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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-12-03 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 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. E. Clarke, Ms. L. Roberts, Ms. J. Metzger and Messrs. W. Rahimi, C. Roy, D. McKlusky and M. Farwell. Staff: Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs and Services Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator COMMITTEE LOGO 1. Mr. W. Rahimi suggested consideration of a Committee logo which could be used to recognize its involvement with events / organizations as well as be included on materials related to its’ Inclusion / Belonging Grant. Mr. M. Hildebrand will speak with the city’s Corporate Communications staff regarding any policy which may govern the use of logos by an advisory committee of Council and also staff’s capacity to provide graphic design support and report back on his findings in order for the Committee to further consider this idea. STATUS OF SUBCOMMITTEES 2. Fostering Inclusion, Participation and Belonging Mr. W. Rahimi advised the subcommittee has met and identified various groups to meet with to collect information on barriers to participation and methods for enhancing inclusion in community life, programs and services and community facilities for specific populations (e.g. newcomers, Syrian refugees, LGBTQ). Mr. Rahimi will forward his notes from the subcommittee meeting to the Committee Administrator for circulation. With regard to the pending arrival of Syrian refugees, Mr. M. Hildebrand advised the City is working with the Region of Waterloo. He suggested a presentation on what is being planned could be scheduled for the Committee’s January meeting and with this information, a fuller discussion on a possible role for the Committee could be held. Physical Environment and Safety Mr. D. McKlusky advised the subcommittee was not able to present information at the annual Neighbourhood Summit. Public Awareness Raising Mr. M. Farwell acknowledged he has not yet scheduled a meeting of this subcommittee; however, he and Mr. A. Bieronski met with Mayor Vrbanovic and learned of the City’s work with the Digital Kitchener project which would greatly assist with the sub-committee’s action item regarding increasing participation in city events, etc. Mr. Bieronski added it was their understanding the City is proposing a new staff position related to the Digital Kitchener strategy and a decision on this will be made at the January budget meeting. The subcommittee is suggesting waiting until Council has made a decision on this position before proceeding with any action items. Mr. W. Rahimi suggested the City consider translating some of its major publications into the languages of the largest population groups in the municipality. WORKPLAN – TIMELINES 3. Mr. M. Hildebrand advised members the work plan approved by Council earlier this Fall requires some additional timelines to be added as well as others to be updated. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2015 - 27 - CITY OF KITCHENER WORKPLAN – TIMELINES (CONT’D) 3. The Committee undertook an item by item review of all work plan actions and milestones and updated timing wherever possible. Actions arising from this review: Committee advised that the City’s arts & culture staff wish to partner with the Inclusion / Belonging Grant to allow for consideration of grants for arts events. A contribution of $5000. is proposed as well as the addition of one staff and one member of the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee to the review subcommittee. A detailed report on this proposal will be presented to the Committee in the near future; Mr. M. Hildebrand will discuss the creation of a communications plan to market the Inclusion / Belonging Grant more widely; The Physical Environment and Safety subcommittee was requested to provide a summary report of best practices (environmental scan) on creating place. Mr. M. Hildebrand will meet with subcommittee to assist with this process; and, Terms of Reference development for the subcommittees to be considered at the next meeting along with additional review of work plan timelines. CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY – 2016 4. Ms. E. Clarke advised the Immigration Partnership (IP) has approached her with a request that the Committee again consider co-hosting a citizenship ceremony during the 2016 Local Government Week celebrations. Ms. Clarke noted the Committee approved $250. toward costs and also provided volunteers and a speaker for the 2015 event held at City Hall. Members agreed that co-hosting the ceremony was a positive experience and unanimously supported allocating the same amount of funding as in 2015. On motion by Ms. E. Clarke 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 during Local Government Week 2016.” Ms. Clarke agreed to meet with IP representatives and work out all necessary details. INTERNATIONAL OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY 5. Due to his involvement with a group working on a harm reduction model, Mr. D. McKlusky has been approached to inquire if the Committee would be interested in participating with awareness-raising of International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31, 2016). He noted that past events had been held at City Hall and were organized through Waterloo Region Public Health. Mr. McKlusky suggested that, if the Committee were interested in participating in 2016, he could approach both the Waterloo Regional Police Service as well as the City of Waterloo’s Safe &Healthy Community Advisory Committee regarding their level of interest in partnering. A question was raised regarding required funding; however, Mr. McKlusky indicated that ideas are still preliminary with no specific details available at this time. He volunteered to act as a liaison with other interested organizations and report back to the Committee, at the appropriate time, regarding more defined timelines and details regarding partnering with other organizations. The Committee concurred with this approach. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES DECEMBER 3, 2015 - 28 - CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 6. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator