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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2010-10-05SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2010 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p. m. Present: Ms. K. Kwiatkowski, Chair Councillor B. Vrbanovic and Messrs. P. Doherty and B. Larkin. Staff: L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services M. Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs J. Metzger, Crime Prevention Council L. Korabo, Committee Administrator This meeting of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee commenced without a quorum in attendance. 1. KITCHENER DOWNTOWN BIA -PARTNERSHIP Mr. M. Garner, Executive Director, Kitchener Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA), provided an update on the Graffiti Removal Program funded in part by a contribution from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee. He advised that this year $20,000. is available for graffiti removal in the core with $14,000. already spent. Mr. Garner was unsure of how much more would be required for the balance of 2010. Mr. Garner then reviewed the actions put in place to bridge the gap until along-term solution is established, namely: • teamed with building owners to paint back alley doors one of four select colours to facilitate quick re-painting if graffiti is found. Repainting is 1/10 the cost of graffiti removal; and, • negotiated a daily rate with firm undertaking graffiti removal; and, • Downtown Ambassadors supplied with quick wipes to remove graffiti found at street I eve I. Mr. Garner noted that some graffiti is being left especially on the 2"d stories of buildings. The BIA has partnered with OPUS who is sponsoring a graffiti show and has taken advantage of the opportunity to meet the artists and taggers behind the graffiti. He advised that in 2011, the BIA will investigate better removal methods with a view to further reducing costs. In closing, he reviewed the steps being taken to develop along-term strategy to deal with graffiti and its negative impact. The BIA is meeting with a group of key community stakeholders to work on a strategy and implementation plan focusing on prevention, enforcement, awareness, engagement and public art. The next step in this process is to link with the Crime Prevention Council and develop a community educational process. Supt. B. Larkin advised that the Chicopee area has been selected as the site for a graffiti mural that will be considered a protected canvas. This area was selected as it has traditionally had a high volume of policing calls related to youth crimes. He noted that the neighbourhood association is committed to this project, and he was pleased to see this partnership develop. Supt. Larkin expressed the view that the Waterloo Regional Police Services hoped to replicate the success of the Chicopee project in other areas of the City with similar positive results. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE As Mr. D. Pellerin was not in attendance, no update was given. COMMITTEE PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL Ms. L. Palubeski advised that each Advisory Committee is required to present a report to Council on their work during the current term. The presentation, on behalf of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee, will be made by K. Kwiatkowski at the November 8, 2010 Community Services Committee meeting and all members were encouraged to attend. In preparation for this presentation, a draft Powerpoint presentation was circulated for comment and feedback. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2010 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. COMMITTEE PRESENTATION TO COUNCIL (CONT'Dl Ms. Palubeski advised the presentation was developed beginning with outlining the Committee's purpose and scope from the Terms of Reference and listing all of the initiatives undertaken during 2009-2010. It was suggested at a previous meeting that the presentation include possible items for consideration as part of the 2011-2012 Committee work plan. Ms. K. Kwiatkowski noted the inclusion of future items was meant to allow the new Committee to begin its work in January without a gap of time normally required to develop a work plan. Ms. Kwiatkowski advised that one of the considerations being put forward for 2011 is development of a committee member feedback process to allow members to put forward initiatives for consideration as a work plan item. This was felt to be a way to engage membership and keep interest in the Committee at a higher level. Councillor B. Vrbanovic was asked to confirm that, at times, Council does direct matters to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for input and feedback and it was confirmed that this can occur. Councillor Vrbanovic did note, however, that staff tends to present matters to advisory committees prior to coming forward to Council thereby already incorporating advisory committee feedback into the staff report /recommendation under consideration. Ms. K. Kwiatkowski noted that as this committee sponsored staff training for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) concepts, a presentation come back and provide for a more detailed explanation on how CPTED principles are now incorporated into the planning process. Staff could also report on which staff were trained and inquiries could be made if further training opportunities existed in 2011 and if a Committee member could attend training and act as a liaison to the Committee on the CPTED process. Ms. L. Palubeski will reword this item in the draft presentation to reflect the Committee's suggestions. With regard to the mandated Terms of Reference review that occurred at the beginning of the term, Ms. Kwiatkowski noted that many organizational representatives were removed from the Committee composition and replaced with sector specific representation. Ms. L. Palubeski noted that at that time no consideration was given to adding the Crime Prevention Council (CPC) as an official member. She asked if the CPC should be added as a full member thereby establishing a formal link with the Committee. A follow-up review of the Terms of Reference could be added to the 2011 work plan. The Committee concurred with adding this item to the suggested 2011 work plan items. Ms. T. Beaulne entered and a quorum was now present. Members were asked to pass along other feedback as the draft Powerpoint presentation can still be updated until the end of the October. 4. FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBOURHOODS -WRAP-UP Ms. T. Beaulne advised that the Finale of the 2010 Festival of Neighbourhoods season will be held on October 24th and as in the past, this Committee has sponsored the 'Newcomer Award' for a neighbourhood registering an event for the 1St time. Ms. Beaulne noted that the deadline to register an event was October 4th and that preliminary indications are that there has been excellent outreach into new neighbourhoods this year. Mr. P. Doherty volunteered to attend the Finale to represent the Committee and present the 'Newcomer Award'. 5. CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL -ELECTION PROJECT As reported at the Committee's last meeting, Ms. J. Metzger advised that the Crime Prevention Council (CPC) distributed a survey to all municipal candidates aimed at provoking responses surrounding questions related to value and priority of community safety. All survey responses received have been posted on the CPC's website at www.preventingcrime.ca. A total of 99 candidates responded to the survey equating to a 60% response rate. A copy of the survey was attached to the agenda. Results have been sorted according to region /municipality / mayor or ward candidate names. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 5, 2010 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL -ELECTION PROJECT (CONT'D) The CPC will follow-up with successful candidates to establish relationships and provide any additional information requested concerning the CPC and its municipal role. 6. CANADIAN CENTRE FOR DISABILITY STUDIES At the Committee's October meeting, the Canadian Centre for Disability Studies' (CCDS) Livable and Inclusive Communities Research Project was introduced. Phase 1 was conducted locally and working groups for Phase 2 are now being assembled. The Committee had been asked if it wanted to participate as one of the six working groups being established for Phase 2, however, a decision on this matter was deferred to today's meeting. Ms. Beaulne provided a brief overview on the nature of the Project. Ms. Beaulne again inquired if the Committee wished to be a participant in Phase 2 of the Project but no recommendation was forthcoming. Individuals were encouraged to put forth their names if there was personal interest. 7. WORK PLAN As outlined in the Committee's 2009-2010 Work Plan under the focus area of 'Develop recommendations or strategies that promote public /citizen awareness of Kitchener as a safe community' an action item of 'providing assistance to community group currently experiencing challenges', Ms. K. Kwiatkowski advised that she and the City's Youth Co-ordinator met with the District Facilitator and Neighbourhood Association representatives to inquire if the Committee could be of assistance. She advised that the neighbourhood is making more formal connections with local high schools and is working with guidance counsellors and school principals to form a better relationship. They are also working on establishing a connection with Conestoga College by having students earn volunteer hours working with youth at the community centre. Plans to get youth more involved are not working, therefore, staff are looking at different ways to engage them. The Neighbourhood Association may be approaching this Committee during their fundraising campaign for new youth programming. Ms. L. Palubeski commented that providing more outreach to youth in the neighbourhood with younger staff appears to have resulted in less police service calls. Staff are looking at ways to expand this outreach to a year-round basis. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that an item be added to the future work plan considerations wherein a presentation on the Region of Waterloo's Vital Signs report be presented at a future committee meeting. The presentation could identify matters that are relevant and could highlight some themes to include in our mandate. 8. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p. m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator