Local residents and business owners will soon have more say on encampments in Chatham-Kent.
Ward 6 representative Michael Bondy’s motion to create an “encampment executive committee” was passed in a unanimous 18-0 vote at Monday night’s council meeting.
The motion did pass with some friendly amendments.
Ward 1 representative Melissa Harrigan brought forth the friendly amendment to Bondy’s motion, which would have staff return to council with a draft of the terms of reference of the pilot committee. This draft would include clear expectations, the levels of actions and influence the committee would have, and what the roles and responsibilities of the committee would be.
“My initial motion was very straightforward; it was three bullet points. Let’s strike a committee to try and figure this thing out,” said Bondy.
“It’s been a summer of chaos all the way around for everybody, even all of us sitting here. Special meetings, three or four hours discussing things, not doing anything. I think this is something concrete that we can sink our teeth into and have some real dialogue with these folks that have had their lives turned upside down.”
The majority of the nights’ deputations were from the public expressing their agreement with Bondy’s motion.
Former Chatham-Kent-Leamington MPP Rick Nicholls spoke of the lack of transparency between council and the municipality, highlighting the benefits of opening up the discussion to community voices.
“You need our help as well as we need your help. And we are willing to help you, and in order to do so, we must be willing to put our differences aside and work together for the greater good of our community,” said Nichols. “Understand that none of us is as smart as all of us.”
Community members who are eligible to apply for the committee will include: council members, administration, residents and businesses from the neighbourhood around the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) encampment, individuals and community groups with lived and living expertise, and residents who have previously lived near a shelter or large encampment.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Michael Duben clarified that this committee could not be rolled into any already established internal staff committee.
“This will allow for dialogue, where we can actually talk to individuals about what their thoughts are, what we can do, and what we can’t do and why,” said Duben.
“We are sometimes quite limited in our ability to have dialogue, and I think this committee will allow us to have that dialogue. And hopefully work on some solutions together.”
No timeline on when the terms of reference will be presented to council, but administration expects it to be at least a few weeks.