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Home My WebLink AboutLGS-015-25Staff Report If this information is required in an alternate accessible format, please contact the Accessibility Coordinator at 905-623-3379 ext. 2131. Report To: General Government Committee Date of Meeting: May 5, 2025 Report Number: LGS-015-25 Authored By: Lindsey Turcotte, Committee Coordinator Submitted By: Rob Maciver, Deputy CAO/Solicitor, Legislative Services Reviewed By: Mary-Anne Dempster, CAO Resolution#: File Number: By-law Number: Report Subject: Appointment to the Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee, Newcastle Arena Board, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee Recommendations: 1.That Report LGS-015-25, and any related delegations or communication items, be received; 2. That the resignation of Gary Oliver, Bryan Hutchinson, and Omar Patel, from the Newcastle Arena Board, and Leo Blindenbach, from the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee, be received with thanks; 3.That Lakeridge Health Bowmanville and Bethesda House be appointed to the Diversity Advisory Committee, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed; 4.That the Committee consider the applications for appointments to the Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee, Newcastle Arena Board, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee, and that the vote be conducted to appoint the citizen representatives, in accordance with the Boards and Committees Management Policy; and 5.That all interested parties listed in Report LGS-015-25 and any delegations be advised of Council’s decision. Staff Report Report Overview This report is intended to provide background information, regarding the vacancies on the Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee, Newcastle Arena Board, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee, and to assist in the appointment process. 1. Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee 1.1 The Anti-Black Racism Committee was originally a sub-committee of the Diversity Advisory Committee. The Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee (ABRAC) was created at the January 13, 2025, General Government Committee meeting in accordance with Resolution #GG-017-25. 1.2 Arising from the above-noted resolution, the following were appointed to the ABRAC for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed: Angela Todd Anderson Dione Valentine Hawa Mire Jodie Glean Joseph Adesanya Lauren Reyes- Grange Nadia Nembard- Hunt Rochelle Thomas Olivia Mullings 1.3 The role of the Clarington ABRAC is to provide advice to Council on issues related to anti-Black racism in Clarington and is comprised of 12 voting members appointed by Council: 8 citizen members who self-identify as part of the Black community; 1 Youth member, between the age of 16-24 years who self-identify as part of the Black community; 1 Member of Council; and 2 representatives from local organizations, such as but not limited to, community and socially focused organizations, social services, professional associations, housing, healthcare and non-profit organizations, equity and human rights, academia/school boards and criminal justice system, whose work contributes to dismantling anti-Black racism. The Committee will request that the organizations select and prioritize Staff representatives who identify with the Black community but recognize this may not always be possible due to capacity and resources. Municipality of Clarington Page 3 Report LGS-015-25 1.4 Membership will be sought on the basis of broad interest, understanding, and commitment to identifying and addressing anti-Black racism in the Municipality. Additional qualifications include: Citizen and Youth Members shall be residents of Clarington; Skills, knowledge, and lived experience needed to contribute effectively to purpose, mandate and scope of activity for the ABRAC; and Specific expertise and interests related to Black business, culture, education, employment, health, heritage, and psychological and community safety, among other areas. 1.5 The Terms of Reference were approved at the February 24, 2025, General Government Committee meeting. 1.6 Currently, there are two vacancies for 2 organization representatives for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The following have put forward an application: Community Development Council Durham Pattern Therapy Group Lakeridge Health 1.7 There is one vacancy for a youth member for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The following have put forward an application: Anjola Phillips Jaslin Browne Nolan Lopez Jandeen Ashton Olivia Mullings 2. Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC) 2.1 The role of the Clarington DAC is to provide advice to Council on issues related to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA), specifically looking at ways to foster awareness, reduce barriers, promote inclusion, and engage residents. Municipality of Clarington Page 4 Report LGS-015-25 2.2 The Committee is comprised of 13 voting members, appointed by Council: 9 citizen members; 1 youth members (16 to 24 years); 1 Member of Council; and 2 representatives from organizations such as but not limited to community and socially focused organizations, social service agencies, professional associations, housing, healthcare and non-profit organizations, equity and human rights, academia and/or local school boards and criminal justice system, whose work contributes to racism and discrimination. 2.3 The Terms of Reference were updated at the February 24, 2025, General Government Committee meeting, which included the addition of a youth member and 2 representatives from local organizations. 2.4 Membership will be sought based on broad interest, understanding, and commitment to identifying and addressing inclusion, diversity, equity, and antiracism issues. Additional qualifications include: Citizen and Youth Members shall be residents of Clarington; Skills, knowledge, and lived experience needed to contribute effectively to the purpose, mandate, and scope of activity for the DAC; and Commitment as a change-agent in inclusion, diversity, equity and anti-racism matters in the community. 2.5 Staff are recommending the appointment of Lakeridge Health Bowmanville and Bethesda House as the two organization representatives. 2.6 Therefore, one youth member is remaining to be appointed to the Clarington DAC. The following have put forward an application: Jaslin Browne Satvika Alamuri Shanelle Paguirigan Sienna Ragbar Municipality of Clarington Page 5 Report LGS-015-25 3. Newcastle Arena Board 3.1 The Newcastle Arena Board is a volunteer Municipal Service Board established by the Municipality of Clarington in accordance with the provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended. The Board operates the Newcastle Memorial Arena. 3.2 The Board is comprised of 8 citizens, one of whom shall be a member of Council. 3.3 Gary Oliver was appointed to the Arena Board in January 2023, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In November 2024, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. At the time of the resignation, the Board was under review and was not recommended to fill the vacancy at that time. 3.4 Omar Patel was appointed to the Arena Board in January 2023, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In February 2025, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. 3.5 Bryan Hutchinson was appointed to the Arena Board in June 2024, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In February 2025, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. 3.6 Staff began advertising in February 2025; however, no applications were received, therefore the advertising was extended until April 17, 2025. 3.7 As a result of the resignations, Committee may appoint 3 citizens to the Board for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The following have put forward an application for consideration: Luc Chiasson Joshua MacDonald Steven Spracklin Ali-Reza Allameh Mark Stahler Municipality of Clarington Page 6 Report LGS-015-25 4. Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee 4.1 The Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee (SWNAMAC) is a group of volunteers appointed by the Municipality of Clarington to assist the Municipality and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in managing the Samuel Wilmot Nature Area. The Committee is also dedicated to preserving and improving the condition of the Nature Area for the benefit of the wildlife that resides there and the enjoyment of the residents of Clarington. The Committee plays an educational role for residents and visitors by organizing public presentations, events, and activities related to nature and the environment. 4.2 The Committee is comprised of the following 12 voting members, appointed by Council: 11 citizen members; and 1 Member of Council. 4.3 The Committee shall also consist of one non-voting representative from the Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority. 4.4 All members must be residents of the Municipality of Clarington, shall possess various skills, and will participate in the implementation of the Environmental Management Plan (EMP). The required skills are as follows: Technical – shall interpret the EMP, recommend the work plan on a yearly basis, and provide leadership during the implementation of projects and monitoring; Public Relations – shall create a public relations strategy focusing on public awareness, education, and promoting the site; Fund-raising – may create a fund-raising strategy aimed at soliciting private funds, donations-in-kind, and investigating charitable status; and Volunteer support – shall be responsible for soliciting volunteers and organizing work programs. 4.5 Leo Blindenbach was appointed to the SWNAMAC in January 2023, for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. In March 2025, the Clerk’s Division received notification of their resignation. Municipality of Clarington Page 7 Report LGS-015-25 4.6 As a result, Committee may appoint 1 citizen to the SWNAMAC for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. The following have put forward an application: Anusha Srinivasan Barbara Szita-Knight Paul Hallett Megan Klemencic Lou Itier Mike Kube Susana Gomes 5. Advertising and Applications 5.1 The Municipal Clerk’s Division placed an advertisement in local papers and on the Municipality’s website, www.clarington.net/Committees, to fill the vacancies on the Anti- Black Racism Advisory Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee, Newcastle Arena Board, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee. 5.2 In an effort to extend the reach of our advertisements for vacancies, the Clerk’s Division created a profile on the www.claringtonvolunteers.ca website. Vacancies on the Anti- Black Racism Advisory Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee, Newcastle Arena Board, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee were listed on the Clarington Volunteers website. 5.3 In accordance with the “Boards and Committees Management Policy”, a confidential application package is included as Attachment 1, and provided under separate cover. 6. Financial Considerations Not Applicable. 7. Strategic Plan L.4.1: Increase opportunities for civic engagement and public participation. 8. Concurrence Not Applicable. Municipality of Clarington Page 8 Report LGS-015-25 9. Conclusion It is respectfully recommended that Committee consider the vote to make the appointments to the Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee, Diversity Advisory Committee, Newcastle Arena Board, and Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee for a term ending December 31, 2026, or until a successor is appointed. Staff Contact: Lindsey Turcotte, Committee Coordinator, 905-623-3379 ext. 2106 or LTurcotte@clarington.net. Attachments: Attachment 1 – Confidential Application Package (Distributed Under Separate Cover) Interested Parties: The following interested parties will be notified of Council's decision: All applicants Anti-Black Racism Advisory Committee Diversity Advisory Committee Newcastle Arena Board Samuel Wilmot Nature Area Management Advisory Committee