HomeMy WebLinkAboutBusiness & Ind - 1998-02-19BIAC\1998-02-19
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1998
PRESENT:
John Bingeman, Chah'; 15nda IGeswetter, Councillors Berry Vrbanovic and
Jean Haalboom, Helena Webb, Mike Hisco~ Denise Strong, Carol Wiebe,
Dan Beach, Scott Bah'd, Tony Duscio, Pauline Houston, Valerie Gibaut and
Jane Jantzi
RECORDER: Sandy Curzon
1. Provincial Downloading
Pauline Houston, City Treasurer gave Committee an overhead presentation on the effect by
PI'ovincial downloading to municipalities and in particular the City of Kitchener. Despite
the PI'ovinces claim that it will be 'revenue neuh'al' the reality k that for IGtchener the
impact k $5.3 million dollars~
Jean Haalboom entered the meeting
M~ Houston pointed out that during the term 1999-1998, the City of Kitchener has found
efficiencies through staff reshq~ctu~qng, 070 wage increases, closing of the Fleet facility, energy
efficiencies, reduction of department budgets and increase of user fees which has provided
$11.5 million or 16.8970 on the tax bill Du~qng this time period it is interesting to note that
PI'ovincial grants have decreased by appro×imately
Tony Duscio entered the meeting
In order to comply with the PI'ovincial formula, the City of Kitchener would have to reduce
its expenditures in 1998 by 3.970 which would result in an increase in taxes by 8.470 a
reduction of services by $5.3 million dollars or a combination of bot]~ Discussion centered
around reduction of service~ Members of Committee felt that services should be reviewed to
find a balance of what the community wants and what the city can eliminate. ~V[s~ Houston
agave an example of what the $5.3 million would mean - close 10070 of all libraries, 4770 of
Parks and 3770 of Fh'e.
At this time, the City does not have aH the required intbrmation from the l:q'ovince, and are
still waiting for final assessment number~ The impact on commercialJndust~qal - average
across the Region is 4-670 which takes into consideration elimination of business occupancy
Committee asked to review services currently being offered by the City in order to determine
which ones they believe are essential - Committee felt that by reviewing these services they
could collectively come up with services that should be reviewed for potential elimination~ It
was suggested that John Gazzola be invited to attend the next committee meeting of March
lltl~
Pauline Houston left the meeting
CTT Update
M~ IAberty Vehcaria, Research Analyst for CTT has been awarded the internship by
the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada to expand the business and
economic development aspect of the municipal partnership program that was initiated
in June 1997 between Cebu City, Philippines and Kitchener, Ontario. She k
currently focusing on assisting all companies in the CTT area who are interested in
establishing new business relations in Southeast Asia and more specifically in the
automotive sector.
In May of 1998 she will ta'avel to Cebu - it was noted that the funding is derived from
CTT, the City of Kitchener and the Federal Government under the department of
Foreign Affah$ and International Trade Canada program~ 5/[~ Velicaria asked
Committee for assistance in meeting the business community.
b)
V. Gibaut advised committee that CTT is currently reviewing their budget for 1998 of
which they are asking each CTT municipality for $30,000 and the Region for
$95,000. The position of I)irector of Development is currently under review to make
it a full time position, V. Gibaut and J. Jantzi will meet with John Gazzola, CAO to
provide them with their views on the role of the CTT office should it become a full
time positiom
3. MINI~ES OF JANUARY 14, 1998
a) Minutes of January 14, 1998 were approved and adopted.
b) Business arising from minutes~
o none
BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES
February 19, 1998
4. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES
at the Economic Developers Council of Ontario Annual Awards, the City of
Kitchener won second place in the colour ad and annual report category. Staff
congratulated Media Focus who designed these two pieces of literature.
b)
CiW applied for a $1.8 million grant to the
Telecommunications Access PI'ogram which was rejected.
resubmit based on less than a $1 million grant.
Province thi'ough the
They have been asked to
c) 1. gE acres, Site 15E in Phase lI[ in Huron Business Park has been sold
d) Huron Woods land swap proposal is on hold at this time.
e)
Site 57 (E.57 acres) in Huron Business Park is currently zoned at B-3 which is
Business/CommerciaL Traditionally this type of site would suggest an asking price
of $1E5,000 per acre. Staff asked Committee to review the current asking price
Motion by Mike Hiscott
Seconded by Tony Duscio
That staff negotiate the sale of Site 57 in Huron Business Park, Phase I consisting of
E.57 acres based on an asking price of $1E5,00 per acre.
Carried
It was suggested that is there are current concerns in the Business Park relating to
storm water managemen~ perhaps a member of the enginee~qng division should
attend a future meeting, along with a representative from the private sector.
f) J. Jantzi requested articles by February ETth for the Newsletter Sp~qng editiom
Meeting adjourned at l:00pm
Next Meeting:
Wednesday, March 11, 1998
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Council Caucus Room, End Floor
City of Kitchener, City Hall
BUSINESS
AND INDUSTRY ADVISORY COMMITTEE - MINUTES
3
February 19, 1998