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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1997-11-13 1 DAC\1997-11-13 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES November 13, 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, Lillian Kehl, Martin de Groot, Marianne Wasilka, Edee Schmitt, Trudy Beaulne, Debbie King, Chris Winters, Neil Carver. Others Present: Brock Stanley, Bin Newell, Newton Milne, Grant Nixon, Birgit Helig, Liz Classon, Bob Arnot and Avril Tanner (minutes). Regrets: Mayor Richard Christy, Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison, Sybil Frenette, Robert Braun, Marleene Guttenshon, Michelle Morissetti, Deborah Budd, Rita Westbrook, Janice Williams, Regis Coladipietro and Myrta Sahas. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA- NOVEMBER 13, 1997 It was moved that the Agenda for the November 13, 1997 meeting be approved. Moved by: Dave Mota Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 9, 1997 It was moved that the Minutes of October 9, 1997 be approved. Moved by: Dave Mota Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED 3. KITCHENER DOWNTOWN INTER-COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTRE PRESENTATION Bin Newell was introduced to the committee and she then began her presentation. (Presentation information is attached). After Bin's presentation the following questions and discussion took place: What is the level of qualifications of the CareGivers? It was indicated that the CareGivers could be Doctors, Interns, Chiropractors, etc. and that the idea is to have a multi- participant team. What would draw Doctors to this type of operation? People who are more oriented to working with the community, or Doctors looking to create a clientele very fast. What kind of services would be provided, would they be limited to minor problems? The hope is to have enough qualified staff that a doctor could refer a case within the clinic staff members as opposed to sending them to another clinic. This would not be a Walk In Type Clinic it would be considered your regular Health CareGiver. The Clinic that is being proposed models the St. Jacobs & London Clinics, It was inquired if the committee had reviewed any of these types of clinics that did not work. It was indicated that they had reviewed a situation up north that did not go over well with the community involved. It was mentioned that for this type of idea to thrive community support would be required and the clinic would have to address the issues and concerns of the community. Peggy Walshe inquired whether Consumer Health Information was included in the proposal to the Ministry. It was mentioned that the proposal was not yet completed. Peggy then offered to help with the proposal. It was indicated that the following issues should be looked at in determining the people to target and for choosing a location: What are some of the existing conditions that lead to the need. Transit at this time is a real barrier for reaching existing medical agencies. The Walk in clinics that were accessible to the Downtown did not survive, Why? Are there any Steering Committee Members that are Doctors? It was mentioned that a survey has been sent to existing physicians and they are looking to hear back from them. The purpose of the survey was to find out if the doctors in the area were opposed to the idea of this type of clinic and the committee wanted to inform them that this would not do any damage to existing physicians. There are some physicians that are more interested in this type of practice as opposed to the regular medical practice. Who will be doing the hiring of staff for the clinic? It was indicated that there would be long interviewing process to determine if the intended staff member can act as a team member as opposed to a team leader, how sensitive this person can be to this type of community and to determine if they offer a wide range of services. It was indicated that we could take a tour of the St. Jacobs Clinic and/or watch a video on these types of clinics. A list was circulated for members to list if they preferred having a Tour or watching the video at a later date. A motion was made that the Downtown Advisory Committee endorse the concept of the Downtown Inter-community Health project and encourage a broad grass root participation from those requiring the service in it's Planning, Development and Realization. And that the Healthy Communities project be looked at more closely to assess the needs of the community. Moved by: Neil Carver Seconded by: Marianne Wasilka CARRIED After the motion was made the following two suggestions were given: That we add a discussion on Healthy Communities to the next Agenda It was pointed out that we are targeting everyone in the community and not just Iow income families. 4. REVIEW OF BUDGET PROCESS During Brock's Review of the Budget Process the following points were made: The City runs Operating and Capital Budgets. Each year the City reviews and approves the budget. Operating budgets run on a year to year basis and if all monies are not spent the money is lost. The Operating budgets cover the day to day operation of the City and Very little of this money goes toward Capital purchases with the exception of some furniture. This committee runs from an operating budget with approximately $1,000.00 to cover the beverages for the meetings etc. The Capital Budget includes such items that cost more than $10,000.00 and anything that is a multi-year project. Brock handed out a copy of a Draft Budget Sheet for funds being spent in Downtown Capital Projects (see attached). He indicated that it shows all the projects with funding for the downtown and that when the final copy has been completed it will be forwarded to Council for their review. After Brock's review of the Budget Process the following questions were asked: What is the total Capital Budget Funding? 30 Million Dollars + annually over 10 year's. The shading on the Downtown Capital Projects shows those projects that had been budgeted in previous years. How are the funds allocated, by need or demand? Council has a criteria, so much capital funds can be spent each year. All requests are sent by the end of September and then balanced against the criteria developed. When a Capital Project request is submitted there is a priority that is listed and this is what is used to decide which items are of higher priority. Generally, maintenance items take precedence over new capital projects. In most cases we are trying to combine initiatives within different departments to ensure that money is being spent appropriately. It was suggested that a request be made that the Downtown Advisory Committee have some money allotted for educational purposes so that if we needed more information on items we could look into getting this information etc. Brock indicated that items like this would be included in the operating budget and that other committees have a budget of $2,500.00 for items like this. Mark Yantzi suggested that the next meeting may be a good time to have a brain storming session of what we would like to see completed in the next 3 or 4 years. 5. UPDATE ON STRATEGIC PLAN Brock indicated that a further consolidation of the Strategic Plan has been completed and mentioned that it is still listed by functional area and that a section for comments, priority status, cost, start date and duration were added. He indicated that we will hopefully have a more up to date chart by the next meeting and if anyone had any comments or concerns with the new plan they could contact Avril Tanner. 6. DOWNTOWN LIGHTING FIXTURES Brock referred to the handout that was circulated (see attached) and indicated that the Safe City Committee had made a recommendation and that it would be forwarded for Council review & approval in the middle of November. Brock indicated that the luminairs meet all of the requirement's set out by the Lighting Working Group and the hardware guidelines that were approved by Council. He then reviewed the Standards with the Committee. Dave Mota pointed out that the LS 2481-4 base is smooth and that this could cause problems with people placing posters and stickers on the poles. 7. COMMUNITY GARDENS UPDATE Brock indicated that attached to agenda is a report that will be going to Council and Planning Committtee that contains recommendations on Community Gardens. Brock reviewed the documents with the committee (see attached). Brock pointed out that this was a report recommending that we develop a process for facilitating Community Gardens in the City. 8. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM Please find report attached for review. 9. KDBA UPDATE Before Nancy started her report she made a recommendation that a letter be sent to Mayor Richard Christy to commend him, thank him and applaud him for the work he had done in the Downtown. Nancy indicated that a Retailer's Quorum had been held in which possible retailers for the downtown toured the downtown and had questions answered pertaining to the downtown area. As a result of this Quorum, there are 3 major retailers looking at investing in Downtown Kitchener. She indicated that Congratulations should be given to Tim Fox as he was the person who co-ordinated this Quorum. Poseidon Project - The Committee is meeting every 2 weeks, Conestoga College have designed a logo. There will be a feasibility project and a Business Plan done by MBA's at Wilfred Laurier University. She indicated that this project was coming along. Two weeks ago there was a Welcome Luncheon held for the New Manulife Employee's in conjuction with the Safe City Committee. Very positive comments were made from the new employees. Berlin Circle - there was a Halloween Fantasia Event, not as much turn out as last year but still good. The Business Development Committee put together a project to develop colour schemes and designs for businesses by working with some high schools to create flower boxes to be placed on buildings etc. Over the Christmas Holidays there will be many exciting events occurring that will be advertised at a later date. KDBA is already starting to plan events for the next year. There will be a program booklet put together to advertise these events. Market Square is looking at creating a hang out area with a variety show to include amateurs and school groups on Friday nights throughout the winter. AMC & Market Square - this is not a finalized deal, some conditions need to be met still. The Cora Group have said that regardless, if this project does not come through they have a alternate plan and the Eaton's portion of Market Square will still be demolished. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 am Avril Tanner, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Kitchener Downtown Inter-Community Health Centre Project Presentation Information. Draft Downtown Capital Projects Budget Sheet. Update of Strategic Plan Document. Downtown Lighting Fixtures Report. Community Gardens Report. Downtown Update. KDBA Downtown Employee Discount Card Information.