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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2009-11-16COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16.2009 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, commencing at 4:08 p.m. Present: Councillor G. Lorentz, Chair Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Gazzola, B. Smola, B. Vrbanovic and C. Weylie. Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer P. Houston, General Manager of Community Services T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services D. Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services & City Treasurer R. Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development J. Witmer, Director of Operations M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs D. Chapman, Manager of Special Events I. Pregel, Manager of Cultural Development K. Woodcock, Manager of Departmental Planning C. York, Coordinator of Arts & Culture R. Willms, Supervisor of Administration D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-09-066 -REQUEST FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION AFFILIATION - WILLIAMSBURG COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-066, dated November 2, 2009, recommending that the Williamsburg Community Association be approved as one of the City's affiliated groups, and that they also be approved as an insured group in the City's third party liability insurance program. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - itwas resolved: "That the Williamsburg Community Association (WCA} be approved as an affiliated group with the City of Kitchener in accordance with the City's Neighbourhood Association Affiliation policy; and further, That the Williamsburg Community Association be added as an insured group in the City's third party liability insurance program. " 2. CSD-09-067 - COMMUNITY GRANTS TIER 3 -COMMUNITY SERVICES INNOVATION INVESTMENT FUND - 2009 ALLOCATION The Committee considered Community Services department report CSD-09-067, dated November 12, 2009, recommending that the Waterloo Region Resiliency Initiative receive a Tier 3 grant of $10,000 in 2009. Ms. Pregel presented the report and answered questions from the Committee. Councillor C. Weylie put forward the recommendation in the staff report. Mayor Zehr questioned how this grant fits in with the proposal of the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region. Ms. Pregel responded that there is no reason why the two can not work together, as they work on a parallel track. Mayor Zehr then put forward an amendment, accepted by Councillor Weylie, that staff report at the November 23rd Council meeting, on how the Tier 3 grants could connect, in a formal way, with the "enabling organization" being proposed by the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region. On motion by Councillor C. Weylie - itwas resolved: "That a Tier 3 grant (Community Services Innovation Investment Fund) in the amount of $10,000 be approved for the Waterloo Region Resiliency Initiative, from the 2009 Community Grants budget; and further, That at the Council meeting of November 23, 2009, staff report on how the Tier 3 grants could connect, in a formal way, with the "enabling organization" being proposed by the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16.2009 - 39 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CSD-09-063 -COMMUNITY INVESTMENT STRATEGY TIER 1 VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS FOLLOW-UP -SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF KITCHENER- WATERL00 The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-063, dated November 10, 2009, recommending 2010 grant funding for the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo, representing the results of dialogue between staff and the Social Planning Council that has taken place over several months as a result of the Value for Money review conducted at Council's direction. Ms. Pregel presented the staff report. Mr. J. Beckner was in attendance in support of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener- Waterloo (SPCKUV). He provided members of the Committee, this date, with printed copies of his verbal presentation. He related the work of the SPCKW to the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan, noting that community engagement is one of the City's priorities. Mr. Beckner emphasized the excellence of SPCKW s work in this field, and the depth of its experience. He advised that this organization also facilitates public forums on a range of community concerns, as well as being in partnership with many agencies and organizations in Kitchener. He advised that the SPCKW is a "quintessential example of both quality and quantity of community work done in relationship to the funding it receives from the City of Kitchener." Mr. D. Stadelbauer was in attendance and spoke in support of the work of the Social Planning Council. Ms. Beaulne and Mr. Pike, of the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo (SPCKVI~ provided Committee members this date, with copies of their Blue Book, Directory of Community Services and their Community Investment Strategy report, dated Monday November 15, 2009. Mr. Pike spoke to the Committee advising of his appreciation for the time that Council and staff have spent working with them and of his appreciation for their support. He stated that stable and flexible support allows the SPCKW to respond to community needs as they change over time. Mr. Pike then advised the Committee that in addition to the grant funding recommended by staff, they are also requesting and additional $19,000 for community engagement. In addition Mr. Pike asked the Committee to include the following as part of its resolution: (a) "affirm that providing funding to SPCKW for Festival of neighbourhoods does not affect the annual funding that goes directly as a n annual Tier 1 grant to the Festival..."; and, (b) "acknowledge the partnership between the City of Kitchener and the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo for Connect KW and direction to update this agreement as previously approved by Council..." He also requested additional grant funding of $19,000 for community engagement work. Ms. P. Houston advised that staff agree with the last 2 requested additions to the recommendation. Ms. Beaulne addressed the Committee stating that the SPCKW believes that what they are doing is important. Respecting funding for 211, Ms. Beaulne stated her concern that the City is making a funding decision on something that is not clear. Development of 211 should be done in partnership with what has already been done, and having a local community information centre is important. Further, the SPCKW's role with 211 is expected to continue. Ms. Beaulne then spoke of the SPCKW role in community engagement work, emphasizing how important it is for the community. The SPCKW has built an internal capacity to be able to do consultation at short notice. In response to questions, Ms. Beaulne advised that community engagement is done as requested by community organizations. Councillor Vrbanovic noted that the SPCKW has undertaken community consultations for the City in the past. He questioned staff as to whether there is any value in them doing this work for the City at this time. COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16.2009 - 40 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CSD-09-063 -COMMUNITY INVESTMENT STRATEGY TIER 1 VALUE FOR MONEY AUDITS FOLLOW-UP -SOCIAL PLANNING COUNCIL OF KITCHENER- WATERL00, CONT'D Ms. Ladd responded that community engagement has been a high priority for the City over the last few years, and one of the initiatives has been a community engagement framework. Due to the fact that the City does so much work in this area, staff has been trained and has developed a strong expertise in this area. She stated that staff has been highly successful. Ms. B. Northey, President of Integrated Outcomes, addressed the committee advising that she has been hired to review the value of the SPCKW, noting that the most critical measure is the outcome measure. She advised that the SPCKW has extremely high results in terms of their effectiveness, and it is very unusual to have a group like this publish their effectiveness. Ms. Northey questioned why the City is duplicating the services of this organization; they do this work very well and their costs are significantly lower. Ms. Northey advised that in her travels across Canada she observed that there is not enough recognition of the leadership in organizations such as the SPCKW and she questioned how the community will see this Council's decision to cut funding to this organization. Mayor Zehr moved the recommendation in the staff report as well as parts 2 and 3 in the written request of the SPCKW. In response to a question from Councillor Gazzola, Ms. Ladd advised that staff will be happy to look at the SPCKW if outside consultants are needed. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested a 2 year agreement with the SPCKW given the amount of time it has taken to come to this point and the fact that this time next year there will be a new council. Mayor Zehr accepted Councillor Vrbanovic's amendment to his motion. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- itwas resolved: "That the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo (SPCKUV) be notified that effective January 1, 2010 it will receive an annual grant in the amount of $69,000, composed of $43,000 to support the Community Information Service, $16,000. to build technical and staff capacity to meet the needs of 211 Ontario and $10,000. to support the operation of Festival of Neighbourhoods; and, That the $10,000 in funding provided to the Social Planning Council for their work with the Festival of Neighbourhoods will not affect the Tier 1 grant provided directly to the Festival of Neighbourhoods by the City of Kitchener; and, That the City of Kitchener acknowledges its partnership with the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo for Connect KW and directs staff to update the agreement relative to this partnership as previously approved by Council; and further, That staff work with the Social Planning Council of Kitchener-Waterloo to develop a two year Tier 1 Grant agreement." 4. CSD-09-064 - 2010 COMMUNITY GRANTS The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-064, dated November 6, 2009, recommending the overall budget for each of Community Grants Tiers 1, 2, and 3, in kind facility grants and travel assistance grants, subject to final approval at budget. Each grant recipient's allocation was presented in the report, and three groups appealed the allocation recommended by staff. Ms. Woodcock reviewed the staff report. Three delegations were in attendance to appeal to staff recommendations for their organizations' 2010 grants. Mr. A. Rudy-Froese was in attendance to represent to request of Lost & Found Theatre for a 2010 grant in the amount of $30,000. He advised that they are a professional theatre company and need this amount of money to operate. He also noted that the usual ration between funding from the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo is usually 213 to 113. Waterloo's grant is $5,000 and Kitchener's grant is $6,000. Mr. Rudy-Froese noted that the City of Kitchener used to award Theatre & Co. $50,000 per year. He advised the Committee that they COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16.2009 - 41 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CSD-09-064 - 2010 COMMUNITY GRANTS, CONT'D are performing more shows and they are more expensive. Further ticket prices of $30.00 only covers approximately 40% of the costs. On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola - itwas resolved: "That the 2010 Tier 1 Grant for Lost & Found Theatre be $6367, as recommended by staff." Mayor Zehr explained to Mr. Rudy-Froese that the $50,000 grant to Theatre & Co. was intended to be a 1 time grant, and is not a reasonable benchmark. He then referred to the work being done by the Prosperity Council. Messrs G. Stewart & J Dobson were in attendance on behalf of the Rotary Club of Kitchener Grand River with respect to their grant request for the Mudpuppy Chase Run, in the amount of approximately $7,021. Mr. Stewart advised that this grant has always been an in-kind grant for street closures so the race can take place on downtown streets. The amount needed has only increased because the City's costs have increased. Ms. Houston advised that the costs involved are $4,521 plus $2,000 for board removal. If the bollards don not need to be removed, then the cost will be less. Mr. Chapman advised that in the past a portion of the costs have been covered by an over-expenditure of the operating budget, as the grant has never covered the full cost. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - itwas resolved: "That consideration of the request of the Rotary Club Kitchener Grand River fora 2010 in-kind grant to cover the cost of preparing downtown streets for the Mudpuppy Chase be deferred to the Council meeting of November 23, 2009, for a staff report that outlines a better way of meeting this grant request." Mr. J. Hoey, Kitchener Waterloo Little Theatre, was in attendance to appeal the 2010 Tier 1 Grant being recommended by staff for that organization. He advised the Committee that in 2002 their theatre burned to the ground and it has now been rebuilt. He advised that they have a strong association with both Kitchener and Waterloo and although the theatre is in Waterloo, it is accessible to both municipalities. Mr. Hoey advised that they are requesting a grant of $4,000 which he believes is reflective of the service they provide. He also advised that last year their grant from the City of Waterloo was $4,537. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - itwas resolved: ""That the 2010 Tier 1 Grant for K-W Little Theatre be $1,102, as recommended by staff." The Committee then turned its attention to the remainder of the 2010 Grants, as outlined in the staff report. Mayor Zehr then referred to a letter that members of Council had received from the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region, and recommended that the 2010 grant for the Waterloo Regional Arts Council be deferred until they receive more information from the Prosperity Council on the "enabling organization" and funding proposed by them. At this time, Councillor Vrbanovic put forward an overall recommendation, including the Committee's previous decisions respecting the grant appeals considered this date. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic- itwas resolved: "That, subject to final 2010 budget approval, the 2010 budget for Community Grants Tiers 1, 2 and 3, in kind facility grants and travel assistance grants be set at $2,408,068, to be allocated as follows: COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16.2009 - 42 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. CSD-09-064 - 2010 COMMUNITY GRANTS, CONT'D That Community Grants Tier 1, in the amount of $1,495,402, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-09-064, be approved for community groups in 2010; except for the request of the Rotary Club of Kitchener Grand River fora 2010 Tier 1 Grant for in-kind services in the amount of $7021 for the "Mudpuppy Chase", which shall be deferred to the Council meeting scheduled for Monday November 23, 2009 pending a report from staff on the appropriate means of funding their request; and, the 2010 Tier 1 Grant for the Waterloo Regional Arts Council, which shall be deferred; and, That staff report to Council at a future meeting, on the funding targets for arts and culture and the creation of an "enabling organization" for the creative sector, as recommended by the Prosperity Council of Waterloo Region; and, That Community Grants Tier 1, in the amount of $716,416, as outlined in Community Services Department report CSD-09-064, be approved for minor sports organizations in 2010; and, That the budget for Community Grants Tier 2 be set at $178,808 in 2010; and, That the budget for Community Grants Tier 3 be set at $10,260 in 2010; and, That the budget for In Kind Facility Grants and Travel Assistance Grants be set at $7,182 in 2010; and further, That the General Manager of Community Services, or designate, be authorized to execute Tier 1 Community Grant Agreements, all such agreements to be subject to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor." 5. CSD-09-059 -INDUSTRIAL ARTIFACTS PROJECT -PROGRAM REVIEW The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-059, dated October 6, 2009, along with the "Industrial Artifacts Project Program Review" by Goldsmith Borgal and Company Limited. In its report, staff recommends that discussions take place with staff at the Region of Waterloo about merging the Industrial Artifact Project with the Regional Heritage Program. Mayor C. Zehr questioned what the reaction of the Region has been and Ms. Houston advised that discussions have not taken place with the Region as yet. Mayor Zehr moved the recommendation in the staff report. Councillor Vrbanovic noted that a significant investment has been made by Kitchener taxpayers in supporting the Industrial Artifacts Project. He put forward an amendment to the Mayor's motion, accepted by the Mayor, directing that consideration be given to a means of recognizing the investment made by Kitchener taxpayers in this project. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr- itwas resolved: "That the report titled "Industrial Artifacts Project Program Review" by Goldsmith Borgal and Company Limited, as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-09- 059 be received; and, That staff investigate with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo, feasible options of merging the Industrial Artifacts Project with the Regional Heritage program; and, That staff consider how the investment made in the Industrial Artifacts Project by Kitchener taxpayers will be recognized; and further, That the results of such discussions be reported to Council within the next six months." COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE NOVEMBER 16.2009 - 43 - CITY OF KITCHENER 6. CSD-09-062 -ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE PROGRAM APPOINTMENTS FOR 2010 AND 2011 The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-062, dated October 19, 2009, recommending the Artists-in-Residence for 2010 and 2011. Ms. C. York presented the report. On motion by Councillor B. Vrbanovic- itwas resolved: "That Stefan Rose be appointed as the City of Kitchener Artist-in-Residence for 2010 and Sean Puckett be appointed as the City of Kitchener Artist-in-Residence for 2011; both as recommended by the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee and the Public Art vvorking Group." 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:48 p.m. Dianne Gilchrist Committee Administrator