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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2004-09-14SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:15 p.m. Present: Chair, Councillor B. Vrbanovic T. Beaulne, P. Doherty, S. Franzen, B. Thomlison, D. Schnarr, A. Bender, S. Fohring and D. Hoch Staff: J. Dean, Safe City Co-ordinator L. Korabo, Committee Administrator J. Ouellette, Youth Co-Ordinator 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. D. Schnarr- it was resolved: "That the minutes of July 20, 2004, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 2. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORT Mr. D. Hoch, Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) representative, commented on the following items: · A recent fire at an abandoned building at the corner of Benton/Charles St.; there are approximately 30-35 abandoned sites in the Downtown; · With two university campuses coming into the Downtown, discussions have been held surrounding the establishment of a Town and Gown Committee. Membership would include representatives from both universities, the City of Kitchener and citizens, with discussions on the problems/opportunities associated with Downtown campuses; · Strategic Plan for the Downtown now in Phase 3 - Implementation; · Soup Kitchen and Job Caf~ will be locating at the St. Vincent de Paul Society building on Victoria St N. 3. YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES PLAN UPDATE Ms. Janice Ouellette, Youth Co-ordinator, advised that she joined the City of Kitchener approximately one year ago and began working on the Youth Opportunities Plan (YOP) which had been developed by her predecessor in conjunction with input from local youth. She received an Action Plan in December 2003 and had reviewed its contents to determine which actions could be implemented with available resources. As a refresher for Committee members, she reviewed the seven identified priorities in the Plan. Ms. Ouellette then distributed a revised Action Plan outlining several steps which she will continue to work on in future. In addition, two more actions were identified for consideration. With regard to a suggestion to conduct a survey of youth on a matter of clinic services, it was noted that professors at the University of Waterloo may be able to assist. Ms. T. Beaulne also offered her assistance. 4. WORK PLAN As Ms. J. Breithaupt was unable to attend today's meeting, a detailed review of the Youth Website will be undertaken at the Committee's next meeting. Ms. J. Dean advised that the proposed name for the website is ktownyouth.com and members of KYAC will be asked to develop a graphic design for the site as well as post monthly "Site of the Month" suggestions. She further advised that the Violence in Sports Working Group will be meeting on Thursday October 7, 2004 at 1:30pm. She commented that she had spoken with John Cooper, Co- ordinator of Athletics, and he had agreed to attend the meeting and provide a listing of local sports groups which receive City funding. Further, Mr. Cooper will advise on what local sports groups are doing regarding violence prevention. Mr. D. Schnarr requested that the list of funded groups be circulated to members prior to the meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 -16- CITY OF KITCHENER 5. COMPASS KITCHENER UPDATE Ms. T. Beaulne advised that approximately six months ago discussions were held at a Compass Kitchener meeting regarding the development of a healthy community plan for Kitchener. At that time, it was suggested that involvement of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee would be important. However, since that time no further discussions have been held and it appears that Compass Kitchener is not ready to proceed at this time. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and staff of the Community Services Department are working toward the development of a healthy community plan within the next two to three years. The Committee directed that Councillor Vrbanovic speak with the CAO and determine if it would be appropriate for a presentation at the October Committee meeting and also investigate the possibility of holding a joint meeting with Compass Kitchener. 6. SAFETY AUDITS UPDATE Ms. J. Dean advised that a Safety Audit of Hall's Lane (between Gaukel and Ontario Streets) had been undertaken and the findings were now being reviewed. She noted an increase in traffic, both vehicular and pedestrian, from a similar audit undertaken several years ago. Incidents of dumping by restaurants along the lane were noted and this information will be forwarded to Enforcement staff for investigation. 7. SEX TRADE WORKERS COMMITTEE UPDATE Mr. B. Thomlinson provided an update on the status of the Sex Trade Workers Committee (STWC) since the last information provided in the Fall of 2003. He noted that members of this Committee represent many resources from within the community with Waterloo Regional Police Services being one of the stakeholders. The Committee's focus was to implement the seven original recommendations contained in the "Between a Rock and a Hard Place" report. Mr. Thomlinson advised that an evaluation of the project was undertaken in June 2004 and it was determined that increased visibility was required for the program and that it would be bene-ficial to have street level workers participate on the Committee. Waterloo Regional Police supports the initiative but he cautioned that quick results are unrealistic. Following a discussion and a round of questioning by the Committee, Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked Mr. Thomlison for his presentation. Ms. J. Ouellette left the meeting. 8. FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES (FCM) Councillor B. Vbranovic provided information on the following actions taken by the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee of FCM: · Dialogue between police forces and youths. · The growing problem of organized crime. · Emergency preparedness and its strain on the municipalities. · Funding for the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC). Ms. T. Beaulne requested information on NCPC funding directed to Kitchener. 9. NEW BUSINESS Ms. T. Beaulne distributed a document entitled "An Overview for the Community Inclusion Action Group" which provided information on work done between December 2003 and June 2004 within the Social and Economic Inclusion Inititiative, Closing the Distance for Seniors and Youth in Central West Ontario. Ms. Beaulne reminded members that she had brought this to their attention in March of 2003. The inclusion initiative found that youth and seniors living in rural or urban communities experienced common barriers in key areas of transportation, negative attitudes and access to community resources. There will be continued work by the Community Action Group as it holds monthly meetings open to the public. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 14, 2004 - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER 10. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator