Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2009-10-05COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE OCTOBER 5. 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, commencing at 2:00 p. m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz, Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors K. Galloway, C. Weylie, B. Vrbanovic, J. Gazzola and J. Smola. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer D. Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services J. Willmer, Interim General Manager of Development & Technical Services P. Houston, General Manager of Community Services R. Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development J. Witmer, Director of Operations M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs I. Pregel, Manager of Cultural Development C. York, Arts & Culture Coordinator S. Williams, Assistant City Solicitor L. Korabo, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-09-055 -GRAND RIVER FILM FESTIVAL STUNT PERFORMER AGREEMENT The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-055, dated October 2, 2009, requesting approval to execute a Stunt Performer Agreement. Mr. David Marskell, Chair, Grand River Film Festival (GRFF), advised that in 2010 the GRFF, traditionally held in Cambridge, will be expanding to include events in Kitchener. In conjunction with this Festival, the Indie Lounge will be held and is a "hands on" symposium for independent media producers both at the emerging and professional level. Highlighting the weekend of events will be 2 stunts scheduled for Sunday, October 25, 2009. GRFF and Waterloo Regional Children's Museum (WRCM) representatives are requesting permission to conduct a "live burn" and a "free fall", both on municipally owned property along King Street. A professional movie and TV stuntman will be set on fire to be filmed by videographers attending Indie Lounge. In addition, another stuntman will demonstrate a free fall from the roof of the WRCM to an airbag on King Street, also to be filmed. These action sequences are the demonstration portion of a presentation on Stunt Safety and Logistics to be presented by Reel Stunts Productions. Mr. Marskell advised that Oscar-winning Japanese director Yojira Takita has accepted an invitation to attend the Indie Lounge screening of his film "Departures". Mr. Marskell also advised that event organizers have been working closely with City staff to ensure all paperwork including insurance and waivers have been properly secured and that all appropriate safety precautions, such as police and paramedics, have been arranged. A Stunt Performance Agreement has been drafted to be signed by all parties and Mr. Marskell requested that permission be given for the City to execute said agreement. In response to Councillor J. Gazzola, Mr. Marskell advised that, to date, $15,000. of the projected costs associated with the attendance of Director Takita have been raised from various sources and there will be no cost to the City of Kitchener. Councillor Gazzola requested clarification on the use of paid-duty officers and Councillor B. Vrbanovic asked that staff ensure that the Kitchener Business Improvement Area be consulted concerning street closures and that this information be included in staff reports for similar events. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic - itwas resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a Stunt Performance Agreement with the Waterloo Regional Children's Museum, The Grand River Film Festival and with any other parties City Legal Counsel deems advisable, said Stunt Performance Agreement to be subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE PRESENTATION -MAGNETIC NORTH THEATRE FESTIVAL Mr. Jamie Grant presented an update on the Magnetic North Theatre Festival (MNTF) scheduled for Kitchener-Waterloo from June 9-19, 2010. The MNTF showcases the best of contemporary Canadian theatre and is held annually. The Festival is located in Ottawa every second year and in intervening years, moves locations. Kitchener-Waterloo has been awarded the Festival for 2010. Mr. Grant stated that hosting will be a positive experience for the community and will bring a national and international spotlight. 10,000 attendees are anticipated to attend: 35% of attendees will be from other areas of Canada, 5% will be international and the balance will be local residents. He noted that benefits to the community include: local hiring; training and experience gained working on a national festival; opportunity for volunteers; local audience development and retention for future local theatre and arts group productions; and, establishment of corporate interest in arts partnerships that would live post-festival. Several local theatre groups have confirmed their participation and a total of 7 venues throughout Kitchener and Waterloo will be utilized. In conclusion, Mr. Grant noted that the Festival has been well supported financially by many organizations, both the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo and the Region of Waterloo. CSD-09-052 -COUNTRY HILLS LIBRARY PUBLIC ART The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-052, dated September 16, 2009 regarding selection of public art for the Country Hills Library. Ms. C. York advised that a call for design proposals for a public art piece for the Country Hills Community Library yielded 6 submissions. The unanimous selection of the jury was a submission by Jefferson Campbell-Cooper entitled "In Time". The proposal is for a series of 4' x 8' panels painted with images of the Region's most important geological ages and their transformation of the landscape outside of the Library. Additionally, a geologic clock will be mounted next to the Library's current clock. Ms. York advised that jury members felt this artwork would engage a range of age groups and noted that the work will be installed by the Spring of 2010. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - itwas resolved: "That approval be given for the commission and installation of artwork titled "In Time" by Jefferson Campbell-Cooper at the Country Hills Community Library; and further, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized to execute an agreement, satisfactory to the City Solicitor, with Jefferson Campbell-Cooper regarding the obligations of the library public art commission." 4. CSD-09-054 -REGIONAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-054, dated September 25, 2009 concerning execution and extension / renewal of a maintenance agreement with the Region of Waterloo for the maintenance of Regional roads within municipal I i m its. Mr. J. Witmer advised that staff from the Region and 3 area municipalities began discussions in September 2008 on how to proceed with road maintenance for 2009 and beyond. The Cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge had expressed concerns that the agreement in place at that time was not covering actual costs and requested some changes be made. Regional and City staff have had ongoing discussions regarding a new Maintenance Agreement (MA) that would come into effect on January 1, 2010 and have reached agreement at this time where both Regional and City staff are recommending approval of the agreement to their respective Councils. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE OCTOBER 5. 2009 - 33 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CSD-09-054 -REGIONAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT (CON'TD) The proposed agreement would have a 5-year term instead of 3 years and renewal of the agreement would be automatically done unless either party provided written notification of cancellation before it expires. It was also noted that summer and winter maintenance would be dealt with differently under the proposed agreement whereby a fixed rate of payment would be established for summer road maintenance costs and full recovery would be provided for winter costs. Mr. Witmer noted that the municipality would be responsible for 5% of winter costs over the baseline average established by the Region. The baseline average is calculated using the actual winter maintenance costs for the five years of 2004 to 2008 and includes a 7% overhead charge amount on labour, equipment and material (inflated to 2010). In closing, Mr. Witmer noted that if actual costs are below the baseline average as set out in the agreement, monies not spent would be kept by the municipality and used to mitigate overages in subsequent years. Councillor J. Gazzola expressed concern with approving an agreement with a 5-year term as this would be in effect when the new Council takes office and members would not have had an opportunity to provide input. In response to this concern Mr. Witmer advised that any problems identified by staff during the term of the agreement would be brought to the attention of the Region and a report would be provided to Council providing details. It was further noted that the Region will also have a new Council bound to the agreement. Mr. Witmer also stated that for 2009, the Region is paying the City for time and materials with all actual costs being borne by the Region. With the new terms, there is cost certainty for all parties involved as fixed rates are being proposed. Mayor C. Zehr advised that this agreement is good for the City, noting that discussions have been held about the Region taking over road maintenance or contracting out these services. Reiterating that there was a reduced risk to the Corporation with the new terms, he declared his support for the maintenance agreement. Staff was requested to provide additional details concerning the 7% administrative overhead fee included in the maintenance agreement to members of Council. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - itwas resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute and extend/renew the Maintenance Agreement, subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor, with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo for the maintenance of Regional Roads within the municipal limits, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-09-054." 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 2:43 p. m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator