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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1997-12-11 1 DAC\1997-12-11 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES December 11, 1997 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Mayor Carl Zehr and Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Nancy Brawley, Deb Schlicter, Denise Strong, Peggy Walshe, Lillian Kehl, Martin de Groot, Lyle Williams, Marianne Wasilka, Regis Coladipietro, Edee Schmitt, Trudy Beaulne, Chris Winters and Neil Carver. Others Present: Brock Stanley, Sybil Frenette, Bob Arnot, Pat Harris, D'Arcy Farlow and Avril Tanner (minutes). Regrets: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison, Robert Braun, Dave Mota, Marleen Guttensohn, Michelle Morissetti, Rita Westbrook, Birgit Heilig, Myrta Sahas, and Debbie King. 1. ELECTION OF CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR A motion was made to nominate Councillor Mark Yantzi for Chair and Mark accepted. Moved by: Peggy Walshe Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED A motion was made to nominate Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison for Vice-Chair. Avril mentioned that Karen had indicated to her that she would accept the nomination if nominated. Moved by: Peggy Walshe Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA- DECEMBER 11, 1997 It was moved that the Agenda for today's meeting be approved. Moved by: Denise Strong Seconded by: Nancy Brawley CARRIED 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - NOVEMBER 13, 1997 The minutes of November 13, 1997 were approved. Moved by: Chris Winters Seconded by: Nancy Brawley CARRIED 4. REQUEST TO OPERATE A SHOE SHINE BUSINESS IN THE DOWNTOWN Brock introduced Pat Harris from the Clerks Department and indicated that she was here to explain how this request fits in with the Street Vendor By-law. He also pointed out that this request was forwarded for our comment by Council. He then referred to the letter attached to the agenda and reviewed the details of the request with the Committee. It was mentioned that this would be seen as a pilot project. Pat Harris explained that Clerks was interested to find out from the Committee if they would like to see a business of this kind in the downtown. Where the committee would like to see this type of business located, how many kiosks to have set up in the downtown and what fee Licensing should charge. She explained that this is not a normal business that would be classified under the Street Vendor By-law. In principal it was indicated that this type of business was quite innovative, however, some concerns were noted that if there were too many kiosks on the street it could be perceived as begging. I was suggested that maybe a kiosk could be set up in an area that is not currently being utilized. The following points were mentioned during discussion of the Shoe Shine Businesses Request: There is no other business of this type in the Downtown. They could locate in the Malls under the current By-law without asking for an exemption. It was indicated that we could make the kiosk location specific rather than having them change set up areas. It was also mentioned that we could list some guidelines for proper signage as well. This type of idea would give life to the streets and relates to the Downtown Ambassador 3 Program. The idea of the employees being historically dressed was an innovative idea. After some discussion the following was decided on: A limit of 4 Kiosks could be set up in the Downtown. The applicant should submit some plans which indicate specific locations for set up and what the kiosk and signs would look like. It was also suggested that the applicant may wish to have a study done of the highest traffic areas to help in determining a location. The Committee decided that a fee of $100.00 per location was a fair price. SPECIAL EVENTS AND PARTNERSHIPS INVOLVING ARTS, CULTURE, EVENTS DIVISION (Mike Price) Mike Price referred to his report that was attached to the Agenda for today's meeting. He then summarized this report and explained that this report listed all of the Activities and Events that are being co-ordinated over the next year. He indicated that he felt that this City had tremendous Tourism Potential. Mike mentioned that they are going to be requesting additional help by requesting two part time positions in the budget. He explained that the reason they are requesting two part time staff as opposed to one full time staff member is that they would essentially be two different positions and their resources would be in two different areas. A suggestion was made that the department also look at utilizing a High School Co-op student as well to help with set up of events etc. A motion was made that the Downtown Advisory Committee supports the request of hiring two part time staff members to provide adequate resources for the events that are planned. Moved by: Chris Winters Seconded by: Nancy Brawley CARRIED 6. HEALTHY COMMUNITIES - VIDEO PRESENTATION & DISCUSSION Brock indicated that this presentation and discussion came from the presentation of the Kitchener Downtown Inter-Community Health Centre Project that was given at the last meeting. He then introduced D'Arcy Farlow and indicated that she would be giving the Committee a short presentation and showing a Video. D'Arcy Farlow started her presentation by giving a short overview and background of Healthy Communities (see attachments for more information) and showed the video she brought with her pertaining to Healthy Communities from Woolwich Township and the City of Toronto. She finished her presentation with an invitation to the Committee to discuss joining the Healthy Communities Coalition and indicated the benefits of membership. It was suggested that we would add this to the agenda for discussion at our next meeting. 7. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM The Goudies building and the land next to it are now for sale. They will be developing a proposal and setting some conditions for development, however they will not be dictating whether the building be demolished or not, only putting a timeframe on when it is to start construction and be finished construction. They would like to see some sort of display area at the front of the building that would compliment the heritage nature of that part of the downtown. The sale will be advertised in Toronto and locally. The Community Garden idea has been started and there is a group that has requested funds from the Community Development Funds. There is a meeting following today's Downtown Advisory Committee Meeting pertaining to the Governor's Jail. There will be a new By-law developed within the first 2 months of the new year which will hopefully include the type of signage we would like to see in the Downtown. There is discussion about setting up a mural in the downtown created by tiles, like a patchwork quilt. Locations are now being looked at and funding will be coming from the Downtown budget. We are trying to co-ordinate and come up with standards for street furniture. A Working Group as been formed to develop these standards. KDBA UPDATE Our 3rd Mural was started yesterday, it will be put together indoors and then will be mounted on the corner of Charles and Queen. The mural is being sponsored by Girl Guides of Canada. Two other sponsors are being worked on for two other Murals. Frosty the Snow Man is the Mascot for the Christmas Promotion and he is a huge hit. One of the students who has been wearing the costume has been dancing along the streets with kids. Scratch and win tickets have been introduced to the Businesses and some of the businesses involved have been offering an instant win of $5.00 which can be collected from the KDBA. The Board of Director's voted unanimously not to support a casino being placed in the Downtown. Casablanca books in moving onto King Street and beside him XDC has collectable records and CD's is locating with a permanent store. NEW BUSINESS Lillian Kehl indicated that she is hosting a Christmas Party at Market Square and she needs some one who can play some music as there will be a sing along planned. The Two Way Road system may need to be reviewed again in the new year. The next meeting will be on January 15, 1998, Avril then handed out a list of the meeting dates for next year. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 am Avril Tanner, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS List of 1998 Meeting Dates. Request for Shoe Shine Business (John Poole). Special Events Memo (Mike Price). Healthy Communities Information.