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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1993-10-07DAC\1993-10-07 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMM/TTEE OCTOBER 7, 1993 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Bryan Stortz with the following members present G. Graham, L Ferguson, D. Ryan, B. Hunsberger, IC Taylor Harrison, 1VL MoHssetti, Councillor 1VL Yantzi, R. Braun and D. Marshma~ Others Present: Martha Welsh, Jim Witmer, Sam Klapman, G. NLxon, and V. Gibaut 1. Opening Remarks Councillor Stortz reported Natascha VoH k unable to attend the meeting today with regard to item 5 on the agenda "Public Functions - New City Hall". This item will be rescheduled for the December meeting of the Committee. Due to the Vision Conference, the November meeting of the Committee will be cancelled. The next meeting of the Committee will be December 9nd. 9. Approval of Agenda On motion by Karen Taylor Harrison Seconded by David Ryan it was resolved: That the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee agenda of October 7, 1993, be accepted. 3. Approval of Minutes A correction to the minutes of the September 9, 1993 meeting. Karen Taylor Harrison and Gerry Graham should have been noted as present for the meeting. On motion by Karen Taylor Harrison Seconded by Gerry Graham it was resolved: That the minutes of the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee of September 9, 1993, with the corrections as reported, be accepted. 4. Update on FACADE/INTERIOR Program Wayne Pearce, Building Inspector in the Building Division of the Planning and Development Department provided a slide presentation showing downtown businesses that have received grants under the Facade/Interior PI'ogram and the improvements made to the buildings. It was pointed out that the buildings restored on Duke Sta'eet would have been abandoned and boarded up. Because of funding received for work that needed to be done to a restaurant on King the proprietor of this establishment has been able to open another restaurant in another location on King St~'eet. The Committee was made aware of a partnership between Downtown East business people, the KDBA and the City of Kitchener in the achievement of unique signage made of Eastern Red Cedar in wrought iron frame~ The signs have been mounted on existing poles and provides direction to the Market Village. A total of 40 signs were erected identifying the area of King, Duke, Scott and Cedar Street~ The cost of $95,000. to $30,000., was totally funded by the KDBA~ The Committee was told the program is now out of funds and staff must tell interested businesses they cannot be helped unless more money is committed to the program~ Several businesses have expressed an interest in funding and have been added to a waiting list. Those interested clients represent $169,000. of eligible funds that could be used immediately. The Committee discussed what inlbrmation should be provided and the additional funds needed for the Facade/interior PI'ogram that will be presented at the Finance and Administration Committee meeting of October 18t]~ A suggestion was put forth that a plaque should be provided to those businesses who make use of the program and that it be displayed acknowledging the joint efforts in achieving the final result. l:q'ovision for residential improvements under such a program was discussed and It has been considered but nothing has been finalized to this point. It was suggested this may be an issue for di~ussion at the Vision Conference. The Convert to Rent PI'ogram ad(h'esses residential use and that program is still available. Moved by Michelle Morissetti Seconded by Lorna Ferguson To assist in the further revitalization of our downtown area, while providing much needed jobs for local contractors, we recommend additional funding in the amount of $~50,000.00 to the Interior/Facade PI'ogra~ 5. Vision Conference-November ~nd, 3rd, 5th and 6th KITCHENER DOYVNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE -118- Martha Welsh appeared before the Committee this date to provide an update on the agenda for the upcoming Visions "93 - Building on Success" Conference to be held in November. She noted at the November 1990 conference there was a commitment to b~qng on a second conference. 8070 of the commitments made at the 1990 conference have been completed. A letter outlining these, a tentative agenda for the Visions conference, participant questionnaire, regist~'ation form for the conference and an outline of the workshop sessions are attached and form part of these minutes~ The committee members were asked to reply as soon as possible with regard to the tentative agenda or suggestions for additional issues for the agenda~ Completion of the questionnaire will assist in the preparation of the workshop sessions, Responses should be adch'essed to Martha Welsh, c/o KDBA 98 King St~'eet West~ phone number 744-49~L fax number 744- 9143. There is st~'ong emphasis on the fact that this is a participatory conference and commitments will be expected. The presentation of the sessions are one third commercial, one third residential and one third political The size of the workshops will be the same ratio. Neighbourhood Community groups will fit into the program by sending members interested to the conference. It was also suggested that when approaching the various groups, an outline of what will be expected of them should be clear. Martha Welsh reported 11 community groups have been contacted requesting participation from their group. Councillor Stortz stated that they need to identify the participants within the next two week~ He also st~'essed that Committee members make themselves available to be active participants at the conference. Information will be circulated to the media for coverage and Rogers Cable T.V. have been invited to cover the event~ It was suggested that consideration should be given to taping the conference. In closing Councillor Stortz st~'essed the importance of filling out the questionnaire and submitting it to Martha Welsh as soon as possible. 6. Central Frederick Neighbourhood Association-Upcoming Events David Ryan advised of some upcoming events sponsored by the Cent~'al lqq'ederick Neighbourhood Association to which all are welcome: 1st Biannual Perennial Swap, (buy, sell or t~'ade) Saturday, October 16th from 9:30 mm. to 11:30 a~m. at Weber Park across from the Frederick St~'eet Mall For anyone interested in starting, expanding or thinning out their gardens Weber Park is the place to be Saturday morning from 9:30 a~m. to 11:30. KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE -119- A youth bowling event open to aH youth is also scheduled for the weekend of October 16tl~ More inlbrmation on this will be available shortly through the neighbourhood newsletter. 7. Other Business Lorna Ferguson distributed to the members a leaflet which invities anyone interested in attending a "Person's Day Breald'ast" to be held October 14, 1993, 7:30 am~ to 8:30 am~ at Univemity Heights Secondary School Cafeteria, 108 Univemity Avenue Eask Waterloo. This k to recognize the fact that women were granted legal status in 19~9 but there are still inequities in Canada~ Guest Speaker will be Rosemary Brown, Chief Commissioner Ontario Human Rights Commission. Anyone interested in attending can register by contacting LEAF (Women's Legal Education and Action Fund), c/o YWCA of K-W, 84 Frederick Streek Kitchener or for more inlbrmation call 744-6507. 7. Adjournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 10:00 Gayle Redgwelh Secretary Downtown Action Committee