HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory 2013-05-23
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 23, 2013 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, Chaired by Amina Gilani with
the following members in attendance: Craig Beattie, Tania Benninger, Melissa Bowman,
Andrea Cassidy, Cory Crossman, Councillor Frank Etherington, Councillor Dan Glenn-
Graham, Dean Knipfel, David Kuhn, Stephanie Noble, Brad Watson, Shannon Weber and
Don Zehr
City staff in attendance:
Hilary Abel, Cory Bluhm, and Sandy Curzon
1. New Business
1.1 BIA Boundary Expansion
Shannon Weber, Executive Director of BIA provided an overview of the Proposed BIA
Boundary Expansion. After 35 years, downtown Kitchener is experiencing a
substantial transformation bringing a more vibrant and diverse business community,
increasing number of events and activities into the downtown core. In order to reach
as many businesses as possible, the BIA is proposing to expand its boundaries to
eventually align with the City of Kitchener’s Official Plan – an area bounded by
Victoria, Weber, Cedar and Joseph Streets.
During the question and answer period, the following points were made:
Should the by-law to alter the boundaries of Downtown Kitchener Business
Improvement Area change, it would affect and become mandatory for all
businesses within the new boundary to pay a membership fee for which they will
receive services that assist in promoting their business within the downtown. Only
non-profit organizations would be excluded from this by-law
The tax levy is based on the square footage of the commercial portion of the
building. It would not include residential
The challenge will be for those businesses that don’t see the value of being a
member of the the BIA i.e. law offices
Next Steps:
In order to facilitate the changes, a notice to all property owners within the
proposed new boundaries will be given. Property owners will then be required to
notify their tenants. On notice, there is a period for objection which will be
received by the City Clerk’s Department.
Depending on the number of objections (if any), the City Clerk will make a
recommendation to Council to expand the boundary.
Shannon will keep committee members advised of the on-going process
1.2
Leisure Facilities Master Plan (LFMP)
Mark Hildebrand, Director Community Programs & Services provided an overview of
the LFMP which is a five year Plan that covers facilities such as community centres,
pools and walking/biking trails. A public forum is scheduled for June 19, 2013 in the
Subscriber’s Lounge, Kitchener Memorial Auditorium. Feedback received will be
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee May 23, 2013
incorporated into a report which will be presented to City Council in late August/
September 2013.
Mr. Hildebrand presented five questions to which Breanna Pilon documented the
responses on behalf of the LFMP project team.
1. What are the key strengths of the current leisure and recreational services - what
is working well?
2. What are the weaknesses or gaps – areas for improvement?
3. What do you think the City will look like in the next 5-10 years - what impact will
that have on how the City offers recreation and leisure services?
4. What are the top priorities for leisure and recreation services over the next 5-10
years that the City should consider?
5. What type of funding approaches/models should the City explore to help pay for
future services? i.e. increase user fees; corporate sponsorships; community
fundraising; tax increases; City issuing debt; or reductions in service levels
2. Minutes & Committee Updates
2.1 Approval of Minutes
The Downtown Action & Advisory committee minutes of April 25, 2013:
Approved by:
Brad Watson
Seconded by:
Stephanie Noble
Carried
2.2 Economic Development Updates
Committee were in receipt of the May 2013 EDAC updates, there were no questions
or discussion.
3. Standing Items/Business Arising
3.1 Downtown Live
Breanna Scott, BIA and Hilary Abel provided an overview of 2013 Downtown Live
calendar of events. Canada Day is promising to be bigger and better with a
projection of 10,000 visitors. Also new this year will be an evening Art Market on
st
Friday, May 31. This event will also cross audiences with CAFKA. Suggestions for
future events/festivals can be directed to Hilary for consideration.
4. Downtown Action Plan – Working Groups
On motion by Don Zehr
Seconded by David Kuhn
Meeting adjourned @ 5:15 to break into focus groups
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee May 23, 2013