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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2002-03-05SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2002CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, with the following members present: Ms. M. Sawa, Ms. T. Beaulne, Ms. T. Henderson and Messrs. P. Doherty, C. Armstrong, D. Schnarr and S. Bassanese. Others Present:Ms. J. Dean, Ms. L. Palubeski, Ms. S. Adams, Ms. F. Fraser and Ms. L. Korabo. OPIOID DEPENDANT YOUTH SUPPORTED EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECT 1. (ODYSEE) Ms. Jacqueline Russell and Ms. Madeleine Bernier attended to present information on the Opioid Dependent Youth Supported Education and Employment Project (ODYSEE). Ms. Russell advised that ODYSEE is a project with a goal of providing educational, employment and life skills preparation for opioid dependent youth in recovery who seek to re- enter education and/or employment and aims to prevent relapse into drug seeking and criminal activities. The project consists of individual supportive and career counselling sessions, support co-ordination, educational support, job readiness and life skills management workshops. She commented that Waterloo Region does not currently have a comprehensive youth focused relapse prevention program. The ODYSEE Project is a proposal of Regional Addiction & Family Counselling. An application for funding to hire a project co-ordinator for one year has been submitted to the Canadian Crime Prevention Council, under its community mobilization initiative. The Committee was circulated with background information on opioid dependency and a work plan outlining: 6 stated objectives of the project; the related activities; time frames and costs; implementation strategies; outcomes; indicators; and, evaluations. The Committee was advised that partnerships have already been formed with Lutherwood- CODA, the John Howard Society and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Partnership discussions are still ongoing with Reaching Our Outdoor Friends (ROOF) and the Waterloo Region District School Board. Total estimated costs to operate the project for one year are $63,000. In closing, Ms. Russell stated that any assistance the City of Kitchener could provide would be greatly appreciated. Ms. J. Dean suggested a possible link to the City's recreational programs and/or the provision of meeting space at City Hall. Councillor B. Vrbanovic recommended that this matter be referred to staff to investigate a possible partnership and to prepare a report for discussion at a future Committee meeting. On motion by Ms. T. Beaulne - it was resolved: "That staff be directed to review the Opioid Dependent Youth Supported Education and Employment Project (ODYSEE) work plan and investigate possible supportive partnership alternatives; and further, That a report be prepared, including recommendations, for consideration at a future Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee meeting." Ms. T. Beaulne requested, and the Committee agreed, that Councillor B. Vrbanovic consider providing a letter of support to ODYSEE outlining the Committee's interest and possible partnership. Ms. J. Russell and Ms. M. Bernier left the meeting. HALL'S LANE LIGHTING 2. Ms. J. Dean advised that there was no new information concerning the Hall's Lane Lighting Project but she would endeavour to have information available for the April 2, 2002 meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2002- 10 -CITY OF KITCHENER TERMS OF REFERENCE REVIEW AND APPROVAL 3. The Committee was in receipt this date of revised Terms of Reference for the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, incorporating comments received at the January 29 and February 5 meetings. Ms. L. Palubeski reviewed changes which had been incorporated following Committee consultation and requested feedback from members regarding any other changes prior to submission of the draft Terms of Reference to the Deputy City Clerk. Members of the Committee discussed the draft terms and made the following recommendations: · Inclusion of the term "youth issues" under Item 2 - Committee Composition, paragraph 1, describing the community-at-large positions and also under Item 4a) - Responsibilities. · Inclusion of the words "each of" under Item 2 - Committee Composition, representatives from "each of" the following ... · Under Item 3c) - Operating Guidelines - a clear statement regarding a majority vote of the Committee constituting a decision. · Under Item 3d) - Operating Guidelines - a clear statement concerning staff representatives assisting in the decision making and planning process through the provision of resources and support. No mention to voting privileges should be indicated. · Under Item 3 - Operating Guidelines - a new paragraph stating the Committee encourages open and inclusive discussion in a safe and welcoming forum. · Under Item 3e) - Operating Guidelines - deletion of the words "Office of the Mayor and Council" and replacement with "Corporate Services Department, Strategic Services Department, Corporate Marketing and Communications" · Deletion of Item 4g) - Responsibilities Mr. D. Hoch entered the meeting. On motion, the above revisions to the draft terms were agreed to and Ms. L. Palubeski was requested to make the suggested changes and circulate a final draft to all members via e-mail as soon as possible. Members were asked to review the draft terms and forward any additional concerns to Ms. Palubeski by March 12, 2002. The draft Terms of Reference will then be forwarded to Mr. R. Gosse, Deputy City Clerk, who will include them in a report being presented to City Council. Ms. S. Adams entered the meeting. On motion by Ms. T. Henderson - it was resolved: "That the draft Terms of Reference for the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, as amended this date, be approved and provided to the Deputy City Clerk for inclusion in an upcoming report to be presented to City Council." SAFE CITY CO-ORDINATOR'S REPORT 4. The Committee was in receipt this date of the February 2002 Safe City Co-Ordinator's Report. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2002- 11 -CITY OF KITCHENER FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES (FCM) - COMMUNITY SAFETY AND 5. CRIME PREVENTION COMMITTEE UPDATE Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he recently attended a meeting of the FCM Community Safety and Crime Prevention Committee. He provided information on topics discussed including: RCMP community policing initiative; challenges encountered by communities dealing with individuals suffering from Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS); a joint effort of FCM, Correctional Services and the National Parole Board concerning sentencing of offenders and a pilot project entitled "Circle of Support"; a support motion concerning a Kitchener resolution on home-grow marijuana operations; decriminalization of marijuana; and, the development of a municipal drug strategy and a potential pilot project in this regard. Ms. T. Beaulne requested that information on the various pilot projects mentioned be provided to members. Councillor Vrbanovic agreed to circulate this information as well as a handout regarding FAS. STRATEGIC PLANNING 6. Building on discussions held by the Committee on January 29 and February 5, 2002, and utilizing copies of worksheets from these strategic planning sessions, members compiled a list of priorities to be addressed during the coming year. The list included many initiatives which were categorized under the following three themes: 1)Housing - municipal role 2)Youth related issues - drop in centres, recreational sports, mentoring 3)Social isolation Ms. S. Adams noted that there were many issues that fall under the jurisdiction of other organizations. Mr. S. Bassanese and Mr. P. Doherty left the meeting. Ms. T. Henderson stated that it may be beneficial for members to work with a more condensed list of priorities and Ms. Adams agreed to prepare a short list for discussion at the April 2, 2002 meeting. Information on programming already in place was also requested to facilitate the Committee's next phase of discussion. NEW BUSINESS 7. Mr. D. Hoch, the representative of the Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC), advised that he would like to provide regular updates concerning DAC's activities to this Committee. Councillor B. Vrbanovic asked that this item be incorporated into the agenda as a regular item. Councillor Vrbanovic advised that a 3-day Safer Schools Conference is being held in May, 2002, and will be a forum for discussions relating to community initiatives regarding youth and community safety. He noted that funding has been made available by the Trillium Foundation for 11 people to attend the conference. Information on the conference will be circulated to members. Ms. S. Adams advised that the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will be held Thursday, March 21, 2002. The theme of the celebration will be peace and harmony. She advised that confirmation has been received that the Honourable James K. Bartleman, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will be in attendance. INFORMATION ITEMS 8. · Unfinished Business List SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 5, 2002- 12 -CITY OF KITCHENER ADJOURNMENT 9. On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator