HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-053 - Request for Affiliation - Westmount Neighbourhood Association
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Community Services
Report To:
Date of Meeting:
Submitted By:
Community Services Committee
May 28, 2007
Prepared By:
Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and
Services, ext. 2687
Janet Cote, District Facilitator, Victoria Hills Community Centre
ext. 2720
Ward 6
Ward(s) Involved:
Date of Report:
Report No.:
Subject:
May 16, 2007
CSD-07-053
Request for Affiliation - Westmount Neighbourhood
Association
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council approves the Westmount Neighbourhood Association as an affiliated group
with the City of Kitchener per the City's Neighbourhood Association Affiliation policy;
and further,
That Council approves the addition of the Westmount Neighbourhood Association as an
insured group in the City of Kitchener's third party liability insurance program.
BACKGROUND:
To be recognized as an affiliated City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Association, a
neighbourhood group will have the following characteristics:
· be a voluntary, not-for-profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group based in a
geographic neighbourhood within the borders of the City of Kitchener,
· be inclusive of and responsive to the needs of the community within the specific
geographic area defined by that group,
· be open to the public and make this known through communication to the residents of
that neighbourhood, by at a minimum, publishing a contact number or through other
means such as newsletter,
· have some level of activity with, at minimum, a contact person, and
· have some structure for accountability.
Groups interested in forming new Neighbourhood Associations are to submit a letter to the
Director of Community Programs and Services that outlines the following information:
· group name,
· geographic boundaries,
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· name and contact information for one or more person who can receive communication
on behalf of the group, and
· a brief statement of mission and main purpose as well as the types of activities it
provides.
When new applications are received, the following steps are taken:
1. The Director contacts the relevant Community Programs and Services District Facilitator,
2. The District Facilitator reviews the application to see if the group meets the eligibility
criteria,
3. If a Neighbourhood Association(s) already exists within that geographic area, the District
Facilitator will contact all relevant parties to identify if there are any issues and, if yes, to
initiate a process to address them,
4. The District Facilitator prepares a recommendation to the Community Services Committee
of Kitchener City Council.
REPORT:
Residents within the Westmount neighbourhood have submitted a proposal to the City of
Kitchener to become an affiliated Neighbourhood Association. The mission of the group is to
advocate so that conservation of Westmount's unique classic character will be ensured. The
Westmount Neighbourhood Association was created as a result of five major
influences/concerns in the existing neighbourhood including:
1. Planning/Zoning
2. Student Housing
3. Green space and trees
4. Traffic/Transit and Parking
The organization is a voluntary, not for profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group and will
have all the required characteristics as outlined in the application policy for the City of Kitchener
Neighbourhood Associations. The Westmount Neighbourhood Association boundaries include
(see appendix A):
North - City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo Boundary,
East - Single family homes west of Belmont Avenue,
South - Railroad Tracks, and
West - Knell Drive and homes east of Knell Drive facing Glasgow Street.
The boundaries as outlined above will encompass approximately 600 households. These
boundaries were defined after consulting with the different stakeholders in the community
defined and upon discussions with the Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Association. These
boundaries were chosen because the homes/dwellings in the area are homogenous and all
have similar concerns.
Although the Westmount Neighbourhood Association overlaps Victoria Hills Neighborhood
Association, there will not be duplication in mandate or mission. The organization will be virtual
in nature in that the Chairperson position will be rotating depending on whose home the meeting
is held. The Westmount Neighbourhood Association core team will meet on a regular basis to
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address issues and items outlined above. The core team will create and keep minutes of all
meetings to ensure continuity and legacy for the team and also so that this information can be
shared with the community on request basis.
The Westmount Neighbourhood Associations' intention, as stated, is to be inclusive and
responsive to the needs of the community as defined above. As an affiliated group, they intend
to work with the City of Kitchener, the Region of Waterloo and the citizens of the community to
make the Westmount area a better community to the benefit of the City as a whole.
On October 3rd 2006, at their regular meeting, the Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Association
endorsed the Westmount group to become their own Neighbourhood Association on condition
that they would be able to continue distributing the Victoria Hills Neighbourhood Association
program flyer to the Westmount area to Belmont and Westmount School and that this condition
was placed in the final report to Council. On May 15t 2007, the Victoria Hills Neighbourhood
Association voted in favour of the Westmount Neighbourhood Association becoming its own
Affiliated Neighbourhood Association based on the submitted proposal to City staff.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There are no financial implications when adding an affiliate to the City of Kitchener's
Neighbourhood Association listing.
Services will be provided through the Community Program and Services budget and printing
process. Further granting, if needed, would go through the usual grant processes within the
City.
COMMUNICATIONS:
Once the Westmount Neighborhood Association has received formal acceptance by the City of
Kitchener to have affiliated status, they will be added to the Leisure Magazine Neighborhood
Association Contact List, the Mayor's list of Neighborhood Associations affiliated with the City of
Kitchener, and the 3rd party liability insurance list with Risk Management.
Mark Hildebrand
Interim Director, Community Programs and Services
AP
Appendix A
Westmount Neighborhood Association
Sou ndaries
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