CENTRAL FREDERICK NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION

Tuesday February 19, 2008. 7:00 p.m. Downtown Community Center

Present Thamo Hurly Wynne HughesDiane Koebel Paul Eichhorn

George Klemetsch David Hight

Aura Hertzog

George called the meeting to order at 7:20 p.m. Our new facilitator Thamo Hurly, was present and introductions were made.

The approval of the minutes from the January meeting was deferred until the April meeting.

5 Points ProgramPlease see the attached financial statement for this program, which was prepared by George. George has legitimate concerns about the cost of the program and the lack of accountability of the patrons when it comes to their payment of the attendance fee: currently $0.50 per child and $1.00 per adult. Two other factors are the salary of the instructor and the fact that CFNA applies for and receives space grants to run this program (at Bethany Church) but the church does not issue invoices to us for the space. As ANA runs a similar program on a different day of the week (rent free) we assume there is now n/c for the space. Because of our costs and subsequent limited revenue, CFNA is subsidizing this program. Discussion takes place as how to best deal with the concerns.

Diane moves that we give our space grant money (from C.of K.) to Bethany Church. This is seconded by Paul and carried.

To help solve the financial situation, it is decided that effective immediately, the cost to patrons of the program will be increased to $2.00 per child with adults at n/c. Paul will create a handout/flyer that announces and explains the price increase. CFNA (George) will monitor changes in income for the program and at the first meeting of the new executive in June, it will be decided if the 5 Points program will continue.

Weber ParkDespite it’s recent initiation in November, Diane is shelving the park benches project. There is zero response from the neighbourhood individuals and businesses save the one response from the residents of Brubacher Street. They have $2000.00 remaining from a capital improvement grant they won years ago. They would like to give it to us for two park benches. Aura moves that CFNA buy one bench for Weber Park. This is seconded by George and carried. We will have three lovely park benches (with commemorative plaques) installed along Mansion Street under the shady trees.

Facilitator’s ROn March 6^th from 5:30 to 7:30 at DCC there will be a meeting/brainstorming session for the staff and all volunteers connected with the DCC. This will enable people to meet and become acquainted with one another.

NewsletterThe deadline for submissions to Thamo is March 10^th. We will provide the material and the City will do the layout and the printing. We plan on a 4-page newsletter. Paul will write the cover story. Diane will submit a half page article about Weber Park.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Diane Koebel.

First, an update on playground equipment and drainage in the playground area:

• The drainage problem has been solved by The City Of Kitchener through the installation of a “French Drain” in the centre of the playground, which empties into a newly installed catch basin at the edge of the area that then connects to the storm drain. This solution is welcome news. No more boating at the playground.

We are launching a campaign with the intention of approaching local residents and businesses. This campaign is asponsorship program intending to secure commitments of $1,000.00 from each patron to cover the cost of a single bench.

Each sponsorship will be recognized with a permanent plaque installed in the bench. These sponsorships could be inmemory of a beloved neighbour or parent. Perhaps a neighbourhood business would like their name permanently installed in a bench? There will be more to follow about this fundraising initiative.

Please call Diane Koebel at 519-571-8769 if you know you would like to be a part of this and sponsor a park bench in Weber Park.

Drop-In program continues in 2008. As of November 2007, the new times are 9:15 to 11:15 every Monday morning (except holidays andduring the months of December, June, July and August). Bring your littleone(s) to meet and mingle with other kids. Stay and chat with their parents or caregivers…the program is offered in the gymnasium of Bethany Church (Lancaster and Chapel) and is managed/supervised by Sandy Barlen. Subsidised by the City of Kitchener and the CFNA, enjoy great

The Preschool Room at the Downtown Community Centre is looking for gently used donations. We would appreciate highchairs, baby swings, exersaucers, coffee maker, toys, easels, playmats and anything pre-loved hat you would like the toddlers in our community to enjoy.  Please call aura at 519 635 4900

Present Diane Koebel George KlemetschGrace Neizen David Hight

Paul Eichhorn

Regrets Aura Hertzog Brenda Davis-LokerThe meeting was called to order at 7:15 p.m. George moved that the minutes from the meeting of October 2^nd be accepted as read. This was seconded by Paul and carried.

Weber Park Diane moves that she be given authority to initiate a sponsorship program to amass funds for 12-14 park benches to be installed at the perimeter of Weber Park. This is seconded by George and carried. David suggests that we confirm the location of the benches making sure that our idea meets with the City’s approval. As well, we will find a way to offer charitable donation receipts to the sponsors. Diane will ask Rick Fairbairn if the City of Kitchener has a linear foot price for the installation of pathways in various materials.Civic District On October 16^th there was a public meeting attended by Paul, Diane and George that focused on achieving comments and ideas from the public concerning future changes and development of the Civic District. The impact on CFNA will not differ from what it is now but as a NA we should be informed and monitor changes in traffic patterns, parking etc…

Heritage The Downtown neighbourhood Association now has a Heritage Designation and a new name: Olde Berlin Towne. Should CFNA consider a similar designation to protect our streetscape and property styles? Our group would like to have Leon Benason (C. of K. Heritage Planner) at one of our Action Team meetings in order to be fully informed prior to making a decision. Paul volunteers to contact him. This could be an AGM topic.Treasurer’s Report There are no changes in our financial status from last month.

24 Krug The construction is progressing. We have no choice now but to wait until the property becomes occupied. At that time we will be able to see what form the occupation takes…rooming house…triplex…whatever.Newsletter It is decided that we will issue a two-page newsletter that will be delivered with the DCC Program Guide. All articles must be sent to Grace no later than November 15. Diane will report on Weber Park. George will report on the final outcome of The Treasure Book campaign. Aura will submit an article about our new web site.

Facilitator’s Report November 30^th is the deadline for CFNA’s program grant application. George will do it. We receive $25.00 per program.Meeting Adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Diane Koebel.

Grace Neizen George Klemetsch

Diane Koebel

Regrets Paul Eichhorn

George called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. George moved that the minutes from the previous meeting of Aug. 28^th be accepted as read. This was seconded by Aura. All in favour.

Diane and George did not attend the Sept. 19^th meeting at City Hall regarding tri-plexes.

Weber Park

The drainage problem in the playground has been solved. The C. of K. has installed a series of drains: one in the middle of the playground area that drains to one at the edge and in the event that this one is pushed to capacity, it empties into the main city drain at the street. As well, we have been informed that the playground equipment is scheduled for replacement within the next year or two. Brenda will contact Rick Fairbairn to find out what is planned. We would like to work closely with the city to get the best playground possible.

Diane has spoken with Rick Fairbairn this past month about park benches. They cost $1000.00 each, fully installed with concrete bases. They make the benches over the winter months and install them in the spring. Diane will find out if a better price could be had if a large order was placed. As well, Diane will begin researching the possibility of a sponsorship program for benches. George will speak with Ted Potworka about gardens and landscaping.

November 6^th This date will not be an OPEN FORUM as originally planned. Rather, it will be a meeting at DCC for the purpose of discussing Weber Park and potentially problematic (triplex) properties within CFNA.

Newsletter Deadlines for submissions are: from community…October 31, from us….November 12.

Festival of Neighbourhoods The event will be held at City Hall Rotunda on Sunday October 21 from 1 – 3 p.m. CFNA has submitted six entries: Weber Park Clean Up, Weber Park Walk About, Perennial Swap, AGM, Open Forum and Holiday Trolley Ride. Diane will attend on behalf of CFNA.

Treasurer’s Report The Treasure Books campaign has come to a close. We realized $98.00 profit. George moves that the funds from Treasure Books be donated to the DCC pre-school program. This is seconded by Diane and carried. We like the idea of buying a plasma car. The full financial report from George is attached to these minutes.

24 Krug Street 24 Krug has become the current “poster address” for properties in the CFN that potentially do not comply with city by-laws. There are a majority of properties within the CFN that are zoned Residential Five (R-5) with Special Use Provision 129U. While the R-5 Zone permits multiple dwellings having a maximum of three dwelling units (triplex), the special use provision which has been applied to these properties since (at least) 1995, prohibits the use of the property for any multiple dwellings. There is evidence pointing to the possibility that 24 Krug is an illegal tri-plex disguised as a duplex. They have three hydrometers.

With the university campus moving into the downtown we fear that many property owners will be trying to sneak by-law infractions under the wire.

Sept. 25, George emailed Karen Taylor Harrison regarding the missed interim control bylaw meeting, looking for comments from her before commenting to City Hall. KTH forwarded George’s email to Jeff Willmer and Tina Malone-Wright, Senior Planner with C. of K. Tel 519-741-2765.

Sept. 27, KTH emailed Shayne Turner, Manager of Bylaw Enforcement, C. of K. expressing our concerns about 24 Krug. KTH copied Tina, Jeff, Alain Pinard and Gloria MacNeil. Shayne replied that no complaints had been received. George emailed Shayne requesting an official complaint be logged on behalf of CFNA.

Sept. 28 George emailed Shayne again with the building permit numbers and requested clarification on the crux of why the building permits were issued and if there was an existing bylaw banning triplexes. Shayne replied stating he wanted to get Building and Zoning offices involved so Robert Schipper, Mike Seiling and Sheryl Rice were copied. Later in the day, Robert Schipper, Manager of Building, 519-741-2836, stated, “Building Division has looked into the inquiry relating to this property”.

In summary, the owner of 24 Krug has applied for and received a permit for a 2-storey rear addition of an existing duplex, to enlarge each of the existing duplex units. He has also applied for and received a separate permit for a new 2-storey deck at the rear of the addition, also to serve the two dwelling units. The construction of the rear addition is proceeding but the deck has not yet been started. Our Building Inspector has confirmed that the permit for the addition was only for enlargement of the existing duplex and there is no evidence of a triplex being constructed on site. The owner has been cooperative and we have had no issues. Our Inspector will continue to monitor the construction and will alert By-Law Enforcement if at any time, the owner shows signs of converting the building to a triplex.

George replied in an email to Robert, “I think you guys are being hoodwinked and should be more circumspect in what you are being told”.

Tina called George and said she will pull the blue prints that were submitted in order to achieve the permit.

Sept. 29 KTH emailed George stating she would ascertain the name(s) of the owner(s) of both 20 and 24 Krug Street.

George has created a binder containing all correspondence thus far. It will be stored at our CFNA office. George will contact our Councilor and if needed, the Mayor.

George moves the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Brenda Davis-Loker David Hight

Aura Hertzog Paul Eichhorn

George Klemetsch

The meeting was brought to order at 7:15 p.m. George moved that the minutes from the previous meeting of May 22^nd be accepted as read. This was seconded by Aura.

Paul gave the keys to the Weber Park shed to Diane.

George and/or David will attend the Neighbourhood Summit to be held Weds. Nov. 14^th at Rockway Golf Course. Diane and George will attend the meeting regarding tri-plexes, held at City Hall Conestoga Room, Weds. September 19^th at 7:00 p.m.

The City of Kitchener has opened the topic of “Number of City Councilors” for public discussion. CFNA has maintained that we do not have enough Councilors for the size of our city. Our group is hopeful that downtown representation will re-instated.

CFNA Constitution

The inception of the DCC along with the fact that we do not have an Executive President this year has sparked long awaited discussion regarding the nature of our constitution. The final decisions regarding changes are tabled for the AGM in 2008. It appears that there are two main categories of involvement in our CFNA: programming/recreational and civic/political. Paul’s outline of a two-fold and somewhat altered CFNA is timely. The details are attached. : the proposed creation of the CF Action Coalition that would operate separately from the C. of K. One fact that we cannot deny is that we do not have enough interested neighbours (volunteers) to allow a new group to become active.

George makes the observation…”we have done a lot (in terms of volunteer hours) with little results of actual accomplishments”. Diane feels that the neighbours do not notice CFNA in the neighbourhood because our accomplishments are not visible enough. Diane would like to see the group focus on initiative that would be noticeable to all and ultimately become an event worthy of a celebration…perhaps with Weber Park.

Weber Park

Diane continues to voice her idea that we need an initiative and that we have studied the situation long enough. Diane will explore the costs/availability/feasibility of installing a series of benches along the perimeter (between each mature tree) in Weber Park. Aura will report back about a program called “Opportunities Waterloo” that involves weekly grocery markets of local items that could be set up in the park. Another suggested initiative is to landscape the park at Frederick and Edna. The City could fund this, as it would become the wonderful gateway to the downtown via the expressway. Diane will attend a Parent’s Council meeting at Suddaby and see if there is interest in our other suggested initiative of moving the playground. Grace will provide Diane with the name of our Park Rep. from C. of K. It is decided that we will vote on a selected initiative for Weber Park at our next meeting to be held in October.

Newsletter

We will continue to have the city print our Newsletter at the print shop. As well, Penny at the DCC will do the layout. It is decided that we will have “Neighbourhood News” as needed and in the format required at the time as well as the number of pages. Aura will be the person who receives and delivers to Penny the content of any issues of Neighbourhood News.

Treasurer’s Report

George reports that there are no changes in our financial situation since the last meeting. We have sold two more “Treasure Books” from the counter at the DCC for $20.00 each.

Facilitator’s Report

There is a 24-page insert that will be delivered to CFNA residents along with the upcoming issue of Neighbourhood News. There are 8-10 new programs. The fall registration begins on September 11. Grace also worked on a much-needed Orientation Manual For Volunteers over the summer.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Minutes respectfully submitted by Diane Koebel.