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HomeMy WebLinkAboutFCS-15-015 - Appointments to Aeronautical Noise Management Committee REPORT TO: Committee of the Whole DATE OF MEETING: March 23, 2015 SUBMITTED BY: C. Tarling, Director of Legislated Services/City Clerk, 519-741- 2200, ext. 7809 PREPARED BY: C. Tarling, Director of Legislated Services/City Clerk, 519-741- 2200, ext. 7809 WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: March 9, 2015 REPORT NO.: FCS-15-015 SUBJECT: Appointments to Aeronautical Noise Management Committee (2014-2018) ___________________________________________________________________________ RECOMMENDATION: That, in addition to Councillor D. Schnider, a second elected official be appointed as a City of Kitchener representative for the 2014-2018 Aeronautical Noise Management Committee, as indicated in staff report FCS-15-015. BACKGROUND: On December 1, 2014, Council made appointments to various advisory committees, boards and special committees for the current term including the Aeronautical Noise Management Committee (the Committee). At that time, one (1) community representative was appointed along with one (1) elected official and one (1) elected official alternate. The community representative appointed by Council in December has since declined the appointment. REPORT: As a first step towards filling the community representative vacancy, staff reviewed those applicants from the initial application process who had expressed interest in this Committee to see if there was anyone who had not been appointed to an advisory committee. The only other applicant for the Committee had been appointed to the Property Standards Committee and has since resigned that position. Thus, staff undertook to recruit for a community representative for the Committee. Recruitment for the Committee took place from January 8 to February 6, 2015 using various means including the both the City’s and the Region’s websites, social media, and via the neighbourhood associations in those areas affected by the airport flight paths. Advertising was also done via a City staff person’s volunteer radio spot. Unfortunately, there were no applications received. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. 2. - 1 The Committee’s Terms of Reference entitles the City of Kitchener to have four (4) voting representatives and gives the City the option for determining the split between the number of elected versus community representatives. In addition to the City of Kitchener, the City of Cambridge and Woolwich Township have representation on the Committee. Cambridge has recruited a citizen representative along with a Council representative. Woolwich has not been able to recruit a citizen representative so they have appointed two Council representatives from the ward in which the airport is located. The City’s options with respect to this Committee are as follows: Option 1: Move forward with the one (1) elected official and one (1) elected official alternate as previously appointed and leave the other three (3) Kitchener positions vacant. Option 2: Appoint a second elected official and leave the other two (2) Kitchener positions vacant. Option 3: Continue trying to actively recruit for Kitchener community representatives. Since quorum is nine (9) members, the Region and the Airport have indicated the Committee can function with only one (1) representative from Kitchener but in order to balance representation with the other municipalities on the Committee, it is recommended the City match the representation from Cambridge and Woolwich by appointing two representatives. Because no citizen has applied to be a community representative and it is costly to continue actively recruiting, it is recommended to appoint a second elected official to the Committee. Staff will leave the option open to citizens to apply for the Committee via the website. Should a citizen(s) apply, Council will have the opportunity to review the application(s) and re-evaluate the City’s representation on the Committee at that time. ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: Quality of life – A city where everyone has a place. Diversity – Offer ample opportunities for inclusion. Citizen engagement. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: None at this time. Advertising for the advisory committees is contained with the operational budget of Legislated Services. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM – This report has been posted to the City’s website with the agenda in advance of the council / committee meeting. COLLABORATE – The members of the various advisory committees provide advice and recommendations to Council and, in this way, partner with the City in the decision-making process. ACKNOWLEDGED BY: D. Chapman, Deputy CAO, Finance & Corporate Services 2. - 2