HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDAC - 2017-06-28
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2017 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met on this date with the following members present:
Bil Ioannidis, Mark Bingeman, Andrew Head, Barry Lowry, Jason Malfara, Sandra O’Hagan, Mark Derro, Barclay
Whittaker, Anthony Zammitt, David Billedeau
Staff in attendance: Tracey Murray, Sarah Brown, Brian Bennett, Cory Bluhm, Valerie Bradford, Janette MacDonald and
Thom Ryan
Business Items
1. Community Energy Investment Strategy
Overview of what the strategy is and how it is being done across Canada. Presentation outlined the influence
level of energy use.
What they are hoping to achieve, the evaluative criteria, financial analysis, and timeline for the project
Feedback –
o Region and Area Municipalities need to support and co-sponsor the utilities’ Conservation Demand
Management/Demand Side Management (CDM/DSM) campaigns, events, messages to improve uptake
as well as there could be more communication on incentives from the utilities themselves through events
that they sponsor – in turn I asked for assistance of the economic development committees to
communicate the community energy messages/information through their channels/events as well during
strategy implementation as appropriate;
o A customized outreach effort is needed for specific CDM/DSM programs relevant to small and medium
sized enterprises as they often do not have energy management staff that may normally hear about
existing campaigns;
o Variable and fixed portions of energy utility bills need to be explained better in relation to what portion
customers can affect and how;
o On-line tools and data driven programs are needed to enable neighbourhood and household comparison
of energy use and reduction campaigns;
o Need Question was raised about whether there is any funding to encourage energy innovation and
performance at the subdivision level, not just individual LEED buildings or for equipment, in order to
influence the energy considerations incorporated in land use design and development as this community
continues to grow and develop;
o Region was asked to put skin in the game to encourage developments and energy projects that achieve
the energy strategy goals and objectives;
2. Roundtable Discussion
Councillor Singh leads a roundtable, specifically asking members if there were any external factors affecting their
businesses / workplaces. The committee advised that traffic congestion due to construction has been a big
obstacle as well as the potential minimum wage increases.
3. Shape DTK 2020: Cory Bluhm advised the committee that Shape DTK 2020 was approved by Council and the
next steps are to develop implementation of the plan.
4. An update on the Creative Hub was provided, noting that staff did not receive a proposal that met all of the criteria
set out in the RFP. Staff will now work directly with the community and partners to develop a collaborative model.
5. The committee was asked to provide input on their satisfaction with the Economic Development Advisory
Committee so far. Members suggested identifying agenda items as information or recommendation items,
ongoing updates on CroZby and including planning staff to gain a more solid connection on developments.
6. Multi-Modal Trail Link and Station
John Hill, Region of Waterloo, provided an overview and background presentation on the hub. Committee
members provided the following feedback:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2017 City of Kitchener
Have you built any mechanisms in the process to safeguard to protect who the successful proponent is?
There are safeguards in place, scoring system will be developed well
What type of building design is the Region looking for?
The region has been looking at the project as a phased improvement project and they are
focusing on the podium level and the towers will be the private sector. There will also be a district
energy audit done
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Tracey Murray
Committee Administrator