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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1995-05-11BIAC\1995-05-11 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES THURSDAY, MAY 11, 1995 PRESENT: Mike Itiscott (Chair), Carl Zehi; Richard Lewchulq Dan Beach, Elliott Currie, Bob C~ickshanlq Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, David Freure, John Tibbits, Martha George, Atso Saarkoppel and Tito Gughelmi ALSO PRESENT: Valerie Gibanl~ George Borovflos and Jane Jantzi RECORDER: Sandy Curzon Minutes of April 13, 1995 Minutes of April 13th were approved and adopted Development Activities V. Gibaut introduced an inlbrmation report regarding the deferral of development charge pohcy tabled all City Council on May 8, 1995. After negotiating with the company in questio~ a promissory note was decided upon as security for the deferral to achieve the required objective and satisfy the Legal Departmenb b) The issue of extension of uses in Huron Business Park was introduceck It was agreed that this matter would be discussed at the meeting of June 15tl~ c) City Clerk~ Planning and Economic Development Departments are initiating a one- stop approach to handling the process of site plan applications, pro, nits and licensing. The intent will be to have City staff, including security staff, more aware of the process and co-ordinate activities to provide faster service to the public. George Borovilos made a presentation on development charges as they relate to the City - he noted that the City has no jurisdiction on Regional Development Charges~ lV[r. Borovilos stressed his report was based on non-residential development charges only. A review of the report indicated how the City of Kitchener compared to other municipahties~ lVh'. Borovilos requested directio~ It was suggested that the fh~t step should be to look at tax comparisons at the meeting of June 15tl~ D. Freure indicated that the taxes an apartment building owner pays are twice as high as the taxes paid by the individual owners if the building was owned as condominium units BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES e) Action: George Borovilos to and add to the report. made available at recommendations. compile revenues; property tax scenario A complete package for Committee to be the next meeting for review and ~VL Hiscott congratulated Nh'. Borovilos on his presentatiom Other development activities mentioned were the Future Shop moving to Sportsworld I~qve near the Plqce Club; various downtown clients looking for space totaJling 100,000 sq. ft~ and; Kaufman Footwear purchasing the Unh'oyal Goo(hqch site on Glasgow. The Downtown Task Force has produced an Interim Report~ A copy is attached to these minutes for Committee's review. The role of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee with the Downtown was dis~usse& Moved by Carl Zehi' Seconded by Elliott Currie That the Business and Industry Committee Terms of Reference be amended to include the appointment of a downtown representative Carried Action: Economic Development Staff to recommend a downtown representative for appointment at the meeting of June 15th. Passport to Success This event is hosted by the Cities of Kitchener and Waterloo with Kitchener- Waterloo Oktobe~est Inc. Business Leaders are invited to celebrate Oktobe~est and at the same time learn about the economy of the area~ The invitations accompanied by a brochure are targetted to be mailed by June. Economic Development Division May 11, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES h) Educational Excellence This Committee is hosting a Kick-Off event at Conestoga College Tuesday, May 30th, IQ noon. A flyer k attached for members who might wish to atten& i) CTTEN Canada's Technology Triangle Export Network is holding a conference Tuesday, May 30th at the Waterloo Motor Inn which will target the Pacific Rim and Latin America market~ The Canadian Ambassador from Mexico is scheduled to attend and Randall Howard, Chairman and Co-founder of Mortice Kern Systems, Waterloo is the keynote speaker. Future Supply of Industrial Land The question of if and how the City should be involved in the land sale business is hsted as a corporate goal of the City of Kitchener. BIAC could take a leadership role and provide recommendations to Council In order to consider a recommendation however, extensive background intbrmation needs to be compiled by Economic Development Staff. Action: Mr. Borovilos was asked to resurrect the previous industrial land study, bring it up to date for the meeting of June 15. Role of Committee ~Vk Hiscott asked Committee members for theh' input on how successful Committee has been over the past slx months, if any. The following is a summary of comments provided by individual Committee membe~ good discussions, questioned whether anything has been accomphshed questioned the value of Committee Committee has not been resourced by Council as expected agenda tends to focus on problems related prima~4ly to indust~qal development need to remind Council that we should be asked for dh'ection on economic issues Economic Development Division May 11, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES need a downtown representative on Committee not only Downtown rep. but visitor and convention representative also identfl~y existence of committee as a benefit to the economic development process ensure that city staff and Council are more aware of the existence of BIAC pay more attention to existing businesses and theh' problems agenda items tend to be re-active not pro-active encourage feedback to economic development staff act as a sounding board for City staff review mandate/task of committee focus on strategic issues in more rational/logistic way, ke. Downtown Task Force review reasons for businesses vacating space; identfl~y problems; work on strategy to resolve problems become more involved with commercial development - pursue new ideas Il~ Committee is to be a valuable tool to Council, it needs to be part of the process Council needs to know that BIAC wants to provide input prior to items being tabled at Council Discussion then took place on how to get committee more involved with existing businesses o Action: WEDC M. Hiscott will appear as a delegation to City Council June 5, 1995 to report on the activities of Business and Industry Advisory Committee Joint meeting issue- to decide upon an agenda preferably with only one or two items Future Agenda Items 1. Appointment of Downtown representative to Committee Indust~qal Land Study - Report 3. Non-Residential Development Charge Comparison - Update Meeting adjourned 1:90 pm Economic Development Division May 1L 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Next Meeting: Thursday, June 15, 1995 11:00 mm. - 1:00 p.m. Council Lounge, ~nd Floor Kitchener City Hall Economic Development Division May 1L 1995.