HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2009-10-26COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
OCTOBER 26, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community Services Committee met this date, commencing at 4:43 p.m.
Present: Councillor G. Lorentz, Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors K. Galloway, J. Gazzola and J. Smola.
Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer
D. Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer
P. Houston, General Manager of Community Services
J. Willmer, Interim General Manager of Development & Technical Services
K. Kugler, Interim Director of Enterprises
M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs
J. Witmer, Director of Operations
L. Eckel-Braun, Manager of Cemeteries
D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator
1. CSD-09-061 -SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITYADVISORYCOMMITTEE WORK PLAN
(2009 12010)
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-061, dated
October 16, 2009, submitting a recommendation on behalf of the Safe & Healthy Community
Advisory Committee concerning their 2009/2010 Work Plan.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr-
itwas resolved:
"That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee Work Plan (2009 / 2010),
as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-09-061, be approved."
2. CSD-09-060 -CEMETERIES JOINT SERVICES REVIEW
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-060, dated
October 20, 2009, concerning the Kitchenerlvvaterloo Cemeteries Joint Services Initiative
report prepared by Hilton Landmarks Inc., dated May 20, 2009. Messrs. R. Hilton and F.
Drysdale of Hilton Landmarks Inc. were in attendance to present their report.
Mr. Hilton advised the Committee that current provincial legislation states that cemeteries are
ultimately a municipal responsibility once they are abandoned. Further, provincial legislation
states that "Every cemetery owner shall maintain, without charge to interment right holders, the
grounds of the cemetery, including all lots, structures and markers, to ensure the safety of the
public and to preserve the dignity of the cemetery." He stated that the City of Kitchener is in
the cemetery business regardless, and it is best to plan for the future.
Mr. Drysdale presented the report, concluding with the following recommendations:
development of a new jointly-operated cemetery; integration of pricing, by-laws and record-
keeping; expanded joint marketing effort; and, joint or delegated operation of Mount Hope
Cemetery.
Mr. Drysdale advised that although Parkview Cemetery, in Waterloo, is being expanded by 7-8
acres and there is some available inventory at Williamsburg Cemetery, the available land in
both municipalities will soon be used up. He advised that the search for suitable land should
start immediately, to allow time for the approvals process. He noted that demand will quickly
meet available land
With respect to integration of pricing, by-laws and record-keeping, Mr. Drysdale advised that
some efforts in this regard have already been made, with full-costing analysis and alignment of
cemetery prices in 2007. He suggested that review and integration of cemetery by-laws and
integration of computerized record-keeping would be excellent next steps. Mr. Drysdale then
suggested that an expanded joint marketing effort would enhance the image of both
municipalities' cemeteries. Such marketing could also be used to encourage citizens to use
the local crematoria and municipal cemeteries.
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OCTOBER 26.2009 - 35 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. CSD-09-060 -CEMETERIES JOINT SERVICES REVIEW (CONT'D)
The concluding recommendation of the report is the joint or delegated operation of Mount
Hope Cemetery. The report advises that because of the contiguous location of this cemetery
and its mature status, it could be more efficiently operated that way.
Mayor Zehr questioned the trend for cremation and Mr. Hilton stated that at this time the trend
in cremation is increasing and approximately 50% of burials are in cremation plots or niches.
However, coffin burials are staying relatively the same. Mayor Zehr then stated the City should
move quickly to initiate joint services with the City of Waterloo, as recommended in this report.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr-
itwas resolved:
"That the Kitchener/Waterloo Cemeteries Joint Services Initiatives Report, as presented
by Hilton Landmarks Inc., be received; and,
That staff of the cemetery unit continue to work with their City of Waterloo counterparts
on the following initiatives: the potential development of a new jointly-operated
cemetery, the integration of pricing, by-laws, record keeping, expand the joint marketing
effort and join or delegate the operation of Mount Hope Cemetery; and further,
That staff provide the Community Services Committee with annual status updates with
respect to the joint cemetery initiatives."
3. CSD-09-057 - WILLIAMSBURG CEMETERY MASTER PLAN -PHASE II
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-057, dated
October 20, 2009 concerning the Williamsburg Cemetery Phase II Master Plan, prepared by
Hilton Landmarks Inc. dated Final Revision July 2009. Messrs. R. Hilton and F. Drysdale,
Hilton Landmarks Inc., were in attendance to present their report.
The Committee was advised by the delegation that of the 31 acres of land in Phase II, only 14
acres can be used as developable casket land and 4 %4 acres can be used for green burial,
because of environmental considerations. Combined casketlcremation land needs at
Williamsburg will be approximately 0.6 acres per year, totaling 13 acres, more or less, by 2031.
Mr. Hilton advised that in order to achieve a self sustaining perpetual care fund, the City needs
to develop and sell another 20 acres of cemetery land; which means that there is not enough
land at Uilliamsburg Cemetery. The search for suitable cemetery expansion land must begin
immediately in order for this land to be acquired and developed in time. The perpetual care
fund must be enlarged in order for the City not to draw on tax dollars to maintain its
cemeteries.
Mr. Hilton concluded by advising that the City's Care and Maintenance Trust Fund (perpetual
care fund) is currently inadequately funded. To put this fund in aself-sustaining position, the
City needs to sell approximately 20 more acres of cemetery land for interment purposes.
There is only about 18 acres of developable cemetery land remaining at Williamsburg;
consequently, the City needs to search out appropriate land for cemetery expansion. The
report recommends that land be acquired with the City of Waterloo, who also needs additional
cemetery land.
In response to questions from Councillor Gazzola, Mr. Hilton advised that cremation burials
use about 1/10 the land of casket burials. Respecting perpetual care funds, Mr. Hilton advised
that the principle in these funds can not be touched and they are invested in accordance with
provincial regulations.
With respect to Councillor Gazzola's question about paying for a new cemetery with
development charges, Mr. Chapman advised that cemeteries are not included in the
Development Charges By-law.
Councillor Galloway questioned whether the neighbours on either side of this land had been
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OCTOBER 26.2009 - 36 - CITY OF KITCHENER
3. CSD-09-057 - WILLIAMSBURG CEMETERY MASTER PLAN -PHASE II (CONT'D)
consulted through the Master Plan process and was advised that they had not been consulted
through this process. Councillor Galloway directed that staff consult with these neighbours
before the Master Plan process is finalized. Councillor Galloway then requested that staff
provide members of Council with large, coloured copies of the plan showing the proposed
development at Williamsburg Cemetery.
On motion by Councillor K. Galloway -
itwas resolved:
"That the Williamsburg Cemetery Master Plan -Phase II report, prepared by Hilton
Landmarks Inc., be received; and,
That staff proceed with design work for Phase II development in 2010; and further,
That staff investigate funding strategies for the land and mausoleum components of
Phase II development at Williamsburg Cemetery."
4. CSD-09-058 -PARKS MASTER PLAN UPDATE
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-058, dated
October 20, 2009 providing an update on the Parks Master Plan, being prepared by the GSP
Group Inc. Mr. W. Green, GSP Group Inc. and Mr. F. Galloway, Galloway Associates Inc.,
were in attendance to provide the update.
Mr. Galloway advised of the various aspects of the public consultation process used in
preparing this Park Master Plan, noting that it revealed the benefits the public derives from our
parks, which fall into 3 categories: social, economic and environmental; and, noted that
"Healthy Parks" equal "Healthy People".
Mr. Green reviewed the challenges, noting that one of them is that Kitchener's parks are
underfunded in comparison to other municipalities. Another challenge is the changing
population: the portion over 50 years of age is 22% and the portion of the population not born
in Canada is 26% (2006 figures). People's expectations fall into the categories of:
environment, health, socialization and quality of life. In order to meet these challenges, the
City needs to do the following: preserve and enhance the natural areas system; strengthen
and expand the community trails network; build and renew our neighbourhood parks; meet
active parkland needs and foster growth in outdoor sports; engage the community in parks
planning and development; and, support the Grand River corridor.
Mr. Green then reviewed the increased cost over the next 10 years to meet the challenges
identified. He reviewed timing for next steps, including: further public input in the fall of 2009,
delivery of a final Park Master Plan to Council for approval in early 2010; and, preparation of
an implementation plan and funding strategy throughout 2010.
Mayor Zehr stated that this report includes good direction on the goals. He stated that we
have known the need in this area for many years. We must start giving this situation much
more consideration and start investing in this area of our community's health.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr-
itwas resolved:
"That the Parks Master Plan Update be received for information."
5. NOVEMBER 16, 2009 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING
At the recommendation of the chair, the Committee generally agreed to defer its consideration
of the following staff reports to its meeting scheduled for Monday November 16, 2009:
CSD-09-059 -Industrial Artifacts Project -Program Review
CSD-09-062 -Artist-In-Residence Program -Appointments for 2010-2011.
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OCTOBER 26.2009 - 37 - CITY OF KITCHENER
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:19 p.m.
Dianne Gilchrist
Committee Administrator