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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1992-12-10BIAC\1992-12-10 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 199~ PRESENT: Martha George, Mike Hisco~ Wayne Hussey, Jim McCutcheon, Atso Saarkoppel, Claude Schneider, Carl Zeht; Mike Wagner, Tom McKay, Valerie Gibaut~ and Jane JantzL ABSENT: Dan Beach, David l~'eure, Tito Gughelmi, Tom Rooke, and John Tibbits (With regrets) RECORDER: George Borovilos 1. V. Gibaut called the meeting to order at 11:45 a~m~ Committee members inh'oduced themselves and their respective organization~ 3. Appointments V. Gibaut indicated that an appointment of a Chair and Vice Chair was required and that she has received two facsimiles from committee members T. Guglielmi and D. lqYeure nominating 5/L Hiscott as Chair. T. Guglielmi volunteered to be Vice Chair. Moved by W. Hussey and seconded by Jim McCutcheo~ ~VL Hiscott accepted and assumed the chair. It was noted that these appointments be forwarded to Council as per the Terms of Reference. Wagner entered meeting. 4. Meeting Dates ~VL Hiscott inlbrmed the committee that the previous advisory committee met the second Thursday of every mont]~ Committee members indicated that they did not have a conflict with this date. ~VL Hiscott expressed a concern that Regional Council is held at the same time. 5/L Wagner volunteered to attend on behalf of C. Zehr when required. W. Hussey noted that the Chamber of Commerce luncheon is scheduled for January 14, 1993. It was agreed that the January 14, 1993 meeting will take place at 11:00 a~m~ at the Valhalla Inn prior to the luncheo~ C. Zehr entered meeting. C. Zehr expressed a concern as to the start time of this committee. He indicated that on Thursdays, the fhst and third week of the month he chairs the Regional Adminish'ation & BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Finance Committee, while the second and fourth week of the month is Regional Council After further discussion, the committee agreed to start all the meetings at 11:00 a~m~ for a two hour duratiom If this time slot causes problems, the committee would discuss an alternative schedule in the New Year. T. McKay entered meeting. 5. Review of Terms of Reference 5/L Hiscott suggested that the committee review the Terms of Reference. He added that it was important the committee set the agenda as opposed to taking the lead of the Economic Development staff. He also envisioned that the committee become more proactive and appear at Council where necessary. This was suggested in J. McAllister's letter of November lQ, 199~. C. Zehr added that Council sees this committee taking a more active role. 5/L Wagner echoed C. Zehr's comment and pointed out that the revised terms of reference were designed to reflect a more proactive role. W. Hussey also requested that the committee receive the minutes of the Planning and Economic Development Committee. T. McKay cautioned that the majo~qty of the minutes were related to planning issue~ V. Gibaut to arrange with the City Clerk's department that the committee members receive only the portion of the Economic Development activities section of the Planning and Economic Development Committee reports and minute~ J. McCutcheon sought cla~qfication as to the dilTerences between the old and new Terms of Reference and whether the ideas and concerns expressed by the outgoing chairman were incorporated into the Terms of Reference. 5/L Hiscott indicated that the recommendation in J. McAllister's letter were taken into consideratiom D. Montgomery, Ernst & Young entered meeting. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 6. Planning and Economic Development Committee W. Hussey inquired as to why the advisory committee reports to the Planning and Economic Development Committee. T. McKay explained the all advisory committees report to a Standing Committee of Council and that the st~q~cture and re-organization of Standing Committees align with future departmental organizational change~ W. Hussey suggested that the Chairman of the Planning and Economic Development Committee be invited to attend the advisory meeting~ ~VL Hiscott agreed to speak to the Chairma~ 7. Canada's Technology Triangle (CTT) Business Conmmnitv PI'ogram D. Montgomery of E~st & Young was introduce& He is a member of the Action Team stee~4ug the concept provided an overview of this economic development initiative. He highlighted the purpose, st~q~cture/types of investment houses and economic benefits of the program, This program allows the average person to invest (open end mutual fund concept) in their own community by providing financial support (venture capital) to small and medium-sized business involved in exporting. He also pointed out that the Federal Government, specifically the Department of Industry, Science and Technology Canada have supported this initiative and certain tax issues are being reviewed with Revenue Canada~ After some discussion related to certain elements of this program, it was agreed that the Committee supports this initiative. T. McKay suggested the following resolution to Council thi'ough Planning and Economic Development Committee: That the Business and Industry Advisory Committee endorses the Canada's Technology Triangle (CTT) Business Community Program proposal to the Federal Government. W. Hussey moved the motion and seconded by A~ Saarkoppek V. Gibaut to present a report to Planning and Economic Development Committee asking that the program be endorsed by Council 8. Overview of the 1993 Marketing Plan/Marketing Material V. Gibaut introduced the proposed 1993 Marketing Plato In hght of the time constraints, it was suggested that the committee review the plan and provide their input to V. Gibaut prior to the next meeting. ~VL Hiscott recommended that this item be brought forward to the next meeting for full discussiom V. Gibaut provided each committee member with a package of promotional material that the Department produce~ She also highlighted some of the Department's recent promotional BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 10. 11. effort~ Lure Brochure: This brochure represents a joint effort on part of the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo. It reinlbrces the area's competitive edge of educational excellence. New Advertising Lavoug This advertising layout promotes the educational advantage of the area~ The Department envisions a continuing series utilizing testimonials from the presidents of Kitchener manufacturers espousing educational excellence. Community PI'ofile Update: This brochure is used to provide statistical and economic inlbrmation to the investment community both local and external Thi'ough the use of desktop publishing, the document can be updated on a regular basi~ Discussion of 1993 Activities ~VL Hiscott suggested that the committee defer this item until the next meeting. He requested that the committee members bEqng forth their ideas with respect to 1993 activities and direction~ Plant Visits W. Hussey inquired if committee members could accompany Department staff on plant visit~ V. Gibaut explained that if the company was receptive to an advisory member visiting the company, she would make the appropriate am'angement of contacting the advisory committee. V. Gibaut to set-up a contact systen~ It was suggested that for the next meeting each member bEqng appro×imately 15 business cards for dist~qbution to the Committee. Meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.n~ Next Meeting: Thursday, January 14, 1993 11:00 mm. Valhalla Inn (location to be confirmed)