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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-09-03 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. A. Bieronski – Chair Councillor D. Schnider, Ms. J. Nicholls, Ms. J. Metzger, Ms. E. Clarke, Ms. L. Roberts and Messrs. W. Rahimi, S. Grande, J. Pelich and M. Farwell. Staff: Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs and Services Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator NEIGHBOURHOOD STRATEGY - UPDATE 1. Ms. M. Drake, Project Manager, Neighbourhood Strategy (the Strategy), presented a status report on the project and also advised she will be assisted by a newly-hired Engagement Associate who will be developing and overseeing the detailed implementation of an integrated community engagement and communications plan with a strong focus on creative and proactive techniques and tools to engage residents and community stakeholders. Ms. Drake reviewed actions which have already taken place in planning the project, gathering feedback from residents as well as the creation of sub-committees, each with its own role and duration, all under the over-arching umbrella of the Project Team. Interim community engagement has also been occurring at neighbourhood events throughout the summer months and 781 surveys asking three neighbourhood-related questions have been completed by residents to date. A draft Strategy was presented to the Project Team last week and the revised Strategy will be presented to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee for its review in the October / November timeframe. In conclusion, Ms. Drake detailed the next steps being the finalization of a project plan and vision, the continuation of the interim community engagement at various September events and the drafting of the Community Engagement and Communications Plan. Mr. M. Farwell, Co-chair of the Project Team, extended his thanks for the work done to date by Ms. Drake as well as that by other staff members. STATUS OF SUBCOMMITTEES 2. Public Awareness Raising The sub-committee has met and is considering the establishment of an online portal as a ‘one- stop’ method to increasing communication and access to information on various programs and services offered by the City. Members met with Mayor B. Vrbanovic to discuss their vision and gathered his input on the concept as he campaigned on increased transparency by the municipality. The sub-committee is continuing to gather input from community members. Physical Environment and Safety The sub-committee has yet to meet but does have an appointment with a potential speaker / presenter on this. More detailed information will be shared at the Committee’s next meeting. Fostering Inclusion, Participation and Belonging The sub-committee has set a date to meet and discussions have thus far been held via email. It was noted the group is having a difficult time deciding on a direction to follow; communication and inclusion concepts will be reviewed and City staff will be asked to provide information on existing gaps / barriers to participation in community life. Ms. J. Nicholls advised that much work, such as a report by the Waterloo Wellington Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) on making a welcoming community, has been done and the sub-committee is hoping to develop a plan to tie all the work together. Mr. S. Grande expressed an interest in joining the sub-committee. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER INVITATION TO CO-HOST CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY 3. Ms. J. Ouellette, Facilitator – Volunteer Resources, attended to advise the City and the local Immigration Partnership (Belonging Group) have applied to Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and have been approved to host a citizenship ceremony at City Hall on Tuesday, October 20, 2015, during the annual Local Government Week observance. She noted there will be two components to the event, being: the ceremony (10:00 a.m. in the Council Chamber) and the reception (11:30 a.m. in the Rotunda). Given the Committee’s work plan includes supporting inclusion and belonging in the community using various means, Ms. Ouellette questioned if members would be interested in participation in this event in some fashion; specifically, co-hosting the reception. Additionally, assistance with organizing the event and attending same could also be considered. Members were supportive of these suggestions and felt that, in addition to supporting belonging and inclusion, it would be very beneficial to witness a citizenship ceremony. The question of cost was raised and Ms. Ouellette commented that expenses for light refreshments at the reception would be approximately $500-$600. A suggestion was made that a local sponsor could be sought for the reception catering. Additional costs for entertainment as well as possible parking charges for attendees to be covered. Ms. Ouellette was asked if the Immigration Partnership was looking for a firm dollar commitment and she advised this was not the case. Mr. M. Hildebrand noted he would review the Committee’s available funds and report back. Ms. E. Clarke and Ms. L. Roberts volunteered to work with City staff on the organizing of this event. Additional information on plans will be presented at the next Committee meeting. Ms. E. Clarke declared a conflict of interest regarding the next agenda item and left the meeting. OUT OF THE COLD EVALUATION REPORT 4. Ms. M. Morrison, Manager, Housing Stability, Region of Waterloo Community Services, provided an update and final evaluation of the transitional programming put in place after the closure of the Out of the Cold (OOTC) locations during the winter of 2014-2015. To provide some background, Ms. Morrison advised that OOTC began prior to the current housing stability system being formalized and offered support to people experiencing homelessness. Beginning in 1999, emergency shelter options were provided by a group of volunteers and grew to a total of 11 sites offering shelter, meals and hospitality seven nights a week during the winter months. Due to a variety of reasons, OOTC site closures were announced beginning in August 2014. In response to community concern, Regional and City staff met to coordinate a consultation / planning process over the September-October timeframe which ultimately led to the development of a system plan for transition to meet both short term shelter needs and longer term stability needs. A final evaluation of the transition plan has now been completed and presented to Regional Council. Ms. Morrison noted that longer term initiatives which were instituted will continue for another year thereby providing further opportunity for integrating learning, piloting additional practices and fully realizing some of the transformational change that was begun. Ms. Morrison then reviewed the six key elements addressed during both the short and longer term housing stability concerns and, where appropriate, provided usage statistics and funding information: Overnight shelter options; Outreach, drop-in and meal options; Community-wide registry; Supports for establishing housing stability; Community engagement; and, Communication SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 3, 2015 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER OUT OF THE COLD EVALUATION REPORT (CONT’D) 4. Some positive results were seen as 35 people were supported to find housing through the YWCA’s Transitional Shelter and an additional 50 people experiencing persistent homelessness found housing with the support of the Region’s STEP Home program. This number exceeded the goal of housing 40 of the most vulnerable by the end of the winter season. To meet the ongoing needs for stable housing and other support services, plans for the winter of 2015/2016 include the development of a new Emergency Shelter Program Framework to be presented to Regional Council in December 2015 for implementation beginning in April 2016. The Region will continue to operate 250 spaces within its shelter system plus maintain overflow rooms at local motels. Two new ‘bunkies’ providing basic accommodation facilities, will be piloted as a low barrier options to regular shelters and these will be managed by street outreach workers who are in regular contact with persons requiring an individualized plan. Work will continue on other housing solutions and communication and engagement tools, such as the updating and distribution of ‘wallet cards’ with emergency shelter, meal and drop-in information will be expanded. Regional staff continues to meet with service providers and former OOTC coordinators and have scheduled a community forum for the latter part of September to allow for broader consultation with interested stakeholders regarding the emergency shelter system and plans for the coming winter. Following the presentation, Ms. Morrison responded to several questions from members and was invited to provide regular updates to the Committee. ADJOURNMENT 5. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator