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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 2001-03-06SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2001 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe City Committee met this date commencing at 4:10 p.m., Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic with the following members present: Ms. M. Smith, A. Kutler and C. Perry and Messrs. B. Burns, T. Dickson, D. Schnarr, D. Ryan, F. Bishop and S. Bassanese. Ms. T. Beaulne was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others present: Mayor C. Zehr, Ms. K. Taylor-Harrison, J. Dean, M. Sanderson, C. Ladd and L. Korabo and Mr. B. Stanley. 1. REPRESENTATION - JOINT MEETING OF SAFE CITY COMMITTEE / COMMUNITY SAFETY & CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL / WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE Ms. K. Taylor-Harrison, former Co-Chair of the Safe City Committee, appeared as a delegation to voice concern at being excluded, at the last minute, from a joint meeting of representatives of the Safe City Committee, the Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council and Waterloo Regional Police, scheduled for later this date. Speaking from prepared notes, Ms. Taylor-Harrison provided background information on the establishment of the Safe City Committee and on the efforts of several individuals to arrange this meeting, stating that its purpose was to discuss how these organizations can work together to provide community crime prevention, community mobilization and increase public safety. Ms. T. Beaulne entered the meeting. As an example of a project that would be discussed by attendees at the meeting, Ms. Taylor- Harrison commented on the process followed by City Council when it approved funding in 2000 for the Community Mobilization Project, and expressed concern that the Safe City Committee had not been requested to provide input prior to approval being granted. She also had concerns with possible overlap of efforts undertaken by representatives of these groups. The Committee was advised she still attends meetings, at the request of staff, and was requesting permission to attend tonight's meeting. Further, Ms. Taylor-Harrison took exception to being told, only last evening, that the meeting was now closed and would be attended only by staff and political representatives. She was concerned that the decision of who would be a representative of this Committee had not been a Committee decision but agreed that the meeting was necessary to discuss and clarify roles. In closing, Ms. Taylor-Harrison stated that, as the Safe City Committee was a sub-committee of Council, Council should recognize its importance and also the decision-making process which it follows. Mayor C. Zehr noted that he felt it regrettable that this issue had been raised at the committee level. The format of tonight's meeting was based on new circumstances and, therefore, different individuals had been invited to attend. He advised that Ms. T. Beaulne had been requested to attend to represent this Committee. Mr. F. Bishop commented that it would be appropriate to inform Safe City Committee members of similar meetings prior to a date being established in order that members could be properly informed. He stated that he had no concerns with Ms. T. Beaulne attending; however, was disappointed that Ms. Taylor-Harrison had been excluded, even though she was the former Co-Chair of the Committee. Mayor Zehr stated that he had raised the issue of poor communication among certain groups at Regional Council approximately one year ago. He commented that the scheduling of this meeting should have been a higher priority; however, noted that the representatives meeting today will have a good opportunity to dialogue and determine what each organization is currently doing, to determine if there is any overlap of efforts, put a structure in place for reporting back to committees and moving forward with any planned actions. Mr. B. Stanley commented that the decision of who would attend was not solely a staff decision but noted that the format had been discussed in 2000, and the former Co-Chair had been involved in those discussions. Ms. T. Beaulne felt that there was no communication issue as regular updates are provided to this Committee and also reminded members that there is an ongoing relationship between the Safe City Committee and the Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council through regular MARCH 6, 2001 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES -9- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. REPRESENTATION - JOINT MEETING OF SAFE CITY COMMITTEE / COMMUNITY SAFETY & CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL / WATERLOO REGIONAL POLICE - (CONT'D) attendance at meetings by Ms. J. Dean. Ms. Beaulne advised that it was her view that a more formal relationship between the two groups was not necessary but noted her preference to remain at the working group level. In conclusion, Ms. Beaulne provided a lengthy summary of her involvement in these processes, over the years. A general discussion took place concerning representation at the meeting and the matters to be discussed. Mr. F. Bishop made a motion to approve Ms. K. Taylor-Harrison's attendance as a Safe City Committee representative at the joint meeting of the Safe City Committee, Waterloo Regional Police and the Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council to be held later this date. In response to this motion, Ms. Taylor-Harrison declined consideration as she stated that her attendance today was to make members of the Committee aware of what had transpired but not specifically to garner her attendance in place of another member. Accordingly, no action was taken on the motion. Mr. D. Schnarr stated his view that as a community representative, he received good value from attendance at City of Kitchener meetings such as Safe City Committee and City-Wide Youth Issues as opposed to sitting in on Regional level meetings where there is more policy discussion than action-oriented items. He stated that he would not wish to see the Safe City Committee lost in an amalgamation with Regional level committees. Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that he is supportive of maintaining the Safe City Committee and felt that each organization had a definite role to play in moving forward in matters of public safety and crime prevention. Mayor C. Zehr and Councillor B. Vrbanovic left the meeting, and Mr. S. Bassanese assumed the Chair. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. T. Dickson - it was resolved: "That the minutes of February 6, 2001, as mailed to the members, be approved." SAFE CITY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION - FARMERS' MARKET ROUNDTABLE Ms. J. Dean advised that the invitation distributed with the agenda had been received by Mr. D. Schnarr who attended the February 28, 2001 Farmers' Market Roundtable as the Committee's representative since the session was scheduled prior to today's meeting. Mr. Schnarr advised that he was pleased to attend on the Committee's behalf but wished to put the matter of future participation to the members. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to support Mr. Schnarr's continued attendance at the Farmers' Market Roundtable. Mr. T. Dickson and Ms. M. Sanderson indicated that they were also planning on attending representing other interests. On motion by Mr. B. Burns - it was resolved: "That Mr. Dennis Schnarr attend the Farmers' Market Roundtable discussions as the Safe City Committee's representative." The Committee agreed that, in the future, if a member is approached to participate in a similar initiative, the matter is brought before the Committee for consideration, if at all possible. Ms. J. Dean also stated that it was important to clarify who speaks for the Committee on issues that arise from time to time. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 6, 2001 - 10 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATION - FARMERS' MARKET ROUNDTABLE - (CONT'D) Mr. F. Bishop requested that a future meeting be set aside to review the Committee's current Terms of Reference. On motion by Mr. F. Bishop - it was resolved: "That the April, 2001 meeting of the Safe City Committee be dedicated to a review of the its Terms of Reference." On the matter discussed earlier in the meeting, Ms. T. Beaulne asked that the Committee formally support her attendance at the joint meeting of the Safe City Committee, Waterloo Regional Police and the Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council. On motion by Mr. F. Bishop - it was resolved: "That the Safe City Committee support the attendance of Ms. Trudy Beaulne as its representative at the joint meeting of representatives of the Safe City Committee, the Waterloo Regional Police and the Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council, scheduled for the evening of March 6, 2001 ." SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT - March 2001 Ms. J. Dean distributed the March 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) Ms. J. Dean advised that the Katimavik volunteer requires a billet for two weeks in March and asked that any members interested in assisting advise her. Mr. D. Ryan and Ms. C. Perry both offered their homes. She also brought to the Committee's attention the confirmed date of the '911 Charity Golf Tournament' as June 20, 2001. Ms. Beaulne suggested that it should be noted that better co- ordination of volunteers for this event was required. Ms. Dean advised that she requested Waterloo Regional Police representatives to prepare a list of required volunteer duties that could be used to ensure a good match with volunteers. Mr. Schnarr expressed concern that it would appear that representatives of the emergency services are slowly withdrawing their active participation from the organization of this annual fundraising tournament and questioned the continuance of the tournament should this occur. Ms. C. Ladd left the meeting. MARCH 6, 2001 SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES -11 - CITY OF KITCHENER SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT- March 2001 -(CONT'D) It was noted that the City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee has been challenged with determining the distribution of charitable funds raised and that a meeting has been scheduled for March 22, 2001 to discuss the future role of this Sub-Committee in all youth related matters. A report on the meeting will be presented to the Safe City Committee. ROLE OF THE COMMITTEE As Councillor B. Vrbanovic was no longer in attendance, this matter was referred to the April, 2001 meeting. LIGHTEN UP CAMPAIGN / GRAFFITI BUSTERS / SAFE CITY COMMITTEE OVERVIEW Utilizing a Powerpoint presentation, Ms. J. Dean provided members with an overview of the Committee in general and two of its recent initiatives being the Lighten Up Campaign and the Graffiti Busters Program. INFORMATION ITEM Members of the Committee were circulated with an article entitled "Adequate Lighting Key Factor to Safer Underground Garages". NEW BUSINESS Ms. T. Beaulne advised that she was in receipt of an invitation to a neighbourhood associations conference in Hamilton and commented that this was the 2001 equivalent to the Community Exchange held in Windsor in 2000. She agreed to provide copies of the invitation to members. She also advised that the Social Planning Council is working with several community organizations to develop a proposal to launch a "Neighbours Night Out" event in June 2001, promoting community building to make neighbours safer. Ms. Beaulne requested a letter of support from the Committee signed by either the Co-Chair or the Co-ordinator. Members agreed to provide a letter of support but felt that Ms. Beaulne should provide the text for signature to the Co-Chair. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. L. Korabo Executive Assistant/ Committee Administrator