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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1993-02-11BIAC\1993-02-11 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENT: ALSO PRESENT: ABSENT: RECORDER: MINIYFES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1993 Mike Hiscott (Chairman), Dan Beach, Martha George, Tito Guglielmi, Claude Schneider, John Tibbits, Alderman Carl Zeht; Tom McKay, Valerie Gibaut~ Jim McCutcheon, Alderman Mike Wagner, Alderman Tom Galloway, George Borovilos, and Jane Jantzi Jim Witmer, Kevin Bowman, John ~Vhitney, Blah' laddie and Darren Shaw David l~'eure, Wayne Hussey, Jerry McInniq Atso Saarkoppel Sandy Curzon Meeting was called to order at 11:05 Chairman inh'oduced John Whitney and Darren Shaw of Whitney Sommeffeld who proceeded to give a presentation to Committee on Industrial Land Sale~ kV[r. Whitney indicated the changes which have occurred in the local real estate market during the past few years~ In reviewing the current situation with Economic Development staff, a new concept for marketing the City-owned industrial land was discussed. The idea is to create 1/3 to 1/4 acre lots within one larger parcel service each individually, and have "moder' indust~qal buildings consh~cted. They can then be offered to those business people who prefer ownmship, and require a relatively small building. Once the fhst building is sold, the developer will then continue the process with the next lob It is proposed that Site 130 in Huron Business Park be developed fhst. It was recognized that there are legal imphcations involved, and it was suggested that one developer be involved, and that he be given a "Reservation Agreement" on all the lots within the one site, to be exercised as each building k sold. Details will have to be worked out with the Legal Department. It was also recognized that 1?3 acre lots do not meet the minimum lot size. It was suggested also that a price of $90,000. per acre would enable the development to take place and offer the land and building to a prospective purchaser at an affordable price. The issue of servicing also arose and Blah' laddie was asked to adch'ess the committee with regard to this aspect of development. IVh'. laddie advised that roadwork remained to be completed on Battler Ihqve, at an estimated cost of $50,000, also that there is outstanding remediation work required on Pond #4 which is directly behind the lot in question (130). The estimated cost for such BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES remediation is $900,000 however M~'. McKay suggested that this work could be delayed and the cost is not att~qbutable to the development of the lot~ but rather one of general environmental consideratio~ Some of the advantages of the scheme are that it is felt we can sell 8-10 acres of land throughout the year; we are providing lots and buildings of sizes for which there is a demonstrated need and lack of supply and we will ensure that development takes place according to our guidelines with regard to landscaping and building quahty, as we will be dealing with one developer. After some discussion, it was agreed that staff form a small task force with the purpose of evaluating the proposal and prepare a report for Planning & Economic Development Committee. Moved by Dan Beach Seconded by Martha George "That the Business & Industry Advisory Committee endorse the concept as presented by John hVhitney, of Whitney, Somme~eld." Carried. Messrs, Whitney and Shaw left the meeting Minutes of January 14th were accepted. The issue of advising the media of committee meetings arose. After some discussion it was agreed that we should resume our practice of sending agendas to the media It was also understood that certain issues might be sensitive and therefore should be dealt with in caucu~ It was also agreed that the Chairman will be the official spokesperson on behalf of the Committee and will respond to media enquirie~ Moved by Dan Beach Seconded by Carl Zehr February 11, 1993. Economic Development Department BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES o That in the future, agendas be forwarded to the media~ Carried. Minutes of the Planning & Economic Development Committee meetings of January 18 and February L together with additional hterature from the Economic Development Department~ was dist~qbuted. Members of the Committee were asked to advise whether or not they wish this practice to continue. The issue of education of local businesses with regard to development plans was discussed. It was agreed that more work needs to be done to ensure that businesses realize that help is available to them from City staff. It was pointed out that the Economic Development quarterly newsletter always contains intbrmation of this nature and that staff are constantly advising local businesses that they are available to assist them through the proces~ Jim Witmer, Acting Dh'ector, Building & Inspections, offered to provide assistance in this regard and acknowledged that some problems do occur in the site development proces~ The Economic Development Department 199~ Annual Report was reviewed. It was pointed out that objectives for 1993 include the Business Heritage event which is scheduled for November 17th and will take place at the new City Hall rotunda~ Valerie Gibaut asked if any committee members would like to volunteer to participate on the organizing committee. Mike Hisco~ Martha George, Tito Guglielmi and Claude Schneider offered to assist. It was noted that the video prepared du~qng the 1991 event is available to those who wish to review it. February 11, 1993. Economic Development Department BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 8. Other Business b) c) It was agreed that the next two meetings of Committee will be changed to March 18th and Ap~ql 15th both will start at 11:00 a~m in Committee Room #3, Kitchener City Hall Tom McKay updated the Committee on the proposed partuemhip between the Region and the Area Municipalities for Economic Developmen~ which evolved from the Chairman's Task Force on the Regional Economy. A report was presented to Regional Council on February llth by the Regional CAO recommending the expenditure of $~2,500 to develop a leading edge economic profile for more effective promotion of the region and to support and co-ordinate existing promotional activitie~ ~V[r. Larry Smith has been retained for the 4-month project to be completed September 1993 at a cost of $30,000 - funding to be provided out of the Region's contingency fund. T. McKay distaqbuted the Mission Statement of the Educational F~xcellence Committee. Work is continuing on the establishment of a Blue Ribbon Committee whose role will be to promote and gather support for the educational excellence thrust within the community. ~Vh'. McKay and John Sweeney, Chairman of the Educational F~xcellence Committee are meeting with Messr~ Turubull and Cardillo along with the Chah' of the Separate and Public School Boards to endorse the Blue Ribbon Committee. Meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m~ Next Meeting: Thursday, March 18, 1993 11:00 mm. Committee Room #3 3rd Floor, Kitchener City Hall February 11, 1993. Economic Development Department BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Feb~uary 11, 1993. Economic Development Department