HomeMy WebLinkAboutCompass Kitchener - 03-02-11
COMPASS KITCHENER MINUTES
March 2, 2011 – 4:00-6:00
Conestoga Room, KITCHENER CITY HALL
Present: Theron Kramer Hanan Mohamed James Howe Tristan Wilkin
Sarah Marsh Kim Knowles Holly Duff Sam Charles
Staff: Shelley Adams Jenn Grein Mark Hildebrand Rod Regier
Regrets: Jasminka Klacar Soha Elsayed Chris Hyde
The Compass Kitchener Advisory Committee met on this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Theron welcomed all
members to the meeting.
1. Approval of Minutes
?
The minutes from February 16th were approved.
Moved by Kim, Second by James.
Economic Development Presentation
2.
?
Rod Regier joined the committee to provide a presentation on Economic Development at the City of
Kitchener.
?
He began with an amazing, un-Photoshopped photo taken of the downtown area of Kitchener – no one
on the committee could guess, it was actually taken from the top of Chicopee Ski Hill!
st
?
Some background on Economic Structure in Kitchener, on December 31, 2002 the Canadian dollar
was equal to .639USD, the manufacturing base in Kitchener was 30% of employment in 2000 (this is
now 21%), there was a Growing Service Sector including Financial Services, and High per capita
incomes, however there was also significant vulnerability due to the rising Canadian dollar, and a need
for talent attraction and retention to support high growth firms.
?
With some interesting stories and anecdotes, Rod explained the 2007-2010 Economic Development
Strategy which includes: Diversifying the Urban Economy; Supporting Manufacturing Competitiveness;
Developing, Attracting and Regaining Talent; Building a vibrant downtown; Putting more contaminated
lands back to work; and Growing small business.
?
Four business units make up the Economic Development division at the City of Kitchener – Business
Development, Downtown, the Kitchener Market, and the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. Rod
provided high level information on the team of people that work with Economic Development business
units such as advisory committees and key partnering organizations.
?
A quick synopsis of the Economic Development Investment Fund: $110 million over 10 years, special
tax levy (1.25%) through a business case process, items must demonstrate alignment with Strategic
Plans, and must act as a catalyst for private sector investment. This fund has assisted with the School
of Pharmacy & Mac School of Medicine, WLU School of Social Work, City Centre Condo land
assembly, Communitech Digital Media Hub, downtown streetscape, the Library Project, Charles &
Benton Parking Garage just to name a few! It has not only assisted with development and growth in the
city, but also helped to clean contaminated lands.
?
Showing maps of the downtown core in 10 year increments through 1950 to current, it was clear that
our region has seen big development over the years. The downtown area is still quiet like a piece of
Swiss cheese, as Rod explains, lots of room for development and residential units for the future of
Kitchener.
?
What’s next? A white paper is currently being developed on Economic Development, and will be taken
to council end of March, early April. With this, a New Economic Development Strategy will be
developed. Business Development including Green Energy and Digital media, as well as a Talent
Strategy. Downtown will see residential intensification, as well as retail and restaurant recruitment,
Urban Vitality – events, downtown property reurbanization, and some major projects including LRT and
a Multi-Modal Station. Manufacturing will continue with the Manufacturing Innovation Network II,
support for private sector industrial developers, as well as work on the Strasburg Road Lands and
Brownfields.
March 2, 2011
CITY OF KITCHENER
- 2 -
3. Diversity Strategy Update
?
Postponed to April agenda
4. Compass Kitchener Workplan
?
Shelley provided the committee with a draft of the Compass Kitchener Workplan 2011-2012.
?
Reviewing the draft, she provided additional details and descriptions of each item as discussed, and
members provided input and comments on each of the listed items.
?
Actions under the Annual and Term-by-term report card include 2-3 indicators for each Community
Priority, and 4-5 for Quality of Life overall. We may be able to tap into metrics developed by other
Advisory Committees as a part of their workplan.
?
Connecting with City of Kitchener partners regarding Youth Engagement was added to the Leadership
and Community Engagement section, Civics 101 Action.
?
The Advisory Committee Gatherings will continue in 2011, with an All Committee meeting in May, and a
Chairs meeting in October. Dates to be brought forth to April meeting.
?
Under a Strategic Plan for the City of Kitchener, the decision making lens is nearing completion, and
can be brought forth to Compass Kitchener reasonably soon.
?
Strategic Plan Development including Community Prioritites should also be added to this section.
?
The diversity portion of the workplan to be discussed at the April meeting after an update is provided,
as well as determine when workplan should be taken to Council.
Action:
?
Compass Kitchener to review draft workplan prior to April meeting for any additions or changes.
?
LoriAnn Palubeski to attend April meeting to provide update on Youth Strategy
?
Silvia DiDonato to attend April meeting to provide update on Economic Development Strategy Goals
?
Jenn to work on confirming dates and locations for the Advisory Committee gatherings.
5. General Business
N/A
Meeting adjourned at 6:00.
Next meeting:
April 6, 2011
Conestoga Room – Kitchener City Hall
Attendance:
F:\Compass
Kitchener\Compass Kitchener Attendance.xls