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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconDevAdv 2013-04-24ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE DRAFT MINUTES April 24, 2013 City of Kitchener The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Adrian Conrad the following members were in attendance: Ashely Reid, Mark Bingeman, Adrian Conrad, Mark Hopkins, Jeff Hoekman, Thusenth Dhavaloganathan, Darrin Snider, Mark Derro, Kevin Fergin, Glenn Kohler, Jamie Yantzi, Steve Sachs, Philip Jones, Councillor Scott Davey, Johanna Classon- Romero The following people were absent: Rebecca Short, Jeremy Auger, Councillor Bil loannidis, Councillor Paul Singh, Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Janette MacDonald, Brian Bennett, Ken Carmichael, Tracey Murray, Valerie Bradford, Laura Johnston, Cory Bluhm, Kim Feere, Chris Farrell 1. Tranportation Master Plan Don Drackley IBI group and Ken Carmichael provided an update on the Kitchener transportation master plan. He advised that the report is going to council this spring for approval and moving forward it will be reviewed every 5 years. Mr. Drackley advised that the plan has been under review for 2 years, there will be significant roadway capacity in Kitchener. This is the first transportation master plan the city has had, in the past, the region took this role and they will continue to do them but there are areas of the city that the region does not do such as cycling and walking. This plan will create a document for the city to make decisions on their own roadways, trails etc. Main objectives - to move efficiently within Kitchener as well as outside Kitchener, this is done largely by the region since the arterial roads are their jurisdiction. The region has a 20 year schedule for their roads - the movement of goods at the regional level will be fine, but the city needs to have a better understanding and manageability of neighbourhood traffic, public safety etc., the city has a program in place to deal with neighbourhood traffic management that will be updated as part of this process. On the subject of goods movement, the city does have in coordination with the region an effective goods movement management program. The need for enhanced access to the 401 was identified and the region and the province have studied this and within the 20 year timeframe the existing connections are adequate with some modifications and they are making improvements to the Conestoga expressway and the connections to the 401. Committee members provided feedback that they did not feel they had enough information to determine their level of support for the document. They asked for further information and were informed that the document will be available on line by the middle of May for the committee to review. ACTION - review further at the next meeting to allow for a more informed facilitated discussion and if there are things that are outstanding then we can do that at that time. 2. Approval of Minutes Moved by Darrin Snider Seconded by Kevin Fergin Carried. 3. Project Updates Rod Regier provided an overview of the project updates. 2013 -04 EDAC Project Update. pdf The committee requested that Communitech do a presentation at a future meeting 2.1 Casino Discussion Mark Bingeman declared a conflict of interest and advised that he would not vote on a resolution. He advised the committee that Bingeman's have been vocal on the casino issue and they have spoken in favour of the City of Kitchener expressing its interest in hosting a casino to the OLG. If the City is awarded a casino, they would work with a casino operator and the OLG to build a casino, hotel and conference centre. The committee members made the following comments: • Concerns about social impact dominated the public meeting on April 23rd There was little no discussion of what happens if the casino is built at the end of Victoria St in Woolwich. I don't support a casino, but feel that the City should have the discussion. If the casino ends up in Breslau, it will generate problems for Kitchener, but no revenue. • A stigma comes with a casino (Windsor and Brantford). This stigma is not aligned with a high tech / high growth city like Kitchener • Kitchener needs to understand the full economic impact of a casino and what other facilities a casino might bring, morality of it aside. • There could still be economic development benefits from visitors to the casino, even if the casino is not in Kitchener • Local real estate brokers think there is need for more information and adding a potential convention centre would be a game changer • Clarification was requested on whether or not public money is required — the casino would be privately funded and publically regulated • There could be an impact on the city's operating budget. Has that been analyzed? There are enough case studies of cities with casinos already that could provide an overview of community impacts. The City needs the information from case studies of cities which currently host casinos. • Need to evaluate this option; cities with casinos have not become dominated by the casino brand • If the casino is part of a bigger picture, it is positive • Need more information to make an informed decision • If the casino ends up in Woolwich, the city would have to deal with the social impact regardless of the city's decision. Therefore we need to evaluate the social and economic impact and measures to control or mitigate these impacts • If we say no, conditions to implement the casino are out of our control • If the casino ends up in Woolwich, we have adverse impacts anyway • Saying yes now is not saying yes to a casino • The recommendation should be framed as a request for more information rather than a yes or no The committee discussed the need for more information about the social and economic impacts of a casino and agreed that the best way to obtain the necessary information would be to say yes to initial discussions. Cory Bluhm advised the committee that the downtown BIA board has declared their opinion that they are not interested in a casino downtown and that they want the Region to weigh in on the issue of social services. The Committee agreed to a recorded vote on the following resolution: To provide for the making of an informed decision, the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommends that the City of Kitchener express an interest in hosting a casino with the knowledge that The City of Kitchener can withdraw its interest at any time. This will allow the City to gather additional information in order to better understand the nature of the opportunity and assess its risks, and control measures for mitigation. Mark Bingeman and Scott Davey refrained from the vote. All other Committee members present voted for the resolution. Carried. Steve Sachs agreed to represent EDAC at the Casino Council meeting on Tuesday April 30. On motion by Ashley Reid Seconded by Glenn Koehler That the meeting adjourn.