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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2013-05-02 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 2, 2013 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Ms. E. Clarke, Chair Councillor S. Davey, Ms. D. Chapman, Ms. D. Christiaen, Ms. N. Bird, Ms. K. Porritt, Ms. J. Metzger and Messrs. P. Doherty, M. Farwell, B. Sheehan, I. Todorovic, D. McKlusky, A. Bieronski, K. Gaudreau, A. Rahimi and A. Darmon. Staff: Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services Mr. K. Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services Mr. J. Edmondson, Manager, Projects and Energy Management Ms. S. Weare, Strategic Initiatives Associate Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN 1. Mr. K. Carmichael, Interim Director of Transportation Services, and Mr. Don Drackley, IBI Group, attended to present the Kitchener Transportation Master Plan (TMP) and request feedback and support from the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee. Mr. Carmichael advised that the TMP had been put on hold; however, City Council recently gave direction to restart the process. As a result, staff and consultants are presenting to various advisory committees to review the overarching principles from the Plan, and to receive feedback to be included in the final report, scheduled for presentation to Council in June. Once approved, the Plan will encompass a 20-year timeframe; however, it will require updating every five years. Mr. D. Drackley advised that the TMP is a high-level document outlining the process to ensure municipal roadways operate effectively and efficiently for all modes of transportation; and, that historically, the City of Kitchener has relied on staff or Regional government, to undertake this type of planning. The TMP focuses on improving the movement of people and goods by various modes of transportation but does not address public transit which is under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo. Mr. Drackley further advised that the City currently has an approved Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan, as well as a Cycling Master Plan and these will be integrated into the TMP over a period of time. Mr. Drackley noted the TMP’s emphasis is pedestrian first, followed by cycling, transit and then cars. This is a dramatic shift from previous plans which were car-centric. He advised this vision of transportation planning will cause municipal governments to adjust their budgeting in the future, moving away from being road-oriented. The Committee was advised that the City also has a Transportation Demand Management Policy and a full-time staff member to oversee its implementation. This policy, as well as the issue of traffic problems within residential neighbourhoods, has been integrated into the TMP. Members had been previously circulated with a summary document of the main recommendations of the draft TMP which cover the implementation of strategic-level management and operational improvements over the next twenty years. Based on the information that has been provided, Mr. Drackley requested the Committee support the draft Kitchener Transportation Master Plan. In response to a request for questions and feedback, Committee members raised the following points: Clarification that the work as outlined in the TMP does not overlap with work currently under the jurisdiction of the Region of Waterloo but rather complements same. The Committee was advised that the TMP was drafted with the full knowledge of what the Region has planned concerning roadways under its jurisdiction as well as plans for the LRT. It was noted that the introduction of the LRT will likely not diminish single-car usage; however, it is hoped that growth of car usage will slow. Other factors which will contribute to slower growth in car usage include steeply rising parking rates and differing transportation styles of a younger workforce; SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 2, 2013 - 7 - CITY OF KITCHENER KITCHENER TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN (CONT’D) 1. Clarification of how the TMP will focus on pedestrians. Members were advised of the City’s Pedestrian Charter which addresses many gaps in increasing pedestrian safety and movement in the community. Additionally, the Multi-use Pathways and Trails Master Plan provide for the linkage of sidewalks and trails, thereby providing for a better walking experience; Information on the action items contained in the Cycling Master Plan such as accommodating bicycles lanes and incorporating the use of sharrows. Members felt that a good marketing plan will be required to educate drivers concerning sharrows; Installation of charging stations for electric cars. Staff has had preliminary meetings on this matter and have begun research into incorporating them at city facilities; Concerns regarding pedestrian visibility in roundabouts due to high centre medians. Median centres are intentionally constructed in this matter to eliminate sightlines of vehicles on the opposite side of the roundabout. Pedestrians have the right of way in roundabouts; Any action to provide more safety for cyclists travelling on roadways where there is no boulevard between roadway and sidewalk. Noted that this is more of an issue with road maintenance particularly in the winter months, the TMP does not deal with road maintenance issues. In response to a question concerning actions taken by other committees who have been approached for support of the TMP, Mr. Drackley stated that committees have been generally supportive that a move away from cars and towards a more pedestrian-friendly environment is preferred. The Committee generally agreed to endorse the Kitchener Transportation Master Plan and it was noted the Committee’s feedback would be reflected in the staff report being presented to Council. On motion by Mr. B. Sheehan – It was resolved: “That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee endorses the draft Kitchener Transportation Master Plan as its major components align with the Committee’s Terms of Reference.” LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN UPDATE 2. Mr. M. Hildebrand and Mr. J. Edmondson, members of the Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP) Project Team, advised that a refresh of the original 2005 LFMP is being undertaken. The Plan covers such facilities as trails, community centres and pools, taking into consideration demographic trends and the needs of the community. The refresh is taking place over a period of 6-7 months and will be presented to Council in August / September of 2013. The Committee was advised the Project Team had already spoken with user groups, neighbourhood associations, the older adult community and members of Council. The final step is consultation with advisory committees. Members were asked to provide input into the questions that will be posed. The feedback received will be incorporated into the draft report which will be brought back to the Committee for additional review. It was pointed out that a public forum is being held on June 19, 2013 from 6:00 -9:00 p.m. in the Subscriber’s Lounge, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium Complex to allow citizens an opportunity to provide feedback on the draft LFMP update. A copy of the community survey was attached to the meeting agenda and it was pointed out that completed surveys will be accepted until the end of May. Mr. Hildebrand posed the following five questions concerning the municipal leisure and recreation facilities to which members provided their feedback. Mr. J. Edmondson documented the responses on behalf of the Project Team: SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 2, 2013 - 8 - CITY OF KITCHENER LEISURE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN UPDATE (CONT’D) 2. 1. What trends do you anticipate to see over the next five years? 2. What is working well for residents? 3. From your perspective, what concerns, gaps or constraints do you feel exist in Kitchener for leisure and recreation services, currently and in the future? 4. What do you believe are the top 3 or 4 priorities? 5. The City is interested in exploring different funding approaches for future leisure services and facilities… Please consider what you might support / don’t support. CASINO DISCUSSION 3. Ms. E. Clarke advised the Committee that the remainder of the meeting would be devoted to a discussion on whether the City of Kitchener should be a host municipality for an Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) facility and the Committee’s position from a healthy community perspective. She advised that a delegation had registered to speak to the Committee after which time members were free to ask questions of the delegation. Ms. Clarke further advised that following the presentation, a roundtable discussion will occur to debate the question after which decisions will be required on the following: does the Committee wish to present its position to City Council; what is the Committee’s position; and, who will present? An opportunity to put forth the Committee’s position / comments will occur on Monday, May 6, 2013 at 5:30 p.m. at a special Council meeting. The presentation must be a maximum of five minutes in length and no questions will be asked by members of Council. Dr. Kevin Harrigan, Gambling Research Lab, University of Waterloo, provided information gathered by the Lab on the problems associated with gambling / casinos. Dr. Harrigan spoke of the player losses that are projected to occur; given the proposed size of the casino operation and the ease of access, given that most casino operations are open 24 / 7. He stressed that the financial losses should be of major concern to the community in addition to family members. With regard to hours of operation, Dr. Harrigan suggested that better operating hours should be negotiated with the operator as part of the original agreement. He also provided data on slot machine games and provided suggestions that could be considered to regulate their use more stringently. Additionally, it was suggested that provincial regulations should be changed restricting slot machine play to only one machine at a time. Committee members posed several questions for the delegation after which time the roundtable discussion commenced. Ms. J. Metzger circulated a copy of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council’s (CPC) position paper on casinos submitted by its Executive Director at the first public consultation session. The CPC is opposed to a casino being located anywhere within the Region of Waterloo; however, submitted an outline of crime prevention considerations and harm reduction strategies that could be employed in the event a casino does open in the Region. Following the full discussion on the casino matter, members of the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee reached agreement that they were not in favour of a casino being located in the City of Kitchener. The Committee stipulated that, if a casino were to be located in the City of Kitchener, the harm reduction strategies, as tabled by the CPC, be fully endorsed. For the record, Councillor S. Davey did not participate in the discussions surrounding the decision of the Committee. Mr. D. McKlusky volunteered to present the Committee’s position at the special Council meeting to be held on May 6, 2013. 2013 JANE’S WALK UPDATE 4. As the staff / members slated to provide this update were no longer in attendance, the Committee Administrator agreed to forward an email received from Ms. J. Metzger providing details of the event, scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 2013. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 2, 2013 - 9 - CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:03 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator