HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-19-020 - Love My Hood 3 Year UpdateREPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: September 9, 2019
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs and Services,
(519-741-2200, ext. 7687)
PREPARED BY: Josh Joseph, Supervisor, Neighbourhood Development Office,
(519-741-2200, ext.7082)
WARD (S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT:August 29, 2019
REPORT NO.: CSD-19-020
SUBJECT: Love My Hood 3 Year Update
___________________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION:
That the operating and capital budget impacts of continuing Love My Hood beyond 2019,
as outlined in CSD-19-020, be referred to the 2020 budget process; and further,
That, subject to the 2020 budget process, the Placemaking Challenge grant and
Community GardenGrant be consolidated into the Neighbourhood Matching Grant; and
the guidelines for the matchinggrant be updated as outlined inCSD-19-020.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Through the ‘resident-led, city-supported’ vision of Love My Hood, residents have been
empowered to lead projects in their neighbourhoods. Over the past three years, Love My Hood
hassupported:
85 resident-led projects in every ward of the city
110 unique resident groups(by the end of 2019)
46 different neighbourhoods (by the end of 2019)
Overthose three years, more than 400 residents have taken the lead in neighbourhood projects,
investing over 10,000 hours of volunteer time into the community.
Through these resident-led projects and the online reach of Love My Hood, tens of thousands
of residents across the city have been impacted by the strategy.
*** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. ***
Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance.
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BACKGROUND:
Development of the Neighbourhood Strategy: (2015 – 2017)
In 2015, the City of Kitchener initiated the development of Kitchener’s first ever Neighbourhood
Strategy. This strategy was developed and governed by a project team made up of 27 individuals
(18 community members, 9 City staff).
In order to ensure the recommendations of the Neighbourhood Strategy reflected the desires
and ideas of the community, the project team ledone of the most extensive community
engagement processes ever undertaken by the City. That process included a variety of methods
for engaging residents in discussions about their neighbourhoods, including (but not limited to):
a lemonade stand survey, street team interviews at events and facilities, community workshops,
an online survey and a statistically representative telephone survey. Through the entire
community engagement process, more than 5,000 residents provided their input over
approximately 3,900 hours of conversation.
After spending many hours reviewing and analyzing the input gathered from the community, the
project team identified one guiding principle, three main areas of focus and 32 different
recommendedactions that form the foundation of the Neighbourhood Strategy:
Guiding Principle (1) “Resident-led, city supported.”
Areas of Focus:(1) Great Places
(2) Connected People
(3) Working Together
Approval of the Neighbourhood Strategy / LoveMyHood: (2017)
In February 2017, City Council approved Love My Hoodas the City’s guiding document for
planning, building and supporting great neighbourhoods. At that time Council approved a three-
year schedule (2017 – 2019) for implementing the strategy’s32recommended actions. In order
to fund the implementation of the strategy, City Council also approved the reallocation of
$566,803 of existing funding toa new Neighbourhood Development Reserve. At that time, staff
projected those funds would be utilized by the end of 2019.
Since approving Love My Hood, City Council has approved a number of programs that were
specifically recommended in the strategy, as well as a number of other changes intended to
make it easier for residents to complete work in their neighbourhoods:
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Date of
ProgramReport #
Approval
Neighbourhood Placemaking Challenge GrantJune 2017CSD-17-053
Resident-Led Traffic Calming ProgramMay 2017INS-17-038
Neighbourhood Matching Grant RevisionsOctober 2017CSD-17-095
Community Garden ProgramOctober 2017INS-17-079
Victoria Park Neighbourhood Action PlanFebruary 2018CSD-18-045
Boulevard Beautification By-law and ProgramJune 2018CSD-18-016
Special Event Permit By-law & Street Party Events ProgramMay 2018DSD-18-043
Wildflowers Neighbourhood Action PlanApril 2019CSD-19-014
Resident-Led Public Art ProgramMay 2019CSD-19-015
Neighbourhood Public Seating ProgramMay 2019CSD-19-015
Neighbourhood Greening ProgramMay 2019CSD-19-015
Staffing Resources for Implementation of Love My Hood: (2017 – 2019)
Early on in the development of the Neighbourhood Strategy, the project team made it clear that,
if the City was going to develop a strategy, it would need to commit resources to ensure it would
be implemented instead of just “sitting on a shelf.” To that end:
Through the 2017 budget process, existing funding and 2 FTEs were reprioritized to
create the City’s Neighbourhood Development Office (NDO).
Through a reorganization of the City’s community centre staffing model, 4 permanent
part-time Neighbourhood Liaison positions were created utilizing existing funding.
Through the 2018 budget process, existing funding was reallocated and City Council
approved the creation of a Supervisor FTE to coordinate and support the work of the
Neighbourhood Liaison team.
In addition to these permanent FTEs, inorder to keep up with the workload generated from
supporting an increasing number of resident-led Love My Hoodprojects, two temporary NDO
staff were required from 2017 – 2019.
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REPORT:
This report provides information on the implementation of Love My Hoodover the past three
years. It contains four main sections:
Section #1: Strategy Recommendation Implementation – provides a status update
on all 32 recommended actions ofLove My Hood. Additional detailscan be foundin
Appendix A.
Section #2: Support for Resident-Led Initiatives – provides information on the 85
resident-led projects that Love My Hoodhas supported in the community over the past
three years.
Section #3: Lessons Learned – highlights a number of lessons staff have learned over
the past three years that can be used to improve how the City supports resident-led
projectsthrough Love My Hood.
Section #4: Permanent Resourcing Requirements – provides information about the
level of funding (and staffing) that wouldbe required tomaintain theCity’s support to
resident-led projects through Love My Hood past 2019.
1.Strategy Recommendation Implementation:
The Neighbourhood Strategy Project Team recommended 32 actions in the Love My Hood
strategy. Staff anticipate that by the end of 2019, 81% of those actions will have been completed,
with the remaining actionsscheduled to be completed in 2020.
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Status of Love My Hood Action Items
Completed
19%
Underway -
to be completed in 2019
16%
65%
Underway -
to be completed in 2020
Figure 1
The following list provides some highlights of the specific actions that were recommended in
Love My Hoodand have been completed over the past three years. Further information on all
32 of the recommended actions from Love My Hoodis attached as Appendix A.
Great Places
Launched six new resident-led programs, including step-by-step guides to make it easier
for residents to work together on a variety of frequently requested neighbourhood
improvement projects – (1) community gardens, (2) resident-led traffic calming,(3)
neighbourhood markets, (4) neighbourhood greening, (5) public seating, and (6)
neighbourhood art.
Supported the completion of 21resident-led placemaking projects through the
Placemaking Challenge Grant.
Introduced a comprehensive Placemaking Guide that will be updated in late 2019 to
reflect some of the lessons we have learned in supportingresident-led neighbourhood
development. Over 1,000 people have viewed the guide onlovemyhood.ca.
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Created an insurance program that is available to neighbourhood groups (at no cost to
residents) for neighbourhood markets and community gardens, with coverage already
provided to over 120 community garden plots.
Connected People
Developed a comprehensive Neighbourhood Strategy Party program and step-by-step
guide to make it easier for residents to plan small-scale streetparties.
Launched lovemyhood.ca as an online source of information, tools and resources to help
residents interested in working on a project in their neighbourhood. Since its launch in
2017, there have been over 120,000 visits to the website. The hashtag #lovemyhood has
also received1,300,322 Facebook impressions and 1,340,408 Twitter impressions.
Introduced an interactive GIS-enabled online map (available on lovemyhood.ca) called
“What’s in my‘hood?” which allows residents to find facilities and amenities in their
neighbourhood.
Established a new insurance package for small events, street partiesand events in parks.
The City now covers the cost of insurance for all street parties with under 200 guests.
Included specific direction regarding the creation of more inviting front porches in the
City’s new zoning bylaw. Further direction on front porches is also included in the draft
update to the Urban Design Manual.
Expanded the City’s Snow Angel program, which has provided recognition to over 380
volunteers inthe past 3 years.
Working Together
Supported residents in the development of 2 Neighbourhood Action Plans which have
been presented to City Council – Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association and
Wildflowers Action Group.
Almost tripled the amount of funding available throughthe Neighbourhood Matching
Grant and, as a result, supported an increase in resident-led projects from 12in 2017 to
a projected 30 by the end of 2019. In the first two quarterly intakes of 2019, there have
alreadybeen 15 projectsapproved, whichsurpasses the total of approved Matching
Grant projects in all of 2018.
Established new partnerships with Your Neighbourhood Credit Union and Kitchener
Waterloo Community Foundation to increase the amount of total funding available
through the city’s Neighbourhood Matching Grant.
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Streamlined the City’s noise exemption process for resident-led neighbourhood events to
make it easier for residents to organize these parties. Since 2017, 59 noise exemptions
for small events have beenprocessedthrough this process.
2.Support for Resident-Led Initiatives:
Over the past three years, Love My Hoodhas supported 85different resident-led projects. 52%
of those projects have already been completed and another 43% are currently in progress.
Status of 85 Resident-Led Projects Approved Since 2017
(as of August 27, 2019)
2%
5%
Completed
Underway
Delayed
52%
41%
Withdrawn by Applicant
Figure 2
Note: Figure 2include projects approved through the Neighbourhood Matching Grant,
Placemaking Challenge Grant, Community Garden Grant, Neighbourhood Project Proposals,
Neighbourhood Action Plansand the Neighbourhood Tree Planting Pilot, as well as NDO-funded
special projects. Figure 2 does not include Neighbours Day Host-Your-Own-Events, Festival of
Neighbourhoods, support provided to existing community gardens, or grassroots projects.
The following chart provides some examples of the resident-led projects that have been
supported by Love My Hoodsince 2017:
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Type of
Examples:
Resident-Led Project
Centreville-Chicopee Community Garden
9 Community Gardens
St. Kateri School Garden
AlpineCommunity Garden
Wilson Avenue Public School Traffic Calming
6 Resident-Led Traffic
Lancaster Walking on Sunshine
Calming Projects
Duke Street East Street Painting
North Six Market (4 monthly markets)
3 Neighbourhood
KW Habilitation (17 weekly markets)
Markets
Berlin Flea Market(2 seasonal markets)
Forest Heights Clean-Up
7 Neighbourhood
Pioneer Park Fire Hall Urban Food Forest
Greening Initiatives
Love Your Lakeside Recycling Program
Amenities in Max Becker Park
5 Public Seating
Picnic Tables in Thomas Slee Park
Initiatives
Heritage Learning Garden Seating
Queensmount Bunker Mural
7 Neighbourhood Art
Wilson Pool Mural
Projects
Community Thoughts by St. Marie & Walker in Midtown
Finding the Way Chalkboards in North Six
4 Neighbourhood
Chalkin’ It Old School Community Chalkboards in Midtown
Signage Projects
Central Frederick Community Info Boards
Morrison Park Math Wall and Accessible Picnic Table
21Placemaking
Courtland Shelley Common SpaceOutdoor Improvements
Challenge Projects
Rockway Raised Bed Herb Garden
Neighbours Day Bagels and Bubbles in Tecumseh Park
98Neighbourhood Cedarwoods CrescentNeighbourhoodBBQ
Events
Sprucedale Neighbourhood Gathering
McKenzie Avenue Street Party
Ward 1(location to be determined)
4 Neighbourhood TreeWard 2 (location to be determined)
Planting Initiatives
Ward 4 (Willowlake Park)
Ward 9 (Woodside Park)
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Culture Change Made to Better Support Resident-Led Projects:
When Love My Hoodwas approved, it was widely recognized that one of the most important
factorsinits potential success would be the ability to change the culture within the municipality
to one which fully and actively supports a resident-led approach to neighbourhood development.
To achieve that cultural shift, a deliberate and ongoing body of work was required to ensure staff
across the organization understoodthe principles behind Love My Hood, boughtinto its value,
and were prepared to actively and positively contribute to its success. To that end, over 100 staff
from across the organization were engaged in a series of 5 change management workshops
over the course of 6 months. Those workshops helped:
Educate staff on what Love My Hoodis, and what it is not;
Ensure a common alignment around the vision and strategy recommendations;
Create understanding amongst different staff groups as to the challenges with a resident-
led approach to neighbourhood projects, and work through solutions;
Encourage staff to worktogether on creative approaches to support resident-led
projects, and;
Createstronger working relationships and alignment between staff in many areas of the
corporation through constructive conversations and collaboration.
Further, these change management workshops have had significant benefits for residents, as
they have helped to create a collaborative and cross-functional staff team that is ready to support
and encourage residents to take the lead on neighbourhood projects.
Process Changes Made to Better Support Resident-Led Projects:
Single Point of Contact:To help residents navigate the many complexities involved in leading
a neighbourhood project, a single point of contact (SPOC) at the City is now assigned to each
resident-led project. The SPOCis responsible for providing the resident group with a wide range
of supports to make it easier for them to navigate the people, processes and policies of the City.
This change is a significant improvementthat has been made based on recurringfeedback
receivedfrom residentsduring the Neighbourhood Strategy community consultations.
Internal Circulation Process:To successfully complete a resident-led project, input and
support is required from staff across many divisions of the City. To ensure all relevant staff review
each proposal and providetimely feedback, an internal circulation process was created. Through
this process, managed by the Neighbourhood Development Office, every grant application is
circulated to more than 20 City staff for their feedback. Staff are given 10 businessdays to
respond to each proposal with comments. This circulation process eliminates the need for
residents to run around to multiple different staff within the City to get their input and approval
before proceeding with a project.
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3.Lessons Learned: (2017 – 2019)
The City of Kitchener has a long history of helping citizens plan, build and support safe and
thriving neighbourhoods. Traditionally, the vast majority of the City’s support for neighbourhoods
came in the form of building and operating community centres, and providing support to the
City’s strong network of Neighbourhood Associations.
With the approval of Love My Hood, the City now provides a completely new type of support for
residents – one which has been recognized nationally as an innovative municipal approach to
neighbourhood development. This unique approach garnered the following national awards:
Planning Excellence (New and Emerging Planning Initiatives) from the Canadian Institute
of Planners and;
The Willis Award for Innovation from the Canadian Association of Municipal
Administrators.
However, as with any new service or programthat is as significant as Love My Hood, there are
always lessons than can be learned and improvements that can be made. After threeyears of
implementing Love My Hood, there are four significant opportunities for improvements thatstaff
have identified to enhance the City’s ability to support resident-led neighbourhood projectsin the
future:
i)Provide more targeted support toa greater variety ofneighbourhoods.
ii)Improve the City’s flexibility to support creative resident-led initiatives.
iii)Reduce confusion amongst residents by streamlining all Love My Hoodgrants into one.
iv)Increase capacity to support larger-scale resident-led neighbourhood projects.
i)Provide targeted support to a greater variety of neighbourhoods:
Opportunity:Over the last threeyears, we have supported a total of 89unique
neighbourhood groups in 41 different neighbourhoods. Staff project that by the end of 2019,
those numbers will have grown to110 groups in 46 neighbourhoods.Historically, Love My
Hoodprograms and grant funding have been accessed most by neighbourhoods where
resident groups were already in a state of readiness, had experience in project management
and applying for grant funding, and/or werealready engaged in their community. Through a
number of policy and program changes already made, the number of different
neighbourhoods supported by Love My Hood on an annual basiswill triple from 11in 2017
to 33in 2019 (projectedto year end).
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Number of Different Neighbourhoods Supported Each Year
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
201720182019
Actual (as of August 27, 2019)Projected
Figure 3
Note: Figure 3 includesall resident-led projects supported by Love My Hood through the
Neighbourhood Matching Grant, Placemaking Challenge Grant, Community Garden Grant,
Neighbourhood Project Proposals, Neighbourhood Action Plans, Tree Planting Pilots and
Special Projects, as well as new support provided to existing community gardens.
While grants have been awarded and projects completedin all ten municipal wards, staff
recognize there are a number of changes that can be made to continuetodiversify the
number and location ofneighbourhoods accessing Love My Hoodsupports.
Proposed Changes:
Make changes to the Love My Hoodgrant program, which includes limiting the amount
of times a group can receive a grant andactivelyencouraging a greater diversity of
resident groups and neighbourhoods toapply for funding.
Increase the City’s support of residents by shifting the approach of the Neighbourhood
Liaisonteamfrom primarily reacting to resident inquiries to also strategically targeting and
proactively engaging neighbourhoods that have not typically been active. This more
proactive City support of residents will include (but not be limited to) initiating contact and
connections between residents, assisting residents with idea generation for projects and
providing guidance toresidents in writing grant applications. This more proactive
approach was piloted on a small scale during the spring 2019 matching grant intake
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period and was successful in generating applications from a greater diversity of
neighbourhoods than previous years.
Develop a targeted communications and engagement plan to increase awareness of Love
My Hoodprograms and grants in neighbourhoods that have not typically been active. As
opposed to broad, mass marketing efforts, specific information about Love My Hood
supports will be targeted to where people are already spending time within these
neighbourhoods. This information will also be translated into multiple languages to
increase awareness amongst the entire community.
ii)Improve the City’s flexibility to support creative resident-led initiatives.
Opportunity:During the first three years of Love My Hood, staff have focused on developing
programs, processesand templates to help residents complete the most popular types of
neighbourhood improvement projects (as identified through the Neighbourhood Strategy
communication consultations). More recently, a growing number of resident groups have
been looking for the City to support non-standard, unique project proposals. These creative,
non-standard resident proposals should be supported by the City;however, they will require
a different approach to support effectively.
Proposed Changes:
Continue dedicated work to shift the culturewithin the organization to better support
resident-led projects, particularly those projects which are not standardized and require
additional support and creativity in order to facilitate.
Assign a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) to work with resident groupsto complete a
“Build-Your-Own” checklist of requirements. This collaborativework will assist residents
in determining the feasibility and limitations of their non-standard project.
Create more flexibility in the process of developing a Neighbourhood Action Plan that
recognizes the unique nature and priorities of individual neighbourhoods (eg. traditional
printed document versus virtual reality simulation), as well as the amount of volunteer
time residents are prepared to invest in this work. Any changes to this process should
maintain the requirement that the plan includes a neighbourhood developed vision, goals
and proposed actions to achieve over a multi-year timeframe.
iii)Reduce confusion amongst residents by streamlining all Love My Hoodgrants into
one:
Lesson:Love My Hoodcurrently provides three grant opportunities for residents – the
Neighbourhood Matching Grant, Placemaking Challenge Grant and the Community Garden
Grant. Each one of these grants has a separate application process, evaluation criteria and
selection committee made up of different staff and volunteers. Each grant also has a different
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timeline for when grant applications can be submitted. All of these differences has caused
some confusion amongst residents.
Current Neighbourhood Current Placemaking Current
Matching GrantChallenge GrantCommunity Garden Grant
Up to $15,000 available Grants available from Up to $1,000 available for
per project.$1,000 to $20,000.one-time capital and/or
equipment costs.
Quarterly intake dates.Two intake periods
annually.Not available to existing
Projects cannot occur on
gardens.
privately-owned land, Projects can occur on both
with the exception of publically and privately-One intake per year.
events. owned lands.
Projects can occur on
Selection Committee Selection Committee
both publicly and
consists of two resident consists of five resident
privately-owned lands,
volunteers, one volunteers and five City
with in-kind funding
representative from a staff.
provided to gardens
sponsoring organization
located on city-owned
and three City staff.
land.
Selection Committee
consists of two volunteers,
one representative from
the Community Garden
Council of Waterloo
Region, and three staff.
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Also, as shown in Figure 4,between2017 and 2019, there has been a noticeable increase in
demand for funding from the Neighbourhood Matching Grant and a decrease in demand for the
Placemaking Challenge Grant and Community Garden Grants.
Grant Applications Received
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
201720182019
Placemaking Challenge GrantNeighbourhood Matching Grant
Figure 4
Note: We have received a total of 33 applications in the first three intakes of the
Neighbourhood Matching Grant as of August 27, 2019. Staff project that we will have
received a total of 44 by the end of 2019.
Proposed Changesto Matching Grant Guidelines/Policy:
Consolidate the three current Love My Hoodgrants into the matching grant.This change
will simplify the grant program by requiring only one application, one set of evaluation
criteria and one selection committee – while also increasing flexibility as to the types of
resident-led projects to which the funding can be allocated. If council approves the grant
consolidation, staff will proceed with updating Community Investment Policy FIN-GRA-
525 to reflect the changes.
Make the following changes to thematching grantguidelines:
i)Increase the funding available for each projectfrom $15,000 to $30,000;
ii)A neighbourhood group cannot receive funding in two consecutive years;
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iii)Strengthen the evaluation criteria to encourage a more equitable distribution of the
grant funds, prioritizing neighbourhoods that have not traditionally been active, and
new and emerging neighbourhoods groups;
iv)Create a single selection committee consisting of four staff, six resident volunteers
and one representative from a sponsoringorganization serving on a rotating basis
of every one to two years;
v)Provide greater flexibility to consider projects on non-city landsthat are publically
accessible, with a cap of $10,000 per project on private propertywith the exception
of projects that are event-based,which continue to have a maximum of $2,000;
vi)Remove the current limit of $1,000 available for communitygardenapplications,
allow existing community gardens to apply for grant funding,provide greater
flexibility for a diversity of garden and greening projects(ex. pollinators, food forests),
and ensure that at least one traditional community garden is funded each year;
vii)Continue the quarterly intake periods to ensure flexibility for applicants and
distribution of funds throughout theyear.
iv)Increase capacity to support larger-scale resident-led neighbourhood projects:
Opportunity:There has been a noticeable increase in requests through the Neighbourhood
Matching Grant and Placemaking Challenge Grant for funding to support larger-scale and
more complex resident-led projects, compared to events and temporary pop-up projects.
Some of the larger, more complex resident-led projects supported through Love My Hood
have included outdoor fitness equipment in Victoria Park, enhancements to amenities in Max
Becker Park and seating and shade structuresin Cherry Park and Thomas Slee Park.
Residents have considered a number of other large-scale projects but have been turned
down due to lack of available funds, or were restricted by the currentfunding limits of $15,000
for the Neighbourhood Matching Grant and $20,000 for the Placemaking Challenge Grant.
Proposed Changes:
Increase the maximum amount of grant funding available to a single application from
$20,000 to $30,000.
Collaborate with residents, community partners, and the City’s Office of Strategic
Partnerships to secure additional funding through sponsorships of the Love My Hood
program as a whole, or individual resident-led projects. As anexample, the residentgroup
leading an outdoor fitness project in Victoria Park secured a $25,000 naming rights
sponsorship agreement with the Kitchener Rangers.
Create a position within the Neighbourhood Development Office that has knowledge,
skills and experience in formal project management in order to support medium and large-
scale resident-led projects. This position could also support an ongoing participatory
budgeting program (which is anticipated to involvelarger scale projects)if City Council
chooses to proceed withthat program through the 2020 budget process.
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4.Resourcing Required to Continue Love My Hood:
When City Council approved Love My Hood in 2017, it also approved reallocating existing
funding to a new Neighbourhood Development Reserve in the amount of $547,315 to support
the program over a three year period. As staff projected at that time, it is anticipated that funding
in the Neighbourhood Development Reserve will be almost fully spent by the end of 2019.
BudgetActualBudgetActualBudgetActual
201720182019
OPENING BALANCE$547,315 $550,263 $430,803 $435,828 $218,430 $248,889
Sponsorship Revenue10,00010,000 10,000 35,000 10,000 35,000
Total Expenditures136,000 130,273 231,000 226,469 236,000 156,121
Interest Earned 9,488 5,838 8,627 4,530 8,604 8,604
CLOSING BALANCE430,803 435,828 218,430 248,889 1,034 128,372
Notes:
2019 Actuals are as of August 27, 2019.
2019 Closing Balance includes: 1) $25,610in unspent funding allocated for the Placemaking
Challenge Grant; 2) $42,250 in funding allocated for the Neighbourhood Matching Grant,
which has been held for the August and November intakes; and 3) a number of expenses
related to the implementation of the Love My Hood action items, which are not yet complete
(eg. Tree Planting, Block Connectors, Research into Community Spaces in Multi-Residential
Buildings).
Any funding that remains in the reserve at the end of 2019 will be utilized to fund the program
in 2020, thereby reducing the amount of new capital funding required for next year.
To maintain support for resident-led neighbourhood projects through Love My Hood, additional
capital and operating funding will be required starting in 2020.
Grant (Capital) Funding Required:
Over the past three years, the City has spent or committed a total of $330,985 in financial support
to 73 resident-led projects (as of August 27, 2019) through the Neighbourhood Matching Grant,
Placemaking Challenge and Community Garden Grant:
2017201820193 YearTotal
Neighbourhood Matching Grant$58,595$84,000$85,000$227,595
Placemaking Challenge--59,00035,39094,390
Community Garden Grant--6,0003,0009,000
Total Grant Funding Spent or Committed 330,985
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Over the same three-year period, residents submitted 161 applications for Love My Hood grant
funding totaling more than $1.2 million in requests for financial support – more than triple the
amount of grant funding actually awarded. 37 of the applications received from residents were
deemed eligible, but were denied due to a lack of available funding. Those 37 projects had a
total value of $487,903.
Available Grant Funds vs. Funds Requested from 2017-2019
1,400,000
1,200,000
1,000,000
800,000
600,000
400,000
200,000
0
Grant Funds AwardedFunds Requested
AwardedEligibleIneligible
Figure 5
Note: Figure 5 includes funds requested through the Neighbourhood Matching, Placemaking
Challenge and Community Garden Grants.
As demonstrated in Figure 5, over the past three years the community has demonstrated a
significant demand for financial support to resident-led projects. In an effort to meet some of that
demand staff recommend increasing the amount of funding available through Love My Hood
grants on an annual basis to $150,000.
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Operating Funding Required:
Over the past three years, the number of resident groups accessing Love My Hoodprograms
and supports has steadily increased.
Number of Resident-Led Projects Supported from 2017-2019
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
201720182019
ActualProjected
Figure 6
Note: Figure 6 includesall resident-led projects supported by Love My Hood through the
Neighbourhood Matching Grant, Placemaking Challenge Grant, Community Garden Grant,
Neighbourhood Project Proposals, Neighbourhood Action Plans, Tree Planting Pilots and
Special Projects.
To maintain the same level of support for resident-led projects as the City has provided over the
past three years, staff is recommending the same number of staff be utilized going forward, with
two changes:
i)Convert the 2 existing temporary FTEs in the Neighbourhood Development Office to
permanent positions ($153,568) – Making these FTEspermanent will ensure the City can
continue to maintain the same service level it has been providing for resident-led projects
over the past threeyears. It will also ensure the City can support larger and more complex
resident-led projects as they are becoming more common. If these positions are not made
permanent the level of support provided to resident-groups will have to decrease resulting
in increased frustration and anger from volunteers, lack of progress on projects and
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potential for project abandonment. These positions could also potentially support the
City’s participatory budgeting process should Council agree to continue that program
through the 2020 budget process.
ii)Increase the number of hours for the 4 existing Neighbourhood Liaison positions from
part-time to full-time ($104,000) – These additional hours will allow the City to maintain
its level of service to resident-led projects while also ensuring the Liaisons become more
proactive in targeting their support to a greater diversity of resident groups and
neighbourhoods. These additional hours could also allow the Liaisons to support the
City’s participatory budgeting process should Councilagree to continue that program.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The financial implications of staff’s recommendation to continue providing support to resident-
led neighbourhood projects through Love My Hood are outlined above. Staff are recommending
those financial impacts be referred to the City’s 2020 budget process for further consideration.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Love My Hoodwas created through one of the most extensive community engagement
processes the City has ever undertaken – over 5,000 residents provided input over 3,900 hours
of conversation. Staff heard from a diversity of residents, such as neighbourhood associations,
schools, faith communities, cultural clubs, sports team, youth and seniors groups. Staff engaged
residents at parks, pools, splash pads, bus stations, soccer games, events and shopping centres
all across the city.
INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the
council / committee meeting, and sent to the Love My Hood e-newsletter with a distribution of
over 1,500 people.
CONSULT – In addition to the initial consultation led by the Neighbourhood Strategy Project
Team, staff have developed a number of public workshops and surveys on a wide-range of
programs, including community gardens, neighbourhood markets, event-in-a-trailer,
demographic profiles, a neighbourhood leadership program, neighbourhood greening, public
seating, and neighbourhood art.
COLLABORATE – Each grant has a dedicated selection committee consisting of an equal
number of City staff and residents. These committee members make collaborative decisions on
how funding is awardedto support resident-led projects.
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ENTRUST – Through the ‘resident-led, city-supported’ vision of Love My Hood, residents have
been empowered to lead projects in theirneighbourhoods.Over the past three years, Love My
Hood has supported:
85 resident-led projects in every ward of the city
110 unique resident groups(by the end of 2019)
46 different neighbourhoods (by the end of 2019)
Over those three years, more than 400 residents have taken the lead in neighbourhood projects,
investing over 10,000hours of volunteer time into the community.
Through these resident-led projectsand the online reach of Love My Hood, thousands of
residents across the city have been impacted by the strategy.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation inthis report will help to implement the Caring Community Strategic plan
goal by supporting or further enhancing people’s sense of belonging and connection. Through
the consolidated Love My Hood Matching Grant and ongoingwork on neighbourhood initiatives,
Love My Hood will continue to help people engage, serve and support their neighbourhood and
community in ways that reflect their diversity and specific needs. Over the past 3 years Love My
Hood has supported a variety ofprojects and events enhancing belonging and inclusion such
as the Sanctuary Refugee Health Centre 6th Year Celebration, Eid Al-Adha Festival and Bazaar,
the Rainbow Crosswalk, a Social Skills and Literacy Development Program, and raised garden
beds at several community gardens.
Strategic Priority:Caring Community
PREVIOUS CONSIDERATION OF THIS MATTER:
CSD-17-008 Neighbourhood Strategy and Implementation Plan
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
APPENDIXES:
A.Status of Action Items
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he
Page
1 |
the Kitchener
2019.
-
requirements for resident
owned land, paid for by t
-
city
2019.
-
up market kit in collaboration with
STATUS REPORT
-
owned land.
-
–
ne
step guide for residents.
step guide for residents.
step guide for residents.
-
-
-
Gardenby
by
by
-
-
-
60% of neighbours within a block or up to 100 meters of the project and
Chicopee Community Garden
–
led traffic calming projects were supported from 2017
-
-
er Walking on Sunshi
community gardens were supported from 2017 to 2019.
North Six MarketBerlin Flea MarketKW Habilitation Market
3 Neighbourhood Markets supported from 2017Developed a stepDeveloped a free, bookable popMarket.
6 residentDeveloped a stepReduced barriers to installing these measures by lowering signatures 50% +1 of neighbours directly adjacent to the project.
CentrevilleSt. Kateri School GardenAlpine Community
9 new Staff support 14 gardens on cityDeveloped a stepFormalized a process to support residents establishing a new garden.Developed an insurance program for all gardens oncity.
Wilson Avenue Public School Traffic CalmingDuke Street East Street PaintingLancast
OutcomesExamples
OutcomesExamplesOutcomesExamples
LOVEMYHOOD ACTIONS
STATUS
STATUSSTATUS
Complete
CompleteComplete
APPENDIX A:
Led Traffic
-
ACTIONResidentCalmingACTION
ACTIONNeighbourhood Markets
Community Gardens
#1 #2 #3
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ups,
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2 |
2019.
–
2019.
–
2019 (e.g. litter clean
.
–
.
to support projects such as pollinator to support projects such as community
s to support projects such as park
resident
Up
-
step guide for residentsstep guide for step guide for residents
---
bybyby
---
public seating initiatives supported from 2017
led greening initiatives supported from 2017 led led neighbourhood art initiatives supported from 2017
---
Your Lakeside Recycling Program
Forest Heights CleanPioneer Park Fire Hall Urban Food Forest Love
Developed a stepgardens, food forests and stormwater managementDeveloped a stepbenches, picnic tables, and naturalized seating.Developed a stepmurals, painted rock gardens and temporary
installations
7 residentpollinator gardens, food hedges, tree planting).5 resident7 resident
Amenities in Max Becker Park Picnic Tables in Thomas Slee Park Heritage Learning Garden SeatingQueensmount Bunker Mural Wilson Pool Mural Community Thoughts by St. Marie & Walker in
Midtown
OutcomesExamplesOutcomesExamplesOutcomesExamples
STATUSSTATUSSTATUS
CompleteCompleteComplete
ACTIONACTIONACTION
Neighbourhood GreeningNeighbourhood Public SeatingNeighbourhood Public Art
#4 #5 #6
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law
-
Page
3 |
2019 through
to
7
on lovemyhood.ca.
City Council.
2017 to 2019.
from
between 201
website which provides guidelines
recommended to
sac
-
de
report
What’s in My ‘Hood? Map-
LoveMyHood
sac enhancements will include information on locates,
-
de
-
tle Library in Thomas Slee Park
sac enhancements will be combined with Boulevard
-
Lit
de
-
ibraries through the
on public property have been funded
n cul
design recommendations and process for increased requests.
ll little l
a
Backyard Sessions
8 little librariesthe Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee.Developed dedicated page on the for little libraries on both city land and personal property. Promote 4 neighbourhood signage
projects have been supported Currently developing design guidelines for chalk boards and information boards to make it easier to add signage to neighbourhood spaces. A definition of
neighbourhood signage will also be included in the signage byduring the winter 2019 housekeeping Developing Recommendations for culplanting around existing trees, recommended plant,
setbacks, sight lines and maintenance requirements.Information oBeautification and Inviting Front Porches into a single guide to provide residents with information pertaining to neighbourhood
improvements.
North Six Finding the Way ChalkboardChalkin’ It Old School Midtown Community Chalkboards Central Frederick Community Info BoardsGaga Ball Court on Marl Meadow Cul
OutcomesExamplesUpdateExamplesUpdateExamples
STATUSSTATUSSTATUS
CompleteUnderwayUnderway
sac
-
Libraries in Public
de
-
ACTIONACTIONACTION
Little SpacesNeighbourhood SignageCulEnhancements
#7 #8 #9
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Page
4 |
since
008).
-
17
-
properties.
.
lovemyhood.ca
2019.
owned
Subsidized Tree Planting Pilot
-
a
city
ity’s Tree Planting Pilot Program will
C
Guide on
the
Table
Placemaking Challenge
plantings on
funded)
funded)funded)
for the launch of
of
9
(12
Reep
to the Placemaking
since February 2018.
inflexibility
Bed Herb Garden
which to date has received over 250 expressions of interest.
d
website visits
applications received (applications received
105021 applications received (7
– –
–
www.lovemyhood.ca
Neighbourhood Placemaking Guide was completed in 2017 (CSDGuide will be updated to reflect more relevant information relating to the Neighbourhood Places Program. 1,073 total February
2018.201620182019Data shows residents have shifted interest towards the Neighbourhood Matching Grant, likely due to the 2,863 total website visits to the Neighbourhood Placemaking Challenge
Grant page onIn partnership with Reep Green Solutions, support four community groups with The City has partnered with on private land,The City and Reep will also partner to host a Community
Tree Planting Event and Educational Workshop.Each tree planting activity will take place during in September 2019 to coincide with the launch of National Forest Week on September 22,
Morrison Park Math Wall and Accessible Courtland Shelley Common Space Outdoor Improvements Rockway Raise
OutcomesOutcomesExamplesOutcomes
STATUSSTATUSSTATUS
CompleteCompleteComplete
ourhood
b
ACTIONNeighPlacemaking GuideACTIONNeighbourhood Placemaking ChallengeACTIONTree Planting on Private Property
###
101112
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Page
5 |
regulations about residential porches that require them to
2019
-
Added several new be a minimum depth so that they are more usable and along with allowing them to come closer to the sidewalk.Three sections (New Neighbourhoods, Central Neighbourhoods,
and Low Rise Multiple Residential Buildings) in the new Urban Design Manual will
oo
neighbourhood events including street parties and neighbourhood gatherings
Action will be explored through Participatory Budgeting and Open Spaces Strategy.Internal working team and project charter have been established. In 2019, City staff are conducting a
review of existing processes and engagement practices to create a more collaborative engagement process. Developed insurance package at no cost to volunteers (for <200 participants)Working
with the Social Development Centre Waterloo Region, who already offer bookable Neighbourhood Activity Trunks filled with games, craft supplies, and more.Recommendation will be made
regarding the delivery of this action based on additional stakeholder engagement, a review of best practices and existing resources available to residents. Included specific direction
regarding the creation of more inviting front porches in the City’s new zoning bylaw (approved):Further direction on front porches are also included in the draft update to the Urban
Design Manual:
Sprucedale Neighbourhood Gathering McKenzie Avenue Street Party
Neighbours Day Bagels and Bubbles in Tecumseh ParkCedarwoods Crescent BBQ
98from 2017 Developed a “How to Host a Street Party Event Guide,”
UpdateOutcomesExamplesUpdateUpdate
STATUSSTATUSSTATUSSTATUS
UnderwayCompleteUnderwayComplete
Trailer
-a-
in
-
ACTIONParks, Playgrounds and Trails Community Engagement ReviewACTIONMore Neighbourhood EventsACTIONEventACTIONInviting Front Porches
####
13141516
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and
Page
6 |
which incorporates feedback
ors (MACKS), Grand River
visions, urban design and heritage
interaction. The guidelines also provide direction to
-
r key City of Kitchener staff.
ber of design guidelines regarding porches in new development.
Mayor’s Advisory Council for Kitchener Seni
include a numThese guidelines encourage natural surveillance and animate street frontages by having street orientedinclude and emphasize porches on important lots within a neighbourhood
(e.g. entrances, important views, heritage areas, near parks, etc).New planning policies, zoning proguidelines are being established for the Central Neighbourhoods and direction is
being included about the importance of front porches for new or replacement residential dwellings in these areas to fit into the streetscapecontribute to neighbourhood character and
friendliness.
residential buildings in Kitchener.
-
o
Front porches are also being included and highlighted in the current Neighbourhood Planning Reviews (approval pending):Research being conducted in 2019. Will include a review of best
practices in other cities, as well as community engagement with residents from a diverse range of multiWork is underway in collaboration with the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Kitchener
Seniors (MACKS) and other community partners to review existing programs in Canadian municipalities for best practices. Engagement activities, including surveys and focus groups with
neighbourhood leaders, are being planned in 2019 with a program launch in 2020.Provided recognition to over 380 Snow Angels volunteers over the past 3 years. Developed a guide book
for the Snow Angels program from theAccessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC), the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee and othe
UpdateUpdateUpdate
STATUSSTATUSSTATUSSTATUS
UnderwayComplete
Underway
Residential
-
ACTIONACTIONResearch into Best Practices for Community Spaces in MultiBuildingsACTIONBlock ConnectorsACTIONSnow Angel Program
####
171819
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since
Page
7 |
views per day.
formal process required when
045)
-
18
-
e and corresponding web page on
.
Guid
014)
-
nities in their neighbourhoods. This feature has
19
-
individual project was tripled from $5,000 to $15,000.
Association (CSD
applications to the Neighbourhood Matching Grant
75
the “What’s in My ‘Hood?” map, which allows residents to
year volunteer commitment and the
-total funding available was tripled from $20,000 to $60,000 and the
–
od.ca. launched in February 2018
o
12 projects14 projects 30 projects (projected)
– – – a
MyH
LoveThe website includesexplore existing facilities and amehad over 2,500 views annually, with an average of sevenWebsite has had over 120,500 page views since the launch. There have
also been 30 blog post stories produced, 5 videos completed and 1,500 subscriptions to the Love My Hood newsletter.
Victoria Park Neighbourhood Wildflowers Action Group (CSD
Developed a Neighbourhood Action Plan lovemyhood.ca. Supported two groups in completing their Neighbourhood Action Plans. Staff attempted to start up on multiple neighbourhoods with
limited success as a result of the multipursuing a NAP. A key learning from two of the completed NAPs is that the process and format must be adaptable to each neighbourhood’s unique
characteristics and priorities.February 2017 maximum grant amount for an 201720182019In total, there have been 2017.
UpdateOutcomesExamplesOutcomes
STATUSSTATUSSTATUS
CompleteCompleteComplete
(NAP)
ACTIONNeighbourhood WebsiteACTIONNeighbourhood Action PlansACTIONNeighbourhood Matching Grant Increase
###
202122
5 - 28
Page
8 |
038) to allow
-
17
-
1,000 people to purchase
-
residents.
calming strategies.
-
law Housekeeping report in Fall/Winter 2019 to
-
043
led traffic calming program (INS
-
-
18
-
clarity of the use of signs in neighbourhoods.
laws pertaining to road closures and noise exemptions were
-
request to make it easier to include signage to promote community events
step guide was created for those
-
and by
by
-
City has developed a number of insurance packages to reduce the municipal barriers to hosting neighbourhood events.For small events, the City covers the cost of events with under 200
people. The policy also allows groups planning events with 200insurance through the City.City developed a residentresidents to implement a variety of trafficStep
Explored a number of neighbourhood signage options, including small signs, lawn signs and large signs such as chalkboards and information boards, to respond to resident’s and information.Improvements
to neighbourhood signage were included in the Development Services Department’s Sign Byallow for greater
A review of the City’s special event policies and procedures was completed to improve processes and ensure a continued positive relationship with residents interested in hosting events.
Policiesapproved in report DSD
OutcomesOutcomesOutcomesUpdate
STATUSSTATUSSTATUSSTATUS
CompleteCompleteCompleteUnderway
Road Closure
ACTIONEasyRequirements for EventsACTIONInsurance Requirements for Small EventsACTIONEase Approvals Required for Crosswalk/Road Painting ProjectsACTIONResidential Signage Regulations
####
23242526
5 - 29
-
Page
9 |
law Chapter 450 (DSD
-
.
by informal groups).
043) to allow residents to apply for a noise exemption for neighbourhood events
-
Cinema Under the Stars at Country Hills Movie Night in Kuntz ParkIn 2020, the City will install permanent BBQ’s in a number of parks in Ward 6 as a pilot program. Developed insurance
package for park events, with the City covering events with under 200 people. A larger review of activities and events in parks will be explored more formally through the development
of an Open Spaces Strategy. Currently reviewing and updating two policies that impact how resident groups can access community centre spaces. Goal is to increase public access of community
centres (including A neighbourhood leadership toolkit and training workshop is being developed based on stakeholder engagement and a review of best practices from other municipalities.
This work is being supported by a steering committee made up of residents, community partners, and staff. The toolkit and training are expected to be launched in 2020.
Developed an Application for Noise Exemptions to Noise By18without requiring City Council approvalThere have been 59 noise exemptions for small events from 2017 to 2019 through this
new streamlined process. Residents applying for a noise exemptions for a street party are able to attach the Noise Exemption Application to the Street Party Event Petition for Road
Closure.
OutcomesExamplesUpdateUpdateUpdate
STATUSSTATUSSTATUSSTATUS
CompleteUnderwayUnderwayUnderway
ACTIONNoise Exemptions for Small EventsACTIONPermission to Host Activities and Events in ParksACTIONAccess to Community Centre Space by Neighbourhood GroupsACTIONNeighbourhood Leadership
Program
####
27282930
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he
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10
ommunity
date availability and more.
gion can market rental
-
to
-
of 2019, with plans to update and expand
to work, generation status, and number of children
lovemyhood.ca.
Profiles will be launched online by the endupon the offerings in 2020.A survey on community space availability within Kitchener was distributed to local schools and churches. 11 responses
were received. Through this survey, respondents were encouraged to list their space as an available rental on tSpaceFinder Waterloo Region website. City staff will continue to promote
the SpaceFinder Waterloo Region tool to community groups looking for creative space to host neighbourhood gatherings and events. With this tool, venues, such as churches in the respace
by creating a listing and uploading a digital calendar, while creatives can discover space based on location, price, amenities, upThe SpaceFinder Waterloo Region website will also be
added as a cresource
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team developed a series of demographic profiles for each ward, planning community and neighbourhood association boundary. These profiles feature
information such as type of dwelling, home language, method of travel living at home.
OutcomeUpdate
STATUSSTATUS
Complete
Complete
ACTIONNeighbourhood Demographic ProfileACTION
Neighbourhood Use of Schools and Faith Based Facilities
##
3132
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