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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2016-02-03compass Iitchenr l o�urvrly vrsbn vak)es . �anorifo( o ��IJIo �r Present: Chris Hyde Lori Trumper Tristan Wilkin Staff: Laurie Majcher Regrets Graham Jackson 1. Review of past minutes Nathan Dorsch Roberto Villamar Jenn Grein Kirk Zurrell COMPASS KITCHENER MINUTES February 3, 2016 — 4:00-6:00 Schmalz Room, KITCHENER CITY HALL Pete Lennox Daniella McIntosh Fadi Abd-Uhamid The minutes from January 13, 2016 were approved by Compass Kitchener. Moved by Lori, second by Roberto. Passed. 2. Follow up to Minutes ■ Some members are experiencing issues with receiving the agenda in the meeting request. Mark Paul Lynn Gazolla Janice Ouellette Action: Jenn to look into this further. 3. Subcommittee Reports ■ Engaged Citizens — Subcommittee plans to provide updated work plan at the next Compass Kitchener meeting. ■ Neighbourhood Strategy — Tristan is now the Compass Kitchener representative for this project. 4. Report Card Survey Results — Pete Lennox ■ Pete introduced the Report Card Survey Results and will be presenting results from the residents survey on behalf of the subcommittee. He reminded Compass Kitchener: One thousand letters were mailed to random residents asking if they would like to be engaged in providing feedback for use in the Compass Kitchener Report Card, with 42 indicating they would like to participate and a total of 36 actually providing input. ■ Laurie provided members with responses to all questions asked for members to review, indicating the presentation will be considering high level information with the hope to provide information on overall strengths and weaknesses, achievements and opportunities. ■ The first area the committee considered was how satisfied citizens are with Kitchener as a place to earn a good living, live a good life and love where you live. The second two received the highest marks, with live a good life being the highest number of very satisfied and somewhat satisfied residents at 86%. ■ The committee considered Open Government as the first focus area. The primary strength is the majority of people indicated trust in City Council and Staff to make decisions that are in the best interest of the community. The opportunities presented in the feedback focus on opportunities to ask questions and provide input to Council, as well as customer service levels, which Compass Kitchener discussed further, considering possibilities associated with responses received. ■ Laurie reminded the committee, this is just a portion of information to be considered for the Report Card, there will be additional pieces of information when forming grades for the full report card. ■ A Strong and Resilient Economy received positive feedback that the city is headed in the right direction regarding the Economy, however concerns were raised regarding the loss of employment opportunities, and more specifically good paying manufacturing jobs, with significant focus shifting to the tech sector, and a lack of diversification. Residents indicated they would like to see an emphasis on development of new businesses and success of existing businesses, ultimately promoting the city as a great business location. ■ Within Safe and Thriving Neighbourhoods, over half felt the city was headed in the right direction, indicating high satisfaction with access to green space and natural areas as well as with access to recreational opportunitites. Opportunities for improvement existed within traffic safety in neighbourhoods, as well as new opportunities to be involved in decisions that affect their neighbourhood. Some indicated they would like to see safer streets through traffic calming. The committee further considered the work taking place with the Neighbourhood Strategy, still in early phases, and as such, difficult to associate a grade in relation to this project. ■ Many respondents indicated the city is heading in the right direction on the Environment, however a larger portion than in other areas indicate they were not certain on the direction the city was taking. Satisfaction with the city's progress on natural area conservation was high although some indicated dissatisfaction with the city's efforts towards growth management. People would like to see the city plant more trees and take care of existing trees, February 3, 2016 2 CITY OF KITCHENER followed by an increase in the number of people that choose transit, cycling, rideshare etc as an alternative to private automotive. ■ And finally, in regards to Effective and Efficient City Services, 61 % of respondents felt they get good value for their tax dollars, the high levels of satisfaction in the following areas: swimming, skating, downtown events, walking trails and pathways, maintenance of public spaces, traffic signs and streetlights, by-law and enforcement and fire response & prevention/education, with low levels of satisfaction in road maintenance, traffic calming, on -road cycling lanes, and public parking lots and garages. ■ Laurie clarified, the input provided by the committee when testing the survey was not included in feedback received as members were asked to test, not provide their personal opinion. Report Card Next Steps ■ Lori provided and reviewed the Report Card Work Schedule document circulated to the committee. The group discussed options for reviewing the overall data for each of the five priority areas, considering various ways to accomplish this significant task. They agreed to create smaller teams for each of the priority areas, 2-3 on each team, reviewing all information gathered for the report card processes then providing a summary back to the committee for consideration. This output from the subgroup would be an overall summary for one of the five areas, with full evaluation being completed by the full committee. All information to be provided to all members for review. Upon subgroup presentation of summary to the full committee, members are encouraged to ask further probing questions regarding their findings in each of the areas. ■ Laurie provided an outline of summary expected from subgroups. If members would like Laurie to review prior to sharing with the committee, please feel free to connect with her the week prior to April meeting. Action: ■ Laurie to prepare template for use by subgroups to ensure information prepared for presentation and grading is consistent. 6. Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee Gathering ■ Jenn circulated and reviewed the draft advisory committee gathering agenda scheduled for February 23. Action: ■ Compass Kitchener agreed it would be beneficial to have individuals who will be reviewing Report Card content for each of the five priority areas to be a facilitator for said area at the Advisory Committee Gathering. 7. Other Business ■ Request for volunteer for Kitchener's Great Places Awards — Jenn provided information on a volunteer request of Compass Kitchener to participate in judging for the Schmalz Award for Design Leadership. Any members interested in participating, please advise Jenn by Friday, February 12tH ■ Attendance Next meeting: March 2, 2016 Location: Schmalz Room Attendance: Compass Kitchener Attendance 15-16.xiE