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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2002-06-04 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 4, 2002 CITY 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. C. Anjaria, Ms. M. Dunk, Ms. M. Sawa and Messrs. F. Bishop, P. Doherty and D. Hoch. Ms. T. Beaulne, Ms. T. Henderson and Mr. S. Bassanese were in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. J. Dean, Ms. L. Palubeski, Ms. S. Adams, Ms. L. Korabo and Mr. S. Turner. This meeting commenced without a quorum in attendance. 1. GROWING UP DOWNTOWN WORKING GROUP RE: BREASTFEEDING LOUNGE PROPOSAL FOR KITCHENER CITY HALL Various representatives of the 'Growing Up Downtown' working group were in attendance to present a proposal for a public breastfeeding lounge in City Hall. Ms. M. Duff-McCracken addressed the Committee on behalf of the working group and advised that the group is a committee of the Kitchener Downtown Community Health Centre (KDCHC). Ms. Duff-McCracken circulated a summary of the lounge proposal as well as a brochure about the working group. She advised that the group works to bring families together and make the Downtown a more child and family friendly area. It has conducted child and family friendliness audits and some of its recommended changes have been incorporated into public washrooms. Mr. S. Turner entered the meeting. Ms. Duff-McCracken advised that the group would like to see a public breastfeeding lounge located on the main floor of City Hall. This lounge would provide a safe and comfortable area for mothers to feed and change their children while in the Downtown. Breastfeeding lounges are currently located in the Sears store at Fairview Mall and at the Cambridge Centre Mall. The Sears location is also visited on a regular basis by a public health nurse who is available to assist mothers with questions or concerns regarding the care of their children. With the assistance of an overhead presentation, Ms. Duff-McCracken provided statistics concerning usage of current facilities as well as the dramatic increase in usage since 2000. Women are being referred to the breastfeeding lounges by Regional Health staff; therefore, the current facilities are experiencing overcrowding and additional lounges are needed. In closing, the 'Growing Up Downtown' working group requested the Committee's support. Mr. S. Bassanese entered the meeting and a quorum was now present. In response to questions from the Committee, it was noted that a conceptual design has been prepared and that the room could also be used as a wet bar for licensed events held at City Hall. In addition to providing space to develop the public lounge, the City would be asked to be responsible for the ongoing maintenance and security. The KDCHC would ensure that the lounge is appropriately furnished and would promote the site within the community and would regularly check the lounge to ensure it is adequately stocked for proper usage. Ms. S. Adams advised that she had met with staff from Facilities Management and also the Government Information Centre located on the main floor to discuss the proposal. She advised there is an unused room which would be appropriate to be developed into a breastfeeding lounge. It was suggested that staff investigate this proposal and prepare a report for consideration. Several members of the Committee posed questions relating to the proposed hours of operation, and whether or not the room would be kept locked. On motion by Ms. M. Dunk- it was resolved: "That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee support, in principle, the concept of establishing a breastfeeding lounge at Kitchener City Hall, as proposed by the 'Growing Up Downtown' working group; and further, That staff be requested to prepare a report outlining how this lounge could be established for consideration at the June 24, 2002 Community Services Committee meeting." SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 4, 2002 2. CRPS-02-130 - ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL & POLICIES (GENERAL) PROTOCOL FOR LODGING HOUSE LICENSING NEW POLICIES FOR LODGING HOUSE ENFORCEMENT - 16 - CITY OF KITCHENER Mr. S. Turner, Director of Enforcement, attended to present Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-130, dated May 28, 2002, regarding: Enforcement Protocol & Policies; Protocol for Lodging House Licensing; and, New Policies for Lodging House Enforcement. He advised that this report will be discussed at the Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting to be held on June 10, 2002. Mr. Turner stated that the former Safe City Committee had raised concerns regarding enforcement and licensing of lodging houses at a meeting held in August 2001 and, at that time, had requested that staff review how the City enforced and licensed lodging houses. He commented that the review which had been completed also encompassed changes to enforcement protocol and policies. Mr. Turner then briefly described each of the 8 key recommendations contained in the draft report, namely: . That the Director of Enforcement be designated as the key contact person regarding enquiries from and co-ordination with outside enforcement agencies . The recommendation that Council adopt a revised policy resolution concerning enforcement by-laws . The recommendation that Council adopt an operational protocol for enforcement staff . The preparation of a "Rights of Entry Fact Sheet" and contact list of enforcement staff for availability to all enforcement staff . The training of enforcement staff to recognize issues concerning child protection and the appropriate reporting processes . The recommendation that Council adopt a new policy regarding the enforcement of lodging houses . The identification of non-licensed lodging houses and the taking of appropriate action to ensure enforcement where necessary . The preparation of a lodging house licensing information guide for distribution to landlords Ms. T. Beaulne entered the meeting. Ms. M. Sawa requested that thought be given to the literacy skills of those individuals that would be referencing the information guide for landlords, noting that the information and wording should be kept simple with no use of jargon. Mr. Turner agreed that the education component was key to by-law enforcement actions and that it was also planned to make use of the City's web site by posting appropriate and timely information for easy access. Ms. T. Henderson questioned what type of planning had taken place with external agencies to ensure that the enforcement and licensing matters as recommended would be successful and Mr. Turner advised that staff had worked extensively with Waterloo Regional Police to develop the operational protocol which will be used to guide staff in various matters. Mr. Turner was asked to provide a definition for a lodging house and he noted that a lodging house was any dwelling containing one or more lodging units designed to accommodate 4 or more residents. The residents may share common areas of the dwelling other than the lodging units, and do not appear to function as a household. This shall not include a hotel, motel, group home, nursing home, hospital or any residential care facility licensed, approved, or supervised under any general or specific Act. Following a lengthy discussion, the Committee agreed to generally support the draft report. On motion by Mr. D. Hoch- it was resolved: SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 4, 2002 2. CRPS-02-130 - ENFORCEMENT PROTOCOL & POLICIES (GENERAL) PROTOCOL FOR LODGING HOUSE LICENSING NEW POLICIES FOR LODGING HOUSE ENFORCEMENT ICONT'DI - 17 - CITY OF KITCHENER "That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee endorse Corporate Services Department report CRPS-02-130, concerning general enforcement protocol, protocol for lodging house licensing and policies for lodging house enforcement as presented on June 4, 2002; and further, That the Director of Enforcement be requested to report back to the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee in one year to advise on the status of lodging house licensing and enforcement." Mr. S. Turner left the meeting. 3. STRATEGIC PLAN I WORK PLAN 2002 Ms. J. Dean distributed copies of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee Work Plan 2002 and advised this was a summary of the goals and objectives identified as priorities at the Committee's last meeting. The Work Plan lists a goal statement as well as the objectives, actions, related initiatives and partners for each of the identified themes. She further noted that timing for these priorities had not been specifically identified as it was still necessary for Committee members to indicate which objectives they wished to work on. Ms. Dean requested clarification on a number of specific objectives and following discussion by the Committee was directed to incorporate the recommended changes and prepare a final document for circulation to the Committee. Mr. S. Bassanese left the meeting. On motion by Mr. F. Bishop- it was resolved: "That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee Work Plan 2002, as revised June 4, 2002, be approved." 4. RE-SCHEDULlNG OF JULY 2. 2002 MEETING Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested the Committee consider re-scheduling the July 2, 2002 meeting to Tuesday, August 13, 2002, as he was unable to attend the July meeting. It was generally agreed to cancel the July 2, 2002 meeting and that the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee would meet on Tuesday, August 13, 2002. Ms. T. Henderson left the meeting and a quorum was no longer present. 5. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE Mr. D. Hoch provided the Committee with an update on the following Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC) activities: . DAC's Strategic Plan has not been completed at this time . Development of a new parking garage at Benton and Charles Street will provide 400 new spaces in the Downtown . Light Rail Transit Proposal (LRT)- the Region of Waterloo is considering a bus rapid transit (BRT) proposal as complimentary to the proposed LRT . Kitchener Market - construction is underway and all phases except the residential component will be open in 2003 . Downtown Group - is a sub-committee of DAC and acts as a liaison between businesses and social agencies and it is anticipated that it will grow into a larger entity in the future SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 4, 2002 5. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE UPDATE ICONT'DI - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER Ms. T. Beaulne questioned if there were any issues the Downtown Advisory Committee was dealing with that the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee could assist with. Mr. Hoch noted that there were some overlapping roles and that it would be difficult to define a specific role for the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee. Ms. Beaulne stated that it may be possible for the two committees to establish common sub-committees to deal with special issues. 6. CSD-02-111 - SUPPORT FOR OPIOID DEPENDANT YOUTH SUPPORTED EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECT IODYSEEI The Committee was in receipt of Community Services Department report CSD-02-111 dated May 22, 2002, outlining suggested partnerships which could be undertaken to support the ODYSEE project, should it receive funding to launch its programs. The Committee agreed with the suggested services which could be considered respecting the partnership as outlined in the staff recommendation. On motion by Ms. M. Sawa - it was resolved: "That the Community Services and Programs Division explore a working partnership with the Opioid Dependent Youth Supported Education and Employment Project (ODYSEE), subject to confirmation of Project funding, by working within our organization to consider the following tangible items: . in-kind provision of recreational resources such as waiving fees for City of Kitchener recreation and leisure activities and facilities for ODYSEE participants, . in-kind provision of advertising and printing pertaining to the project, . access to volunteer opportunities through the City of Kitchener's volunteer program, . connection to the Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC), . exploring access to specialized outdoor adventure programs . liaison with other groups and provision of space to hold additional workshops; and further, That should the ODYSEE Project obtain program funding, staff prepare a report on their findings for consideration at a future Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee meeting." NOTE: a quorum was not present when the above motion was voted on. 7. PROPOSAL TO HOST COMMUNITY FORUM Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he and Ms. S. Adams are meeting with Regional staff to discuss hosting a community forum in late 2002 or early 2003. This forum would be a community exchange where community groups could meet to discuss community development and community safety issues as well as share dialogue to learn from the experiences of other municipalities. Councillor Vrbanovic questioned if members of the Committee was interested in undertaking to host such a forum. Ms. T. Beaulne questioned: what the purpose or scope of the forum would be, if it would focus only on the City of Kitchener, or whether it would be a healthy communities forum. In response to a question from Mr. D. Hoch, Councillor Vrbanovic advised that the forum would have a crime prevention/safety component and that it is proposed the forum be held for 2 - 3 days. The Committee expressed a general interest in participating in such a forum; however, requested further clarification prior to making a formal commitment. Councillor Vrbanovic agreed to obtain further information for the Committee's consideration. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JUNE 4, 2002 8. INFORMATION ITEMS - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER The Committee was in receipt of the following information items: . Safe City Co-Ordinator's Report . Unfinished Business List 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 6:10p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator