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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-09-07 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Chair – Mr. D. Witmer Councillors S. Marsh and D. Schnider, Ms. E. Clarke, Ms. A. Venner, Ms. J. Metzger, Ms. T. Smith and Messrs. G. Albert, A. Ganem-Mohamed, B. Page and W. Rahimi. Staff: M. Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs D. Keelan, Manager, Aquatics & Volunteer Services L. Korabo, Committee Administrator 1.PROPOSAL TO CELEBRATE INCLUSION Ms. G. Sabry, publisher of Cross Cultures Magazine, provided background information on the formation and mandate of the magazine being to promote the mutual respect of all cultures found within Canada through the sharing of stories and the discussion of pertinent issues. Ms. Sabry shared her personal history as an immigrant and her decision to launch Cross Cultures Magazine in 1991. In light of recent global events, she shared her vision to place a plaque or artefact in Victoria Park promoting harmony, supporting diversity and mutual respect. She requested the Committee’s support of the proposal. Ms. Sabry advised that she is meeting with representatives from all levels of government and various community organizations to request support for this initiative. Committee members raised questions regarding: The significance of having the plaque located in Victoria Park versus another location in the community. Ms. Sabry stated that as there have been several incidents of hate crimes in the area, she felt this would be a symbolic location and send a positive message. Potential funding sources for this proposal. Ms. Sabry advised she is open to receiving suggestions on options which could be pursued by the organizing committee. She advised of a recent meeting with representatives of the Waterloo Regional Police Service who have tabled an idea to hold a fundraising event, tentatively titled ‘Mutual Respect Mixer’ at a date to be determined. Consideration of a partnership with a local artist to assist with the design of the proposed plaque / artefact. Ms. Sabry noted that nothing has been finalized in terms of design and/or wording as she is still in the consultation phase. In order to gain a better understanding of the proposal, which could then potentially be advanced to Council, Mr. M. Hildebrand suggested staff schedule a meeting with Ms. Sabry to gather additional information and offered to share a more defined concept with the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee in the future as information. Ms. Sabry requested the opportunity to present to Council if / when a staff report regarding this proposal was scheduled. She clarified that the vision is to have a community-based project but with the support of the City of Kitchener, recognizing the proposed location is city parkland. On motion by Mr. B. Page - it was resolved: “That staff be directed to investigate the logistics of installing a plaque or artifact in Victoria Park, as proposed by the Cross Cultures organizing committee, to recognize the Region of Waterloo as a community which supports mutual respect.” 2.WORKPLAN DEVELOPMENT Mr. M. Hildebrand requested each working group provide an update on the status of action items after which he would lead a discussion on the Rainbow Community Council ‘Top 10 Recommendations’ and also next steps regarding the report entitled ‘Breaking the Silence of Hidden Violence’, authored by the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. Mr. B. Page reported on behalf of the working group assigned to investigate conducting CPTED audits of all community centres. Mr. Page has spoken with City staff trained in CPTED about participating in these audits. The working group will set a schedule to visit all community SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2.WORKPLAN DEVELOPMENT (CONT’D) centres over the coming months, planning to conduct 1-2 audits each month. It is hoped a discussion can be held with the supervisor of each facility to identify ongoing concerns and issues in advance of the audit. Following each audit, a report on recommended changes will be prepared. Mr. Page advised that staff from the City’s Facility Management Division will be extended an invitation to participate as well as any interested Committee members. At the request of Mr. M. Hildebrand, the first audit to be conducted will be at the Downtown Community Centre with remaining centres to be scheduled once a prioritized listing has been provided to the working group. Ms. T. Smith provided an update on the working group supporting the relationship of the community centres and the school boards. Working group members have discussed actions which might have the highest impact on fostering better relationships between these two entities on the subject of facility availability and bookings. The group has been brainstorming to identify barriers to booking facility space and has identified a possible next step to approach community centre supervisors with a request that frontline staff make available to the public information regarding the option to book space at school board locations, and eventually act as facilitators for the booking process. Ms. A. Venner spoke on behalf of the working group supporting the LGBTQ community and reminded the Committee of the two presentations at the August meeting, being: an informational presentation on the ‘Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence’ report and a presentation by representatives of the Rainbow Community Council on their top 10 recommendations for the City of Kitchener. With regard to the Top 10 list, Mr. M. Hildebrand advised that Item #1 requesting the City’s endorsement of the ‘Breaking the Silence’ report may be possible and he is investigating th bringing forward a staff report to the October 30 meeting of the Community and Infrastructure Services Committee. He requested direction from the Committee to prepare and present such a report and there was unanimous consent from the members. With regard to Item #2, it was confirmed that a City staff member joined the Rainbow Community Council. Ms. Venner advised the working group is planning action items around the development of a trans-inclusive policy for change rooms located at recreation facilities and community centres (Item #3) and a policy requiring new building developments to have gender inclusive washrooms and the conversion of existing single-stall washrooms in City facilities to gender inclusive washrooms (Item #8). Ms. D. Keelan noted that a discussion will need to be held regarding washroom signage to ensure consistency. Mr. Hildebrand suggested the full Committee may wish to have a discussion around best practices for gender inclusive washrooms which could then be presented by staff to the corporate leadership team for consideration. With regard to Item #5, Ms. Venner advised that contact information for the RCC had been provided to the Office of the City Clerk ensuring their inclusion the email blast advising of the new recruitment campaign. 3. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:15 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator