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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-08-013 - Request for Neighbourhood Assoc Affiliation - Alpine Community Neighbourhood Assoc.~- ^ ~ , ^ ~ITCHEI'~~E Community Services Report To: Community Services Committee Date of Meeting: February 11, 2008 Submitted By: Mark Hildebrand, Interim Director Community Programs and Services, ext. 2687 Prepared By: Debbie Campbell, District Facilitator, Country Hills and Doon Pioneer Park, ext 2918 Wards}Involved: Ward 3 Date of Report: January 24, 2008 Report No.: CSD-08-013 Subject: Request for Neighbourhood Association Affiliation - Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association RECOMMENDATION: That Council approves the Alpine Community 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 Alpine Community 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, Report No.CSD-08-013 Page 2 • 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 Associations} 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: A proposal has been submitted by the Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association to become an affiliated City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Association. Residents of the Alpine community contacted the City of Kitchener in the fall of 2006 regarding vandalism and safety concerns within their neighbourhood. A series of public meetings was held with residents, school principals, police, City staff and officials and Community Safety and Crime Prevention to address the identified issues. Through this process, residents of the neighbourhood expressed interest in forming a neighbourhood association to continue to strengthen the sense of community within the Alpine neighbourhood and to address issues as they arise. Community meetings were held in the fall of 2007 to discuss the formation of the neighbourhood association, and to draft a constitution. The Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association approved their constitution and elected their first executive committee on November 27, 2007. The Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association includes approximately 1100 residences as bounded by Strasburg Road, Block Line Road, Homer Watson Blvd, and Ottawa Street South see Appendix A). A voluntary Executive committee will be elected annually by the membership to represent and communicate with members of the Alpine community. The aims and objectives of the Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association are as follows: • To work to foster pride in our neighbourhood, and to maintain a safe and environmentally friendly community • To encourage and facilitate resident participation in all issues affecting the neighbourhood • To provide information and awareness of community problems/issues and provide a forum for their resolution • To preserve and enhance the quality of life in the Alpine community neighbourhood • To provide an open forum for members to voice their opinions on neighbourhood concerns in a supportive and impartial manner Report No.CSD-08-013 Page 3 • To be a voice for our neighbourhood interests by acting as a liaison with government bodies and with organizations, schools and businesses in and around our neighbourhood and to work with other neighbourhood associations on common concerns • To represent the residents within the boundaries of the ACNA in areas concerning existing situations, proposed changes or planned changes which affect the neighbourhood • To be non-profit The Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association is a voluntary, not for profit, non-partisan, non-denominational group and has all the required characteristics as outlined in the affiliation policy for the City of Kitchener Neighbourhood Associations. 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 Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association has received formal acceptance by the City of Kitchener as an affiliated neighbourhood association, they will be added to the City of Kitchener web-site and Leisure Magazine Neighborhood Association contact lists, the Mayor's list of affiliated Neighborhood Associations, and the 3rd party liability insurance list with Risk Management. Mark Hildebrand Interim Director, Community Programs and Services Appendix A Alpine Community Neighbourhood Association