HomeMy WebLinkAboutComm Svcs - 2010-03-08COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
MARCH 8. 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Community Services Committee met this date, commencing at 4:34 p. m.
Present: Councillor G. Lorentz, Chair
Mayor C. Zehr and Councillors J. Gazzola, C. Weylie, J. Smola and K. Galloway.
Staff: C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer
T. Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services
P. Houston, General Manager of Community 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
J. Witmer, Director of Operations
D. Chapman, Manager of Special Events
K. Woodcock, Manager of Departmental Planning
I. Pregel, Manager, Arts and Culture
R. Willms, Supervisor, Administration
C. Goodeve, Committee Administrator
CSD-10-015 -ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER APPOINTMENTS
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-10-015, dated March
3, 2010 recommending the appointment of two new members to the Arts and Culture Advisory
Committee.
Councillor K. Galloway requested clarification regarding residency requirements for members
of the City's advisory committees, and was advised that members need to either live or work in
Kitchener to be eligible for appointment; however, exceptions to this requirement have been
granted in the past.
It was noted that any recommendation arising from the Committee regarding this matter would
be considered at a special Council meeting to be held later this same date.
On motion by Councillor C. Weylie -
itwas resolved:
"That Helena Redshaw and Ann MacKenzie-Martino be appointed to the Arts and
Culture Advisory Committee for a term ending November 30, 2010."
CSD-10-014 - 2010 TIER 2 COMMUNITY GRANTS
The Committee considered Community Services Department report CSD-10-014, dated
February 24, 2010 concerning the Peer and Staff Review Committee recommendations for the
2010 Community Grants Tier 2. In addition, the Committee was in receipt of the 2010 Tier 2
applications from World Religions Conference and Chestnut Hall Camerata.
Ms. K. Woodcock advised that 40 Tier 2 applications were received in 2010, for a total request
of $421,880.; however, the budget for 2010 Tier 2 Grants is $137,558. She stated that during
a series of five meetings, members of the Peer and Staff Review Committee spent over 20
hours considering the applications; and, using the Grant Allocation Assessment Framework,
made decisions on grant allocations within budget availability. She added that Appendix 2 of
Report CSD-10-014 outlines: the grant applicants; requested amounts; the Peer and Staff
Review Committee's grant recommendations; allocation principles applied to each request;
and, the Review Committee's comments specific to each grant request.
Mr. Kirk Walker, Peer and Staff Review Committee Member, addressed the Committee in
support of the recommendations outlined in Appendix 2 of Report CSD-10-014.
A. WORLD RELIGIONS CONFERENCE
Messrs. Nabeel Rana and Syed Anwar, World Religions Conference addressed the Committee
in support of their organization's grant application to offset the facility rental costs associated
with hosting the 30th World Religions Conference in October 2010. Mr. Anwar stated that the
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
MARCH 8. 2010 - 8 -
2. CSD-10-014 - 2010 TIER 2 COMMUNITY GRANTS (CONT'D
A. WORLD RELIGIONS CONFERENCE (CONT'D
objective of the Conference is to promote mutual understanding and respect between the
followers of all faiths and philosophical traditions. He added that the Conference is seeking
support from the City of Kitchener to enable them to continue to list the City as a sponsor;
thereby enhancing their ability to leverage funding from other groups. He commented that
while their original request was for $2,500., they would be willing to accept a token amount of
$1, as an indication of the City's continuing support. Mr. Rana advised that Kitchener has
provided funding to the Conference for the past four years and he feels it would be
inappropriate for the City to withdraw its support. He stated that as the Conference promotes
peace and security, it is the position of the organizing groups that local governments should
cover their facility rental costs. He noted that they recently received a grant of $500. from the
City of Cambridge, adding that they are still awaiting a response to their grant request from the
City of Waterloo.
Councillor J. Gazzola questioned why the group does not pursue other opportunities to
generate revenue, such as charging for parking or having an entry fee. Referring to the
sizeable increase between the Conferences 2009 and projected 2010 budgets, he suggested
that some of their revenue could be reallocated toward renting the facility. Mr. Rana advised
that the various faith organizations who help to host the event have indicated that they are
against charging an admission fee as that would make the Conference less accessible to
attendees from different economic backgrounds. He added that these faith organizations
contribute funding to assist with a number of expenses, noting that if funding is provided for a
specific purpose, such as refreshments, it cannot be redirected to cover other costs.
Mayor C. Zehr requested clarification given that during the 2009 Tier 2 Grant process it was
indicated that was to be the last year this organization would receive funding, noting the
gradual reduction in the grants provided by the City in the preceding years. Mr. Rana
commented that he was unaware that the City of Kitchener's support would be discontinued as
of 2009, adding that he recalls the City stating that his group should look for additional sources
of revenue. Mr. Anwar advised that consideration has been given to charging an entry fee or
having attendees pay for their own parking, but it was felt that this would deter people from
attending. He reiterated that they are only requesting a token of support from the City.
In response to questions regarding the potential transition of the World Religions Conference
from Tier 2 to Tier 1, Ms. R. Willms advised that Council Policy I-525 (Community Investment)
states that organizations who have received continuous support from the City for five or more
years are eligible to be considered for Tier 1 (annual operating) funding. She confirmed that
should approval be given fora 2010 Tier 2 Grant, the World Religions Conference would be
eligible to be considered for Tier 1 funding should they apply for a grant in 2011.
Mayor Zehr stated that he was hesitant to have the Conference receive Tier 1 funding.
Councillor Gazzola added that he would also prefer to see this organization remain under Tier
2 and suggested that the organizers should further examine the possibility of imposing fees for
some of the services they currently provided at no charge.
On motion by Councillor J. Gazzola, it was agreed that a Tier 2 Community Grant in the
amount of $1,000., be approved to the World Religions Conference who are requested to
examine opportunities to generate additional revenues for this and future Conferences by
charging participants a nominal fee for such things as parking, which are currently provided at
no charge.
B. CHESTNUT HALL CAMERATA
Messrs. Earl McCluskie and Douglas Perry, Chestnut Hall Camerata circulated additional
information in response to concerns expressed by the Peer and Staff Review Committee
regarding their original application. Mr. McCluskie advised that as of January 20, 2010, the
Chestnut Hall Camerata has an established board of directors and noted that they are now
also collaborating with the KW Symphony for musician resources and promotion. In addition,
they are working with Event Horizon Dance, an organization aimed at bringing professional
COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE
MARCH 8. 2010 - 9 - CITY OF KITCHENER
2. CSD-10-014 - 2010 TIER 2 COMMUNITY GRANTS (CONT'D)
B. CHESTNUT HALL CAMERATA (CONT'D)
dance to Kitchener. He stated that his organization has applied for funding through the Region
of Waterloo Arts Fund, and are in the process of applying for a grant from the Ontario Arts
Council. He noted that responses to both requests are anticipated by summer 2010.
In response to questions, Mr. McCluskie advised that as their event is being held at the Conrad
Performing Arts Centre, it would have a direct benefit to the cultural vitality of downtown
Kitchener. He stated that as this is their first year of operation, they are not yet established
enough to charge more than $20. a ticket. He added that they anticipate that once they have
an established profile within the community, they will be in a position to attract sponsors to
assist with future production costs.
Members inquired into whether the additional information circulated this date would have
affected the recommendation of the Peer and Staff Review Committee. Mr. Kirk Walker
advised that in making its original recommendation, the Peer and Staff Review Committee
expressed concerns that no board of directors or organizing committee was in place to ensure
accountability for the use of grant funds. He stated that while he could not speak for the
Committee as a whole, in his opinion this information would have made a difference.
Councillor J. Gazzola asked for clarification regarding the accountability measures that are in
place for community grants. Ms. K. Woodcock advised that successful applicants are required
to report back with details on how they used their grant funding.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr it was agreed to award a grant in the amount of $2000. to
Chestnut Hall Camerata.
On motion by Mayor C. Zehr -
itwas resolved:
"That the 2010 Community Grants Tier 2 in the amount of $125,620., be approved, as
outlined in Appendix 2 of Community Services Department report CSD-10-014, save
and except the following:
That a Tier 2 Community Grant in the amount of $1,000., be approved to the World
Religions Conference who are requested to examine opportunities to generate
additional revenues for this and future Conferences by charging participants a nominal
fee for such things as parking, which are currently provided at no charge; and further,
That a Tier 2 Community Grant in the amount of $2,000., be approved to Chestnut Hall
Camerata, to assist with costs related to hosting amulti-discipline concert being held
October 2010 at the Conrad Centre for the Performing Arts."
3. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:26 p. m.
Colin Goodeve
Committee Administrator