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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 2005-05-04 COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES May 4, 2005CITY OF KITCHENER The Compass Kitchener Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Don Bourgeois, John Hall, Glen Woolner, Pat Doherty, Paul Royston Staff: Shelley Adams, Carla Ladd, Barb Wagner Guest: Erina Harris, City of Kitchener Regrets: Trudy Beaulne, Trudi Bunting, Doug Parker 1. Culture Plan II Erina Harris attended to provide an overview of CulturePlan II. She highlighted the synergy of the plan and indicated there were areas for collaboration with Compass Kitchener. The focus of the plan is identification and investment in culture and multicultural diversity both corporately and City- wide. The original culture plan, CulturePlan I was developed in 1996 with 24 recommendations, 50% of which have been implemented. The consultation and implementation process included citizen committees and resulted in sustainable programs such as the Rotunda Gallery, Artist in Residence, two empowered citizen committees, a public art program and various events. CulturePlan II was developed from the foundation of CulturePlan I. A steering committee of residents and a part-time consultant conducted 80 to 100 stakeholder interviews with politicians, City staff, youth, seniors and business. In addition, a general input session and a session with working artists who went into the community to get representation from multicultural artists and the community were conducted. Presentations are ongoing to Council, committees of Council and th City Staff. The final public input session is May 24 at 7:00 p.m. in the Rotunda, City Hall. In addition, extensive research in the areas of diversity, economic development, creative cities, mid- size City reviews and municipal planning was undertaken. Erina advised that the Steering Committee has requested Compass Kitchener representation at two public meetings for input and support: th May 24 – 7:00 p.m., Rotunda, City Hall – Final public input session th June 27 – Council Chambers – Presentation of Final Plan to Council Erina requested feedback and recommendations on the draft Culture Plan and asked if the Culture Plan and the Environics survey results could be interfaced. Don provided background information on the goals and expected outcomes of the Environics survey. He indicated that the findings would be public and all staff will be able to access the data and use the results to provide direction on City initiatives. Compass Kitchener will be providing a report card back to Council in 2006 at the end of term and will highlight key items in the Shared Agenda such as downtown revitalization, identity and the importance of arts and culture. It was also noted that the final th Environics analysis may not be available by the June 27 presentation to Council. COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES May 4, 2005CITY OF KITCHENER - 9 - It was recommended that the Culture Plan should be aligned with the Compass Kitchener mandate, rather than the Environics research. Alignments and linkages can be made to Compass Kitchener, the Healthy Communities Plan, Economic Development Strategy, Leisure Facilities Master Plan and the Downtown Strategic Plan. Shelley indicated that at a recent planning forum, Glen Murray of Winnipeg proposed a new healthy communities model which included Arts and Culture as it’s own pillar in a four pillar model, rather than the traditional 3 leg model. Carla cautioned that it may be premature to move away from the traditional model as there are many other categories such as education which could arguably be included. 2. Update on Environics Survey Shelley provided an update of the status of the Environics survey. The survey is progressing well with about half of the 1,000 replies in as a result of the initial questionnaire mailing. A reminder/thank-you postcard has just gone out, and the on-line version is now in operation. Together with follow-up phone calls, this will take us to the final quota. The responses so far have been very comprehensive and thoughtful with respondents giving detailed answers to the open-ended questions. Environics is now beginning the coding and data- entry. There have been approximately 20 citizen phone calls with only two complaints about the survey. Most either had simple procedural questions or were interested in the overall process and wanted to know more about what we were doing. The data collection phase should be completed within the next two weeks and Environics will then move directly to the substantive analysis. Erina Harris left the meeting. 3. Principles and Process for Communicating Results of Environics Survey Shelley requested Compass Kitchener members reflect on processes which could be used to communicate results and bring ideas back to the June meeting. There are two phases to consider – the overall goal of using the findings to create dialogue and community engagement. Various forms of communication suggested include: ? media releases ? Your Kitchener newsletter ? City of Kitchener Internet site – create Compass Kitchener website link ? The Record/ECHO ? newsletters of the neighbourhood associations ? town halls/breakout rooms ? public roundtables COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES May 4, 2005CITY OF KITCHENER - 10 - ? speaker circuits including Rotary lunches, high school civics classes, KYAC through youth coordinators ? local political groups/local advocacy groups ? multicultural community – information booths at multicultural events ? advertisements on public transit with web address displayed A framework for townhall meetings and speaker circuits needs to be developed. The results and message will be more powerful if the communication is well thought out and well organized. It was suggested that different frameworks need to be developed based on the event, whether it is focused on community or business groups. Suggested speakers at Rotary lunches and townhalls include Mayor Carl Zehr and/or Don Bourgeois, depending on the event. The second phase encompasses the communication to Council. There will be an initial report to Council on the findings and a second comprehensive report 90 days before the next election. The early results will be available in June, however it was suggested to take the report to Council and residents after summer holidays to eliminate the gap in communications from June to September. It was suggested that the report be presented to Council at the first meeting of the year, on August nd 22. The momentum can then be kept going with an August kickoff and activities into September. This schedule will also provide more opportunity to organize, develop and prepare a communications strategy. 4. Action Items Compass Kitchener representative to be selected to attend public meeting and Council * presentation for CulturePlan II st Committee members and staff to bring back communication strategy ideas to the June 1 * meeting 5. Adjournment Meeting adjourned 5:20 p.m.