That, based on municipal best practices, a new civic engagement model be applied that uses resident-led, staff facilitated community liaison groups of volunteers with a clear ability to make their voice heard by council, with each Division reporting back with tailored solutions, within one year, and that the:
(i) Tourism and Culture Division staff report back to the General Issues Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Arts Advisory Committee to recommend activities for the stabilization and strengthening of the arts community, monitor and assist with the implementation of the Arts Awards Program and Public Art Program, and inform Council of issues and achievements in the Hamilton arts community and acts as a point of contact for members of the arts community regarding issues affecting the arts community; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Arts Advisory Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(ii) Climate Change Initiatives Division staff report back to the General Issues Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Climate Change Advisory Committee to provide advice to Council and City of Hamilton staff on the prioritization, implementation, and monitoring of Hamilton’s Climate Action Strategy, through an equitable, inclusive, and climate justice lens, that responds to the perspectives and needs of all, while transitioning to a prosperous, healthy and vibrant net-zero greenhouse gas community that is a national leader in climate adaptation; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Climate Change Advisory Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(iii) Active Transportation and Mobility Division staff report back to the Public Works Committee on the further development of the Division’s Mobility Lab, a community liaison group, to also replace the Hamilton Cycling Committee, expanding their mandate to encourage residents to cycle and monitor the implementation of the Hamilton Cycling Master Plan; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Hamilton Cycling Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(iv) Indigenous Relations Division staff report back to the Emergency and Community Services Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Hamilton Indigenous Advisory Committee to honour and engage Indigenous residents in the pursuit of the City of Hamilton’s vision by providing advice and recommendations that enhance the wellbeing of Indigenous people; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Hamilton Indigenous Advisory Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(v) Heritage Resource Management Division staff report back to the Emergency and Community Services Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Hamilton Veterans Committee to oversee the planning and delivery of military remembrance and commemoration activities on behalf of the City of Hamilton; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Hamilton Veterans Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(vi) Children’s & Community Services Division staff report back to the Audit, Finance and Administration Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Hamilton Women and Gender Equity Advisory Committee to provide input with respect to the issues of women, non-binary individuals and gender diverse people; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Hamilton Women and Gender Equity Advisory Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(vii) Housing Secretariat staff, in partnership with Housing Services Divisions staff report back to the General Issues Committee on the further development of a community liaison group to also replace the Housing and Homelessness Advisory Committee, expanding their mandate to work to address the needs of residents within the community for whom barriers exist to accessing safe, suitable, and affordable housing, including the supports needed to enable citizens to obtain and retain their homes; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Housing and Homelessness Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(viii) Environmental Services Division staff report back to the Public Works Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Keep Hamilton Clean and Green Committee to beautify our community, promote environmental stewardship, and prevent litter, illegal dumping, and graffiti; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Keep Hamilton Clean and Green Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(ix) Children’s & Community Services staff report back to the Emergency and Community Services Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the LGBTQ Advisory Committee to eliminate barriers experienced by LGBTQ communities by giving voice to the perspectives of LGBTQ individuals and evaluating the City of Hamilton on its related efforts; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the LGBTQ Advisory Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(x) Lodges Division staff report back to the Emergency and Community Services Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Seniors Advisory Committee to organize the Senior of the Year Awards and to be a credible communication vehicle regarding the quality of life for all older persons in the City of Hamilton; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Seniors Advisory Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(xi) Children and Community Services staff report back to the Emergency and Community Services Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Committee Against Racism to advise, advocate and consult on relevant issues in the community of Hamilton relating to racism and its consequences, including anti-racism strategies; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Committee Against Racism be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(xii) Public Health staff report back to the Public Health Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Food Advisory Committee to identify and inform, where appropriate, innovative community food security policies and programs that align with the vision and goals of the Hamilton Food Strategy, Hamilton Food Charter, and other City of Hamilton strategies; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Food Advisory Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(xiii) Hamilton Immigration Partnership Council staff report back to the Audit, Finance & Administration Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Advisory Committee for Immigrants and Refugees to address the needs of immigrants and refugees within the City of Hamilton; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Advisory Committee for Immigrants and Refugees be transferred to this Division to support this working group;
(xiv) Business Development and Sector Development division staff report back to the Audit, Finance & Administration Committee on the creation of a community liaison group to replace the Mundialization Committee to undertake twinning programs in international cooperation with like-minded municipalities in this and other countries to foster an understanding of the increasing interdependence of the municipalities, peoples, and countries of the world; and that the 2024 approved budget currently assigned to the Mundialization Committee be transferred to this Division to support this working group; and
(xv) Reserve budgets remaining from Advisory Committees transitioning to working groups be transferred to the Tax Stabilization reserve and that the transfer from the Hamilton Veterans Committee reserve of $49,058 be committed for future investments for Remembrance Day services and youth-specific education regarding Veterans and Remembrance.
