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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 2001-01-02SAF ECITY~2001-01-02 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 2, 2001 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe City Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m., Chaired by Ms. L. Korabo with the following members present: Councillors C. Weylie and B. Vrbanovic, Ms. C. Perry and Messrs. B. Burns, T. Dickson, D. Schnarr, B. Doherty, D. Ryan and S. Burek. Superintendent B. Koepke, Waterloo Regional Police Service was also in attendance. Others present: Ms. J. Dean, Ms. M. Sanderson, Ms. L. Korabo and Mr. B. Stanley. 1. INTRODUCTIONS Members of the Committee introduced themselves and provided personal information and their reasons for seeking appointment to the Safe City Committee. 2. ORIENTATION INFORMATION Ms. J. Dean circulated an summary sheet providing details on the role of the Co-Chair positions, an overview of the Co-ordinator's role, background on the various ongoing Working Groups and information on the Committee's decision-making process. She advised that she would circulate a more detailed description of her position to new members, if requested. 3. ELECTION OF CO-CHAIRS Ms. L. Korabo called for nominations for the two Co-Chair positions. Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Councillor C. Weylie, Mr. S. Bassanese and Mr. D. Schnarr were nominated. Councillor Weylie and Mr. Schnarr declined the nominations. On motion by Mr. B. Doherty - It was resolved: "That Councillor Berry Vrbanovic and Mr. Sandro Bassanese be elected as Co-Chairs of the Safe City Committee for a term ending November 30, 2001." Councillor B. Vrbanovic then assumed the Chair. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. D. Schnarr- It was resolved: "That the minutes of November 7, 2000, as mailed to the members, be approved." 5. APPROVAL OF 2001 MEETING SCHEDULE A tentative meeting schedule for 2001 was circulated with the agenda for consideration by members. By general consent, the tentative schedule was approved, as circulated. 6. COMMITTEE CONTACT LIST Ms. L. Korabo circulated a list of contact information for review and updating by members. 7. SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT - Januaq/' 2001 Ms. J. Dean distributed the January 2001 Safe City Co-ordinator's report to members for their information. The Committee then reviewed the report, which included updates on the following topics: Funding 1. Graffiti Busters Program 2. Muralist Mentoring Program · City-Wide Youth Issues Committee 1. Little Black Book JANUARY 2, 2001 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES -2- CITY OF KITCHENER 2. Katimavik Volunteer SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT - January 2001 (Cont'd) 3. Events Calendar/Colouring Book · Safety Audit Working Group 1. Civic Centre Neighbourhood Association · Lighting Working Group- 1. Lighten Up Campaign In order to provide additional detail, Ms. Dean gave a brief verbal summary of each of the topics outlined in her report. With regard to the events calendar/colouring book which will be printed shortly, she circulated draft cartoon drawings prepared by Ms. R. Oakes (muralist) to give members an idea of the Downtown activities being depicted in the colouring book. She further requested that members forward information on children's activities that have established dates during the coming year in order that this information could be included in the events calendar. PROJECT SUMMARY Ms. J. Dean circulated copies of the Safe City Committee Report Card 2000 outlining the status of projects involving the Safe City Committee and the Safe City Co-ordinator. The Report Card is divided into various sections including but not limited to youth, graffiti pilot project and funding proposals. A sign up sheet listing all 'in progress' projects was circulated and members were requested to sign up for a project that interests them. Mr. F. Bishop questioned the lack of a representative from the Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA) on the Committee and Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Terms of Reference did not provide for specific representation but rather noted that individuals should have an interest in certain areas. Mr. Stanley felt that while the initial focus of the Safe City Committee when established was the Downtown area, its focus has shifted to the entire City and indicated that it was important to have a broader representation of members. A brief discussion followed concerning the KDBA's proposed expansion of its boundaries to match those of the City. Mr. Stanley advised that the proposed new Downtown boundaries will be presented for consideration in March 2001. Mr. B. Burns requested maps of the two areas under discussion. Mr. T. Dickson requested more information on the Tenant Safety Package as noted under the 'Research and Education' projects in the Report Card. Ms. Dean recalled for the Committee discussion that had taken place regarding a partnership with Worldwide Opportunities for Women and the circulation of safety material to residents of non-profit housing units. Councillor Vrbanovic asked that further discussion concerning the Tenant Safety Package take place at a future meeting. Several additional questions were raised and it was requested that a copy of the Downtown Strategic Plan be provided to members and that discussion of the Plan be added to a future agenda. 911 CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE For the benefit of new members, Superintendent B. Koepke and Inspector B. Doherty provided a brief outline of the history of this fundraising tournament and indicated that funds raised are distributed in the form of grants to organizations developing programs for youth. The grants are distributed either as seed money for new programs or funding to continue an ongoing one. Inspector Doherty advised that the 2000 tournament raised $10,000. and the goal for this year was $15,000. Since its inception, representatives of Fire and Police, and more recently Ambulance, have undertaken all the organizational requirements but feel it is time to solicit more community involvement with the longer term goal to turn over operation of the tournament to the community. He suggested involving the City's community centres in the planning and operation of the 2001 tournament but noted that the police will remain involved in a supporting role such as assisting with canvassing for sponsors. Inspector Doherty advised JANUARY 2, 2001 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES -3- CITY OF KITCHENER 10. 11. 12. that a similar fundraiser in the City of Cambridge had community volunteers. 911 CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT UPDATE (Cont'd) been successfully turned over to Councillor B. Vrbanovic commented that he felt it was a good suggestion to involve representatives of the City's various community centres, noting that this would provide a feeling of community ownership. He further observed that with the changing mandate of the Community Services Department in the area of youth activities, it might be appropriate to arrange a meeting with Department staff to discuss their involvement in the 911 Tournament with a possible future update to the City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee and/or the Safe City Committee. Inspector Doherty noted that funds from the 2000 tournament have not yet been distributed and Ms. Dean advised that applications have been received for review. She stated that the deadline for receipt of applications had been extended. CITY WIDE YOUTH ISSUES SUB-COMMITTEE CHAIR Mr. D. Schnarr questioned if one of the Co-Chairs of the Safe City Committee would assume Chairmanship of the Youth Issues Sub-Committee. Mr. B. Stanley commented that the Youth Issues Sub-Committee has historically been chaired by one of the Co-Chairs. However, he felt that this might be an opportune time to review the Terms of Reference of the Sub-Committee regarding its purpose and direction and noted that it might be premature to discuss the Chairmanship at this time. Several members of the Committee indicated their support for the continuation of the Youth Issues Sub-Committee noting its excellent resource people and the desire to retain their expertise. NEW BUSINESS The Committee agreed to the request of Mr. B. Burns that reference to the Committee's name be included on the mailing labels used for members and the Committee Administrator was directed to implement. Mr. Burns also questioned whether it was possible for members to obtain business cards. Information on this request will be provided at the next meeting. Finally, Mr. Burns requested information on standards for snow removal in the Downtown core. A copy of the information available from the Public Works Department will be provided. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45 p.m. L. Korabo Executive Assistant/ Committee Administrator