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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 1996-06-25SAFECI'I'Y~1996-06-25 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 25, 1996 The Safe City Committee held its meeting under the Chairmanship of Councillor Karen Redman and Trudy Beaulne with the following members present: Councillor Mark Yantzi, Nancy Brawley, Philip Fernandez and Brian Stortz. Others Present: Brock Stanley, Julie Dean, Susan Dub~ (Roof), Jean Ann Carscadden (Roof), Chrissy Josic (Mayor's Youth Council) and Shafi Uietele (City of Windhoek). Members Absent: Manuela Almeida, Gregory Jahn, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Rita Westbrook and Bob Arnot. 1 Priority Working Group July 30, 1996 Next Meeting July 30, 1996 Next Meeting Lighting Working Group Prepare information for discussion at the next meeting. Included should be tasks involved, those requiring capital funds, Potential Partnerships, Identify Leadership and time frames. Prepare information for discussion at the next meeting. Included should be tasks involved, those requiring capital funds, Potential Partnerships, Identify Leadership and time frames. While the Committee was waiting for members to arrive Councillor Karen Redman indicated she had attended a FCM (Federation of Community Municipality's) Conference at which Carolyn Whitzman, Toronto Safe City Facilitator spoke. It was added that Carolyn Whitzman will be coming to talk to the Safe City Committee in October. Karen indicated that creating a Safe City seems to be on everyone's mind adding that she felt Carolyn Whitzman's philosophy & attitude were terrific. It was indicated that one of the main interests was in Community Development and that there were terrific responses to an expressed need. Karen mentioned she did not yet have enough time to look at her notes -135- from the conference, however, she would put together some information for the Committee. Trudy Beaulne indicated that her daughter had organized a Neighbourhood Toy Drive for this evening and if anyone had any contributions she would be willing to deliver them. Councillor Karen Redman officially began the meeting by suggesting that due to the number of new people in attendance it would be a good idea to go around the table and introduce ourselves. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA DATED JUNE 25/96 It was moved to approve the Agenda for today's meeting. Moved By: Seconded By: Brian Stortz Nancy Brawley 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FOR THE JUNE 4, 1996 MEETING It was agreed upon that the minutes of June 4th were an accurate reflection of what took place at the meeting. Moved By: Seconded By: Coun. Mark Yantzi Trudy Beaulne 3. INTRODUCTION OF MR. SHAFI UIETELE (CITY OF WINDHOEK) Brock Stanley introduced Mr. Shafi Uietele, Director of Properties and Protective Services explaining that he was joining us today from an exchange program from the City of Windhoek. Brock indicated that there has been an exchange program between the City of Kitchener and the City of Windhoek since 1960 and that there have been 6 exchanges to date in the following areas: Transit, Planning and Economic Development. He continued to explain that the City of Windhoek owns the majority of the land in the City and therefore requires a lot of time in Planning and upkeep. The Committee welcomed Shaft Uietele and it was indicated that if he had any questions concerning anything discussed at the meeting he should feel free to ask. Mr. Shaft Uietele replied that the City of Windhoek has had 6 years of Independence when asked by Councillor Karen Redman. -136- 4. REPORT ON ALTERNATIVES FOR FILLING COMMITTEE VACANCIES Brock Stanley indicted he had met with the City Clerk on the options available for filling the vacancies in the Committee, noting that a report will be going to Council on July 2, 1996 in hopes to have the new members for our September meeting. He added that if the advertisements were made all applications would be submitted to Council at the August Council meeting. Brock mentioned there were 2 options available to the Committee at this time. The first option would be to advertise. The second option would be for the Committee to recommend that Council appoint a member from the Mayor's Youth Council and the person from the list of original applicants who was not appointed. Brock mentioned that either way the Committee would have the vacancies filled for the September meeting. Some concern was expressed that these committee members would be appointed for only a short time. Brock Stanley indicated that already appointed members did not have to re- apply at the end of the term they only had to indicate they wished to renew their membership. Chrissy Josic (Mayor's Youth Council) indicated that their terms were up in March and that one initiative she felt fit into the Safe City Committee was a Designated Drive Program. She mentioned there used to be a program in effect that a designated driver would, at the beginning of the night, check their car keys in at the bar and in return receive free pop for the evening. At the end of the night they would be tested and given their keys back and they would in turn drive their friends home. Chrissy Josic mentioned that they would like to see this program back in effect by Octoberfest. She indicated that the Mayor's Youth Council would be interested in attending meetings however was uncertain as to full-time membership. Julie Dean pointed out that all our meetings were open to the public, however to have a vote, membership was required. Trudy Beaulne asked if there were any other projects. Chrissy explained there were eight projects in total indicating that some projects were fundraisers to raise money for the Mayor's Youth Council. Some of these projects include Car Washes, Youth Achievement Awards, Random Acts of Kindness (one day event). She also indicated they would be involved in the Victoria Park 100th Celebration. It was suggested that Chrissy Josic ask the Mayor's Youth Council to see if anyone else was interested in submitting an application for membership on the Safe City Committee. After some discussion it was decided to advertise for 2 vacancies on the committee. 5. INTER-DEPARTMENTAL RESOURCE GROUP -137- Brock Stanley explained that this Resource Group would consist of Management staff that have an interest in the Safe City Committee and that this group would be involved in the review and implementation of initiatives such as the lighting project. It was indicated that this Resource Group should be put together for September. Brock indicated he will probably set up an initial meeting with Department Heads and after being informed of the Committee's initiatives they could decide who would be best suited for the Resource Group. Julie Dean added that all Safe City Committee members are welcome to attend the initial meeting with staff. 6. PRIORITY WORKING GROUP REPORT Julie Dean indicated that the Priority Working Group had met once since our last meeting and that as previously discussed at the last meeting the working group had gone through the priorities and listed them from highest to lowest priority. She referred to the "Safe City Initiatives For 1996" sheet she handed out (see attached). Julie mentioned that each committee member should review these initiatives and contact the Working Group if there were any questions regarding them. It was noted that there will be a section included that would list resources available for each initiative. Brock Stanley indicated that any tasks that would require Capital Dollars have to be noted as soon as possible. After some discussion it was decided that the Priority Working Group would attempt to list the tasks involved with each initiative and include information on the following: 1) 2) 3) 4) Tasks requiring Capital Dollar Amounts. Potential Partnerships Identify Leadership Indicate Time Frames for the initiatives or tasks. There was concern due to the fact that we are already half way through the year and number of initiatives indicated for 1996 which have not yet been started. It was suggested that to get a feeling of accomplishment the committee should focus on the Safety Audit and Research & Education initiatives in hopes of obtaining some background information to assist with dealing with the Community Development Initiatives in the Fall. It was generally agreed upon that this would be a good suggestion and Julie Dean added it would be nice to have a list of initiatives or tasks already started or completed. Trudy Beaulne mentioned that she was contacted to submit a proposal for funding to develop Safe City Indicators for the Region including the City of Kitchener. She will report back at the next meeting. 7. SAFETY AUDIT WORKING GROUP REPORT -138- Julie Dean indicated that the Safety Audit had to be cancelled and rescheduled for this evening due to the weather. She mentioned they had the Neighbourhood meeting and divided the neighbourhood into 8 different areas and each area contains several blocks. It was added that 17 clipboards and refreshments for the participants were purchased. Julie pointed out that Audit participants would have Safe City Brochures to hand out if any inquiries were made as to what they were doing. She also indicated that Karen Taylor- Harrison had spoken to some of the King Street Business Owners and they were in favour of the Safety Audit although they were not able to participate. Due to the unique configuration of the neighbourhood, parts of the audit form were expanded to gain more information about escape routes, informal pedestrian paths and laneways. Once the Safety Audits are collected, information pertaining to Property Standards or other City functions will be forwarded to the appropriate department. Anything the City can not enforce will be transcribed by staff at the Community Centre and another Neighbourhood meeting will be held to generate solutions to the problems that are identified. Julie Dean extended an invitation to the committee to participate in the Safety Audit this evening. 8. LIGHTING WORKING GROUP Bryan Stortz referred to the Lighting Group Meeting Minutes handed out (see attached) indicating they met last Friday. Julie Dean pointed out that she had received some information from Philadelphia and spoke to the person in charge of their Lighting Pilot Project. Bryan Stortz suggested that the next step, assuming all items listed were approved, would be to develop Terms of Reference to define what is expected from the Lighting Design Consultant. An inquiry was made if any estimated costs had been received to date. It was indicated that the consultants estimated their costs on an hourly basis. The Lighting Working Group will expand their initiatives using the same format as the Priority Working Group. It was suggested that the Lighting Working Group include Larry Gordon in preparing a call for proposal. Brian indicated that personally he was anxious to get on with the job as item D would require a significant amount of time. Some concern was noted about how to evaluate the success of this initiative and a suggestion was made to repeat the Safety Audit after completing the Lighting initiative. 9. REACHING OUR OUTDOOR FRIENDS (ROOF) - SUSAN DUBE -139- Susan Dub~ indicated that the Betty Thompson Youth Centre was trying to meet the concerns of youth in the Downtown Core adding that they have an outreach program to try to meet Health, Safety and Emotional needs of youth on the street. Susan had concerns with kids being kicked off the City Hall grounds and being told to go to Victoria Park lat at night. She expressed an interest in being a member of the Committee. Trudy encouraged Susan DubS, Jean Ann Carscadden and Chrissy Josic to submit applications to be on the Safe City Committee. The meeting ended with an information question and answer period with the remaining committee members and Mr. Shaft Uietele. During this discussion the following points were of interest: Population of Windhoek is 180-200 thousand people. The Cities are far apart (approx. 80 - 100 km to the nearest city) and the surrounding areas are subsistence farmlands. 50 - 55% of the population is under the age of 18. There are more than 400 street kids in the City of Windhoek, kids are sent to the street to make money. Not very much drug abuse, only marijuana. 6-7 children per family. 34 - 44% rate of unemployment (higher rate is for female unemployment). Mining & Fishing industries offer higher rate of employment. Biggest job creator is Government. Namibia is the same size as Ontario with 1.4 million as opposed to 8 million people and suffers drought. During the day it is hard to control the street kids; after 7:00 pm security is sent in to round them up and they are jailed for the evening and released the next morning. Susan Dub~ indicated that the youth here will do something to get arrested to have a bed to sleep in and food to eat but due to the overloading of people in jail may be released without either and are acquiring a criminal record. Philip Fernandez inquired if Roof provided food. Susan indicated they have a 7 nights per week food hamper program and added they try not turn anyone away. If they do not fit the mandate of the Betty Thompson Youth Centre they are referred to someone who can help them. She also pointed out that Roof accepts fresh food donations as well. Meeting adjourned 5:00 p.m. A. Tanner LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Safe City Initiatives for 1996. 2. Lighting Working Group Minutes. 3. Alan Richardson's Letter of Resignation.