HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2001-04-19MINUTES
COMPASS KITCHENER STEERING COMMITTEE
Thursday, April 19, 2001
5:00 p.m. to 7:50 p.m.
nd
HR Learning Rm, 2 Floor
Committee Attendees:
Trudi Bunting, Wendy MacIntosh, Mike Sully (Chair), George Zador, Trudy
Beaulne, Christina Weylie, Carl Zehr, Pat Doherty, Mary Louise McAllister
Staff Attendees:
Brock Stanley, Marie Morrison, Grace Bermingham, Tammy Schertzer
Guest Attendees:
Jackie McMillan, Tina Malone-Wright, Carla Ladd, Joan Jylanne
Regrets:
Don Bourgeois
1. AGENDA / MINUTES
Agenda and Minutes were approved and accepted by the group. Motion to accept made by George
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Zador and seconded by Trudy Beaulne.
2. PRESENTATION ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING – Joan Jylanne, Region of Waterloo
A hard copy of the PowerPoint presentation was handed out to all committee members.
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RIG means Rent-Geared-To-Income units.
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The City of Kitchener can expect to receive a letter with respect to the National Housing Policy
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being undertaken by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
There are thirty-nine municipalities across the country that support the FCM initiatives. There are
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other organizations like FCM at the provincial level. They have created a “Big City Mayors” group
of which Carl Zehr is a member. To get additional information on FCM you can visit their website
at www.fcm.com. The supporting municipalities work on a monthly cross-country conference call
type basis. Carl attended the FCM conference in Ottawa in January, 2000 where a meeting was held
for CMHC and homelessness issues.
Some questions that have been raised lately within the National Housing Strategy are: since the
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CMHC fees are so high, why is the money not going back into housing? Should we be increasing
the shelter allowance?
Joan suggested a book that we may like to read on homelessnes by Jack Layton. Carl mentioned
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that he had a copy of the book if anyone would like to borrow his copy for viewing.
There is currently no funding available right now in the province for affordable housing and
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unfortunately there is a waiting list for housing.
Municipal Housing Strategy. Advisory Committee will consist of about 16 members. The Region is
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in the process of sending out letters right now looking for members. They have already completed
the Terms of Reference. Will be in contact with homebuilders, academics and Planning people.
Trying to balance being action oriented and being reactive and take advantage of programs and
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money.
Action: Committee to write letter to Joan thanking her and including observations and comments.
Marie to draft and group to finalize at next meeting
3. MUNICIPAL PLAN – Tina Malone-Wright/Carla Ladd
It is legislated that a Municipal Plan review occur every 5 years.
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The City Municipal Plan is a long-range planning document to guide future land use.
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Goal for this review is to simplify the plan. The plan is not very user friendly as currently written.
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Staff are working on making it more user friendly so it is easy to understand and clearly states the
City’ vision for what is trying to achieve.
Planning staff currently meeting weekly to work on a draft. After the draft has been completed,
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they will then consult with specific agencies, i.e. Neighbourhood Associations and a broader base
community for comments / corrections, etc. If satisfied, it will then be taken to Council by the end
of 2001 or early 2002.
Comments from the Committee:
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The Committee would like regular updates on the progress of updating the Municipal Plan. Carla
said they could provide these to the Committee.
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It was mentioned that Kitchener has a big problem with Land Use Planning, i.e. Kitchener has one of
the highest rates of pollution.
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Mike feels we really need consultation in the beginning, not just once the draft plan has been made.
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Would like to schedule Carla to come to this Committee for a good hour with the draft vision
statements.
Action: Marie to follow-up with Carla and Tina
4. ITEMS TABLED TO NEXT AGENDA
Item #5 – Working Group #1 Report to be moved to next agenda. It is too important not to discuss
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in length.
Item #6 –How we communicate back to the presenters with our feedback.
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We need to work on criteria for evaluating problems to know other people’s substance. – table
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criteria for evaluating for next agenda.
Adjourn at 7:50 p.m.
THE NEXT MEETING WILL BE HELD ON
May 17, 2001
5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
nd
HR Learning Room, 2 Floor, City Hall