HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-02-03 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Councillor S. Davey, Councillor F. Etherington, Councillor D. Glenn-Graham, Ms.
K. Kwiatkowski, Ms. D. Ahluwalia and Messrs. P. Doherty, K. Euler and M.
Garner.
Staff: S. Adams, Director of Strategic Planning & Innovation
M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs & Services
L. Palubeski, Manager of Community & Resource Services
S. Weare, Strategic Initiatives Associate
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator
J. Metzger, Waterloo Regional Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC)
J. Cloutier, MSW Placement Student, WRCPC
INTRODUCTIONS
1.
Ms. S. Adams welcomed members to the first meeting of the Committee and asked each
member to introduce themselves.
OVERVIEW / HISTORY OF COMMITTEE
2.
Ms. S. Adams read the Committee’s mandate / purpose from the Terms of Reference noting
there are currently several sector vacancies due to a shortage of applications. She suggested
the Committee initially focus on building a work plan related to crime prevention and
community safety for the coming term and then look to fill / adjust vacancies to best
accomplish actions within the work plan. She proposed a timetable to have a work plan
presented to Council for approval by June 2011.
Ms. L. Palubeski provided background on work previously undertaken by the Committee noting
it previously had an extremely broad mandate as it was formed by the amalgamation of four
committees.
Highlights of the past years included:
Provided advisory support to various projects administrated by staff (i.e. Little Black
Book, 911 Youth Charities golf tournament, Lighten Up campaign, Mural Mentoring
Program);
Consulted and provided advisory support for several Corporate proposals prior to the
reports being presented to Council (i.e. Breastfeeding Lounge, new enforcement
policies for lodging house licensing, the Safe and Sound project);
Participated in the Downtown Community Collaborative and recommended funding for
the Downtown Outreach program;
Partnered with Festival of Neighbourhoods organizing committee;
Supported Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) in the development of a youth
website;
Undertook safety audits throughout the community;
Consulted on various Corporate plans and strategies (i.e. Culture Plan 2); and,
Held frequent discussions and heard presentations on topics such as: community
policing, municipal crime prevention models, mental health courts, sex worker trade, re-
integration of offenders, prisons release protocol.
Ms. Palubeski advised that beginning in 2009 and as a result of an advisory committee review,
the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee re-examined its Terms of Reference
and brought forward a revised mandate and composition for Council approval, leading to the
Committee’s current mandate of focus on community safety and crime prevention. In
determining the mandate, consideration was given to the fact that there was no longer a full-
time staff liaison to the Committee and the belief that the previous mandate / scope was too
broad, resulting in a dilution of energies and focus.
Committee highlights from the previous term were:
Presentation on the municipal crime prevention model;
SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2011 - 3 - CITY OF KITCHENER
OVERVIEW / HISTORY OF COMMITTEE (CONT’D)
2.
Consultation and participation as stakeholders in the development of various Corporate
plans, initiatives and meetings (Diversity Strategy, Youth Services Strategy, Compass
Kitchener All-Committee gatherings);
Participation on the 911 Youth Charities Golf Tournament organizing committee;
Recommended approval of funding to support the Downtown Community Outreach
Project and the BIA’s Downtown Graffiti Removal Program;
Participation in the ‘Keys to a Safer Community 2’ Municipal Breakfast;
Tour of St. John’s Kitchen; and,
Continued role with Festival of Neighbourhoods.
In closing, Ms. Palubeski advised that the previous Committee had compiled a list of items for
potential consideration when formulating the next work plan. This suggested list will be tabled
during the upcoming brainstorming discussion.
BRAINSTORMING IDEAS, EXPECTATIONS AND DIRECTIONS
3.
The Committee then entered into a lengthy brainstorming discussion to table possible ideas to
be incorporated into the work plan:
Develop a process for Committee member feedback;
Safety perceptions vs. reality;
Schedule a staff presentation on how CPTED initiatives are integrated into City
processes;
Expand Committee composition to include an official appointment of the Waterloo
Region Crime Prevention Council;
Update re lighting in the core;
Information presentation on brownfield developments;
Youth Engagement Project Team update;
Reviewing municipal models of crime prevention;
Discussion of a City-wide Safe Neighbourhood Strategy;
Committee’s role in identifying local issues and determining responses;
Establishment of a Downtown Neighbourhood Association;
Marketing / branding of the Downtown; and,
Close King Street and do more event planning.
Ms. Adams will categorize the list of possible work plan items, provide an estimated timetable
and present this information at the next Committee meeting for review and general discussion.
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR
4.
Due to the fact that the Committee is currently undertaking planning for future actions and as
there are several sector vacancies, Ms. Adams suggested that the role of Chair / Vice-Chair,
as determined today, be interim (until June, 2011) and reviewed once the work plan has been
determined.
Mr. P. Doherty nominated Ms. K. Kwiatkowski as Chair. Ms. Kwiatkowski declined, but offered
to put her name forward as Vice-Chair. Ms. D. Ahluwalia nominated Mr. P. Doherty as Chair.
Ms. K. Kwiatkowski nominated Ms. D. Ahluwalia as Chair. Based on the number of
nominations and the nature of the Committee’s initial workload, it was agreed that Co-Chairs
should be appointed.
On motion by Ms. K. Kwiatkowski -
it was resolved:
“That Ms. Deepa Ahluwalia and Mr. Pat Doherty be appointed as Co-Chairs of the Safe
& Healthy Committee Advisory Committee on an interim basis until June, 2011.”
The Committee then considered nominations for Vice-Chair and it was suggested that as two
Chairs had been appointed, the Committee may wish to appoint two Vice-Chairs as well, as a
form of succession planning. In addition to Ms. K. Kwiatkowski, who had put her name forward
as Vice-Chair, Councillor Scott Davey was also nominated.
SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
FEBRUARY 3, 2011 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER
ELECTION OF COMMITTEE CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR (CONT’D)
4.
On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham -
it was resolved:
“That Ms. Karen Kwiatkowski and Councillor Scott Davey be appointed as Vice-Chairs
of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee on an interim basis until June,
2011.”
DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE - REPORT
5.
Mr. M. Garner, representing the Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC), advised that he has
been elected as Chair of DAC. He advised that DAC’s role is more of a working committee
and are currently also establishing a work plan for the current term. He noted they will be
holding meetings at various locations throughout the Downtown. Presentations to members
are planned on the BIA’s role in the municipality and who does what at City Hall.
INFORMATION ITEM
6.
Ms. L. Palubeski invited members to attend a Public Information Centre on the Kitchener
th
Transportation Master Plan being held on February 8,between 4:30 and 7:30 p.m., in the
Rotunda, City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
7.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m.
L. Korabo
Committee Administrator