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HomeMy WebLinkAboutKitchener BIA - 2012-08-21~~~~1111©-~~'1V Kitchener BIA Downtown Kitchener BIA Board of Directors Meeting Minutes Location: BIA Office 29 King St East Kitchener, ON In attendance: Colin Leis, Kevin Ballantyne, Zenia Horton, Le-Anne Pilecki, John Vickery, Darryl Moore, Dan Glenn-Graham, Sam Vishal, Christine Michaud, Michae Falcone, Cory Bluhm BIA Staff: Mark Garner Regrets: Mayor Carl Zehr, Frank Etherington, Michael VonTeichman, Adrian Darman Absent: none Guests: David Marskell, THE MUSEUM Agenda: Welcome -Chair, Colin Leis • Call to order at 9:00 am -are there any conflicts of interest to be declared none declared Agenda: Introductions -Colin Leis • Welcome to Board -Introductions done of David Marskell, THE MUSEUM • All Board members introduced themselves and welcomes stated. August 21, 2012 9:00 am -11:00 am The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited Agenda Item: Approval of the Agenda -Colin Leis • No items added. Motion: To approve the agenda as submitted. MotionlMoved by: Dan Glenn-Graham and seconded by: Kevin Ballantyne All in favour unanimous, motion passed. Agenda Item: Presentation from THEMUSEUM- David Marskell Mr. Marskell shared upcoming features of THE MUSEUM. He also shared THE MUSEUM'S mission vision and values as well as provided us with a brief summary of THE MUSEUM'S Board of Directors. Mr. Marskell talked about the current Yoko Ono exhibit which includes 10 installations and the robotic dinosaur exhibit. From Sep. 20-Mar.17/13 The Dazu Rock Carvings exhibit will open. THE MUSEUM will also have "Treasures of China" which will include 50 paintings and prints from the Chongqing Museum. The Xmhua News Agency is doing a photo exhibit "Depicting Folk Customs" and the Taipei children's lanterns will be arriving shortly. Tour East of Toronto will be hosting day and overnight trips into our region for this exhibit. On Oct. 13/12 the Toronto Star will be doing an 8 page layout about the event. He asked that BIA businesses and members show support by "China-ising" the downtown core. Also opening soon will be the "Galactic Premiere of James Cameron's Avatar. Kitchener will be the first stop for this exhibit on their north American tour. It is an interactive exhibit with props, computers and more. Mr. Marskell shared some exciting projects his team is working on but they are all "secret" at this time and he asked that we not share what he has presented. The MUSEUM cafe has been passed on to new ownership and will become Inbibe Bistro after renovations which will include an 8 seat bar area. The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited Agenda Item:Approval of June 2012 minutes-Mark GarnerlLe-Anne Pilecki The Board of Directors reviewed the June 2012 minutes from the previous meeting (June 19, 2012) MotionlMoved by: to approve the minutes as presented by Mark Garner and Seconded by : Kevin Ballantyne, all in favour unanimous, motion passed. Agenda Item: Financial Statements (JUNEIJULY) -Kevin Ballantyne Board reviewed in detail all items pertaining to the JUNE2012 financial statements as submitted by the treasurer. No issues or concerns were raised based on the submission. Motion: Kevin Ballantyne submitted the motion to approve the JUNE statements as presented and reviewed. Second was Christine Michaud All in favour, unanimous, motion passed Board reviewed in detail all items pertaining to the JULY2012 financial statements as submitted by the treasurer. No issues or concerns were raised based on the submission. Motion: Kevin Ballantyne submitted the motion to approve the JULY statements as presented and reviewed. Second was Dan Glenn-Graham All in favour, unanimous, motion passed Agenda Item: Economic Development update-Cory Bluhm The following is a brief update presented by Cory Bluhm. • King Street Art market to run Wednesday Aug. 22 and 29t" .King Street to be closed from Yonge to Ontario for music, arts, crafts, photographers • Developers of 42 King and the Red Condo have purchased the land/building at King and Victoria which will be redeveloped for residential units. Expects shovels in the ground by next year. The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited • Victoria Commons sales office has opened. 1000 units to be built. Will be a 5-10yr. Project to begin in early 2013 • Active group has purchased the Margaret Avenue stretch that has been vacant for some time. 210 units have been approved. • Facade loans have been extended to Exclamation, 271 King W, Matter of Taste, Entertaining Elements, Dandy's(new owners and new name to come) • Centre Block update; financing is in place and they have met their pre-sales. To start project Fall or Spring for Phase one. 3 decks of parking to be built at site. Short term parking to be disrupted. ACTION ITEM: Cory Bluhm to look into Centre Block parking with regards to short and long term plans during construction. Agenda Item: Executive Director Update- Mark Garner The following is a brief update on some of the projects being worked since the last Downtown BIA Board of Directors OperationallOrganization and Key projects • Website -The launch of the new BIA site was in July and we are now working on Phase 2 implementation for the site, which will include the following: o PayPal operation for Downtown Dollar's with potential evolution to online purchasing website for products from the retail members o Exclusive member section or repository which will contain training materials, retail stats, presentations, communications, board minutes etc all for the benefit of the membership o Online sign up for downtown cards with pick up or mail functionality • IDA Conference -Both Erin and Mark will be attending the IDA conference in Minneapolis in September, with City representation from Council and Economic development department. Content at this year's session will be significant, as the topics will be addressing key projects in Downtown Revitalization, Growth of events, Urban renewal projects, trends in the global The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited economy/community and retail specific content. IDA provides the greatest opportunity to develop brain trust in the ongoing growth and development of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and the working relationship with the City of Kitchener. All attended sessions will become available on the BIA repository both internally and shared on the member section of the website. • LRT Projects -Ongoing working relationship with the Region on LRT project as the BIA team conducted the 2nd in a series of education session for the membership. The 2nd session was a full walking tour of the downtown core, the locations for the stations, review of the multi-modal station which will be built at King and Victoria, etc. Over 30 members attended the session which will help with the understanding of the project, better communication into the community via our retailers, etc, and better understanding of the scope and implications of the project on business. Staff will continue to work with the region on the LRT project and conduct further member meetings. • Garbage -continue to deal with ongoing waste issues downtown i.e.: Bells lane and Parking Lot 9. Bells lane specifically, we have been working with Police and Enforcement as we have been able to identify an individual who has been disposing of construction waste at this location. Bell Canada has been asked to provide other film footage of the incidents, as charges or coverage of costs of the clean-up of the location will be discussed with the individual. Additional camera coverage of this location has been discussed in partnership with a Business in this area that currently has coverage installed. Parking lot 9 - we are awaiting information from MOLOK on a recommended internal cleaning material and/or air freshener to be used in the unit. BIA is cleaning (power washing) the area on a monthly basis however there is a significant smell coming from the units based on food waste disposed. MOLOK is to provide a recommended solution for the units. Staff has also started discussions with a Camera supplier for installation in other locations that are considered hot spots downtown in hopes of addressing ongoing concerns. The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited • Policin -ongoing work being done in partnership with WRPS on issues happening in Downtown. A general communication will be developed by WRPS on when to call police and will be distributed through the membership when available. WRPS has encouraged members to call when incidents are occurring so they can be logged and serviced accordingly. Staff and WRPS will continue to work together over the coming month on issues related to downtown. • Beautification -BIA have been working in partnership with the City of Kitchener on the ongoing clean-up of Vogulsang Park (Duke and Queen) which has some visibility issues based on the plantings, which has generated some safety and/or inappropriate usage. The City Downtown team was able to coordinate the Trees and Shrubs being cut back to increase visibility to address those issues. Additionally, BIA, Walper Hotel, CIBC and Holistic Developments worked on a beautification of the parkette behind the CIBC (Queen and Halls Lane) as part of the Halls Lane project. Planter boxes have been installed in the lane to replace the planter which was removed during construction as well as removal of the old plant materials behind CIBC and new plantings done to bring continuity to the area. A formal plaque will be installed in the space based on the partnership and work completed. . Downtown Kitchener Tourist destination to be open on Stat Holiday's - Staff have been working the issue/ask of the board in partnership with the Provincial Government and Tourism to determine what is required to enable merchants to be open on Statutory holidays (Specifically Oktoberfest Parade). The province has downloaded the decision and the ability to make this happen to regional and municipal councils. Staff will now have discussion with the City of Kitchener to determine what is required to get a formal decision from council to have this enacted on behalf of the downtown core during specific high traffic events like Oktoberfest Parade which fall on Stat holidays. Further updates will come to board. Retail Attraction and Retention: The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited New Businesses Fine Feathers -Open on Ontario St Shinla Garden -New Korean Restaurant at 183 King St E (former African Lovenest Location) Living Fresh -New flower shop opened at The Walper Hotel also an Interior Design business Easy Financial -Opened in the East end at 206 King ST E (not the use we would like to see for this vacancy but at least it is located in a less prominent space than previously - no more Easy Home in the Downtown core they are on Victoria) Business Updates: B&G Diamonds and Gold is moving to Rarefunk Space Inspirations Dancewear moved to Victoria Street 24 Charles St -New building owner, Bernie Nimer has bought this building and the Off Track Betting is now closed. The building is currently vacant but an exciting opportunity for new business and growth on Charles St is being worked. Vacancy Rate: 9.4% -Down from 11.1 % in June. This is the first time we have dropped below 10% since the program started. The Vacancy rate when we started the Retail Attraction and Retention was 16.5% in December 2010. Retail Attraction and Retention Marketing: • Marketing Brochure new version - off to the printers • Website -increased listings on the website and updates ongoing Retention Projects: • New Shopping and Dining guides are being stuffed into 5000 bags for the food and drink show and will also be used in conjunction with the Downtown Card at "Employee Appreciation" Event (September 13t") • Member Networking Series -Informational walking tour and networking event took place on August 16 in partnership with the Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit team and the Central Transit Corridor team. Maps were handed out and members were able to get a sense of the LRT that will be coming to The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited Downtown Kitchener. The next Member Networking event will take place on September 19t" at Exclamation Restaurant. Events, Marketing and Communication Social Media (ongoing) • Continuing to Developing social media strategic plan (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr and Kitchenerdowntown.com) • We continue to work with the membership and strategic partners to gather event information and get it online real time. This approach has seen an increase in followers on Facebook and twitter • Additionally we are developing Google Analytics for our website Kitchener Blues Festival • BIA and KBF partnership and increased engagement in festival operations, as the BIA is accountable for all retail vendors participating and KBF will manage all the food vendors for the festival. This partnership will help the BIA recover some of the costs incurred with the "Blues Bazaar" • The Blues Bazaar did see 19 members participate and 5 paid vendors for remaining retail space on the street, generating approx... $5000 in revenue • The BIA tent Stage was scripted as we have done in the past on the promotions and sales members were having during the festival and we did they were holding during the festival and we included them in the script at the BIA stage • BIA offered subsidize ads in the Kitchener Post and promotions went out in the Waterloo Region Record • Information about Blues, Pancake Breakfast and the Side Walk sale was posted on Waterloo • Posters for the event were distributed to the membership to help with promotion BIA Gospel Pancake Breakfast The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited • Partnership with the Kitchener Oktoberfest Lions Club has been secured for the 4th annual pancake breakfast • Formal request for the Mayor and councilors to join us • Served over 2000 people • Changed our charity from MedED Fund to the KW Community foundation • Raised over $1700 in donations (the most we have ever raised • Snap joined us for photos Downtown Cards • Obtained best quote on the printing of Downtown Incentive Cards (quotes came in from 3 different companies) • Working with Marketing Committee to develop marketing layout and plan for rolling out the new cards • Design for new card has come in and will be presented to the Marketing Committee August 16th • Final version of the card will be sent to the printed by August 23rd Event Videos • Currently working with Endless Potential Media Group and Hey Cadet Films to produce "get downtown" videos. • 8 Videos have been completed and uploaded to our Youtube Channel "Downtown Kitchener BIA" Employee Appreciation Day • September 13th, 2012 on King Street between Queen St. and Ontario St. • Working with Marketing Committee to develop new ways to get the Retail members involved • Looking at creating goodie bags to increase awareness around out downtown businesses that will include promotional material • Sign-up sheet for member participation to go out this week Member Relations: The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited New members: Over the last couple of months these new members have received welcome packages and engagement with the Downtown BIA • New & Used Furniture - 53 Queen St • Brown Hair Salon - 33 Queen St • Living Fresh -Queen Street • Shinla Garden -King E • Uptown Ink -King E • Easy Financial Services -King E • John's Bikes -Moyer Place • Fine Feathers Boutique -Ontario St • Entertaining Elements -King St W -late summer • Memole - King S W (former Dandy's) -Early Sept • Non-profit - Bible of Missions • Green Door -Moyer Place Agenda item: New Business -Colin Leis Dan Glenn-Graham suggested we look into hosting a "Groundhog Day" event_BIA Board to send suggestion to the Marketing Committee ACTION ITEM: Mark Garner to propose the idea of "Groundhog Day" to the marketing committee. Agenda Item: Board Meeting Review-Action ItemslComments-Colin Leis ACTION ITEM: Cory Bluhm to look into Centre Block parking with regards to short and long term plans during construction. ACTION ITEM: Mark Garner to propose the idea of "Groundhog Day" to the marketing committee. The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited Agenda Item: Adjournment -Colin Leis Motionlmoved by: Michael Falcone, Seconded by Zenia Horton, all in favour. Motion passed. Next Meeting -September 18th, 2012 9:00 am to 11:00 am Downtown BIA Office Upcoming Discussion: WRPS update, Boundary Expansion The information contained in this document is intended for internal use by the Board of Directors and Management of the Downtown Kitchener BIA and may contain confidential and/or privileged material, any duplication, distribution, re-transmission or dissemination without the written consent of the Downtown Kitchener BIA is prohibited