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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1996-10-10 1 DAC\1996-10-10 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 10, 1996 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Councillor Karen Redman, Nancy Brawley, Denise Strong, Brian Hunsberger, Michelle Morrissetti, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Deborah Budd, Rita Westbrook, Martin de Groot, Lorna Van Mossel, Regis Coladipietro, Janice Williams, Chris Winters. Staff Present: Brock Stanley, Sybil Frenette, David Corks, Grant Nixon, Doug Barrelman and Avril Tanner (Minutes). Regrets: Mayor Richard Christy, Robert Braun, Doug Marshman, Marlene Guttensohn, Peggy Walshe, Lillian Kehl, Marianne Wasilka and Neil Carver. Councillor Mark Yantzi called the meeting to order and introduced Chris Winters explaining that he would be the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Representative. Councillor Karen Redman introduced Janice Williams and indicated that she would be the Central Frederick Neighbourhood Representative. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - October 10, 1996 It was moved that the agenda for October 10, 1996 be approved. Redman Moved by: Deborah Budd Seconded by: Coun. Karen CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - September 12, 1996 It was agreed upon that the minutes of September 12, 1996 were an accurate reflection of what took place at the meeting. Harrison Moved by: Rita Westbrook Seconded by: Karen Taylor- CARRIED 3. 1997 APPOINTMENTS TO KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND REVIEW OF NEIGHBOURHOODS TO BE REPRESENTED Councillor Mark Yantzi referred to the Map of Downtown and the Inner 18 Neighbourhoods prepared by the Safe City Committee, The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee List and the Terms of Reference, all of which were attached to the Agenda. It was mentioned that some neighbourhoods that were mentioned on the map and committee list were not actually included in the Terms of Reference. He also indicated that there was some difficulty in retaining representation from the Neighbourhoods. It was the general feeling of the Committee to recommend to Council including in the Terms of Reference a representative from each neighbourhood listed on the map and committee list. It was also mentioned that each Committee Member should contact their Neighbourhood Association to see if they wish you to continue to represent them on this Committee. All Committee Members should phone Avril Tanner (519) 741-2301 to confirm that you would like to continue representing your Neighbourhood Association. It was indicated that Deborah Budd represents Waterloo Regional Arts Council and not Arts & Culture. This change will be noted in the Terms of Reference. Each Committee Member reviewed the Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee List and the following changes are to be made: Central Frederick Neiqhbourhood Janice Williams will be the regular, remove David Ryan and if Janice is not attending call Marianne Wasilka. Physically Challenqed Mr. Regis Coladipietro should be changed to Ms. 4. UPDATE ON PILOT LIGHTING PROJECT INCLUDING OUTLINE OF LIGHTING STUDY Brock Stanley indicated that this project was coming from the Safe City Committee, and the Terms of Reference were written and adopted by the Safe City Committee and were sent out to Lighting Design Consultants. There has been a pre-bidding meeting at which 10-12 consultants attended. The closing date for receiving bids will be October 17, 1996 and on October 23rd there will be a meeting to short list the consultants, council approval will be requested on November 12, 1996. The Terms of Reference were divided into 3 components with different time frames, the components are listed as follows: How do we light the Downtown for Safety. Focused Areas, Key sections will be noted that require specific design and existing poles will need to be used. Pilot Lighting Project on King Street between Eby & Scott Streets there will be no constraints with using existing light poles this will allow us to look at the link with nearby neighbourhoods. Included will be an evaluation of existing lighting. The Study will extend from now until may 1997 and the Design work specifications for the Pilot Project will have to be completed by May 1996. Conditions were included in the Terms of Reference that consultants would have to present ideas to both Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee and Safe City Committee. There was also a list of Lighting Criteria identified, the list is as follows: Lighting & Illumination Safety Aesthetic Built Form & Open Space Activity/Function Legibility of the Built Environment Accessibility and Hardware The purpose is to have the consultant take the criteria and give us 3 different options to choose from. 5. PROGRESS REPORT CARD ON DOWNTOWN - Sybil Frenette Sybil Frenette referred to her report that was attached to the Agenda (see attached) indicating that 23 of the 47 items had been completed and that 2 items were deleted. She then went through the sections entitled Recommendations - Work In Progress, Recommendations - Completed in Last 6 Months, Recommendations - No Action to date and the Results of the Report. Sybil then gave a slide show presentation which included before and after pictures of some of the items completed in the Downtown. There was a suggestion made to take the totals out of the report card as they did not add up and are referred to separately in the report. Councillor Karen Redman indicated that she felt it was really important to keep talking with people before an item goes forward and added she thought the Report Card ideas was great. The following suggestions were also made concerning the Report Card: We should look at new ideas and include them on the Report Card. Advertise the Report Card. Holding a Media Conference to give the same presentation Sybil gave and hand an Interim Report Card to the Mayor. 6. PHASE 2 OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR DOWNTOWN It was noted that many initiatives never made it to the Mayor's Task Force List and it is important to continue with this process to put in place Phase 2, we would have to look at how to prioritize initiatives, How to present the ideas to Council and how to Finance the Initiatives. We would have the Downtown Development Team put together a framework to approach and undertake Phase 2 and then Phase 2 would be taken to Management Committee, Downtown Advisory Committee, Planning and Economic Development Committee and then to Council for Approval. The Downtown Development Team would continue with the new initiatives instead of creating a new team. One of the key discussions that occurred was concerning how much public involvement there should be, the following are suggestions that were given: Identify Interest Areas or specific focus groups and identify if any association was already in place to give ideas in that specific interest area. Synthesise different initiatives. Combine idea #'s 1 and 2, there can never be too much public involvement. There was a general overall feeling that the Public should be involved as this maintains Community energy levels. Maybe hold Annual Meetings. Have Neighbourhood Associations hold these public meetings. Have a travelling road show with presentation to both inner city and outer community associations. Hold one forum at the beginning and end of each Term of Mayor. The Committee seemed to respond the most to suggestions 1 and 2 and everyone like the suggestion of moving the meetings from one Neighbourhood Association to another as some neighbourhoods may be seen as role models if this occurred. The Committee also felt it was important to consider "What is next" before holding any public meetings. 7. K.D.B.A. REPORT - Nancy Brawle¥ Nancy Brawley handed out a copy of her KDBA report (see attached) and mentioned that there were 2 items that were not included on the Report. The first item was that the Mayor's Youth Council had a very positive meeting, both the Business Community and Water Street Theatre indicated they would like to get involved. There was not representation from all areas/types of youth however, and Nancy suggested adding this as a future Agenda item. The second item was that the Berlin Circle is going to hold a Hallowe'en Fundraiser at the Valhala Inn the cost is $2.00 and there will be door prizes, food events, music and entertainment and a pumpkin carving contest. Doors open at 8:00 pm performances start at 9:00 pm and tickets are available starting today. 8. NEW BUSINESS Artworks was held September 14th and the Committee looked at it as a success. There was a request made by Marianne Wasilka through Councillor Karen Redman that the Downtown Advisory Committee consider starting a sub-committee to deal specifically with community development. It was decided that Karen would speak to her and add as an Agenda item if still required. Martin de Groot indicated that he and Marianne Wasilka are interested is setting up house tours of Churches for early December. People would visit and leave a contribution for Food Hampers or ROOF. It Was mentioned that Walking Tours were seen as a good Downtown Promoter. It was also mentioned that the City College Project has been started and 3 Public Interest Courses had been scheduled. There was some discussion over the potential funding cuts on the Social Planning Council and it was indicated that it would be a huge loss to the community if they went under. After the above noted discussion a Motion was made: That the Community Services Committee in reviewing Grant Requests give consideration to the role that the Social Planning Council has played on the Downtown Advisory Committee and the assistance that the Social Planning Council provides to the city wide agencies and groups as a valued resource within the Community. Moved by: Brian Hunsberger Seconded by: Lorna Van Mossel CARRIED The meeting was adjourned at about 10:35 am. Avril Tanner, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Mayor's Task Force Implementation Report. K. D.B.A. Report. Hallowe'en Fantasia Ball - Flyer.