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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kit - 2015-07-08iooi000�i /0000ii' /o COMPASS KITCHENER MINUTES July 8, 2015 — 4:00 -6:00 Conestoga Room, KITCHENER CITY HALL Present: Chris Hyde Nathan Dorsch Lynn Gazzola Mark Paul Graham Jackson Pete Lennox Daniella McIntosh Lori Trumper Kirk Zurell Tristan Wilkin Guest: Atilla Staff: Laurie Majcher Jenn Grein Regrets: Janice Ouellette Roberto Villamar Fadi Abd- Ulhamid Bojana Kojic 1. Review of past minutes The minutes from June 3, 2015 were approved by Compass Kitchener. Moved by Pete, second by Daniella. Passed. 2. Follow up to Minutes ■ Nothing at this time. Recommended Strategic Plan • Laurie advised the group that a slightly revised version of the draft strategic priorities and strategies for the 2015- 2018 City of Kitchener strategic plan has been provided this evening and she provided a brief overview of the changes from what was distributed with the meeting agenda. • Laurie encouraged committee members to keep in mind as they review the recommended strategies that staff are working with limited resources, and tax rate increases for the city have been at or below inflation for the last number of years. As a result, it is always a challenge to find the capacity to commit to strategic initiatives above and beyond the day -to -day management of our core services. In reviewing these strategies today, Laurie is looking for input and feedback from Compass Kitcheners perspective on these strategies and will be including this information in sharing with Council. • Compass Kitchener provided input on the draft strategic directions: • Would like to see reference to the city's commitment to affordable housing strengthened and perhaps shifted to be more proactive. Laurie clarified; this strategy was worded to align with the input received from the community. Within the business plan, the organization has already committed to, and is work towards, supporting this initiative. • Customer Service — members wondered how we could come to understand if people had a great customer service experience. This strategy has been worded specifically to focus on Customer Service experience, which is different than service delivery, and methods will need to be developed to measure this. • Clarification was provided that the reference to introducing new ways for citizens to get involved in decisions that affect them includes the implementation of the e- participation strategy as well as additional opportunities for engagement. • Laurie clarified, a citizen centered approach includes focusing on what the citizen really needs, and accomodating accordingly. Providing services in a way that focusing on the needs of the citizen. • Clarification was requested on the meaning of the word placemaking, and a suggestion was made that it may not be plain language, could consider using different language here. This is a social movement to make neighbourhoods more social spaces where residents interact. • Clarification was requested on reference to advocating other orders of government for action on citizen priorities not within the jurisdiction of the City, This is viewed now more as a core service and is also an area the mayor spends significant focus on. Members suggested it would be good to share information relating to this more frequently and perhaps more effectively. • Priorities are reflected within the organizations business plan. The organization updates Council on the business plans three times a year, Business Plans items are placed over a four year cycle, and measured annually. Additionally, there is flexibility in the process as instances may come up that require staff attention. • Compass Kitchener indicated particular interest in Open Government, Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods, and were overall encouraged by the work the city is doing. It would be beneficial to share this with Council. They suggested a further review of the document for plain language. • The finished brochure is in the works, and will be shared with citizens in the future. Draft has been circulated to stakeholders, and once feedback has been received, an updated document will go on public agendas as of July July 8, 2015 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER 31s' for Committee on August 10, then further to Council for final approval on August 24"'. Media release will be shared, as well as full final brochure. ■ Compass Kitchener endorsed this document with the feedback provided to be taken into consideration. They indicated excitement about the proposed strategic plan and are looking forward to seeing the city implement these important actions in the coming years. 4. Work Plan • Graham spoke with KYAC regarding possible work together with the Youth subcommittee. The conversation was great, however this youth committee does not meet frequently in the summer, and as a result, they are considering partnering in September instead. Graham would like to review the recent Youth Audit, and discussed considering the connection for youth with the city, both communications and participation. He felt it would be beneficial for us to learn from youth how to better engage this demographic. • In principal, subcommittees agreed to the draft work plan. Chris to make changes and circulate to the group for approval prior to sharing with Council. ■ Version date to be included in document moving forward. ■ Laurie to connect with Michelle Drake re: Neighbourhoods after their next meeting. 5. All Committee Gathering Report Back ■ This event went very well. The exercise offered a good perspective of what other committees are working on. ■ Each committee chair was asked to briefly outline their top three work plan items. Further, each committee discussed what other committees they would like to engage to either provide input or receive feedback, and draw connection lines between their committee and the other. (see attachment). KYAC, MACKS and GRAAC, as very much overarching committees with connections to most if not all other committees, were kept aside so as to connect with various committees throughout the process. Further, these groups were brought together to discuss connections and consider future steps. ■ Compass Kitchener indicated interest in connecting with the Environment Committee as well as Safe and Healthy Communities Advisory Committee. The partnership with Environment will be related to the report card. The partnership with Safe and Healthy Communities will be the Neighbourhood Strategy. To be added to October meeting. 6. Other Business ■ Next meeting to be changed from September 2nd to September 9th. Next meeting: September 9, 2015 Location: Conestoga Room Attendance: .n N Compass Kitchener Attendance 15- 16.x1<