HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-03-28 DAAC Minutes
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 28, 2019 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Present: Cassandra O’Brien, David Harmes, Jeannette Makad, Rick Booth, Sandra
Castle, Sarah Marsh, Tori Mikhnovsky, Tricia Smith, Matthew Morales
Guests: Sarah Brown, Downtown Kitchener Neighborhood Association
Emily Robson, Coordinator Arts & Creative Industry
Staff: Hilary Abel, Mistie Brown, Marzena Rachwal
Information Items: H. Abel
1) DTKNA:
Ms. S. Brown provided and overview of the DT Kitchener Neighborhood Association to the
Committee. She outlined the boundary for the DTKNA, the Neighborhood Association Directory on
the Kitchener website, and the common goals and reasons why such an Association is
established. Councillor, Ms. S. Marsh suggested appointing a rep from the DTKNA to sit on the
DAAC.
2) Arts and Culture Advisory Committee:
Ms. H. Abel introduces Mathew Morales to the DAAC; Matthew sits on the ACAC and will be
joining DAAC as Committee cross-appointed.
Recommended action: Provide a nametag for Matthew Morales for next meeting, April 25, 2019.
3) CRoZBy (Comprehensive Review of the Zoning Bylaw) Update: H. Abel
Ms. A. Hilary indicated CRoZBy is finalizing the revisions on the policies around zoning
restrictions. She provided an overview on the project and suggested to visit the Kitchener website
for a comprehensive review of the zoning by-law.
4) Project 220: H. Abel
Ms. H. Abel introduced Project 220 as a pilot project to be located in the Open Sesame space.
She indicates the 2019-2020 pilot with house pop-up shops and will provide an opportunity for
businesses and artists to test Downtown Kitchener as a space for doing business. She indicates
the short-term space will be available free to the potential pop-ups for a maximum six-week term.
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
March 28, 2019 City of Kitchener
Discussion Items
5) Marketing and Community Engagement presentation & discussion: M. Brown
Ms. M. Brown presented the marketing strategy and community engagement in the following five
items: How the committee can help; Attend events; Read and share the monthly event newsletter;
Share calendar in your neighborhoods and networks; Word of mouth about DTK. Ms. M. Brown
asked if they had any questions or feedback on the Marketing and Community Engagement
presentation & discussion:
The Downtown Action and Advisory Committee suggested considerations be given to the following
items: shopping, grocery, happy hour, exploration, unwinding, news time, 55+ feature performances
and dance lessons (age appropriate lecture, investment workshops), marketing campaign on free
parking opportunities, outdoors parks & patios.
Recommended action: send PPT to the DAAC.
6) Make It Kitchener Discussion 1: H. Abel & E. Robson
Ms. E. Robson introduced herself to the DAAC and provided an overview of the new Ec Dev Strategy
and how the Committee can provide valuable feedback to the strategy. She identified three key queries
to the DAAC focusing on Innovation, “a novel solution to a meaningful problem”: What is changing in
our community?, What does this look like to you?, What things have resonated with each person in the
community?. Ms. E. Robson noted that staff would be integrating DAAC’s feedback into the Make It
Kitchener Strategy. She further noted other topic discussions will be held on the DT strategy as time
goes on.
Adjournment
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Next meeting
April 25, 2019 @ 4:00p.m.