HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil Minutes - 2020-10-20 SSPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 20, 2020 CITY OF KITCHENER
A special electronic meeting of City Council was held at 6:10 p.m. this date, chaired by Mayor B.
Vrbanovic with all members present.
Notice of this electronic meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk
pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic began the meeting with a Land Acknowledgement.
1. DSD -20-056 — MAKE IT KITCHENER STRATEGY 2020-2024
Council considered Development Services Department report DSD -20-056 (C. Bluhm), dated October
16, 2020, recommending approval of Make it Kitchener 2.0, and the creation of the Economic
Development Investment Fund (EDIF 2.0).
C. Bluhm, Executive Director, Economic Development, presented to Council regarding Make it
Kitchener 2.0, an updated economic development strategy for the City. C. Bluhm reviewed the
community engagement undertaken and the identified areas of priority, including the need to support
economic recovery, health innovation, and affordable housing. C. Bluhm also described the Economic
Development Investment Fund (EDIF 2.0), which would guide City investments until 2025.
Ian McLean, President & CEO at the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, and Art
Sinclair, Vice -President of the Greater Kitchener Waterloo Chamber of Commerce, spoke to the impact
of the COVID-19 pandemic on Kitchener businesses and the need to support economic recovery as
well as future growth. Both expressed support for the Make it Kitchener 2.0 strategy and EDIF 2.0. In
response to Council's questions, I. McLean reported the supports needed by downtown businesses,
the role of the different levels of government, and the challenges facing different sectors.
Iain Klugman, CEO of Communitech, expressed support for EDIF 2.0 and encouraged Council to
consider a more ambitious scope. In response to Council's questions, I. Klugman reflected on the
inclusion of the technology sector in the Make it Kitchener 2.0 strategy, the business opportunities
presented by the challenges posed by COVID-19, the future of physical workspaces, and local
manufacturing.
Councillor D. Schnider stated the Economic Development Advisory Committee's support for the Make
it Kitchener 2.0 strategy and EDIF 2.0.
Mayor B. Vrbanovic shared comments received from Tony La Mantia, President and CEO of the
Waterloo Region Economic Development Corporation, supporting the Make it Kitchener 2.0 strategy
and EDIF 2.0.
In response to Council's questions, C. Bluhm noted the importance of future support for local events
and festivals, plans for further public consultation through every stage of the strategy, the strategy's
flexibility to create the most significant possible impact, and the City-wide benefits of the strategy. C.
Bluhm reviewed the past Economic Development Fund investments and the benefits of those initiatives,
considerations for affordable housing, the land assets to be declared surplus, and the proposed limit of
the Economic Development Investment Fund. C. Bluhm highlighted the feedback received that focused
on building a better community for everyone and described how forecasted support from upper levels
of government is incorporated in the strategy. E. Robson, Manager of Arts and Creative Industries,
explained the inclusion of creative industries in the Make it Kitchener 2.0 strategy.
Council discussed the growth of Kitchener's economy resulting from the previous fund and strategy,
past and future partnerships and collaboration, the impacts of COVID-19, the need to support economic
recovery and future growth, the community engagement and feedback, as well as the development of
priorities identified in the Make it Kitchener 2.0 strategy. Council further discussed the financial
implications and potential benefits of EDIF 2.0, the assets to be declared surplus, and consideration of
taxpayers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Council shared their appreciation to staff and the members
involved in the development of the strategy and fund as well as their excitement to see Kitchener build
a better community for all its members.
Councillor M. Johnston requested a recorded vote
Councillor J. Gazzola left the meeting at this time.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
OCTOBER 20, 2020 -117- CITY OF KITCHENER
Council agreed that the following motion would be considered in principle and would be ratified at the
October 26, 2020, electronic meeting of Council.
Moved by Councillor B. loannidis
Seconded by Councillor P. Singh
"That Make it Kitchener 2:0, attached as Appendix A to report DSD -20-056, be approved as the
strategy to guide the City's future actions and investments in support of economic recovery and
growth, from 2020 through 2025; and,
That a new Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF 2.0) be approved, enabling City
Council to invest up to $110 million in the local economy from 2020-2030; and,
That funding for the Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF 2.0) be achieved, through
the following:
a) Utilization of approximately $10 million from the Economic Development Reserve;
b) Re -issuance of debt utilizing 40% of the debt room from the original Economic
Development Investment Fund, for 8 years, totaling approximately $20 million; and,
The strategic sale and disposition of City -owned lands, with sale proceeds being
allocated to the Economic Development Investment Fund to support future
investments; and,
That the Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF 2.0) be created in accordance with
Appendix C of report DSD -20-056; and further,
That City staff immediately commence additional engagement with business leaders and
COVID-impacted businesses for the purpose of providing Council with a detailed action plan by
January 2021 to support impacted businesses and displaced workers, utilizing up to $5 million
from the proposed Economic Development Investment Fund as a priority investment."
Carried in principle on a recorded vote.
In Favour: Mayor B. Vrbanovic and
Councillors S. Davey, K. Galloway-
Sealock, B. loannidis, D. Schnider, M.
Johnston, S. Marsh, C. Michaud, P.
Singh, and D. Chapman.
Absent: Councillor J. Gazzola
On motion the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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