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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2011-09-08 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Mr. P. Doherty, Chair Councillors S. Davey and D. Glenn-Graham, Ms. K. Kwiatkowski, Ms. J. Cloutier, Ms. A. Polevoy, Ms. J. Metzger, Mr K. Euler, and Sgt. J. Stock. Staff: S. Weare, Strategic Initiatives Associate S. Adams, Director of Strategic Planning & Innovation L. Korabo, Committee Administrator 2011 FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBOURHOODS 1. Mr. J. MacDonald provided an overview of the Festival of Neighbourhoods initiative which has been ongoing since 1994. The Festival’s mission is to build healthy communities by encouraging citizens to come together in celebration of their neighbourhoods. Citizens are asked to plan events, projects, gatherings, etc. in their neighbourhood and register with the Festival in order to qualify for a $10,000. Capital Improvement Grant from the City of Kitchener. The grant as well as other awards is presented at the annual Festival Finale. He advised that, in the past, the Committee has sponsored the ‘Newcomer Award’ for a first-time registered event which takes the form of a $250. contribution to an event by the winning neighbourhood in the subsequent year. Mr. MacDonald advised that approximately 30 events have already been registered with the month of September being the most active in terms of upcoming events. In closing, Mr. MacDonald spoke of the annual Ward Challenge where the ward with the most registered events is declared the annual winner and the Ward Councillor receives suitable recognition. On motion by Ms. K. Kwiatkowski - It was resolved: “That the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee sponsor the 2011 ‘Newcomer Award’ at the annual Festival of Neighbourhood’s Finale.” Members of the Committee were invited to attend the Festival Finale on Sunday, October 23, 2011 in the Rotunda to present the Newcomer Award and to advise the Committee Administrator of their interest. PRESENTATION - CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED) 2. Ms. Lisa Thompson, Planning Technician, and Mr. Brian Page, Supervisor - Site Development, provided a presentation on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) which the City of Kitchener requires as part of its site plan approval process. The premise behind CPTED is that the proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in crime and the fear associated with crime that will lead to an improvement in the quality of life. CPTED is based on four main principles: Access control - design strategy directed at decreasing criminal opportunity by denying access to targets and creating a perception of risk to offences; Surveillance - design concept directed primarily at keeping potential offenders and their targets under observation; Territorial reinforcement - design attribute that can contribute to a sense of ownership and responsibility for a space which results in higher actual and perceived levels of risk to potential offenders; and, Maintenance - regular maintenance of property is a key factor in deterring crime. In addition to the principles noted above, the designated purpose of the space, the definition of the space and its physical design are all taken into consideration during the site plan approval process. CPTED is a proactive approach to crime prevention with the goal of reducing the number of crimes against property and people. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATION - CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN (CPTED) 2. (CONT’D) In addition to requiring the use of CPTED by the local development industry wherein developers must submit a report showing how CPTED principles have been incorporated into the design of the project, the City of Kitchener established a committee comprised of trained staff to address problems identified at city facilities and properties. To continue moving forward, staff will work to expand partnerships and look at requiring the use of CPTED principles for subdivision approvals as well as investigating the feasibility of establishing a grant program to assist with costs. In closing, it was noted that the 2011 CPTED Ontario Conference entitled ‘Building Strong Communities’ is being held at the Walper Hotel on October 17, 2011. Members have been circulated with conference information and are encouraged to attend. SAFE NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY 3. Ms. S. Weare introduced the development of a Safe Neighbourhood Strategy to put in place an integrated and coordinated approach to a safe and healthy community, as listed in the Committee’s 2011-2012 work plan. The model to be used is the ‘Key to Safer Municipalities’ toolkit developed as a proactive method of crime prevention by engaging multiple community partners. The Strategy’s development will evolve over a period of time with the initial phase being to provide leadership and vision to the process. It was suggested that the Committee have a discussion at its next meeting covering what initiatives / policies are already ongoing and in place that contribute to community safety and crime prevention and outlining a framework to begin the process (i.e. mission statement, best practices, etc.). Once this has been outlined, it is then proposed that a Steering Committee comprised of members of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee as well as community agencies be established to lead the planning of a Safe Neighbourhood Strategy. Several members of the Committee expressed an interest in serving on the Steering Committee once it is established. COMMITTEE COMPOSITION 4. The Committee was circulated with an application for appointment to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for the current term, ending November 30, 2012. It was noted that this applicant would be a candidate for the vacant land use planning representative. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - It was resolved: “That Zoe Naugler be appointed to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee (land use planning representative) for a term ending November 30, 2012.” PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES 5. The Committee was advised of a two-day event that will be held in October highlighting the concept of ‘placemaking’ which refers to the process of bringing communities together to make public spaces more usable and friendly. The event has tentatively been named ‘Project for Public Spaces’. A placemaking presentation by Cynthia Nikitin, Project for Public Spaces, will be held on October 20, 2011 at the School of Architecture and is open to the public. A more hands-on workshop is scheduled for October 21 and will cover topics such as conducting safety audits. All Committee members were invited to attend these events. Ms. J. Metzger stated that official partnerships to sponsor the event are being sought and a budget is being developed. She advised that the budget is mainly to pay for the speaker’s honorarium, accommodation and transportation costs but will also pay for facility rentals, refreshments, supplies, etc. A preliminary budget figure of $6,000. is being proposed but will be finalized in the coming weeks. Community partners are being sought to pay all costs thereby allowing the event to be free to the public. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER PROJECT FOR PUBLIC SPACES (CONT’D) 5. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham spoke of supporting the event in principle but requested more details. Ms. Metzger advised the Crime Prevention Council is contributing funding and some area municipalities have agreed to contribute as well while others are still investigating the possibility. Ms. K. Kwiatkowski inquired what funds would be available in the Committee’s budget to put towards the event and suggested this information be provided at the October meeting when a final decision could be rendered. Ms. J. Metzger agreed to provide a finalized budget on the event for the Committee’s information and Ms. S. Adams agreed to provide an overview of the Committee’s current budget at the October meeting. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - It was resolved: “That approval be given, in principle, to the allocation of $1,000. from the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee capital budget for purposes of sponsoring the ‘Project for Public Spaces’ event scheduled for October 20-21, 2011, subject to a final event budget and information on the Committee’s budget capacity being reviewed at the October 6, 2011 Committee meeting.” ANNUAL TOWN & GOWN 6. Ms. S. Adams advised of an email request received from Mr. S. Turner, Director of By-law th Enforcement, for a contribution to offset costs related to the 5 Annual Kitchener / Conestoga College Town and Gown Committee’s Neighbourhood / Students Welcome Barbecue. The purpose of this event is to bring together the residents of the Lower Doon area with students attending the Doon Campus of Conestoga College. It was noted that the Committee has contributed funds in past years. Several members expressed concern with the informal manner of the grant request and questioned if there were other contributing partners. In addition, a concern was raised with making a contribution benefiting only one neighbourhood in the community rather than towards an event that is open to all citizens. On motion by Councillor D. Glenn-Graham - It was resolved: th “That a $500. contribution to offset costs related to the 5 Annual Kitchener / Conestoga College Town and Gown Committee’s Neighbourhood / Students Welcome Barbecue be approved.” Ms. S. Adams agreed to pass along the Committee’s concerns regarding the manner of the request to Mr. S. Turner. YOUTH ACTIVITY / PANHANDLING - CIVIC SQUARE 7. Ms. S. Adams advised that she had been contacted by the franchise owners of Williams Fresh Café regarding youth congregating in the public areas around their restaurant. Staff looked at the issue and determined that there is no noticeable escalation in youth activity from the past. She noted that large groups can be intimidating to citizens and the perception of danger or criminal activity can be an unavoidable result. Ms. Adams further noted that a meeting will be scheduled involving community members who have authority and resources to possibly provide meaningful activity for these young members of our community. The Committee will be kept apprised of any outcomes in this area. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 8, 2011 - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 8. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:10 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator