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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2005-10-04 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 4, 2005 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:15 p.m. Present: S. Fohring, C. Schneider, 1. Bender, B. Thomlison, S. Franzen and T. Beaulne. Staff: J. Dean, Safe City Co-ordinator L. Korabo, Committee Administrator 1. APPOINTMENT OF ACTING CO-CHAIR In the absence of both Committee Co-Chairs an Acting Co-Chair was appointed from among the members present. On motion by Mr. B. Thomlison - it was resolved: "That Ms. Trudy Beaulne be appointed as Acting Co-Chair of the Safe and Healthy Committee Advisory Committee for the purpose of conducting the October 4, 2005 meeting." 2. POSITIVE ACTION COMMITTEE OF KITCHENER (PACK) Ms. J. Dean advised that Ms. K. Harrison who had been scheduled to provide an overview of the work of the Positive Action Committee of Kitchener (PACK) was unable to attend this date. Mr. C. Schneider, PACK member, circulated an example of the promotional package which has been developed for use by real estate agents to market living / working in the Downtown and spoke to the process involved in compiling the information. Ms. J. Dean noted that Mayor C. Zehr and Ms. K. Weiss, Manager of Business Development, will market the package to real estate agents on behalf of PACK and the Corporation. She further explained that once launched the package will be kept up-to-date by Kitchener- Waterloo Tourism. 3. REQUEST FOR SAFETY AUDITS OF MUNICIPAL WALKWAYS Members of the Committee were advised that, in 2004, Councillor G. Lorentz had requested safety audits of municipal walkways be conducted. He requested that the Committee consider this project and report back to the Community Services Committee and Council with an Action Plan. Following Councillor Lorentz's request, Ms. J. Dean advised that she had been asked by Community Services Department staff about any known unsafe walkways but, at that time, could not specifically identify any. She did pass along, however, that walkways designed to lead into City parks have been known to be problematic. It was noted that Community Services is currently developing an inventory of municipal walkways and will review same with a view to closing those walkways which are deemed unnecessary. At the same time, required walkways will be reviewed to determine if upgrading is required. The Committee was advised that Councillor B. Vrbanovic had offered to speak to Councillor Lorentz and clarify his specific intentions for the requested audits. Ms. Dean suggested that once this inventory has been developed and narrowed down to those walkways which are necessary / required, she could undertake a review to determine the need for any safety audits. The Committee was reminded that safety audits are typically community driven and not initiated by the City. Ms. T. Beaulne suggested that safety audits not be recommended on a City-wide basis; however, walkways could be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Ms. Dean also suggested that design guidelines for improved future walkways could be considered. It was generally agreed that the Committee would discuss this issue further at its November 1, 2005 meeting at which time Councillor Vrbanovic can report on his discussion with Councillor Lorentz and Ms. Dean can provide additional information following discussions with Community Services staff regarding the walkway inventory. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 4, 2005 - 20- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. WORK PLAN 2005 Ms. J. Dean provided the following updates: · Violence in Sports Working Group - has not met but is still waiting for feedback from Kitchener Minor Soccer regarding its presentation; · Youth Website - still under construction; work continues on reviewing categories and links; · Social Isolation and Inclusion - 1. Beaulne advised that the Working Group has been making inquiries of other municipalities to obtain more information. It was noted that the City of Burlington has a good Inclusion Report which makes several recommendations; · Festival of Neighbourhoods - Finale is scheduled for October 23, 2005. Sixty-nine neighbourhood events have been registered and it is hoped representatives from at least 50 neighbourhoods will attend the Finale. 1. Bender volunteered to attend and present the "Newcomer Award" on behalf of the Committee. 5. MENTAL HEALTH COURT Committee members were in receipt of an explanation of the new Mental Health Court which will divert people with mental health issues from the regular court system and ensure that they receive appropriate assessment and treatment. The court is composed of 4 judges, 4 crown attorneys, 2 duty councils and a clerk who are dedicated to the project and have more of an awareness of the mental health issues. There is also a support coordinator who will be working on bail release plans and support networks for those who have been charged as a way to prevent / decrease their involvement with the criminal justice system. In addition, Waterloo Regional Police Services have court officers and probation workers and community organizations are also available to provide victim assistance. 5. ASSERTIVE COMMUNITY TREATMENT TEAM (ACT) Ms. J. Dean advised that the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care has announced funding for a second ACT team for Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health. ACT teams are community-based models of care designed for individuals with complex and long-term psychiatric illness. The teams bring together a multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals to provide a highly integrated and individualized service for their clients. Generally, the severe symptoms of ACT clients have not been adequately addressed by other available treatment or support services. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator