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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-06-02 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 2, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Ms. D. Ahluwalia, Chair Ms. K. Kwiatkowski and Messrs. P. Doherty, K. Euler and Supt. A. Darmon. Staff: S. Weare, Strategic Initiatives Associate L. Korabo, Committee Administrator J. Metzger, Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council (WRCPC) J. Cloutier, MSW Placement Student, WRCPC SQUARE 2 SQUARE INITIATIVE 1. Mr. J. Young, Manager, Special Events, circulated an overview of the Square 2 Square initiative being a pilot event opening King Street to pedestrians and cyclists between Civic Square and Waterloo Square from 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on designated Sundays. This new initiative, being held in conjunction with the City of Waterloo, advocates ‘car free Sundays’ and encourages community through family-friendly programming. th The initial Kitchener event is scheduled for Sunday, July 17 and will close King Street to all traffic between Gaukel and Victoria Streets, and allow 1 lane of traffic between Victoria and Union Street maintaining access to Grand River Hospital. Waterloo Council has approved four events (1 per month) between June and September, however, Kitchener Council requested more lead time prior to the first event. Therefore, July th 17 has been selected and staff is requested to report back to Council on the event’s success allowing Council to determine if future dates will be scheduled. Waterloo Regional Police has been involved with planning events in both municipalities and will be requesting officers for paid-duty overtime to assist with pedestrian and vehicular safety. Central Division will be involved with the Kitchener event, North Division with the Waterloo events. Ms. S. Weare noted the Committee’s role in community safety and highlighted the positive impact of community events in the overall perception of safe environments. Mr. Young advised that a Special Events Strategic Plan is currently being developed and will identify a ‘Top 10’ events list for staff to work on over the next three years. He noted that one area of focus is holding events / festivals during traditional ‘off times’. Ms. Weare questioned what is being done to build the capacity of community groups to host their own events and was advised that Special Events staff work with groups on efforts to become self-sustaining by assisting with event launches, then working closely with organizers to grow events through marketing, partnerships, etc. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY 2. Mr. C. Bluhm, Manager of Downtown Development, reviewed the Discussion Paper associated with the City’s Economic Development Strategy 2011-2015, as recently presented to Council. Mr. Bluhm advised that the 2011-2015 Strategy being developed is the third consecutive strategy, each of which has made a significant impact. The first strategy developed in 2002 was the result of the Corporation’s decision to focus on the Downtown. The Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF) was a result of this decision and a shift in philosophy away from a manufacturing base to a technology / knowledge-based economy. The second Strategy focused on investing in the Downtown, resulting in development of the School of Pharmacy and a growing pharmaceutical industry. This Strategy was also a catalyst for creating spin-off jobs as demonstrated by the establishment of the digital media hub where the City partnered with Communitech to build a small business incubator at The Tannery. Currently 28 start-ups are located at the hub and as these companies expand and move out of the incubator, it is hoped they will remain in Kitchener. The new Strategy currently being developed will be focused on how to bring the economy to the next level and make it the healthiest it can be, region wide. The Discussion Paper circulated to the Committee is being used to engage community groups and business leaders for feedback and input on how to move the economy forward over the SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 2, 2011 - 15 - CITY OF KITCHENER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY (CONT’D) 2. next four years. The 2011-2015 Strategy will be about the economy as a whole, with specific issues to be addressed in future. After the development of the Economic Development Strategy, a Downtown Strategic Plan will be developed which will include a safety component. The proposed 2011-2015 Strategy has three themes, being: an innovative economy; a cool, dynamic downtown; and, an inventive approach. A total of 9 goals are tied to these themes. Mr. Bluhm noted that consultations with the business community will occur over the next 2-3 months with a view to finalizing the Strategic Plan in September 2011. In response to a Committee question concerning the inclusion of multiculturism, Mr. Bluhm acknowledged that immigration will provide the largest source of growth in 10-20 years, filling jobs being vacated by an aging boomer population. He noted that this area is a definite growth opportunity but specific plans / goals to incorporate this potential have not been included in the Strategy at this time. Mr. Bluhm advised that Economic Development staff is working with the Waterloo Region Immigrant Employment Network (WRIEN) which helps integrate new Canadians into our economy Additional comments put forward by the Committee included ensuring that the community’s excellent health care / follow-up system is highlighted under ‘Goal 4: Talented workers locate here’ in the Innovative Economy theme. As well, with respect to ‘Goal 6: Residential market is the hottest in the region’ in the Cool, Dynamic Downtown theme, thought be given to having high quality rental accommodations available for prospective Downtown residents who do not wish to purchase a condominium. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPORT 3. As Mr. M. Garner, DAC representative, could not attend today’s meeting, his email summary of the previous Downtown Advisory Committee meeting was read by the Committee Administrator. Mr. Garner noted discussions on the following topics: Economic Development Strategy; changes to the Sign By-law; and, Rapid Transit. JANE’S WALK - EVENT SUMMARY 4. th Ms. S. Weare advised that the local Jane’s Walk, held on May 7, was very successful and had between 45 and 65 participants at varying stages along the walk. Feedback received from participants was excellent, noting this event was educational and also had a community building aspect to it. Requests for more specific information on certain areas will be taken into consideration if future events are planned. It was recommended that the Walk be held again in 2012; however, a request was made to get information / messaging out sooner using as many forms of media as possible. COMMITTEE COMPOSITION 5. Ms. J. Cloutier left the meeting as her application to be appointed to the Committee would be considered at this time. The Committee was circulated with two applications for appointment to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for the current term, ending November 30, 2012. Ms. S. Weare reviewed current vacancies on the Committee in the following areas: community-at-large; inner city; suburban, law enforcement; land use planning; business; and , social planning. On motion by Mr. P. Doherty - it was resolved: “That Aimee Polevoy be appointed to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee (Inner City representative) for a term ending November 30, 2012.” SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 2, 2011 - 16 - CITY OF KITCHENER COMMITTEE COMPOSITION (CONT’D) 5. On motion by Ms. K. Kwiatkowski - it was resolved: “That Jacinda Cloutier be appointed to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee (at large representative) for a term ending November 30, 2012.” Ms. K. Kwiatkowski requesting discussion on a suggestion made previously to add a representative of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council as a permanent member of the Committee, similar to the member status of Waterloo Regional Police Services. In response to questions concerning adding members at this time, Ms. S. Weare advised that it was the intent of the Committee’s first few months to determine an appropriate course of action and the best representatives at the table to carry out the Committee’s mandate. Ms. Weare advised that she would speak with Ms. S. Adams concerning the approach to be taken to fill the remaining vacancies and report back to the Committee. Members were asked to consider possible candidates for all current vacancies. On motion by Mr. K. Euler - it was resolved: “That Council Policy I-125 (Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference), be amended, to add a representative of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council as a permanent member of the Committee.” Ms. D. Ahluwalia raised the matter of a Committee member who has not been at any meetings and questioned how to have this position filled by another, more engaged individual. The Committee Administrator advised members on the Terms of Reference clause referring to attendance and stated that she would speak with the City Clerk about this member’s attendance. Committee members agreed with this direction and requested that they be kept advised. NEW BUSINESS 6. st Members requested that the September 1 meeting date be moved to the second Thursday of the month, being September 8, 2011. The Committee Administrator will determine room availability and change the meeting date if possible. ADJOURNMENT 7. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator