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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2007-11-06SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m. Present: S. Franzen, Chair T. Bender, P. Doherty, M. Haverla, M. Hogg, T Beaulne and N Cybulski. Councillor C. Weylie was also in attendance. Staff: Mr. M. Hildebrand, Interim Director of Community Programs & Services Ms. L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services Ms. C. Collins, Marketing and Communications Associate Ms. A. Grafstein, Community and Corporate Planning Associate Ms. L. Korabo, Committee Administrator Ms. S. Franzen displayed an appreciation plaque presented to the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee by the Festival of Neighbourhoods. The plaque recognizes the Committee's ongoing support of the annual festival. 1. GRAFFITI REMOVAL PROGRAM Ms. L. Stewart, Acting Executive Director, Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA), attended to provide an update on the KDBA's Graffiti Removal Program. It was noted that the program is funded jointly by the KDBA and an annual grant from this Committee. Graffiti removal is provided to private businesses, located within the KDBA's boundaries, at no cost to property owners. A listing of the properties remediated to date in 2007 was circulated. The Committee was reminded that in 2006 the program was extended outside the KDBA boundaries, resulting in a substantial over-expenditure of the annual budget. At that time, the Committee was approached to provide additional funding to help cover the over-expenditure. In 2007, however, the program was again limited to within KDBA's boundaries and has remained within its $20,000. budget. Ms. Stewart noted that 2007 figures indicate a drop of 25% in the amount of graffiti. She commented that rapid removal of graffiti is an important part of the strategy to discourage the continued defacing of buildings and that the past support of the Committee is very much appreciated and continued support in 2008 is being requested. Ms. L. Palubeski noted that this Committee has approved a contribution of $10,000. for 2007 but these funds have not yet been released as no invoice has been received. Ms. Stewart was asked to forward an invoice at her earliest convenience. Mr. M. Hildebrand reminded members that, at the time funds for the over-expenditure were approved, direction had also been given to staff to investigate creating long-term program funding for graffiti removal To this end, it was noted that a staff report on the current situation had been presented to Council. In addition, staff is in the process of doing research of best practices of other municipalities but no formal strategy has been prepared. Staff hope to have a strategy for graffiti removal in place sometime in 2008. Ms. L. Stewart left the meeting. Ms. M. Hogg put forward a motion of continued support of the KDBA's Graffiti Removal Program by contributing $10,000. in 2008. Ms. T. Beaulne asked members to consider whether contributing monies to this program helps achieve the Committee's objectives and whether or not this should still be a priority given all the projects contained in the new Workplan. Comments were made regarding: the possibility of no additiona requests for funds after 2008; school boards having their own funds to deal with graffiti removal; and, investigating the use of a protective coating on buildings which would lessen the cost of removal. Mr. M. Hildebrand agreed to circulate a copy of his recent report to Committee members. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 -26- CITY OF KITCHENER 1. GRAFFITI REMOVAL PROGRAM tCONT'D) On motion by Ms. M. Hogg - it was resolved: "That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee financially support the Kitchener Downtown Business Association's Graffiti Removal Program with a grant of $10,000. from its 2008 budget." 2. LITTLE BLACK BOOK Ms. L. Palubeski introduced Ms. C. Collins, Marketing and Communications Associate, who has been coordinating the upcoming reprint of the Little Black Book (LBB). Ms. M. Hogg stated that she had asked to have this matter discussed as she had personal concerns around the accuracy of information contained in the book. Ms. C. Collins advised that staff in the Communications Division are making changes to the LBB as provided to them. Staff in the Community Services Department have been working though the contents of the last version checking numbers, addresses, emails and website information. Staff are hoping to be able to reprint the LBB on an annual basis and are discussing how best to format information for ease of updating. In addition, discussions are being held to improve upon the distribution method. Ms. T. Beaulne offered the assistance of the Community Information Centre to aid the annual updating of agency and organization information. Ms. M. Hogg asked if youth had been asked for feedback and it was noted that Kitchener's Youth Action Council (KYAC) had been actively involved in providing input. She further asked if the Committee could see the draft before printing and Ms. Palubeski advised that if the Committee wished to view and edit the contents, printing of the new version would be delayed. Staff designers are currently working on finalizing the book and hope to have it printed and ready for distribution in January, 2008. Ms. S. Franzen stated that the Committee had previously decided that staff should take the lead on the LBB. Members of the Committee were supportive of staff efforts and suggested that they investigate the offer to use the Community Information Centre when next updating information. 3. NUISANCE BY-LAW Ms. N. Cybulski requested the Committee consider providing a letter of support for the proposed Nuisance By-law. She reminded members that Mr. S. Turner, Director of Enforcement, had made a presentation to the Committee in March, 2007 concerning the proposed By-law and at that time, the Committee had been supportive of its enactment but had cautioned that while it may be seen as a positive tool for Enforcement staff and Police, care should be taken when utilizing it. Councillor C. Weylie described an ongoing situation in her Ward surrounding a methadone clinic which is located at the corner of Glasgow and Park Streets. She recounted problems with loitering and trespassing and questioned if use of the Nuisance By-law would be a deterrent to this type of behaviour or simply move it to another location. Ms. Cybulski stated that the By-law would be a positive tool for use by Enforcement staff as it would address unacceptable behaviour and use the threat of a fine to dissuade further activity. Applying the terms of the By-law are easier than using the Trespass to Property Act. In response to a question from Councillor Weylie, Ms. Cybulski advised that the fine structure has not yet been finalized but noted that the fine in the City of Waterloo is $300. For the information of the Committee, it was noted that information on the proposed Nuisance By-law had been presented at various meetings with neighbourhood associations and community organizations. The Committee noted a concern that the By-law not be used to target specific individuals or groups of individuals, and in response, Ms. Cybulski commented SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 -27- CITY OF KITCHENER 3. NUISANCE BY-LAW tCONT'D) that it is hoped that forms of restorative justice could be put in place rather than fines being levied for all occurrences. Several members of the Committee expressed concern with providing a letter of support when not all of the fine tuning of the By-law and its use had been done. Ms. Cybulski noted that everything is being finalized in short order with a staff report being presented to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee on December 3, 2007. It is because of these tight timelines that she is requesting the Committee make a decision today regarding the provision of a support letter. On motion by Mr. P. Doherty - It was resolved: "That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee provide a letter of support for the proposed Nuisance By-law but include cautions that it will not be implemented and managed in such a way as to target specific individuals or groups of individuals, or it becomes a form of social control; and further, That the Co-chair prepare and sign the letter on behalf of the Committee." 4. SPECIAL EVENTS UNIT-INFORMATION PRESENTATION Ms. L. Palubeski reminded the Committee that one of the action items in the Workplan in the focus area of "Diversity -Access, Equity and Inclusion" was the development of an annual cultural celebration program to recognize various cultures in the community. To bring members up to date on what the Corporation is doing, the Manager of Special Events is attending to give a presentation on the current cultural programming being undertaken. Mr. Don Chapman, Manager, Special Events, attended to provide an overview of the Special Events area of the Enterprise Division of the Community Services Department. Special Events is afull-service event management unit offering expertise in the following areas: • account management; • festival and event development; • festival and event operations; • event marketing; • program development; • sponsorship development; • consultation; • board development and strategic planning; • event procurement; and, • facility rentals Their mandate is to develop, facilitate and promote dynamic, innovative and accessible events and festivals. Mr. Chapman commented that Kitchener is unique in providing staff support for community events and his area is the largest Special Events unit in Canada next to the City of Toronto. He observed that fine tuning is now needed to accommodate the tremendous growth in the number of events and scope of work that has evolved over the last 3 years. In that time, staff has worked with over 100 different groups on more than 300 projects. This volume of work has highlighted the need for several improvements including a Strategic Plan for Special Events. His staff obtain their strategic direction from 3 Corporate documents: Plan for a Healthy Kitchener; Culture Plan II; and, the Downtown Strategic Plan. Mr. Chapman listed various areas of involvement with the City of Kitchener as a representative of Special Events and also provided a listing of the festival and event organizers from across the Region that he and his staff have worked with in the past. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 6, 2007 -2$- CITY OF KITCHENER 4. SPECIAL EVENTS UNIT-INFORMATION PRESENTATION tCONT'D) In closing, Mr. Chapman stated that Special Events work with many partners and are continually looking to work with more organizations to ensure successful events by assisting in whatever manner is required by organizers. In terms of the Committee's Workplan action item to "develop an annual cultural celebration program...", Mr. T. Bender asked if the Committee's involvement with the work being done by Special Events could be more promotional, rather than beginning a new, separate process. Ms. T. Beaulne commented that the Committee could find ways to evaluate and obtain feedback on current ongoing cultural events and hold discussions concerning their value to the community. Mr. Chapman noted that there was a need to development evaluation measures and that there may be an opportunity to link the outcomes of the festivals and events to reinforcing a safe and healthy community. He noted that all events sponsored by the City of Kitchener are free but acknowledged the need to ensure all venues are more accessible. He stated a desire to prepare an audit of event sites in order to work on potential concerns well in advance of events. Mr. Chapman advised that it is hoped the Strategic Plan could be presented to City Council in the Spring of 2008. The Plan will be composed of 3 phases: research and identification of corporate and community goals /expectations; mission and vision statements; and, a governance model. If the Plan is presented as planned, funding can be included as part of the 2009 budget discussions. Ms. M. Hogg questioned whether or not the Committee would be able to see the Strategic Plan in its draft form and it was noted that a Communications Plan will be in place that will provide information on the process as it becomes available. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m. Linda Korabo