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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1995-10-19BIAC\1995-10-19 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMM/TTEE M/NIXFES THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 1995 PRESENT: Mike Hiscott (Chah'), Carl Zehi; Councillor Tom Galloway, John Bingeman, Dan Beach, Martha George, Wayne Hussey, Bob Cruickshank~ David l~'eure, and Richard Lewchuk ALSO PRESENT: Valerie Gibau~ Jane Jantzi and George Borovflos RECORDER: Sandy Curzon 1. Minutes of September 14, 1995 Minutes of September 14th were approved and adopted. 2. Passport to Success The additional sponsors this year enabled the team to purchase extra gift items for distribution to VIP guests Nh'. Hussey congratulated staff of Kitchener's Economic Development Division for theh' dedication and efforts - particularly with respect to the VIP list. All of the guests resulted from the Kitchener invitation list and the fact that personal contact was made to each one. The K-W Oktoberfest organizing committee has expressed disappointment with the City of Waterloo on theh' lack of effort. A meeting with Waterloo officials will take place to discuss theh' future commitment to this event. V. Gibaut inlbrmed the Committee that as a result of the even~ at least four business people expressed a dh'ect interest in investing in Kitchener. The customized tours which were organized to addi'ess specific interests were extremely beneficial and provided an opportunity to make dh'ect contact with local businesse~ Several of those who attended had been dealing with Economic Development staff for a number of years, in one instance the company from Michigan met staff at the SAE show in Deh'oit last February. W. Hussey reviewed the potential for a change in venue ff the event is to be expanded in 1996. Discussion then centred around the invitation lis~ breald'as~ and funding from sponsor~ Committees comments will be addi'essed at a wrap-up meeting of the K-W Oktoberfest organi zing committee. W. Hussey announced his resignation as Managing Dh'ector of K-W Oktoberfest Inc. however he has ah'eady volunteered for the Passl~s't to S~ccess event in 1996. 3. Global Opportunities & Newsletter Committee received a copy of these two publications that are produced by the Economic Development staff and were asked for feedbacl~ A 'City' column is in the works for future BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Newsletter pubhcations - BIAC was asked to make a submission for the Winter issue. Other than providing dates for the 'New News' section, Committee did not offer any other changes to the Newsletter. For the Global Opportunities newsletter, it was sup~qested that the masthead provide a clearer indication of the City of Kitchener's involvement with the productio~ The Committee commented that they felt the brochures were extremely well done and do not feel any changes were necessary to the format. As a result of this pubhcation, responses have increased substantially. J. Jantzi, who is responsible for this publication is currently looking at getting local manufacturers to be included in the hsting. Planning & Economic Development Committee (PED) V. Gibaut provided an overview of her verbal presentation to the Planning & Economic Development Committee meeting of October 16t]~ The presentation covered the activities of the Division and current building statistics were givem V. Gibaut advised that she felt the report was timely due to the fact that the incoming PI'esident of the K-W Chamber of Commerce had made remarks dmqng his inaugural speech with respect to the need for increased activities in business retention/attraction (copy of presentation attached). Valerie also noted that she has been asked to addi'ess the CEO breald'ast session on November 1st to discuss the Division's activities Economic Development Activities J. Jantzi advised Committee that the German manufacturer she has been dealing with for the past few months, has purchased the property on McBrine Diqve, deal k to close October 20tl~ She indicated that the owners have also expressed interest in 4.5 acres of adjacent land to the McBrine Diqve site for future expansio~ Initially this company will provide 10-11 jobs up to a maximum of 150 which k part of theh' future expansio~ This company manufacturers cable for the automated robotic industry. Committee congratulated J. Jantzi for her involvement in making this transaction a success. b) Call Centre PI'oposal - V. Gibaut inlbrmed Committee that theh' dh'ection to formulate a proposal with Peter Berczi has not been accomphshed to date. ~Vh'. Economic Development Division October 19, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES c) e) Berczi gave the downtown office owners along with John Whitney and City officials a presentation which was widely accepted, however finding ways to recoup the $90,000. cost required for the pilot project have not been finalized. Names of possible members representing the Downtown were discussed. Moved by Tom Galloway Seconded by David Freure That L iz Bauman, Manager of Eatons will be invited to join the Business and Industry Advisory Committee as a representative of the Downtow~ Carried Committee were provided with forms necessary should they wish to re-apply for membership of the Advisory Committee. They were asked to return the forms prior to the November 3rd deadline. Those members who do not wish to renew their membership were asked to advise the Economic Development staff by October 30tl~ G. Borovilos updated Committee on the progress made by the Downtown Development Tea~ He noted that tn 1961 downtown Kitchener had 50% of the retail market share, today it is 107~ Cont~qbuting to this decrease were Regional and neighbourhood malls and more recently, big box retailers which include warehouse clubs, category killers (Toys R Us) manufacturers outlet malls and off-price retailers (Winners). These shopping alternatives, together with the perceived problems of parking, cleanliness and safety of downtown all cont~qbuted to the exodus of retail activity downtow~ George elaborated on the activities of the Development Team du~qng the past month which include: vacant office and retail space inventory successes which include 18 new businesses, predominantly retail with some restaurants closures - Barrels and Eby Street l,ingerie research surveys Nh'. Borovilos was thanked for his presentation and asked that he attend a future Economic Development Division October 19, 1995. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES meeting to keep Committee inlbrmed of the Downtown Development Team's progres~ Committee was encouraged to attend the upcoming Junior Achievement Awards Dinner - Thursday, November 2nd. Future of Industrial Lan& Considerable discussion took place with respect to the pros and cons of the City remaining in the land development busines~ Several issues were mentioned-Lc, the desh'ability of land being available for local business expansion; the cost of developing land; the amount of privately-owned land zoned for indust~qal use~ It was noted that the cost of developing outside existing urban boundaries can be excessive. Suggestion was made that we consider the potential of reusing existing vacant or unde~q~tilized sites within the City (Lc. Unh'oyal Goodiqch, Epton). It was acknowledged that there may be constraints to such reuse such as environmental issues, servicing, transportation routes etc. It was suggested that the item be deferred to the November 9th meeting for further input and recommendatio~ Meeting adjourned 1:05 pm Next Meeting: Thursday, November 9, 1995 11:00 mm. - 1:00 p.m. Council Lounge, ~nd Floor Kitchener City Hall Economic Development Division October 19, 1995.