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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe City - 2001-06-05SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 5, 2001CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe City Committee met this date commencing at 4:05 p.m., Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic with the following members present: Superintendent A. McConnell – Waterloo Regional Police (WRP) and Messrs. F. Bishop, S. Burek, B. Burns, T. Dickson and D. Ryan. Ms. A. Kutler and Ms. C. Perry were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others present: Ms. J. Dean, Ms. C. Ladd, Ms. L. Zitzelberger, Ms. M. Morrison, Ms. L. Korabo and Mr. B. Stanley. 1.INTRODUCTION – NEW COMMITTEE MEMBER Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that Superintendent Anne McConnell has joined the Committee as the new representative from Waterloo Regional Police, replacing Inspector Brian Doherty who had served in this capacity for the past 1 ½ years. 2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. F. Bishop – It was resolved: “That the minutes of May 1, 2001, as mailed to the members, be approved.” 3.LIGHTING DESIGN – HALL’S LANE Ms. J. Dean advised she has met with architect John McDonald, who has worked on previous lighting designs for the Safe City Committee and with Marty Schreiter, Executive Director of the Kitchener Downtown Business Association, concerning preparation of a lighting design for the two blocks of Hall’s Lane between Gaukel Street and Queen Street. She noted that due to unforeseen difficulties, a concept plan was not available to bring before the Committee today. However, it was noted that several business owners in the Downtown, had expressed interest in contributing to the cost of the lighting installation. Ms. Dean further commented that she had also met with Mr. J. McBride, Director of Traffic and Parking. He indicated that he would be agreeable to preparing a report, outlining plans for lighting that portion of Hall’s Lane between Queen and Gaukel Streets and associated costs, for consideration by the Safe City Committee and subsequently to City Council. For the benefit of newer Committee members, Ms. Dean noted that lighting designs consider all laneway issues including entrapment areas and paint colours in addition to appropriate lighting. Mr. McDonald has submitted an estimate of $3,360. for work to: prepare the design and drawings, make presentations in conjunction with the design, prepare a listing of required hardware and lights, assist with procurement of the hardware and development of photometrics. Ms. Dean requested the Committee’s support of the project and the associated costs. She advised that Mr. M. Schreiter has met with the largest landowner in the Downtown to gain support and participation. The project costs will be broken down as follows: Safe City Committee will pay for the design work, Downtown business owners will be asked to pay for the lights and installation costs and the City of Kitchener will pay for the electricity. Mr. B. Burns questioned whether Advisory Committees, like Safe City Committee, have the authority to spend funds or if City Council approved was required. Mr. B. Stanley advised that the Safe City Committee has a Capital Budget approved annually by City Council and, therefore, has the authority to allocate approved funds during the current year. Ms. Dean further commented that the Downtown Lighting Design program, under which the Hall’s Lane lighting design project is being undertaken, was approved by City Council. Ms. A. Kutler entered the meeting. On motion by Mr. T. Dickson – It was resolved: SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 5, 2001- 19 -CITY OF KITCHENER 3.LIGHTING DESIGN – HALL’S LANE - (CONT’D) “That a lighting design, in accordance with the detail presented to the Safe City Committee, be developed for that portion of Hall’s Lane between Gaukel Street and Queen Street and the services of John McDonald, Architect be engaged at a cost of $3,360. + GST.” Mr. Burns re-iterated his objection to the allocation of City funds by an Advisory Committee and Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested Mr. Burns’ objection be recorded. 4.SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR’S REPORT – JUNE 2001 Ms. J. Dean distributed the June 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. Youth Issues Grants and Awards Program · Lighting Working Group – 1. Laneway Lighting 2. Lighten up Survey – Conference Presentation · Outreach and Liaison 1. Safer Communities Action Team (SCAT) 2. Hamilton Community Exchange · Research and Education 1. Tenant Safety Package Ms. J. Dean advised that Ms. A. Kutler and Messrs. F. Bishop and T. Dickson had volunteered to work on the production of a Tenant Safety Package and also suggested that it may be beneficial to request that a representative from Kitchener Housing Inc. participate as well. Mayor C. Zehr entered the meeting. Councillor B. Vrbanovic agreed to contact the General Manager of Kitchener Housing Inc. and request that a representative be selected to work with the ‘Research and Education Working Group’ on the preparation of a Tenant Safety Package. 5.ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVIEW Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that a Council/Staff Working Group has been established to review City Council’s current advisory committee structure. He provided a brief background report on events leading up to the appointment of this Working Group, noting that presentations are being made to all Advisory Committees. Mayor C. Zehr was in attendance today to present the proposed advisory committee models to the Committee and obtain input to take back to the Working Group. Mayor Zehr advised that the current Standing Committee and Advisory Committee structure has been in place for many years and, over the years, has added new committees and mandates. It was the view of Council that a comprehensive study was required to determine if the number of Advisory Committees indicated a duplication of effort and resources. The review process was commenced earlier in the Spring with a review of minutes and agendas from all Advisory Committees in order to compile a listing of topics under discussion. The purpose of this review was to identify common threads amongst the Committees indicating a duplication of effort was present. In addition, a analysis of the makeup of Committee memberships was being done and it was noted that a number of citizen volunteers serve on more than one Committee and are, therefore, hearing many of the presentations made to different Committees, several times. The review hopes to reduce this waste of valuable volunteer time. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 5, 2001- 20 -CITY OF KITCHENER 5.ADVISORY COMMITTEE REVIEW – (CONT’D) Several documents pertaining to the Advisory Committee review were circulated to members with the agenda for today’s meeting, including: a detailed process and timetable; identification of problems; role of Advisory Committees; role of Councillors/Mayor; size of Committees; role of Sub-Committees; draft model; and, draft mandates and reporting structures. Mayor C. Zehr commented that the Working Group is attempting to determine if there would be more benefit to having a variety of interests and perspectives on a Committee or whether a Committee should have a focussed or single view on issues before it. He commented on the benefits and obstacles of both suggestions. Mr. B. Stanley noted that there are a few Committees in existence that have a sizeable mandate and are being recommended to be left as separate entities in order to deal with the large number of issues which regularly appeared on agendas. In response to this, Ms. Dean commented that, in her opinion, the Safe City Committee also has a significant enough mandate to permit it to be a stand alone Committee and not combined with any other Advisory Committees. She pointed out that the Safe City Committee is broadbased with membership representing a variety of disciplines and interests. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that all input from various Advisory Committees will be received by mid-June and included in a report for presentation to Finance and Administration Committee at its August meeting, then subsequently a recommendation will be presented to City Council for final decision. Implementation of any changes to the Advisory Committee structure would come into effect with the 2002 Committee appointments made by City Council in November, 2001. Ms. C. Perry entered the meeting. A lengthy discussion took place during which questions and concerns were raised dealing with: the structure model being proposed; recruitment of and advertising for volunteers for appointment to Committees; the role of Sub-Committees and Ad Hoc Committees; the necessity for meaningful public input into the review process; the loss of the Safe City Committee’s identify and recognition of past efforts; possible future overlap and overload of Committee work; staff support; use of community agencies as Committee resources; number of Councillors appointed to Committees; and, Co-chair versus Chair and Vice-Chair model. Mayor C. Zehr thanked members for their input and it was suggested that those members who were unable to attend today’s meeting be advised that there is still an opportunity to forward their personal views by contacting Ms. M. Morrison, who is co-ordinating all the responses received for formulation into a report. The Committee Administrator was requested to ensure that absent members be advised of this opportunity. Mr. D. Ryan suggested that an orientation session on municipal government be organized for all citizen appointees to City of Kitchener committees. Mayor C. Zehr and Ms. M. Morrison left the meeting. 6.WORKING ADULTS LEARNING EDUCATIONAL SKILLS (WALES) PROGRAM Ms. J. Dean advised that she had contacted the Principal of Rosemount School where the WALES program is offered and explained that this program is for adults with developmental difficulties and abilities and is attended by people who are functioning at differing levels. The letter addressed to Mayor C. Zehr presented at the May, 2001 Committee meeting, was written by two students who function at a higher level than other participants. These students were pleased to hear that their letter, offering assistance to help the City with safety programs, was being considered. Ms. Dean indicated that she had reviewed several options and suggests that an information brochure entitled ‘Kids Safe: A Kid’s Guide to Community Safety’ be forwarded to the supervisor of the WALES program as it outlines various projects that could be undertaken. Ms. Dean circulated the Guide for the information of the Committee who concurred that it would be appropriate to forward the Guide, along with a covering letter from the Safe City Co- ordinator. SAFE CITY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 5, 2001- 21 -CITY OF KITCHENER 6.WORKING ADULTS LEARNING EDUCATIONAL SKILLS (WALES) PROGRAM – (CONT’D) A request was made that students of the WALES program be kept in mind for any suitable upcoming Committee initiatives that require volunteers. Mr. B. Burns volunteered to act as a liaison between the Committee and the teacher supervising the WALES program at Rosemount School. 7.CANADIAN REGIONAL SCIENCE ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE UPDATE Ms. J. Dean requested that this item be deferred and referred to the July 3, 2001 Committee meeting as she would like to make the Powerpoint presentation given at the Conference. 8.NATIONAL MENTORING CONFERENCE Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that this item be deferred and referred to the July 3, 2001 Committee meeting. 9.LITTLE BLACK BOOK – SPRING 2001 EDITION Copies of the Spring 2001 edition of the Little Black Book were distributed to members for information and they were requested to circulate copies to various agencies in order that distribution can be done in a timely fashion. Ms. Dean advised that copies are also circulated to the City’s community centres, branches of the Kitchener Public Library, and that individual schools in the City order them through the Board offices. 10.NEW BUSINESS For the information of the Committee, Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that Ms. C. Perry was the recipient of a 2001 MACOY Youth Award. 11.ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. L. Korabo Committee Administrator