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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2003-02-18SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., Chaired by Councillor B. Vrbanovic, with the following members present: Ms. M. Dunk, Ms. S. Franzen, Ms. A. McConnell, Ms. L. Pendergast and Messrs. D. Bitovski, P. Doherty, D. Schnarr, J. Vickery and D. Hoch. Ms. T. Beaulne was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. L. Palubeski, Ms. L. Korabo and Mr. M. Bezanson. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Mr. P. Doherty - it was resolved: "That the minutes of January 7, 2003, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 2. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEE CO-CHAIR Mr. D. Hoch nominated Mr. D. Schnarr for the position of Committee Co-Chair. No other nominations were forthcoming. On motion by Mr. D. Hoch - it was resolved: "That Mr. Dennis Schnarr be appointed Co-Chair of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee, for a term expiring November 30, 2003." 3. BUSINESS AND EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP OF WATERLOO REGION Ms. P. Crow, Executive Director, Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region, was in attendance to provide the Committee with information about the formation and purpose of the Partnership. The Committee had previously been provided with written information about the Partnership. She indicated that the Partnership facilitates collaboration and builds alliances among business, education and training, labour, government and community organizations in order to enhance the educational experience of students in Waterloo Region. The Partnership is a non-profit, non-partisan organization bringing together both School Boards with the corporate sector and community organizations. It is the ninth such entity to be established in the Province and was established following community forums with various stakeholders. Its focus is to improve the school-to-life transition for students by enhancing employability and life skills, assisting students in identifying and pursuing their personal and career goals, and promoting life-long learning. Ms. Crow noted that she had previously made a similar presentation at a Finance and Corporate Services Committee meeting and advised she is requesting the City's involvement through staff participation in the 'Speakers Bureau' and also as a corporate sponsor. The 'Speakers Bureau' is a resource to assist students with career exploration through first hand interaction with volunteer speakers from a variety of occupations and sectors. The Partnership also sponsors a 'First Time, Full Time' program run in co-operation with community groups and hosts a conference for graduating students including workshops, opportunities to meet mentors, and the hosting of employment centres. In closing, Ms. Crow requested support for the City's participation in the 'Speakers Bureau' and invited members to participate in the 'First Time, Full Time' conference scheduled for May 15, 2003. She concluded by indicating that all area municipalities are being asked for a financial contribution. Ms. T. Beaulne entered the meeting. On motion by Mr. D. Schnarr - it was resolved: SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2003 - 4 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. BUSINESS AND EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP OF WATERLOO REGION (CONT'D) "That the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee supports the City of Kitchener establishing a partnership with the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region; and, That a City financial contribution of $5,000. be considered; and further, That the Business and Education Partnership of Waterloo Region be requested to provide a report to the City within one year outlining how the City's funds have contributed to positively improving the career opportunities of youth in the community." Ms. P. Crow left the meeting. DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVE REPORT Mr. D. Hoch, appointed to the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee as a representative of the Downtown Advisory Committee (DAC), briefly provided highlights of discussions held by DAC on the following topics: · Centre Block · Kaufman Building · Children's Museum · Lodging Houses CSD-03-024 - KITCHENER DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE Councillor B. Vrbanovic noted that the delegation from the Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative, registered to speak to this matter, was not in attendance; and recommended that discussion be deferred until the March 18, 2003 Committee meeting. Ms. T. Beaulne advised that, as she has attended meetings concerning the Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative, she would be able to provide a brief overview of the project. She noted that the Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA) initiated discussions by inviting a wide range of agencies to discuss the establishment of a collaborative and the meeting was very well attended. Staff report CSD-03-024, attached to the agenda, provides significant detail regarding the first proposed project of the Collaborative, being the establishment of a 'Job Cafe'. The Job Caf~ project would provide people who cannot participate in the regular labour market an opportunity to contribute to the community, improve their job skills, supplement their income and access services such as laundry, locker and shower facilities. The project would be located within walking distance of the Downtown and is expected to commence in the Spring of 2003. Ms. Beaulne advised the KDBA has already committed $20,000. to the project. Mr. J. Vickery commented that he is also a member of the Collaborative and noted it has good participation from social agencies but the support from the business community is lacking. He noted a concern regarding the weighting of the initiatives being considered, indicating there are still challenges to be addressed regarding the perceptions of public safety in the Downtown. Ms. A. McConnell advised that she had met with representatives of the KDBA and the Community Services Department to discuss changes occurring in the Downtown. She felt that there was a definite need to celebrate the successes that have been achieved. Councillor B. Vrbanovic suggested that a brainstorming session could be held to discuss ways of getting the message regarding the Downtown out to different areas of the City. Councillor B. Vrbanovic thanked members of the Committee for their input and advised that consideration of the funding request in connection with the establishment of a Job Caf~ will be deferred to the March 18, 2003 Committee meeting. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2003 -5- CITY OF KITCHENER 6. COMMITTEE RESIGNATIONS AND VACANCIES Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that three resignations from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee have been received from individuals having conflicts. On motion by Ms. M. Dunk - it was resolved: "That, with regret, the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee accept the resignations of Rahim Akabakhsh, Fred Bishop and Nathan Hallman; and, That new members to fill the three vacancies be appointed from the list of interested individuals submitted to the Committee Co-Chairs; or failing this, staff be instructed to advertise to fill these vacancies." Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that Committee members forward the names of individuals interested in appointment to the Committee to either of the Committee's Co-Chairs. 7. APPOINTMENT - YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES PLAN At the Committee's last meeting, discussions were held regarding the appointment of a representative to the Youth Opportunities Plan Committee. At that time, Ms. M. Dunk agreed to attend a meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, 2003. She now advised that she did not feel it would be appropriate for her to act as liaison to the Youth Opportunities Plan as the age group involved was older than the youth she normally works with. It was noted that the commitment would be one meeting per month with the next meeting scheduled for March 5, 2003 at 4:30 p.m. Ms. T. Beaulne suggested that rather than appointing a Committee member to serve as a liaison, staff could provide regular updates to the Committee and Councillor B. Vrbanovic recommended that an update could be listed as a standard item on future agendas. On motion by Mr. D. Schnarr - it was resolved: "That a member of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee not be appointed to the Youth Opportunities Plan Committee; and further, That the City's Youth Co-Ordinator be requested to report monthly to the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee on items of interest and to solicit input pertaining to the Youth Opportunities Plan, as required." FUNDING APPLICATIONS - PREVENTION SERVICES PROGRAM - YOUTH ACCESS PROJECT (WOW) Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that discussion of funding applications for the Prevention Services Program and the Youth Access Project would be deferred until the March 2003 meeting as staff were not in attendance to speak to the matter. 9. NEW BUSINESS Ms. L. Palubeski circulated staff report CSD-03-001 - Kitchener Youth Action Council (KYAC) as well as KYAC's 2003 Action Plan as information. She briefly provided an overview of the Action Plan highlighting the following points: · Unity Jam · Culture Fusion · Web Site · Youth Awards · Youth Opportunities Plan · Youth Voice SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 18, 2003 -6- CITY OF KITCHENER 9. NEW BUSINESS (CONT'D) Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the Chair of the Mayor's Advisory Council on Kitchener Seniors (MACKS) Committee has extended an invitation for members of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee to receive copies of the MACKS minutes. Councillor Vrbanovic requested that any Committee member interested in receiving minutes contact the Committee Administrator. Councillor B. Vrbanovic provided a brief overview of announcements contained in the Federal Budget released earlier today. He noted that monies will be provided for increased Child Tax Benefits as well as for affordable housing and to deal with the problem of homelessness. Mr. P. Doherty advised that he had provided the Committee Administrator with additional copies of the Prevention Services Program workbook entitled 'Speak Out!' as well as copies of the police check procedure used by Kitchener Minor Hockey and requested that these be distributed to new Committee members. 10. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee was in receipt of the following information items: · Membership List · Unfinished Business List 11. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator