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Home My WebLink AboutCSD-11-026 - Neighbourhood Affiliation Renewal - 2011REPORT TO:Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 7, 2011 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services (ext 2687) PREPARED BY: Debbie Campbell, Manager, Community Resource Centres (ext 3382) WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: January 24, 2011 REPORT NO.: CSD-11-026 SUBJECT: NEIGHBOURHOOD AFFILIATION RENEWAL - 2011 RECOMMENDATION: That the list of Neighbourhood Associations attached to Community Services Department report CSD-11-026, dated January 24, 2011, be approved for affiliation with the City of Kitchener for 2011. BACKGROUND: In July 2002, Kitchener City Council approved the introduction of an Affiliation Policy for Kitchener Neighbourhood Associations (NAs). This policy and approval/ renewal process was developed in collaboration with staff and NA representatives. Its purpose is to ensure that NA groups on the official list receive access to City of Kitchener supports and resources. As well, the policy clarifies the role and responsibilities of the NAs and the City. As outlined in the policy, NAs will: Be a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group based in a geographic neighbourhood within the borders of the City of Kitchener. Be inclusive of and responsive to the needs of the community within the specific geographic area defined by the group. Be open to the public and make this known through communication to the residents of that neighbourhood, by at a minimum, publishing a contact number or through other means such as a newsletter. Have some level of activity with, at minimum, a contact person. Have some structure for accountability. The City of Kitchener provides Affiliated Neighbourhood Associations: coverage by a commercial General Liability Insurance Policy provided through the Waterloo Region Municipalities Insurance Pool access to facilities, program grants, staff assistance and printing for newsletters, minutes and flyers (subject to guidelines and budgetary availability) í ó ï REPORT: Annually, the affiliation of Neighbourhood Associations is renewed for the following reasons: To ensure that NAs on the list are active and continue to meet the criteria for an affiliated NA; To ensure that the contact information for affiliated NAs is current; and To obtain permission to release contact information to the public and staff. Twenty – nine Neighbourhood Associations are being recommended for affiliation renewal for 2011, as in 2010. Volunteers from these Associations contribute countless hours to enhance the quality of life in their neighbourhoods through the planning and implementation of recreational programming in Community Centres, schools and churches across the City; offering special event programming which reflects resident interests and celebrates significant milestones; and responding to neighbourhood issues in areas such as planning, heritage, safety and social needs. Collaborations of neighbourhood associations, such as Mill Courtland, Highland Stirling and Cedar Hills, and Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance, are occurring as Associations recognize and respond to opportunities to work together to achieve mutual goals. Please find attached a list of twenty-nine active NAs who are being recommended for a one year renewal of their affiliation with the City of Kitchener. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The City of Kitchener has a rich history of citizen involvement and volunteerism. The emergence of Neighbourhood Associations began as early as 1953, and since that time more than 35 neighbourhoods have benefitted from the involvement of resident volunteers who have initiated events and activities and responded to local needs. Cumulatively, these Neighbourhood Associations have been active and contributed more than 739 years of service. Collectively, Neighbourhood Associations have contributed to the community vision of building an innovative, caring and vibrant Kitchener with safe and thriving neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood Associations contribute to quality of life of City of Kitchener residents through provision of programming, special events and engagement in issues of importance to neighbourhood residents. Moreover, Neighbourhood Associations promote neighbourhood- based opportunities for leadership and community engagement. Neighbourhood Associations support the creation of a culture of safety through social development and through increasing the capacity of residents to discuss, define and address their shared concerns. The diversity of neighbourhoods is reflected in the variety of community-based programs, services and initiatives undertaken annually by Neighbourhood Associations. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are currently no financial implications; however, as the population of the City of Kitchener increases and new neighbourhoods develop, the current funding and support available to NAs may need to be reassessed to maintain the vibrancy of Kitchener neighbourhoods. í ó î COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Staff has consulted with Neighbourhood Associations in regard to the affiliation renewal process. Moving forward, Community Programs and Services staff will inform current NAs about their affiliation status. Information and collaboration will occur as appropriate with emerging neighbourhood groups in regard to the process for affiliation. The updated affiliation list for 2011 will be shared with internal divisions such as Information Technology, Clerk’s, and Communications to maintain updated information for access by the public, Council and staff. CONCLUSION: Neighbourhood Associations play a unique role in the well-being and vitality of the City of Kitchener. The affiliation process ensures the clarity of roles and responsibilities for both affiliated Neighbourhood Associations and the City of Kitchener. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Deputy CAO, Community Services í ó í COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES Neighbourhood Associations and Ward Councillors WardWard Councillor Neighbourhood Association Bridgeport Community Association WARD ONE Scott Davey Stanley Park Community Association Centreville-Chicopee Community Association WARD TWO Berry Vrbanovic Stanley Park Community Association Deer Ridge Estates Social Club WARD THREE John Gazzola Grand Hill Village Neighbourhood Association Kingsdale Neighbourhood Association Pinegrove Community Association Settler’s Grove Association Caryndale Neighbourhood Association WARD FOUR Yvonne Fernandes Doon Pioneer Park Community Association Lower Doon Neighbourhood Association Williamsburg Community Association WARD FIVE Kelly Galloway Alpine Neighbourhood Association WARD SIX Paul Singh Chandler-Mowat Neighbourhood Association Country Hills Recreation Association Forest Heights Community Association WARD SEVEN Bill Ioannidis Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association WARD EIGHT Zyg Janecki Forest Heights Community Association Greenbelt Neighbourhood Association Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Association Westmount Neighbourhood Association Cedar Hill Community Group WARD NINE Frank Etherington Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association Highland-Stirling Community Group Mill-Courtland Neighbourhood Association Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance (VPNA) Auditorium Neighbourhood Association WARD TEN Daniel Glenn-Graham Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association Mt-Hope Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association Olde Berlin Towne Neighbourhood Association Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance Mayor: Carl Zehr CP&S\District Facilitator Folder\Ward-Councillor-NA January 2011 í ó ì