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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1995-03-09DAC\1995-03-09 KITCI:IENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE MARCH 9, 1995 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Mayor Richard Chiqsty, Councillor Chiqstina Weylie, Councillor Karen Redman, Councillor Jake Smola~ Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Nell Carver, Karen Simonean, Michelle MoHssetti, Ken Clark, Rita Westbrook, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Dave Gowland, David Ryan, Brian Hunsberger, l,illian Kehl, Nancy Brawley. Others Present: T. Brock Stanley, Grant NLxon, Vanessa Jacobs, Stephen Lauer, Valerie Gibaut~ Sybil l~'enette. 1. OPENING REMARKS Councillor Mark Yantzi called the meeting to order and introduced the two new members at the Downtown Action Committee meeting being Dave Gowland who is filling in for Bt'git Heilig and David Ryan representing Central l~'edericl~ APPROVAL OF AGENDA - FEBRUARY ~8, 1995 Moved by Nell Carver Seconded by Councillor Earen Redman That the Agenda be approved. Carried 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - FEBRUARY 3, 1995 The following changes are to be made to the Minutes of the February 3, 1995 meeting: Page 96, 1st Paragraph, Last Sentence to be changed from "Country Hoe Down Auction" to "Country Hoe Down Theme Auction". Page 96, 4th Paragraph, 1st Sentence to be changed from "Community Teaching Plan" to "Community Strategic Plan". -38- Page 97, 1st Paragraph, 6th Sentence to be changed from "meeting on the 97th" to "meeting on the 7th". Page 97, 9nd Paragraph, 7th Sentence to be changed from "available at 99 King Street" to "available at 90 King Sta'eet". Page 97, 9nd Paragraph, 8th Sentence to be changed from "as well as through Banks and Trust Companies" to read "as well as looking into the option of Banks and Trust Companies". Moved by Councillor Karen Redman Seconded by Councillor Berry Vrbanovic That the above noted changes be made to the February 3, 1995 minutes and be adopte& Carried 4. MAYOR'S TASK FORCE - TERMS OF REFERENCE Sybil l~'enette reported on the work to date noting that they have received b~qefs and presentations, they met with 3 Sub-Committees and with Working Group~ She reported that they have completed Street Surveys and Office Surveys, by recruiting 95 volunteers to do a Random Sample Survey of 400 Households in the Kitchener-Waterloo area to find out peoples attitudes of the Downtow~ The results of the Survey will be tabulated on March 90tl~ The survey was started Monday and have only 75 more surveys to come i~ Sybil lqYenette indicated that they are well on the way noting that there will be an Interim Report to Council on Ap~ql 10th and the Final Report will go to Council June 19th and these reports will be referred to the Downtown Action Committee for review. Councillor Mark Yantzi expressed thanks for all her help. Karen Taylor-Harrison also expressed thanks to Sybil for her time and effort spent now and in the future. Mayor Richard Chtqsty explained that there is interest among the retailers and building owners and that he had spoken internally to the Task Force and b~%fed them on certain issues that created public interest. He also noted that the Task Force met with the media and the media are impressed and interested, indicating that there k a need to take actio~ 5. REVIEW OF TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR THE COMMITTEE -39- Brock Stanley int~'oduced this item by explaining that the Ih'aft Terms of Reference were ch'awn from the St~'ategic Plan for reflection of scope and purpose to ch'aw together the two. Brock Stanley then read through the Terms of Reference explaining the following: The second paragraph of Section 1.~ was made up from the list of working committees That the 4 points listed in 1.0 Responsibilities were put together from looking through the old Terms of Reference and City Manuals and also noting that Section 3.1 was taken from the list of people on the Committee approved by Council and that he added 1 representative from Arts and Culture and 1 representative from Multi Cultural It was mentioned that maybe they should add someone from the Chamber of Commerce. Nancy Brawley mentioned that we should add "and Representatives" to "5 Reps - Chairman and 4 Members of Kitchener Downtown Business Association" Mayor Richard Chtqsty inquired about the History of the Membership as the Committee is larger than 10 members and he felt this was a little unusual and wondered what happened to the original compositiom Brock Stanley explained that the Committee gradually grew over time and that the main growth of the Committee happened when they included representatives from the Neighbourhood Associations in 1989. Brock also explained that other members had been invited as resource people and became valuable. Mayor Richard Chtqsty questioned as to whether or not aH the members wanted to continue. MicheHe Morissetti rephed by saying that she thought the current format was working. Mayor Richard Chtqsty then inquired as to what the main format for discussion was and MicheHe Morissetti explained that the Committee was to listen to briefs and come up with ideas that include points h'om everyone. Mayor Richard Christy then asked if there would be any changes made to the Committee because of the involvement of the Task Force. Michelle Morissetti rephed by saying "yes". Reverend Neil Carver emphasized that he though the involvement of the Task Force was a good idex Ken Clark stated that he felt the Downtown Action Committee was finally becoming an action group and then the Task Force came i~ Mayor Richard Chtqsty explained that the Task Force was formed to co-ordinate, synthesize and create a h'amework for action for the public and private committees, and mentioned that the Downtown Action Committee should look at how it will operate in the future expressing concerns for -40- how a Committee can operate with no budget and so many Committee member~ Nancy Brawley explained that she felt the CSP is a vehicle to become an action group from a consultative group. She also explained that this has been a huge t~'ansition but will be good because of the media and public knowledge. Sybil l~'enette indicated that staff groupings are being put together to work for the Committee and give comments for a st~'onger set of purpose. MicheHe Mo~qssetti added that she felt their role was to shake up City Departments to act when not acting and that provides some action rather than none. Councillor Mark Yantzi posed the question that maybe we should look at how we are functioning and maybe look at changing our st~q~cture. Valerie Gibaut inquired as to why there were not representatives from Businesse~ Nancy Brawley answered by stating that KDBA represents the Businesse~ Councillor Mark Yantzi pointed out that there was a representative from the Chamber however not any more. Councillor Karen Redman inquired as to who would formulate the actual recommendation to Standing Committee and Council and noted that she was happy to see 1.1 in Terms of Reference for a timely flow of intbrmation to Council Brock Stanley mentioned that we may have to formulate the recommendation with the understanding that it is going to Council and stated that maybe the Committee had fallen short in this area in the past. Mayor Richard Chtqsty answered by saying that we may have to break into a St~'ategic Group of Committees to do thi~ He also noted that there was an urgency for action as there k only a small window of opportunity and that people will go where they see a commitment. Mayor Richard Chtqsty inlbrmed the Committee that he regretted that he had to leave at this time because of a previous commitment. Nancy Brawley also expressed her concern that people are wanting a reaction, and that they want to invest in an environment with a sense of confidence. She also felt that there was a sense of urgency due to the small window of opportunity, there are lots of options available and the people will go where the support i~ She noted we should t~'ack these areas and take actiom David Gowland inlbrmed the Committee that having attended Neighbourhood Association and the DAC Committee he felt that this Committee was going somewhere and that it was satisfying. He also noted that Neighbourhood Associations were not listed in the Terms of Reference and that maybe -41- they should be included. Councillor Jake Smola expressed that it might be in the Committees best interest to sit down with Council and share ideas and purpose because it would be advantageous to Council for understanding, as they will be hea~qng from the Task Force as well It was noted that most of Council sits on this Committee. Councillor Mark Yantzi suggested that a smaller group get together to organize ourselves and produce this to Council Councillor Berry Vrbanovic stated that he expects that the Task Force may make some recommendations to this Committee. Sybil lqYenette replied that that was probably not the case. Brian Hunsberger indicated that maybe we were going through a natural transitional process and that maybe our focus will change and move to implementation and that maybe it was a little premature to discuss our Terms of Reference. Karen Taylor-Harrison requested cla~4fication of the Task Force's duties, she explained that she understood the Task Force was put together to co-ordinate all 7 Committees and expressed concern for these Committees because of how hard this is to do and explained that things were beginning to come together. She stated that there is real confusion and f~q~stration from the community in not understanding how it will flow. Sybil l~'enette stated that a critical point needs to be made in the Terms of Reference to include that neighbourhoods are important and that there is an interconnection with the Committee. The purpose and key role of the Task Force interrelates these diverse matter~ Karen Taylor-Harrison expressed that this should have been the key role of this Committee. Councillor Mark Yantzi stated that it may be of value to us in having a group of people with a fresh look Nancy Brawley expressed concern that when something comes down to the Mayors Task Force and not staff and no one is willing to take care of it who will do thi~ Councillor Mark Yantzi explained that this Committee would then decide whether or not to take care of it, Nancy then inquired as to how we would handle thi~ Councillor Mark Yantzi rephed by saying making a rule to decide what is doable. lMlian Kehl emphasized that we have to have a positive attitude to get things done and mentioned that Victoria School is going well Councillor Karen Redman explained that we are experiencing a flux and that the Task Force will involve this Committee, we just have to wait and see what happen~ She felt that the DAC will evolve and will operate differently as it deals with the Task Force report~ Councillor Mark Yantzi noted that we have to look at our st~cture and maybe make changes Michelle Morissetti noted that we need to realize there are limited resources Councillor Jake Smola inquired as to the role and function of the Task Force and inquired about an up coming meeting with the Task Force and Council Sybil l~'enette explained that the meeting was on the 90th of Marcl~ Councillor Jake Smola then inquired as to why the Task Force is seeing Council before the meetings on Ap~ql 10th and 19tl~ Councillor Mark Yantzi explained that maybe Councillor Jake Smola should speak to Sybil separately as it does not concern this Committee. Councillor Jake Smola expressed his concern that he does not think they should meet before having any ideas, scope of work including recommendation~ Councillor Karen Redman stated that the Downtown Action Committee had a lilb before the Task Force existed and that we will far exceed them, we do not rise and fall on the Task Force. Brock Stanley then indicated that maybe it was premature for these Terms of Reference and maybe we should let them sit for a while and reflect on some of these comment~ He also noted that maybe we should look at an Executive to give direction to staff and other people to get things done. Nancy Brawley then inquired as to what our resources are at this time noting that right now it has fallen on the KDBA as that is where the financial power is, will this change and maybe have Kitchener to add to these resources financially. Brock Stanley explained that Sybil lqYenette had been given the responsibility to be co-ordinator of the Downtown and has resources for this and that we may form an in house staff Committee Group to make use of and direct these resource~ Nancy Brawley noted that in 3.9 it stated that chairperson is appointed annually, she noted that we currently do not do this and inquired as to whether or not we woul& Karen Taylor-Harrison also noted that the Vice-Chair was not necessa~qly a Council member. Brock Stanley mentioned that it was up to the Committee as to whether or not the Vice Chairperson was on Council or not. Councillor Jake Smola indicated that the Co-Chair of the Environmental Committee has to be on Council and that maybe we should look at thi~ Councillor Mark Yantzi noted that this item would come back to the next meeting. Councillor Jake Smola noted that "chairperson" should be used rather than "chairman". Brock Stanley noted that this was purely co-incidental and noted that this should be looked at. 6. KDBA REPORT -43- Nancy Brawley updated us on the events being planed for the summer. Artsfes~ June 9, 3 & 4th, Nancy noted that the Youth Educational aspect has been added and that the ball is rolling and everything is coming together. She also noted that there will be more than 1 location (the following locations have been chosen: Rotunda~ Library, King & Queen, Market Square & Market Village). Also in June there is the Resurrection of the Clock Tower. She noted that the Ground Breaking Ceremony is to be held next l~qday at 10:00 and that they have a co-op student working on a fund raiser. Countdown to Canada Day, Nancy explained that the KDBA will host but would like this Committees help, she explained that stalf and financial support was required and that this was mentioned verbally to Parks & Rec. Sybil l~'enette advised that John Enghsh has funds available for flags and decorating and if we want to link with his office he would be willing. Councillor Berry Vrbanovic expressed that this Committee, Community Services Committee and John English's office supports this event and the KDBA, Councillor Karen Redman inquired as to whether or not the KDBA was able to prepare a proposal Nancy Brawley rephed that yes they could prepare one right away. Moved by Councillor Berry Vrbanovic Seconded by Councillor Karen Redman That DAC support a joint City and KDBA effort to sponsor Countdown to Canada Day with stall' resources & funding together with funding from John English's office and that a Stall' Report be prepared for consideration at the most appropriate Standing Committee meeting. CARRIED Nancy Brawley then continued with the next item, sidewalk cleaning, noting that 3 times a year we will be power washing the sidewalks and on an as needed basia Also noting that there will be an on call 94 hour cleaning stall' available. She also noted that there is a co-op student doing a sp~qng clean up program with businesses in the Downtown, encouraging them to wash windows, cleaning entrances etc. and to do vacant buildings and encourage businesses to continue this on an ongoing basis, l,illian Kehl mentioned that the wall on Eatons N very blank and that this would be a nice area to have hanging baskets~ Nancy explained that they have been asking for this but were inlbrmed that it was not possible as this is a pedest~qan walkway and the planters must be sprayed with chemicals that would chqp down on pedesttqans walking under them. Ken Clark mentioned that he noticed that Sandwich Boards were impeding pedest~qan tralfic. Councillor Mark Yantzi noted that they are allowed but must be kept next to the building. Nancy -44- also noted that the KDBA were working on this matter. Nancy Brawley continued with her report stating that the last event scheduled so fax' would be Cruse Night scheduled for July 14th, the theme would be a Country Hoe Dow~ She explained that there will be Square Dancing, 15ne Dancing and Fiddlers on Corner~ She explained that she though this was a good idea as it is an easier concept for participation as jeans and cowboy boots are readily available. 7. MURALS PROJECT UPDATE Vanessa Jacobs started her overview by inlbrming us that they are planning on an artwork level that k outstanding; and explained that they are just launching a media chqve to get people excited. She also noted that they are still planning the specific sites explaining that it k a difficult process as there k so much involved. MicheHe Morissetti inquired as to whether there k a theme. Vanessa replied the theme k Celebrating Our Community as we wanted more than a Heritage theme. Councillor Jake Smola inquired as to what the financial resources were. Vanessa explained that they had not yet been attacked and that so fax' only KDBA was helping out financially. She went on to explain that maybe one of the murals will be a fund raiser, which would be titled Calling The Walls of the City and maybe have songs written about the murals and sell the tape~ Nancy Brawley expressed what a good job Vanessa has done and explained that we need to get the fund raising started. David Ryan noted that we need to attract visitors and tourisn~ Vanessa pointed out that the 1st priority was ownership and pride and the 9nd priority being tourisn~ David Ryan also inquired about the murals in Welland asking if they were really beneficial Vanessa explained that the effects have been good to the community of the sites studied and have been just as exciting as Chemainu~ David Ryan expressed the fact that he is sceptical of the value later down the road. Vanessa inlbrmed him that a report has been put together which discusses these points and that she will forward a copy of this report to him. Vanessa also stressed that this was being done to build confidence and get involvement from the community and noted that it is amazing to see artists and business people relating with each other. Grant NLxon inlbrmed the Committee that CTV did a blurb in the morning which amplifies what happened in Chemainus and it may be worth while to show to the Committee. lMlian Kehl stated that she did not agree with David Ryan as in other cities it has brought in tourists as there are bus trips scheduled just to bxqng people in to see the murals, Tourism is flourishing. Dave Gowland expressed his happiness to hear that it is not strictly Historical as it will give the view of joy as welk -45- 8. STATUS OF REGIONAL DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION STUDY Brock Stanley inlbrmed the Committee they are just w~qting the Terms of Reference. He noted that he had spoken to Graham Vincent and that Graham had no difficulty in having DAC members sit in on the group. Nancy Brawley inlbrmed the Committee she is aware of some people who would like to sit on the Committee. Councillor Mark Yantzi suggested that maybe we have a Sub-Committee. Nancy Brawley suggested that maybe this is a good time to get this Committee together as we have not had input yet on thi~ Councillor Earen Redman inquired as to what kind of time frame there wa~ Brock Stanley rephed by saying that the Terms of Reference need to be done quickly as they want to start in one months time and be finished by the end of the year. 9. STRATEGIC PLAN FRAMEWORK Sybil l~'enette inta'oduced this item by explaining that the framework was made up of 8 areas each of them being represented with working Committees except for Transportatio~ Sybil went on to explain that they had just finished compiling inlbrmation from 75-100 briefs and letters and that every idea has been summarized under these 8 area~ She noted that Nancy and herself will circulate these items to the appropriate Committees and each Committee will summarize and cross off ideas with no hope and prioritize the others~ Which will in turn go back to the Task Force. Stephen Lauer inlbrmed the Committee they received all kinds of ideas, some neat but not necessa~4ly good ideas and do not necessa~4ly reflect with goals and objectives of Working Committee~ Councillor Mark Yantzi inquired as to whether or not most of the people here were involved with the Sub-Committees, if not should some of these people be involve& Nancy Brawley made the suggestion that maybe the chairs of these committees do regular updates to this Committee. Councillor Karen Redman would like the Global PI'esentatio~ Nancy Brawley added that maybe each person could take 3 minutes to discuss what is happening. Councillor Mark Yantzi mentioned that maybe these presentations should be held at the next meeting which is scheduled for Ap~4l and that due to the number of people who would be attending we should look at booking the Conestoga Room~ Nancy Brawley mentioned that due to the number of Committee -46- Members maybe we should change permanently to the Conestoga Room. Councillor Mark Yantzi recommended that yes we should start meeting in the Conestoga Room and if need be bump anyone who has booked this room if necessary. 10. NEW BUSINESS It was noted that Parks and Recreation was working with Pubhc Works for parking spaces and possibly moving planters and t~'ees~ Grant NLxon inlbrmed the Committee they are looking into the cost of Banner At~ns for Hanging baskets for Ontario St, Nancy Brawley inquired as to whether there was any further inlbrmation pursuing Hych'o to t~'ees~ She was inlbrmed that we will have to talk to KW Hych'o to find out if it would be up to code. Karen Simoneau inlbrmed the Committee that a report has been put together by Multicultural Cent~'e Secondary Schools which compiles speeches from workshops~ The report is $15.00 and is available through their office (see attached form for more inlbrmation). She also inlbrmed the Committee about a workshop being held in November in the Rotunda where dignitaries are coming to tour Committees and going to dilTerent Agencies~ As well she inlbrmed us of events for Racial Harmony Week- March 19, there will be music, food & booths set up. It was noted that the next meeting date will be ApEql 13, 1995. Nancy Brawley requested that a hst of the Meeting dates be sent out` The meeting then adjourne& g:brock\dac03-09.min