HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2000-06-19 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 19, 2000
CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 5:45 p.m. this date and Chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with the
following members present: Councillors K. Taylor-Harrison, M. Yantzi, John Smola, B. Vrbanovic, J.
Haalboom, T. Galloway, G. Lorentz and C. Weylie.
Notice of this special meeting had previously been given to all members of Council by the City Clerk
pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
The purpose of the meeting was to receive and consider the document entitled "Compass Kitchener
Community Vision and Strategic Directions - June 2000". Mayor C. Zehr spoke to the importance of a
community vision and Council's role in facilitating its development.
Ms. Susan Wismer, Professor of Environmental Studies - University of Waterloo, spoke concerning the
healthy communities concept and the process for developing a community vision. She noted that there
is currently a network of communities world-wide which have developed their own community visions,
and that the number of these has doubled over the past three to four years. She congratulated the
citizens of Kitchener and all those who participated in the Compass Kitchener initiative.
Ms. Donna Kuehl spoke concerning the Kitchen Table Talk process and her experience as a participant
and President of a neighbourhood association. She expressed the belief that implementing the
community vision and strategic directions developed during the Compass Kitchener process would
ensure that Kitchener remains a healthy and balanced place to live. She extended special thanks to the
facilitators and recorders for the Kitchen Table Talks whose conduct she characterized as professional
and caring.
Mr. Mike Sully spoke to the Community Roundtable process, noting that he found the exercise
interesting, challenging and rewarding. He suggested that Council's seeking of a community-driven
vision and the resulting Compass Kitchener process represents a change in thinking at City Hall. He
stressed the importance of a real and full commitment by Council to implementing the visions, directions
and core values identified.
Mr. Sully, on behalf of the community, presented the document entitled "Compass Kitchener Community
Vision and Strategic Directions - June 2000" to Mayor C. Zehr who accepted on behalf of Council.
Mayor Zehr thanked those delegations who spoke this date, as well as all members of the community
who participated in the Compass Kitchener initiative.
Moved by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison
Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic
"WHEREAS the City of Kitchener Strategic Plan (1998-2001) identified the need to create a
Community Vision, and it was subsequently directed by Council that this Vision be developed
using the Healthy Communities model;
AND WHEREAS Council recognized the importance of broad public participation in the
success of such an initiative, and a community consultation process was put in place
encouraging all citizens to share their views and opinions about Kitchener and the City's future
direction;
AND WHEREAS individual citizens, staff, and representatives of community groups and
organizations responded, giving freely of their time, energy and ideas, in creating a community
vision and directions;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council accept the document entitled 'Compass
Kitchener Community Vision and Strategic Directions- June 2000' and adopt the vision,
principles and strategic directions outlined therein as a common agenda to determine future
priorities, partnerships and processes."
Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison indicated that she was proud to be a part of this initiative and expressed
her satisfaction that an attempt was made to reach and involve every sector of the community. She
urged Council to continue its support of the Compass Kitchener initiative, as in her view the document
will serve as a guide to community development. Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked the delegations
and community participants. Mayor C. Zehr spoke to the initiatives presently underway which
address each of the five directions proposed by Compass Kitchener.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 19, 2000
- 308 -
CITY OF KITCHENER
The motion by Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison, seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, was then voted
on and was Carried with the unanimous support of all members present.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.
MAYOR CLERK