over they have incurred a $9,095.15. difference in water bill expenses between 2006 and 2007. He noted that their budget does not have contingency funds available to cover this incident. In response to questions, Mr. B. MacNeil stated that for all other months in 2007 KHS' water consumption rate was virtually identical to 2006. He advised that the Short Term Investments Capital Fund, as outlined in the KHS 2006 Financial Statement attached to Report CSD-07- 115, has been earmarked for projects identified in the KHS Strategic Plan. He added that KHS anticipates coming forward after Council's budget deliberation process with proposals for projects to be pursued in 2009, as identified in the Strategic Plan. Ms. P. Houston advised that if an incident, such as the one experienced by KHS, were to occur on City property, it would be the City's responsibility to cover the expenses incurred by the surrounding customers; however, if it occurred on private property, it would be that customer's responsibility to cover any increased costs. She pointed out that in some circumstances when this has occurred, and the resulting bill could be considered excessive, the City has entered into negotiations with the customer and adjusted their bill. Councillor J. Gazzola stated that in incidents such as the one experienced by KHS, the City should provide the customer with a discount on the sewer surcharge rate, given that the excess water may not have been treated. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - it was resolved: "That a one time general provision grant in the amount of $9,095.15 be approved to the Kitchener Horticultural Society to assist with costs related to an unexpected increase in water bill expenses that resulted from a broken water valve in the summer of 2007." 2. CSD-07-114 - DONATION OF WOODLOT LANDS IN GRAND RIVER SOUTH COMMUNITY The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-07-114, dated November 20, 2007 regarding the donation of woodlot lands in the Grand River South Community. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2007 - 64 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-07-114 - DONATION OF WOODLOT LANDS IN GRAND RIVER SOUTH COMMUNITY tCONT'D) On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener accepts the donation of 8.4 acres (3.4 hectares) of land containing a woodlot located at Woolner Drive and Zeller Drive and described as Part 1 of 58R - 15345 from Deerfield Homes Ltd., on such terms and conditions as are satisfactory to the City Solicitor; and further, That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any required documentation to effect the transfer of title satisfactory to the City Solicitor." 3. CSD-07-112 - 200$ INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S GAMES The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-07-112, dated November 26, 2007 regarding a partnership with the K-W Sports Council to register a team to participate in the 2008 International Children's Games (ICG) in San Francisco, USA. Ms. D. Keehn advised that in cooperation with the KW Sports Council, the City of Kitchener has been invited to register a team to participate in the ICG. She stated that the cost to send one City representative to these games would be approximately $1,200., which would be provided for through the Community Services Department budget. She noted that due to the restriction on the number of persons permitted to be on the City's team, staff are recommending that only one City representative be sent to ensure that the maximum number of athletes may attend. She added that participating sports organizations are affiliated sports groups with the City of Kitchener and all costs for athletes and coaches will be covered by the individual sporting clubs. Ms. Keehn stated that the City continues to hold an amount outstanding of $8,087., which are costs related to a fundraising shortage realized by the KW Sports Council in 2005. She noted that the KW Sport Council continues to work at decreasing this amount and have reduced the deficit by approximately $4,000. In response to questions, Ms. D. Keehn advised that the original deficit for the 2005 games in Coventry England was $12,000., adding that the KW Sports Council is solely responsible for the repayment of this debt. Councillor J. Gazzola requested a summary report on the continuity of the KW Sports Council's deficit account. Mr. J. Cooper advised that the ICG organizers will be informing the City on December 12, 2007 of the number of athletes per team that are permitted to attend the games. He added that based on this information, a selection committee will be formed to determine the best combination of athletes that would enable the City to compete in the maximum number of sports possible. Ms. D. Keehn advised that staff are continuing to evaluate Kitchener's capacity to potentially host these games in the future. Mayor C. Zehr stated that while he is supportive of sending a team to participate, a business case would need to be presented for consideration prior to the City agreeing to host the ICG. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the City of Kitchener, in cooperation with the KW Sports Council, register a team of up to 20 members (including athletes, coaches and officials) to participate in the 42"d International Children's Games in San Francisco, USA in 2008; and further, That the Community Services Department provide funding, in the amount of $1,200. supporting one staff to act as head of delegation responsible for the City's team." 4. CSD-07-113 - FOXGLOVE PARK DEVELOPMENT UPDATE The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-07-113, dated COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2007 - 65 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CSD-07-113 - FOXGLOVE PARK DEVELOPMENT UPDATE tCONT'D) November 21, 2007 regarding the status of the development of Foxglove Park in the Laurentian West planning community. In response to questions, Mr. G. Hummel advised that in the case of Block 11 (Freure Developments park block) the developer's basic park requirements have yet to be fulfilled. However, through discussions with the developer, staff are confidant this work will be executed throughout 2008 / 2009. He stated that staff anticipate holding one or more community open house meetings beginning in winter /spring 2008 to review the design and layout of park features and amenities. He added that many of the park features ultimately confirmed by the community meetings should be constructed and installed starting in autumn 2008, with full completion of Foxglove Park to be achieved by summer 2009. 5. IMPACT OF WINTER MAINTENANCE ACTIVITIES ON LEAF COLLECTION Councillors G. Lorentz and J. Gazzola advised that they have received a number of complaints from residents whose leaves were not collected prior to the snowstorm of December 1 and 2, 2007. Ms. A. Pappert advised that staff will be providing a report at a future Committee meeting on the impact of the recent snowstorm. Mr. G. Hummel stated that this season, for a variety of reasons, the leaf drop was delayed to some degree, and noted that the late leaf drop has caused leaf collection to conflict with winter maintenance activities. He advised that the areas of the City which still have leaves waiting to be picked up are identifiable and collection will occur as soon as possible, subject to weather conditions. He noted that if presented with consistently cold temperatures and subsequent snowfalls in a short period of time, the windrow of leaves and snow would eventually need to be pushed back over the curb for safety of motorists and to meet legislated minimum maintenance standards for roadways. He stated that he will work with Communications staff to inform residents of the current status of the leaf collection program. In addition, Mr. Hummel agreed to report back with information regarding the amount of staff time expended in recent weeks toward leaf collection and the specific areas of the City where staff were unable to complete their collection activities prior to this past weekend's snowstorm. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m. Colin Goodeve Committee Administrator