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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1995-02-09BIAC\1995-02-09 PRESENT: BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1995 ALSO PRESENT: REGRETS: Mike Hiscott (Chah'), Carl Zehi; L inda Kieswetter, Richard Lewchuk, Dan Beach, Tito Gughelmi, Martha lqYeure, and Bob C~qHckshank, Wayne Hussey Valerie Gibauk George Borovilos, and Jane Jantzi John Tibbits RECORDER: Sandy Curzon Atso Saarkoppel, George, David 1. Site Selection Factors Committee was in receipt of a report from ,Site SelecSoa magazine, December 1994 issue. The report ranked highway access, labour costs, energy costs, availability of skilled labour and state and local incentives among the top priorities of businesses in the United States when planning expansion or relocatio~ It was noted that education ranked lower than expected, however it' the survey had been conducted in the Waterloo Region, taking into consideration the fact that our economic conditions are dilTerent than those in the U.S., it was felt that the results would be dilTeren~ particularly as they relate to education and quality of lilb. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES 2. BIAC/WEDC Joint Meeting Agenda items were discussed for a future meeting with the Waterloo Economic Development Committee. Committee was asked to forward any other suggestions other than those hsted below. Coordination of CTT efforts Waterloo Guelph Regional Ah?ort - future st~q~cture Oktobe~est - Passport to Success initiative Martha George and Richard Lewchuck entered meeting 3. King Value Centre It was indicated that The King Value Centre in Downtown Kitchener is currently under power of sale for an asking price of $4 milliom The 963,000 sq. ft. building was built by Marathon Realty in 1978 for $30 milliom Since the building has still not been sold at that hsted price, it was suggested that it could be sold for a lesser amount~ In 1987 a proposal was submitted to City Council to build the new City Hall on this site, and in 1988 a proposal to house the Waterloo Regional Headquarters was presenteck Neither of these proposals were successful A verbal proposal was made by a Committee member which became an item of di~ussio~ Currently the City, Region and School Boards provide grants to social and other agencies to rent space. The City could purchase the King Value Centre, provide low rental space and collect taxes from these agencte~ Sufficient parking, transit services, shopping and financial institutions are readily available. Economic Development Division Feb~uary 9, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES It was noted that a private developer would expect a profit~ however the City's perspective could be dilTerent~ The Region, School Boards as well as other educational agencies may also be interested~ Moved by Atso Saarkoppel Seconded by Bob C~ickshank That finance staff be inst~q~cted to investigate the purchase of the King Value Centre which k currently under Power of Sale and to undertake a business proposal to establish a one-stop service centre. Carried Abstained from voting Dan Beach and Wayne Hussey 4. Economic Development Activities Staff discussed the following activities Kitchener manufacturer company currently servicing Toyota requires seven to ten acres of land for expansion in Huron Business ParlL b) Kitchener manufacturer closing a purchase at 955 McBrine in Huron Business Park c) Coca Cola site on Weber has recently been sol~L They are looking for a site which would accommodate an 18,000 - 90,000 sq. ft~ building. 975 Shoemaker and 668 T~4lJJttm are two buildings that have been forwarded to the client's agent for Economic Development Division Feb~uary 9, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES consideratio~ J. Jantzi updated Committee regarding theh' recommendation for an exemption clause in the sidewalk pohcy to exclude non-residential development particularly in the industrial park~ The Sidewalk Policy Committee felt that there k a need for sidewalks in the industrial parks, and therefore did not accept the recommendatio~ Theh' report to PI'oject Review Committee will not contain the exemption clause. It will be presented to Management Committee for final approval prior to Council J. Jantzi was asked to monitor the process and when this item k presented to Council, a Committee member should attend to support the Committee recommendatio~ e) Business Heritage is in the planning process set for November ~2 - 24, 1995. Mike Itiscott and Wayne Hussey offered to assist Economic Development staff with this event. Low-end retailer looking for 20,000 sq. ft. Staff have found a suitable site on Victoria Street North, however it does not fit the current zoning. After discussion of other possible sites it was determined that the Victoria Street North location was best suited for this company. Moved by Dan Beach Seconded by Wayne Hussey That the Business and Industry Advisory Committee support an apphcation to Committee of Adjustment for Value Village to allow this specific use be pe~nitted at 1373 Victoria Street Nort]~ Economic Development Division Feb~uary 9, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Carried 5. John Whitney - Market status This item was deferred to the meeting of March 9, 1995. 6. Marketing Plan 1995 George Borovilos presented the Economic Development Marketing Plan for 1995. It was indicated that $88,500 has been allotted for marketing of which $10,000 is given to the Kitchener Downtown Business Association to support their marketing initiative~ He explained that historically the City's marketing thirst has been geared to business retention and encouraging local growt]~ There are insufficient funds for high end marketing similar to the GTA municipalities who have $200 thousand plus marketing budget~ ~Vh'. Borovilos reviewed the four components of the Marketing Plan indicating the changes from 1994. Valerie Gibaut entered the meeting Several committee members inquired as to how our marketing budget compares to CTT member municipalitie~ It was explained that in comparison to Cambridge and Guelph, Kitchener is low when compared on a per capita basis as well as a total marketing budget~ Waterloo operates on $25-$30 thousand marketing budget but can request more funds on a project basis as required~ V. Gibaut indicated that the City is an intangible product to market~ The aim is to increase growth, jobs and assessment It would be dilTicult to measure these goals as the changes in Economic Development Division February 9, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES the economy vary from year to year. There is a need to be flexible enough to change to respond to the needs at any given time. Committee asked staff whether there was a 'yardstick' to measure economic growt]~ Staff were asked to prepare a measurement criteria for a future meeting. 7. Other Business Martha George asked that the role of Committee as a whole and the role of its members be reviewed at a future meeting. b) Wayne Hussey congratulated staff for an excellent job in producing the Winter 1995 Newsletter. c) At the Annual Economic Developers Council of Ontario Marketing Awards, Kitchener's 1994 Business Dh'ectory won fhst prize along with the City of Mississauga~ The Canada's Technology Triangle lure brochure won fhst prize also in its category, this prize k shared with the cities of Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge. Meeting adjourned 1:10 pm Next Meeting: Thursday, March 9, 1995 11:00 mm. - 1:00 p.m. Council Lounge, ~nd Floor Kitchener City Hall Economic Development Division Feb~uary 9, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Economic Development Division Feb~uary 9, 1995.