HomeMy WebLinkAboutFebruary 8, 2024
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Minutes/Meeting Summary
Community Safety and Well-Being Advisory Committee
February 8, 2024
Electronic Meeting
Main Committee Room
7:00 pm
Attendees:
A. Rizvi
C. Bamford
D. Magagna
K. Hamilton
J. Larendowicz
A. Muhammad
P. Patel
C. Paxton
M. Kenworthy
M. Eskins, DARS Inc.
Councillor S. Butt
E. Knox, Community Safety and Well Being Advisor (Staff Liaison)
M. Murray, (Acting) Division Head, Culture and Community Programming
J. Currie, Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary)
Absent: L. Appelbohm
J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager, People & Culture
Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
Welcome and Land Acknowledgement
1. Review and Approval of Agenda
The Committee reviewed the agenda.
Agenda approved.
2. Disclosure of Interest
No disclosures of interest were noted.
3. Approval of Minutes
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
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(include deadline
as appropriate)
Moved by A. Muhammad
That the Minutes of the November 9, 2023, Meeting of the
Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Committee be
approved.
Carried
4. Delegations/Presentations
4.1 Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (ED&I) Strategy
Update
E. Knox advised that J. San Antonio, Senior Advisor,
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion and C. Addo-Bekoe, Manager,
People & Culture were unable to attend this evening’s
meeting due to a scheduling conflict and that the ED&I Team
would be sending correspondence to the Committee for
feedback regarding the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
Strategy.
5. New Business
5.1 Community Safety & Well-Being Draft Plan - Final
Edits & Discussion
E. Knox provided an update on the Community Safety & Well-
Being Draft Plan outlining the final edits and results of
community outreach.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• clarification that some action items included in the
Community Safety & Well-Being Plan will be addressed
by the Homelessness Subcommittee;
• the Homelessness Subcommittee collaborating with
organizations across Durham Region;
• the Community Safety & Well-Being Plan being a
comprehensive and well written document;
• exploring the opportunity to partner with existing
primary care organizations within Pickering that
currently offer services such as health and wellness
training;
• the benefit of utilizing existing services;
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
• clarification that the Draft Plan is still under review for
final administrative edits, but that the content is
complete;
• that the community outreach was very well attended
and that there was a lot of valuable feedback; and,
• clarification that the Community Safety & Well Being
Plan is a five-year plan and that it would be brought
back to the Committee in a structured format.
Moved by C. Bamford
That the Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Committee
endorse the Community Safety & Well Being Draft Plan,
subject to administrative revisions.
Carried
5.2 Community Safety & Well-Being Advisory Committee
2023 Annual Report & 2024 Work Plan
E. Knox noted that the Committee is responsible for an annual
report to Council, providing the accomplishments of the
Committee as well as a synopsis of the Committees Workplan
for 2024. E. Knox opened the floor for questions, comments,
and discussion of the proposed work plan.
Discussion ensued among Committee Members regarding:
• using workplans from other, longstanding committees
as reference tools, and that the CSWBAC Workplan
would include action items and objectives, referring to
the priorities as laid out in the Community Safety &
Well Being Plan;
• clarification that a clear set of procedures and
resources would be provided to the City of Pickering’s
front-line staff to ensure a streamlined and
compassionate response to those from Pickering’s
vulnerable communities seeking access to facilities;
• the possibility of an intake form that would be directed
to the appropriate resources;
• public and staff safety being addressed;
• that DARS is currently overseeing this process and
successfully facilitating the shower access program;
and,
• the Community Safety & Well Being Plan being
submitted to Council with a proposed budget attached.
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
Moved by C. Bamford
That the Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Committee
endorses the 2023 Year End Report and 2024 Work Plan,
subject to administrative revisions.
Carried
5.3 Homelessness Subcommittee Mandate
E. Knox noted that the Community Safety & Well Being
Advisory Committee Terms of Reference requires that the
Committee create a Homelessness Subcommittee and a
Mandate for the Subcommittee.
Discussion ensued among Committee Members regarding:
• clarification of the role and definition of a subcommittee
as a working committee which would bring items to the
Advisory Committee for discussion and that the
Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Committee
would then vote on any recommended actions;
• the Mandate requiring some revisions to ensure the
effectiveness of the Homelessness Subcommittee and
that it is adequately informed;
• clarification that the Homelessness Subcommittee can
invite various stakeholders on an Ad Hoc basis;
• ensuring that DARS is a key stakeholder member of
the Homelessness Subcommittee;
• the Homelessness Subcommittee being an entity to
help inform processes, not to be present in front line
processes;
• ensuring that the subcommittee is coordinating with a
variety of stakeholders and not missing collaborative
opportunities;
• beginning the formation of the Homelessness
Subcommittee in time to provide an update on the
Committee’s Annual Report to Council;
• striking the Homelessness Subcommittee to meet to
discuss additional information before approving the
Homelessness Subcommittee Mandate; and,
• ensuring that the subcommittee is not competing with,
but complementary to ongoing programs.
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
Moved by P. Patel
That the Community Safety & Well Being Advisory Committee
strike the Homelessness Subcommittee to meet and finalize
the mandate for report to Council.
Carried
5.4 Highway Traffic Act Update
E. Knox provided that the Highway Traffic Act Letter was sent
by the City of Pickering to the Ontario Minister of
Transportation, the Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs and
Housing, and copied to the local area Member of Provincial
Parliament, the Association of Municipalities in Ontario, and
all Durham Region area municipalities.
5.5 Neighbourhood Watch Update
E. Knox provided an update regarding an upcoming meeting
with DRPS concerning rebranding and modernizing
Neighbourhood Watch and how the Community Safety & Well
Being Advisory Committee can support.
Discussion ensued with Committee Members regarding:
• the community having increased concerns about car
theft, increasing population, and related safety issues.
5.6 Scheduled March Meeting
Moved by C. Bamford
That the scheduled March 14, 2024, Community Safety &
Well Being Advisory Committee meeting be moved to April
11, 2024 @ 7pm.
Carried
6. Other Business
C. Bamford raised the question of establishing a Community
Safety Zone along the full length of Westshore Boulevard,
noting two school crossings.
E. Knox to
investigate what is
required to begin a
recommendation to
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Item/
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Details & Discussion & Conclusion
(summary of discussion)
Action
Items/Status
(include deadline
as appropriate)
Councillor S. Butt raised concerns regarding increased noise
complaints and the necessity for updated by-laws to address
these concerns.
C. Bamford shared that four Community Associations in Ward
1 partnered with DARS in the “Share the Love” food drive,
with participating grocery stores in Ajax and Pickering,
running February 14 - March 22, 2024. People are
encouraged to shop for suggested items at their grocery
stores and to donate.
Councillor S. Butt noted that the City of Pickering, through a
grant, paid the rent for one year for the food bank.
Council regarding
establishing a
Community Safety
Zone.
E. Knox to start a
conversation with
By-law to get
perspective.
C. Bamford to
provide details with
E. Knox to share.
7. Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for April 11, 2024.
8. Adjournment
Moved by C. Paxton
That the meeting be adjourned.
Carried
Meeting Adjourned: 8:45 pm