HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass - 2008-01-09
COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES
January 9, 2008CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Committee met on this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Don Bourgeois, Kim Knowles, Theron Kramer, Susan St. John, Roxana Stanciu, Mike
Harris
Staff: Shelley Adams, Jenn Walter, Abbie Grafstein
Regrets: Jasminka Klacar, Sarah Marsh, Pat Doherty, Norm Damaren, Laura Lee Dam (on
leave)
Don welcomed all to the meeting. Minutes from the Advisory Committee Gathering were not sent out
to the entire Compass Kitchener committee and therefore could not be passed. Jenn will send these
minutes out for the committee to review.
1. FCM Presentation- local version of the 1 cent campaign
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General\Compass Kitchener\Compass Kitchener\Presentations to CK\Infrastructure Deficit Powerpoint.pptGeneral\Compass Kitchener\Compass Kitchener\Presentations to CK\Water and Sewer Rates
- Infrastructure Program.ppt
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Councillor Vrbanovic and Dan Chapman joined the committee to provide information about a
local version of the 1 cent campaign, and the city’s aging infrastructure.
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The presentation began with information from Councillor Vrbanovic, who is a member of the
Federation of Canadian Municipalities, on the 2007 FCM-McGill Municipal Infrastructure
Survey (presentation attached).
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Councillor Vrbanovic reviewed each slide, ending with the recommendations to:
Acknowledge the crisis and take immediate action to slow its growth
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Establish a national plan to eliminate the municipal infrastructure deficit and prepare the
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groundwork for effective management in the future
Undertake a comprehensive, national study, involving all three orders of government, to
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determine the size, scope and geographic characteristics of the municipal infrastructure
deficit.
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FCM nationally advocates for all Canadian municipalities and currently is aiming to get more
dollars for Municipalities so they are better able to address aging infrastructure. This group
assisted with getting the GST Rebate to the municipalities, and has advocated for $2M of the
gas tax to be put toward infrastructure.
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Dan Chapman, Director of Financial Planning and Reporting, presented on Kitcheners Water
and Sewer Rates – Infrastructure Program (presentation attached).
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Compared to others, Kitchener is doing reasonable well, simply because we are dealing with
these issues now, and not waiting for immediate need. However, Dan reminded the committee
that these numbers only take into account hard infrastructure, and do not consider community
centres or any other sort of infrastructure.
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The City is now required to put a value to all assets – values will change as these assets grow
older, and do/do not get the attention they need.This list will allow us to start planning for
replacement, and allow us to tally costs long before it is a requirement.
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Coal tar and Salt Affected Soil have also increased projected costs on many projects moving
forward.
January 9, 2008
CITY OF KITCHENER
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It was suggested that perhaps we may be able to provide additional information to the public
and ensure political support by sending out a letter to the local mp’s and mpp’s inquiring on
their views in this regard.
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It was also mentioned that infrastructure is very much a part of a Healthy Community. It is
important to consider development moving forward, and building in support for it now.
Moved by Don Bourgeois
Seconded and voted on unanimously
That Shelley will write a letter to local MPs & MPPs soliciting their views regarding a Healthy
Community, and asking
• if they support the Healthy Community Plan; and
• what their position is as a resident of this community on the aging infrastructure in our
city.
Draft letter to be circulated to committee for comment prior to next meeting.
2. Community Engagement Strategy – Abbie, Sherri McGee and Jessica Soto
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Sherri and Jessica introduced themselves. Both are working with Abbie and the Community
Engagement Strategy.
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Just starting the internal information gathering portion of their work – they are looking at what
we do with strategic initiatives and policy development.
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Compass Kitchener reviewed the Community Engagement Framework provided. The
Community Engagement Strategy committee is using this as a back drop for all the committee
is working on. Corporate Management Team has reviewed and provided some suggestions,
which Abbie is currently updating on the Framework. This framework is very much focused on
open two way communication, transparency, and accountability.
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Once the internal research is complete, they will begin with the external piece which includes
learning about engagement strategies at several other municipalities including Ottawa,
Calgary, Hamilton, Edmonton, and the Region of Waterloo.
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Engagement was clarified as engagement with the community rather than legislatively required
engagement or council meetings.
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Estimate times frames are January-February for internal information gathering, March-April for
Municipal best practices, then will return to the committee with information.
3. General Business
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Laura Lee Dam will be on leave for 4 months.
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A volunteer is needed on the Growth Management Committee, which meets every second
month, with additional working group meetings in between. Don Bourgeois indicated interest.
Meeting adjourned at 5:35 p.m.
Next meeting:
February 6, 2007
Schmalz Room – Kitchener City Hall