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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-2025-079 - 2025 Neighbourhood Association AffiliationCommunity Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Finance and Corporate Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: February 24, 2025 SUBMITTED BY: Mark Hildebrand, Director, Neighbourhood Programs and Services PREPARED BY: Teagan McKenna, Manager, Community Centres, WARD(S) INVOLVED: All DATE OF REPORT: February 24, 2025 REPORT NO.: CSD-2025-079 SUBJECT: 2025Neighbourhood Association Affiliation RECOMMENDATION: That the list of proposed Neighbourhood Associations, as attached to the Community Services Department report CSD-2025-079, be approved for affiliation for the year 2025 -party liability insurance program. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of this report is to seek affiliation approval for Neighbourhood Associations. There are no financial implications to this report. Community engagement involved the Neighbourhood Association completing a renewal form to express their interest in reaffiliation. Ongoing, regular engagement with Neighbourhood Associations continues to be a priority. This report supports the delivery of core services. BACKGROUND: In July 2002, Kitchener City Council approved Affiliation Policy (MUN-FAC-324) for Neighbourhood Associations. Developed jointly by City staff and NA representatives, the policy outlined the roles and responsibilities of both the NAs and the City, and clearly defined NAs access to City supports and resources. In June 2023 City staff introduced recommendations to update and modernize the policy (report CSD-2023-125),developed in consultation with NAs and reflecting current To summarize, theupdated policy requires NAs to: Be a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group based in a geographic neighbourhood within the borders of the City of Kitchener. Be inclusive of and responsive to the needs of the community within the specific geographic area defined by the group. *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. Be open to the public and make this known through communication to the residents of that neighbourhood by, at a minimum, publishing a contact number or through other means such as a newsletter. Report their financial information to the City if they offer programs out of a City-owned community centre, andhave generated more than $20,000 in revenue during the previous fiscal year. Have some level of activity with, at minimum, a contact person. Publish an equity, diversity and inclusion policy for the association which commits to providing a variety of programs that meet diverse needs of the residents. (Staff to assist NAs to develop in 2025 for 2026 implementation). Have some structure for accountability. The City of Kitchener provides affiliated NAs: Coverage by a commercial general liability insurance policy, provided through the Waterloo Region Municipalities Insurance Pool. Access to facilities, program grants, fee assistance program, staff assistance, use of the City of Kitchener registration software, and printing for newsletters (subject to guidelines and budgetary availability). Access and use of our registration software for administrative purposes was identified t to the NA is provided by NAs REPORT: is reviewed and approved each year for the following reasons: To ensure that NAs on the list are active and continue to meet the criteria for affiliation, To ensure that the contact information for affiliated NAs is current, and To obtain permission to release contact information to the public and staff. Twenty-two Neighbourhood Associations are being recommended for affiliation in 2025 (see attachment A for complete list by ward) STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports fostering a caring city together and the delivery of core services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: There are currently no financial implications. Services to NAs are provided through the Neighbourhood Programs and Services budget and printing process. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM This report has been council / committee meeting. The approved 2025affiliation list will be shared with internal divisions such as Information Technology, Clerk's, and Communications to maintain updated information for access by the public, Council and staff. CONSULT Staff have engaged with Neighbourhood Associations regarding the affiliation process and will confirm affiliation status for 2025 once approved. Ongoing information sharing, consultation, and collaboration are taking place with existing Neighbourhood Associations. Additionally, staff will continue to inform, consult, and collaborate with new and emerging groups about the affiliation process as needed. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: MUN-FAC-324Affiliation Neighbourhood Association MUN-FAC-415Facility Booking, Guidelines for Non-Profit Groups CSD-2023-125 Related Guiding Policies APPROVED BY: Michael May, Deputy CAO, Community Services ATTACHMENTS: Attachment A List of 2025 Neighbourhood Associations APPENNDIX A 2025NA Affiliation by Ward WardNeighbourhood AssociationCouncillor 1 Bridgeport Community Association Davey 1 Stanley Park Community Association 2 Centreville-Chicopee Community Association Schnider 2 Stanley Park Community Association 4 Doon Pioneer Park Community Association Michaud 5 Huron Community Association Owodunni 5 Williamsburg Community Association 6 Alpine Neighbourhood Association Singh 6 Country Hills Recreation Association 6 North Six Neighbourhood Association 8 Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association Johnston 8 Green Belt Neighbourhood Association 8 Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Association 8 Westmount Neighbourhood Association 9 Cedar Hill Community Group Chapman 9 Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association 9 Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance 9 Highland-Stirling Community Group 9 Mill Courtland Neighbourhood Association 9 Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association 10 Auditorium Neighbourhood Association Stretch 10 Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association 10 Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance 10 Eastwood Neighbourhood Association 10 Old Berlin Town Neighborhood Association