Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-01-11 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES January 11, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on his date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Messrs. M. Arges, S. Burek, D. Class, P. Dedes, B. Forwell D. Hilker, T. Kenyon, N. Mehés, M. Turner, Councillor Y. Fernandes and Mss., J. Tomero and M. Sehl. Staff: Messrs. R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), P. Wetherup and Ms. K. Reinert (Recorder) INTRODUCTION OF NEW CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE 1. Mr. Ron Schirm welcomed everyone to the Cycling Advisory Committee and advised that the committee meets the second Tuesday of the month from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. and that every effort is made to start and finish on time. He went on to say that parking is available in the parking garage and parking passes are provided. Agendas and minutes are distributed at each meeting in the envelopes provided and committee members are asked to leave the envelopes for the next meeting. Binders are provided for new members. Normally, approval of the minutes takes place at the beginning of each meeting but in this instance, as there is no chair or vice-chair, Mr. Schirm would chair the meeting until such time as a chair is elected by the Committee. He then invited all committee members to introduce themselves and give a brief description of their interest in cycling and serving on this committee. After the introductions, Mr. Schirm commented that the Cycling Advisory Committee has only been in effect for two years and good work to promote safe and comfortable cycling has been accomplished during the duration including Council approval and adoption of the Cycling Master Plan in September 2010. ROLE OF ADVISORY COMMITTEES, PROCEDURES AND GOVERNANCE 2. Mr. Colin Goodeve, Committee Administrator, Planning and Strategic Initiatives Committee, made a presentation on the roles and relationships of an advisory committee to the members. He also thanked the Committee for their commitment as it is important work that is being done by the advisory committees. The role of an advisory committee is to advise and make recommendations to Council and City staff. The terms of reference describes the purpose and scope of the committee and its composition and reporting. The advisory committee reports through standing committees of Council. The Cycling Advisory Committee reports through the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee. Standing committees are comprised of all City councillors and either make recommendations to Council or direct the advisory committee to bring back further information to the standing committee. Council has the final say on all matters. The Code of Conduct is listed as Appendix A in the binder which also includes a F.A.Q. list for interaction with the media. If a member perceives that there is a conflict of interest on a subject, the member is to disclose this information for decision by the committee. A committee member is only authorized to speak to the media on behalf of the committee when directed to do so by the committee, otherwise the member is to indicate that they are speaking as a private citizen and not a representative of the committee. It is incumbent on a committee member to respect the due process, give fair consideration and demonstrate due diligence and professionalism at all times. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 2 CITY OF KITCHENER STATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW 3. Ms. Jenn Grein, Corporate Project Assistant, Chief Administrator’s Office, presented the City of Kitchener’s Strategic Plan Overview on behalf of Shelley Adams. Ms. Grein is the committee administrator for the Compass Kitchener Committee which reports directly to Council only. The Strategic Plan is a living and breathing document that is the road map for the City of Kitchener. The Strategic Plan Framework includes the Community Vision: “Together we build an innovative, caring and vibrant city with safe and thriving neighbourhoods.” Community priorities such as quality of life, leadership and engagement, diversity, dynamic downtown, development and environment; and the Foundation consisting of the People Plan, the Corporate Mission, and Efficient and Effective Government are all identified within the document. Through community public consultations including the Environics Survey, and extensive feedback received from citizens, Compass Kitchener developed “A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener“ which provides a single strategic approach and direction for delivering results in the three vital and interrelated priority areas of social vitality, environmental viability, and economic prosperity. ACTION: Mr. Ron Schirm to obtain copies of “A Plan for a Healthy Kitchener – Community Strategic Plan” for committee members. The People Plan was developed to support staff in the work that they do on behalf of citizens. It outlines the city’s workplace culture and identifies five specific priority areas and strategic direction for achieving further success including; A Culture of Learning, A Culture of Safety and Wellbeing, A Culture of Inclusion, A Culture of Appreciation and Fund, and A Culture of Community Stewardship to promote the Foundational Statement: “This is Where We Want to Work”. The corporate systems and the strategic directions form the foundation of Efficient and Effective Government within the strategic plan. ACTION: Ms. Jenn Grein to report back to the committee at a later date on the annual report and COMPASS Kitchener . ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (AODA) INFORMATION 4. Ms. Pamela Albrecht, Inclusion Services Co-ordinator, presented information on A.O.D.A. which affects all committees and working groups and distributed copies of the brochure “At Your Service” which has been provided to staff as a resource for accessibility. The A.O.D.A. legislation was passed in 2005 with the goal of increasing accessibility to citizens with disabilities by 2025. The five key areas of accessibility are: Customer Service (the only law in effect at this time), Information and Communication, Transportation, Built Environment and Employment. Policies, practices and procedures are located on the main page of the website entitled “Accessibility and Inclusion”. SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE 5. Mr. Ron Schirm explained that the chair and vice-chair represent the committee to the public and to the press. The role is to run the meeting in an efficient and effective manner. The previous chair, Mr. Tim Kenyon and vice-chair, Mr. Bart Forwell also sat on the Cycling Master Plan (C.M.P.) steering committee. The meeting agenda is set by the chair, vice-chair and committee administrator and all CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 3 SELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR OF THE COMMITTEE – cont’d committee members are encouraged to forward agenda items. Mr. Schirm opened the floor to nominations. Mr. Dennis Hilker nominated Mr. Tim Kenyon as chair; the nomination was seconded by Mr. Mike Arges. Mr. T. Kenyon accepted the nomination and was unanimously voted in as chair for a second term. Mr. Mike Arges nominated Mr. Bart Forwell as vice-chair; the nomination was seconded by Councillor Yvonne Fernandes. Mr. B. Forwell accepted the nomination and was unanimously voted in as vice- chair for a second term. Mr. Tim Kenyon spoke to the committee on what has been happening and wished to share some comments. Mr. T. Kenyon encourages public input with respect to cycling issues. He noted that committee members are “amateur experts,” with knowledge of local cycling concerns and sometimes knowledge about urban cycling issues more general – including the use of “state of the art” planning and engineering. He would like the committee to bring public experience and wishes forward along with sharing of expertise. While the committee has also organized and put on events, its primary mandate is to advise Council and give recommendations from amateur cyclists, expert cyclists and the public at large, and to volunteer information. This includes monitoring the implementation the C.M.P. and advising Council of the progress made in that regard. It is incumbent on this committee to run collegially and on an unrestrictive basis. The meetings are run in a fairly orderly fashion with everyone taking turns and entertaining one another’s opinion and open to constructive advice. Mr. Kenyon wants everyone to feel they are bringing something to the table. The committee is very fortunate to have support staff and to have had Councillor Gazzola for the past two years who started out with only limited knowledge and exposure to cycling, ultimately becoming an inspiring advocate for cycle commuting. . APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF NOVEMBER 9, 2010 6. That the minutes of the November 9, 2010 meeting be approved. Motioned by Mr. Steve Burek Seconded by Mr. Dennis Hilker It was noted that agenda setting is one week to ten days prior to next meeting date and agenda submissions are required prior to agenda setting. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 11, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 4 WORKING GROUPS 7. Mr. Steve Burek inquired whether the committee had reached its maximum membership because, if not, he would like to see youth representation. The committee is at its maximum at this time. Discussion took place on geographic make-up of the committee and most of the wards are represented except for Wards 1, 3, 5, and 6. Ms. Mary Sehl requested that the start time be pushed back a half hour as the present start time is too early and is difficult for her. Motion: That staff investigate the prospect of a meeting time change to accommodate new members. Motioned by: Mr. Mackenzie Turner Seconded by: Mr. Peter Dedes The next meeting will commence at 4:00 p.m. and the outcome of the staff investigation will be relayed at the next meeting. As an information item, a quorum is five members for a meeting. ADJOURNMENT 8. That the meeting be adjourned at 6:08 p.m. Mr. Peter Dedes Motioned by: Mr. Mackenzie Turner Seconded by: Ronald Schirm Committee Administrator