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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2023_06_14 COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 14, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., Present: J. Stephens-Wells, Chair K. Brabazon, T. Glover, A. Forstmanis, L. Thompson, W. Rahimi, L. Trumper and L. Terry Staff: A. Fritz-Walters, Engagement Program Manager—Strategic Planning A. Remillard, Committee Administrator 1. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof-NIL 2. Debrief on All Advisory Committee Meeting Compass Kitchener Members shared their feedback about the dialogue at the May 3, 2023 All Advisory Committee Meeting for Chairs and Vice-Chairs. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters noted she was impressed with the participation, and how everyone came with some good ideas, and many ideas around actions. J. Stephens-Wells asked Compass Kitchener members if there was anything that was observed that should be built into future All Advisory Committee dialogues or anything that could have been done better. She noted the meeting seemed more focused than other meetings, with very specific things for people to respond to which she thought was more productive. Compass Kitchener Members shared an observation that people stayed and continued to talk after the All Advisory Committee meeting, and it was suggested by Ms. A. Fritz-Walters that a portion of time be set aside in future agendas for networking or connecting on a personal level. J. Stephens-Wells asked how information will go to the public. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters explained we will be sharing an Engage Kitchener survey for feedback and sharing the link to be able to provide feedback with everyone from the Resident Panel, from Compass, from all of our Advisory Committees, to spread the word and encourage people to provide their input. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters noted if people don't want to do the online version, they can contact her with their feedback, and will include their feedback in the survey. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters added that we are looking to launch this new survey around the strategic plan at the end of next week or beginning of the following week. J. Stephens-Wells asked how information will be shared. Ms. Fritz-Walters explained we want to share the list of strategic goal areas and a list of actions proposed within each; noting there will be a set of actions developed for the first 1-2 yrs. and regular review with Council to be able to add or adapt. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters added that the full product that will go to Council will be far more in-depth and once the actions and plan are approved by Council in concept, then we will work to put together a full package, and a launch will be scheduled, likely in September. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters explained that the report from the Resident's Panel goes to Council on August 14, the same day the draft Strategic Plan will go at the Finance and Corporate Services meeting. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters encouraged Compass Kitchener Members to come, even if they are not speaking. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters confirmed that members of the group can delegate if they want to and if they have any feedback, we can take that forward to CLT next week to be incorporated before the draft is finalized. 3. Strategic Plan—Proposed Draft Actions Ms. A. Fritz-Walters reviewed the proposed draft Selected Strategic Actions for Year 1 and 2—Rationale for Decision Making and gave Compass Kitchener members an opportunity to provide their feedback on the list of actions for the five goals. Fostering a Caring City Ms. A. Fitz-Walters asked members if the staging made sense to them in terms of holding off on the Youth Wellness Strategy and the Sport Development Strategy, until year 2 or year 3 COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 14, 2023 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER is reviewed. L. Thompson shared that it makes sense and helps explain what strategic planning is. Building a Connected City Ms. A. Fitz-Walters pointed out to the group that 4 actions were 'selected' and 3 are slated to be revisited; noting the Official Plan Review(OPR) has a lot of work associated with it. Ms. A. Fitz-Walters noted the possibilities around changes in the Official Plan, although long- term, could be transformational. Cultivating a Green City Ms. A. Fritz-Walters asked the group members if they had any feedback L. Trumper mentioned clean energy and how that translates into affordable housing. There are opportunities to create passive housing in the long-term; noting it's not more affordable to build however it is more affordable to maintain. J. Stephens-Wells asked about whether any District Energy/Heating actions will be explored. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters also shared that we had a Parkland Acquisition Strategy, but Bill 23 changed that, and as a result, we will need to revisit the funding ongoing. One big thing that was heard through public engagement is the need for more parkland and more trees, as a priority. Creating an Economically-thriving City Ms. A. Fritz-Walters shared that originally the title of this goal area was just"thriving", and it was suggested to make it "economically-thriving" to make it clearer as an example of how we tweaked the title. T. Glover pointed out when looking at the list, Small Business seemed to be missing in this category. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters shared we will add something for small business, that was clear feedback from the resident panel; noting we have gone back to that team to come up with something addressing this. Ms. A. Forstmantis made a suggestion that the city could improve Small Business services by streamlining the approvals process, noting that cutting the red tape could help small businesses. A. Fitz-Walters indicated she would take that back as something that could be included into the small business piece. Stewardinq a Better City T. Glover asked about amalgamation and where it fits into this. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters commented that in the absence of a change in the Structure of the Region, we have nothing to do but continue with our plan as normal. If a change happens, we will react as needed. 4. Resident Panel Process—Evaluation/Debrief J. Stephens-Wells asked Compass members if there was any other input on the resident panel process. J. Stephens-Wells noted she hoped we have the opportunity to attend as a delegation in August when the report goes forward to Council to talk about the benefits of the resident panel process and noting it as an example of thoughtful and effective public engagement being carried out by the City. T. Glover noted Kitchener is a model by using this approach, and that the demographic representation and consensus-building process were excellent. A lot of residents and staff were learning from each other throughout the process. T. Glover added another point about the value and effectiveness of taking input gained at the meetings back to city staff and then reporting back to the group on subsequent changes to the draft, showing them what they were contributing mattered. COMPASS KITCHENER ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 14, 2023 -2- CITY OF KITCHENER Ms. A. Fritz-Walters suggested maybe that's a place where Compass members might delegate related to the two reports that will go to Council on August 14, offering reflections on the resident panel. The Resident Panel will have their own report that they are crafting with their reflections on the process and what was involved in the draft strategic plan which is also an opportunity Compass Kitchener to comment on but based on today's discussion. J. Stephens-Wells thanked Ms. A. Fritz-Walters for a superb job in facilitating the resident panel process, recognizing it's a huge undertaking as it was entirely new. She noted how excellent Ms. Fritz-Walters was at creating and maintaining a sense of openness, welcoming people's input, and helping them arrive at consensus, which is not easy to do. T. Glover commented he would like to see Ms. A. Fitz-Walter's role to become a permanent one. 5. Review of previous minutes Reviewed 6. Other Business T. Glover asked Ms. A. Fritz-Walters if she received any feedback from the CLT meeting. Ms. A. Fritz-Walters to follow up with staff. 7. Next Meetings July and August meetings are scheduled as planned. J. Stephens-Wells requested if anyone will be away to please let us know in advance. 8. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 6 pm. A. Remillard Committee Administrator