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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2010-05-04SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 4, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:08 p. m. Present: Ms. K. Kwiatkowski, Chair Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. L. Booth, Ms. M. Hogg, Ms. S. Franzen, Ms. D. Ahluwalia, Ms. T. Beaulne, and Messrs. B. Pegg, P. Doherty and D. Pellerin. Staff: L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services C. Bluhm, Manager, Downtown Community Development J. Metzger, Crime Prevention Council R. Delaney, Committee Administrator 1, PRESENTATION -DOWNTOWN MARKETING STRATEGY Mr. C. Bluhm provided an overview of the Downtown Marketing Strategy which will be finalized late in 2010 or early 2011. He advised that approximately six months ago, the Kitchener Downtown Business Improvement Area and the City combined expertise/marketing plans forming a focus group to work on marketing Downtown. The focus was the business of marketing but it became clear that the constant underlying perception of negative personal safety in the Downtown was a parallel issue at the same time. The group felt that marketing/promoting the Downtown's positive aspects will slowly help people to overcome their negative perceptions. The group is developing a 3-5 year plan to attract businesses to promote the Downtown. Once the Strategy is fully developed, a presentation will be made to Committee. Mr. Bluhm added that, in the short term, one of the more interesting opportunities that has come forward is the interest and programming from local arts and multicultural groups. Working with the KDBIA these groups would like to promote and organize musical events and festivals in the Downtown this summer. He also noted that the Downtown Ambassador Program will continue again this year and that asub-group of the Downtown Advisory Committee has formed to develop a series of short self-directed tours. In response to a question as to whether all Downtown stakeholders i.e. residents have had opportunity to share in this Strategy, Mr. Bluhm advised that many people and organizations are being approached to obtain feedback and input regarding issues contributing to negative perceptions. Mr. Bluhm stated that one of the goals of the market strategy is to be realistic and the way to accomplish this is to keep an open ear on the Downtown and the surrounding communities/stakeholders that feed into the core. He acknowledged that the Downtown cannot be "all things to all people" and reiterated the positive focus of the marketing strategy, which will promote the affirmative and authenticity of the Downtown and can more positively help with eliminating the negative perception. A lengthy discussion followed. Ms. J. Metzger commented that focusing on the positive will have a stronger impact than focusing on negativity. She advised that what could work is having people who live in Kitchener talk about what they like about Kitchener. She suggested having a photography competition showing what we love about Kitchener as it would have a greater impact on changing negative safety perceptions. She would be willing to share information on the First Impressions project that has worked in Vancouver. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE (DAC) Mr. D. Pellerin gave a brief update on the economic development projects as of April, 2010. He referred to a joint meeting between Economic Development, Downtown and Arts & Culture advisory committees who are collaborating to develop a program to bring art and individual art cluster groups together into the Downtown area as well as the status of other related projects underway in the City such as the Go Transit and Via Services. WORK PLAN Ms. L. Palubeski stated that a meeting of the sub-group regarding concrete objectives for the Safe Kitchener Awareness Campaign did not take place as originally intended as staff became aware of other Corporate initiatives addressing the issue of safety awareness throughout the City. As such, today's presentation on the Downtown Marketing Strategy was scheduled. Ms. Palubeski thanked Mr. Bluhm for his presentation on the marketing strategy for the Downtown SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 4, 2010 - 10 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. WORK PLAN (CONT'Dl and his comments regarding safety perceptions. In addition, Ms. L. Palubeski advised that Corporate Communications has stated that they will not be supporting any awareness/marketing plans put forward by advisory committees; therefore, the Kitchener Safety Awareness Campaign will not go forward as originally planned. Ms. L. Palubeski proposed a possible project for the workplan, supporting a community that is struggling in light of recent events and are looking for focus resource planning and possible funding to help with youth activities and safety awareness information. Ms. Palubeski also added that the Committee could consider working with the resources of the Crime Prevention Council and the Region on a comprehensive Safety Awareness Campaign. The members did not agree with this idea as it was felt that this fell under the Region's jurisdiction. Ms. Beaulne questioned whether working directly with the community group would be in keeping within the Committee's Terms of Reference of being more advisory-oriented as opposed to action-orientated. She also felt that we should not be duplicating resources already available in the community. After discussion, the Committee agreed that staff approach the community group for clarification before further decisions are made on a potential collaboration. It was agreed that two members of the Committee would dialogue with members of the community and report back to the June meeting the exact nature of the request and what our role is expected to be. Ms. Kwiakowski commented that having a fixed workplan objective in place such as working on a regional safety awareness campaign for the incoming Committee in 2011 would be ideal as there would be an immediate focus to their workplan. In addition, this idea of a long term commitment to the cities and townships to work collaboratively on a Safety Awareness Campaign would be of substantial beneficial to all. Councillor Vrbanovic commented that if we were to proceed with an awareness campaign, it should encompass the entire City but he raised a concern regarding the potential funding for the campaign. Until the Committee has heard back from staff and received clarification on potential involvement with the community group, no further action will be taken. 4. ALL-COMMITTEE GATHERING -FOLLOW-UP Ms. K. Kwiatkowski and Ms. L. Palubeski met with the Mayors Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors (MACKS) for feedback regarding the Downtown and the perception of seniors. It was noted that seniors have identified several barriers to frequenting the Downtown, such as parking and early store closings. The general consensus, at this time was that the senior lifestyle was not conducive to Downtown life. MACKS will ask members for further comments which will be provided to this Committee at a later date. 5. PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL It was agreed that L. Palubeski and K. Kwiatkowski would prepare a presentation outlining the Committee's accomplishments during the current term for September 27th Community Services Committee meeting, and Committee members will be asked to attend that date for additional support. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m R. Delaney Committee Administrator