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Home My WebLink AboutDowntown Advisory - 2004-06-10June 10,2004 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES City of Kitchener The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m., chaired by Sally Gunz, with the following members present: Glen Woolner, Doug Hoch, Christina Weylie, Anita Petsche- Good, Fred Bishop, Jennifer Davis, Marty Schreiter and Mark Stranz Guest in attendance: Hans Pottkamper, Chair EDAC City staff present included Glen Richardson, Frank Pizzuto, Carla Ladd and Sandy Curzon 1. Approval of Minutes On motion by Glen Woolner It was resolved: "That the minutes of May 13, 2004, with changes provided by committee members be accepted." 2. Economic Development Investment Strategy Frank Pizzuto, GM Community Services and Carla Ladd, GM Strategic Services & Economic Development were in attendance to provide an overview of the Economic Development Investment Structure. March 29th City Council approved a $110 million investment fund. Staff were asked to prepare business plans for individual projects to implement and manage the investment fund which includes downtown projects and industrial land development. In order to provide the necessary steps to cost effectively deliver the projects, staff developed a "transitional structure" for Economic Development and Downtown Development. In May, Council approved a new organizational structure to manage the City's economic development activities, combining the functions of downtown development, projects administration and economic development under one umbrella. The goal was to ensure sufficient expertise, resources, and accountability exists to prudently manage each initiative within the fund. Mr. Pizzuto provided an overview of the organizational chart and emphasized that the new structure is still in its infancy stage. The new structure will see a greater enhancement of services already in place. Carla Ladd indicated that individual roles/functions will be identified once all Managers are in place. The downtown operational issues will be handled by Downtown & Neighbourhood Development; employment land, business enterprise centre and business retention/recruitment fall under Business Development; business cases, project management, and real estate management will be the responsibility of the Director of Project Administration & Economic Investment. Action: o As the Investment Structure is implemented and the mandate of each section is further clarified, further updates will be provided to DAC and EDAC members. Committee then entered into a discussion of the existing neighbourhood associations and the need for a Downtown Neighbourhood Association which would specifically address the needs of those living downtown. Mr. Pizzuto indicated that no one from the downtown community has come forward requesting to start a downtown association, however he recognizes the potential for one once the downtown population grows. A possible partnership with KDBA, City Staff and DAC members was suggested to review this matter. In the meantime, the new Downtown Community Centre can be a starting point interacting with people living in the downtown. DAC Minutes Page 1 of 3 June 10, 2004 Action: o Mr. Pizzuto will approach staff to investigate the possibility of having a Downtown Neighbourhood Association and review the existing associations and their boundaries. 3. Business Arising from Minutes Graffiti removal - Marty Schreiter provided clarification as to the responsibility of who removes graffiti. Public sector groups i.e. City; Hydro and Bell will remove graffiti at their cost. The KDBA has hired a contractor whose responsibility includes before & after pictures, quote on costs for downtown and private sector properties. 4. DAC Sub-groups a. Market/East End · Report deferred b= Retail Health · Anita Petsche-Good brought forward a concern that saw retail money spent in the downtown at 9% in 1989, however this dropped to 3% in 2004. These figures clearly show the shift away from downtown once malls were developed outside the downtown. The challenge today is identifying what type of retail is needed to sustain the downtown. Repopulating the downtown will spur retail back, hopefully becoming stronger in the long term. What can be done in the short term remains to be seen. C= d= Arts · ASAP has been launched with 15 stores agreeing to work with artists. Housing/Neighbourhood Associations - (see minutes of June 8th for further information) · Glen Richardson informed committee that on August 16th a business case will be put before Council for the Expansion on Downtown Financial Incentives. In order to strengthen the current Downtown Incentive Package, the business case is targeting the under-utilized upper floors of buildings in the downtown and converting them to residential or other suitable uses · Della Ross, Senior Planner will be a planning resource for housing projects in the downtown · Four Churches Project - Trinity United, Zion United, St. Peter's Lutheran and St. Andrew's Presbyterian are undertaking a feasibility study to understand the needs of the downtown community and how they (the churches) can relate to those needs with their surplus land and buildings and hiring a consultant to work with them. · Student housing needs will need to be further explored with the announcement of WLU and U of W moving into the downtown as early as September 2005 e= Safety Audit group · Night audit completed - report being completed at this time · Sally Gunz noted that there is some confusion from residents on why audit is being done Action: o Glen Richardson to clarify purpose of audit 4. Committee updates Minutes of the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, the Economic Development Advisory Committee, and the Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee were discussed briefly. DAC Minutes Page 2 of 3 June 10, 2004 Other business · Summer meeting schedule - it was decided that a meeting will be held July 8th and September 9th (no meeting in August) · Market Appreciation event, June 24th 1:30 Crystals Tea Room · Collaborative: $20,000 has been approved by City Council for Outreach Program On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m Next Meeting -Thursday, August 12, 2004 4pm-6:00pm, Schmalz Room, 2nd floor, Kitchener City Hall DAC Minutes June 10, 2004 Page 3 of 3