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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2009-05-05SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 5, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p. m. Present: Ms. K. Kwiatkowski, Chair Ms. M. Hogg, Ms. S. Franzen, Ms. D. Ahluwalia, and Messrs. D. Bellamy, B. Pegg, P. Doherty. Staff: L. Palubeski, Manager of Program and Resource Services M. Hildebrand, Director of Community Programs & Services L. Stewart, District Facilitator D. Campbell, Manager of Community Resource Centres L. Korabo, Committee Administrator 1. TERMS OF REFERENCE REVIEW Building on the review which began at the Committee's last meeting, Ms. L. Stewart, District Facilitator, and Ms. D. Campbell, Manager of Community Resource Centres, attended to continue facilitation of the Committee's Terms of Reference Review. Ms. Stewart reminded members that three questions were originally posed to generate discussion, being: what is your understanding of the purpose of the Committee; where should we be focusing our efforts; and, who should be involved. At the April meeting, small group discussions was held and responses to the first question were provided to staff. In addition, it was noted that members who are not able to attend were provided with an email option to submit comments and thoughts. Ms. Stewart reviewed the comments received on the question of Committee focus and noted that three main themes emerged: • promote community safety and a healthy community in the broadest sense; • advise Council and staff; and, • work in partnerships with the community. Ms. Stewart noted that one of the work groups asked the question concerning the identity and direction of the Committee related to whether or not it saw itself as a program delivery committee or a strategic body. This question will form part of today's discussions and will also tie into the formulation of a new work plan. The Committee then again formed into two work groups and discussed responses to the question of where the Committee's efforts should be focussed (scope). The first group reported that it had concerns with thinking of the Committee as a program delivery or service provider body as it was unclear if members had the capacity, as a group, to undertake this type of workload and also questioned if resources would be available to provide the necessary support to make efforts sustainable. The group also questioned what focus would benefit Council the most and determined that the function that the Committee has as an advisory group to provide direction on issues would be preferred by Council. A concern was noted with the first theme as listed above stating that promotion of community safety and a healthy community in the broadest sense as this type of statement may be the underlying reason the Committee's mandate is so broad. There are many things in a community that contribute to its health and it was the group's opinion that the Committee should only focus on a small piece of the equation, perhaps safety and crime prevention. The second group reported it had very similar discussions and concerns and also noted a preference to focus efforts on only a few issues to be the most effective. A desire to be mindful of what is happening in the community, both locally and regionally was expressed. If the Committee's focus remained broad, then it was suggested that only one or two projects or deliverables be part of each work plan. This would allow for selection of issues that are current and meaningful and projects could be chosen by each new Committee at the beginning of the term. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 5, 2009 - 18 - CITY OF KITCHENER 1. TERMS OF REFERENCE REVIEW (CONT'D) The group commented that first and foremost this Committee is an advisory body to staff and Council. If the Committee wished to engage in service delivery then only issues that would be doable should be selected. Alternatively, it was felt that the Committee could advise Council on implementable ideas that would be good for the community as a whole. It was suggested that a discussion needs to be had concerning the current broad focus of the Committee and whether or not the Committee has the ability to work on some of the larger scale issues (ie. poverty). There are organizations in the community who are better suited and are involved via their own mandates. Would these issues be better left to these organizations to deal with? Ms. K. Kwiatkowski noted that there are no legislative requirements that can be used to guide this Committee. She requested that staff provide information on projects /activities /issues ongoing within the Corporation that the Committee could get involved with. When the work plan discussions begin it will be important to identify gaps that could be filled as the Committee develops its role. Mr. M. Hildebrand requested clarification if staff should bring forward issues that they become aware of for the Committee's consideration if they are not specifically included in the approved work plan. Direction was given that "one of" issues should be brought forward as staff deem appropriate. Ms. Stewart thanked the members for their input and noted that the Committee seemingly thinks of itself as a strategic body rather than a program delivery body. All comments on the Terms of Reference will be collected and reviewed by staff and a draft Terms will be prepared and provided to the Committee for discussion and approval at its next meeting. 2. DEVELOPMENT OF WORK PLAN Ms. D. Campbell, Manager of Community Resource Centres, noted that this is a perfect opportunity to build on the discussions just held and begin the process of developing a work plan for this term of the Committee. Ms. Campbell referred to the Plan for a Healthy Kitchener (P4HK) which was provided to each member and information on the City's Strategic Plan which was also circulated. Both of these documents articulate actions Council is currently working on and she noted the inclusion of a "Community Vision" in the strategic plan as "working together to build an innovative, caring and vibrant Kitchener with safe and thriving neighbourhoods". The advisory committee's role is extremely valuable to both Council and staff as they are supportive of what Council would like to do for the community and also provide advice on emerging issues. Ms. Campbell commented that staff met prior to today's meeting to discuss how best to facilitate the work plan development and also to review resources available on the topic. A key point to bring forward is that indicators of a safe and healthy community are very specific to the community (ie. will be different for each). Members were asked to brainstorm ideas of what it means to have a safe and healthy Kitchener. Staff prepared a list of indicators to present to members summarizing most of the points made by members. The general categories that formed the indicators are: • Partnerships and collaboration; • Sense of security; • Access, equity and inclusion; • Community and civic engagement; • Physical environment; • Economic supports; and, • Positive social conditions. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES MAY 5, 2009 - 19 - CITY OF KITCHENER 2. DEVELOPMENT OF WORK PLAN (CONT'D) After general discussion on these indicators and some specific ideas and clarifications for each area, members were asked to consider that their current term has 15 months remaining and to also consider where they would like to focus their energies during this time. Each member was asked to vote for the two or three priority items they deemed most important. Ms. Campbell advised that the two priorities garnering the most votes will be the areas of focus for the Committee's work plan. Following voting the two priority indicators selected by those members of the Committee in attendance were: 1. access, equity and inclusion; and, 2. community and civic engagement. Members were then asked to put thought to action items under each of the priority areas. These will be listed and discussed at the next meeting; however, it was noted that only a maximum of four action items (two per priority) will be included in the final work plan. This will allow for a work plan that has actions that can be more easily accomplished during the remainder of the term. Members were asked to consider actions that they would be willing to invest their time and energies in and also to give thought to what the Committee's capacity to proactively accomplish them would be. Ms. Campbell thanked the members for a tremendous effort in determining their new priorities and commented on looking forward to continuing discussions of specific action items at the next meeting. She noted a goal of having the work plan completed at the June meeting so that it can go forward to City Council for approval and the Committee can begin its work in the Fall. UPDATE -DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE As Mr. D. Pellerin was not in attendance there was no update provided. 4. BUDGET OVERVIEW Ms. L. Palubeski circulated an overview of the 2009 capital budget allocated for work under her portfolio; total funds are $40,000. She provided a breakdown of administrative /operating expenses that have either already been allocated or are proposed to be allocated. She also noted that the Committee has $5,000. to put toward a project of its choosing in 2009. Ms. M. Hogg questioned the proposed allocation of funds toward the Kitchener Downtown Business Association and again asked for a discussion on whether or not this Committee should be granting funds. She suggested that grant requests for programming should be submitted directly to the City as other organizations are required to do. Mr. M. Hildebrand commented that the programs this Committee has historically funded may not meet the criteria for funding requests under the City's general grant program. If funding were denied, then the question of the program's sustainability would come into play. In his opinion, he felt that it was better that the monies be requested from the safe and healthy portfolio. Ms. Kwiatkowski requested that further discussion on the budget be included on an upcoming agenda to allow for a full debate on grant requests coming before the Committee. 5. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:15 p.m Linda Korabo Committee Administrator