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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2006-04-04 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 4, 2006 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Co-Chair P. Doherty, S. Fohring, T. Bender, D. Henry and S. Franzen. D. Schnarr was in attendance for part of the meeting Staff: M. Hildebrand, Interim Director, Community Programs & Services J. Dean, Safe City Co-ordinator L. Korabo, Committee Administrator 1 . INTRODUCTION OF NEW MEMBER Mr. Darrin Henry, a new appointee to the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, introduced himself and gave a brief overview of his background and reasons for requesting appointment to the Committee. Members of the Committee then introduced themselves. 2. FOREST HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CENTRE SAFETY AUDIT / SURVEY Further to a preliminary presentation made by Mr. D. Schnarr at the Committee's February 7, 2006 meeting, Ms. J. Dean provided an update on the Forest Heights Community Centre Safety Audit / Survey. She advised that not all of the data has been reviewed but stated that an action plan to deal with the issue of loitering youth would be looked at as well as staff training in non-violent intervention methods. Also, some of the physical issues at the community centre will be reviewed including the facility's outdoor lighting as concern regarding this was identified by survey participants. She noted that Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro will undertake lighting measurements and staff from Facilities Management will provide a list of on-site lighting giving dates when any lamps were replaced. The end result will be development of a Lighting Plan for the site. In closing, Ms. Dean noted that once all of the analysis is complete and the Safety Audit results are known, the Working Group will bring back specific recommendations to the Committee for consideration and action. Members of the Committee enquired as to specific problems which had been noted with lighting and it was pointed out that existing lighting levels were low; the centre of the parking lot was not lit at all; and, bollards installed in front of the Centre throw light only at ground level. The goal of increased lighting levels is to help reduce the pedestrian / vehicle conflicts which currently exist and provide a safer environment. In response to a question Ms. Dean advised that newer community centres are designed with the benefit of urban design guidelines providing for better levels of lighting using expert input. 3. WORK PLAN · Youth Website - nothing to report. · Social Isolation and Inclusion - this matter was deferred to the May 2006 Committee meeting when Ms. T. Beaulne will be in attendance. · Youth Issues, Grants and Awards - Ms. J. Dean distributed the newly redesigned application form which is now available. She advised that a number of new and renewal applications have been received and are being considered by the Sub-Committee. The criteria for a grant only allows for recipients to receive grants in 3 consecutive years and it was noted that some of the groups reapplying have reached this maximum and may be ineligible for further funding unless there is a shortage of other applicants. At the request of the Committee, Ms. Dean briefly reviewed the application form highlighting the application criteria for the grants and awards available. She advised that the 2006 cheque presentations will take place at the televised Council meeting scheduled for May 29, 2006. · 911 Youth Charity Golf Tournament - the date of the annual tournament has been changed to June 14 and will be held at the Rockway Golf Club. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 4, 2006 -7 - CITY OF KITCHENER 4. ACTION PLAN - ROUNDTABLE ON COMMUNITY SAFETY~ HEALTH AND WELLBEING (CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE) Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that he attended a Roundtable on Community Safety, Health and Wellbeing sponsored by the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on February 22, 2006. The Roundtable was hosted by a coalition funded by a two-year grant for the National Crime Prevention Council. The Roundtable was attended by representatives from a broad range of organizations, including police, food banks and public health councils. Dialogue focused on issues related to obtaining sustainable social development needed to achieve better crime prevention and a joint approach proposed to setting a national strategy to coordinate the work of the participating agencies. Major challenges to establishing a national strategy were identified as: · a more diverse society; · communities suffering from lack of cohesion (silos); · lack of engagement or ownership; · lack of adequate coordination between levels of government; · lack of sustainable funding; · the challenge of building trust between communities and law enforcement; and, · the current culture of policing. Councillor Vrbanovic advised that the Roundtable speaker addressed several items which need to occur for sustainable results. They are: · clearly define roles and responsiblities between the various levels of government. This would avoid duplication and obtain the maximum benefit. Decisions need to be made to determine which is the best level of government to deal with an issue and coordinate a response; · intervention needs to be specific and focused - groups cannot be all things to all people; · benchmarks need to be established; and, · stop looking at crime as an issue which is detached from the social context. Following debate on these issues, the Roundtable discussed ways of moving forward with their agenda. Consensus was reached on moving forward with this opportunity by recognizing and lobbying to start to affect change. A definite desire was shown to continue on with the process and a conference will be held in Winnipeg in May, 2007. It was originally intended to showcase best practices of improving social development to reduce crime; however, with the agreement of the Roundtable participants, has now been changed to be a discussion on developing a national model/strategy to implement crime reduction methods and produce positive results. A core group of 12 organizational representatives will work on refocusing the Conference's mandate and develop common messages and strategies for discussion in 2007. In closing, Councillor Vrbanovic advised that an electronic consulting process will take place prior to the 2007 event. A formal structure and an advisory committee setup will be considered as a more inclusive setting; a permanent coalition (after funding is concluded) will be discussed as well as a government structure and an operational plan; and, a Centre of Excellence and Knowledge for community safety, health and wellbeing will be considered. Mr. D. Schnarr entered the meeting. 5. SAFE CITY COORDINATOR'S REPORT Ms. J. Dean advised that a full time outreach worker has been hired and will begin at 35 hours / week. Interviews are also being conducted for a second full time position. At the last meeting, Ms. Dean had reminded members of the Committee's offer to fund a lighting design for a downtown business and she advised that a new business owner has indicated an interest. This person has been put in touch with John MacDonald to work on a lighting design. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 4, 2006 - 8- CITY OF KITCHENER 5. SAFE CITY COORDINATOR'S REPORT (CONT'D In addition, it has been suggested that the Voila Hair Salon be approached and offered money for a second lighting pilot. This business is located at the corner of Ontario and King Streets and has a great deal of window space to work with. It was noted that $1,500. would be needed to complete a lighting design for the location. On motion by Mr. D. Schnarr - it was resolved: "That funding with an upset limit of $1 ,500. be approved from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee budget to prepare a fagade lighting design plan for the business located at the corner of King and Ontario Streets." It was suggested that signage be placed in the business' window advising that the fagade lighting was made possible with a grant from the Committee. 6. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:20 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator