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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2002-08-13SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 13, 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m., Chaired by Mr. D. Schnarr, with the following members present: Councillor B. Vrbanovic, Ms. A. McConnell and Ms. T. Beaulne. Others Present: Ms. J. Dean, Ms. S. Adams and Ms. L. Korabo. As a quorum was not in attendance, the members present agreed to hear the delegation in attendance regarding one of the agenda items and to refer any remaining agenda items to the next Committee meeting. 1. MAYOR'S ADVISORY COUNCIL FOR KITCHENER SENIORS (MACKS) Mr. E. Bow, Incoming Chair, Mayor's Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors (MACKS) and Ms. G. Roth Abbott, Supervisor of Services and Resource Development, attended to provide an overview of MACKS activities and request possible linkages with the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee. Mr. Bow advised that MACKS is comprised of 14 voting members representing seniors across the community including representation from the 3 seniors centres, and meets monthly to discuss common problems, trends and opportunities. Its purpose, as noted in their Terms of Reference document, is: · to enhance the quality of life of seniors by providing a representative voice for seniors across the Kitchener community; · to advise City staff and City Council on issues related to seniors in our community and the seniors programs provided and/or supported by the City of Kitchener and to present to Council directly any major issue on the advice of City staff; · to link with local, provincial and national senior organizations; and, · to promote the positive image of seniors in our community and recognize their contributions through the Awards of Distinction Annual Event. In addition, MACKS has responded to programming or policy issues and requests from other organizations and is interested in community services provided by the City to the 55+ age group. With regard to possible linkages between MACKS and the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, Mr. Bow stated that the two committees had many common interests and suggested it may be beneficial to exchange minutes on a regular basis. Members of the Committee raised questions concerning any action MACKS may have taken regarding contacting seniors in local ethnic groups and encouraging their participation on the Committee. Mr. Bow stated that while this had been a concern for a number of years, no direct action had been taken to date. Ms. S. Adams indicated that one of the identified objectives of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee's Strategic Plan was to reduce the social isolation amongst vulnerable community members such as those in ethnic groups and stated that this could be a joint project of the two committees. Ms. G. Roth Abbott indicated that the first meeting of the new MACKS Committee will be held in September, 2002, and at that time, possible future projects will be discussed and working committees will be established. Ms. T. Beaulne suggested that MACKS contact the local Good Neighbour Council and establish a relationship which could potentially be beneficial to both groups. She then extended an invitation to Mr. Bow to attend an upcoming workshop, sponsored by the Social Planning Council, which will review a social and economic inclusion initiative that may be of interest to the MACKS Committee. Mr. D. Schnarr thanked Mr. Bow for his presentation and directed the Committee Administrator to add Mr. Bow to the minute distribution list. Mr. E. Bow and Ms. G. Roth Abbott left the meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES AUGUST 13, 2002 - 21 - CITY OF KITCHENER PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL Ms. J. Dean requested direction concerning a proposal for a portable public display panel outlining general information on the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee. She advised that she and D. Schnarr will be meeting to finalize the promotional material and will be using staff in the Communications Division to prepare the display panel. It is proposed this panel will be used to provide general Committee information at various events throughout the year. The members present directed that Ms. J. Dean and Mr. D. Schnarr finalize the design of the display panel. SEPTEMBER MEETING DATE Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that the September meeting date of the Committee be re- scheduled to Tuesday, September 10, 2002. The members present agreed with this request and the Committee Administrator was directed to advise all members of the date change. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator