Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2005-10-13 COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES October 13, 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Compass Kitchener Committee met on this date, commencing at 5:15 p.m. Present: Don Bourgeois Staff: Carla Ladd, Shelley Adams, Michael May, Rosemary Pitfield, Glynis Martin Regrets: Trudy Beaulne, John Hall, Paul Royston, Pat Doherty, Glen Woolner, Douglas Parker 1. Citizen engagement process – next steps There was discussion about the timing of the citizen engagement. Some suggestions were:  Have something small in early December and have an official kick-off in January  We have from January to May to make a report to council  We should focus on questions to ask the citizens, vision, and “What is Kitchener about”?  The goals of this exercise are Kitchener identity, confirm survey, confirm vision  Move the timeline to January but ask early questions about budget in November/December  Maybe have ward meetings, especially around budget  This work cannot be rushed  We need to find a balance  Focus interest by some members of council – service level changes re budget; we do not want a budget with no public engagement, especially in an election year  Since the research comes from the survey that Compass Kitchener initiated, the budget is tied to it  The financial plan is Compass Kitchener’s responsibility  The budget has not substantial changes  In mid to late November Don, as chair of Compass Kitchener, could go public with a plan to develop strategic plan, show a difficult budget and ask for citizen input on it  Not ready for long-term strategy but has short-term problems, how do we deal with it?  We could ask the citizens questions about the safety in downtown with universities moving to Kitchener which will bring more money and people to downtown Kitchener; this could increase safety in the downtown core  Put in context long-term process for financial plan but have short-term problem; put questions on the table about dealing with this  Be strategic, we have developed credibility and a good reputation of citizen engagement, we do not want to destroy that with a quick turnaround now  Councillors can set up meetings in their wards and we can facilitate  Ask questions, e.g., do we borrow money, free money from somewhere, or raise taxes? Ask the public which options do we use, what is their tolerance level to increase debt load by borrowing? There was also discussion on who owns the survey data:  Legally for a 3 month period we do not have to go public; the City paid for the survey so it has a right to the information. COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES October 13, 2005 - 2 - CITY OF KITCHENER  But under freedom of information, we do not want something owned by the City to be taken over by the media  Who owns the data? The City owns it and therefore the citizens.  Environics can use it Canada-wide but we own it  We do not have a final report yet but are planning the next phase of taking the survey information to the public nd  Shelley met with staff group to come up with questions, now looking for a 2 date to meet. 2. New members  Compass Kitchener needs more representation. We should look for members from areas in the: o Environment o Youth o Multicultural o Chief Executive Officer. 3. Action Items * Work on plan and questions for citizen engagement to present to group on November 2 to potentially go public November 14 * Come up with names for potential new members 4. Adjournment Meeting adjourned 5:55 p.m.