Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 1999-02-24EDA\1999-02-24 Economic Development Advisory Committee Wednesday, February 24, 1999 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Pipe Room, City Hall MINUTES Attendance: *Mayor Carl Zehr Councillor Tom Galloway Jane Jantzi Gord Huntington Peter Benninger Scott Baird Michael Sully Glenn Scheels Councillor Christina Weylie Tim McCabe Manfred Conrad *Paul Britton *Ray Robinson Shawky Fahel Henrik Noesgaard Recording Secretary: Linda Thompson Regrets: Hans Pottkamper Lawrence Bingeman Terry Flynn · Tim McCabe welcomed everyone and asked that the Committee accept him as Acting Chair for the first couple of meetings, while everyone gets an opportunity to become familiar with the group and the issues · Tim McCabe thanked everyone for the commitment they made in volunteering to sit on this Committee · It was suggested that at the April meeting, the appointment of the Chair and Vice-Chair come forward · Tim McCabe advised that today's meeting was basically to meet and greet each member and allow Jane and him the opportunity to update the Committee on where the City is with respect to downtown issues; Economic development initiatives; resources available and priorities for the Economic Development division · Tim McCabe asked that everyone briefly introduce themselves to the other members; each member introduced themselves Terms of Reference · Tim McCabe advised that Council approved the Terms of Reference, which set out the purpose, scope, membership and responsibilities of the Committee, on December 14, 19998 · Tim McCabe stressed the importance of this Committee to both Council and staff and that through the Chair and Vice-Chair' s, to feel free to take recommendations through Planning Committee to Council regardless of Staff' s position · Tim McCabe briefly touched on the Membership & Organization advising that each sector was represented as follows: High Tech Downtown Retail Business Marketing Housing Development Henrik Noesgaard Michael Sully Terry Flynn Shawky Fahel Major Retail (Outside Downtown) ICI ICI Consultant Industry Manufacturing Financial (Banking) Convention/Tourism Downtown Office Owner Member-At-Large Scott Baird Ray Robinson Peter Benninger Paul Britton Gord Huntington Hans Pottkamper Lawrence Bingeman Manfred Conrad Glenn Scheels · The term was for a two (2) year period (remaining term of present council after which, the term of this Committee's members would be three (3) years Tim McCabe confirmed that a Chair and Vice-Chair are positions to be held by the private sector representatives · Copy of minutes for these meetings will be made available to Council, Management \ Committee and the media · Meeting rooms will be determined prior to meeting date and advised on the Agenda · Manfred Conrad and Shawky Fahel offered the use of their boardrooms should we be in a bind to - one suitable in size for any future meetings · Jane Jantzi expressed thanks and thought that this might be a good idea to go off-site at times · Tim McCabe summarized the Responsibilities: - The only Strategic Plan ever completed for Economic Development for the City of Kitchener was done in 1991 (4-page Document). It was very much a skeleton-type Strategic Plan and with the recent reorganization and forming of this Committee, we definitely need a more in-depth Strategic Plan - Tim McCabe mentioned that it was extremely important for us to be proactive in our initiatives and as an example issue, mentioned "how do we attract the high-tech market" - Tim McCabe advised the group that the Globe Studio building here in Kitchener had been looked at by a developer to transform into a High Tech Office building where major dollars would be spent to convert this industrial building into exactly what the High Tech companies require to be efficient, attractive and competitive to their client-base. The prospective developer surveyed a number of High Tech companies in Waterloo to find out that approx. 75% of them advised they would only locate in Waterloo, having a Waterloo address. The deal was voided. The High Tech companies are not yet prepared to cross over the line into Kitchener from Waterloo - Henrik Noesgaard brought up another example of why we must address the High Tech issue. Back in October, 1998 one of his manufacturing plants required a hook up to ISDN lines. Simply, Bell advised that they could not hook the Kitchener location up without huge costs and a timely process, however, if this plant was in Waterloo they could do it immediately. Henrik stressed how important an issue this was and one that this Committee should consider high priority. Henrik mentioned that there is no doubt we are the best area in the country for fabrication/machining, etc. and for that reason, and to remain this way, we need this infrastructure - From these discussions, the Committee felt that each sector represented should be looked at individually with objectives, guidelines, priorities, etc. determined as part of our Strategic Plan exercise Another subject brought to the forefront was the expansion of the Waterloo Region Airport. Tim McCabe mentioned that it is this Committee that City Council needs to hear from with respect to how the Business community feels about these types of issues (i.e. Airport expansion, widening of Hwy. 7) The group determined that the airport business plan was a high priority and should definitely be placed as an Agenda item at the next EDAC meeting Gord Huntington mentioned that he has minimized airway travel and has turned to video conferencing; he felt that we should not just funnel in on one idea but rather look at the flip side of things and different ways of approaching issues Tim McCabe suggested that this Committee invite the Region's Airport Manager to the next EDAC meeting in March to make a presentation on the Airport expansion. The group agreed Action: Tim McCabe to invite Region to March 24 meeting to make a presentation on Airport expansion. Linda Thompson to include this item on March 24 Agenda. Development Charge Policy · Tim McCabe advised that all members have been given a copy of the City's new Draft Development Charge Policy for their information. The changes to the Development Charge Policy hopefully represents another step towards the City becoming more user-friendly to the customer · Shawky Fahel mentioned that he has seen a definite, positive change in the way the City conducts business i.e. building permits, approvals, etc.; definitely more user-friendly and commended City Council and staff for these on-going positive changes · Tim McCabe mentioned that this draft Development Charge by-law recommends no pre- collection requirements at the plan registration stages which should prove to be very attractive to the land development industry · Tim stressed that the City is also trying to provide consistency between the Region and the City' s by-laws · It was suggested that a couple of members of the Development Charge team attend our March 24 meeting to briefly outline the changes to the Development Charge Policy and that a summary of the changes be prepared to assist the Committee · Tim McCabe asked that everyone review this Draft By-law prior to March 24 and note any questions or concerns they would want addressed on March 24 · Tim McCabe also mentioned that this Committee has authority to suggest changes, additions, etc. to the report · Tim McCabe confirmed that this is a 5-year by-law · Tom Galloway advised that the Region would be releasing their draft Development Charge report in the next few weeks and that the substantial drop in rates on industrial/commercial developments will be noticed by many · Tim McCabe further mentioned that another important item this Committee should target would be Public/Private partnerships. It seemed that there were many examples used elsewhere and would like to see more with the City of Kitchener involved Cebu · Jane briefly touched on the background for the Mayor's January visit to Cebu/Phillipines · originally through an offer by Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) for Kitchener to assist this third-world country in developing, it was discovered that there were many similarities in the type of industries our two Cities had · Mayor Zehr saw possible economic partnerships in Cebu and a student was then seconded for a 6-month period to meet with companies within the CTT (not just Kitchener) to look at different sectors and determine if any would be interested in possibly partnering with companies in Cebu. One (1) month of this student's time was actually spent in Cebu to do link-ups with companies here and there · To date, there are many on-going discussions with various companies and everyone is optimistic that some economic benefits will come out of this relationship with Cebu Committee convened for lunch at 12:O0 p. m. *Paul Britton and Ray Robinson joined the meeting at this time. Committee reconvened meeting at 12:30 p.m. Business Enterprise Centre · Jane advised that over the past couple of years, the City and the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism (MEDTT) had an agreement to jointly run a Self-Help (Small Business) office within City Hall. This initiative has now been expanded to create a Business Enterprise Centre (from the 2nd floor to the 1st floor) and this Centre will officially open on March 11, 1999 · The Manager of the Centre is Kathi Smith · Jane confirmed that all invitations had gone out and each member of this Committee should have received one. The official opening consists of a 10:30 a.m. media session/reception and a 5:00 p.m. Open House. Jane mentioned that it would be nice if everyone could attend this special event. · The province will be staffing the "Common Counter" which is situated out front of the Centre with three (3) staff persons who will assist people with any Provincial-related issue they may have. With the Province's one-stop shop, it was determined to locate Economic Development's Business Facilitators in this location as well. The key role of the Business Facilitators will be to provide a seamless delivery of customer service · Jane Jantzi confirmed that this Centre will eventually be self-sufficient and private sponsors are being obtain gradually · At present, the Waterloo Country Board of Education's Venture Training Program operates out of the Centre. This program targets students between the ages of 19-29 who are looking to start their own business and need assistance with business and marketing plans and seed financing. This program is a 24-week program sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada and the students are paid to take this program. When the student completes the 24-weeks, he/she should be able to start up his or her own small business · The Centre also employs a Market Research person who will provide customers with various research data and a Small Business Counsellor who will assist in and review customer's marketing plans Industrial Land Strategy · Jane Jantzi advised that there are presently three (3) Business Parks within the City: Bridgeport Business Park (which is completely sold out; Lancaster Corporate Centre (strictly corporate offices with two (2) lots remaining); and the Huron Business Park (which presently has 30 acres available for sale). Jane Jantzi pointed out, however, that there was approximately 100 acres south of the park privately owned and undeveloped · Manfred Conrad questioned what the land prices for industrial land was in the City compared to surrounding Cities of Cambridge/Waterloo/Guelph · Ray Robinson confirmed that all four (4) Cities were comparable, however, Woodstock, Brantford were definitely much lower and still considered to be in the Purchasers area of consideration when looking to buy industrial land · Ray Robinson further mentioned that Royal LePage is nearing completion of a detailed report on southwestern Ontario's land comparisons (including servicing costs, taxes, availability, etc.) and he agreed to summarize this report and share this information with the Committee. He stressed that his company had been working very long and hard to bring this report together and he was quite confident it would be a very useful tool for determining future sales/developments, etc. Action: Ray Robinson to put a presentation together for next EDAC meeting on March 24 with respect to industrial land comparisons. Linda Thompson to include this item on March 24 Agenda. Marketing · Jane Jantzi advised that there are presently four (4) Directories available to the public and they are as follows: Community Profile (demographic statistics of Kitchener and surrounding areas); City of Kitchener Business Directory (which is updated monthly); CTT Manufacturing Directory and the Huron Business Park Directory · Jane Jantzi mentioned that a new Corporate Communications Director for the City had been hired and his name was Paul Sinnott · Jane Jantzi further mentioned that she is a member of a committee who is looking to redesign the City logo. She mentioned that there are many logos out there and this Committee was formed to basically adopt or design a new logo that will be used by everyone (with all other presently used logos being dropped) CTT Corporation · Jane Jantzi confirmed that a Board of Directors had been struck for the newly reorganized CTT organization. The members of the Board are attached hereto for your information · Jane Jantzi mentioned that this organization should be incorporated by the first quarter of this year Health Care Task Force · Jane Jantzi advised that she sits on this Committee which is a sub-committee of the K-W Chamber of Commerce · This Committee is geared towards attracting new doctors to take up practices within the Cities of Kitchener and/or Waterloo · Twice a year, twenty (20) doctors are invited to K-W to be wined, dined and introduced to the many offerings of our communities · The last one was held in November, 1998, the results of which will only come available late summer; early fall which is shortly after these doctors graduate · Jane Jantzi, as part of this Committee, will be hosting a group of doctors this weekend as well (Feb. 27-28) *Mayor Carl Zehr entered the meeting Miscellaneous Items · Tim McCabe mentioned that from Jane's brief outline of her Division's responsibilities the group should be able to see how wide-ranging the functions of this Division are and how many issues it covers · Tim McCabe also mentioned that we have not touched much on the downtown initiatives, however, the Downtown is definitely a high priority item in the City's Corporate Strategic Plan Organizational Chart · Tim McCabe provided everyone with a copy of the Department's organizational chart and briefly described the set up · Tim McCabe further mentioned that Sybil Frenette was leaving the City at the end of this week as she had accepted the newly formed position of Director of Housing at the Region. Tim McCabe confirmed that with Sybil's departure there will be a big hole to fill, however, Sybil was leaving the Division in good shape and it was necessary to ensure we fill this position in the future with a skilled leader to continue on with the downtown successes Financial · Tim McCabe provided everyone with a copy of the 1999 Budget for the Department for their information · Tim McCabe also gave everyone a copy of the Downtown Financial Incentive Program brochure and advised that this program has been very successful and is the only municipality besides London to offer such a program · Tim McCabe further mentioned that most ideas in the Incentive Program came from the Adaptive Reuse Committee Waterloo Region Airport (cont'd) · Mayor Zehr brought forward the article in the Record (which the group had briefly touched on earlier in the meeting) with respect to the Airport expansion. He mentioned that he attended a neighbourhood meeting last week with four (4) Members of Council that drew approximately 200-300 people. Paul Britton was there as well. He advised that there was no question that some people were very rigid, not all, to the position of expansion of this airport. Some asked that politicians get up and put a freeze on it. Mayor Zehr had not intended to speak, however, did comment that it would be irresponsible for someone to ask that this be done at this time as all issues/concerns were not covered, discussed, etc. The Mayor advised though that he did agreed to take some of the concerns to Regional Council. He further confirmed that he would not put forth a Resolution but rather advise the Committee to come back with suggestions/manners in which to start to speak to these concerns of the residents i.e. noise, health & safety, flight times restrictions, etc. · Henrik Noesgaard mentioned that the business community definitely needs the airport, at all times, and he felt it generally would not be handling scheduled flights but rather more private, corporate flights · Mayor Zehr believes the airport is an economic development tool and needs to be there and he feels that if the Committee would look into and resolve some of these major concerns both sides would end up being satisfied · Paul Britton spoke and advised that he was acting on behalf of the developers in the Grand River South area. He confirmed that the coexistence with residential subdivisions have been approved and allowed to date · Paul Britton further mentioned that one of the biggest downfalls his clients could see, was that the study for expansion was being performed by the Region and the Airport was owned by the Region - the objectivity of the work being done to date was definitely in question · Paul Britton advised that in situations like this there is always reason to meet in the middle and lets work towards coexistence. He feels it is therefore very important to define what meaningful role the airport should have · Henrik Noesgaard and Gord Huntington both agreed that this airport expansion proposal has to be looked at for the long-term and not for today's needs - Airports are not 5-year programs! · Everyone agreed that there has to be common ground · Ray Robinson advised that the Hamilton Airport is drawing a huge deal of attention and clients as it is a 24-hour, 7-days a week operation. Ray Robinson further advised that many of the clients of the Hamilton Airport are cargo planes coming in at 3:00 a.m. - big growth industry · Due to the severity and timing of this issue, it was decided amongst the group that this item would be of high priority for the March 24 Agenda Miscellaneous Items · Peter Benninger advised that he would like to see this Committee also focus on the every day activities within the Economic Development Division in order to get a better understanding of the City and the Department · Paul Britton feels that an Industrial Strategy for the Region definitely needs to be addressed. The relationship of Kitchener to the surrounding areas is very important and we should determine, soon, what our strategy for industrial land is and the strategy of others surrounding Kitchener · Ray Robinson agreed that this should also be a high priority Meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m. Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, March 24, 1999 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Schmalz Room (2na floor - beside C.A.O.'s office). Agenda to follow by fax prior to meeting date. CC~ Members of Council Management Committee