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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1999-07-08DAC\1999-07-08 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES July 8, 1999 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Councillor Karen Taylor- Harrison, Howard Marr, Denise Strong, Anita Petsche Good, Tom Brennand, Peggy Walshe, Mary Drandzyk, David Gowland, Denise Shelbourne, Ruth Tomlinson, Regis Coladipietro, Peter Walberg, Trudy Beaulne, Mike Peng and Howard Rotberg. Others Present: Brock Stanley, Tim Fox, Debbie Schlichter, Terry Boutilier, Brian Wolfe, Susan Close, Bin Newell, Aruni Maxwell, Tim Knechtel, Richard Reidstra, Dan Vandebelt and Mike Price. Regrets: Mayor Carl Zehr, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Nancy Brawley, Mary Coleman, Greg Kett, Neil Carver, and Staff Sgt. Gary Askin. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA- JULY 8, 1999 The Agenda for the July 8th meeting was approved. Moved by: Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by: Tom Brennand CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 10, 1999 It was moved that the minutes of the June 10, 1999 meeting be approved. Moved by: Ruth Tomlinson Seconded by: Tom Brennand CARRIED 3. K-W CHESS CLUB David Gowland and representatives from the K-W Chess Club went to Council to ask for their support in exploring the idea of installing chess tables in front of City Hall. Council supported the idea and Mike Price was appointed to help them. David introduced two members of the chess club: the founder of the club Richard Reidstra, and past president Tim Knechtel. The chess club was founded in 1991 and has 50 members at the present time. They are in full support of this idea. They are committed to using the facilities and would offer their guidance in the work involved. There are several chess tournaments held in the City at the present time that could make use of the outdoor facilities. The Seniors Centre holds tournaments, there is a Concordia Chess Club, there is a Kids Tournament held every March, and most high schools have chess clubs. Richard suggests that we start with 4 tables under the overhang. We hope that this small idea grows into a much larger one. It would be great exposure for the City. Howard Marr questioned whether they have seen these types of tables elsewhere? Tim has seen them in Toronto. It is a very popular past time used by young kids to seniors. He believes they will be well used. There was a large chessboard set up at the Multi- Cultural Festival in Victoria Park in June that was well received and well used. Mark inquired about the playing pieces and how they would be distributed. It is hoped that people will bring their own pieces at the beginning. It was suggested that perhaps Williams Coffee Pub could keep pieces in their location and people could sign them out using a small deposit. The deposit would be returned when the pieces are turned in. It was also suggested that perhaps there could be a storage closet used in City Hall. Richard suggested that the K-W Chess Club could meet at City Hall once a week to help make the idea more successful. They could also offer instruction to beginners. 4. CITY OF KITCHENER VISION PROCESS AND DAC'S ROLE Bin Newell handed out a report that went to Finance & Admin Committee on June 28th regarding "Kitchener Visioning and Community Development Plan -The Process and Budget". She then provided a PowerPoint presentation explaining the work plan and reporting structure. She asked for representatives from the committee to serve on the External Resource Team: 1) Downtown Business, and 2) Downtown Neighbourhood Association rep. Howard Marr asked whether this type of project has been done before. A plan was started in 1994 but it wasn't very successful. It was driven from within and didn't ask for input from outside resources. Peter Walberg questioned how this plan fits in with all the other plans that have been developed. Bin explained that this plan is more like an umbrella and will hopefully bring everything together. Brock explained that everyone has a Strategic Plan. All these plans need to be brought together to establish a "Vision" for the City. Mike Peng questioned whether this would stall the other plans. Brock feels it will encourage everyone to go back and look at their plans again. Bin was asked what the commitment would be for the two reps she is looking for. They are not quite sure yet, but probably one evening per month. They are looking for people to be a liaison with this Committee and work with other business people to become 60 involved with the plan. Howard Rotberg volunteered to be the business rep, and David Gowland volunteered to be the neighbourhood rep. Trudy is very glad that this is happening. We need to establish what will make and keep Kitchener a better community. She feels this is a great starting point but the outreach and mobilizing aspect is not clearly laid out. Every man, woman and child should have a say in what their "vision" is for the City. We need to be prepared to go outside of the committees and staff. 5. SMOKING BY-LAW FOR BARS AND RESTAURANTS Susan Close from the Region of Waterloo, Community Health Department attended the meeting to bring the members up to date on the smoking by-law that goes into effect on January 1, 2000. Susan gave an overview of the history of the legislation. The Region of Waterloo By-law began in the early 90's with the phasing in of restrictions since 1996. Susan handed out the user's guide to the by-law. As of January 1, 2000 all bars and restaurants in Waterloo Region will be smoke-free. Anyone not complying can be fined and the fine goes up with each violation. Howard Marr asked if buildings could be made smoke-free. Susan explained that if goods and services are provided to the public, eg. banks, then the building must be smoke-free. Areas addressed in the by-law must go 100% smoke-free by 2000, work places, outdoor gathering areas are further down the road. Howard suggested that a brochure similar to the "Smoke-Free Restaurant Guide" be produced for publicity to buildings that are smoke-free. This would show support of the by-law and cause peer pressure to other buildings to do the same. Tim questioned if they have looked at other municipalities. They have. Guelph is planning to go smoke-free in 2000. Hamilton feels that separate ventilated areas in restaurants is the way to go. Some bars have expressed a concern that they will loose customers. A lot of their customers are bussed in. If they can't smoke, they will go elsewhere. Susan explained that there is an economic hardship clause. Owners can apply for an exemption to the by-law on the grounds that the smoking restrictions have created an unreasonable economic effect on their business and threatens the survival of its operation. The exemption would be in effect for one year. Debbie Schlichter expressed concern that a large population of her clients are heavy smokers. They come together as a group and smoke together. It is a social need, they need the stimulation, it is hard for them to quit. Susan explained that they have no answer yet for these types of situations, but they are looking at it. A separate self- contained, ventilated area may be a possibility. Tom Brennand expressed the same concern regarding nursing homes. There will be no smoking in the common areas, only in individual rooms. This discourages the mingling of the residents and they will spend more time confined to their rooms in order to smoke. Susan explained that they would be watching this area as well. Anita expressed her concern that King Street is going to become an ashtray. Patrons coming out of bars and restaurants will be lighting up and flicking their buts on to the sidewalks. Susan has seen some very tasteful waste receptacles for cigarette buts. Mark suggested that the City should look at this issue with the KDBA. 6. POSTERING DOWNTOWN Terry Boutilier introduced Brian Wolfe who is the new Enforcement Co-ordinator for the City of Kitchener. Posters downtown is one of the streetscape elements being addressed by the Furniture & Fixtures Review group. Terry displayed some samples of the posters being placed downtown and their placement. He then handed out Kitchener's Municipal Code, Section 680.3, which explains the rules and regulations for the posting of signs in Kitchener. Brian explained the current process that is used to control posters downtown. Once it is determined that a poster is illegal, the enforcement officer marks it with a florescent tag. They then contact the person/organization involved and ask them to remove the poster. If they do not remove it, Public Works is contacted. They take a picture of the poster and then remove it. The person/organization responsible for the poster is then billed $60.00/poster - $30.00 for removal, $30.00 administration fee. They have come to the conclusion that the present system is not working. We need a more extensive, more efficient system. The present process is effective with repeat offenders, however it is having trouble coping with new offenders. The present system is also a very slow process. Over the summer staff will be looking into alternative methods to control the postering problem. Some of the ideas suggested include: a) Use of pole sleeves in order that posters are intentionally drawn to one particular point. b) Arranging with an outside agency for the regular removal of all non-compliant posters on both public and (with the owner's permission) private lands. c) In conjunction with b) instituting a King Street exclusion zone, whereby no postering would be permitted in King Street retail area. d) In conjunction with b) and c) above, create a limited number of community bulletin boards at specific high-traffic areas to concentrate posters. e) Increasing resources in the Bylaw Enforcement section to remove posters. Staff would welcome any ideas that members of DAC could offer. Terry will report back to the Committee in September. 62 7. HOMELESSNESS REPORT Trudy handed out a background report to "Understanding Homelessness in Waterloo Region". The report is attached to the minutes. This item will be discussed at the DAC meeting on September 9th. Please ensure that you read the report before the September meeting. 8. MILLENNIUM PROJECT The City has a Millennium Steering Committee headed by Lorna Ferguson. Mary Drandzyk informed the committee that the KDBA is planning several millennium events for the downtown. Lorna will be invited to the next meeting to give an update on what is happening. 9. UPDATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM Tim informed the Committee that the Amanda Marshall music video that was filmed in Kitchener has been released and we will be receiving copies shortly. We have received a request to shoot another music video downtown. Denise questioned what was attracting them to Kitchener. Tim explained that there are too many time constraints when they deal with Toronto. We reacted very fast with the location and there was less red tape to go through. Karen mentioned that some business owners were not very co- operative and asked that the KDBA spread the word that this is good for business and in their best interest. Mary questioned whether anything was distributed to the businesses beforehand. They were visited and provided with a flyer explaining everything by one of the producers. Mary suggested that the visit should be made by KDBA - a familiar face rather than a stranger. Regis asked how we know when and where the filming is taking place. We are not given too much information ahead of time. The News Release usually goes out 2-3 days before the filming. We need to start marketing ourselves more in this direction. Other updates: · The DDT is working with 3 call centres for the downtown. · JM Drama is taking over the old registry building at 122 Frederick Street. · Licensing has surveyed several other cities regarding licensing street musicians. They are working with Legal. · New vitamin store "Great Earth Vitamins" locating across from City Hall. · Ray of Hope are working on their building in the east end. Building inspector is very impressed with the work that is being done. · The old Button Factory is boarded up. They are planning demolition. · Goudies - not much to update. Drawings were received by July 1st deadline. They have until August 16th to come back to the City with tenancies. Peter questioned what the new development in Uptown Waterloo means to us. How does it impact Kitchener downtown? Should we use it as an example for redevelopment in Kitchener? What do we want? Mark suggested that we discuss it at a future meeting. It will be placed on the future agenda items list. 10. KDBA REPORT Everyone was reminded that Cruise Night is on Friday, July 9th. The Blues Festival will be held on August 15th in Victoria Park on the island. There will also be bands playing in the east end at Market Village. 11. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UPDATES Ruth Tomlinson reminded the Committee that the Cedar Hill Folk Festival will be held on Saturday, July 10th from 3:30-8:30 in Sandhills Park. The Mount Hope-Breithaupt Park neighbourhood is continuing their review of facilities for space. They may hold their campfire right in their own neighbourhood this year instead of at Kiwanis Park. Their Fun Fair is scheduled for Thursday, August 9th. Karen mentioned that she has received several calls regarding the noise generated by the Serbian marches. People were afraid to mention anything earlier as they were terrified of the repercussions. The air raid siren blaring every night was very disturbing and could be heard blocks away. The issue needs to be addressed. Tim felt that it should be rolled in with the proper use of Speakers Corner that staff has been instructed to look into. Trudy mentioned that we need to very cautious, public space is for the public. Everyone should feel comfortable using it. The meeting adjourned at 10:40 am Carol Robinson, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Understanding Homelessness in Waterloo Region (Please read before the September meeting) ATTACHED FOR MEMBERS NOT IN ATTENDANCE 1. Kitchener Visioning and Community Development Plan - The Process and Budget 2. Your Guide to Waterloo Region's Smoking By-law 3. Kitchener's Municipal Code, Section 680.3 - Signs 64