HomeMy WebLinkAboutDBIA - 2019-11-27
November 27, 2019
8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.
City of Kitchener
200 King Street West
Conestoga Room
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING MINUTES
Present: Linda Jutzi, Erika Holenski, Phong Tran, Cara Watson, Craig Haney, Councillor
Debbie Chapman, Hilary Abel, Kathy Crossley, Cst. James Mitchell, Councillor Sarah Marsh,
and Michael Rederer.
Regrets: Julie Phillips, Darryl Moore, Kyle Cleaver, Mayor Berry Vrbanovic and Cory Bluhm.
Guest(s): Benjamin Mathew, Claire Bennett, and Tova Davidson.
Recorder: Stefanie Golling
The meeting began at 8:30 a.m., with Erika Holenski as Chair.
Erika Holenski welcomed new Directors, Benjamin Mathew and Kathy Crossley to the Board.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA/DECLARATION OF CONFLICTS
Moved by Phong Tran, seconded by Kathy Crossley
November 27
Carried Unanimously
Michael Rederer joined the meeting (8:33 a.m.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Moved by Phong Tran, seconded by Craig Haney
October 23
Carried Unanimously
APPROVAL OF FINANCIALS
Phong Tran provided an overview of the October financials.
Councillor Sarah Marsh joined the meeting (8:34 a.m.)
Councillor Sarah Marsh inquired how lost/un-used dollars are tracked. Mr. Tran and Linda Jutzi
provided clarification on tracking of Downtown Dollars.
Moved by Cara Watson, seconded by Michael Rederer
October
Carried Unanimously
WRPS UPDATE
Cst. James Mitchell provided the following updates:
Demolition of a property on the corner of College/Duke Street started yesterday, with
anticipated completion today (November 27, 2019).
Consumption & Treatment Services Site has received 4 calls. Of these calls, none were
related to the site. Official stats will hopefully be available for the next Board Meeting.
Conestoga College students begin classes in January. WRPS is working with the college
to share information on when to call 911, introductions to dispatch service, etc.
th
On January 30 Connectivity Table. There is availability for 1-2
Directors to attend.
Increased activity in parking garages, and at the KPL.
Cst. James Mitchell left the meeting (8:51 a.m.)
2019 TOWN HALL REVIEW
Linda Jutzi provided a brief update on the 2019 Town Hall, highlighting the following:
Opportunity for members to write down questions was well received.
It was noted that many new members attended the 2019 Town Hall.
Moving forward allocate additional time; agenda was tight.
Members/Directors enjoyed seeing other groups speak at the meeting i.e. Economic
Development, Conestoga College.
Ms. Jutzi gave a special thanks to Craig Haney for Chairing the 2019 Town Hall.
Moved by Craig Haney, seconded by Phong Tran
Carried Unanimously
Action item: Linda Jutzi to resend a final draft of 2020 budget to all Board Directors.
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT
Hilary Abel shared a presentation with the Board on upcoming Downtown Development:
o Queen Street Reconstruction Project
o Reconstruction will span from Charles to Duke Street, including the
following areas: Vogelsang Green, Cenotaph, Goudies Lane, Goudies
Lane Plaza, Charles/Queen parkette.
o The tender with timelines has gone out.
Applications closed on November 6, 2019.
Contractor will be selected in January 2020.
Construction to begin in Spring 2020.
Project to be completed by Fall 2020.
o Construction details:
It is unknown if the contractor will start North or South first.
The contractor/City Staff will meet with businesses (including BIA)
in surrounding area.
City staff are striving to not have any major lengthy road closures.
Erika Holenski left the meeting (9:05 a.m.). Erika Holenski joined the meeting (9:07 a.m.).
Action item: Linda Jutzi to allocate time on the January 2020 agenda for the Board to discuss
what would be a meaningful piece (art, beautification, etc.) for Queen Street Reconstruction
investment. Hilary Abel to invite Engineering to this meeting.
o Carl Zehr Square Project
o Construction to include: surface, water feature, rink infrastructure,
shade structures, and stage.
o Timelines:
Final drawings are complete.
Contractor will be selected in January 2020.
Construction to begin after March Break.
Project to be completed in 2022.
Un-useable in 2020 for event space.
Action item: Hilary Abel to share additional information with the Board in the New Year, e.g.
road closures, etc.
o King Street Road Closure
o Close a block of King Street during the months of June/July for
events.
o Area would include: picnic tables, greenery, full pedestrian only zone.
o This is an opportunity to use a street that will already be closed and
has the appropriate infrastructure to activate.
Reconstruction questions/comments from the Board:
o Will there be a cost to shut-off the water (rink) in the future?
o Linda Jutzi asked that she is part of the consultation process with the
businesses.
o Closures shift traffic patterns and can be difficult for people. There should be a
strong communication plan in place that shows people how to access downtown
(parking garages, ION, etc.)
o Make use of closure by expanding patios.
o The Project 220 space will be used by the contractor. City staff are open to
recommendations after 2021.
o Will there be increased/visible wayfinding signage?
o
(parking) signage. They hope to have new signage in the New Year.
Downtown Development
o There are three areas that will see large development: Innovation District, City
Centre and King East.
o Development will take 18-24 months from start to finish.
o When all developments are complete, the City projects 6,000 new residents.
Development questions/comments from the Board:
o Any update on the Manulife parking lot?
No updates at this time.
o What are the plans for the Charles Street Terminal?
A public consultation should take place in 2020. Currently looking at
short-term use.
Tova Davidson, and Claire Bennet joined the meeting.
DOWNTOWN ORGANIC WASTE DIVERSION PILOT PROGRAM
Tova Davidson, Sustainable Waterloo Region and Claire Bennett, Corporate Sustainability
Officer provided an overview/progress update on the DOWD Pilot Program:
o Explanation of an anerobic digestion system.
o Benefits of the project, and the possibility for recognition.
o BIA, City and SWR Staff have received interest from many businesses,
o Collectively the three organizations are working on a Green Municipal Fund grant
application through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).
o Applications go through a rolling process; there is no deadline.
Response time is usually a few months.
o The hope is to submit the application in early 2020.
o Applicants can qualify for 50% funding towards their pilot program.
Questions/comments from the Board:
Do we have the budget allocated for this program?
o Linda Jutzi noted that we have a cash reserve and would use those dollars
towards this pilot should the Board decide.
o Members of the Board feel this should be a line item on the budget.
On April 16, 2020 there will be a business event at THEMUSEUM from 4:00pm-8:00pm
where the program will be recognized.
Claire Bennett and Tova Davidson left the meeting (10:19 a.m.)
OTHER BUSINESS
The Board discussed:
Benefits of the program
Projected pilot program investment
Injection from the reserve
Action item: Linda Jutzi to send a copy of the revised budget with reserve injection, and DOWD
pilot line item to the Board for electronic vote.
Hilary Abel left the meeting (10:36 a.m.)
ADJOURNMENT
Moved by Cara Watson, seconded by Phong Tran
Carried Unanimously