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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2008-12-01COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 3:34 p.m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, 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 Community Services D. Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer J. Willmer, Interim General Manager of Development & Technical Services M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs S. Adams, Director of Community & Corporate Planning R. Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development L Pregel, Manager, Cultural Development L. Palubeski, Manager of Programs & Resource Services C. York, Coordinator, Arts & Culture R. Gosse, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-0$-094 -DOWNTOWN EAST. YA GOTTA LUV IT PROJECT UPDATE The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-094, dated November 19, 2008 regarding the update from Downtown East, Ya Gotta Luv It Project dated November 17, 2008. Ms. Sally Gunz, Chairperson, Downtown East, Ya Gotta Luv It Project (DEYGLI), advised that the highlights from the Project for 2007-2008 have been circulated to members of the Committee and of the initiatives in the update she wanted to draw the Committee's attention to the landlord project. Ms. Gunz advised there have been a high number of problem properties located in the Downtown East area and over the years a large amount of public resources have been utilized to address these problems without much success. She explained that DEYGLI partnered with Waterloo Region Police Services to work with landlords and community groups and through a facilitation process the initiative has been successful in showing landlords that issues caused by some of their tenants and property standards have an impact not only to the community but to the landlords themselves. Ms. Gunz advised that the Project has found this initiative to be cost-effective and has made a profound difference in the neighbourhood. The next step is to undertake along-term full evaluation of the project and develop aloes-cost method to deal with similar problems in other areas of the City. Mayor C. Zehr pointed out that on the 2 financial statements appended to the update, only the budget for November 1, 2008 to June 1, 2009 shows an expenditure for the Project evaluation and he asked if the evaluation was to be phased in should the cost not be shown in each year. Ms. Gunz advised that the proposal for the evaluation as part of the Trillium Grant was for the 1St and 3rd years and at the end of the Project. Councillor J. Gazzola suggested that there appears to be significant improvement in the neighbourhood and asked what will happen now and in the future. Ms. Gunz replied that the most important initiative was the landlord project and the team is currently working out details to expand that initiative for future use in not only this area but in other areas of the City. Councillor K. Galloway pointed out that between the statement of expenditures, April to October 2008, and the budget, November 2008 to June 2009, there appears to be new line items and an increase of approximately $2,000. Ms. Gunz pointed out that the budget figures reflect actual costs including rental fees that were not charged in previous years and cost for the survey as per the evaluation process. Councillor G. Lorentz extended his appreciation for the work undertaken by the Project team and asked what will happen to the neighbourhood if the Project team was dissolved. Ms. Karen Taylor-Harrison, Member of DEYGLI, advised that through discussions with the stakeholders in the various neighbourhoods, it was found that many of them require continued assistance and support. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 200$ - 65 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. PRESENTATION -CAPACITY WATERLOO REGION The document Capacity Waterloo Region Community Update November 2008 was circulated to the Community Services Committee this date and Mr. T. Jackson, Member of the Steering Committee, provided a brief presentation on Capacity Waterloo Region. Mr. Jackson advised that 2 years ago The United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo and the Ontario Trillium Foundation asked for assistance in developing the capacity for the Not-For-Profit (NFP) sector through innovation, collaboration and leadership. From there, Capacity Waterloo Region was formed to help ensure that NFP organizations are comfortable participating in sharing both their successes and challenges. Mr. Jackson advised that since then 3 themes have surfaced that will help NFPs in developing their organizations. The 3 themes, or common threads, are: a NFP peer-to-peer network to provide an environment in which to discuss and encourage innovation, collaboration and leadership; an Executive Director-in-Residence Program to provide leaders of small NFP organizations with free coaching and access to expertise; and a NFP board governance program to deliver practical governance training for not-for-profit Boards of Directors. Mr. Jackson further advised that to this date $45,000. has been raised, a manager been hired to manage the initial work, consultations have taken place inside and outside of the Region, opportunities to collaborate have been identified and additional research will be completed in December 2008. The next steps with respect to this initiative will be to roll out the peer-to-peer network, complete the design and content of the Board Governance Program by 2009 and finalize a business plan for the overall initiative including the Executive Director-in- Residence Program with associated funding proposals reflecting a 3-year pilot period. Mr. Jackson advised the pilot will cost approximately $750,000. over the 3 years with monies coming from private donations, corporations, foundations and grants and municipal governments. Councillor J. Gazzola expressed concern that with the number of non-profit organizations within the Region, there may be duplication of efforts and causes. Mr. Jackson replied there is probably duplication within the NFPs and through this Project there may be opportunities for self-consolidation of various organizations but that not the goal of Capacity Waterloo Region; however, through efforts of peer-to-peer networking and the other initiatives it may be a benefit. 3. CSD-0$-093 -PUBLIC ART POLICY The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-093, dated November 10, 2008 regarding a comprehensive Public Art Policy. Ms. C. York advised that staff has reviewed the City's Public Art Program and it's being recommended that the Public Art Collection Management Policy, Guidelines for Art/Artefact & Management Policy, Public Art Policy, and the Percent for Art Policy be repealed and replaced with a new comprehensive Public Art Policy. Ms. York explained that the proposed new Public Art Policy consolidates the 4 current Policies, providing a stronger implementation basis and will lead to the development of a long-term vision that sets principles and priorities. The new policy clearly defines public art, proposes to pool funds collected through the Percent for Art Program and will lead toward the development of a Public Art Master Plan. Councillor J. Gazzola pointed out that the new Policy does not make any large scale changes to the current policies with the exception of the Percent for Art Program and asked why this was being changed. Ms. York responded that the percentage for civic construction projects remains at 1 %; however, the funds collected will be pooled to allow flexibility in the commissioning, acquisition and site selection for public art pieces. Councillor C. Weylie asked if the pooled funds would include the maintenance and care for the public art. Ms. York explained there is a separate account set up for care and maintenance and that through the development of the Public Art Master Plan in 2009, this issue will be reviewed and addressed. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 1, 200$ - 66 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CSD-0$-093 -PUBLIC ART POLICY tCONT'D) On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - it was resolved: "That Policies I-285 Public Art Collection Management Policy; I-340 Guidelines for Art/Artefact and Management Policy; I-485 Public Art Policy; and I-650 Percent for Art Policy be repealed and replaced with the Public Art Policy in the form attached to Community Services Department report CSD-08-093." 4. CSD-0$-096 - WILLIAMSBURG CEMETERY SECTION G DEVELOPMENT The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-096, dated November 21, 2008 regarding the expenditure to develop section G at the Williamsburg Cemetery. Ms. L. Eckel-Braun advised that the detailed plans for the development of section G at Williamsburg Cemetery are now complete and construction and development of this section will cost approximately $179,000. Ms. Eckel-Braun pointed out that it is being proposed the project will be self-funded in that, required funds will come from internal reserves and paid back with interest as the burial lots are sold. Ms. L. Eckel-Braun pointed out that over the next 15 to 20 years the new inventories located in this section could realize over 1.7M in operating dollars to the Cemetery unit. Councillor J. Gazzola raised a concern regarding the cost that would be passed on to purchasers being higher than in other areas of the Cemetery. Ms. L. Eckel-Braun pointed out that this area is unique in that it is located adjacent to an existing natural wetland and there will be other features incorporated that will create a premium area for those wishing to pay the additional cost; however, there are alternative plots still available for those who do not wish to pay for a premium site. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - it was resolved: "That the expenditure of $179,000. for the development of section G at Williamsburg Cemetery to be financed internally from new revenues earned through the sale of the new lots and niches, be approved." 5. CSD-0$-0$9 -PROGRAM AND RESOURCE SERVICES -PROGRAM UPDATE The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-08-089, dated November 13, 2008 regarding an update on the Program and Resource Services division of the Community Services Department. Ms. L. Palubeski provided a brief review of the report which highlights the accomplishments of various programs within this section of the Community Services Department in 2008. The Committee was then given a video presentation providing a pictorial display highlighting the programs and services offered by the section. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:51 p.m. Randy Gosse Committee Administrator