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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2019-05-23 DAAC Minutes DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES May 23, 2019 City of Kitchener The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Debbie Chapman, Cassandra O’Brien, David Harmes, Erin Atchison, Geoffrey Guin, Jeannette Makad, Rick Booth, Sarah Marsh, Tori Mikhnovsky, William Turman Guests: Liz Christensen, Multi-Use Pathways & Trails PM D. Kropf, Active Trans Planning Project Manager Melissa Bowman, Community Builder Sam Nabi, Full Circle Foods & Community Builder Staff: Hilary Abel, Mistie Brown, Marzena Rachwal Information Items: 1) Overview of Seasonal Teams working in DTK Ms. H. Abel updates the committee on the new seasonal team joining the Downtown Community Development team in a week. She welcomes DAAC to join the “Keeping DTK Awesome” meet and eat event on Tuesday, May 28 2019, the event will allow all that work in downtown Kitchener throughout the summer to meet each other. 2) CTS Update Ms. S. Marsh updates the committee on the current site, 150 Duke St. W, Kitchener for CTS- Consumption and Treatment Services. She discusses the 21 locations across Ontario, lessons learned from Cambridge, and provincial funding. Ms. Marsh urges anyone with questions or concerns to contact her. 3) King Street East Action Plan Update Ms. H. Abel updates the committee on the King Street East Action Plan; results to be circulated with DAAC once Ms. M. Brown finalizes the DTK events calendar. Ms. M. Rachwal will send forward the calendar to the committee. Discussion Items: 1) Cycling Master Plan Ms. L. Christensen introduces and discusses the cycling master plan focusing on cycling and trails in Kitchener. She updates the committee on the goals of the project, the cycling and trails survey and important destinations interactive map activity, it is open to the community to suggest destinations that should be a priority. The survey and map closes on June 30, 2019. She mentions that May is engagement month, through Kitchener events; Neighborhood Day, Community road show, community working groups, pop-up events, online Kitchener engagement, Interactive labs, cycling master plan will be introduced to the community. Ms. L Christensen mentions she will be back in in August to share the report and the mapping on the grid. Mr. D. Kropf discusses the Bike sharing system and its benefits to the DAAC. He introduces the new Drobmobility program that has commenced recently in the City of Kitchener. He mentions the DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES May 23, 2019 City of Kitchener programs cost and membership, the current hubs: City Hall, Kitchener Market, ION Queen Station, The Aud. He informs the committee that new hubs are coming soon to; all ION locations, Communitech, Catalyst 137, Goudies Lane, Charles St terminal, Central Fresh, Centre in the Square. Recommended for review: https://www.kitchener.ca/en/city-services/cycling-and-trails-master-plan.aspx https://www.dropmobility.com/press/2019/5/10/drop-mobility-partners-with-the-region-of-waterloo- and-cities-of-kitchener-cambridge-and-waterloo-to-launch-a-new-bike-share-program 2) Gaukel Greenway Community Proposal & Discussion Ms. M. Bowman and Mr. S. Nabi introduce the Gaukel Greenway community project. They propose a full separation of motor vehicles and pedestrians on Gaukel St, converting the street into a greenway space and supporting City of Kitchener policies for walkable spaces, and community gathering. They propose when the Charles West construction wraps up in November 2019, the community would like to request no vehicle access onto Gaukel Street. Ms. M Bowman and Mr. S Nabi would like to request support from DAAC on this project, surrounding businesses, and the City of Kitchener Council. Ms. M. Bowman indicates that they will be presenting the project to City of Kitchener Council on May 27, 2019. DAAC members are in favour of the project and suggest the following on Gaukel Greenway; a community spot for events, street-kiosks, climbable structures, interactive art, more seating would be essential, movable stage, and sufficient incorporation of shade. Ten DAAC members voted in favor of the project. Adjournment On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. Next meeting June 27, 2019 @ 4:00p.m.