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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconDevAdv 2013-03-27 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES March 27, 2013 City of Kitchener The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Jeremy Auger the following members were in attendance: Philip Jones, Glenn Koehler, Mark Bingeman, Mark Hopkins, Jeff Hoekman, Cory Ernst, Hani Naamani, Steve Sachs, Darrin Snider, Mark Derro, Ashley Reid, Kevin Fergin and Councillors Scott Davey, Bil Ionnadias and Paul Singh The following people were absent: Johanna, Jamie, Rebecca, Adrian Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Janette MacDonald, Chris Farrell and Tracey Murray, Valerie Bradford, Laura Johnston 1.City of Kitchener Strategic Plan Sue Weare, Strategic Planning Associate along with Chris Hyde and Tristan Wilkin from Compass Kitchener provided an overview of the city of Kitchener strategic plan. She outlined the three components of the plan. The areas of focus were provided and how they will achieve them. She outlined how they built the plan, the consultation process and the direction. She advised that Compass Kitchener, an advisory committee of council provided the lead on this project. Ms. Weare walked through the 6 areas of focus, including quality of life, leadership and community engagement, environment, diversity, development and dynamic downtown. She advised that on a yearly basis, Compass Kitchener reviews the work that the city is doing and creates a report card of how the city is doing. The members of Compass Kitchener provided an overview of the report card and how it is measured. City staff provided data to Compass Kitchener and with that they formulate the report card. They outlined the changes in the process moving forward with the key performance indicators and they want to work with staff to ensure that moving forward the process is more effective, more accurate and more inclusive. The next steps will be reaching out to the advisory committees and asking them to provide what is meaningful and important to them, Compass Kitchener will then take all this information to council in summer of 2013. The Committee provided the following comments:  How do you engage people to read the report card? The report card goes out with the Record and Your Kitchener, as o well as through social media  How many followers does the city’s Twitter and Facebook page have? Laura Johnston advised that Twitter has almost 8,000 followers but o that Facebook is not as active, she also that Your Kitchener is also available through the library The committee was advised that any feedback that they provide will be followed up on and brought back to them later this year. A PLAN for a Healthy Kitchener - with Report Card.pptx 2. Approval of Minutes Moved by Councillor Bil Ioannidis Seconded by Councillor Scott Davey That the minutes of the February 27, 2013 meeting be approved. Carried. 3. Amendment to the Agenda Councillor Scott Davey brought forward an amendment to the agenda. He asked the committee to express their interest in discussing the casino issue at the next EDAC meeting. He advised that it would be at the discretion of the committee if they would support a resolution and or feedback on the economic stand point of a casino in Kitchener. The committee supported a discussion on the casino discussion provided staff circulate further information on the subject, such as a history on the casino issue, any supporting / relevant information in the form of social and economic impact papers as well as reports from surrounding municipalities. Rod Regier suggested that the April meeting be dedicated to discussion surrounding the casino issue. On motion by Councillor Scott Davey “That the April EDAC meeting be dedicated to the casino discussion, with focus on supporting or not supporting council to move forward with potential discussion with the OLG on a possible casino being located in Kitchener.” Seconded by Steve Sachs Carried. Mark Bingeman advised that he may have a conflict of interest since Bingeman’s has an interest in being a potential site for the casino. 3. Project Updates Rod Regier provided an overview of the attached project updates. 2013-03 EDAC Project Update.pdf On Motion by Councillor Scott Davey Second by Darrin Snider The regular meeting be adjourned.