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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 1999-05-26EDA\1999-05-26 Attendance: Media: Regrets: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE Wednesday, May 26, 1999 11:00 am- l:00pm Schmalz Room, City Hall MINUTES Hans Pottkamper, Chair Brock Stanley Shawky Fahel Scott Baird Paul Britton Peter Benninger Glenn Scheels Councillor Tom Galloway Glen Scheels, Vice-Chair Jane Jantzi Manfred Conrad Lawrence Bingeman Mike Sully Ray Robinson Mayor Carl Zehr Terry Flynn Linda Thompson, Recording Secretary None Gord Huntington Councillor Christina Weylie Henrik Noesgaard ACTION BY Approval of Minutes of April 14, 1999 Minutes from April 14, 1999 meeting were approved as written. Motion by M. Sully, Seconded by S. Fahel. Carried. Whitney & Co. Presentation - 1999 Market Report John Whitney presented his 1999 Market Report Mr. Whitney advised that this presentation would quantify what is happening with the commercial market place in our municipality and the greater area (Region). He further mentioned that these trends are very important in the planning and process stages within our City) Industrial Land Sales in the 80's ran in around the $125-$135/acre range and today we are looking at $75-$80/acre. Developers are then looking at approx. $3-$4/sq. ft. to build and in addition, development charges have to be taken into account. Mr. Whitney commented that he felt the sale of industrial land is on the increase. A total of 64 acres in the 4 municipalities was sold in 1998 - of those sales, there were 29 transactions. This would conclude that the smaller sites are presently where the demand lies. Mr. Whitney mentioned that in 1997-1998 there were more land sales than the previous 6 years. Land values are slowly starting to increase (1989 land values peaked and in 1996-1997 land values decreased between 30-70%). Mr. Whitney commented that the concerns his company sees within our Region is the lack of incubator space. These businesses that start out small usually tend to grow and with that, we must have room for them to grow/expand without moving out of town. Mr. Whitney mentioned that industrial multiple sites are extremely important and we should look at these type of sites more seriously. He further mentioned that his company feels it is very important for us (as a City) to try and sell the broader area - the CTT area. Mr. Whitney mentioned that he felt Kitchener lacked the availability of suburban market - we are not offering officer users selection of suburban office spaces. He further advised that as a City we must realize that the critical mass is extremely important and being able to sell the area - a bigger picture, not smaller to potential customers is key. These customers need a comfort level and that comfort level is a bigger picture. As for High Tech business attraction, Mr. Whitney felt that Waterloo was at the end of its rope for product and had no place to go. He mentioned that he was able to get a good understanding of the High Tech industry/development, etc. visiting the Ottawa-Carleton area. He indicated that a majority of these companies' employees are less than 30 years of age. Therefore, these companies must build where the amenities to attract & keep their employees satisfy their wants ie. frisbee parks, bike trails, parks/ponds, etc. Mr. Whitney commented that one of the fastest growing types of businesses is the call centre. In order to have these centres locate within our City we must understand what our customers needs are - the whole picture, not just space requirements. Mr. Whitney gave an example wherein a call centre was looking to move into this area and ended up opening another in New Brunswick - the reason being when they contacted our employment office their helpfulness (or lack there of) and terrible attitude turned them away. Very important that we understand all the needs of our potential customers. Mr. Pottkamper thanked Mr. Whitney for his very informative presentation and welcomed anyone to call Mr. Whitney (746-6300) at any time if they had further questions. Mayor Zehr, d. Whitney and B. Christensen left the meeting. 2. CD Rom - Adaptive Reuse Presentation Hans Pottkamper advised the group that as promised in our April meeting, the Downtown Team would give a brief update on the status of the existing Adaptive Reuse sites David Corks and Tim Fox were present on behalf of the Downtown Economic Development team D. Corks handed out an up-to-date list of the present 16 Adaptive Reuse Sites (some of which had since been sold or leased) D. Corks mentioned that the properties which did not offer full incentives were the properties outside the boundary of the government funded incentive programs D. Corks welcomed anyone to view any of the sites and if anyone was aware of anyone interested in these types of properties to have them call himself or T. Fox (741-2292) R. Robinson suggested that we include in our CD Rom or hardcopy on these sites, success stories of the sites that have been sold and improved/renovated, whatever (pictures before and after shots). The group agreed that this would be an excellent idea. J. Jantzi mentioned that if anyone knew of sites that were not included on the CD Rom and should be, to let her know as soon as possible as the new information is being added to the revised CD as we speak. Mr. Pottkamper thanked Mr. Corks and Mr. Fox for their update on the Adaptive Reuse sites. David Corks' and Dm Fox left the meeting. o Goals & Priority Setting for EDAC H. Pottkamper reminded everyone that at our last meeting we asked each member to take some time, prior to this meeting, and jot down what they think the priorities for this committee should be. Mr. Pottkamper Acknowledged that a summary of these suggestions were put in writing and provided to each member today. It was mentioned that John Whitney's presentation today truly showed Where Kitchener is at and where it should be heading. Many suggestions were made as priorities including Hwy. 7 By-pass, Expansion of Waterloo Region Airport, purchasing industrial land, Creating a reason for developers to acquire some of these Adaptive Reuse Properties (other than a few incentives - if development does not make 3 Good financial sense, than no one will buy. It was mentioned that Obviously these properties are not worth purchasing, too costly to Redevelop, or they would be sold by now.) P. Britton suggested that we should first think about putting a strategic plan in place with specific goals and then look at ensuring we have covered off all of the priority list J. Jantzi mentioned that the Economic Development division has written a first draft of a Strategic Plan. T. Flynn suggested that members of the Committee receive a draft copy for their review and input. Receiving this draft would also assist the Committee is working with the Division on setting strategies/priorities. B. Stanley advised that Council had just adopted the City's new corporate objectives using the healthy communities' model that encompasses community, environment and economics. Mr. Stanley suggested that this committee would be called upon quite heavily to look into and make recommendations to Council with regards to the Economics portion of the City's corporate objectives. It was felt by a majority of the Committee that timing was crucial and to wait until next year to look into these issues would be too late. We must act now and start recommending to Council our ideas/suggestions for moving forward as a City. We must put down in writing what we see as the vision for the City from this committee. Many commented that infrastructure was the essence of any community and there was a consensus that our strategy must relate to the larger picture (as a Region). It was also mentioned that we must tap into a very important and huge resource - the 401 It was further mentioned that it is very important for this Committee to realize that all of these items identified as priorities are in some way or another inter-related and we must work with them all together not separately, one at a time thing. It was also mentioned that although it is important to look at the big picture (regional view) we must not wait to act on our vision for our City. It was agreed upon by the Committee that a Sub-Committee be struck to 4 Jane Jantzi, to provide L. Thompson with a copy of the draft Strategic Plan for Ec. I distribution to each EDAC members. L. Thompson will set up a meeting time and place for the Sub-Committee come up with a prioritize list of action items prior to next EDAC meeting in the next week or two. of Friday, June 25, 1999. The Sub-Committee would be made up of Hans Pottkamper, Glenn Scheels, Paul Britton, Mike Sully, Brock Stanley, Jane Jantzi and Linda Thompson. 5. EDAC Potential Support J. Jantzi advised the Committee that the Economic Development division was presently readjusting their structure and in the past it was intended that a Senior Business Advisor would be hired to assist the Directors of each of the Downtown and Economic Development/Business Facilitation areas of the division. Council has now agreed to forego the Sr. Advisor and this is where the Ec. Dev. Division sees this Committee playing a huge role - this Committee will now be looked upon as the Senior Business Advisor. As part of the meeting package a memo Regarding an Ambassador Program was distributed. This memo basically lists ideas and roles each and every member of this Committee could play in order to attract and/or retain business/development, etc. The Committee felt that this program was ideal and welcomed the Opportunity to assist anyway they can. M. Conrad inquired as to whether it would be okay for him to substitute an employee of Cora rather than himself and it was agreed that any assistance would be appreciated & welcomed J. Jantzi asked for everyone to keep her informed on anything they would like City's assistance on as well or any idea they have for new businesses/potential customers, etc. 6. Gord Huntington- Transfer H. Pottkamper confirmed that Gord Huntington had been transferred to Oklahoma and we would be looking for a manufacturing co. type replacement for his seat on this Committee. If anyone knows of anyone who may be interested, please advise Mr. Pottkamper or Ms. Jantzi 7. New Business H. Pottkamper congratulated B. Stanley on his recent appointment as General Manager of the Department of Business and Planning Services and invited Mr. Stanley to speak about the reorganization of the Department B. Stanley advised that as Jane had indicated earlier, Council had Approved the suggested restructuring of the Economic Development 5 Division of one Director and two (2) Managers (one of the Downtown and The other Business Attraction/Retention/Facilitation) and the elimination of the Senior Business Advisor. Mr. Stanley indicated that the City will Proceed very quickly on posting these positions B. Stanley again mentioned that this Committee would be relied upon Heavily for its role as a Senior Business Advisor H. Pottkamper further advised everyone that the next meeting set for Wednesday, June 23, 1999 needs to be rescheduled as a special meeting of Regional Council has been called for that day. Therefore, as a Committee, it was decided that the next meeting of EDAC will be held on Friday, June 25, 1999 from 8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in the Schmalz Room > S. Fahel invited everyone to the grand opening celebration of the Estrada Caf~ at Market Village on Friday, May 27, 1999 at 7:30 p.m. Motion to Adjourn, S. Baird, Seconded by M. Conrad, Carried. Meeting Adjourned at 1:05 p.m. Next Meeting: Friday, June 25, 1999 8:00 a.m.- 11:00 a.m. City of Kitchener, Caucus Room, 2na floor