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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1997-10-09 1 DAC\1997-10-09 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES OCTOBER 9, 1997 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Dave Mota, Nancy Brawley, Deb Schlicter, Denise Strong, Peggy Walshe, Debrah Budd, Rita Westbrook, Martin de Groot, Regis Coladipietro, Edee Schmitt, Trudy, Beaulne and Chris Winters. Others Present: Brock Stanley, Sybil Frenette, David Corks, Bob Arnot, Terry Boutilier Newton Milne, Mike Price and Avril Tanner (minutes). Regrets: Mayor Richard Christy, Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison, Robert Braun Marleen Guttensohn, Michelle Morissetti, Lillian Kehl, Janice Williams Marianne Wasilka, Myrta Sahas, Debbie King and Neil Carver. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - OCTOBER 9, 1997 It was moved that the Agenda for October 9, 1997 be approved with the addition of the following item for discussion today or at a future meeting: Trudy would like to discuss Division 3 Police Services as being a key part to the North Ward. Moved by: Berry Vrbanovic Seconded by: Rita Westbrook CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - SEPTEMBER 11, 1997 It was moved that the Minutes of September 11, 1997 be approved. Moved by: Denise Strong Seconded by: Nancy Brawley CARRIED 3. REVIEW OF BUDGET PROCESS This item was added to the Agenda through a request of Marianne Wasilka, as she was not present at the meeting it was decided to defer discussion of this item until the next meeting. 4. UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLAN Terry Boutilier reviewed the comments received back on those items referred to the Safe City Committee. After reviewing these comments a discussion occurred on what to do with those initiatives that have been rejected at this time. It was decided that if an initiative is turned down by a committee that it was referred to then we would look at the issue and decide whether this committee wished to proceed with it. If we decide that the initiative is not worth pursuing then we will remove it from the list. It was also suggested that we keep a list of those initiatives that were turned down and why they were rejected at this time. It was decided to remove item #13 Under Safety "Put Pressure on the court system for changes to current sentencing policies by inviting Crown Attorneys to a meeting of the Social Issues Working Group. Comments" The Safe City's Response is as follows: This priority was eliminated from the Safe City Committee's list as it was considered outside of our sphere of influence and not an effective use of our limited resources. During review of the comments received back from those items referred to Arts & Culture a discussion arose concerning how to develop Festivals. It was mentioned that if it would help, this committee would support a decision to hire a co-ordintor of events to help with developing Festivals. It was suggested that this committee would like to help define what this type of position would encompass. Mike Price indicated that they will formulate a request to hire for this type of position and bring it forward for review, suggestions and support by this committee. It was again noted that this committee would support the decision to hire a staff member to Co-ordinate Festivals and Events. Nancy Brawley expressed concern over Countdown To Canada Day and indicated that she did not feel that the KDBA could handle this event for next year. She requested that this event be looked at with the other events being discussed for next year. She also indicated that we should help promote those events that have an established history as well as start new events. 6. STRATEGIC PLAN "ROAD SHOW" Brock reminded the committee that we had discussed alternative ways of showing people what initiatives have been completed to date and what is still to be done. He referred to the attached information titled Strategic Plan "Road Show". He indicated that he would like some feedback from the committee on how this should be done as we would like to proceed with this process early in the new year. There was some discussion on which initiative we wanted the public to review. It was noted that there was some concern over accepting new initiatives as this may change the direction this committee has chosen. Sybil indicated that she sees this as an outreach exercise and that it is time to take our findings and ask the community if they are aware of the things we are doing and to find out if we are on track with the initiatives we have chosen to deal with. It was suggested that a timeframe be developed for these presentations and that rather than holding them at neighbourhood meetings we should look at holding them by Ward. It was also suggested that we try to hold them with another event in hopes to have as many people present as possible. It was mentioned that during the presentation we should only focus on the highlights. If all the initiatives were focused on it would be too overwhelming. This presentation should also be given in a creative manner in hopes to keep people excited about the project. We should table the report and let Council know that we will be carrying out these presentations. Brock indicated that we will finish working on the priorities and then give them timelines. This report will then be tabled at Management Committee and then Planning Committee. We will recommend at these committee meetings that we hold Ward meetings and the Councillors help in setting up these meetings. Brock indicated that he would like to see these presentations start in January. Some concern was noted that these presentations should still be held by neighbourhood rather than ward. 6. PANHANDLING BROCHURE Nancy explained that she had already received some feedback from the Safe City Committee and they had indicated that they wanted the last paragraph on the inside to be softened up by changing accosted to approached. Nancy also mentioned that this was just a draft of the brochure and that it would not look like this, she just wanted feedback on the wording of the document. The following suggestions were made: That a phone number for the Police Department placed on the brochure. Some concern was noted about the graphic chosen, it looks like we are giving something. It was mentioned that we want them to continue to give through a different channel. Someone suggested that a hand holding a hat may be a good choice. If it was decided to use parking meters as a means of donation that we could take a picture of someone putting money into the special parking meter. It was mentioned that the brochures will be distributed through businesses, organizations, downtown ambassadors etc. We should include the parking meter donation idea in the list of suggestions as it gets lost on the back of the brochure. The agencies that we put on the back of the brochure provide services for a variety of ages, sex and type of service they provide. All agencies know where to send a person if they can not specifically help them. It was suggested that the donations received through the parking meters could be donated to a different agency every month. It was mentioned that maybe the sentence in the top paragraph about donations to the following agencies should be removed as the list does not include all of the agencies. It was mentioned that the brochure was very clear and easy to understand. 7. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM Sybil referred to her report that was attached to the agenda and reviewed it with the committee. She indicated that she attended a conference in New York and will be giving a presentation on what she learned at a later date. It was suggested that we look at actually speaking at this type of conference to share our point of view. 8. KDBA REPORT Nancy handed out a complimentary Downtown Employee Card to everyone present at today's meeting and indicated that about 45 businesses were offering discounts to those employee's who purchased them. Within the next month they will have stickers available for the windows of the participating businesses. During the Christmas season there will be a Snowman Mascot handing out pencils etc. The Shopping Spree Draw will not be happening this year, instead there will be a Scratch & Win Ticket at the participating businesses. The Posiden Project Steering Committee is still meeting and there is no new information. The Walter Fedy Group will be doing some artist renderings to help get some funding. The largest focus will be put on the swimming aspect. 9. NEW BUSINESS Trudy requested that at a future Meeting we discuss the Division 3 Police Services as being a key part to the North Ward. Trudy also requested that Superintendent Marty Sawdon be added to the list for circulation of the Minutes. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 am Avril Tanner, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Strategic Plan "Road Show" Notes.