HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kit - 2009-04-01
COMPASS KITCHENER COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 1, 2009 CITY OF KITCHENER
The Compass Kitchener Committee met on this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.
Present: Theron Kramer, Laura Lee Dam, Julia Browne, Kim Knowles, Jasminka Klacar, Corinne
Cash, Sarah Marsh,
Staff: Shelley Adams, Jenn Grein, Andrea McArthur, Rod Regier, Pauline Houston, Jeff
Willmer, Troy Speck, Dan Chapman.
Guests: Bob McColl
Regrets: Corey Badcock, Norm Damaren.
Theron welcomed all members to the meeting. We circled the table with introductions as General
Managers have joined us today to provide updates and information applicable to the annual report
card.
1. Review of February Minutes
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no changes
2. Key Performance Indicators Q&A with General Managers
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Andrea updated the committee on where we currently are with the Report Card Grading. The
second round of grading will take place either tonight or over the next few days, whatever
members are most comfortable with.
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Shelley recalled from last year the committee felt they did not have enough information and
could use some additional time with the General Managers (GM’s). Consensus was that the
Key Performance Indicators provide information, but additional considerations could best be
provided to the group directly from the GM’s. This year it was decided that we would invite
them to a committee meeting with the hopes they would be able to provide a quick update and
answer any questions members might have.
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Troy Speck, General Manager of Corporate Services explained that much of their work is in
support of other main initiatives throughout the city. He touched on each of the 6 items that fall
under the Corporate Services lead initiatives, clarifying the second Corporate Services
indicator measuring kilowatt hours my not be as accurate as the group may hope for. It was
suggested that it may be more beneficial to provide a number based on amount per square
meter, this way, additional buildings or changes do not skew the numbers. Additionally, the
indicator on civic engagement may more accurately be reflected in the total number of
applications per vacant position rather then number involved, as the current indicator may be
skewed by the number of committees, or spaces available. Providing a good description of
voter turn out, he clarified that he personally finds it is more about why people vote, then where
they vote. Because of this it is difficult to consider voter turn out as an indicator. A question
was asked of Troy regarding alternative power generation, and what level of priority it holds?
He explained, currently a revolving fund exists, that being said, much of it has been used and
the city is waiting for repayment to come to the fund through savings. There is no additional
corporate budget for this. Troy was asked to comment on anything possibly missed in the
grading process that would fall under the Corporate Services umbrella that may help when
grading. He indicated perhaps in Culture of Safety under the Quality of Life Theme, there are
things Corporate Services is working on that might not fit specifically in this area, but are
definitely helping to create a culture of safety.
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Dan Chapman, General Manager of Finance touched on several indicators that fall under his
area. Allocation of resources was alighned with community priorities in both 2007 and 2008
budgets, however due to restrains this did not happen for 2009. One item that was continued
on and expanded in 2008 was the pal card which provides low income families with cost
effective programming. A significant increase in funding was received from other levels of
governments to go towards infrastructure and a range of projects have been identified and the
city continues to lobby for additional dollars. Additionally, policies and processes within the
permit process are being considered; this would ties into the city’s approach to existing and
new infrastructure, with the hopes to direct or steer development through alterations and
updates.
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Theron noted, it seems the tracking of community engagement in public consultations has not
been clearly provided. It has been requested as an indicator as the group feels it is a vital
piece of the process. Currently participation may be tracked by individual projects, however
not on a grand scale for the city as a whole. Letters written to the city from years ago are still
on file and engagement information can be produced, however newer methods of
communication make tracking more difficult. A mechanism should be created for staff to use
and track participation in community engagement on all projects throughout the city.
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Rod Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development indicated the division has a variety
of initiatives and he will touch on many covered under the development theme. Last year Rod
spoke to the group about manufacturing and there is still many things going on in this area. A
manufacturing innovation network partnership has been established, with website launched in
February; this network will help local manufacturers in the region. In Digital Media, the city has
partnered with Communitec and was awarded 5.3M grant. The Life Sciences, Bio-medicine
and pharmaceuticals cluster strategy are well underway and very much in motion. These
groups of companies are very interested in working and learning about each other! The cities
role in this has been as host to these companies, helping them to organize, manage the
contracts, receive equal portion of cost from funding partners, and make all of the
arrangements. Rod was asked to comment on anything possibly missed in the grading process
that would fall under the Economic Development umbrella that may help when grading. There
is so much happening in this area; they have been facilitating the process to develop a vision
for the new Civic District. There will be a public meeting to present outcomes and feedback
received through the process and receive additional feedback on April 7, at the Kitchener
Public Library from 6-8. This process has had a direct effect on decision processes on capital
projects in the district and guidelines have been developed.
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Pauline Houston, General Manager of Community Services began with Culture Plan II
Implementation; the city is now looking at how to provide better support for arts and culture.
New networking and business training is available to artists through the Small Business Centre
to assist artists with getting started. Many special events are integral to the arts and culture
community. Economic conditions have been making it difficult to stay afloat - funders are
feeling the pinch and at times not able to continue to provide dollars to this vital piece of our
community. The Community Investment Strategies first few pieces have been implemented.
The Volunteer Strategy may have not moved forward quite as quickly as would have liked
simply because of all the strategies currently being developed that tie in directly with it.
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Jeff Willmer, Acting General Manager of Development and Technical Services touched on
many of the indicators covered under his area. He explained Crime Prevention through
Environmental design, and the benefits it provides. This is one area that is definitely better
than in previous years. Various new indicators could be created for Growth Management now
that the actual strategy has been developed. Moving forward Jeff provided several examples
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of indicators and would be happy to work with the sub committee to update for future years.
There has been a goal to ramp up the numbers of km completed per year through the
accelerated infrastructure replacement program; however it has not happened as quickly as
initially thought. The city is currently completing a comprehensive plan on employment lands.
The number of employees working downtown indicator may not be as accurate as thought, it
may be more beneficial to measure the split between people working vs. living in the
downtown. Additionally there is question over the coverage area of ‘downtown’ – some report it
larger then others and it is important to note this difference. Perhaps the number of units may
be a more effective measurement then number of permits, however this too has peaks and
valleys - as a large build comes online and sells, it takes some time to find the need again to
build another large space. The committee will be happy to see some substantial progress on
Transportation Demand Management in 2009. Additionally, the indicator regarding site
remediation may be incomplete as generally we only find out about the properties that must be
brought to us for other reasons not necessarily related. When asked about possible additions,
Jeff suggested other engineering/utilities measurables that are a negative count but can
provide good indications ie. main breaks, storm water management, transportation planning
with traffic calming requests, and an additional indicator relating to fire, perhaps response time.
There are many numbers in this document; however they may not be quite as accurate as
desired.
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The GM’s were thanked for the information, and they left the meeting.
Action:
Member of the committee are asked to provide their updated marks, considering the information
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provided by the GM’s, via e-mail to Andrea by April 6, as well as one positive and one negative
comment connected to an indicator you feel to be important to assist the indicators working group
with comments by April 15th.Andrea will send out an e-mail to members summarizing these
requests.
3. General Business
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Unfortunately due to time constraints and the amount of information provided, the committee
was not able to consider the Advisory Committee Chair Gathering, Arts and Culture and City of
Kitchener Diversity Framework as indicated on the Agenda. These items will be placed on the
May agenda.
Meeting adjourned at 6:05.
Next meeting:
May 6, 2009
Schmalz Room – Kitchener City Hall
Attendance: Action Log:
S:\General\Compass S:\General\Compass
Kitchener\Compass Kitchener\Attendance\Compass Kitchener attendance 2009-2010.doc.xlsKitchener\Compass Kitchener\09-10 Action Log.xls