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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2002-01-08SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2002CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee held its inaugural meeting this date, Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, commencing at 4:05 p.m., with the following members present: Councillor G. Lorentz, Ms. M. Dunk, Ms. H. Cullen, Ms. M. Sawa, Ms. T. Beaulne and Messrs. F. Bishop, D. Schnarr, S. Bassanese and P. Doherty. Others Present:Ms. J. Dean, Ms. S. Adams, Ms. M. Sanderson, Ms. L. Korabo and Messrs. F. Pizzuto and K. Baulk. INTRODUCTIONS 1. Councillor B. Vrbanovic welcomed everyone to this inaugural meeting of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, noting that this Committee was an amalgamation of four previous committees: Safe City Committee; Ethno-Cultural Committee; Community Services Advisory Committee; and, the City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee. Members introduced themselves and stated their reasons for serving on the Committee. A membership list was also circulated this date. Councillor Vrbanovic advised Council's youth appointee on the Committee has resigned due to a scheduling conflict. APPOINTMENT OF CO-CHAIR 2. Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he had been appointed by City Council as Co-Chair of the Committee on December 10, 2001, and it was necessary for one citizen member to be appointed Co-Chair for a term expiring November 30, 2002. Councillor Vrbanovic opened the floor for nominations. Mr. F. Bishop nominated Mr. D. Schnarr. No other nominations were forthcoming, therefore, members voted on the nomination of Mr. Schnarr. On motion by Mr. F. Bishop - it was resolved: "That Mr. Dennis Schnarr be appointed Co-Chair of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, for a term expiring November 30, 2002." PROPOSED COMMITTEE MEETING DATE SCHEDULE 3. A proposed meeting schedule for the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee in 2002 was listed on the agenda and no concerns were expressed. On motion by Mr. D. Schnarr - it was resolved: "That the following dates be approved for meetings of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee in 2002: February5May7September 3 March5June4October1 April2July3November 5 August NoneDecember 3." STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING 4. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that a special meeting be held to begin dialogue on the direction members wish to take and to establish a work plan for 2002. The Committee concurred and it was agreed that a special meeting of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee would be held on Tuesday, January 29, 2002, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Councillor G. Lorentz and Mr. S. Bassanese left the meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2002- 2 -CITY OF KITCHENER PRESENTATIONS - INFORMATION FROM VARIOUS AREAS OF THE SAFE AND 5. HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MANDATE Councillor B. Vrbanovic stated that background information on the types of issues discussed at meetings of the 4 amalgamated committees would be useful information to this Committee by providing some sense of the diversity of concerns and ideas requiring attention and action. Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested Mr. F. Pizzuto to provide a brief outline of issues raised at the former Community Services Advisory Committee. Mr. Pizzuto noted that matters discussed were initially parks and recreation in nature but evolved into broader ranging issues, including the planning of recreational facilities. The Community Services Advisory Committee met on a quarterly basis but was more of an information sharing meeting rather than advisory in nature. Councillor Vrbanovic then provided an overview of the former Ethno-Cultural Advisory Committee which originated in 1994 and was active until 1999. The Committee looked at various issues from an accessibility point of view and provided input to many organizations. After 1999, interest in the Committee diminished and, when Council undertook its review of advisory committees, it was decided to disband the Ethno-Cultural Advisory Committee, as a separate entity, and merge its mandate under the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee. More recently, due largely to incidents in Victoria Park, a small group of representatives, including Mayor C. Zehr, was meeting to discuss a plan of action regarding inclusion for individuals of various ethno-cultural backgrounds, as well as people with physical and mental disabilities. The group is meeting to develop policy statements, make recommendations and, hopefully, provide a report to this Committee. Mr. D. Schnarr provided details regarding the former City-Wide Youth Issues Sub-Committee, which was a sub-committee of the former Safe City Committee. He indicated the main focus of the Sub-Committee was to address youth-related issues in the community. It was formed in response to problems experienced in neighbourhoods where teens had an abundance of free time and many incidents of vandalism were occurring. In response to this growing problem, residents and officials came together to discuss how to deal with a wide variety of concerns. The Sub-Committee published a 'Little Black Book' which is a comprehensive listing of telephone numbers youth might need to gain access to services and has been well received throughout the community. Mr. Schnarr also advised that the Sub-Committee worked with representatives of Police, Fire and Ambulance to operate a charity golf tournament to raise funds for youth groups and youth projects, raising approximately $15,000. to date. With regard to the Safe City Committee, Ms. J. Dean noted that her December, 2001 report as well as Community Services Department report CSD-01-226 which was the final summary report of the Safe City Committee, both of which were attached to the agenda, provided significant detail on the past efforts of the Committee. DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE 6. Mr. R. Gosse, Deputy City Clerk, attended to introduce the Draft Terms of Reference which were circulated this date. He noted that the Terms of Reference were comprised of three defined areas being: 1)Purpose and Scope 2)Committee Composition 3)Responsibilities He advised that the Committee is being asked to review the draft terms and refine them with regard to responsibilities only. The purpose and scope of the Committee has been approved by City Council as has the Committee composition. He noted that, in drafting the Terms of Reference, he had combined the terms of the previous Safe City Committee and Ethno- Cultural Advisory Committee, and stated that this was only a starting point for the review process. With regard to the use of sub-committees, Mr. Gosse advised that City Council had directed that any sub-committees appointed be ad hoc in nature with clearly defined goals and a sunset clause. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 8, 2002- 3 -CITY OF KITCHENER DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE (CONT'D) 6. He requested that the Committee undertake their review of the Draft Terms of Reference and provide him with a final draft in early to mid February. At that time, the terms will be reviewed and presented to City Council for approval. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that the review of the Draft Terms of Reference be included as part of the upcoming strategic planning meeting which has been established for Tuesday, January 29, 2002. In this regard, members of the Committee requested that several documents be provided to them with the meeting agenda to provide additional background information. CORRECTION - MINUTES OF THE SAFE CITY COMMITTEE - DECEMBER 11, 2001 7. The Committee Administrator circulated a memorandum dated January 7, 2002, advising of an incorrectly worded resolution contained in the December 11, 2001 Safe City Committee meeting minutes. She noted that the Committee's concurrence was requested in order that the resolution be amended in the original copy of the minutes. The amended resolution would read as follows: "That the Safe City Committee receive Community Services Department report CSD-01- 226 as information and refer consideration of same to the newly formed Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee." The Committee concurred with the requested amendment. INFORMATION ITEMS 8. The Committee was in receipt of the following information items: · Safe City Co-Ordinator Report · CSD-01-226 - Final Report of the Safe City Committee to the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee ADJOURNMENT 9. On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator