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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2009-11-04SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 200$ CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Co-Chair S. Franzen P. Doherty, M. Hogg, P. Ji-Taylor, K. Kwiatkowski, C. Schneider, T. Beaulne and R. Gould. Staff: L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services L. Korabo, Committee Administrator 1. STREETLIGHTING PROGRAMS In response to the Committee's workplan item relating to community safety, Mr. John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning, provided an overview of current street lighting and future plans for the City of Kitchener. Mr. McBride advised that there are currently 18,000 streetlights located throughout the City with the vast majority being high pressure sodium lights. These lights give off a yellow light and are found in subdivisions and along roadways; they are considered reasonably efficient except that the yellow light colour does not provide good colour rendition. This can create problems with facial recognition and incorrect colour visibility. He noted that when new subdivisions are developed and, if the developer is willing to pay, a decorative style lamp may be installed in place of the conventional style of lighting poles. it was noted, however, that these decorative lamps still use the high pressure sodium bulb. Currently, only the Downtown core has white lighting in use and this is due to higher pedestrian volumes and the many evening special events. White lights use metal halide bulbs providing excellent colour rendition but are not as efficient to operate. Metal halide bulbs require replacement every 2 years while the high pressure sodium lights last for 5 years. The cost to replace high pressure sodium lights is between $60-80,000. /year. Mr. McBride noted that staff are looking at launching a pilot program for LED lighting along Lennox Lewis Way and will be developing a public response program to gain feedback once the lighting has been installed. LED lighting provides white light and lasts 10-11 years before requiring replacement; however, the cost to install is twice that of the high presume sodium light. LED lighting should solve current concerns by providing better light and better lighting uniformity. It was noted that staff are also looking at a new type of lighting called `induction'. This is a fluorescent tube-like light bulb that is circular in shape with wires on the end to charge the gas inside. This type of lighting lasts for 20 years and costs the same as the current standard. A pilot program for induction lighting is also being considered as it too provides white light and good colour rendition. Prior to committing to this pilot, staff will ensure that the specifications provided by manufacturers are indeed met. It is anticipated that 30-40% energy savings alone will be realized with the LED and / or induction lighting pilots. Less maintenance costs are also a favourable feature of these lighting forms of lighting and staff anticipate being able to move forward within 2-3 years once industry testing is complete and standards are available regarding connections, plug-ins and distribution patterns. When this becomes the new standard for the City (either LED or induction) there will be a significant improvement in the quality of night time lighting. With regard to the costs of electricity for lighting, Mr. McBride advised that the City of Kitchener used to be part of MUSH (Municipalities, Universities, Schools & Hospitals) which provided electricity at fixed rates but last year opted out in order to take advantage of buying electricity at a cheaper rate to use for street lighting. Electricity for use in off-peak hours (after 10 pm and before 6 am) can be purchased for approximately 3 cents / kwh and is now being purchased on an hour-by-hour basis. Anticipated annual savings of $12,000 - $15,000 per month will be noted using this approach. In response to a question concerning any environmental concerns around the LED or induction lighting programs, Mr. McBride noted that induction lighting still uses mercury components but less than standard high pressure sodium lights and with proper disposal, the mercury can be contained. He noted that ideally, a recovery program for the recycled bulbs would be the best SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 200$ - 24 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1. STREETLIGHTING PROGRAMS tCONT'D) solution for disposal. Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro looks after all bulb replacements at the moment, therefore, Mr. McBride was not aware of any existing recovery program for the sodium lights. Ms. K. Kwiatkowski questioned if there are currently any pilot programs in place for induction lighting and Mr. McBride stated that there were none. He did note, however, that the Region of Waterloo already has some LED lighting in use. With regard to the City's pilot for LED on Lennox Lewis Way, it was his intention to have the lights installed by the end of 2008 and have some form of induction lighting pilot underway by Feb -March, 2009. In response to questions concerning areas of the City requiring more lighting, Mr. McBride stated that older areas of the City usually generate requests for additional lighting as poles are spaced farther apart. Additional lighting can be installed at a mid-point if poles are available. Many requests to light walkways are received, however, agreements need to be developed with all adjacent property owners and installation of lighting is subject to budget. Ms. S. Franzen asked if any retrofits would be required to accommodate either the LED or induction lighting and it was noted that either lights could be installed using existing poles and arms. In closing, Mr. McBride encouraged the Committee to provide feedback once the pilot projects are installed. 2. FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBOURHOODS EVENT UPDATE A summary of the 2008 Festival of Neighbourhood's (FofN) Season and Grand Finale was circulated for the information of the members. In response to an ongoing workplan item of the Committee concerning increased involvement with the FofN, a presentation was made around taking on a development project that could be sustained. The working group identified its objectives as expanding the role and scope of the FofN for neighbourhood capacity building through intensive promotion of the Festival in neighbourhoods not currently involved and by developing new incentives for participation. In order to achieve this, members of the working group used their own connections and resources (Kitchener Housing Inc. and the Social Planning Council) to learn what it takes to engage neighbourhoods that have few resources and are now reporting back to the Committee on lessons learned. For 2008, three KHI housing complexes were selected for engagement as representative of neighbourhoods that have a wide range of diversity, mixed incomes, a high tenant turnover rate and are located in areas that have documented urban issues. The complexes selected were: • Victoria School Village; • Linden Terrace; and, • Linden Manor. The working group met with building superintendants and discussed possible ideas for engaging current tenants. Two events were planned -one at Victoria School Village and the other a joint celebration for the two complexes on Linden Avenue. Letters of invitation were delivered to all tenants informing them of the upcoming events. These invitations were translated into 15 languages to be inclusive for all tenants. Volunteers were recruited to help on the day of the event and partnerships and donations were actively sought. Both events were considered to be a success. Following the events, the working group held a debriefing session to discussion lessons learned and the main points identified were: • Strong leadership in event planning is required; • Simple events work but nothing is easy to arrange; • Positive feelings were reported after events; SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 200$ - 25 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. FESTIVAL OF NEIGHBOURHOODS EVENT UPDATE (CONT'D) • Planning and undertaking engagement of diverse neighbourhood is intensive and time consuming; and, • Many resources, both in-kind and financial, are required. Next steps identified are for the working group to meet with the FofN Organizing Committee to discuss what was learned from these two neighbourhood events and to develop ideas to support neighbourhoods directly in future; stay involved in order to continue capacity building; and, bring recommendations back to Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee on possible future role for it. Ms. L. Palubeski thanked the members of the working group for their dedication and energy in planning and hosting the two neighbourhood events. She advised that a new organization called `Ngage!' has been formed and is a group of community members and agencies who have come together to engage and support local neighbourhoods in community development initiatives. One of the initiatives they are proposing is a `Matching Fund' grant program that would support neighbourhood groups in implementing events, projects, etc. She suggested that the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee may wish to investigate providing financial support to `Ngage!' to support their endeavours. 3. REPORT -JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING Mr. C. Schneider advised that he had recently attended a joint meeting of representatives from all the City's advisory committees and noted that one of the topics discussed was the recent review of advisory committees and future actions stemming from related recommendations approved by Council. Mr. Schneider advised that a comprehensive review of the current advisory committees, their structure and Terms of Reference was undertaken during 2007-2008. The purpose of the review as to identify if changes were required in order for advisory committees to be more effective and to ensure that current activities align with the City's priorities. In addition, Council asked that the review also look at recruitment and retention of citizen volunteers. The review was chaired by Theron Kramer, a member of Compass Kitchener. Mr. Schneider also noted that a new advisory committee called the `Cycling Advisory Committee' had been established and its first appointments will take place before the end of the year. A working group of representatives from each advisory committee was formed to undertake the review and a report was tabled with Council in June 2008 which included several recommendations. Council approved the recommendations in September, 2008. The main recommendations of note were: • Review of current Terms of Reference -are current mandates appropriate; are the scope of some committees too large. Each committee will be required to undertake a full review of its Terms to ensure appropriateness and that there is little or no duplication or overlap; • Workplans (one or two year) will be developed by all advisory committees and are required to be presented to Council for approval prior to June 2010; • Committees are to report to Council either annually or bi-annually on their accomplishments; • Annual meeting of advisory committees will be convened to consider strategic directions; • Chair and Vice-Chair system will replace the Co-Chair system with a citizen member to be Chair; • Annual meeting of Chairs /Vice Chairs will be held to share information and look at ways to work cooperatively; • Resource staff to meet quarterly to look for opportunities for collaboration and discussion on more effective communications; • Job descriptions for members will be developed to clearly lay out roles and responsibilities SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 4, 200$ - 26 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. REPORT -JOINT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING (CONT'D) • A Nominating Committee has been established to review applications for all advisory committees; will determine applicant eligibility and recommend to Council those individuals who are best suited for each advisory committee; • Citizens will only be appointed to one advisory committee at a time; terms will remain at 2 years with a 6 year maximum; and, • Staff will look at annual recognition of advisory committee members rather than only when service is complete as is the current practice. 4. COMMUNITY SAFETY & CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL EVENT -MUNICIPAL TASK FORCE Ms. L. Palubeski advised that she and Mr. R. Gould had been appointed as the workplan sub- committee to engage municipal staff and committees and liaise with the Community Safety & Crime Prevention Council (CSCPC). A networking event is being proposed for February / March 2009 with a goal to bring together staff and committees from the three largest area municipalities to explore the possibility of future collaborative initiatives. Mr. Gould advised that the purpose of today's presentation was not to make a decision on whether or not to participate in the event but rather to gather input on whether or not there is value in staff meeting to discuss future working arrangements and links. He noted that it would be a great venue to research consistent methods being used in each of the three municipalities. The Committee was asked if it could support the concept of a networking session as a breakfast meeting and also agree to make a 30-minute presentation on what the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee does. Following similar presentations by Cambridge and Waterloo, a discussion on possible integrations would take place to determine what the cities have in common and in what areas things differ. Caution was noted with regard to the timing of the session; it should be held when members with day jobs could best attend. Food is a good way to bring people together and having discussions on visions would certainly be beneficial. A general consensus was reached that this would be a good way to gain information from other municipalities and to use as food for though when undertaking our own Terms of Reference review. 5. REPORT - `251N5' PROGRAM Ms. L. Palubeski advised of the results of the Committee's recommended support by Council of the `25in5' Program. A staff report was presented at a recent Community Services Committee meeting and Ms. T. Beaulne and Ms. M. Hogg made a presentation in support of the recommendation. Community Services Committee and subsequently Council approved the recommendation and letters of support have been forwarded to the Minister responsible and the `25in5' Program. A local event related to this initiative will be held in Cambridge and Ms. M. Hogg will be a panel speaker. 6. COMMITTEE WRAP-UP Ms. L. Palubeski noted that this is the last meeting of the Committee. She thanked all members for their valuable input and lively discussions during the past two years. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:50 p.m. unaa r~oraoo Committee Administrator