Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCommunity Svcs - 1999-01-11CSC\1999-01-11 JAN UARY 11, 1999 COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES CITY OF KITCHENER The Community Services Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor G. Lorentz, commencing at 2:35 p.m., with all members present except Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor J. Haalboom who sent her regrets. Others present: Ms. A. Tanner, Ms. J. Dean, Messrs. J. Gazzola, T. McCabe, T. Clancy, B. Stanley, R. Arnot and Ms. D. Gilchrist. 1. SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR The Committee was in receipt of two Business and Planning Services staff reports numbered BPS# 99/2 and BPS# 98/138 with respect to converting the present Safe City Co-Ordinator function from a part-time position to a full-time position. At the meeting the Committee members were provided with copies of a memorandum from Mr. P. Sinnott, dated January 8, 1999, a letter from Ms. M. Walshe, Chief Executive Office, Kitchener Public Library, dated December 10, 1998 and a chart showing the goals and objectives of the Safe City Committee for 1999 through to 2001. Ms. T. Beaulne, Ms. R. Westbrook, Ms. J. Marsh and Mr. D. Schnarr, members of the Safe City Committee, were in attendance to make a presentation to the Committee with respect to a full-time Safe City Co-Ordinator. Mr. B. Stanley introduced this matter, advising that the Committee had been provided with a copy of the department's original report and a subsequent report advising that the Safe City Committee recommends the Safe City Co-Ordinator position be made full-time, on a temporary basis of one year. He felt this to be a good approach at this time. Councillor M. Yantzi noted that if approved, this would provide some interim staffing until Council decides how best to deal with Community Development. Ms. T. Beaulne, Ms. R. Westbrook. Ms. J. Marsh, Mr. D. Schnarr and Councillor K. Taylor- Harrison, Chair of the Safe City Committee, each addressed the Committee. Each dealt with an aspect of the Safe City Committee's function, including the origins of committee, its accomplishments and goals, how the Safe City Committee fits into the overall municipal strategy, the partnerships built and the functions of, need for and preferred attributes of a full-time Safe City Co-Ordinator. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether the City wouldn't be better served by having several staff trained to do this work. Ms. Marsh responded that she didn't agree that more than one co- ordinator was needed. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison stated that one co-ordinator is needed to educate people in the neighbourhoods and to draw all the threads together for a co-ordinated approach. Councillor John Smola spoke of the boundaries of the job. He referred to a comment made in the presentations with respect to staff being invited to go to other municipalities to share the knowledge they have gained in this regard. He referred to Project Lift being an innovator in its field and the amount of time they spend sharing what they are doing with other municipalities. He advised that he could support this full-time temporary position provided they stayed within the boundaries of the City of Kitchener. Mr. Stanley responded that this is an exchange of information and they could not have gone as far as they have already without help from the City of Toronto. He noted that the City of Kitchener has been successful in creating linkages which other municipalities have not been able to accomplish. Councillor C. Weylie felt that something is needed in the wards as well as downtown. She felt that the Councillors needed someone to co-ordinate for them. She suggested the co-ordinator needs to co-ordinate volunteers, staff, police and regional staff. She also suggested training the heads of the neighbourhood associations. Councillor T. Galloway questioned whether there is a job description for this position. Mr. Stanley responded that there is a job description for the part-time position but a new one will be required for the full-time position, if it is approved. Councillor Galloway indicated a concern about timing and the larger objective of community development. He questioned whether the recommendation before the Committee today would prejudice the larger objective. SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 11, 1999 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER Councillor M. Yantzi put forward the recommendation contained in staff report BPS# 99/2. Addressing Councillor Galloway's concerns, Councillor Yantzi stated that those concerns assume that nothing is happening now. There are various projects under way now and it is important that these current actions not be put on hold. Councillor Yantzi noted that this is an interim position until the final model is in place. He spoke strongly in support of moving ahead. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned whether the Environmental Design position would be filled on a contract basis and Mr. Stanley responded that this would be an 8 month position and to facilitate this, the department has already agreed to forgo one co-op student for one term. Councillor B. Vrbanovic then advised that he would support the motion but had some concerns. He felt that there were many issues to be addressed as a community. Councillor K. Taylor-Harrison referred to the memorandum received from Mr. P. Sinnott, dated January 8, 1999 and read aloud what community development is not. She noted that is was a very difficult concept. She stated that she didn't see how what is proposed today would prejudice the outcome of the model. A discussion then took place with respect to the funding for this position. Councillor John Smola put forward a friendly amendment that it be financed through the capital budget. Councillor T. Galloway advised that he could support the recommendation. He stated that the City probably has 20 - 35 full-time equivalents working in this area and he hoped that through a review of community development some money could be saved in other areas. He put forward a friendly amendment that a review of this matter take place in 6 months and another review at budget time for the year 2000. On motion by Councillor M. Yantzi - it was resolved: "That Council approve the expansion of the present Safe City Co-Ordinator position from 25% to 100% on a temporary basis, for a period of one year, and further, That this additional staff time be financed through the Capital Budget, and further, That a progress report be submitted for review in 6 months time and again during budget deliberations for the 2000 budget." 2. NElL CAMPBELL Mr. T. Clancy advised the members of the Committee that Mr. Neil Campbell, a former member of Parks and Recreation staff, had recently died of cancer. He advised that there would probably be a memorial service for Mr. Campbell and that the Parks and Recreation Department was collecting donations in order to plant a tree in Neil Campbell's memory. 3. FACILITY FEASIBILITY STUDY The Committee was in receipt of a report from Mr. T. Clancy, General Manager, dated January 6, 1999, with respect to proceeding with a feasibility study to determine the future needs and priorities of community centres over the next 10 years. Mr. Clancy addressed the Committee advising that he wished to have this matter postponed as he wished an opportunity to look at a holistic approach. He noted that there were various cultures and communities of interest which should be consulted and, following the previous discussion, more consideration and time was needed in this regard. Councillor B. Vrbanovic questioned when this matter would come back and Mr. Clancy responded that a report would come back within one month. Councillor Vrbanovic suggested 3. FACILITY FEASIBILITY STUDY (CONT'D) COMMUNITY SERVICES COMMITTEE MINUTES JAN UARY 11, 1999 -3- CITY OF KITCHENER that the consultant should work with groups to determine what the community's needs are. He noted that the process should be opened up so that the neighbourhoods can identify their own needs. 4. INFORMATION ITEMS Councillor C. Weylie referred to item #5 on the Committee's Unfinished Business Agenda advising that she needs to know what the Victoria Hills Community could expect, as they are planning for their next season. She advised that she needed the information before the Neighbourhood Association's February meeting. Councillor G. Lorentz requested that Mr. J. Gazzola advised Councillor Weylie in this regard and that the information need not come to this Committee before he advises Councillor Weylie. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 3:50 p.m.. Dianne H. Gilchrist Committee Secretary