HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2022-05-04COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 4, 2022 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met electronically this date, commencing at 5:00 p.m.
Present: Ms. J. Stephens -Wells — Chair, Ms. R. Lavender, Ms. L. Terry, Ms. K. Williams, Ms. L.
Trumper, Ms. M. Goveas, Ms. D. Pinkerton, Ms. A. Thornton, and Mr. O. Samad
Guests: R. Sa'd, S. Davies and T. Posselt - REFOCUS Consultants
M. Rodrigues, Active Transportation & Trails Advisory Committee
V. Hand, Active Transportation & Trails Advisory Committee
I. Stefanescu, Arts & Culture Advisory Committee
J. Makad, Downtown Action & Advisory Committee
M. Bingeman, Economic Development Advisory Committee
P. McDonald, Economic Development Advisory Committee
R. Fyck, Environmental Committee
S. Van Manen, Equity & Anti -Racism Advisory Committee
S. Oji, Equity & Anti -Racism Advisory Committee
B. Robinson, Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
T. McQuillin, Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
J. Haalboom, Heritage Kitchener
S. Barker, Kitchener Youth Action Council
D. Doiron, Mayor's Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors
Staff: A. Fritz -Walters, Engagement Program Manager—Strategic Planning
K. Dever, Director - Strategy & Corporate Performance
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator
V. Lafave, Youth Services Coordinator
1. WELCOME AND OPENING REMARKS
Ms. J. Stephens -Wells welcomed attendees to the All -Advisory Committee meeting for Chairs
and Vice -chairs. Participants introduced themselves and identified their advisory committee.
ITY AND ANTI -RACISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Sharon Van Manen and Saba Oji, Co -Chairs, Equity and Anti -Racism Advisory Committee, were
introduced. They shared information on their backgrounds and personal experiences which
influenced their decision to become involved with the Equity and Anti -Racism Committee. As
this is the newest of the corporation's advisory committees, an overview of their mandate was
also provided.
3. ADVISORY COMMITTEE COLLABORATION ON 2023-2026 STRATEGIC PLAN
Ms. Stephens -Wells provided an overview of the City's Strategic Plan process and the purpose
of today's gathering to receive input on possible public engagement techniques to ensure
diversity and opportunities for connections to be investigated to expand outreach. Community
input is an integral part and the best way to fully understand the community's biggest issues and
top priorities.
Information gathered through a recently completed telephone survey by Environics of 1000
residents and the upcoming public engagement process will be the basis for the report Compass
Kitchener will present to City Council later this year to share the identified community priorities
for the next four-year Strategic Plan. In tandem, work is also underway to develop a new 20 -
year vision for Kitchener. REFOCUS Consultants have been retained to work with city staff, the
community and Council to co -develop the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. Ms. Stephens -Wells
introduced Ms. A. Fritz -Walters who will be coordinating the public engagement and outreach
work and will work with REFOCUS on these aspects of the project.
Ms. A. Fritz -Walters provided attendees with an overview of the Strategic Plan workplan and her
role in coordinating the engagement component to ensure that feedback is received from a
cross-section of individuals so to be reflective of our diverse community.
Following an introduction by REFOCUS Consultants and using Mural software, attendees were
asked to share input on engagement techniques and best practices based on their personal
experiences and considerations. The following prompts were used to generate ideas:
COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
MAY 4, 2022 _10- CITY OF KITCHENER
• based on your experience what engagement techniques work best with the groups you
represent?
• what should we consider as we design engagement to ensure it is accessible and meaningful
to the groups you represent?
• what was the best engagement you've participated in and why?
4. IDENTIFYING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND GROUPS
Mr. R. Sa'd spoke to the need to create a safe and just space for humanity and introduced the
Doughnut Model as an inclusive and sustainable framework to develop the next municipal
strategic plan. He shared a video explaining the Doughnut Model of Economics. The model
can be used in the municipal context as well.
Using Mural software and led by a facilitator, attendees were asked to consider potential
engagement opportunities and impacts which their advisory committee could influence, which
could be used to co -develop a Kitchener Doughnut. The two aspects for consideration were
either social or ecological wellbeing
In closing the workshops, participants shared comments regarding their experience and any
other feedback which would benefit the upcoming public engagement. Mr. T. Posselt noted the
two Mural exercises would remain available (links below) to allow for additional comments to be
added.
Exercise 1 - Enaaaement Techniaues and Best Practices
Exercise 2 - Kitchener City Portrait Canvas
5. WRAP-UP AND NEXT STEPS
Ms. J. Stephens -Wells thanked the Advisory Committee representatives forjoining members of
the Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee and thanked the REFOCUS team. She observed
that many good ideas were shared and that the variety of viewpoints was appreciated. Both Ms.
J. Stephens -Wells and Ms. A. Fritz -Walters were amenable to receiving feedback directly at the
following emails:
Judy Stephens -Wells istephenswells(abpmail.com
Angie Fritz -Walters angie.fritz-walters(a-)kitchener.ca
Ms. Stephens -Wells also advised the results of the recently completed Environics survey will be
publicly released on Friday and will be available via the City's website.
Ms. A. Fritz -Walters reviewed the following next steps in the Strategic Plan process as:
• Launch multi -faceted communications campaign — May 2022
• Launch online engagement of Kitchener residents — May 2022
• Outreach to the community groups — June -December 2022
• Pop up and event engagement — June -August 2022
• Survey regarding draft strategic goals and actions — May 2023
Ms. A. Fritz -Walters commented that she would be amenable to attending advisory committee
meetings to have deeper conversations regarding any of the topics discussed today. Attendees
were encouraged to either reach out directly or through their Committee Administrator.
6. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 7:00 pm
L. Korabo
Committee Administrator