HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHCAC - 2012-10-04 - Future DirectionDate:September 25, 2012
To:Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee
From:J. Willmer, CAO
cc:S. Weare
Subject:Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee – Future Direction
I would like to make use of the October meeting of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory
Committee (S&HCAC) to have an open discussion with committee members about a possible
different future for the committee.
Recently questions have arisen about whether the S&HCAC is still as relevant as it was, and
whether the outcomes of the Committee’s work are adding sufficient value to justify the
resources being invested in it. This comes about as part of our organization’s ongoing search
for efficiencies, and renewed focus on core services.
There is no doubt that the subject matter of concern to S&HCAC is also of importance to the
community, City Council and to the City administration. However, there are questions about
jurisdiction, as the Region is responsible for police, social services and public health.
Furthermore, the City’s work in community safety and security -- including by-law enforcement,
security services, and programs and services based in community centres and recreation
facilities – as well as City Council’s decision-making in these areas, do not typically rely on the
advisory function of S&HCAC.
In order to focus the October 4 discussion, I am suggesting we consider the following options:
1. Focus on health rather than safety;
2. Merge with another existing advisory committee;
3. Business as usual; or,
4. Discontinue altogether.
The Committee’s current approved Terms of Reference is attached for your information.
Thank you for giving consideration to this issue in advance of the October committee meeting.
J. Willmer
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COUNCIL POLICY RESOLUTION
POLICY NUMBER: I-125 DATE: MAY 27, 2002
AMENDED: SEPTEMBER 20, 2004
AMENDED: AUGUST 24, 2009
AMENDED: JUNE 27, 2011
POLICY TYPE: BOARD & COMMITTEE
SUBJECT: SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE -
TERMS OF REFERENCE
POLICY CONTENT:
1. Purpose and Scope
The Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee advises Council and
Staff on policies, programs & services offered directly by or in conjunction
with the City of Kitchener that relate to the health of the city with a focus on
community safety and crime prevention.
Specifically, the Committee is to consider and advise on the municipality’s
role in community safety and crime prevention initiatives. Recognizing that
community safety and crime prevention is a collective responsibility, the
Committee will emphasize partnership and collaboration.
2. Committee Composition and Reporting
The composition of the committee will be:
a) 1 member of Council
b) 2-3 Members of the community-at-large
c) 1 Inner City Resident
(lives in Ward 1 or Ward 6 and in one of the following
neighbourhoods: Downtown, Cedar Hill, Mill-Courtland, Woodside
Park, Victoria Park, King East, Central Frederick, Mount Hope-
Breithaupt or Civic Centre.)
d) 1 Suburban Resident
(any resident of the City living in any other neighbourhood / planning
community, other than the ones listed above)
e) Representatives from each of the following sectors:
i) law enforcement;
ii) social services;
KITCHENERPage 1 of 3 JUNE 2011
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POLICY NUMBER: I-125
SUBJECT: SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE -
TERMS OF REFERENCE
2. Committee Composition and Reporting – (Cont’d)
iii) sports / recreation;
iv) education;
vi) social planning;
vii) land use planning; and,
viii) business
f) 1 Representative of the Downtown Advisory Committee
g) 1 Representative of the Waterloo Regional Police Service.
h) 1 Representative of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council
In filling the community-at-large positions, Council shall endeavour to include
representation from people who have related experience in community
involvement and reflect the broad diversity of the community.
Members are expected to share information with and gather input from the
constituent groups they represent, as appropriate and/or requested by the
Advisory Committee.
Members will be appointed for a term of two years ending November 30. A
member of City Council will be appointed. The Committee shall, from
amongst its members, choose a Chair and Vice-Chair. A member of Council
may sit as either Chair or Vice-Chair. Chairs and Vice-Chairs share in the
development of agendas and other duties and will alternately chair meetings.
Meetings will be held monthly or at the call of the Chair and minutes will be
kept by the committee administrator who will distribute the minutes to all of
Council and Corporate Management Team Members. All meetings shall be
conducted in accordance with Council’s Procedural By-law.
The Committee shall report to the Community Services Committee unless the
Chair / Vice-Chair deem it expedient that a report be made directly to Council.
Should the Committee feel a sub-committee is required to deal with specific
issues, such sub-committee shall be ad hoc in nature, with specific, clearly
articulated mandate. All sub-committees shall be reviewed annually to
determine whether they need to continue. Membership on sub-committees
may be expanded to include people who are not advisory committee
members, to take advantage of individual expertise.
Consistent and continuous attendance and participation of all members in
meetings is key. In the event of two consecutive, unexplained absences, the
Chair and / or Vice-chair will contact members to confirm interest in
participation at the advisory committee level.
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POLICY NUMBER: I-125
SUBJECT: SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE -
TERMS OF REFERENCE
3. Quorum
A quorum of this Committee is 5 members.
4. Responsibilities
a) Act as a forum (through the Committees and its sub-committees) for
developing working partnerships between citizens, the community,
government, local agencies and organisations, business, and police
services.
b) Encourage open and inclusive discussion from all members and will
support a safe environment to share opinions.
c) Advise City Council, or the appropriate Standing Committee of Council,
on policies and/or strategies that enhance and maintain a healthy
community. Specifically, provide direction to the development and/or
strengthening of municipal policies, programs and services relating to
community safety and crime prevention.
d) Review local issues, propose committee priorities and develop1- 2 year
work plans based upon the identified priorities of the Committee and
submit same to Council for feedback prior to implementation. In some
cases, it may be appropriate to refer to other standing and advisory
committees, community groups or staff for action or to establish working
groups/sub-committees to address specific issues.
e) Hear delegations and provide a forum for community members and/or
groups to raise issues of concern related to the committee’s mandate.
f) Advise staff (as requested) on related matters in the budgetary planning.
g) Liaise with national, provincial and regional groups and committees as
appropriate, as well as other Ontario municipalities with respect to
research and initiatives related to broad community capacity building.
h) Prepare and present, in co-operation with staff, annual progressupdates
to the Community Services Committee and Council, including
recommendations on priority issues identified by the Committeeand/or
community concerns brought to the Committee by Council, community
members or groups.
i) Conduct a review of the Terms of Reference once every term of Council
and submit any changes thereto to Council for ratification.
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