OSHAWA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES January 19, 2012 Page 15

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1 OSHAWA CITY COUNCIL MINUTES January 19, 2012 Page 15 Minutes of a special meeting of the Council of the City of Oshawa held in the Council Chamber at 6:30 p.m. Mayor Henry and Councillors Aker, Bouma, Chapman, Diamond, England, Marimpietri, Neal, Pidwerbecki, Sanders and Wood were present. Mayor Henry presided. The Mayor advised this special meeting of Council had been called to consider Report CM concerning Ice Facility Utilization and Rationalization. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST None. PRESENTATION Rob Lockhart, The Rethink Group provided an overview of their study entitled Arena Needs Study 2011 to Council members questioned Rob Lockhart. Moved by Councillor Bouma, seconded by Councillor Aker, (18) That the meeting recess. CARRIED The meeting recessed at 7:55 p.m. and reconvened at 8:06 p.m. All Council members were present following the recess except Councillors Diamond and Pidwerbecki. Council members continued to question Rob Lockhart. Councillors Diamond and Pidwerbecki re-entered the meeting. Council members continued to question Rob Lockhart. DELEGATIONS 1. Bill Swindells, President, Oshawa Church Hockey League requesting to address City Council concerning Harman Park Arena. 2. Bob Crystal, President, Oshawa Minor Hockey Association requesting to address City Council concerning Harman Park Arena. 3. Bob Babin, NASC Hockey, requesting to address City Council concerning Harman Park Arena. 4. Joel Phair requesting to address City Council concerning Harman Park Arena.

2 City Council Minutes January 19, Ralph Hofmann, Vice President, Oshawa Girls Hockey Association requesting to address City Council concerning Harman Park Arena. 6. Dave Bryan, Technical Director, Oshawa Ball Hockey Association requesting to address City Council concerning Harman Park Arena. Bill Swindells, President, Oshawa Church Hockey League (OCHL) addressed City Council in support of Harman Park Arena remaining open, and disputed some data presented in The Rethink Group report, Arena Needs Study 2011 to He requested Council create an arena user group and include a member of City staff to prepare meeting minutes to keep the Community Services Committee informed of arena user activities, and, further, requested a revised ice allocation schedule in anticipation of Harman Park Arena s closure. Bill Swindells expressed that arena users feel they have been treated poorly, yet they utilize 13,008 ice hours and generate $2,334, in revenue annually. He stated the closure of Harman Park Arena will have a major impact on the OCHL by reducing 20% of their current ice time resulting in the elimination of skills programs, select programs and tournaments, and 160 children will not have a place to play hockey. Bill Swindells disputed $330,000 per year would be saved by closing Harman Park Arena and suggested it would be $0.00. He stated if tournaments were eliminated 65,000 visitors would not visit Oshawa and its businesses will lose $11,000,000, negatively affecting all Oshawa citizens. Bill Swindells requested the $25 per hour fee paid by ice users to the Arena Replacement Fund since April 2003 be used to fund Harman Park Arena. Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor England, (19) That Bill Swindell s allotted time be extended. CARRIED ON THE FOLLOWING VOTE AFFIRMATIVE: Councillors Aker, Bouma, Chapman, Diamond, England, Marimpietri, Neal, Pidwerbecki, Sanders, Wood and Mayor Henry NEGATIVE: None Absent: None Bill Swindells continued his delegation in support of Harman Park Arena remaining open and suggested City Council cut grants given to non-revenue producing agencies by 20% to save $2,371,700. Bill Swindells expressed disappointment in the scope of facts and consultations stated in Report CM-12-05, and described the choice to close Harman Park Arena as ice time or street crime. Council members questioned Bill Swindells. Moved by Councillor Diamond, seconded by Councillor Wood, (20) That all delegations allotted time be extended. CARRIED

3 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 Bob Crystal, President, Oshawa Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) addressed City Council in support of Harman Park Arena remaining open. Bob Crystal advised the leagues involved have rules governing acceptable times and lengths of games which need to be included in the analysis of available/appropriate ice time. Bob Crystal stated it is difficult to understand the impact of a reshuffling of ice time without a matrix of the projected ice reallocation. Bob Crystal stated the past and current ice studies conflict, and referred to the 2006 ice study suggestion of closing three pads by 2011 due to lack of need, and the current actual amount of.75 ice pads unsold. Bob Crystal stated available ice is not necessarily useable ice, and disputed the consultant s projection of slow growth. Bob Crystal stated OMHA is currently bottom-heavy due to new young families in north Oshawa and the demand for youth hockey has grown, not diminished. Bob Crystal expressed that ice at the GM Centre is only available if there is not an event that bumps it. Bob Crystal stated that if Harman Park Arena is closed then OMHA would not hold tournaments and the City will miss the revenue tournaments generate. Bob Crystal requested Council initiate a long-term replacement plan for the next new arena to complement the recent, positive developments in the City s infrastructure. Bob Crystal opposed the current definition of prime time ice starting at 4:30 p.m. and expressed that parents and coaches are unable to attend before 5:00 p.m. or after 9:00 p.m. making mandatory attendance requirements unachievable. Bob Crystal suggested consideration be given to implementing a non-resident market value user fee to generate additional revenue in response to ice deficits in area municipalities. Council members questioned Bob Crystal. Moved by Councillor Diamond, seconded by Councillor Bouma, (21) That the order of the agenda be altered to set up a laptop for a presentation. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Moved by Councillor Sanders, seconded by Councillor Marimpietri, (22) That the meeting recess. CARRIED The meeting recessed at 9:25 p.m. and reconvened at 9:35 p.m. All Council members were present following the recess except Councillor Wood. Bob Babin, NASC Hockey, addressed City Council in support of preserving Harman Park Arena and provided a power point presentation with a focus on the facts related to the arena building as stated in the Morrison Hershfield Report May 26, Bob Babin referred to facts about the arena and its structural condition. Bob Babin stated no capital expenditures are needed toward the arena s frame or roof structure and the exterior walls and windows are in good repair with only paint and regular repair needed on the building. Bob Babin stated the driveways, HVAC system, ventilation systems, refrigeration and lighting systems require no capital expenditures at this time. Bob Babin provided a summary of probable costs for building maintenance from 2015 to 2024 totaling $1,755,000, and calculated the long term value of most items from 25 to 50 years before replacement is required. Bob Babin listed the impacts to NASC Hockey of closing Harman Park Arena, including a decrease of four to eight year old hockey registrants due to loss of development programs and tournaments as the Legends Centre cannot handle a full league operation as well as tournaments, and the GM Centre cannot currently accommodate any league operation and currently only has 4:00

4 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 p.m. slots available during the week. Bob Babin stated the loss of dry pads in summer months and their revenues, the lack of volunteers to serve multiple locations will result in a 20-25% reduction in programming and decimate a residential neighbourhood in the south of the City. Bob Babin advised that NASC Hockey has investigated options to raise money to revitalize Harman Park Arena including submitting a community application to Kraft Hockeyville, and suggested consideration be given to implementing coin operated lockers, opening a pro shop with a portion of the profits directed to the facility, and offering rink arena advertising to local businesses and not for profit groups at a discounted rate. Bob Babin estimated the $25 per hour ice rental fee paid by Harman Park Arena ice users over 10 years equals $2.5 million and an arena revitalization will cost $1.755 million. Bob Babin requested Council not close Harman Park Arena. Councillor Wood re-entered the meeting. Council members questioned Bob Babin. Joel Phair addressed City Council and provided a power point presentation stating he has a long term financial solution for issues regarding Harman Park Arena. Joel Phair referred to the need for an estimated $1,755,500 in upgrades and repairs to Harman Park Arena based on the 2006 consultant s report together with a local contractor offer to facilitate repair of two ice pads, and advised the financial solution could come from solar technology through Ontario s FIT incentive program designed to payout money for electricity produced from solar technology. Joel Phair stated Harman Park Arena s south facing roof is an ideal location for a solar power system and could receive a monthly payout from the Ontario Power Authority which carries an Aa1 credit rating, meaning the money is virtually guaranteed for 20 years. Joel Phair provided short-term and 20-year financial estimates of profits related to installing and utilizing solar technology at Harman Park Arena. Joel Phair stated such an initiative would show leadership by utilizing an incentive program that generates revenue, creates local jobs, uses Ontario made products, promotes Oshawa, and helps and optimizes our environment. Joel Phair advised he worked for Solara and provided a resume of the company, and supported Harman Park Arena remaining a dual pad facility in the community. Council members questioned Joel Phair. Moved by Councillor Marimpietri, seconded by Councillor England, (23) That the rules of procedure be waived to allow Darlene Burrows to speak. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Darlene Burrows addressed City Council in opposition to closing Harman Park Arena stating it is important that her children have a neighbourhood arena available to them to skate, to keep physically active outside of the house and stay out of trouble. Darlene Burrows requested City Council not close Harman Park Arena. Council members questioned Darlene Burrows.

5 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 Ralph Hofmann, Vice President, Oshawa Girls Hockey Association (OGHA) addressed City Council stating he represents over 700 girls and women and 500 families in OGHA who are offended by their exclusion from Report CM Ralph Hofmann stated OGHA is the second largest user group of ice in the City, continues to grown by 10% annually and hosts the second largest hockey tournament in North America using all available ice in Oshawa, yet they are not represented in the report s statistics. Ralph Hofmann stated OGHA focuses on individual player and coaching skills development and provides a subsidized hockey school for both recreational and competitive female hockey players from ages three to mid-50s. Ralph Hofmann stated OGHA uses its ice responsibly, and in recognition of Oshawa s ice pressures they share ice with competitive teams to further the development of all players. Ralph Hofmann advised OGHA is the first hockey association in Durham Region to implement a baseline testing program for concussion prevention and they follow the Health Canada recommendations for health development and encourage their players to develop through other sports and to use other local facilities. Ralph Hofmann stated there are discrepancies and inaccuracies in the statistics presented in the 2006 and 2011 reports and questioned the consultant s credentials, methods and projections, and suggested a recommendation without a plan for remediation is a broken promise. Ralph Hofmann requested City Council not close Harman Park Arena. Council members questioned Ralph Hofmann. Moved by Councillor England, seconded by Councillor Diamond, (24) That the rules of procedure be waived to add Additional Correspondence Item 9 from Lynda Johnson to the agenda. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Moved by Councillor England, seconded by Councillor Wood, (25) That Lynda Johnson be heard. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Lynda Johnson addressed City Council in opposition to closing Harman Park Arena stating it is not compatible with the current growth of young families in the community. Lynda Johnson opposed closing an arena that can be repaired and questioned why Legends Centre was built. Lynda Johnson asked what prime time hours for ice is in Oshawa, adding her son plays at 8:00 a.m. at Harman Park Arena and inquired as to what programs will be put aside if Harman Park Arena s two pads are closed. Lynda Johnson requested Council keep Harman Park Arena open, or postpone making a decision so Council can consider all the information presented. Council members questioned Lynda Johnson. Dave Bryan, Technical Director, Oshawa Ball Hockey Association (OBHA) addressed City Council stating although OBHA uses dry pads, they are affected by what happens to ice users. Dave Bryan provided the background of ball hockey in Oshawa, stating in 2011 OBHA grew to 56 house league teams, plus Provincial teams utilizing more than 1,100 players and coaches on twin pad facilities three to four nights a week from mid-april to mid-july. Dave Bryan stated OBHA player numbers are as large or larger than ice users, yet they are not considered in Report CM Dave Bryan stated

6 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 OBHA used approximately 475 hours in 2011 and intends to use the same amount or more in 2012 and future years. Dave Bryan stated there are currently four dry pads available and without Harman there will be two single pads which will seriously hamper OBHA s ability to operate their short season and will result in a reduction of their programs. Dave Bryan stated that operating from single pad sites makes it difficult for parents and volunteers to get to multiple locations. Dave Bryan stated that OBHA has hosted many provincial championships, and used all six available dry pads for three events in 2012 and brings visitors and revenue to Oshawa in winter and summer months. Dave Bryan stated Report CM is missing community input from user groups and questioned how Council can make a decision affecting Oshawa children without having all the information before them. Council members questioned Dave Bryan. Moved by Councillor Chapman, seconded by Councillor Bouma, (26) That the meeting continue past 11:00 p.m. CARRIED Moved by Councillor Chapman, seconded by Councillor Bouma, (27) That the meeting recess. CARRIED ON THE FOLLOWING VOTE AFFIRMATIVE: Councillors Bouma, Chapman, Diamond, Pidwerbecki, Sanders and Mayor Henry NEGATIVE: Councillors Aker, England, Marimpietri, Neal and Wood Absent: None The meeting recessed at 10:55 p.m. and reconvened at 11:05 p.m. All Council members were present following the recess. CORRESPONDENCE 1. Paul-André Larose opposing the closing of Harman Park Arena. Moved by Councillor Marimpietri, seconded by Councillor Pidwerbecki, (28) That Correspondence Item 1 from Paul-André Larose be received for information. CARRIED 2. CAW Local 22 Retired Workers Chapter, Municipal Affairs Committee, Gord Vickers, Chairperson, requesting Council support Harman Park Arena remaining open. Moved by Councillor Pidwerbecki, seconded by Councillor Marimpietri, (29) That Correspondence Item 2 from CAW Local 22 Retired Workers Chapter be received for information. CARRIED

7 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE 1. Susan Bahry supporting the cost of keeping Harman Park Arena open. 2. Barry Dutton requesting to address City Council in opposition to closing Harman Park Arena. 3. Bill Steele opposing closing Harman Park Arena. 4. Paul-André Larose requesting to address City Council in opposition to closing Harman Park Arena. 5. William Higgins requesting to address City Council concerning closing Harman Park Arena. 6. Mark Paton, Oshawa Minor Lacrosse Association, requesting to address City Council concerning closing Harman Park Arena. 7. David Andrews, Past President, Rotary Club of Oshawa-Parkwood, concerning closing Harman Park Arena. 8. Brian Clabby requesting to address City Council concerning closing Harman Park Arena. 9. Lynda Johnson requesting to address City Council concerning closing Harman Park Arena. 10. Marko Ivancicevic requesting to address City Council concerning closing Harman Park Arena. 11. Tracy Dixon in opposition to closing Harman Park Arena. 12. Reka Szekely, Oshawa This Week, forwarding correspondence from Chelsea Futurra in opposition to closing Harman Park Arena. Moved by Councillor Neal, seconded by Councillor Sanders, (30) That Additional Correspondence Items 1 to 8 and 10 to 12 be added to the agenda. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Moved by Councillor Marimpietri, seconded by Councillor Bouma, (31) That the delegations be heard in the order presented. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT

8 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 DELEGATIONS (continued) Barry Dutton addressed City Council in opposition to the closing of Harman Park Arena stating it is a cornerstone in the community and should remain open. Barry Dutton stated that south Oshawa is quickly becoming an industrial wasteland and requested a business plan setting out the future of the Harman Park Arena site. Barry Dutton disputed the consultant s forecast of a drop in our population growth stating the City is rapidly growing and cannot handle a decrease in available ice. Barry Dutton stated if Harman Park Arena is closed future generations will be compromised. Council members questioned Barry Dutton. Paul-André Larose was not in attendance to address City Council. William Higgins was not in attendance to address City Council. Mark Paton was not in attendance to address City Council. Brian Clabby was not in attendance to address City Council. Marko Ivancicevic addressed City Council concerning accessibility concerns related to Harman Park Arena, stating although he is on the Oshawa Accessibility Advisory Committee (OAAC) he was speaking as an individual. Marko Ivancicevic expressed that OAAC has not been included in discussions related to accessibility and Report CM does not address Harman Park Arena s accessibility. Marko Ivancicevic stated there are Council members and staff that have wanted to close Harman Park Arena for years and it is insulting for him to have to point out concerns about accessibility yet there has been no involvement by Council s appointed OAAC. Council members questioned Marko Ivancicevic. Moved by Councillor England, seconded by Councillor Diamond, (32) That the rules of procedure be waived to add a request to speak from Michael Abramczuk, Oshawa Minor Lacrosse to the agenda. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Moved by Councillor England, seconded by Councillor Pidwerbecki, (33) That Michael Abramczuk be heard. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Michael Abramczuk, Treasurer, Oshawa Minor Lacrosse Association (OMLA) addressed City Council in opposition to Harman Park Arena being closed and stated if the main reason for closing the arena is costs, then Council should not make any contributions to their reserve funds this year. Michael Abramczuk stated 574 children play for OMLA and their 2012 budget projects 900 children, and advised that last year OMLA spent $40,000 in arena floor time and, based on the report s data, that equals 1/3 of floor time used over the summer season. Michael Abramczuk stated if Harman Park Arena were closed OMLA would have difficulty obtaining available pads as lacrosse

9 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 season starts in April, overlapping with hockey finals, and further the 300 children ages eight and nine cannot come out at 8:00 p.m. or 9:00 p.m. Michael Abramczuk advised it is OMLA s intention to increase weekend usage starting in 2012, and felt the news article listed as Attachment 3 indicating a future decline in hockey enrollment is not relevant in Oshawa. Michael Abramczuk stated Report CM is incomplete as the analysis focuses on ice surplus not arena surplus, excludes summer sports, and referred to the Auditor General s statement in Attachment 4 as a caution of difficulties ahead if too much ice is taken away. Michael Abramczuk requested Option 3 to close Harman Park Arena be discounted and Council consider Option 1 and leave all arenas open. Moved by Councillor Pidwerbecki, seconded by Councillor Diamond, (34) That the rules of procedure be waived to add a request to speak from Gord Vickers to the agenda. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Moved by Councillor Bouma, seconded by Councillor Sanders, (35) That Gord Vickers be heard. CARRIED ON A 2/3 VOTE OF MEMBERS PRESENT Gord Vickers addressed City Council and expressed a lack of confidence in consultant reports generally and stated it is a staff recommendation to close Harman Park Arena, not a consultant s recommendation. Gord Vickers stated he represents 14,000 retirees that do not want Harman Park Arena closed because they feel this discussion is about avoiding a 4.3% increase in taxes, not closing an arena. Gord Vickers stated if there was more money, closing Harman Park Arena would not be an option. Gord Vickers stated City Council has been prudent but they should not penalize kids, and commented on the value of Oshawa s volunteers. Gord Vickers requested Council consider the volunteers presentations and the need for Harman Park Arena to remain open. COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE REPORT 1. Jag Sharma, Commissioner, Community Services Department and Bob Duignan, City Manager submitting Report CM concerning Ice Facility Utilization and Rationalization Recommendation (LOST See Page 24) That based on Report CM-12-05, Ice Facility Utilization and Rationalization, dated January 10, 2012 Council directs as follows: That Report CM dated October 3, 2007 and Report CS dated September 10, 2009 be lifted from the table and received for information as it is superseded by Report CM dated January 10, 2012;

10 City Council Minutes January 19, 2012 That the City reduce its inventory of ice pads by two by discontinuing the operations at Harman Park Arena effective August 31, 2012 to realize annual net operating savings of approximately $330,000 and avoid capital costs of $3.05 million over the period as outlined in Option 3 of this report; and That staff work with the community ice and dry floor arena user groups to realize this reduction by maximizing available rental times so as to minimize scheduling disruptions. Moved by Councillor Bouma, seconded by Councillor Pidwerbecki, (36) That Council adopt the recommendation contained in Report CM concerning Ice Facility Utilization and Rationalization. LOST ON THE FOLLOWING VOTE AFFIRMATIVE: Councillors Bouma, Chapman, Diamond, Pidwerbecki and Mayor Henry NEGATIVE: Councillors Aker, England, Marimpietri, Neal, Sanders and Wood Absent: None CONFIRMING BY-LAW Moved by Councillor Sanders, seconded by Councillor Wood, (37) That the Confirming By-law be passed. CARRIED ON THE FOLLOWING VOTE AFFIRMATIVE: Councillors Aker, Chapman, Diamond, England, Marimpietri, Neal, Sanders, Wood and Mayor Henry NEGATIVE: Councillors Bouma and Pidwerbecki Absent: None A By-law to confirm the City Council meeting of January 19, ADJOURN Moved by Councillor Bouma, seconded by Councillor Chapman, (38) That the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 12:45 a.m. Minutes adopted this 30 th day of January, 2012 Mayor