HomeMy WebLinkAboutSHCAC Minutes - 2021-02-11 The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date February 11, 2021 commencing
at 4:07 p.m.
Present: A. Monteith, Chair, C. Kidd Chubb, Vice Chair,G. Achim, L. Campbell,
Councillor K. Galloway Sealock, R.Hussein, Councillor M.Johnston, S. Kibaalya,
Councillor C. Michaud, H. Nagawo, I. Obodo, P. Seliske, , A.
Venner, D. Witmer, G. Goshe, R. Shanmuganathan
Staff: J. McKenzie, Committee Adminstrator
L. Palubeski, Manager, Program and Resource Services
M. Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs and Services
1. Mayor's Task Force on Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion
Committee update, Elin Moorlag Silk (Project Manager)
The committee was set up in September of 2019 to develop a strategy around Equity, Diversity, &
Inclusion. Part of the mandate is for the work to be manageable and sustainable. Three working
groups were set up to include city staff, representatives from community organizations (vulnerable
sections of the population), and community members.
Seven separate working groups branching from the committee will be taking their strategies to
council. Timeline is to update council in April and seeking approval from council in June.
Working Groups:
1. Policy
2. Training
3. Demographic Data Collection
4. Communications
5. Hiring & Recruitment
6. Youth Mentorship Program
7. Community Funding Program
Comments/Feedback
• How were the priorities chosen?
Based on best practices the Committee's first task was to Identify the different priorities. It was
decided this needed to be a wraparound process, i.e. cannot just be a one-time training to make
significant organizational change.
• What we have learned from other municipalities and/or province(s)? Who / how
have others taken these steps? Have they?
Work is very new to everyone; City of Kitchener is a front runner in comparison to other
municipalities
• Does everything wrap up in April?
No, that is just an update for council looking for feedback and comments, it will go to council and
wrap up in June.
• Will Elin be coming back with an update?
Community engagement for feedback will be done and advisory committees will be included.
Transparency regarding timelines will be available on the new City of Kitchener Dashboard
• How will they reach out to businesses that the City of Kitchener work with?
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request. If you require assistance to take
part in a city meeting or event, please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994.
Currently working with finance, putting together questions to send out with Request for
Proposals. The data will then be collected to figure out how to reach out to more diverse
businesses.
Any further questions can be sent onto Elin via email elin.moorlagsilk@kitchener.ca
2. Outstanding Items from Previous Meeting, Mark Hildebrand
• Budget Amount
$5000
3. Work Plan
Survey Results were shared with the committee members showing topics of interest from this
committee.
Action Items:
• City Staff will investigate when the official plan is up for review and to engage the committee on
this review
• Housing First Strategy to be shared. Staff will be coming to the next meeting with a presentation
• Mark will look at what work the city is currently already doing and bring back to the committee in
March.
• Alicia and Mark will meet to set up a shared document with all the topics for any comments or
feedback from the committee.
Information Item:
• COVID Testing sites now available at community centres on a drop-in basis. Kingsdale and
Victoria Hills community centres are the sites and they are using a targeted ACB approach.
4. Standing Agenda Items
• Mayor's Task Force on Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion Committee update, LoriAnn
Palubeski
Addressed above
• Inclusive Communities Grant, Committee members
Afghan Association was not able to use their grant money due to the pandemic last year and
have sent an email requesting the monies for this year
Action Items:
• Mark to send request to committee members for review
• Lori and Alicia to revise and bring back to the committee for review the Inclusive Communities
Grant to clarify what happens if the money is not used in the current year and applicant comes
back for the grant money the following year.
• City Strategies and Plans, Mark Hildebrand
Addressed above
Meeting adjourned