No preview available
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-153 - Deferral of Mike Wagner Heritage Awards & Urban Design Awards - AddendumDev~fopme-rt & Techntca~Servlces REPORT Report To: Mayor and Council Date of Meeting: October 13, 2009 Submitted By: Alain Pinard, Interim Director of Planning Prepared By: Leon Bensason, Interim Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning (741-2306) Ward(s) Involved: All Date of Report: October 8, 2009 Report No.: DTS 09 -153 Subject: DEFERRAL OF MIKE WAGNER HERITAGE AWARDS AND URBAN DESIGN AWARDS TO OCTOBER 2011 (ADDENDUM TO DTS 09-144) RECOMMENDATION: For Information only. BACKGROUND: At the Development & Technical Services Committee meeting of October 5, 2009 the following recommendation made in Report DTS 09-144 was referred to the Council meeting of October 13, 2009 pending discussion with Mrs. Pat Wagner and with the Heritage Kitchener Committee: "That the presentation of the next scheduled Mike Wagner Heritage Awards and the Urban Design Awards be deferred to October 2011; and, That Planning staff review the Mike Wagner Heritage Award and Urban Design Award programs to determine if a change in presentation and/or award venue is merited; and further, That Planning staff review the Mike Wagner Heritage Award and Urban Design Award criteria and processes to better reflect current urban design trends and city initiated urban design policies." REPORT: City staff contacted Mrs. Pat Wagner and reviewed the information contained in Report DTS 09- 144. Staff explained to Mrs. Wagner the rationale for the recommendation to defer the presentation of the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards to October 2011. Mrs. Wagner expressed no concerns or issues with the recommendation for the deferral. On October 6, 2009 the Heritage Kitchener Committee considered Report DTS 09-144. Several members of the Committee expressed concern with the recommendation to defer the presentation of the heritage awards to October 2011. Generally, Committee members felt that a deferral could put the award program and budget allocated toward such program at risk. Though the Committee was not opposed to a comprehensive review of the heritage award program, the Committee made a recommendation to continue to present the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards in October 2010 as scheduled; and to implement the results of a review of the program when the awards are next presented after 2010. Staff continue to support a deferral of both the Mike Wagner Heritage Awards and Urban Design Awards presentation to October 2011, for the reasons described in Report DTS 09-144. A one year deferral of the presentation would provide staff time to review the structure and administration of both award programs and make them more relevant to the urban design and heritage conservation projects of today. While staff continue to favor a deferral, Planning staff are still able to proceed to administer both award programs under their current structure, and prepare for a presentation of both awards in October 2010. Such preparation could continue to include a review of the presentation format and venue for the awards in 2010. However, a comprehensive review of the Mike Wagner Heritage Award and Urban Design Award programs (to include a review of such matters as award categories, judging criteria, and marketing strategy}, would be undertaken with a view toward implementation following the awards presentation in 2010. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Monies are allocated in the capital budget forthese awards in the year 2010. REVIEWED BY: Brian Page, Supervisor, Site Development ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager Development and Technical Services