Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-02 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2014 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Mr. A. Bieronski, Chair Ms. N. Bird, Ms. E. Clarke, Ms. J. Metzger, Ms. D. Christiaen and Messrs. P. Doherty, S. Grande, A. Rahimi, M. Farwell, D. McKlusky and B. Sheehan. Staff: Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs and Services Ms. D. Campbell, Manager of Community Resource Centres Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY 1. On behalf of Mr. M. May, Deputy CAO – Community Services, who was unable to attend the meeting, Mr. M. Hildebrand circulated a Powerpoint presentation entitled: ‘City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Strategy: Results of Preliminary Online Survey re: Strategy Objectives, Scope, Processes and Governance’. The Neighbourhood Strategy will create an overarching strategy to help the municipality and community groups to plan, build and support safe and thriving neighbourhoods. The presentation provided a summary of the responses received to the following four questions: 1. What community groups, stakeholders and/or specific people do you think should be engaged in developing a Neighbourhood Strategy? 2. Recognizing all of the different components that have an impact on safe and thriving neighbourhoods, what do you believe should be in-scope and out-of-scope of a Neighbourhood Strategy? 3. How can a Neighbourhood Strategy best support groups already working in neighbourhoods and help create a more comprehensive approach? 4. What community development and/or placemaking processes, tools, templates, principles, research/data do you think should be utilized to help develop a Neighbourhood Strategy? The Committee was advised the next step is the drafting of a Project Charter utilizing the online survey feedback and presenting the draft Charter to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for final input prior to it being finalized. Staff is proposing to table the report with Council in the first quarter of 2015. INCLUSION/BELONGING GRANT SUB-COMMITTEE 2. Ms. J. Metzger declared a conflict of interest and left the meeting. Ms. N. Bird circulated a chart summarizing applications received for the Committee’s Inclusion/Belonging Grant. The summary outlined: name of the group/organization; project name and description; requested grant amount; comments of the review sub-committee; and, recommended funding amount. Ms. Bird advised the sub-committee had reviewed the five applications received against the approved grant criteria; all requests totalled $8,650. She reviewed the eligibility criteria as being: Must be led by a group of residents (formal or informal) within a neighbourhood; Ability to demonstrate follow through on the project; Project/event must take place within one year of the grant approval; Must be located in the City of Kitchener; and, Priority is given to new initiatives. An overview of each submission was provided which explained the rationale behind the sub- committee’s recommendations. Total funding of $4,000 is being recommended for two of the SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2014 - 23 - CITY OF KITCHENER INCLUSION/BELONGING GRANT SUB-COMMITTEE (CONT’D) 2. five applications, with one application pending due to additional information being requested but not yet received. Ms. Bird opened the floor for any questions from the Committee and asked for approval of the recommended grants. Committee members asked questions of clarification regarding several of the proposed projects as well as additional information from the sub-committee regarding decisions to provide no funding. On motion by Ms. E. Clarke - it was resolved: “That the following Inclusion/Belonging Grant applications be approved: EAF/Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association – PenPal Project - $2,000; and, Rohingya Community thru Muslim Social Services – Group Therapy for Youth - $2,000.” Staff was directed to prepare letters to each applicant advising of the Committee’s recommendation. All letters are to be signed by the Committee Chair as well as the Chair of the Grant Review Sub-committee. Ms. N. Bird stated she would follow-up on the pending application and, if the requested information was received in time, would have the sub-committee review it and bring a recommendation forward to the November meeting. The Committee had previously agreed that feedback would be provided to unsuccessful applicants as it was felt an explanation regarding the decision may provide an impetus for the group/organization to organize another submission in future that may align better with eligibility criteria. In addition, staff was directed to include the URL address of other available municipal grants as information. The Committee directed staff to continue to actively solicit applications for the Inclusion/Belonging Grant with a deadline of October 27, 2014. Any applications received by that time will be reviewed by the sub-committee and a report regarding recommendations brought forward at the November meeting. Ms. J. Metzger re-entered the meeting. NEIGHBOURHOOD MATCHING FUNDS GRANT – REVIEW COMMITTEE 3. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised a Communications Plan is being developed to market the recently approved Neighbourhood Matching Funds Grant (NMFG). The City’s webpage (http://www.kitchener.ca/en/livinginkitchener/GrantPrograms.asp) has been updated to provide information on the application process / criteria and he noted one application has already been received. Mr. Hildebrand reminded members the NMFG Review Committee to be established will include representation from the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee along with City staff and a representative from the United Way of Kitchener-Waterloo & Area. An expression of interest to participate on the Review Committee had previously been circulated to members with Ms. E. Clarke volunteering. At this time, Mr. Hildebrand asked if any additional members wished to serve on the NMFG Review Committee; Messrs. A. Bieronski, M. Farwell and P. Doherty volunteered. It was noted that applications for this grant will be received on a continual basis with a review schedule to be determined by the Review Committee; however, there will be no consideration by the full advisory committee. Mr. Hildebrand will circulate the submitted application to members of the Review Committee along with a copy of the Terms of Reference. If possible, Mr. Hildebrand was requested to provide an informational update on the outcome of the application review at the Committee’s November meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 2, 2014 - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER NEIGHBOURHOOD MATCHING FUNDS GRANT – REVIEW COMMITTEE (CONT’D) 3. As the Committee’s current term ends on November 30, 2014, the matter of Committee members appointed to sit on the NMFG Review Committee will need to be revisited early in the new term as part of the new work plan. HOMELESSNESS ISSUE – NEXT STEPS 4. Ms. E. Clarke advised the YWCA has met with representatives of the Out of the Cold Program (OOTC) as well as Regional staff regarding a short-term solution to the current lack of beds for OOTC clients. She announced the YWCA will be providing a transitional shelter to assist clients with the transition between the OOTC model and structured shelters provided by the st Region of Waterloo. The YWCA will open their shelter beginning November 1. This facility will open daily at 3 p.m. in order to address the current gap in services for homeless individuals. Meals will not be provided; however, Ms. Clarke noted the St. John’s Kitchen will stay open until 3 p.m. thereby allowing additional time for clients to access their services. It was noted the YWCA’s transitional shelter will only be available to current OOTC clients who will be moving to a structured shelter model, not to the general population. The maximum number of people to be accommodated in this facility will be 50, including volunteers. Ms. Clarke advised the shelter will operate until the end of May, 2015 and as it is seen as a short- term solution, includes a goal to have all clients housed in the formal system by that time. In response to questions, Ms. Clarke advised only people referred by the OOTC program or through street outreach workers will be accepted into their shelter. A listing of potential clients st is currently being prepared and will be vetted and provided prior to the November 1 opening. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that, in addition to this new short-term solution, the Region is still working on long-term plans and is continuing stakeholder meetings to gather input on possible alternatives. Mr. Hildebrand commented on the Committee’s work plan item to investigate solutions to the current gap in services for homeless individuals between 3:00 – 7:00 p.m., noting the actions taken by the YWCA and St. John’s Kitchen seem to have addressed this issue. Rather than remove this item from the work plan, Mr. Hildebrand suggested it remain and be shown as ‘on hold’ and the Committee monitor the results of these initiatives to determine if the gap has been effectively dealt with. The Committee agreed with this course of action. In response to a question regarding a previous request to provide lockers for safe storage of the personal belongings of homeless individuals, Mr. M. Hildebrand agreed to provide contact information to Mr. A. Rahimi to allow direct follow-up with Regional staff. JOINT MUNICIPAL SAFE & HEALTHY FORUM – UPDATE 5. Mr. D. McKlusky circulated a flyer prepared for the November 18, 2014 Joint Municipal Safe & Healthy Communities Forum. He stated the organizing committee is prepared to host between 30-50 individuals representing three area municipalities to participate in a facilitated discussion on the topic of safe and healthy neighbourhoods. Ms. D. Farlow, City of Waterloo, will act as overall facilitator with the Crime Prevention Council providing students to act as table discussion facilitators. In response to Mr. McKlusky’s request for committee member attendance, several individuals th indicated they would attend the November 18 forum. Any additional RSVPs are to be given st to any of the organizing committee members no later than November 1. ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator