HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2015-12-16 Special Date (Nov/Dec Combined)ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
December 16. 2015 Citv of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor Paul Singh, and co-
chaired by Jeremy Auger, with the following members present: Adrian Conrad, Councillor Bil loannidis, Darrin
Snider, Jeff Hoekman, Johanna Classon- Romero, Mark Bingeman, Philip Jones, Rebecca Short, Councillor
Scott Davey, Shantal Myers, and Thusenth Dhavaloganathan.
Staff in attendance: Brian Bennett, Janette MacDonald, Rod Regier, Val Bradford, and Eowyn Spencer
Discussion Items
1. On motion the minutes of the October 28, 2015 meeting were approved as circulated.
2. Councillor Paul Singh reviewed the committee's Terms of Reference, focusing on the attendance portion.
Councillor Singh stressed the importance of regular meeting attendance, not only to be in accordance with
the procedural bylaw, but because input from committee members is essential to City Council and staff
depend on the committee to be the voices of the community. No changes were requested to the Terms of
Reference for 2016. The current term will end in November 2016.
Information Items /Unfinished Business
Janette MacDonald thanked the committee for all of its support and input over the past months on the
development and creation of the new economic development strategy. Make it Kitchener was approved by
City Council on November 16th, with an official launch for projects beginning early in 2016. Janette looks
forward to continuing consultations with the committee as projects develop. Committee members
expressed an interest in seeing a work plan and development process of projects set to roll out over the
next four years at a future meeting. Rod Regier and other staff gave a brief overview of some of the
projects already stemming from Make it Kitchener. Key highlights of projects include: development of an
arts hub in the downtown, THEMUSEUM maker lab for kids, the Accelerator Centre in the downtown,
Velocity Garage, and others.. Johanna Classon- Romero questioned whether climate and environmental
considerations were made when developing the new economic development strategy. Janette answered
that while there were no specific projects directly linked to sustainable energy or the environment, that
aligning each item with the City's core strategy, there would be indirect benefits to the "green" initiative.
2. Project Updates:
From a round -table project update, key highlights include: MINs recent highly successful manufacturing
job fair, the grand- opening of Farm Boy, IKEA announcement, GM Innovation lab, and Thomson
Reuters grand- opening.
3. Committee Feedback:
Councillor Singh and City staff requested feedback from EDAC regarding the committee itself, and the
Terms of Reference. Adrian commented that the committee adds value to economic development.
Mark commented that some items on recent agendas have seemed rushed. Mark suggested that
presentations be sent out in advance of the meetings, as this could lead to more fruitful discussions and
more meaningful feedback.
On motion the meeting adjourned at 1:00pm.
Eowyn Spencer
Committee Administrator
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