HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 1999-06-25EDA\1999-06-25
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Friday, June 25, 1999
8:00 a.m.- ll:00a.m.
Caucus Room, City Hall
MINUTES
Attendance:
Hans Pottkamper, Chair
Brock Stanley
Scott Baird
Paul Britton
Peter Benninger
Henrik Noesgaard
Glen Scheels, Vice-Chair
Jane Jantzi
Lawrence Bingeman
Mike Sully
Ray Robinson
Mayor Carl Zehr
Linda Thompson, Recording Secretary
Media:
None
Regrets:
Terry Flynn
Manfred Conrad
Councillor Tom Galloway
Shawky Fahel
Councillor Christina Weylie
2.&3.
Approval of Minutes of May 26, 1999
Minutes from May 26, 1999 meeting were approved as written save and
except #2. Third bullet (of page 1) which reads "Developers are then looking
at approximately $3-$4/sq. fi.. It should read "$30-$40/sq. ft.
Motion by G. Scheels, Seconded by S. Baird. Carried.
Update of Economic Vision & Mission Statement
H. Pottkamper advised the group that the subcommittee of the Economic
Development Advisory Committee has recently formed and was
going to be titled Economic Vision Committee (H. Pottkamper thanked
B. Stanley for coming up with the name)
H. Pottkamper further confirmed that the subcommittee's main objective,
as agreed to by the main committee, was to identify a list of issues for
consideration and prioritization by the EDAC Committee as well as come
up with a Mission Statement for review and acceptance by the EDAC
Committee
H. Pottkamper advised the Committee that the following draft mission
statement had been prepared for comment and/or approval
"To proactively assist the City of Kitchener in developing,
supporting, and evaluating economic initiatives at a municipal
and/or regional level to improve the economic health of the City."
After some discussions, it was determined by the Committee that the
Mission Statement as written above would be adopted by the Committee.
Motion by P. Britton, Seconded by M. Sully. Carried.
Goals & Priority Setting for EDAC
The following possible issues were brought forth by the Economic Vision
Committee:
Roads
Sewer & Water
Downtown
Government
Telecommunications Land Strategy
Utilities Airport
Transportation Tourism
Quality of Life (i.e health care, education, etc.)
H. Pottkamper advised that these are the issues the subcommittee came up
with and everyone should feel free to add to this list - definitely not set in
stone -just a starting point
Mayor Zehr mentioned, seeing as we had Utilities as one of our issues,
that the structure of electricity companies will be heavily discussed over
the next few months and hopefully will be finalized by the end of the
summer (i.e. does the City sell or keep utilities?)
P. Britton mentioned that each issue has a financial side to it and we
Should also keep this in mind when prioritizing the issues
H. Pottkamper advised that the subcommittee should probably take an
Inventory of what's already in the community now regarding
Infrastructure, what the needs are and where the gaps are that need to be
filled.
Mayor Zehr further mentioned that the Federal Government was offering
a 50% (up to $5,000,000) grant to one municipality per province for
high-tech connections. Mayor Zehr advised that each of the three (3)
universities together with Conestoga College are working on this letter
and application to the Federal Government which said Letter of Intent
(application) is due in by August 3, 1999.
Mayor Zehr further mentioned that Sympatico is putting in a system in the
areas of Albert, Water, Kingsway and Galt. This system is telephone
lines which can be used by residential homes only.
Another issue was brought up and that was "Ground Water Protection
2
Strategy"
o
Paul Britton mentioned that messages being sent out are very negative
and communication is key and we must get the good word out.
G. Scheels suggested that Jane and her Manager provide their list of
Priorities to members of EDAC at next meting.
Replacement for Gord Huntington (Manufacturing Sector)
It was suggested that with Gord Huntington's departure from their
Committee a new person be appointed from the Manufacturing Sector
Paul Kuntz ofKuntz Electroplating was suggested and the group agreed
to have Jane Jantzi call Mr. Kuntz and meet with he and the Chair to
discuss his joining EDAC.
New Business
Capitol Theatre
> H. Pottkamper advised that he had provided a handout from Mr. Tony
DiBattista with respect to the Capital Theatre development
> H. Pottkamper further advised that Mr. DiBattista had recently brought
this issue up with him and asked that it be brought to this Committee for
information & comments
> H. Pottkamper advised that Mr. DiBattista claims he did due diligence,
both he and Council agreed that the property was zoned for Night Club
use, however, Council now does not support him in his LCBO liquor
application
> Various Committee members agreed that we should ensure, as a City, that
there is consistency in our process for applications, etc. and ensure we
communicate this process and that its "do's & don't's" are clearly relayed
& explained to any prospective purchasers.
> Mayor Zehr advised that for the past year or so the City has been working
through a Task Force very diligently to try and come up with ways to end
the problems the downtown core is having with bars (i.e. rowdiness,
fights, noise, etc.) and he felt Mr. DiBattista knew full well that this was a
huge concern of Council.
> Mayor Zehr also mentioned that when Mr. DiBattista filed his application
for the Capitol Theatre development he noted Night Club on his
application but verbally indicated he planned to use it as a concert and
special events hall.
> The Committee passed the following two-part Motion:
"The Economic Development Advisory Committee would take no action with
respect to Mr. DiBattista's concerns pending possible litigation."
"The Economic Development Advisory Committee recommends that
Council, through Staff, would endeavour to ensure its policy with respect to
licensing is made knpwn to perspective purchasers and investors."
Moved by Paul Britton, seconded by Ray Robinson. Carried.
G. Scheels handed out an article relating to Business Clustering for everyone's
Information. J. Jantzi advised that KPMG has been doing a lot of research work
on cluster activity. It was suggested that this topic be noted as an Agenda item at
our next meeting.
Linda to add to
Agenda of EDAC
for July 28, 1999.
Meeting.
Motion to adjourn, S. Baird, seconded by Henrik Noesgaard. Carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Next Meeting: Wednesday, July 28, 1999
11:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
City of Kitchener, Council Caucus Room, 2na floor