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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1997-02-13 1 DAC\1997-02-13 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 13, 1997 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Mayor Richard Christy, Councillor Karen Redman, Nancy Brawley, Denise Strong, Michelle Morrissetti, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Lillian Kehl, Rita Westbrook, Martin de Groot, Marianne Wasilka, Regis Coladipietro, Edee Schmitt, Myrta Sahas, Chris Winters and Neil Carver. Staff Present: Brock Stanley, Sybil Frenette, John McBride, Bob Arnot, Don Snow, David Corks and Avril Tanner (Minutes). Regrets: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Robert Braun, Doug Marshman, Marleen Guttensohn, Peggy Walshe, Deborah Budd, Janice Williams and Trudy Beaulne. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - February 13, 1997 It was moved that the Agenda for February 13, 1997 be approved. Moved by: Coun. Karen Redman Seconded by: Nancy Brawley CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 14, 1996 It was agreed upon that the minutes of January 9, 1997 were an accurate reflection of what took place at the meeting. Moved by: Councillor Karen Redman Seconded by: Chris Winters CARRIED 3. PARKING STRATEGIC PLAN - John McBride Councillor Mark Yantzi introduced John McBride and Don Snow and indicated that they would be presenting the Parking Strategic Plan to the Committee. John McBride explained that a number of changes occurred in parking in the downtown over the last few years. He continued by explaining that one of the major changes implemented was a change from a parking enterprise to providing a service. A copy of the plan was circulated and reviewed (see attached). A small committee was formed to develop the Strategic Plan that is based on 7 key components. The committee tried to define what they would like to see in the downtown and came up with some steps to apply the changes decided on. The Plan has been presented to Senior Management & Public Works and they will be meeting with the KDBA, Downtown Development Team and will be going to Public Works and Transportation Committee at the end of March. It was pointed out that they are looking for comments from people however any comments should be forwarded by early March. During the review of the Strategic Plan the following items were listed as important components of the Plan: Trying to address the image concerns, how people perceive development in the downtown and trying to change the perspective of enforcement officers from negative to positive has been the number one challenge to the mission statement. A Courtesy Warning Program will be reviewed and considered, it was mentioned that this would help the image however due to financial concerns it may not be feasible at this time. The Customer Service approach will be dealt with, training has already been started. A discussion occurred concerning Courier Services stopping along King Street and causing traffic problems for Buses and blocking Bus Stops. A number of suggestions were given however it was pointed out that most of the suggestions were either too hard to control or caused service problems for the Courier companies. 4. REPORT FROM THE DAC PRIORITIZATION SUB-COMMITTEE At the last meeting there was some discussion on our own Strategic Planning and Brock mentioned that the DAC Prioritization Sub-Committee met and consisted of Trudy Beaulne, Chris Winters, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Sybil Fenette, Catherine Heal and himself. He explained that the committee started by taking the initiatives and put them on individual sheets. The initiatives were then sorted out and a decision was made on whether initiatives were already addressed and if the initiative was appropriate for this committee to deal with or if it should be forwarded to others to deal with. For example there were a number initiatives on Lighting so it was decided to forward these initiatives to the Safe City Committee's Lighting Working Group. The Sub-Committee also came up with four different categories of initiatives, those being 1 Low Priority, 2 - Medium Priority, 3 - High Priority and 4 - Need more information. Another meeting has been scheduled for Wednesday February 19th in Committee Room Five. All initiatives will be prioritzed into those four categories for the Next Kitchener Downtown Advisory Meeting. Brock mentioned that this has been a very large task as there is well over 100 initiatives and all initiatives had to be sorted and combined as some of them related to one another. It was mentioned that all Committee members had already received copies of the initiatives at the last meeting and that they would receive the prioritized initiatives at the next meeting. It was also mentioned that other Neighbourhood Associations would be interested in receiving a copy of the prioritzed initiatives and it was noted that most of the Neighbourhood Associations were represented on this Committee. Sybil Fenette added that we are just trying to create a workable document that will then be taken to other committees for their comments and for public input. 5. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN LIGHTING STUDY Public Works has decided, due to the condition of the sewers in the pilot project area, that full re-construction will be required and therefore decided to put off doing the sidewalk reconstruction until 1998. It was therefore decided that the Lighting Design Study should be delayed until that time as well to fully integrate the two projects. The implication of delaying the study would be that we will have to look at doing a pilot program for this year. Brock mentioned that the Lighting Design Consultants will undertake conceptual designs for a number of streets and lanes in the downtown and an appropriate area will be decided on. It was noted that the Lighting Study will be looking into lighting in parking areas as well and a standard of lighting will be incorporated for the parking lots in the downtown area. 6. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN ACTION TEAM Sybil mentioned that George has now been replaced by Tim Fox. Tim comes from Burlington, has a degree in Geography, a Real Estate License and has been working for the Ministry of Natural Resources doing land transactions. He is a strongly motivated person and the fact that he valued public service was the one item that made him stand out from the other applicants. James Cressman is a volunteer who works part time at the House of Friendship and will be completing a Survey on the Uses of the Downtown. The survey would be helpful to let people know about the Downtown, enable us to take an inventory of space available for meetings in the Downtown area and it would allow us to promote ourselves as a convention location and provide revues to these owners. Sybil mentioned that she will be handing out a copy of her Annual Report at the Celebrating Successes Meeting held in the end of February. A discussion occurred concerning people who neglect their properties. Mayor Richard Christy pointed out that the City is ensuring the safety of the property through enforcement at this time and feel that dealing with these properties is of very high priority. It was also mentioned that this item would be dealt with at a future meeting. It was then suggested that the City look at different options for dealing with properties that are being neglected. 7. K.D.B.A. REPORT Nancy mentioned that they have completed a Strategic Planning Process that will being going to the Executive Committee next week and will eventually be presented to this committee as a finished document. She indicated that the Parking Strategic Plan was a very positive process. She mentioned that she had met with Matt Code on the Mayor's Youth Council. A survey will be put together and if there is interest they will be setting up files of students looking for employment and this will be come a resource centre for downtown employers looking for employees. Concerning Festivals there has been a meeting about the Spring Festival and Nancy indicated that the concept has been a struggle but it should be a lot of fun. Festival of the Arts is coming along quite well and the Winter Festival is looking for people to join the Committee. The KDBA is launching a document to improve the image of the Downtown that will be in full colour and the first time will be 8 pages long that is meant to build the image of the Downtown. There will be a "Shop Downtown" campaign launched for employees who work in the Downtown and the public. Celebrating Successes will be on February 28, 1997 at the Walper, from 5:30 - 6:30 will be a reception, presentations will start around 6:30. The Cora Group will be highlighting their ideas, there will be a presentation of changes happening on the street and there will be a jazz trio playing during the reception. At this time it was mentioned that Rita Westbrook had been promoted to Inspector and everyone congratulated her on her new appointment. Lillian Kehl mentioned some concern over the fact that Seniors are not coming to the Downtown. She indicated that we need to encourage them to come, maybe displaying some of their sewing in the Downtown area. Councillor Mark Yantzi introduced the newest member Myrta Sahas to the Committee. The meeting adjourned at 9:45 am. Avril Tanner, Committee Secretary