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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 2001-02-06SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe City Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m., Chaired by Mr. S. Bassanese with the following members present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. T. Beaulne, Ms. M. Smith, Ms. A. Kutler, Ms. C. Perry and Messrs. B. Burns, T. Dickson, D. Schnarr, D. Ryan, F. Bishop and S. Burek. Councillor C. Weylie was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others present: Ms. J. Dean, M. Sanderson, C. Ladd and L. Korabo and Messrs. B. Stanley and T. Boutilier. 1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. F. Bishop – It was resolved: “That the minutes of January 2, 2001, as mailed to the members, be approved.” 2.SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT – February 2001 Ms. J. Dean distributed the February 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 · City-Wide Youth Issues Committee 1. Little Black Book 2. Katimavik Volunteer 3. Kitchener Kaleidoscope – Kids Events Calendar/Colouring book 4. Youth Issues Grants and Awards Program · Safety Audit Working Group 1. Civic Centre Neighbourhood Association · Lighting Working Group – 1. Lighten Up Campaign · Outreach and Liaison 1. Safer Communities Action Team (SCAT) Mr. F. Bishop advised that 200 copies of the Little Black Book were distributed to the ‘Out of the Cold’ program. 3.BUSINESS CARDS FOR LAY MEMBERS Ms. L. Korabo advised that City of Kitchener Policy I-69 authorizes the provision of generic business cards to lay members and provided an example of a card used by another City Committee. Several members spoke in favour of formats used by organizations in the community and suggested information to be included in a template. It was generally agreed to use a generic business card noting Committee contact information and including a space for members to insert their name when distributing cards. The Committee Administrator was directed to prepare a template and order a supply of business cards. 4.DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN (1999-2001) Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Plan circulated is the second Action Plan prepared for the City, the first being the result of the Mayor’s Task Force on Downtown Revitalization and Renewal in 1995. He pointed out that a Plan revision is scheduled for this year and input will be requested from this Committee as well as the Downtown Advisory Committee and the Economic SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2001- 5 -CITY OF KITCHENER 4.DOWNTOWN STRATEGIC ACTION PLAN (1999-2001) – (CONT’D) Development Advisory Committee. Mr. Stanley further observed that the 1999-2001 Plan outlined a series of actions but a drawback of the Plan was that a vision for the Downtown was not easily found. It is anticipated that the revised Action Plan will include a clear vision for the Downtown, a mission statement as well as a graphic vision (i.e. streetscapes/landscapes) and stressed that any concerns of the Committee will be articulated. He further advised that the Kitchener Downtown Business Association is also working on a Strategic Plan and the City will coordinate work on the revised Action Plan with them. The draft Plan is scheduled for completion by June, 2001. Ms. T. Beaulne questioned how the vision in the Action Plan will tie in with the Strategic Directions identified by the Compass Kitchener project and Mr. Stanley stated that a connection to Compass Kitchener initiatives is a major reason why the Action Plan is being revised at this time and also why the input of various Committees is being requested. Mr. B. Burns questioned what the anticipated role for the Committee would be in relation to various actions and Mr. Stanley commented that the actions would become the tasks of various working groups. 5.DOWNTOWN KIOSK PROPOSAL Mr. T. Boutilier appeared as a delegation to present the Terms of Reference for the Downtown Kiosk Project. Copies of the Terms of Reference were circulated to the Committee. Mr. Boutilier advised that this is a joint undertaking of the City of Kitchener and the Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA), with each partner contributing $20,000. A Working Group has been established to direct the Project and he attended the meeting to obtain input and feedback from the Committee on the proposal. It is envisioned that ten kiosks will be installed in high pedestrian traffic areas within Kitchener’s Downtown business area and serve two main functions: a business directory with a map and a community event/information service. The Business and Planning Services Department will update the business directory and the Community Services Department will maintain the community events listing. Mr. Boutilier advised that a proposal call will be made shortly and noted the nine design and construction criteria to be included. A lengthy discussion followed during which members raised questions concerning: the placement of kiosks throughout the City; locational criteria; event information content and parameters for community use; digital versus static display; target groups; and, potential postering problems. Mr. Boutilier thanked the Committee for its input and then left the meeting. 6.SAFE ACCESSIBLE FEMALE ENVIRONMENT (SAFE) Ms. M. Sanderson spoke to the SAFE brochure previously circulated and commented that the brochure provides results of a facility access audit conducted across the community. The audit lists deficiencies in identified facilities and raises awareness of accessibility restrictions faced by the disabled. She also distributed copies of a wallet-sized card of contact numbers to be used for assistance when dealing with various forms of abuse and a SAFE flyer produced by the Independent Living Centre of Waterloo Region. Ms. Sanderson noted that remedying the identified deficiencies will require designated funding by the various agencies and agreed to provide the Committee with an update on the progress made by agencies when information is available. 7.ONTARIO STREET – LIGHTING UPDATE Ms. J. Dean advised that lighting improvements scheduled for installation on Ontario Street have been delayed due to the construction of the new King Street Theatre. Installation of the lighting will be re-scheduled in conjunction with sidewalk installation once this construction project is completed. She noted that lighting poles ordered for Ontario Street have instead SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2001- 6 -CITY OF KITCHENER 7.ONTARIO STREET – LIGHTING UPDATE – (CONT’D) been installed on College Street and new poles will be ordered for Ontario Street once a schedule has been finalized. 8.2001 WORKING GROUPS – REPORT CARD 2000 A summary of 2001 Working Group sign-ups was attached to the agenda and Ms. J. Dean requested that members review the list and advise of any errors or additions. As a point of clarification, it was noted that the ‘Problem Solving’ item has been completed and there was a possibility that Waterloo Regional Police might have a store-front location at some point in the future. For the information of the Committee, Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that police officers have daytime and after-hours access to several of the City’s community centres to make telephone calls and complete reports. Several members of the Committee requested personal copies of the Report Card 2000. Members were requested to email Ms. L. Korabo with any additional working group sign-ups. 9.DECISION-MAKING PROCESS An article by Michael Goldman entitled “Lack of decision-making process puts team in a bind” was circulated with the agenda and outlined the consensus process of decision making. Various members forwarded opinions on the voting format versus the consensus format, during the course of which Councillor C. Weylie left the meeting. Ms. J. Dean suggested that the Committee should have a clearly defined decision-making process/discussion strategy and put forward a recommendation that items under discussion be identified as being for information, discussion or decision; all members speak to an issue once until all who wish to speak have been heard; and, after a full discussion is complete, a vote be called, if required. Ms. C. Ladd left the meeting at this time. 10.CITY WIDE YOUTH ISSUES AWARDS AND GRANT PROGRAM Ms. J. Dean advised that the Selection Committee met and chose the grant and award recipients. A complete list of the winners and background information will be provided to the Committee. Ms. Dean stated that each group which applied received a grant and cheques will be forwarded shortly. Framed certificates will be presented to each organization at an upcoming televised meeting of City Council. 11.KITCHENER KALEIDOSCOPE – KID’S EVENTS CALENDAR / COLOURING BOOK Ms. J. Dean advised that the calendar/colouring book has been sent to the Print Shop but has not yet been printed. She agreed to bring a completed book to the next Committee meeting. 12.NEW BUSINESS Ms. T. Beaulne advised that she had been contacted by a member of the Environmental Committee with a request that the Safe City Committee consider organizing an Earth Day event; specifically cleanup under the CNR rail line bridge over Margaret Avenue. Concern was expressed about obtaining CNR approval to work along this busy rail line. Mr. B. Stanley pointed out that Earth Day was April 21, 2001; however, Earth Day activities could be scheduled during the week preceding Earth Day. It was noted that this area of railway track had been identified during a 1994 safety audit and suggested as a joint project of the Committee and the Mount Hope/Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association. Mr. Stanley advised that the City of Kitchener would provide gloves, garbage bags, shovels, etc. needed to perform the cleanup. Several members of the Committee indicated their availability to assist with the cleanup but not with the organization of the event. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 6, 2001- 7 -CITY OF KITCHENER 12.NEW BUSINESS – (CONT’D) Ms. Beaulne will pass the Committee’s comments back to her contact. 13.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. L. Korabo Executive Assistant/ Committee Administrator