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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-07SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2012 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, D. Glenn-Graham and P. Singh, Ms. J. Metzger, Ms. K. Kwiatkowski and Mr. K. Euler Others Present: Ms. K. Doherty-Masters Staff:Ms. S. Weare, Strategic Initiatives Associate Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROJECT TEAM - FINAL REPORT 1. Ms. M. Pender, Youth Coordinator, advised the Youth Engagement Project Team (YEPT) is completing its mandate and is reporting back to the Committee as a condition of its 2010 project funding. The YEPT has worked in partnership with and under the supervision of staff to implement the recommendations of the Youth Services Strategy and develop resources for staff to increase youth engagement and leadership opportunities available through the City. Ms. Pender introduced members of the YEPT – Rachel Gordon, Bojana Savic and Hayley Press. Members of the YEPT presented an overview of the project which was rolled out in three phases: • Phase 1 – training of YEPT members in how the Corporation of The City of Kitchener functions, learning about youth engagement practices and receiving facilitation training; • Phase 2 – holding focus groups across the corporation to gather information on how staff currently interfaces with youth; and, • Phase 3 – reviewing all input received and developing deliverables for staff to use moving forward. The YEPT listed some emerging themes from the focus groups: • Communication barriers to reaching youth were identified by both staff and youth; • School board can be a key access to reaching out and improving communications and should be better utilized by staff; • Staff cares about having a positive relationship with youth - this need to be continued; • Staff would like more training on how to interact with youth - this will be addressed in the workshop YEPT is developing for staff; • Negative perceptions of some youth exist and must be overcome; and, • If management is supportive of youth engagement, this is positively reflected by staff teams. Following the conclusion of focus groups, the YEPT reviewed feedback and discussed the best approach moving forward. It was decided that development of a workshop to assist staff to reconnect with their youthful selves and teach how to be a confident adult ally would be the best deliverable to implement. Additionally, youth drop-in programs for ages 12-17 held at community centres were reviewed and program ideas provided to staff. Youth Services staff will review all of information gathered / developed and determine what can be integrated into their program delivery. YEPT acknowledged the assistance of the Centre for Excellence in Youth Engagement (CEYE) in providing advice and guidance with facilitation skills and advanced research on best practices in youth engagement in Canada. The CEYE conducted a study on what a youth / adult partnership looks like and identified that: all actions in this partnership are intentional and meaningful; shared decision-making is essential; and, using the strengths of each member produces the best benefit for all. Key components in ensuring the success of a youth / adult partnership are: making time for fun; getting to know members well including strengths and weaknesses; scheduling teambuilding activities; holding regular meetings to ensure deadlines are met; working as a team to overcome problems; and, celebrating successes. Challenges included: power imbalances; and the lack of clear role definition. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2012 - 15 - CITY OF KITCHENER YOUTH ENGAGEMENT PROJECT TEAM - FINAL REPORT (CONT’D) 1. Committee members thanked the YEPT for an enthusiastic and informative presentation on experiences and results. In response to questions regarding next steps, Ms. Pender noted staff is committed to continuing with the work begun by the Team despite a lack of available funds. She further advised that significant changes for Youth Services may be on the horizon as staff has gleaned much valuable insight into a possible role that may be developed which is more involved and significant than the current one. ANIMATE THE TRAIL EVENT 2. As a follow-up to the May meeting presentation regarding the inaugural ‘Animate the Trail Event’ and funding approval in the amount of $2,000., Councillor D. Glenn-Graham reported that the event held on May 27, 2012 was a success. He noted approximately 2,000 people attended along the trail and included citizens who had not used the trail previously. There was great response to the performers and vendors and no negative issues arose. Organizers have brainstormed ideas to improve in future and noted some of these being: establishment of an ad hoc organizing board which could begin meeting bi-weekly in February; schedule a mix of local performers; tap into existing networks (e.g. ROOF, youth sports organizations, etc.) to get the word out. Organizers have an opportunity to hold another event on September 15th and connect with the ‘Open Streets’ event being held by the City of Waterloo. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham has recommended the organizers consider applying to the City for a grant in future rather than request funding from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee again. DEBRIEF - 2012 JANE’S WALK 3. Ms. S. Weare advised that the 2012 Jane’s Walk was successful drawing approximately 70 participants. The Walk used a tool called ‘The Power of 10’ to evaluate four different locations in the Downtown area for community vitality. ‘The Power of 10’ uses the basis that 10 key places in a community with each having 10 key things happening create a vital thriving community. Following the Walk which occurred between 7-9 p.m., participants reviewed their checklists and reflected on what is and is not working in the four areas toured. Ms. Weare noted that the Walk will be held again in 2013 but that organizers are discussing making some changes to format / content. Ms. J. Metzger suggested the Committee might benefit from a presentation on ‘The Power of 10’ at a future meeting. HURON NATURAL AREA SAFETY 4. Mr. K. Euler commented on an email sent to his ward Councillor regarding the issue of coyotes in the Huron Natural Area. He feels the threat of these predatory animals is greater than being reported and urged the City to take on a greater role in providing a safe environment for the citizens who make use of the area. He requested a discussion on how the Committee might get involved. Councillor S. Davey noted that the problem of coyotes falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) and, as trapping is not a feasible solution, increasing awareness of the coyotes’ presence is the best course of action. He noted that the MNR has indicated that while the actual numbers of coyotes is small compared to other areas, citizens do need to be cognizant of possible threat and the City should make as much information available as possible on how to deal with coyotes. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2012 - 16 - CITY OF KITCHENER HURON NATURAL AREA SAFETY (CONT’D) 4. Mr. Euler acknowledged that the City’s website does have basic information on what to do if confronted but suggested the information was inadequate. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham offered to investigate having more information added to that already available online. Councillor Davey commented that coyotes are in the area because of easy access to food and suggested that the Region of Waterloo, as the level of government responsible for waste collection, could be contacted and asked to look at changing their methods in the vicinity of the Huron Natural Area. Mr. Euler suggested that more sealed garbage containers be placed within the Natural Area in addition to those located at the front entrance. Ms. K. Kwiatkowski suggested investigating if the MNR’s website information regarding coyotes could be linked with the City’s site. Ms. S. Weare volunteered to follow-up with Communications staff regarding wording on the website and the possible use of social media to disseminate more information on protecting oneself if confronted by a coyote. SAFE NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY 5. As requested at the last meeting, staff provided a copy of the environmental scan of safe neighbourhood strategies from other municipalities. The goal of the scan was to learn from the efforts of other municipalities, draw on our local experiences, broaden our understanding of the issues and apply our conclusions to the city as a whole. A listing of several Safe Neighbourhood Strategies in Ontario was provided. Each strategy was representative of a different model. It was noted there is no comprehensive model that can be implemented. The Committee reviewed the following approaches / models: • City of Toronto – Top-down government lead model that is strength based, uses social infrastructure and targets specific areas; • City of Hamilton – Uses more residential participation and community partnerships with a shared agenda, developed objectives then strategies to achieve; • Town of Ajax – Partnership model between government and large agencies; • City of London – Survey conducted which asked ‘what is community like now?’ and ‘what do we want in five years?’. Focus is on places and people. • World Health Organization (WHO) – Utilizes wide community participation and involvement in all sectors, creates a healthy public policy and requires government commitment. Ms. S. Weare advised that the City of Kitchener used the WHO model to establish its Strategic Plan. Community consultations were held which determined that this model was the best fit for the municipality. With regard to development of a Safe Neighbourhood Strategy, Ms. Weare noted current successful efforts used by the City as: social development; land use planning; environmental design; targeted activities; and, community partnerships. The Committee was reminded of the five specific areas of focus it brainstormed to have included in a Strategy, being: • Increasing safety and usage of public places and spaces; • Fostering relationships between and within neighbourhoods; • Nurturing a sense of neighbourhood pride and belonging; • Encouraging community ownership and citizen engagement; and, • Strengthening community partnerships. The Committee then entered into a lengthy discussion regarding the various strategies used by other municipalities debating the strengths and weaknesses of each. Specific comments were made regarding the need to include Council’s role to help facilitate on behalf of partners possibly through connections with neighbourhood associations. Positive comments were made regarding the model used by the City of London (five year outlook focusing on people / places) and it was suggested that this could be used as a starting point for Kitchener’s process. It was noted that the Committee could also act as facilitators to enable discussions within the community. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2012 - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER SAFE NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY (CONT’D) 5. From discussions and suggestions made by the Committee, Ms. Weare suggested that an assessment phase might be the place to begin. Neighbourhood associations could be brought together and asked for input regarding the makeup of a future healthy community. Involving youth by engaging high school student councils was also suggested as these students have already demonstrated an interest in leadership. The Committee had previously asked staff to consult with the Chair of Compass Kitchener (CK) to ascertain if it would have capacity to conduct a community consultation on the establishment of a Safe Neighbourhood Strategy. Ms. S. Weare spoke with Mr. T. Kramer, Chair of CK, who advised that the Committee has a full Fall agenda but might be able to assist in the near year. In light of this information, Ms. Weare suggested that staff meet over the summer to develop a plan to move forward for consideration by the Committee in September. She noted that some tools are already in place, such as the ‘Placemaking Workshop’ and the ‘Power of 10’ exercise. How to make the best use of these tools can be part of the discussions held over the summer. As it appeared that the Committee was heading towards development of a larger-scale community engagement process, members were requested to volunteer to meet as a sub- committee over the summer recess. Councillor P. Singh, Ms. N. Bengert (CPC student) as well as Ms. K. Doherty-Masters (Committee education sector applicant) volunteered to meet with staff. This item will be placed on the September 6, 2012 Committee agenda for discussion. SAFER AND VITAL COMMUNITIES GRANT 6. Ms. S. Weare reviewed details of the Safer and Vital Communities Grant offered by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, as attached to the agenda this date. Funding is available to develop projects addressing root causes of crime and focusing on youth and is to be delivered by partnerships between municipalities, police, education, etc. Ms. Weare commented that she has met with members of the Safety & Security in the Downtown Working Group (included representatives from Waterloo Regional Police Service, ROOF, the Working Centre and the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council) who had suggested the City consider submitting a grant application. Another meeting is scheduled for next week to continue discussions on a possible application; deadline to submit funding applications is June 25, 2012. Committee members suggested several ideas on how to engage youth, to promote a sense of belonging in the community and ensuring they are valued and challenged. Ms. Weare will table the Committee’s comments at the next Working Group meeting and will report back with details on the final grant submission at a future meeting. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE 7. Councillor D. Glenn-Graham provided an overview of recent discussions at the Downtown Advisory Committee where a visioning exercise was held and consideration given to changing from an advisory committee to an action-orientated working group. Discussions were also held regarding merging the advisory committees that appear to have similar areas of focus; however, this suggestion did not progress as it was felt that each advisory committee has a valid voice on issues. Joint meetings on issues that cross areas of interest could be considered in the future. DOON AREA SAFETY 8. On behalf of Councillor Y. Fernandes, Councillor S. Davey advised that targeted break-and- enter burglaries have been occurring in the Doon area of the city. Other than providing police contact information, Councillor Fernandes has requested the Committee’s assistance regarding resources which residents could utilize to effectively deal with the situation. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 7, 2012 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER DOON AREA SAFETY (CONT’D) 8. Members suggested having Police Community Resource Officers speak with residents about options available to them. Ms. K. Kwiatkowski recalled that several years ago there had been other neighbourhood safety issues in Doon. At that time, staff and Safe & Healthy members worked together to provide suggestions to deal with issues. She recalled that one method utilized was engaging the local high schools and colleges and providing opportunity for residents to get to know their neighbours. Ms. S. Weare advised that she will follow-up with staff that were involved at that time and determine if there are any other strategies that can be forwarded to Councillor Fernandes. ADJOURNMENT 9. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator