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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1997-06-11BIAC\1997-06-11 BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, 1997 PRESENT: Carl Zehi' (Chair), L inda Kieswetter, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Peter Cook, Mike Hiscotfi Jeff Morris, Denise Sh'ong, John Tibbits, John Bingeman, Atso Saarkoppel, Mayor Richard Chiqsty, Valerie Gibaut and Jane Jantzi RECORDER: Sandy Curzon 1. Waterloo Regional Airport This item was deferred to the meeting of July 9, 1997. Jeff Willmer will be present to give an update on talks currently underway regarding the Grand River South Community Development Plan and the effects it has on the future growth of the airport~ ~. a) Minutes of May 14, 1997 Minutes of May 14, 1997 were approved and adopted b) Business Arising from Minutes Walter McLean sent a letter thanking Committee for their efforts with respect to the Namibian Trade mission that visited Kitchener in Ap~4k Bob Plqtchard, City Clerk, Councillor Chiqstina Weylie and Ih'. Alex Murray, Will)qd Lauder Univmsity have left for Cebu, Philippines Nh'. Plqtchard will be assisting in protocol between Kitchener and Cebu with economic partumships; Councillor Weylie k representing Kitchener and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and; Alex Murray will use the inlbrmation provided to him and do business contacts on behalf of the City of Kitchener. This program k sponsored by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). On behalf of BIAC, Carl Zehi' sent a letter to Mayor Chiqsty indicating Committees concern that members of Committee be included in the selection of Team Kitchener. In response, aside from her background in the education field, l,inda Kieswetter was chosen to represent BIAC. Ms. Kieswetter gave Committee an overview of the other members of Team Kitchener which include Douglas Brock; James Haller; lqYederick Hartstock; Michael Johnson; and Joan Sanger. It was noted that all members of this diverse group came with the expertise/background required to meet the BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES mandate set out in the (h'aft terms of reference one of which is to "b~qng enlightened, external vision to the process of shaping Kitchener's competitive strategy for the future." M~ Kieswetter noted that one of the objectives of Team Kitchener will be to focus on the existing partnerships within CT~ and sorting out of the various role~ Team Kitchener acknowledges the extensive research required and will be making every effort to meet with the various groups, one being BIAC, in the time frame provide& In response from the invitation from Team Kitchener to provide input to their deliberations, an invitation is being extended to Team Kitchener to attend the next meeting of BIAC for July 9t]~ It is the intention that Team Kitchener will provide an Interim Report in August with their final report to City Council in September. Councillor Vrbanovic entered the meeting Du~4ug discussion of the makeup of Team Kitchener, John Tibbits expressed his disappointment that a member of Conestoga College in the area of Skills Training was omitted from the membership of Team Kitchener. I~'. Tibbits felt that this error should be dealt with and asked Committees dh'ectiom After further discussion it became apparent that cla~qfication was required and Mayor Chtqsty was invited to join the meeting to ad(h'ess Committees concerns. Mayor Chtqsty entered the meeting Upon arrival Mayor Chtqsty was asked to cla~4fy the makeup of Team Kitchener and ad(h'ess the ove~ight of a skills training representa-tive. Mayor Chtqsty indicated that Team Kitchener was designed specifically to move beyond/above what's happening internationally and felt that the initiatives provided to him from his taqp with Team Canada~ could not be handled alone by any one organization ie CT~, BIAC or Economic Development Mayor Chtqsty confh~ned that the representatives on Team Kitchener are all unknown to the community and were appointed for a fresh look Mayor Chtqsty had made several calls which included local indust~qes when choosing Team Kitchener members~ lq¥om the responses, he indicated that given the time frame set ou~ possible industry representatives could not provide the time commitment required. Economic Development Division June 11, 1997. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Mayor Chtqsty left the Mayor Chtqsty confh~ned Ms Kieswetters representation on BIAC along with her professional experience in the education field, as primary factors for her involvement. As to the oversight of a representative from Conestoga College with respect to skills t~'aJning, John Tibbits reiterated that the message to Conestoga College and its Board of Governors by not including them on Team Kitchener was that the college k not as important as the local universitie~ Mayor Chtqsty assured Committee that there was no effort to reserve seats on Team Kitchener and that no slight against Conestoga College was intended. Mayor Chtqsty assured Committee that there was an important role for them by providing input to Team Kitchener. Unlike the Downtown Development Team, who were able to put energy into initiatives that were ah'eady underway, Team Kitchener will require all the help they can get from other sources like BIAC and Conestoga College. It k not the intention of City Council to rest~qct Team Kitchener in their search of resourceful support. meeting Councillor Vrbanovic reminded committee that they have a role, now more than ever and suggested they put a report/brief focusing on positive issuesNiew points for Team Kitchener's consideratio~ Economic Development Division June 11, 1997. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES Discussion continued, the following recommendation was made: Moved by Denise Strong Seconded by John Bingeman In recognition of the fact that the are of Skills Training does not have a specific representative included in team membership of Team Kitchener, the Business and Industry Advisory Committee recommends to City Council that this area be represented on Team Kitchener by an individual from Conestoga College. Carried 3. Skills Shortage Survey A survey was mailed to all manufactu~qng indust~qes in conjunction with Conestoga College and CIT. The survey k an attempt to identify an accurate indication of the level of skill shortages which exist in the CIT area Over the past few months there has been a great deal of publicity, both locally and internationally with respect to the shortage of skilled labour and the inability of local companies to find the worldbrce they require to fill vacant positions The survey k hoping to identify and define the current and future skill shortages so that effective and relevant programs can be developed. Di'. Tibbits acknowledged that one of the prime concerns of having a shortage of skilled labourers k the attitude given to the students from the schools It has become apparent that skills are being devalued. It k the intent of the college to compile the survey results which will hopefully assist them in defining the current and future skill shortages so that effective and relevant programs can be developed with post secondary institutions to addi'ess the problems~ At a future date, once the survey k complete, Di'. Tibbits will present the findings to Committee along with a proposal to be considered at a future meeting. It was noted that Conestoga College recently hosted Ontario Skills Canada which could become an annual event for the college. 4. Other Business At their meeting of June 3, 1997, City Council has accepted an Option Agreement and Policy. The following k a list of criteria: o land optioned must be adjacent to land owned by the optionee or City land subject to agreement of purchase and sale with optionee; Economic Development Division June 11, 1997. BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES b) c) slx (6) month te~n; deposit of 5% of the purchase price of land optioned; non-refundable deposit~ to be credited to purchase price il' option exercised; option not transferrable or assignable; option to purchase document must contain agreement of purchase and sale; option exercised by notice to City at any time du~4ug the option period; option renewable: i) for one further slx (6) month ii) by notice from optionee to City at least 30 days prior to the expiry of option; and iii) for a further 5% of the purchase price, which price may be adjusted by City in its sole diseretiom V. Gibaut along with members of the Downtown Development Team and Bell Canada met to discuss the possibility of call centres Bell proposes that the city become site selection consultants 13th Annual Waterloo Region Business Achievement Awards will be held November 6, 1997. Committee were asked to identify local businesses in the various categories and submit them prior to the July 31st deadline. Meeting adjourned at l:lSpm Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 9, 1997 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Walper Terrace, Baroque Room 1 King Street West, Kitchener Economic Development Division June 11, 1997.