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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1998-11-12DAC\1998-11-12 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES NOVEMBER 12, 1998 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Councillor Karen Taylor- Harrison, Nancy Brawley, Anita Petsche Good, Tom Brennand, Lillian Kehl, Martin de Groot, Ruth Tomlinson, Regis Coladipietro, Edee Schmitt, Trudy Beaulne, and Arli Klassen. Others Present: Sybil Frenette, Tim Fox, David Corks, Michelle Murray, Grant Nixon, and Carol Robinson (minutes). Regrets: Mayor Carl Zehr, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Robert Braun, Denise Strong, Peggy Walshe, Lori Gove, Janice Williams, Myrta Sahas, Brian Scott, and Staff Sgt. Gary Askin. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA- NOVEMBER 12, 1998 The Agenda for the November 12th meeting was approved with the following additions: DAC Terms of Reference Healthy Community Forum Invitation to become "G. N. O. M. E. S." Moved by: Anita Petsche Good Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - OCTOBER 8, 1998 It was moved that the minutes of the October 8th, 1998 meeting be approved. Moved by: Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED 3. STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE Tim Fox handed out a copy of the Draft Strategic Action Plan for the Downtown, and a copy of the DAC 48 Priorities that indicates how each priority has been addressed. This plan was developed by combining the DAC Top 48 Priorities and the DDT work plan that was developed last February. This is a 3 year work plan that we can take action on, similar to the Mayors Task Force. There has been a section added on 2 Neighbourhood and Community Development. The report contains a list of 55 items to take action on. Nancy expressed that preparing the plan was quite a task, and that Tim did a great job. It will take 2-3 reads to grasp all that is in the report. Tim would like the committee to take time over the next 2 weeks to review the report and get back to him or Carol with any comments or suggestions that they may have. He will then put a revision together for the next meeting. 4. COURTLAND SCHOOL CLOSING David Corks attended a public meeting on October 28th re: the closing of Courtland School and met privately with Board staff. The subject is also being debated publicly in the paper and latest records indicate the Province may be backing off their strict funding rules. Courtland is considered for closure due to Iow enrolment and its large size and configuration with wide hallways makes it impossible to meet the 100 square foot per student Provincial regulations. The Mayor has also made a presentation to the School Board directly. The current deadline for resolution by December 31st has been extended. Arli commented that it seems to be the downtown versus the suburbs. We've already lost 2 downtown schools. Karen explained that the boards definition of downtown is much larger than we calculate. Trudy commented that there are large numbers of children being bussed to Margaret Avenue School. The catchment area is enormous. That school is in bad repair- how long will it last before something has to be done. She asked what DAC could do to help. The motion was made that the Downtown Advisory Committee encourages the Chair to take a message from them regarding their concerns in the closing of Courtland School and the large boundary catchments. Moved by: Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED 5. EXCHANGE WITH CITY OF OTTAWA Karen reported on the exchange that took place with the City of Ottawa. Representatives from Ottawa were in Kitchener the weekend of October 16 to discuss initiatives in the downtown core. It was a very successful exchange. On the Friday they did a 3 hour walk around downtown. They were shown the good and the bad. They couldn't believe how clean our City is. On Friday afternoon there were presentations made by the KDBA, Safe City, Property Standards, Legal Department. The group was shocked to see the partnerships we have and the good relationships we have developed amongst our various groups. On Saturday night there 3 was a get together and they couldn't believe that we are not only associates but that we are friends as well. The Ottawa Mayor was very interested in the information that they took back and has invited the City of Kitchener to their City for a presentation. They have spread the word and we will probably be hearing from the West very shortly. We should be extremely proud of what we have accomplished and the partnerships we have developed. Mark commented that it would be a good idea to hold a workshop on renewal in a mid- size City. This would be a good networking opportunity and would bring a lot of people downtown. It could be a millennium project. Referred to the DDT to look into. INNER CITY HOUSING MARKET STUDY Sybil explained what the report was about and how the information was collected. The Executive Summary explains the process. She reviewed the summary of recommendations and went through them with the Committee. She then opened the floor to questions. Tom Brennand expressed the concern he and his neighbours have with crack deals and prostitution in their area. They have provided police with pictures, license plate numbers and addresses, but were told there wasn't anything they could do about it. His wife is scared to walk downtown after dark. People who have made the commitment to live downtown are feeling unsafe. Mark commented that there needs to be a partnership with the police. Lillian suggested that spring bulbs should be planted along Market Lane. They should be planted now in order to flower in the spring. Trudy felt part of the big issue was being able to deal with issues easier. A relationship needs to be developed with the police and City Departments. We should work more closely with the universities - create an institute that deals with downtown social issues and problems. Regis referred to #11 on the recommendations and asked Sybil to explain what kind of housing information would be provided by the Downtown Development and Market Research Division. Would it be affordable/accessible? Sybil explained that it would be information that would be geared more for developers. Karen asked if there was any way to set up a housing registry for the downtown. The Independent Living Centre used to have such a list, but the funding was removed. Arli said that the most frequently asked question they get at the Community Information Centre is where can they find rental housing. Tom suggested that this information may be available through the Real Estate Board, but Nancy felt that they geared more to sales than rentals. Mark suggested that we send a notice to real estate agents that we would like to develop a roster of agents for the downtown. 4 Could Business and Planning Services take on the development of a housing registry? Sybil will investigate to see what other municipalities have done. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM Sybil reviewed her report on the DDT and elaborated on some points. Smiles & Chuckles - contrary to rumours the development is proceeding with the 2® phase. Manulife Presentation - Sybil, Karen and a representative from the police are making a · th · presentation on November 27 to the new workers. They are nervous about working downtown - street people, murders, panhandling, parking garage. Lillian mentioned that she received a call this morning about teenagers fighting in King Centre - more security is needed. Some of Trudy's neighbours who work at Manulife are looking forward to coming downtown. Anita commented that she walks through the garage all the time. It is starting to look run down, needs a paint job. 315 Weber St. - Frank Glasser has renovated the old house into a restaurant. It looks good and he is now looking for a tenant. The DDT supplied him with 12- 13 contacts. Chriskindlemarket - The event is planned for December 10-13 and is sold out. They are investigating how to expand for next year. They still need 11 volunteers for the opening ceremonies on the evening of December 10th. KDBA REPORT Oktoberfest was very successful. The Poseiden Project needs to find $130,000 in seed money to move to the next level. They want to do some fund raising, prepare a promotional package, and do an architectural design study. They are in the process of meeting with different business people to raise the money. They will then approach the City of Waterloo, The Region and the City of Kitchener to split the rest of the funds needed. The Business Development Committee wants to become more of an action group. They want to get involved in strategic planning. The development of the brochures for the Kilometre of Culture walking tours is under way. Should be produced by May '99. The KDBA is selling Christmas decorations. They are made of pewter, only 1,000 being produced, and selling for $9. The decorations are of the clock tower and come with a card explaining the history of the clock. They will be available up until Christmas. The KDBA would like to make this a tradition and offer a different piece each year. The KOR Design Project involves students doing design work on the downtown - window displays, art displays, etc. They are thinking of the downtown as a large window that they can spruce up. Nicholas Reese has been hired to monitor the students. They have been interviewing art students over the last 2 weeks. They are very impressed with the quality of students and have asked permission to up the number to 20 students. There is some restructuring going on at the KDBA. The personnel committee is looking at what staffing needs there are. All staff have been given their notice as of December 31st but there will be new positions that they can apply for. This is a very positive move and will be good for the KDBA. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UPDATES Trudy Beaulne provided an update for the Mt. Hope-Breithaupt Park Association. Her report is attached for your information. She invited DAC to the Vision & Value Session on November 17 & 24 at St. Mark's Church. She would also like ideas from DAC on the OP2000 (CODA) project. This is a career development program for women. How can they further develop the project? How does it fit in with the downtown and economic development? Trudy also asked for suggestions on how to get core neighbourhoods to keep their Christmas lights on for a longer period of time. It was suggested that some sort of invitation to do so could be distributed. Nancy suggested that it could be part of the tree lighting festivities in Victoria Park. Lillian Kehl asked about lights on the trees at Rockway Gardens. This was done years ago but was stopped due to vandalism. Mark will mention it to the Horticultural Board. Tom Brennand asked if some sort of supervision could be provided at the skateboard park next summer. The older kids take over the park not giving the younger kids a chance to use the facility. He also asked what was happening with the Ottawa Street bridge. Karen informed him that it will be closing in June '99 and will reopen in June 2000. Lights will be put up at River and Krug beforehand. Mark mentioned that the Boathouse Tea Room in Victoria Park is available to groups for evening meetings. It is also open from Thursday-Sunday for lunch. Martin de Groot has been working with a group to develop church tours. They have met with the people from St. Pauls. They want to arrange a tour for May '99. This would be part of the Kilometre of Culture. TERMS OF REFERENCE The Terms of Reference were discussed at the last meeting. The main concern was how to appoint reps who are not associated with a structured organization. Sybil went over some of the changes she has made: "4 members appointed by Council from the community at large who have a demonstrated interest in the downtown and may represent a background in one or more of the following areas: Seniors Community, Arts and Culture Community, Housing, Social Services, Multiculturalism and the Developmentally Challenged." "Neighbourhood Associations may assign an alternate rep with the understanding that at any meeting, the association has only one voting representative being either the rep or the alternate rep." "Following a written request from the City Clerk, the neighbourhood association shall provide written confirmation of the rep and the alternate rep." Nancy requested that the quorum be set at 12 because of the size of the committee. HEALTHY COMMUNITY FORUM Trudy had a copy of the proceedings from the forum. If anyone is interested in receiving a copy, please contact Trudy. "G.N.O.M.E."S Trudy invited all members of the committee to become "G.N.O.M.E."s. These are volunteers who will shovel sidewalks in a designated area and leave behind a bright green G.N.O.M.E. and a letter of explanation. It is a one time commitment. The primary goal is to raise awareness about the importance of snow removal. A notice is attached for your information. The meeting adjourned at 11:00 am Carol Robinson, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Downtown Kitchener Strategic Action Plan Executive Summary-Inner City Housing Market Study Downtown Development Team Update Mt. Hope-Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association Update "G.N.O.M.E."s 7