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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2003-07-23ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 23, 2003 11:00 am- 1:00 pm Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall Attendance: Staff: Regrets: Glenn Scheels Hans Pottkamper Councillor, John Smola Lawrence Bingeman Shawky Fahel George Borovilos Patricia Bacon Carla Ladd Mayor, Carl Zehr Councillor, Christina Weylie Scott Baird Joan Euler Jeff Willmer Jane Jantzi Peter Benninger Paul Kuntz Manfred Conrad Janette MacDonald Kathy Bissell Councillor, Berry Vrbanovic Henrik Noesgaard Peter Cook Ray Robinson 1. Approval of Minutes of June 18, 2003 Minutes of June 18th, 2003 were approved as written Moved by Hans Pottkamper Seconded by Shawky Fahel Carried 2. Downtown Retail Representative Glenn Scheels welcomed Howie Budd to the Economic Development Advisory Committee. He indicated that Mr. Budd's approval as the Downtown Retail Representative will be confirmed by Council at the Development and Technical Services Committee of August 11th and ratified at the next scheduled Council meeting. 3. Economic Development Marketing Plan George Borovilos provided some introductory remarks to the Marketing Plan. He stated that based on the EDAC's input, the marketing plan has been revised to incorporate how Economic Development is positioned within the City's Corporate Strategy and how the strategic directions will be measured during the 2003 and 2004 fiscal years. Through a PowerPoint presentation it was illustrated how Economic Development is defined as a Strategic Corporate Lever with a major role to play in the Corporate Strategy related to Capital Investment and Asset Management. The four strategic directions - Downtown, Inner City, Employment Lands and City-owned Assets were identified as major activities, with defined strategies and performance objectives. A discussion followed which supported the new role of Economic Development. The following motion was made: Recommendation That the Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Committee endorses the Corporate Strategy for Economic Development and the implementation of the Economic Development Marketing Plan 2003 - 2004. And that a regular progress report of the 2003 - 2004 objectives is Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Committee. 4. Shirley Ave. Sub-Committee Report presented to Moved by: Shawky Fahel Seconded by: Jane Jantzi Carried Kathy Bissell provided a PowerPoint presentation on the recommendations of the sub- committee related to zoning and pricing of the lands. In terms of zoning the presentation and discussion that followed focused on Lots 8 and 9, the entrance lots to the industrial park. K. Bissell outlined the type of uses that will be permitted on these lots and the two price structures to reflect the nature of these uses. There was some discussion as to the office floor area restriction of 25% of gross floor area and hotel as a permitted use. K. Bissell also indicated the proposed name change of the Shirley Ave. Lands to Grand River West Business Park. This name was suggested in that it could brand the entire area, both existing and in development. After a brief discussion, the following motion was made: Recommendation That the Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Committee endorses that proposed uses, pricing structure of the entrance lots and the proposed name of the Shirley Ave. Lands to the Grand River West Business Park. Motion by: Hans Pottkamper Seconded by: Shawky Fahel Carried EDAC Minutes July 23, 2003 5. Wellington Street Four-Level Interchange Lawrence Bingeman tabled an article, which recently appeared in the Record with respect to the proposed Highway 7 interchange. A discussion followed and a number of members reinforced EDAC's existing motion to Council requesting that the MTO move forward on the provincial plan for a new Highway 7 to Guelph. It was suggested that the proposed interchange be a priority in the Provincial Road network planning and that the project commence expeditiously. The proposed interchange was also seen not only as a catalyst for the Highway 7 plan but would increase the importance and impetus for the development of employment lands in and around the airport area. The following motion was made: Recommendation That the Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Committee reinforces it previous motion to Kitchener Council that it views the development of Highway 7/86 Interchange as a priority in the Provincial Road system and the potential future development of the Airport Lands. And that the Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Committee encourages that organizations like Canada's Technology Triangle, the Greater Kitchener Chamber of Commerce and Communitech write/liaise with their respective MPP to ask the Ministry of Transportation to move forward in the new development of Highway 7. Motion by: Lawrence Bingeman Seconded by: Manfred Conrad Carried 6. Canada's Technology Triangle John Tennant, CEO of Canada's Technology Triangle, accompanied by Bill Elliot, Director of Business Development was invited to present the CTT Business Plan. John Tennant provided an overview of the CTT Business Plan through a PowerPoint Presentation. Key highlights included the following: 1. Their mandate is to promote the region externally. 2. The organization is a private/public partnership. 3. The Ambassador Program has about 100 members. 4. Strategies include the attraction of knowledge-based businesses and cluster-based sectors. EDAC Minutes July 23, 2003 5. The plan has a number of key messages, targeted sectors and key geographic markets. A discussion followed the presentation focusing on the key factors that new businesses are seeking out in an investment location. Skilled workforce, quality of educational institutions, and location were cited as some of the key factors. Glen Scheels thanked John Tennant for his presentation to EDAC. Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m. Moved by: Manfred Conrad Seconded by: Hans Pottkamper Carried George Borovilos, Recording Secretary Economic Development Advisory Committee NOTE: THERE IS NO SCHEDULED MEETING FOR AUGUST Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 24, 2003 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall Kitchener EDAC Minutes 4- July 23, 2003