HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2022-09-07COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met electronically this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Ms. J. Stephens -Wells — Chair, Ms. L. Trumper, Ms. R. Lavender, Ms. A. Thornton, Ms. K.
Williams, Ms. L. Gazzola, Ms. L. Terry and Mr. O. Samad.
Staff: A. Fritz -Walters, Engagement Program Manager — Strategic Planning
L. Korabo, Committee Administrator
1. STRATEGIC PLAN — REVIEW ENGAGEMENT INPUT / DISCUSS EMERGING THEMES
Ms. A. Fritz -Walters shared early themes from the Engage Page Ideas Boards; results being
shared reflect input provided from July — September 6, 2022. She commented the number of
Engage Page visitors is significantly higher than previous Strategic Plan outreach activities.
Highlights include total page visits — 1.2K with a one -day high of 72 visits. Compass Kitchener
was also shown results of the daily quick poll which asked the question `Which of these issues
do you think is most important for the City to focus on over the next four years?' Response
categories were sustainability; recreation & leisure programs and services; urban growth;
delivering city programs and services; public engagement; housing affordability; and, other.
Members were shown a bulleted list of top responses in each of the identified categories and
Ms. Fritz -Walters shared additional information included in citizen feedback to provide more
context or detail. She highlighted the substantial interest in the `Green City' initiative under
`Sustainability'.
Ms. Fritz -Walters then spoke to the positive response to the Street Team members who have
been attending community events to gather input from citizens. Committee members were
advised that at least half of the comments provided stem from their interviews. In evaluating the
Engagement for this Strategic Plan, Ms. Fritz -Walters will consider if this type of tactic could
continue to be used in future large-scale planning initiatives.
In response to a suggestion from Ms. J. Stephens -Wells to identify key issues or themes for
further dialogue at the upcoming All Advisory Committee meeting, a roundtable discussion took
place with members raising a variety of issues (e.g. affordable housing; accessibility; access to
green space; additional recreation programming offerings; in light of neighbourhood diversity -
more culture -specific programming at certain community centres alongside promoting use of
community centres by culture -specific focused community groups e.g. the Spanish speaking -
community; transportation between KW and other communities). Also noted was the complex
range of issues related to development that have surfaced in both the survey and public
engagement. It was suggested that when conveying the results of the public engagement
process, sharing some of the specific comments/quotes/personal stories individuals provided
would help convey the personal impact of various issues raised.
Ms. L. Trumper suggested that some education on the differing roles/responsibilities of
organizations and levels of government could be beneficial in navigating and understanding
problems or situations that could be complex. As well, it would be helpful to focus on the City's
relationships with organizations and other levels of government with whom we have shared
goals to determine where those working relationships can be made more effective. In response
to a point that comments shared which fall out of the city's jurisdiction need to be directed to the
appropriate body, Ms. A. Fritz -Walters agreed it will be important to message that the input is
important and, while not something the city can directly act on, information be shared that
provides confidence that input will be passed along to the appropriate entity. This will ensure
that citizens providing input feel that their contribution mattered.
Ms. A. Fritz -Walters thanked members for their input and advised that she will prepare a
summary of points raised and share it ahead of the September 28th meeting when additional
discussion will determine the final information to be presented at the All Advisory Committee
meeting.
2. FALL ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEES MEETING — FINALIZE FORMAT/AGENDA
Members were reminded of the Fall All Advisory Committee meeting scheduled to be held on
Wednesday, October 5, 2022 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Direction has been received from Legislated
Services staff to continue with electronic meeting therefore this meeting will be held using Zoom.
COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 7, 2022 -18- CITY OF KITCHENER
2. FALL ALL ADVISORY COMMITTEES MEETING — FINALIZE FORMAT/AGENDA (CONT'D)
In addition to sharing draft community priorities for input from advisory committee members,
information on developing a new 20 -year vision for the city will also be included. A preference
for small group dialogue was expressed in order to ensure good participation; the use of
facilitators to guide the discussion was also suggested.
Ms. R. Lavender questioned if attendees could be requested in advance to consider key
issues/challenges faced in Kitchener which their committee has identified in the course of its
work and bring same to the October 5t" meeting for inclusion in the discussion providing input
into the new strategic plan and the City's 20 -year vision. Having this additional information may
also highlight any overlap between committees.
In response to a question from Ms. J. Stephens -Wells, Ms. Fritz -Walters advised the final report
to Council on community priorities will likely occur in January/February 2023; however, she felt
that a draft report could be prepared and shared with the current committee prior to the end of
the term
3. REVIEW OF PREVIOUS MINUTES
The minutes of the August 3, 2022 Committee meeting were reviewed.
4. ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:30 pm.
L. Korabo
Committee Administrator