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HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2009-12-07 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE DECEMBER 7.2009 CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, commencing at 9:08 a.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 J. Willmer, Interim General Manager of Development & Technical Services M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs K. Kugler, Interim Director of Enterprises D. Campbell, Manager Community Resource Centres P. Wetherup, Parks Planner L. Stewart, Facilitator, Rockway Centre D. Gilchrist, Committee Administrator 1. CSD-09-073 - PARKLAND DEDICATION -131 GOODRICH DRIVE (CONSOLIDATED MAINTENANCE FACiliTY) The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-073, dated November 27, 2009, recommending acceptance of a specific parcel of land for parkland dedication pursuant to Condition No.3 of an Order of the Ontario Municipal Board. Upon questioning by Councilor Gazzola, Mr. Wetherup advised that the land in question is part of an ESPA. The land within the ESPA is partly owned by the City of Kitchener and the rest is in private ownership. Mr. Wetherup advised that the land is worth $5,000 per acre. On motion by Councillor J. Smola - it was resolved: "That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute an authorization and direction to accept the transferral of Lot 4, RC Plan No 1522 as part of the City's parkland dedication requirement pursuant to Condition No. 3 of the Ontario Municipal Board Order dated November 24, 2008." 2. CSD-09-072 - KITCHENER MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION - 2009/2010 FEES AND CHARGES The Committee considered Community Services department report CSD-09-072, dated December 1, 2009, regarding fees for Kitchener Minor Hockey association. Ms. Kugler presented the report. Following discussion, Ms. Kugler advised that the recommended fees have been factored into the 2010 operating budget. Further, she advised that staff is trying to bring fees into alignment with their agreement and these fees will be dealt with earlier in the cycle for the 2011 budget. Ms. Kugler was directed to obtain Kitchener Minor Hockey Association's financial statements, to be provided to members of Council in time for their meeting on Monday, December 14, 2009. On motion by Councillor K. Galloway - it was resolved: "That for the time period September 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, Kitchener Minor Hockey be rebated for the dollar value of the rate differential between the Council approved fees and charges rates of $188 per hour for multi-pad facility and $168 per hour for single pad facility to the reduced rate of $183.50 and $162.75, respectively; and, That the prime ice rates for affiliated sport groups for January 1, 2010 to August 31, 2010 be set at $183.50 per hour for a multi-pad facility and $162.75 per hour for a single pad facility, and further; DECEMBER 7.2009 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE - 45- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. CSD-09-072 - KITCHENER MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION - 2009/2010 FEES AND CHARGES (CONT'D) That the 2010 prime ice rates for affiliated sport groups for the period September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2011 be set at $189 per hour for a multi-pad facility and $167.50 per hour for a single pad facility." 3. CSD-09-071 - OLDER ADULT STRATEGY FUTURE DIRECTIONS The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-09-063, dated December 2, 2009, which was presented by Mr. Hildebrand. He noted that staff recommends the closure of Rockway Senior Centre effective January 2011. Mayor Zehr noted one particular theme that runs through the comments received from participants, and that is the need for a location to meet and he questioned staff about how a "gathering place" can be accommodated. It was suggested by staff that part of the transition plan is to take affected seniors on bus trips to 1 or 2 other facilities. Also, if multiple groups are moved together to one facility, it will help with the transition. If these programs are transferred to 1 or 2 facilities, it may be possible to create a tuck shop kind of atmosphere. A discussion took place concerning the public consultation that took place prior to writing this report. Staff advised that public consultation took place after Council's October strategic planning session. With respect to members at Rockway, communication started by placing posters up in the facility. Staff first went to the advisory council; then to the conveners who were encouraged to talk to more people. Finally, last Thursday evening, a meeting was held which was attended by 100 people. Mr. Hildebrand distributed printed copies of a summary of the comments received at that meeting. Councillor Vrbanovic directed staff to provide him with a list of the programs to be relocated and a list of the participants in each. He then questioned whether staff had given consideration to the seniors' request for a meeting place. Mr. Hildebrand advised that there is available space, but staff must first understand the need. Councillor Vrbanovic questioned the process going forward and Ms. Houston advised that staff is looking for direction to proceed, which could be in principle. Councillor Galloway questioned whether the Mayor's Advisory Council on Seniors had been consulted through this process. Mr. Hildebrand advised that they were approached for their input but have not responded. Mr. Forden, Chair, Rockway Advisory Committee, and resident of Ayr, advised the Committee that the members at Rockway Senior Centre are in shock. He stated that they found out about the City's intension to close Rockway after the meeting in October, but have not had enough time to put together a response. He asked the Committee to defer consideration of the staff report until its first meeting in March, as they are slow and need more time to respond. Mr. Forden advised that they are in agreement with the statistics in the report; however, there are many elements in the report that they need to research and review. He stated that the study deals with the term "zoomers" which is a term that was developed as a marketing ploy; and, he deified "zoomers" who say they will not be a senior but are a different group and need different things. He requested that staff be authorized to provide him with the first study. He again requested that the Committee defer consideration of this staff report until March 2010. Mayor Zehr stated that it is important to allow additional input. He stated that part of the issue is a budget matter. He questioned Mr. Forden as to what his group could provide Council prior to January 18, 2010; and, what additional information he would need between now and January. Mr. Forden responded that they need more detail regarding the contents of the report and they want to review other options. He stated that they need to work out their own strategy. In response to questions about the budget, Ms. Houston advised that in the budget, on-going savings of $254,000 per year are assumed; along with founds of $400,000 for foundation repairs. Mr. Chapman advised that deferral of this matter to March will have an impact of 0.250A> on the levy. DECEMBER 7.2009 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE - 46- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CSD-09-071 - OLDER ADULT STRATEGY FUTURE DIRECTIONS (CONT'D) In response to questions, Ms. Fletcher advised that a decision is needed in order to know if the work on the Centre will be short-term or long-term. Short term remediation will last 1 year. Ms. Fletcher was directed to provide more details on the two options for the Council meeting on December 14,2009. Mayor Zehr put forward a motion that this matter be deferred to January 18, 2010, to allow Council to consider how to handle this situation from a budget perspective. He stated that considering that most of the cost in 2011 will be of a capital nature, there should not be a big impact if a final decision on the staff recommendation is not dealt with until March. In the meantime, a group of citizens will be working on transitioning, and a "gathering place" if the Centre does close. Councillor Gazzola stated that he wants everything deferred until March 2010. He stated that this process goes beyond budget and we have to decide what we are going to do for our older population. Mayor Zehr responded that the January date is to allow Council to decide how to deal with a potential closure of the Rockway senior Centre from a budget perspective. He stated that his recommendation will direct staff to have a dialogue with the seniors at the same time. Councillor Gazzola stated that if we bring this issue into budget discussions, then it will become a budget issue. Mayor Zehr put forward a wording change to his recommendation, such that a final decision on closing Rockway Senior centre will be deferred until March 2010 to allow a dialogue to take place between the seniors and staff; and, that staff bring forward information to the budget meeting to take place on January 18, 2009 on the budget impact of the potential closing of Rockway Senior Center. Councillor Gazzola put forward a motion to defer consideration of all aspects of this matter to the March 8, 2010 Community Services Committee meeting. A recorded vote was requested and the motion was lost: Councillor Gazzola having voted in favour and Mayor Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, G. Lorentz, K. Galloway, C. Weylie and B. Vrbanovic having voted in opposition. On motion by Mayor C. Zehr - it was resolved: "That the Older Adult Strategy Final Report, as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-09-053, be received; and, That a final decision regarding the potential closing of Rockway Senior Centre be deferred until the Community Services Committee meeting scheduled for March 8, 2010, to allow further dialogue with the stakeholders; and, That staff provide Council with detailed information regarding the impact on the 2010 budget of the potential closing of Rockway Senior Centre by January 18, 2010; and further, That in the interim, a group of citizens and staff be appointed to consult with the older adult population to advise on the transition of programs from Rockway Senior Centre to alternate locations, and consider the issue of a 'gathering place'." A recorded vote was requested. In favour: Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Smola, G. Lorentz, K. Galloway, C. Weylie and B. Vrbanovic. Contra: Councillor J. Gazzola Motion Carried. DECEMBER 7.2009 4. NEW BUSINESS COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE - 47- CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor C. Weylie questioned staff as to how much money has been spent on Victoria Park and Monarch Woods over the last 5 years. Staff was directed to provide members of Council with an issue paper in this regard for the Council meeting of December 14,2009. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 11 :04 a.m. Dianne Gilchrist Committee Administrator