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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1993-09-02DAC\1993-09-02 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 2, 1993 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Bryan Stortz with the following members present; kVL MoHssetti, D. Ryan, C. Costley, L, Ferguson, Councillor kVL Yantzi, B. Hunsberger, R. Koop, N. Brawley, R. Braun, R. Russell, Mayor Cardillo. Others Present: S. Klapman, A~ Jenson, Staff Inspector J. MacDonald, V. Gibaut~ J. Witmer, G. NLxon, G. Lorentz 1. Opening Remarks Councillor Stortz advised the Committee will take a tour of the new building commencing at 9:30 a~m~ Approval of Agenda On motion by David Ryan Seconded by Cam Costley it was resolved: That the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee agenda of September 9, 1993 with the addition of a report on the COP Program and the Central Frederick Neighbom'hood Association community picnic held in Weber Park, August 15th, be accepted. 3. Approval of Minutes A correction to the minutes of August 5, 1993, item 7, Police Activity. The National Award is a Police Award for the COP Program On motion by Lorna Ferguson Seconded by David Ryan it was resolved: That the minutes of the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee of August 5, 1993, with a correction to the August 5, 1993 minutes, item 7, Police Activity, as noted above, be accepted. 4. Citizens on Patrol (COP) Program Ann Jenson, Co-ordinator of the COP Ih'ogram addi'essed the Committee and highlighted the success along with the fl~strations of the PI'ogra~ The following are some of the highlights IV[~ Jenson focused on: there are 177 volunteers who have contributed 9,667 man hours to the KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE - 113- progran~ the program has produced in arrests as a result of the surveillance by the volunteem those involved in illegal activities are aware of being watched by the COP volunteem Some of the frustrations are the swinging door action where these people are soon back on the street continuing theh' criminal activities On some occasions the volunteers are sent to observe an area for several hours but see no activity and this can be boring. The program has been successful to date but more volunteers are neede& These volunteers are screened for acceptability and undergo a training periock The next training session is scheduled for October. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer in the COP PI'ogram can contact Constable John Halliday at Regional Police Headquarters, phone 653-7700 extention 868. In conclusion Ms` Jenson emphasized the value of this program to the community, and encouraged more people become involve& The Committee then entered into a question and answer period with kVls` Jensom Some of the questions raised were what the changes in the Young Offenders Act will have on the program and why the COP volunteers are, on occasion, sent to other areas of the City other than downtown for surveillance. Jenson was thanked by Karen Taylor Harrison, Councillor Mark Yantzi and Councillor Stortz for her efforts to date with the PI'ogra~ Central Frederick Neighbourhood Success David Ryan reported the Community Picnic was a huge success, Approximately 400 people turned out and there was great community sphqt, He personally thanked Market Square, Braun Bicycles, the KDBA and merchants in the lqh'ederick Street Mall for theh' support~ He did indicate his disappointment in lack of support from King Street retailers, and the City of Kitchener. 3. Building on Success - Visions Conference 1993 Councillor Stortz provided a copy of the PI'ogram for the upcoming November conference and highlighted revisions since the program was prepare& The City Hall building has been booked for the conference which begins Wednesday, November 3rd with registration and finishes on Saturday, November 6th with the closing KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE - 114- plenary "Taking the Next Stepd'. Stephan Lauer of Heritage Canada in conjunction with Ontario Downtowns will submit a proposal to the Ministry for three community business areas to receive funding for a revitalization plato Ron Lorentz reported $3.million is available from the PI'ovince to assist communities in mobilizing itself toward an Economic Development Plato Areas that qualify are: development of leadership and organization skills studies and research investor searches promotion and marketing non- capital projects The Committee has a resolution from Council endorsing retention of professional resources to assist in the development of a revitalization plan for Downtown Kitchener. Councillor Stortz reported Martha Welsh, a former member of this Committee, will act as a resource person for the conference through the KDBA~ Martha will contact members of the Conference Committee with a date for the next meeting. Discussion took place on who the committee is targeting as participant~ It was reported 150 is the target with for the conference with at least two thh'ds being made up by neighbom'hoods and commerce. Some felt marketing issues should be ad&'essed and it was suggested a Sociologist and Psycologist be involved to assist in streWhing the rain& It was emphasized the community must be recreated by looking at the issues, prepa~qng a plan to deal with these and then decide on how to make the plan work In closing Councillor Stortz commented it's very symbolic that the Ice Il.ink is opening the weekend of the November conference. 4. Downtown Tour Councillor Stortz noted the downtown tour taken after the August Committee meeting has resulted in substantial cleanup in identified areas Canada Life Tower Grant NLxon provided an update on the landscaping plan for the Canada Lfl~e Tower. He stated an agreement has been reached with regard to the planters and the only thing yet to be signed in the maintenance agreement for these. KITCHENER DOYVNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE - 115- Forum in Toronto Sam Klapman circulated intbrmation on a forum entitled "Everybody's Business". The forum will adch'ess how business people can make communities safer. The date of the forum is September ~7, 1993, 7:30 p.m~ to 10:00 p.m~ in Toronto Nancy Brawley will be attending the foru~ Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 9:35 a~m~ to take a tour of the new City Hall and Civic Square. Gayle RedgwelL Secretary Kitchener Downtown Action Committee