HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2008-04-21COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 21, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 2:34 p.m.
Present: Councillor K. Galloway -Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, J. Gazzola and C. Weylie.
Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer
T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services
R. Browning, General Manager of Development & Technical Services
P. Houston, General Manager of Community Services
D. Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer
D. Keehn, Director of Aquatics & Athletics
J. Witmer, Director of Operations
J. Willmer, Director of Planning
D. Ritz, Supervisor of Design & Development
R. Willms, Supervisor of Administration
P. Wetherup, Parks Planner
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. CSD-0$-034 -REQUEST FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER TO ASSUME FULL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPERATION OF KIWANIS PARK
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-034, dated April
13, 2008 regarding a request from the Kiwanis Park Operating Committee for the City of
Kitchener to assume full responsibility for the operation of Kiwanis Park. In addition, the
Committee was in receipt of correspondence from the Kiwanis Club, dated April 17, 2008
confirming their request for the City to operate Kiwanis Park.
Mr. Arthur Morscher, Kiwanis Club, advised that due to a reduction in membership and
increased Provincial regulations governing municipal pools, the Kiwanis Club is no longer
capable of operating Kiwanis Park. He stated that consequently, the City is being requested to
assume full responsibility for the operation of Kiwanis Park for 2008 and future years. He
added that as a means of remaining connected to the Park, the Kiwanis Club are requesting
permission to continue to operate the Park's `snack bar', with all net revenues to be used
toward Park operations and development.
In response to questions, Mr. A. Morscher commented that subject to receiving additional
information, he is confident that the Kiwanis Club would be interested in participating in a
Kiwanis Park Advisory Group. He stated that the Kiwanis Club's final park financial statement
and the balance of the Kiwanis Park Trust Fund account, is anticipated to be delivered to the
City by no later than July 31, 2008. Ms. D. Keehn advised that the discrepancy between the
2006 pool maintenance expenses and the budgeted amount for 2008 is resultant to a pool
chemical over-expenditure in 2006. She noted that the 2008 pool maintenance expenses
have been included in the existing Community Services Department budget.
Several members expressed thanks to the Kiwanis Club for their many years of service.
Councillor C. Weylie requested that staff undertake discussions with the Kiwanis Club
regarding the potential development of a Kiwanis Park Advisory Group.
On motion by Councillor J. Smola -
it was resolved:
"That the City of Kitchener assume full responsibility for the operation of Kiwanis Park
for 2008 and future years; and,
That the 2008 Kiwanis Park Budget, as attached to Community Services Department
report CSD-08-034, be approved, including the staff complement for the 2008 operating
year, with any net budget shortfalls to be funded as an operating over-expenditure; and,
That the Kiwanis Park Operating Committee be permitted to operate the Kiwanis Park
Snack Bar for the 2008 season, subject to the net revenues from its operation being
used for various park enhancements, such as picnic table replacement and shelter
upgrades; and,
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 21, 200$ - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER
1. CSD-0$-034 -REQUEST FOR THE CITY OF KITCHENER TO ASSUME FULL
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE OPERATION OF KIWANIS PARK tCONT'D)
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement, subject to the
satisfaction of the City Solicitor, with the Kiwanis Park Operating Committee, for the
operation of the Kiwanis Park Snack Bar for 2009 and future seasons, which shall
include direction on how the Snack Bar's net revenues are to be used; and further,
That the Kiwanis Park Operating Committee current reserve fund of $10,000. be
applied toward the repayment of their $75,000. outstanding loan, and future
consideration of the remaining loan balance be reviewed as part of the Snack Bar
Agreement development process."
2. CSD-0$-035 -CHRIST LUTHERAN SCHOOL COMMUNITY GARDEN
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-035, dated March
25, 2008 regarding a Community Garden grant request from the Christ Lutheran School
Community Group.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
it was resolved:
"That aone-time Community Garden Grant in the amount of $1,000. ($400. cash and
$600. in-kind services for the transportation of topsoil and sod stripping), be approved
to the Christ Lutheran School Community Group to assist with costs related to the start-
up of the Christ Lutheran School Community Garden."
3. CSD-0$-036 -AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL POLICY 1-445 (HOT AIR BALLOONS ON CITY
PROPERTY)
- HOT AIR BALLOON LAUNCHING AT KIWANIS PARK
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-036, dated April
15, 2008 regarding amendments to Council Policy I-445 (Hot Air Balloons on City Property) to
permit the launching of hot air balloons at Kiwanis Park. In addition, the Committee was in
receipt of correspondence from 5 area residents expressing concerns with the use of Kiwanis
Park as a hot air balloon launching site.
Ms. R. Willms advised that the registered delegation from Sundance Balloons informed staff
that they would not be able to attend today's meeting. She stated that in early 2007, staff
received a request from a hot air balloon company to investigate the use of Kiwanis Park as a
hot air balloon launching site, adding that on March 19, 2007, Council approved this use on a
trial basis until the end of December 2007. In addition, staff were directed to review all
complaints and concerns raised as a result of Kiwanis Park being used to launch hot air
balloons and bring those forward for consideration prior to Council approving this use on a
permanent basis. Ms. Willms noted that By-law Enforcement staff have indicated that their
office did not receive any complaints during the trial period regarding the use of Kiwanis Park
by hot air balloonists. She stated that in February, 2008 a letter was sent to area residents
advising them that a report would be brought forward in April 2008 recommending that Kiwanis
Park be designated as an approved site to launch hot air balloons on a permanent basis. She
added that those residents who notified staff of their concerns were advised that this matter
would be before the Committee this date, noting that no residents registered to attend today's
meeting to speak to this issue.
In response to questions, Ms. R. Willms advised that at present hot air balloon companies are
not charged a fee for the use of public lands as launching sites. She added that currently
Council Policy I-445 limits the launching of hot air balloons to Victoria Park, unless special
permission has been obtained from Council. Regarding concerns expressed by area residents
in relation to parking issues, Ms. Willms stated that it is difficult to determine if the vehicles
parked on the streets adjacent to the Park belong to the hot air balloonists or area residents.
She noted that a key for the Kiwanis Park gate was made available to the balloon company to
facilitate their use of the Park.
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 21, 200$ - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CSD-A$-036 -AMENDMENT TO COUNCIL POLICY 1-445 (HOT AIR BALLOONS ON CITY
PROPERTY)
- HOT AIR BALLOON LAUNCHING AT KIWANIS PARK tCONT'D)
Several members noted that they had received complaints from area residents regarding the
use of Kiwanis Park as a hot air balloon launching site. Mayor C. Zehr requested that
information be provided regarding the procedures enacted by other local municipalities
governing the launching of hot air balloons within their urban boundaries.
On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola -
it was resolved:
"That of the following recommendation contained Community Services Department
report CSD-08-036 be deferred and referred to the Mav 5, 2008 Council meeting to
allow staff time to provide information on the procedures enacted by other local
municipalities governing the launching of hot air balloons within their urban boundaries:
`That Kiwanis Park be approved as a site to launch hot air balloons, in
designated areas approved by staff, subject to the applicant applying for and
meeting the City's policies for launching hot air balloons; and further,
That Council Policy Number I-445 (Hot Air Balloons on City Property) be
amended to add Kiwanis Park as an approved site for hot air balloon launching."'
4. CSD-0$-02$ - `DEVELOPER-BUILD' PARK CONSTRUCTION ALTERNATIVE
- PROVISION OF PARK AMENITIES IN THE EARLY STAGES OF
SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-028, dated April
10, 2008 regarding the `developer-build' park alternative for the provision of park amenities in
the initial stages of subdivision development.
Mr. D. Ritz advised that the intent of the `developer-build' park alternative is to provide park
facilities early in the development of subdivisions through payment from approved capital
accounts. He stated that the City currently has incorporated `developer-build' park conditions
in subdivision agreements for 5 new developments; and in 2 existing subdivisions, the
developers have expressed an interest in pursuing `developer-build' parks where no such
conditions exist. He added that staff are recommending that the potential to fund `developer-
build' park conditions, via development charge credits, be included for consideration as part of
the Development Charge Policy review. He noted that in the interim, pending the completion
of that review, staff are suggesting that the General Manager of Community Services be
authorized to make payments for `developer-build' parks, with the Director of Purchasing being
authorized to issue the necessary Purchase Orders.
In response to questions, Mr. D. Ritz advised that as these new parks are already included
and sequenced in the capital forecast, it would be possible to pay the agreed applicable costs
to the developer from approved park capital accounts. He stated that the developer would
build the park at an agreed upon amount, with all work being done to City standards. The park
would then be certified by the developer's landscape architect and inspected by the City for
final approval prior to the issuance of payment. He added that this process is anticipated to
produce cost savings through the enhanced coordination of all aspects of park construction
and would provide for the construction of park amenities in a more timely fashion. He noted
that in some cases the developer would have to front load the cost of park development until
the corresponding capital forecast year has been approved. Mr. D. Chapman advised that
while development charge revenues form part of the budget for general park development,
and therefore part of the funding for `developer-build' parks, the extent to which the
development charge reserve fund can be applied to park development is limited based on
Provincial legislation governing the calculation of development charge rates using historic
service standards. Ms. P. Houston stated that moving towards full developer responsibility for
local parks, and thus removing them from the development charges rate, may not be feasible
as there are instances where a park may service a number of different developments. She
added that approval of the staff recommendation would allow for the continued negotiation of
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 21, 200$ - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER
4. CSD-0$-02$ - `DEVELOPER-BUILD' PARK CONSTRUCTION ALTERNATIVE
- PROVISION OF PARK AMENITIES IN THE EARLY STAGES OF
SUBDIVISION DEVELOPMENT tCONT'D)
`developer-build' parks where not already provided for under the terms of a subdivision
agreement, and until such time as a formal policy is established through the Development
Charge Policy review.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
it was resolved:
"That the potential to fund `developer-build' park conditions in subdivision agreements
via development charge credits be considered as part of the Development Charge
Policy review being undertaken in 2008/09, as outlined in Community Services
Department report CSD-08-028; and,
That pending the completion of the Development Charge Policy review, the General
Manager of Community Services be authorized to execute agreements to pay
applicable park construction costs to developers/sub-dividers from Council approved
capital accounts to facilitate the interim implementation of `developer-build' parks; and
further,
That pursuant to Kitchener Municipal Code Chapter 170.8 (Purchasing and Materials
Management), the Director of Purchasing be authorized to issue the necessary
Purchase Orders and waive the requirements for inviting tenders to facilitate the
execution of `developer-build' parks."
5. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:15 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator