HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2012-01-16 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 16, 2012 CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 2:03 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with all
members present. Councillors P. Singh, D. Glenn-Graham, F. Etherington and J. Gazzola were in
attendance for part of the meeting.
Notice of this meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk pursuant
to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
Moved by Councillor K. Galloway
Seconded by Councillor Y. Fernandes
"That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held this date to consider alitigation /potential
litigation matter; a labour relations matters and two land acquisition /disposition matters; and
further,
That an in-camera meeting for educational purposes, as provided for in Section 239 (3.1) of the
Municipal Act, as amended, be held this date at 151 Charles Street West."
Carried.
Ms. L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services, provided background information on
the City's Youth Services Strategy.
Councillors D. Glenn-Graham and P. Singh entered the meeting.
Ms. Palubeski advised that the Strategy contains various recommendations with focus on youth
engagement and to that end four youth have been hired by the City as the Youth Engagement Project
Team. Ms. Palubeski explained that the Team will work in partnership with staff in various divisions
as a resource to assist in developing ways to engage youth resulting in better communication and
services.
Ms. Rachel Gordon and Ms. Bojana Savic, representatives of the Youth Engagement Project Team,
advised that the Team's work plan will be in three phases: training with respect to the City and staff
procedures; information gathering through meetings and focus groups; and, providing resources to
staff through training and tools based on needs.
Councillor F. Etherington entered the meeting.
In answer to questions from members of Council, Mss. Gordon and Savic advised that although they
have received strong support from the City for the project, one challenge will be breaking down the
stereotype of youth and making everyone understand that youth do have an important role to play.
They added that the project will offer ways that members of Council can incorporate youth in decision
making and political participation and develop better interaction between staff and youth. It is also
anticipated that better relationships will be developed with the school boards and other community
groups.
Council was then asked to provide words that describe the present relationship with youth and what
they hope will be a future relationship. The following is a summary of the answers:
• Open to input from youth and excited about more involvement;
• Encouraged and optimistic;
• Listen to youth;
• Trusting youth and hoping they will challenge Council;
• More interaction between Council and youth;
• Reaching out to the disadvantaged youth; and,
• Attending more meetings with youth.
Council was then asked what they need to make interaction with youth more positive.
• Knowledge on how to engage/interact with youth in order to get them excited about their
involvement;
• Breaking down communication barriers;
• Need help from youth in order for Council to help them;
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JANUARY 16, 2012 - 3- CITY OF KITCHENER
• Input to better understand youth issues and interests;
• Opportunities for informal interaction between youth and decision-makers;
• More promotion from school boards regarding interaction with city hall;
• Need to get youth to speak up; and,
• More civic education in the school system.
Councillor J. Gazzola entered the meeting.
Council was then asked how they have been interacting with youth and what works and doesn't work.
• Through regular communications and newsletters;
• During election made an effort to involve youth in discussion and on the election team;
• Through social media and sports;
• Try to have events with youth;
• Participating in school sessions;
• A challenge is those who want to be involved are too busy;
• At events where youth are present doesn't always allow discussion to take place;
• School class held a mock council meeting to better understand the process;
• Regular community centre discussions;
• Bring kids to work program; and,
• Like to hear from youth on what they can do.
Mayor C. Zehr thanked Mss. Gordon and Savic for providing information and he looked forward to
working with the Team on better engagement with youth in the future.
On motion the meeting adjourned at 2:48 p.m.
MAYOR CLERK