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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1998-02-12DAC\1998-02-12 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES FEBRUARY 12, 1998 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Mayor Carl Zehr, Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison, Robert Braun, Nancy Brawley, Deb Schlicter, Anita Petsche Good, Tom Brennand, Lillian Kehl, Rita Westbrook, Brian Atkinson, Martin de Groot, Marianne Wasilka, Regis Coladipietro, Edee Schmitt, Myrta Sahas and Trudy Beaulne. Others Present: Brock Stanley, David Corks and Avril Tanner (minutes). Regrets: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Dave Mota, Peggy Walshe, Lori Gove, Farly Klassen, Chris Winters and Bridget Loveday. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA- FEBRUARY 12, 1998 Trudy Beaulne added an information item to the Agenda. Moved by: Robert Braun Seconded by: Edee Schmitt CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JANUARY 15, 1998 It was moved that the minutes of the January 15, 1998 meeting be approved. Moved by: Coun. Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED 3. AFFORDABLE HOUSING/SOCIAL ISSUES REPRESENTATIVES Deb Schlictor indicated that she had been representing the Housing Coalition and mentioned that she would like to continue working on this Committee but that she was changing jobs. It was suggested that we add a Social Service Agency Representative to the Terms of Reference. It was felt that this suggestion was valid and the committee agreed that we should add Social Service Agency Representative to the Terms of Reference. Deb mentioned that she would set a meeting up with the other Social Agencies to form a way of representing them all and making sure they were aware of everything that happens at the Downtown Advisory Committee Meetings. Myrta Sahas offered to help Deb in identifying a list of Social Agencies and inviting them to a sub-committee meeting. Moved by: Marianne Wasilka Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED A similar discussion occurred about including a Housing Representative to the Terms of Reference a suggestion was made that we could alternate having a Affordable Housing Representative for 3 years and then having Representative from K-W Homebuilders for the next 3 years. It was decided that we would hold a sub-committee for this type of representative including Affordability, K-W Homebuilders and Real Estate Board to see if there would be an interest in having a representative on this committee. All members reviewed the circulated Membership list and were asked to contact Avril if there were any changes that should be made. There was also some discussion concerning Alternates on the Membership list and that there is no reference made to them in the Terms of Reference. It was decided that Brock and Avril would meet with Clerks to see how Alternates could be incorporated into the Terms of Reference as it was felt that it was important to have alternates if the main representative was unable to attend. It was mentioned that they would report back to the committee on their meeting with Clerks. 4. RESPONSE TO CONSTRUCTION 1998 - 1999 Brock reminded the Committee that at the last meeting we had a discussion about the amount of construction that will be taking place in the downtown between 1998 - 1999. He indicated that this could be quite a large problem for trying to bring people into the downtown however, when the construction is completed we will have essentially rebuilt the East Side of the Downtown. It was mentioned that we should discuss how we can get the positive message across and scale downtown the negative issues to the public. Nancy indicated that complete information on which businesses are opening during the construction phase should be made available to the public. Promotional techniques should also be looked at to help deal with the negative issues that may arise, for example we should have pamphlets available that show detours etc. It was mentioned that it would be best to complete all the construction this year instead of having Cedar Street completed next year in hopes to deter from having construction occurring 3 years in a row in the Downtown. It was suggested that pamphlets should be developed to show the before and after construction ideas. A motion was made that the Downtown Advisory Committee suggested and supported a decision to complete the Cedar Street Construction from King to Weber Street in 1998 as some concern was noted that if Cedar Street is to be reconstructed next year there would have been construction in the Downtown 3 years in a row. Moreover, Cedar Street construction should also be completed in 1998 as the Ottawa Bridge is to be closed in October with access from Stanley Park to the Downtown via King Street only which terminates at Cedar which would be under construction and would therefor make it extremely hard for people to come to the downtown from the Stanley Park area. It was also suggested that we should also consider the residents along Cedar Street and come up with some suggestions to help them deal with the construction when it occurs. Harrison Moved by: Rita Westbrook Seconded by: Coun. Karen Taylor- CARRIED 5. EXPANSION TO LIST OF FESTIVALS & EVENTS It was mentioned that the List of Festivals & Events developed by Parks and Recreation only included those festivals being put on by that department. It was suggested at the last meeting that we look at combining all Festivals & Events onto one list including those being planned by other groups. It was suggested that if everyone could send any events that they are working on to Lori Gove that she would co-ordinate the events and create a new list that included all the events that were brought to our attention. 6. STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE The text portion of the Strategic Plan was circulated and Brock explained the history of the document and then proceeded to review the document with the committee. Committee members are to review this material in detail for confirmation at the next meeting. Brock asked everyone to take the document home and review it thoroughly and bring any suggestions or changes that you would like to the next meeting and we will discuss all of the suggestions at that time. He also indicated that he wanted everyone to review the other documents circulated which contained all the Initiatives to be done in the downtown and pick out the Top 40 Initiatives that you feel are the most important. It was mentioned that the intent of deciding on the Top 40 Initiatives would be to develop a so called "Report Card" to show those initiatives that have been accomplished. The above two items will be reviewed at the next meeting. 7. EMPTY SPACE, DANGEROUS PLACES This item was circulated to members for information purposes only. 8. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT IN RECREATION SERVICES This item was circulated to members for information purposes only. Marianne Wasilka indicated that she had read these two articles attached to the Agenda and indicated that she thought that they were both really good articles. It was suggested that we have a discussion on Community Development at a future meeting. 9. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM David Corks indicated that the report was attached to the Agenda for today's meeting and reviewed the report with the committee. He indicated that the Downtown Development Team has a new newsletter and mentioned that it was more aimed to those who do business in the downtown and will come out quarterly. 10. K.D.B.A. REPORT Nancy indicated that that they would be changing the direction of marketing and will be redeveloping an image for Downtown Kitchener. They will still continue with event Partnerships and will financially support events but will not be offering staff support for events anymore. There is an initiative to be developed to promote Shopping Downtown. They would like to complete some research on what people's perceptions are of the Downtown and where they are getting their information on the Downtown from. Nancy reminded everyone of her concern about Countdown to Canada Day and reminded the committee that a recommendation was made about Countdown to Canada Day at the last meeting. They would like to develop a Documentary Video on why people live in the Downotwn to be used by the Real Estate Companies. Poseidon Project is moving along quite nicely. There are 5 students assigned from Laurier University that come from very diverse backgrounds who will be working on a Business Plan. Trying to develop a Children's Museum in hopes to lure people to the Downtown. Celebrating Success will be in 2 weeks, there will be 5 awards handed out at this event. If you would like to recommend anyone for an award notify Nancy in the next couple of days. 11. NEW BUSINESS Marianne Wasilka informed everyone that there will be a meeting on March 17th about the Krausuar/McMurchie Properties starting at 7:00 pm in the Rotunda. She also mentioned there was an OMB Appeal meeting on March 24th about Duplexing, the meeting is here at City Hall at 10:30 am. The meeting adjourned at 10:50 am Avril Tanner, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 2. 2. 3. 4. 5. Committee Membership List. Strategic Plan Update. All Initiatives for the Downtown (To Choose Top 40 Initiatives). Empty Space, Dangerous Places Article. Community Development In Recreation Services Article. Update on Downtown Development Team. 1996- 1997 Downtown Monitoring Report. Celebrate Healthy Communities - Flyer. The Upside of Downtown Kitchener- Flyer.