HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-14-079 - Request for Neighbourhood Association Affiliation - Huron Community Association Staff Report
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REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: August 11, 2014
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services,
519-741-2200 ext. 7687
PREPARED BY: Natascha Voll, District Facilitator, 519-741-2200 ext. 5462
WARD(S) INVOLVED: 5
DATE OF REPORT: July 25, 2014
REPORT NO.: CSD-14-079
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION AFFILIATION -
HURON COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Huron Community Association be approved as an affiliated group as per
Council Policy 1-324—Affiliation—Neighbourhood Associations and added as an
insured group under the City of Kitchener's third party liability insurance
program.
BACKGROUND:
To be recognized as an affiliated City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Association, a
neighbourhood group will have the following characteristics:
• be a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group based in a
geographic neighbourhood within the borders of the City of Kitchener,
• be inclusive of and responsive to the needs of the community within the specific
geographic area defined by that group,
• be open to the public and make this known through communication to the residents
of that neighbourhood by, at a minimum, publishing a contact number or through
other means such as newsletter,
• have some level of activity with, at minimum, a contact person, and
• have some structure for accountability.
Groups interested in forming new Neighbourhood Associations are to submit a letter to
the Director of Community Programs and Services that outlines the following
information:
• group name,
• geographic boundaries,
• name and contact information for one or more person who can receive
communication on behalf of the group, and
• a brief statement of mission and main purpose as well as the types of activities it
provides.
When new applications are received, the following steps are taken-
1. The Director contacts the relevant Community Programs and Services District
Facilitator,
2. The District Facilitator reviews the application to see if the group meets the eligibility
criteria,
3. If a Neighbourhood Association(s) already exists within that geographic area, the
District Facilitator will contact all relevant parties to identify if there are any issues
and, if yes, to initiate a process to address them, and
4. The District Facilitator prepares a recommendation to the Community and
Infrastructure Services Committee of Kitchener City Council.
REPORT:
A proposal has been submitted by the Huron Community Association (HCA) to become
an affiliated City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Association. Community Programs and
Services staff has been working collaboratively with the HCA since May 2014.
The Huron Community Association began in the spring of 2014 when a letter was sent
to every household in the Huron neighbourhoods inviting residents to attend a public
meeting about forming a Neighbourhood Association. This meeting was held on April 9,
2014 at Jean Steckle Public School. Twenty-six residents attended the first meeting.
Residents from the Huron neighbourhood have continued to meet and have formed the
HCA. The HCA has a full Board of Directors which was appointed at a community
meeting on May 28, 2014. "Member-at-large" positions are unlimited for the first year
and open to anyone interested in joining. Future HCA Board members will be voted in
at annual general meetings open to everyone in the community.
The Huron Community Association is a voluntary, not for profit, non-partisan, non-
denominational group and meets the required characteristics as outlined in the affiliation
policy for City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Associations.
The HCA's boundaries are as follows: Fischer Hallman Road (west side) to Huron
Natural Area (north side) to Huron Road (east direction) to Strasburg Road (north
direction) to Battler Road (south direction) to Huron Road (west direction) to Strasburg
Road (proposed road heading in south direction) to the countryside line (south border)
back to Fischer Hallman Road (west border).
The HCA boundary includes Huron Heights Secondary School. The boundary currently
consists of approximately 2,000 households but is slated for much more growth in the
next 20 years.
The Huron Community Association's vision is: A neighbourhood where we work
together to foster a safe, vibrant and active community. Their mission is to provide
opportunities that are inclusive, caring and meet the needs of Huron neighbours.
Affiliation with the Huron Community Association allows this group to plan and provide
programs and services for its residents. The HCA held its first community event, a
neighbourhood garage sale, on May 31, 2014. The community event proved very
successful with many households participating. The HCA will begin offering programs
to the Huron community on Saturday mornings and Tuesday and Thursday evenings at
Jean Steckle Public School starting in the fall of 2014.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
The recommendation outlined in this report aligns with the community priorities stated in
the Corporate Strategic Plan, namely quality of life, leadership and engagement, and
diversity. Affiliation with the City of Kitchener aids the HCA in becoming a strong
sustainable and positive community influence in the southwest of Kitchener. As a key
stakeholder, the HCA will continue to work collaboratively with City of Kitchener staff to
engage resident opportunities for diversity, leadership and improved quality of life.
Community associations engage residents to build strong and thriving neighbourhoods.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The HCA is an emerging neighbourhood in an area of tremendous population growth.
Supporting this fast-growing neighbourhood association will require additional operating
dollars.
Currently funds do not exist in the Williamsburg Community Centre budget to cover the
costs of program supplies, volunteer recognition and training and development for the
Huron Community Association:
Program grants: $ 750
Volunteer recognition: $ 250
Program supplies: $ 250
Total: $1,250
Funds will be added to the 2015 budget to accommodate this growth in service.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Engagement with the community has and continues to occur in a number of ways.
Information is provided to community residents through direct mailings, flyers, emails,
Twitter and Facebook invitations to meetings and events. The HCA has regular bi-
monthly board meetings. Meetings are open to all and community members are
welcome to attend.
The HCA communicates with residents via an email address: info(@huroncommunity.ca
and their Facebook site: www.facebook/huroncomm unity. The HCA's Twitter account is
@Huron Community.
The HCA strives to foster community engagement and create more opportunities to
connect neighbours. It represents a vehicle for getting the neighbours together,
networking and fostering a sense of safety in their community. The HCA recently
received a grant from the Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee to further develop and
enhance communication within this new emerging neighbourhood.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Shayne Turner, Acting Deputy CAO, Community Services