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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-06-099 - Community Cleanliness ) ~ Community Services ~ Report To: Date of Meeting: Submitted By: Prepared By: Ward(s) Involved: Date of Report: Report No.: Subject: Mayor Zehr and Members of Council September 11 , 2006 Ken Currier, Director of Operations Ken Currier, Director of Operations All September 7,2006 CSD-06-099 COMMUNITY CLEANLINESS RECOMMENDATION: For information only. BACKGROUND: An interdepartmental project team was formed in the fall of 2004 to develop a community cleanliness strategy for the City of Kitchener. This strategy was anticipated to build on current initiatives, streamline processes and engage the community through communication and participation. The project team has suggested that the City of Kitchener continue with the current initiatives and activities as important components of an emerging strategy. As well, the following phased actions will assist the City in engaging the community in these initiatives and creating awareness that cleanliness is a responsibility for all: 1) create an internal staff group (Coordination Committee) from various departments to monitor, track and report regularly on the achievements, successes and challenges inherent in each activity (within six months); 2) create a steering committee of staff and volunteers that coordinate, communicate and explore collaborations between various events and investigate ways to increase community participation in cleanliness efforts (within six months); 3) develop evaluation strategies that provide measurement criteria specific to the outcome(s) of each initiative (within six months); 4) create a centralized access point for the public to get information about community cleanliness initiatives or report problems (within one year); 5) review feasibility of new or re-energizing initiatives/groups that would address community cleanliness issues and opportunities (within two years). Report No: CSD-06-099 REPORT: The committee has its first meeting scheduled for Sept. 12, 2006. At that meeting staff will be addressing the direction given within the recommendations from CSD-06-024 report. The goal of the first meeting will be to identify who should be on this committee, what steps will need to be taken in order to achieve the direction that was given and to set timelines to achieve these goals. It is the intent to have representation on the committee that would be able to report how individual programs have performed. To date the following have been invited to attend: Urban Forest Technologist, Volunteer Resources and Community Engagement Facilitator, Marketing/ Creative Services Associate, Bylaw Enforcement Officer, a Community Volunteer, and a Special Projects Officer. A goal of the committee will be to develop measurement criteria to assist in determining whether the current programs have had successes and to what degree. This will help determine where the primary focus should be. The committee will also investigate new initiatives/ strategies and determine how they should be implemented. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: It is anticipated that any costs associated directly with development of projects to address community cleanliness will be absorbed by the respective departments within 2007 budget parameters as approved by Council. Further initiatives and their expenses will be evaluated and should additional funding be required staff will identify costs and present at future budget discussions. COMMUNICATIONS: Involvement by the internal staff working group representing multiple departments will consult with the community to increase public participation. As new programs and initiatives are identified, they will communicated to the community through our Communications Division. CONCLUSION: The coordination committee will provide future updates to Community Services Committee on the progress and effectiveness of the various initiatives. Ken Currier Director of Operations AP