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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-04-12 CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 12, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Cycling Advisory Committee met on this date commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Messrs. M. Arges, S. Burek, D. Class, P. Dedes, D. Hilker, T. Kenyon (Chair), M. Turner, Councillor Y. Fernandes and Mss. J. Tomero and M. Sehl Staff: Messrs. R. Schirm (Committee Administrator), P. Wetherup, John Hill, RMOW TDM Coordinator, Andrea Bailey, Communications and Marketing Regrets: B. Forwell (Vice-Chair), N. Mehés, APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF March 8, 2011 1. That the minutes of the March 8, 2011 meeting be approved. Motioned by: Mr. M. Turner Seconded by: Mr. S. Burek SOCIAL MEDIA 2. Ms. Andrea Bailey, Manager of Communications and Marketing was present to discuss the City of Kitchener social media policy and initiatives. The Communications and Marketing Division oversees all social media for the City. Policies related to social media were developed approximately one year ago. The Policy states that the city operate one corporate Facebook account, to ensure consistent and accurate messaging, as well as timely responses to questions and comments. Given the committee is affiliated with the city, the social media policy is applicable. Individual committees or work groups within the organization are discouraged from operating their own social media sites. City social media sites are primarily used to promote events and are intended to be neutral. Ms. Bailey indicated that the City has a Facebook site that currently has in excess of 1600 followers. The City site offers a consistent voice and style. All posts would need to be submitted to Ms. Bailey in order to be posted. Staff from Communications and Marketing monitor and maintain the site. The Committee discussed options with Ms. Bailey in this regard. The corporate Facebook page is not intended for discussion and discourse in as much as it is used for information only. The Committee discussed options in light of this information. Messers. P.Dedes, T. Kenyon and R. Schirm will follow up. Ms. Bailey left the meeting. OUTREACH ACTIVITIES 3. Project Management Institute (PMI) - Canada's Technology Triangle Chapter,Director of Community Affairs, Mr. Dave Bright met with Messrs. T. Kenyon and R. Schirm to discuss possible involvement of the PMI with CAC projects. Mr. Kenyon reported that the PMI has considerable personnel resources and expertise and is interested in community service initiatives. In particular, the development of a local cycling website was discussed at length. Mr. Bright has already secured a few domains that are applicable for this purpose and begun developing a prototype website that would include links to other cycling related sites, information and an educational component. Mr. Kenyon indicated that he feels this has the potential of becoming a very worthwhile partnership will continue to work with Mr. Bright and report back to the Committee. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 12, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 2 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES (con’t) 3. Councillor Fernandes reported that she had contacted Mr Brent Ellis from the Waterloo Cycling Club about possible initiatives that could be developed between the club and the CAC. Mr. Schirm stated that he would invite Mr. Ellis to the May 10th meeting. ACTION: Mr. R. Schirm to contact Waterloo Cycling Club to attend May meeting. Councillor Fernandes further reported that she is involved with a project that is a partnership between the City of Waterloo and Kitchener, Called “Square2square,” the project will see King Street closed to vehicular traffic between the Waterloo Public Square and Kitchener Civic Square on four Sundays throughout the summer. On street activities will be developed in order to promote the idea that streets are for everyone, not just cars. This type of event has been very successful in many cities throughout the world, including Toronto and London Ontario. The Committee discussed possible involvement by the CAC in this event. This will be further discussed as subsequent meetings. COMMUNICATIONS TO COUNCIL 4. In light of the outcome of the 2011 Budget discussion regarding a strategy for a communication to Council was discussed. The Committee determined that the letter to Council, written by Mr. T. Kenyon and circulated prior to the meeting to Committee members was to be delivered to all Councillors immediately. A few final revisions were discussed and added to the draft letter. Mr. R. Schirm indicated that he would be circulating the letter to all members of Council as soon as possible following the meeting. Motion: That the Letter to Council with final revisions, written by Mr. T. Kenyon, be submitted to all members of Council as soon as possible. Motioned by: Mr. M. Arges Seconded by: Mr. D. Hilker The Committee then discussed the development of a presentation to Council. Mr. Schirm stated that after having discussed this with senior staff, the most effective date for presentation would be on May 30th to the Infrastructure Services Committee as there will be a related staff report presented at the same meeting. Staff was directed to report to Council on staffing within the Transportation Planning section, specifically in regards to cycling, Transportation Demand Management, and the Parking Enterprise. Decisions in all areas moving forward will likely be made then and input by the Committee would be valuable. Discussion took place on the development of the presentation. Mr. D. Class stated that a powerpoint presentation would be effective and would be willing to work on one. Mr. Schirm replied that power point or video presentations can be easily accommodated in Council Chambers. Mr. Schirm stated that the Committee needs to determine what the message is it wants to make and develop the content based on that first. Mr. M. Turner suggested that the Committee develop the presentation via email between Committee members. There was general agreement on moving forward in this way. ACTION: All Committee members to begin work on presentation to Council. CYCLING ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 12, 2011 - - CITY OF KITCHENER 3 COMMITTEE ACTION PRIORITIES EXERCISE 4. Mr. John Hill entered the meeting. Mr. Hill, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator with the Region of Waterloo, assisted the Committee in 2009 in the exercise of determining priorities for the next year. He was on hand again to assist the Committee in moving forward. His notes are attached to the minutes. GREAT COMMUTER RACE 5. The Commuter Challenge is being held from June 5 – 11 this year. In 2010 the Commuter Race was held on the Tuesday morning of the Commuter Challenge and it was felt that Tuesday, June 7th would be the most appropriate date. The potential route was discussed. Mr. R. Schirm stated that considerations for the route for 2011 should include that everyone participating should be seen in a positive light, that the route length last year was optimal, and that the starting point should be a highly visible location. Mr. T. Kenyon suggested using the Highland Hills Mall as it is a transit hub and the Henry Sturm Greenway trail could be used all the way to Victoria Park. The route length is also very similar to 2010. Mr. Schirm has already contacted Mr. Mark Gallas, who prepared the video of last year’s race, and Mr. Gallas is willing to produce another video this year. Mr. Schirm further stated that now that the date has been set, he will contact potential celebrity participants. Mr. Schirm has also already received confirmation from Mr. N. Mehés that Heffner Lexus Toyota will provide a hybrid vehicle for the race as well. ACTION: All Committee members to consider route for next meeting. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion of Mr. P. Dedes, seconded by Mr. D. Hilker, meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m. Ronald Schirm Committee Administrator