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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1993-08-05DAC\1993-08-05 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE AUGUST 5, 1993 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Alderman Bryan Stortz with the following members present; G. Graham, R. Koop, ~VL Morissetti, R. Russell, l~ Taylor-Harrison, D. Ryan, L. Ferguson, C. Costley, Alderman 5/L Yantzi, D. Marshman, R. Braum Others Present: J. MacDonald. S. Klapman, L Balfour, G. NLxon, G. Borovilos, R. Lorentz, Staff Inspector Opening Remarks Alderman Stortz reported the Committee has a new member, Nh'. Jon Connolly. Nh'. Connolly is involved with item No. 5 on the agenda today but unfortunately because of urgent family business was not able to attend this meeting. The Committee was advised future meetings will be held in the Schmaltz Room, 2nd floor of the new City Hall Alderman Stortz noted other areas of the City are facing the crime and ding activity experienced downtow~ He reported that strong police support has assisted in reducing the problem downtow~ The experience by core neighbourhood groups of dealing with the problem will be used in helping other residents of the City attack the problem in theh' community. A tour of downtown from King and Madison to King and l~'ancis will commence dh'ectly after the meeting today. All members are invited to join staff with a view to offmqng suggestions for improvement. Approval of Agenda On motion by Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by David Ryan it was resolved: That the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee agenda of August 5, 1993 with the addition of an Update on the Interior Facade Program, be accepted. Kitchener Downtown Action Committee - 109- Approval of Minutes On motion by David Ryan Seconded by Alderman Mark Yantzi it was resolvetk That the minutes of the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee of June 94, 1993, be accepted. Building on Success-Vision Conference and Urban Renewal Project/Program Urban Renewal Project/Program: The Committee was inlbrmed that a small group of downtown retailers are questioning the direction of downtowm The KDBA has formed an Urban Task group to meet with and addi'ess this groups' desperation and fn~stration and will start by looking at the big concerns It was noted this small group believes in the downtown core and recognizes the improvements that have occurred but want fundamental changes for the core. They believe there has been, in the past~ a strong community focus and they would like to see a business plan now. The Committee discussed the improvements that have been realized over the past few years with communities working with retailer~ It was pointed out that Church Sta'eet has seen a major reversal There is a confidence in the community and homes have been renovated, curbs and cutters repaired and families are waJking on the street~ which in the past~ never occurred. It has happened because of a lot of people cont~qbuting and working together. A healthy core is supported by communities surrounding it and there should be a genuine partnership between retail and the community. A lot of progress has been made between the KDBA and this group in the past few weeks; They will continue to work together. "Building on Success" - Vision Conference 93 Alderman Stortz stated that the 93 conference will be wide based and not just focus on retail issues The review should be all encompassing with not just reliance on government funding of projects Gardner Church was suggested as a good candidate to guide the agenda for the conference. Alderman Stortz reported on 5/ir. Church's background and expertise. Vitahty must be seen by both the community and business It was noted that Kitchener Downtown Action Committee - 110- when planning events, other areas and communities should be canvassed so as not to conflict and hamper efforts A staging plan would be a good beginning. Alderman Stortz questioned Ron Lorentz with regard to qualifying for "Jobs Ontario" funding. If a plan were prepared could the Committee count on provincial funding? 1V[r. Lorentz reported it k his understanding that community and economic development issues would qualify for funding. The downtown is defined as a community so there is the potential for funding under the "Jobs Ontario" PI'ogram~ There must be a cohesive plan to qualify. Alderman Stortz reported the Committee should work towards getting something on paper outlining a downtown plan, defining what has been done and where to dh'ect energy in the future. Moved by Robert Braun Seconded by Cam Costley That Council endorse the retention of professional resources to assist in the development of a revitalization plan for downtown Kitchener. Carried Alderman Stortz reported a meeting of the Conference Committee will be held in the next week A notice will be sent out, Bill 20 (An Act to Protect the Persons, Property and Rights of Tenants and Landlords) Alderman Stortz noted ff this cb'aft legMation is approved he believes this will only escalate the number of crack houses Landlords now can have those caught with cb~gs on the premises evicte& If this legMation goes thi'ough it will eliminate the right of the landlord to have these people removed from the property until convicte& This process may well take anFa,here from two months to two years and ff an appeal is lodged to the conviction, the time period is extende& Meamvhile illegal cb~g activity could conceivably continue. Alderman Stortz advised this matter is not as time sensitive as previously thought and he suggested to the Committee he would b~4ug this matter back when more details are available and he has completed his research on the proposed legislatiom 6. Interior Facade Loan Program - Update Marion O'Brien, Loans Co-ordinator, reported the response to this program has been overwhelming. Funding is running out and no more is expected untO mid September. She noted that most applicants are taking advantage of a 10 year payback period so money is not replenished as quickly as the nee& Kitchener Downtown Action Committee - 111- She intbrmed the Committee of some who have taken advantage of the program and noted that the low interest rate plus a 3070 forgivable loan with the option of a 10 year repayment plan is what has appealed to most~ The Committee thanked Marion for this update. Police Activity - Update Staff Inspector Joe McDonald reported the COP PI'ogram is operating five nights a week and results are being seen by the amount of intelligence collected by these people and the pressure maintained. He advised the police will entertain anything to assist the community and retailers in curbing illegal activity. Success in the downtown has been community (hqven, dh'ected by the COP PI'ogram, The Committee was advised that Ann Jensen, Co-0rdinator of the COP PI'ogram has been nominated for a National Award. This program k gaining international recognitiom Central Frederick Festival David Ryan invited everyone to the Central lqq'ederick Festival being held at Weber Park, August 15th from Noon to duslL There is something for every member of the family at the festival 9. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Downtown Action Committee meeting will be held September 9, 1993 in the Schmaltz Room, 9nd floor of the new City hall 9. Adjournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 9:50 mm. Gayle Redgwelh Secretary Kitchener Downtown Action Committee Kitchener Downtown Action Committee