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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-03-03 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 3, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m. Present: Mr. A. Bieronski – Chair Councillor S. Marsh, Ms. D. Christiaen, Insp. S. Morris and Messrs. M. Farwell, C. Letizi and D. McKlusky. Staff: Mr. M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs and Services Ms. D. Campbell, Manager of Community Resource Centres Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator COMMITTEE LOGO 1. Following up on discussion at the Committee’s last meeting, Mr. M. Hildebrand circulated an example of how the committee’s name could be used on documents in lieu of a logo. An example had been provided by the Communications Division and they suggest it be used sparingly. Members agreed to use it on communications relating to the Inclusion / Belonging Grant and consider any additional usage on a case-by-case basis. 2016 BUDGET – UPDATE 2. As requested, Mr. M. Hildebrand provided an accounting of Inclusion / Belonging Grant allocations approved by the Committee in 2015; a copy was attached to the agenda. A total of $2,350. had been allotted, and a year-end balance of $5,130. was noted. Funding of $10,400. for 2016 has now been approved by Council, leaving a total available balance of $15,530. for the Committee’s use. Mr. C. Letizi inquired about the $2,000., previously approved for the Little Libraries project; this was not identified in the budget update provided. Ms. D. Campbell advised that each funding request for a Little Library totals $350. and staff is planning to bring a status report on this program back to the Committee prior to the end of the current term. The Committee reaffirmed its approval for staff to move forward with approving applications for Little Libraries to a maximum total expenditure of $2,000. With regard to additional opportunities to utilize funds, Mr. Hildebrand acknowledged that some monies will be required for the pending marketing of the Inclusion / Belonging Grant. The Committee was advised that a few applications had been received; however, they did not meet the grant’s criteria of being neighbourhood specific. Ms. D. Campbell advised staff is preparing an email blitz to remind organizations of the grant’s availability and have also prepared a comprehensive document outlining all of the City’s available grants STATUS OF SUBCOMMITTEES 3. Fostering Inclusion, Participation and Belonging Ms. D. Christiaen advised the subcommittee has followed up regarding the possible training of city staff at community centres on best practices to create a welcoming environment for Syrian refugees. It was noted, however, this training cannot occur in a timely manner. In lieu of staff training, the subcommittee is now pursuing creating a listing of community members who could conduct this training on an ‘as required’ basis. She advised that this change in approach will not require any funding, however, some funds could possibly be required to publicize the existence of this resource listing. The subcommittee has scheduled a meeting with representatives of the Rainbow Community Council to discuss any recommendations / approaches they may wish to make to the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee, with recommendations of support being forwarded to City Council. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 3, 2016 - 6 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. STATUS OF SUBCOMMITTEES (CONT’D) Physical Environment and Safety Mr. D. McKlusky advised the subcommittee has met to discuss the creation of a neighbourhood safety toolkit / checklist. They have conducted some research and have developed a work plan; however, as there is a lot of work to be done, more people are required to undertake the tasks. Mr. M. Hildebrand circulated a summary of the work plan developed by the subcommittee for the Committee’s information. Item 1 of the work plan is best practices research regarding any existing Neighbourhood Safety Kits / Checklists. He noted that assistance will be needed to analyze best practices and develop / assemble a safety toolkit. He suggested the safety toolkit be brought back to the full Committee for comment and testing prior to introduction to the community. A question was raised if the toolkit could be in the form of an application for a smartphone. Mr. Hildebrand stated that traditionally toolkits have been in hard copy form but consideration of an ‘app’ would be interesting to pursue. A suggestion was made to have it become a tile on the City’s PingStreet app. A further suggestion was made that the City’s new E-Participation tool being launched in April could be used to consult with the public on this toolkit. As there is a large body of potential work for this subcommittee, the Committee Administrator advised the subcommittee could break into two smaller groups and bring in additional resources either from the Committee or elsewhere. Public Awareness Raising Mr. M. Farwell advised he will review various City publications to determine any existing gaps and report back to the Committee. Mr. M. Hildebrand noted the City has spent the last year reviewing all of its publications and now has a good understanding of how to move forward to increase readership and make the publications more user friendly. He did acknowledge these changes may not address all identified gaps. Mr. M. Farwell requested that he be included in publication reviews wherever possible. COMPASS KITCHENER 4. As Ms. J. Nicholls was not in attendance today, Mr. A. Bieronski advised the Committee that she had met with the Chair of Compass Kitchener concerning possible future opportunities for collaboration. Mr. C. Hyde, Chair of Compass Kitchener, agreed to identify any opportunities and advise. Mr. Bieronski also advised that he, Mr. D. McKlusky and Ms. E. Clarke attended the Compass Kitchener All Committee Gathering in January and used the time to connect with members of other advisory committees. JANE’S WALK – JUNE 7, 2016 5. Mr. D. McKlusky advised the Forest Heights Neighbourhood Association will be conducting a Jane’s Walk and it will be entitled ‘Edible Forest Heights’. The walk will begin at the community centre and follow a trail to an area where new community gardens are proposed to be built. Councillor S. Marsh noted the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee did not host a Jane’s Walk in 2015, however, the sub-committee has been meeting and discussing co- ordinating one for this year. Councillor Marsh offered to lead the walk and advised the sub- committee will report on planning at the April meeting. OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY 6. Mr. D. McKlusky advised the 2016 Overdose Awareness Day has been scheduled for August st 31 and he may be presenting a funding request for the Committee’s consideration at a future meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 3, 2016 - 7 - CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 7. On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:00 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator