HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-07-074 - Victoria Park Staff/Citizens Working GroupJ
I~TC~~R . , .
Community Services
Report To: Community Services Committee
Date of Meeting: August 13,2007
Submitted By: Ken Currier, Director of Operations
Prepared By: Ken Currier
Ward(s) Involved: 6
Date of Report: August 3, 2007
Report No.: CSD-07-074
Subject: VICTORIA PARK STAFF/CITIZENS WORKING GROUP
RECOMMENDATION:
That astaff/citizens working group for Victoria Park issues where residents can express
ideas and concerns through to staff, be approved.
BACKGROUND:
At the June 18, 2007 Community Services Committee meeting, Council requested staff look into
establishing a citizens committee or a board of experts to regularly report as to the ongoing
issues facing Victoria Park.
In 2003 Council approved the Foundations Plan for Victoria Park which was developed by a
staff team and public consultation with interested residents of the Victoria Park area and the City
at large. The Foundations plan is a summary of the public goals and provides direction for
further detailed planning and design. That direction was used to establish the Victoria Park
Strategic Plan and subsequent 10 year Capital forecast reflective of the established priorities.
Recent public meetings in 2007 to discuss the geese management issues as well as a review of
the Victoria Park Foundations Plan and Strategic Plan have confirmed the direction and
priorities of the park. These meetings also have shown a continued interest by residents to take
an active role in the parks' issues.
REPORT:
A review of the City of Kitcheners' current advisory committee structures and mandates suggest
that astaff/citizens working group may be the preferred approach to creating a committee for
Victoria Park issues rather than an advisory committee. The advisory committee structures are
normally used for those committees established by Council where minutes are taken, posted
and bound for historical purposes. A review of all advisory committees is being undertaken by
the Corporate Services Department, scheduled for completion in 2008.
Report No: CSD-07-074 2
Since the request for a Victoria Park Committee deals with a specific item, the park, the
approach could be of a working committee with a terms of reference that would complement the
park's strategic direction that was established in 2003.
Other local municipalities have similar committee structures, i.e., the City of Waterloo has a
Waterloo Park Committee and a Laurel Creek Citizens Committee each similar in structure to an
advisory committee although the Laurel Creek Citizens committee is under the direction of an
appointed Steering Committee. The Region of Waterloo has a Waterloo Landfill Liaison
Committee which is used to provide regular communication between the Region, local residents
and the Ministry of the Environment.
A suggested committee composition would include one senior Community Services Department
staff, one Operations staff, one Community Programs and Services staff, one Special Events
staff and three to four community members recommended by the Victoria Park Neighbourhood
Association.
The suggested role of the committee would be to provide a forum for community members who
visit the park to explore and express ideas and concerns regarding the management of Victoria
Park directly to city staff and to receive information regarding current and future plans for
maintenance or capital improvements within the park.
More specifically the committee would:
1. Review all local park issues.
2. Review the priorities and future of the park as established through the strategic plan.
3. Act as advocates and stewards for Victoria Park.
4. Seek informed public opinion in matters related to Victoria Park and convey issues through
to Community Services Committee via staff.
If Council is supportive of this type of Committee structure then Community Services staff will
move forward to create astaff/citizens working group for Victoria Park.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
There would be no financial impacts at this time.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The Corporate Services Department, Legislated Services Division has been consulted on the
committee structure and is in agreement with this approach on creating astaff/citizens
committee.
CONCLUSION:
Victoria Park is an important part of this community and the creation of a staff/citizens group
supports the direct involvement of the community in the park's issues. The Community Services
Department supports the creation of a Victoria Park staff/citizens group.
Ken Currier
Director of Operations
AP