HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2018-08-16COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
AUGUST 16, 2018 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Mr. L. Collins, Chair
Ms. L. Trumper, Ms. J. Stephens -Wells, Ms. L. Gazzola and Messrs. J. Brown and A.
Hammoud
Staff: K. Cooper, Manager, Strategic & Business Planning
J. MacDonald, Community Engagement Consultant
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESULTS / IDENTIFICATION OF COMMUNITY PRIORITIES
Compass Kitchener was circulated with a draft report summarizing the community engagement
activities carried out over the past several months and identifying the four community priority
areas to be presented for Council's consideration at the August 27, 2018 strategy session. Ms.
K. Cooper congratulated Committee members on a successful community engagement
campaign and circulated a sampling of consultation questions and responses.
The four proposed community priorities that emerged from the Compass Kitchener engagement
process are:
• environment / growth management;
• economic development;
• social; and,
• organizational excellence.
Ms. Cooper continued by reviewing the previously agreed-upon community engagement goals
as well as the activities undertaken to gather citizen feedback. The previous community priorities
- open government & accountability; economic development; neighbourhoods; and,
infrastructure and environment were also considered. Lastly, tables summarizing all the
generated responses, grouped into broad categories, were discussed.
Compass Kitchener members provided feedback on the draft report including: wording to better
clarify how findings from the Environics survey are reflected in the proposed community
priorities; report formatting, content and structure. A discussion was also held to determine
additional detailed information which could be included as part of the Council presentation. Ms.
J. Stephens -Wells suggested the attached 2017-2018 work plan (Appendix 2) should not include
member names. Ms. Cooper agreed to update the work plan, as suggested.
Following the presentation on August 27th, the Committee's next step will be collaborating with
Council and staff to identify new strategic opportunities aligned to the community priorities and
develop / deliver a new Strategic Plan for 2019-2022. This next phase of work will be undertaken
over the next six-month period.
TERMS OF REFERENCE REVIEW
Compass Kitchener was circulated with a draft showing suggested revisions to Council Policy
GOV-BOA-077 (Compass Kitchener — Terms of Reference).
Ms. K. Cooper commented that members had previously indicated the Terms of Reference did
not adequately describe the amount of member work required and should clearly identify that
some work is necessary outside of regular meetings. Ms. Cooper noted the revised Terms will
be used during the upcoming Fall recruitment campaign to provide an appropriate level of detail
for interested citizens when considering volunteering with the Committee. Ms. Cooper reviewed
the changes made to update the committee's composition and to ensure consistent terminology
throughout the policy.
To provide additional context, Ms. Cooper provided historical information on the formation of
Compass Kitchener noting it was originally comprised of staff and the Mayor but has transitioned
to its current composition. Updating the Terms of Reference, as proposed, recognizes that
citizens are the decision makers on the committee work but are supported by staff.
COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
AUGUST 16, 2018 -18- CITY OF KITCHENER
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A question was raised regarding improving the onboarding experience of new members,
specifically around the volume of information shared. Ms. Cooper agreed to review this request
separately from the Terms review and agreed that development of a 2 -page outline of orientation
information may be beneficial. The Committee was also asked whether members of Council
should continue to be listed as ex -officio members, noting it is the practice of most other advisory
committees to have 1 or 2 members of Council as appointed members and only have the Mayor
as ex -officio. Compass Kitchener indicated their strong preference that no change be made to
the current ex -officio status of Council members, as it was beneficial to have all Councillors as
ex -officio members.
Ms. Cooper will undertake the suggested changes and advised the updated Terms of Reference
will be added to the August 27th Council agenda for approval.
AUGUST 27, 2018 COUNCIL STRATEGY SESSION — PRESENTATION
Ms. Cooper advised she is currently working on the PowerPoint presentation for the strategy
session and will circulate a draft by early next week for member feedback. Mr. L. Collins has
agreed to present the community priorities to Council. Other Committee members were
encouraged to participate or attend in support, if available.
Ms. L. Korabo was requested to provide information on the timing of the strategy session to the
Committee once finalized.
OTHER BUSINESS
Nil.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
L. Korabo
Committee Administrator