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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1994-06-16BIAC\1994-06-16 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, JUNE 16, 1994 PRESENT: Mike Hiscott (Chah'), Roger Downer, Dan Beach, David Freure, John Tibbits, Atso Saarkoppel, Councillor Carl Zeht; Tito Gughelmi, and Claude Schneider ALSO PRESENT: Tom McKay, Valerie Gibauk George Borovflos and Jane Jantzi REGRETS: Martha George, Wayne Hussey, Jim 3/[cCutcheon, and David Freure RECORDER: Sandy Curzon 1. Minutes of May lQ, 1994 The minutes of May IQ, 1994 were adopted. Local Land Sale Issues V. Gibaut reviewed with Committee a ch'aft report that was going to Planning & Economic Development Committee on June 90tl~ After a lengthy discussion it was recommended by Committee that the City withhold both the down payment and interest paid. John Tibbits entered meeting b) G. Borovilos gave Committee an update on a lease agreement in Huron Business Park with Berkshire Building and Emco. Once all documentation has been finalized, site plan approval k scheduled for June 99nd at PI'oject Review. Emco plan to occupy the space by October 3L 1994. c) NL Hiscott offered his congratulations on behalf of Committee to City staff and Nh'. Shniffer. Nh'. Hiscott also asked to be kept inlbrmed as to when the opening ceremonies would take place. Asphalt plant relocating - due to obhgation to people ah'eady in the Business Park BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 40,000 sq. ft~ addition - SieMatic (Beckermen Kitchens). International company chose to keep manufactu~qng cent~'e in Kitchener. e) Land sale prices - recommendation that we hold the line at $70,000. per acre. It was felt by Committee that the market has hit botton~ The City of Kitchener currently advertises prices in order to keep competitive with surrounding municipalities~ However, it was cautioned that there is too big of a gap between the advertised price and reality. Discussion continued on the variables that could be worked into the asking price giving City staff a 'bottom line' to work with, notwithstanding circumstances that require negotiating. V. Gibaut inlbrmed Committee that the Joy Technologies building has been bought by a New Hamburg company. Linkages - Conestoga College J. Tibbits asked Committee to understand that Conestoga College does not see themselves as a mini university. There k a need for a more seamless education system which would link Colleges with Universities similar to what Quebec k currently practising. In 1995, Conestoga College hopes to start a joint program with the Univemity of Waterloo where the student would be enroled in both institutions however attending one. Currently Conestoga College has a cont,'act with the University to teach Enghsh as a second language to students enroled from other count~qes~ Economic Development Division June 1~ 1994. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Some degrees given at Conestoga College are comparable to those at University and Colleges in the United States To form alliances with U.S. universities Conestoga College k offe~qng a one year credit to OAC students with a 7570 average to enter into theh' 9nd year at the college and then one year at a US university (Northwood) to grant the student theh' degree which would normally take 3 years at university. There is a definite need for such linkages IV[r. Tibbits indicated that it is becoming more and more difficult to att~'act students into the sciences and t~'ades which is mainly due to attitude by society. Parents can help by accepting the local colleges as alternatives to a University educatio~ Forum for International Trade Training (FIT~). Valerie Gibaut asked Nh'. Tibbits about this program which the Federal Government provides for new exporters as she understood it was being offered at Conestoga College and therefore suggested we could assist in marketing the program~ Nh'. Tibbits was unaware of this particular program and suggested that Valerie contact Larry Rechsteiner. ~h'. Tibbits was asked to report back to Committee once alliances are more formalize& Regional Official Policies Plan V. Gibaut expressed concern of Section C, 8.2.5" .... The Region will help promote the Area Municipalities as locations for the development of environmentally-hqendly, knowledge- based activities" kVhx Gibaut felt that this section was not clear on who was taking the lead role- Municipalities or the Region? Councillor Zehr indicated that Regional Council plans to approve the ROPP by October 1994 so that all the work and momentum todate does not get lost with new counc~ It was noted that it was not too late to comment and that the implementation of the pohcy depends on ch'cumstances being implemented. D. Beach indicated that Section C, 8.2.1 "The Region will develop guidelines.., which are sensitive to the natural environment" would have a great affect on the Huron Business Parle Economic Development Division June 1~ 1994. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES T. McKay indicated that a Regional Economist would work for aH Economic Development departments in the Region since the province is use to dealing at the regional level and not with individual municipahtie~ ~VL Hiscott asked Committee to forward theh' comments to V. Gibaut in order that they can be combined on behalf of Committee. 5. Other Business ~VL Hiscott reviewed a letter sent by the Mayor of Guelph which indicates that the City of Guelph is there to look after people, business and investors by using the slogan "Taking Care of Business". It was noted by Committee that this is similar to what Scarborough has done in the past. Nh'. Hiscott asked Committee if it was something that Economic Development staff should be looking into as a promotional brochure. Cautioned was noted that it is one thing to have a button - but what is the message? It was suggested the businesses be surveyed as to why they came to Kitchener and why they stayed. C. Zeht; C. Schneider and D. Beach left the meeting b) J. Jantzi reviewed the status of the land sale to a local t~cking company. The offer was expected to be delivered in time for the Planning & Economic Development Committee meeting on June 20t]~ Jane outlined the negotiated land price details which the Committee endorsed. meeting adjourned 12:55 pm Next Meeting: Thursday August 11, 1994 11:00 mm. - 1:00 p.m. Council Lounge, ~nd Floor Kitchener City Hall Economic Development Division June 1~ 1994.