Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-10-01 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2015 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Mr. D. McKlusky – Vice-Chair Councillors S. Marsh and D. Schnider, Ms. N. Bird, Ms. D. Christiaen, Ms. J. Nicholls, Ms. J. Metzger, Ms. E. Clarke, Ms. L. Roberts and Messrs. W. Rahimi, S. Grande, J. Pelich and C. Letizi. Staff: Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs and Services Ms. D. Campbell, Manager of Community Resource Centres Ms. A. Grafstein, District Facilitator Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator INCLUSION/BELONGING GRANT SUBCOMMITTEE 1. Ms. N. Bird, Chair, Belonging/Inclusion Grant Sub-committee, advised two funding applications had been received by the September deadline. She advised the first application is from the YWCA Kitchener-Waterloo to fund their ‘On the Move’ program scheduled for the Fall of 2015. The requested grant amount is $2,000. This 13-week program is free of charge for young girls aged 12-17 and will be held at the Stanley Park Community Centre. The sub-committee determined this application did not meet the grant’s criteria as it is not resident driven. Ms. E. Clark and Mr. C. Letizi declared conflicts of interest regarding the YWCA application and did not participate in any discussion. The second application was submitted by The Fireside which is a community-oriented house located in the Victoria Hills neighbourhood whose residents sponsor monthly music nights. The request for funds would allow payment of a stipend to the musicians; currently only donations are taken at the door. Ms. Bird advised the sub-committee liked the concept of the submission but as no accurate budget was submitted, has requested additional from the organization. She asked for the Committee’s support to approve a $500. grant once the additional budget information is received. Members of the Committee requested that additional information regarding demonstrated outreach to new residents as well as anticipated attendance figures also be requested. It was agreed to further consider this grant application at the November 5, 2015 Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee meeting once additional requested information has been received. Ms. D. Campbell provided an update on a grant which was approved in 2014 to the Rohingya Community thru Muslim Social Services. The grant was originally applied for to provide youth group therapy; however, after meeting with neighbourhood youth it was determined they would rather write and perform a play based on their experiences in coming to Canada. The play will be performed in the Fall of 2016 and invitations will be extended to the Committee at that time. Mr. M. Hildebrand and Ms. N. Bird agreed to discuss how to follow-up on other approved grants and develop a reporting process. LITTLE LIBRARIES PROGRAM 2. Ms. J. Metzger and Ms. J. Nicholls declared conflicts of interest regarding this matter and did not participate in any discussion and did not vote. Ms. A. Grafstein presented a draft toolkit for the Little Library in Parks and Open Spaces Program, which was developed by staff to support this volunteer-run proposal. The program was developed based on a request received in 2014. When developing the process toolkit, and in order to ensure it was as comprehensive as possible, staff consulted with peers and shared the draft with the initial requestor receiving good feedback in terms of process and descriptor roles of both volunteer and supporting staff. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2015 - 20 - CITY OF KITCHENER LITTLE LIBRARIES PROGRAM (CONT’D) 2. Ms. Grafstein advised a Little Library will act as a neighbourhood gathering place and will encourage community connections as well as a love of reading. The libraries are maintained by volunteers who will ensure appropriate reading material is available and that the libraries remain intact and full of books. Libraries will be located in city parks or open spaces around the city, creating a connecting place for neighbours. Ms. Grafstein requested the Committee’s consideration of a small grant to support this program and help expedite groups that may wish to set up a Little Library. Staff envisions that these funds would be made readily accessible to volunteers, with no application or approval process. She noted that amounts granted would be no greater than $200. per library; receipts would be requested to validate costs. The Committee was advised the first Little Library has been installed at Tremaine Park and a ribbon cutting was held on September 1, 2015. In response to questions of the Committee, Ms. Grafstein noted the suggested $200 per library would include the materials for assembly, decorating costs, purchasing and installation of the required post. She noted the local Scouts have offered to build and / or install these libraries in return for a donation to their organization. This offer is also included in the $200 cost estimate. Members of the Committee raised questions regarding the following areas: How to ensure the location of Little Libraries is equitable across the City; Could funds from the Neighbourhood Matching Funds Grant or the Inclusion / Belonging Grant be considered; Could the Committee receive updates on how many applications are approved; How much funding is being requested, and would it be a one-of or ongoing; Consider funding from Committee budget; Caution raised against committing funds past current year as other opportunities for funding support could arise. In response to the concern about committing Committee funds past the current year, Ms. N. Bird advised that sufficient funds are available in 2015 to allow for a commitment of $2000 to the Little Library Program. Should the Committee approve funding, Mr. M. Hildebrand noted that he would work with Ms. Grafstein on a communications plan regarding the funding information. A suggestion was made by Councillor S. Marsh that information on the available funding could be shared as part of the Neighbourhood Strategy currently being developed. On motion by Mr. C. Letizi It was resolved: “That $2000 from the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee’s 2015 budget be allocated to the Little Library in Parks and Open Spaces Program; and further, That any unallocated funds at year end remain available for disbursement until allocated.” LEVERAGING INCLUSION/BELONGING GRANT WITH PARTNERSHIPS 3. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised members that during the introductory phase of the Committee’s Inclusion/Belonging Grant, former Committee member Councillor P. Singh asked that leveraging grant funds with other funding be reviewed after the grant had been in place for one year. Minutes from the Committee’s June 5, 2014 meeting were attached to the agenda. Mr. Hildebrand asked members if they wished to pursue this suggestion and investigate additional funding which could be made available in conjunction with the Inclusion/Belonging Grant. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2015 - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER LEVERAGING INCLUSION/BELONGING GRANT WITH PARTNERSHIPS (CONT’D) 3. Several members of the Committee commented that funds which are currently available through the Inclusion/Belonging Grant have not been fully committed therefore; the question was raised whether additional funds were required at this time. Additionally, the establishment of the Neighbourhood Matching Funds Grant also provided additional flexibility for organizations wishing to apply for funding. It was agreed to re-visit the matter of investigating the need for additional funding to leverage the current Inclusion / Belonging Grant as part of the work plan for 2016. STATUS OF SUBCOMMITTEES 4. Fostering Inclusion, Participation and Belonging Ms. D. Christiaen advised the sub-committee met earlier in the day to review the types of programming currently available at community centres, and specifically, at the Downtown Community Centre. In addition, members re-familiarized themselves with research done by a previous sub-committee during the last committee term. She stated that members are now brainstorming on how to move forward and plan to meet in the near future. Physical Environment and Safety Mr. D. McKlusky advised this sub-committee has met and has identified raising awareness around Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles within the community. Members met with a representative of both Waterloo Regional Police and City Planning staff who are trained in CPTED and have scheduled a presentation to the full committee at the November meeting. He also advised that consideration is being given to hosting a table at the annual Neighbourhood Summit to provide information on CPTED. Public Awareness Raising There was nothing new to report from this sub-committee. DEBRIEF FROM ADVISORY COMMITTEE GATHERING 5. Mr. D. McKlusky advised that he and Mr. A. Bieronski both attended a portion of the Compass Kitchener gathering for advisory committee Chairs / Vice-chairs in June 2015. A graphic demonstrating possible advisory committee collaboration was attached to the agenda and is the result of the June gathering. The graphic identifies possible opportunities for the Safe & Healthy Community to connect with Compass Kitchener and the Cycling & Trails Advisory Committee. Mr. McKlusky noted he had not been contacted by either group and asked if staff had any further information regarding next steps. Councillor S. Marsh suggested initiating an outreach to Compass Kitchener and requesting their upcoming report card include metrics around a safe and healthy assessment of the community. It was further suggested the Committee could appoint a member to act as liaison with each of the two identified committees (Compass Kitchener and Cycling & Trails). Ms. J. Nicholls offered to liaise with Compass Kitchener to initially exchange work plans as a means to identify possible areas of collaboration and to consider holding a joint meeting, if warranted. CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY 6. Ms. E. Clarke provided an update on the Committee’s decision to along with the Immigration Partnership (IP), co-host a citizenship ceremony at City Hall on October 20, 2015. Ms. Clarke and Ms. L. Roberts met with representations of the IP and are requiring decisions from the Committee as follows: SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 1, 2015 - 22 - CITY OF KITCHENER CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY (CONT’D) 6. Amount of funds to be contributed to costs for musician and lunch for 100 attendees; Committee member to speak at the reception on the theme of belonging and inclusion and ‘getting involved’; a bio would need to be provided; and, Members to attend to welcome guests and assist where required. On motion by Ms. L. Roberts It was resolved: “That an upset limit of $250 be approved as the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee’s contribution to reception costs for the Citizenship Court to be held at Kitchener City Hall on October 20, 2015.” Mr. W. Rahimi volunteered to speak at the reception event and provide a biography as requested. Ms. E. Clarke asked members to consider attending in support and will provide a reminder concerning event details via email. ADJOURNMENT 7. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator