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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-15-008 - 2015 Neighbourhood Association Affiliation Staff Report I rTC'.�► t .R Community Services Department wmkitchener.ca REPORT TO: Community and Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 2, 2015 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and Services, 519-741-2200 ext 7687 PREPARED BY: Debbie Campbell, Manager, Community Resource Centres, 519- 741-2200 ext 7077 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: January 5, 2015 REPORT NO.: CSD-15-008 SUBJECT: Neighbourhood Association Affiliation 2015 RECOMMENDATION: That the list of proposed Neighbourhood Associations, as attached to Community Services Department report CSD-15-008, be approved for affiliation for the year 2015. BACKGROUND: In July 2002, Kitchener City Council approved the introduction of an Affiliation Policy for Kitchener Neighbourhood Associations (NAs). This policy and approval/ renewal process was developed in collaboration with staff and NA representatives. Its purpose is to ensure that Neighbourhood Association groups on the official list receive access to City of Kitchener supports and resources. As well, the policy clarifies the role and responsibilities of the NAs and the City. As outlined in the policy, Neighbourhood Associations will: • 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 the 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 a newsletter. • Have some level of activity with, at minimum, a contact person. • Have some structure for accountability. The City of Kitchener provides Affiliated Neighbourhood Associations: • Coverage by a commercial general liability insurance policy provided through the Waterloo Region Municipalities Insurance Pool. • Access to facilities, program grants, staff assistance and printing for newsletters, minutes and flyers (subject to guidelines and budgetary availability). 8 - 1 REPORT: Annually, the affiliation of Neighbourhood Associations is approved and/or renewed for the following reasons: • To ensure that Neighbourhood Associations on the list are active and continue to meet the criteria for affiliation; • To ensure that the contact information for affiliated NAs is current; and • To obtain permission to release contact information to the public and staff. Thirty-one Neighbourhood Associations are being recommended in 2015 for affiliation renewal. Volunteers from these Associations contribute countless hours to enhance the quality of life in their neighbourhoods by: i) planning and implementing recreation programming in community centres, schools and churches across the city; ii) offering special events reflecting resident interests and/or celebrating significant milestones; and/or iii) responding to neighbourhood issues in areas such as planning, heritage, safety and social needs. Collaborations among neighbourhood associations, such as Mill Courtland, Highland Stirling and Cedar Hills; Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance; Chandler Mowat, Alpine and Country Hills; and Boardwalk and Forest Heights Community Association are occurring as these groups recognize and respond to opportunities to work together to achieve mutual goals. Please find attached a list of thirty-one Neighbourhood Associations being recommended for affiliation with the City of Kitchener in 2015 (see Appendix A). ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The City of Kitchener has a rich history of citizen involvement and volunteerism. The emergence of Neighbourhood Associations began as early as 1953, and since that time more than 36 neighbourhoods have benefitted from the involvement of resident volunteers who have initiated events and activities and responded to local needs. Cumulatively, these Neighbourhood Associations have been active and contributed more than 858 years of service. Collectively, Neighbourhood Associations have contributed to the community vision of building an innovative, caring and vibrant Kitchener with safe and thriving neighbourhoods. Neighbourhood Associations contribute to quality of life of City of Kitchener residents through provision of programming, special events and engagement in issues of importance to neighbourhood residents. Moreover, Neighbourhood Associations promote neighbourhood- based opportunities for leadership and community engagement. Neighbourhood Associations support the creation of a culture of safety through social development and through increasing the capacity of residents to discuss, define and address their shared concerns. The diversity of neighbourhoods is reflected in the variety of community-based programs, services and initiatives undertaken annually by Neighbourhood Associations. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are currently no financial implications. Services to Neighbourhood Associations are provided through the Community Programs and Services budget and printing process. However, as the population of the City of Kitchener increases and new neighbourhoods emerge, the current funding and support available to NAs may need to be reassessed to maintain the vibrancy and level of support to Kitchener neighbourhoods. 8 — 2 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: Staff has consulted with Neighbourhood Associations in regard to the affiliation process for 2015. Moving forward, Community Programs and Services staff will inform NAs about their affiliation status. Information and collaboration will occur as appropriate with emerging neighbourhood groups in regard to the process for affiliation. The approved 2015 affiliation list will be shared with internal divisions such as Information Technology, Clerk's, and Communications to maintain updated information for access by the public, Council and staff. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO, Community Services 8 - 3 APPENDIX A COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES 2015 Neighbourhood Associations and Ward Councillors Ward Ward Councillor Neighbourhood Association Bridgeport Community Association WARD ONE Scott Davey Stanley Park Community Association Centreville-Chicopee Community Association WARD TWO Dave Schnider Stanley Park Community Association Deer Ridge Estates Social Club WARD THREE John Gazzola Grand Hill Village Neighbourhood Association Kingsdale Neighbourhood Association Pinegrove Community Association Settler's Grove Association Caryndale Neighbourhood Association WARD FOUR Yvonne Fernandes Doon Pioneer Park Community Association Lower Doon Neighbourhood Association Huron Community Association WARD FIVE Kelly Galloway-Sealock Williamsburg Community Association Alpine Neighbourhood Association WARD SIX Paul Singh Chandler-Mowat Neighbourhood Association Country Hills Recreation Association Boardwalk Neighbourhood Association WARD SEVEN Bill loannidis Forest Heights Community Association Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association WARD EIGHT Zyg Janecki Forest Heights Community Association Greenbelt Neighbourhood Association Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Association Westmount Neighbourhood Association Cedar Hill Community Group WARD NINE Frank Etherington Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association Highland-Stirling Community Group Mill-Courtland Neighbourhood Association Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance Auditorium Neighbourhood Association WARD TEN Sarah Marsh Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association Mt-Hope Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association Olde Berlin Towne Neighbourhood Association Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance Mayor: Berry Vrbanovic 8 - 4