HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2021-09-01COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met electronically this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Ms. J. Stephens -Wells — Chair, Ms. R. Lavender, Ms. L. Terry, Ms. L. Trumper, Ms. L.
Gazzola and Mr. O. Samad.
Staff: K. Cooper, Manager, Strategic & Business Planning
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator
1. PRESENTATION — EQUITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION (EDI) STRATEGY
E. Moorlag Silk, Project Manager, Equity, Anti -Racism & Indigenous Initiatives, attended to share
information on the Strategic Plan Caring Community strategic action to prepare a comprehensive
EDI Strategy. The EDI strategy was prepared by the Mayor's Task Force on Equity, Diversity &
Inclusion and its' eight working groups. She provided an overview of the following actions
undertaken: staffing model; policy development; community funding program; training strategy;
audit of HR hiring and recruitment; establishment of an advisory committee; collection of
demographic data; development of a communications guide; and, establishment of a youth
mentorship program. The Committee had been provided with a document summarizing
background information, additional details, and the status of the Task Force's work to date.
Members were advised that Council recently approved an Equity & Anti -Racism Policy as well
as an Advisory Committee to advise on related matters This advisory committee is seen as a
continuation of grassroots community involvement and a way to provide a community
accountability mechanism for the recommendations/actions stemming from the Task Force.
2. STRATEGIC PLAN EVALUATION
Compass Kitchener members participated in sub -group meetings over the past several weeks
in order to evaluate assigned Strategic Plan actions related to the following areas: Climate
Action Plans (Community and Corporate); Complete Streets; Customer Satisfaction Program;
Affordable Housing; Economic Development Strategy (MIK2.0); Multi -language Interpretation
Services; Online Portal; Social Stigma/Safe Consumption Site; Urban Design Guidelines; and,
the EDI Strategy.
A spreadsheet format was used to evaluate each action under the topics of budget, timelines,
public engagement, impact, and accountability. A final grade of exceeding expectations,
meeting expectations, or not meeting expectations was to be determined. As scoring on some
evaluations was incomplete, Ms. J Stephens -Wells asked members to review their project
evaluations, completing any missing scoring and adding any further comments they wished to
have included, and return the updated evaluations to Ms. K. Cooper in the next week.. Members
held a general discussion regarding those grades still to be confirmed for several of the actions.
Ms. J. Stephens -Wells also noted that Committee members wishing to provide additional
comments on completed projects beyond those they were assigned to review are welcome to
do so and should forward their comments to Ms. Cooper in the next week.
Completed projects that had not yet been assigned to a sub -group for review were identified and
discussed. Ms. R. Lavender and Ms. J. Stephens -Wells agreed to review information regarding
the Multi -Language Translation Services and updated Customer Service Program and as well
as the work completed to improve multi -use trails and pathways as prioritized through the Cycling
and Trails Master Plan..
Regarding the evaluation for the EDI Strategy, it was agreed the sub -group would re -convene
to consider the information shared this date and revisit their evaluation. The Committee
Administrator was directed to schedule a sub -group meeting within the week to have this
evaluation revised and completed.
It was generally agreed that additional discussion was required to finalize the Committee's
evaluation of all the Strategic Plan actions. The October meeting will focus on this work and the
scheduled discussion with the Corporate Leadership Team regarding the Committee's
evaluation will be deferred to November. Ms. K. Cooper will summarize additional comments
relating to the actions and have this available for the next meeting.
COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 -22- CITY OF KITCHENER
2. STRATEGIC PLAN EVALUATION (CONT'D)
Members provided feedback on the evaluation process noting the lack of information for some
projects and the difficulty with only meeting virtually. It was suggested that presentations by staff
on Strategic Plan projects were desirable in addition to the regular public progress reports
Compass Kitchener receives throughout the year as they provide a richer understanding. This
would also reduce the need for a large influx of information to be absorbed at the time of
preparing for the evaluation.
Compass Kitchener also debriefed on their involvement in the current Strategic Plan process
and considered improvements that could be recommended for the development of the 2023-
2026 Strategic Plan (e.g. identify specific goals/objectives and more measurable impacts).
3. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes of the July Compass Kitchener meeting were reviewed.
4. SELECTION OF VICE -CHAIR
Ms. J. Stephens -Wells reminded members that with the resignation of Ms. E. Duhaime, the
position of Committee Vice -Chair has become available. She requested members to provide
nominations for, or volunteer for, this role. Ms. K. Cooper outlined the specific involvement that
the Vice -Chair would be required to undertake, serving as the Chair in the Chair's absence and
in presentations to Council.
Mr. O. Samad volunteered to serve as Vice -Chair for the remainder of the Committee's term.
5. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:35 pm.
L. Korabo
Committee Administrator