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Home My WebLink AboutBusiness & Ind - 1993-09-23BIAC\1993-09-23 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 1993 PRESENT: Mike Hiscott (Chairman), Atso Saarkoppel, Martha George, Dan Beach, Wayne Hussey, Jim McCutcheon, Councillor Mike Wagner, and Councillor Carl Zehr ALSO PRESENT: George Borovflos, Jane Jantzi and Valerie Gibaut REGRETS: John Tibbits, Tito Gughelmi, Claude Schneider, David l~'eure, and Jerry Mclnnis RECORDER: Sandy Curzon Review of Minutes of June 10, 1993 The minutes of June 10, 1993 were adopte& Review of Minutes of joint BIAC/WEDC meeting of August 24, 1993 The joint meeting of the Waterloo Economic Development Committee and Kitchener's Business & Industry Advisory Committee was met with enthusiasm from both groups~ It was commented that this was a step in the ~qght direction in working together on promotion/marketing efforts~ One area of concern between both Committee's was the Waterloo Guelph Regional Ahl0ort with reference to marketing and promoting the area~ It was suggested that members of CIW, each municipal economic advisory committee and the Ahl0ort Commission meet to adch'ess concerns on establishing marketing initiatives for the area~ It was felt that this forum could take place sometime in January '94. It was felt by both Waterloo and Kitchener members that a joint meeting be held again in three months' time. Concern was noted that initiatives arising from the August 24th meeting may be lost, however V. Gibaut assured those concerned that initiatives will be and have been carried out on an on-going basis~ Economic Twinning with Rhone Alpes Region has been identified and Waterloo will be invited to participate. Nell Richardson invited us to meet with a Syracuse contact he had made this weelc A joint arerial photo contract will be shared with Waterloo BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Discussion re Terms of Reference Copies of the PED minutes, Mike Hiscott's report to PED, and Councils resolution were dist~qbute& It was agreed that Committee were given the opportunity deal with items with no constratnt from City Council As the Terms of Reference had been previously worded it was felt that adoption of the recommendation as adopted by City Council on August 93, 1993 be amended. V. Gibaut addi'essed Committee on the support they have given to date. She encouraged members to speak out on ideas that were of concern to them. W. Hussey motioned that his position on Committee be that of the 'business community at large' due to his new position as Dh'ector of K-W 0ktobeffest Inc. Nh'. Hussey's position on Committee was previously associated with the University of Waterloo, which is now left vacant. It was agreed that membership be extended by one to per, nit Nh'. Hussey to continue his participatiom We will request the University of Waterloo to replace Nh'. Hussey on the Committee. Economic Development Activities a) Site 130, Huron Business Park V. Gibaut inlbrmed Committee that John Whitney is active with a very diverse group of developers who have not completed an offer to purchase at this time. The concept k still very much alive. After discussion on current negotiations taking place, it was agreed that at the offer stage, Committee should be called to a special meeting to approve the price. It was supported by Councillor Zehi' that Committees' input on potential sales should be dh'ected to City Council, thus not relying on Staff comments only. V. Gibaut and ~VL Hiscott both gave Committee examples of internal linkages where an outside company can be teamed up with a local company while deciding whether or not to locate to our community. September 23, 1993. Economic Development Division BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES b) c) Water Pipeline Concept V. Gibaut met with Jack Young, consultant with Trans Canada Pipelines who would like to meet with Committee to explain the Georgian Bay Water Pipeline concept. Copies of the report were made available to Committee who will be asked to comment at the next meeting prior to meeting with Nh'. Young. Councillor Zehi' indicated that this project k currently being reassessed by Regional Council with conclusion to be by mid '94. The issue will be revisited at the next meeting once members have had an opportunity to review the intbrmation package. Jr. Achievement V. Gibaut intbrmed Committee that the Junior Achievement Awards dinner will be held November 4, 1993. The Economic Development Division has nominated ten local companie~ Committee members who wish to attend the dinner are asked to notify V. Gibaut as a table of 8 has been reserve& Business Heritage Jane Jantzi advised that the Business Heritage event will be held in the Rotunda at Kitchener City Hall, November 17th & 18th with the official awards ceremony taking place on Wednesday the 17t]~ Ten companies will be honoured at this year's event with one "gone but not forgotten" company - Blue Top Brewery. W. Hussey asked that consideration be given to K-W Oktobe~est Inc. with respect to the 1993 Business Heritage event in putting up a display. It was also noted that K-W Oktobe~est Inc. be recognized as celebrating theh' 95th du~qng the 1993 event. It was questioned whether CAA was ehgible for an award, V. Gibaut indicated that the Business Heritage Committee reviewed the criteria and found that they conforme& e) Chicago Tribune September 23, 1993. Economic Development Division BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES g) V. Gibaut was approached by Casey Bul~'o of the Chicago Tribune who has also contacted Windsor and St~ Thomas for intbrmation on the economy of the respective cities V. Gibaut sent the copy of the Toronto Star article to ~V[r. Bul~'o and asked that he send us a copy of his article once completed~ Association of Municipalities of Ontario V. Gibaut made a presentation to AMO at theh' annual meeting in Hamilton, August 93, 1993. The topic was Economic Development and partnerships Du~qng her presentation, V. Gibaut mentioned Waterloo's involvement on several occasions and the emerging partnership process V. Gibaut encouraged Committee to continue networking on behalf of the City of Kitchener and report back concerns that come to theh' attention which need to be addi'essed by the Economic Development Staff. Other Business: a thh'd place award was received for our Black and White Ad on Educational F~xcellence from the Economic Developer's Association of Canada K-W Chamber of Commerce, Regional Economic Development Sub- Committee is addi'essing the issue raised by the Beingessner Task Force regarding regional economic development V. Gibaut has been attending the meetings on a regular basis A report has now been prepared which is ready for dist~qbution to the Boards of aH the Chambers in ClX. The report in part~ outlines the need for economic development and strategic planning to be co-ordinated thi'ough Cl~ and that the private sector should be involved in setting pohcy dh'ectinos Cl~ supports the concept of uniting business thi'ough a mutually supportive association such as ClX. the concept of having an area in City Hall specifically for display of Kitchener company products It was suggested that companies should share the cost by buying space to lease while theh' products are on display. V. September 23, 1993. Economic Development Division BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Gibaut was asked to investigate the idea further and report back at the next meeting. there will be an aH day meeting of City Councillors and Management Committee along with a facilitator held September 94, 1993 entitled "F~xplorations '93'. V. Gibaut will report to Committee the outcome of this meeting. the meeting of October 14th has been rescheduled for October ~lst o the meeting of November llth has been rescheduled to November ~5th Meeting adjourned at 19:55 p.m~ Next Meeting: Thursday, October RI, 1993 11:00 mm. - 1:00 p.m. Council Lounge, ~nd Floor Kitchener City Hall September 53, 1993. Economic Development Division