HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2009-04-20COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community Services Committee met this date commencing at 5:35 p.m.
Present: Councillor G. Lorentz -Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, B. Vrbanovic, J. Gazzola, K. Galloway and
C. Weylie.
Staff: P. Houston, General Manager of Community Services
J. Willmer, Interim General Manager of Development & Technical Services
M. Selling, Director of Building
K. Kugler, Director of Enterprises
M. Petricevic, Manager of Project and Energy Management
T. Marr, Manager of Marketing and Creative Services
B. Page, Supervisor of Site Development
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
1. CSD-09-029 - BETHANY EVANGELICAL MISSIONARY CHURCH
- BLEACHERS FOR ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PAGEANT
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-029, dated April
9, 2009 regarding a proposal to accommodate the annual request for bleachers for the
Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church Annual Christmas Pageant.
On motion by Councillor J. Smola -
it was resolved:
"That as of the 2009 Budget year, a maximum of $1,800., be funded annually through
the Special Events Operating Budget to assist with costs associated with the rental,
transportation and set-up /take-down of a maximum of three (3) bleacher units for the
Bethany Evangelical Missionary Church Annual Christmas Pageant."
2. CSD-09-031 - ACTIVA SPORTSPLEX FINANCIAL UPDATE
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-031, dated April
15, 2009 recommending a transfer from the Activa Sportsplex Legacy Fund in the amount of
$187,767. to the Activa Sportsplex Construction Project.
Ms. K. Kugler advised that the total cost for the Activa Sportsplex Construction Project would
exceed the approved budget by $256,757. She noted that this was due to redesigning the
foundation to contend with soil conditions and improvements to the facility's energy efficiency.
She stated that pledges to the fundraising campaign exceeded the projected target of $2 M,
resulting in a net revenue return of $1.819 M. In addition to the pledged funds, an agreement
was signed for the sponsorship and naming rights of the facility for $500,000., which secured
the establishment of the Activa Sportsplex Legacy Fund; to be used to offset fundraising
shortfalls or future capital improvements to the facility. Accordingly, it is proposed that the
over-expenditure be funded by allocating $69,000. of surplus fundraising dollars and
transferring $187,767. from the Activa Sportsplex Legacy Fund.
In response to questions regarding the financial breakdown attached to report CSD-09-031,
Mr. M. Petricevic advised that the variance shown between the total budget and the projected
actuals relates to items that were shifted from the Site Development Costs to Building
Construction Costs. Ms. K. Kugler stated that a number of the items that were intended to be
funded through Furnishings & Equipment were provided for through Building Construction
Costs. She added that with the exception of signage for the site, which is accounted for in the
projected actuals, there are no outstanding items under Furnishings & Equipment.
On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic -
it was resolved:
"That $187,767., be transferred from the Activa Sportsplex Legacy Fund to the Activa
Sportsplex Construction Project to assist with increased project construction costs and
a capital project funding shortfall related to additional foundation works and energy
improvements, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-09-031."
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2009 -13 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CAO-0$-037 -HIGHWAY 401 ENTRANCE SIGNAGE
The Committee considered Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-08-037, dated April 14,
2009 recommending Option B (Pride Signs) as the preferred design for the two new Highway
401 entrance signs, with lighting being provided for the Location 1 sign (Westbound at
Highway 8).
Mr. M. Seiling advised that in 2005 Council directed staff to proceed with a detailed design and
site selection for two entrance signs to be located on Highway 401. He stated that a total of
1,422 votes were received during the public consultation on the four short-listed entrance sign
designs, with Option B receiving 832 votes or 58.51 % of all votes cast. He advised that
Mighton Engineering was retained to investigate illumination levels at both site locations and it
was determined that Location 2 (Eastbound at Homer Watson) was extremely well lit by the
Ontario Ministry of Transportation's (MTO) recently installed high pressure sodium overhead
lights; and, no additional lighting would be required for that location. It was further determined
that with the exception of the light produced by car headlights, the Location 1 sign would not
be visible at night due to its black background and there being virtually no MTO lighting
nearby. Therefore, it is proposed that the Location 1 sign include LED backlighting of its
letters and flood lighting for the sign face, which would be connected to a power supply
extending from the south side of Highway 401 through the Highway 8 flyover. He stated that
the total cost for the two signs, including extending the power supply to light the Highway 8
sign would be $292,518. He noted that the estimated cost of the electrical power consumption
for lighting one sign would be $100. per year.
In response to questions, Mr. M. Seiling advised that the background of the signs would be
constructed of black granite and formed aluminum would be used for the lettering and the
clock tower, which should prevent the signs from being damaged by road debris. He
estimated the cost of connecting the lights on the Location 1 sign to the power supply on the
south side of Highway 401 at approximately $40,000. He stated that currently there is only
one overhead light at that location, which would produce little to no ambient light for the new
sign. He noted that it could be 5 to 10 years before the MTO undertakes their proposed
modifications to the Highway 8 interchange, adding that while this is not anticipated to impact
the location of the City's entrance sign, it would result in upgrades to the area's overhead
lighting. Mr. B. Page advised that the City would have to obtain a permit from the MTO prior to
installing the new entrance signs. He noted that at that time discussions could be held with
the MTO regarding their future plans and if necessary the location of the City's entrance sign
in relation to the proposed realignment of the Highway 8 flyover could be adjusted accordingly.
Mr. Seiling stated that subject to final approval by the MTO, the installation of the two new
entrance signs could commence in spring 2009.
A motion by Councillor J. Gazzola was brought forward to approve Option B (Pride Signs) as
the preferred design for the two new Highway 401 entrance signs and to defer consideration of
connecting the power supply to the lights on the Location 1 sign until after the MTO has
completed their proposed work on the Highway 8 interchange.
Several members spoke to the necessity of connecting the power supply to the lights on the
Location 1 sign to enable it to be visible at night, commenting that it could be 10 years before
the MTO upgrades the overhead lighting in that area.
On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, its was agreed to amend the second clause of
Councillor Gazzola's motion to provide for the connection of the lights on the Location 1 sign to
the power supply extending from the south side of Highway 401.
On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola -
it was resolved:
"That Option B (Pride Signs), be approved for the 2 new Highway 401 Entrance Signs
at a cost of $292,518., with both signs to be install in the spring of 2009, as outlined in
Chief Administrator's Office report CAO-08-037; and further,
That the sign installed at Location 1 (Westbound at Highway 8) include LED
backlighting of its letters and flood lighting for the sign face, with a power supply
extending from the south side of Highway 401."
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES
APRIL 20, 2009 -14 - CITY OF KITCHENER
4. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator