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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSafe & Healthy - 2003-04-08 SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 8, 2003 CITY OF KITCHENER The Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., Chaired by Mr. D. Schnarr, with the following members present: Ms. S. Franzen, Ms. A. McConnell, Ms. L. Pendergast and Messrs. P. Doherty and D. Hoch. Councillor B. Vrbanovic was in attendance for part of the meeting. Others Present: Ms. J. Dean and Ms. L. Korabo. The meeting commenced without a quorum in attendance. 1. APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Ms. A. McConnell - it was resolved: "That the minutes of March 15, 2003, as mailed to the members, be accepted." 2. SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE BUDGET Ms. J. Dean circulated a copy of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee's 2003 budget, noting an opening balance of $67,652.76. She pointed out that encumbrances for the current year are listed and total $56,600; with a balance of $11,053 remaining for 2003 disposition. Ms. Dean commented that the annual approved budget is $50,000 and the reason for a larger opening balance in 2003 is a rollover of funds from 2002 in anticipation of the funding support for the Job Cafe. M. Schreiter, K. Kwiatkowski, J. Mancini and M. Bezanson entered the meeting. 3. CSD-03-024 - KITCHENER DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE Ms. J. Dean circulated a document entitled 'Job Caf~ Proposal, April 2003', outlining details of the proposal being presented this date by the Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative (KDCC). Ms. K. Kwiatkowski and Messrs. M. Schreiter and J. Mancini attended to provide information on the history and formation of the KDCC, as well as on its purpose, and to introduce the Job Caf~ proposal. Mr. M. Schreiter advised that the KDCC is a multi-sector group brought together by the Kitchener Downtown Business Association (KDBA) in 2002 to discuss and address issues relating to negative activities and perceptions harmful to the Downtown and abutting neighbourhoods, and to enhance the health of the Downtown community. Mr. J. Mancini circulated draft terms of reference as well as a draft governance model for the KDCC in order that members of the Committee would have a better understanding of its functions and processes. He advised that the governance model had been approved and the KDCC would now begin applying for grants to support its programs. With respect to the Job Cafe, he stated it would be located in the Downtown and provide support for individuals who are not able to participate in the regular work force, as well as providing basic services such as laundry and showers. It is also envisioned that one or more outreach workers would be located at the Caf~ and be available to assist as required. In closing, he noted it is hoped the Caf~ model will have a flexible organizational structure allowing users to have a sense of ownership by becoming involved in its operation. Some of the potential benefits of the Job Caf~ are: · primarily serves persons who are most marginalized from the labour market; · becomes a partner with the KDBA involved with cleaning, landscaping and special events preparation; · provides support for work and training opportunities; · provides important personal services such as showers, laundry and lockers; · includes a high degree of involvement from the workers of the Cafe; and, SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 8, 2003 - 11 - CITY OF KITCHENER 3. CSD-03-024 - KITCHENER DOWNTOWN COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE (CONT'D) includes the incorporation of an outreach project supporting change for individuals who may be facing concurrent disorders such as dealing with both drug addictions and mental health issues. Councillor B. Vrbanovic entered the meeting. Mr. M. Schreiter stated that the information being provided to the Committee includes ideas on how the proposal will begin, but noted that many of the details are still to be worked out and the process will evolve over time. He advised that the KDBA had contributed $20,000 to the KDCC and their request was for a contribution of $20,000 in 2003 from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee. Councillor B. Vrbanovic inquired if a budget was available for review and Mr. Schreiter indicated the budget was only in draft form but that it would be finalized shortly. Members of the Committee commented that it would be helpful to have the budget as additional background information and it was suggested that the entire package of information be forwarded to Council along with the Committee's recommendation concerning funding. Mr. D Schnarr inquired if the $20,000 grant would be a one-time request and Mr. M. Schreiter noted that the KDBA had committed to being involved for more than one year and it was hoped that the City of Kitchener would also commit for a longer term. Councillor B. Vrbanovic noted that Kitchener Council would be looking at the proposal with a view to identifying future sustainability. Mr. J. Mancini stated the City of Kitchener contribution would be important in the first two years of the program but it was hoped that sustainability could be maintained for the longer term. Ms. A. McConnell extended the thanks of Waterloo Regional Police for the work done by the Collaborative to change perceptions of the Downtown. On motion by Mr. D. Hoch - it was resolved: 'Whereas the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee supports, in principle, the 'Job Cafe' proposal outlined in a submission dated April 2003 from the Kitchener Downtown Community Collaborative as presented to the Committee on April 8, 2003; Now, therefore Council be urged to approve funding of this proposal for a three (3) year term from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee's annual budget; and further, That 2003 funding for the 'Job Cafe' project in the amount of $20,000, be approved." Councillor B. Vrbanovic requested that the KDCC provide staff with a budget for the Job Caf~ proposal and noted that the Committee's recommendation will go before Community Services Committee on April 28, 2003 for discussion. Ms. L. Pendergast, Ms. K. Kwiatkowski and Messrs. M. Schreiter and J. Mancini 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 · Facade Loan Improvement Program · Victoria Park Entrance · Outdoor Chess Program / Ontario Youth Chess Championships · Downtown LiveNVork Environment for Artists · Canadian University Research Alliance (CURA) Report Perceptions of the Downtown on Pedestrian/Employee SAFE AND HEALTHY COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 8, 2003 - 12 - CITY OF KITCHENER 5. UPDATE - SEX TRADE WORKERS COMMITTEE REPORT For the benefit of new members, Ms. A. McConnell provided background information concerning previous Committee discussions regarding the sex trade workers report entitled 'Between a Rock and a Hard Place', which was a study of street level sex trade workers and their addictions. She advised that a Steering Committee had been established to work with these workers to provide the support needed to leave the sex trade. The Committee had applied for funding and had recently received notification of Federal grant approval which will be used to hire a co-ordinator and outreach worker for one year. She further advised that a committee to work with sex trade workers had been established in the City of Vancouver and is being chaired by a local sex trade worker. This committee is interested in partnering with a smaller community and members of the Kitchener Sex Trade Workers Committee are discussing this possibility. It was noted that a local sex trade worker is being considered to become involved with the Committee in a manner similar to Vancouver. Ms. A. McConnell advised that, due to a job transfer, this would be her last meeting of the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee as a representative of the Waterloo Regional Police Services. Superintendent Kevin Chalk will be attending Committee meetings in the future. On behalf of the Committee, Mr. D. Schnarr thanked Ms. McConnell for her dedication and input from a police perspective during the past several years. 6. WORK PLAN 2002 - 2003 - PRIORITY SETTING With the help of display boards, Ms. J. Dean presented the major identified categories from the Safe and Healthy Community Advisory Committee's 2002-2003 Work Plan and requested that members of the Committee select items of interest to become involved in. As several members of the Committee were not in attendance, it was suggested that this exercise be undertaken again at the May, 2003 meeting. Mr. Schnarr thanked those members who had selected working groups to become involved in. 7. NEW BUSINESS Councillor B. Vrbanovic advised that the $5,000 grant approved by the Committee in favour of the Festival of Neighbourhoods 10th Anniversary Celebrations had received Community Service Committee approval and would be presented for Council approval on April 14, 2003. 8. INFORMATION ITEMS The Committee was in receipt of the following information items: · 'From the Ground Up' Conference Information · Unfinished Business List 9. ADJOURNMENT On motion the meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m. Linda Korabo Committee Administrator