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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 1999-10-27E DA\l~i~0-27 Economic Development Advisory Committee Wednesday, October 27, 1999 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Caucus Room, 2na Floor, City Hall MINUTES Attendance: Hans Pottkamper, Chair Henrik Noesgaard Paul Britton Peter Benninger Manfred Conrad Jane Jantzi Councillor Christina Weylie George Borovilos Shawky Fahel Mike Sully Brock Stanley Beth Christensen Recording Secretary: Linda Thompson Regrets: Mayor Zehr Glenn Scheels Terry Flynn Ray Robinson Councillor Tom Galloway Lawrence Bingeman Scott Baird 1. Approval of Minutes of September 22, 1999 Minutes of September 22,1999 were approved as written. Moved by Mike Sully, Seconded by Shawky Fahel. Carried e Presentation by Regional Municipality of Waterloo Water Resource Protection - 1 Hr. Presentation The Chair welcomed Kevin Eby, Manager of Development Planning, Eric Hodgins, Manager of Water Resource Protection and Wanda Richardson, Planner from the Region and thanked them for coming to EDAC to make this presentation. Kevin Eby gave the slide presentation (copy attached) and distributed a report entitled "Policies to Protect Municipal Water Supplies". Kevin Eby further advised that this presentation would be going to the City's Planning and Economic Development Committee on Monday, November 22, 1999 and welcomed anyone wanting to hear it again or for the first time. At the end of the presentation Kevin advised that due to time constraints at this meeting, he and his team would be willing to come back to answer any questions or concerns, this group would have. Break for Lunch 12:00 Noon Meeting Resumed at 12:15 p.m. Short & Long-Term Industrial Land Recommendations Hans Pottkamper advised that the Economic Vision Committee (EVC) had met on a number of occasions and had come up with the following two (2) recommendations regarding short & long-term industrial land (which were set out on the attached Memorandum to EDAC). Hans advised that he would like to open the floor up to any discussions, comments, concerns any committee member has with respect to these recommendations. Hans further advised that once these recommendations were approved by EDAC, the next step would be to take these recommendations to Planning and Economic Development (PED) Committee and then to Council for approval. Hans mentioned that the EVC would like to see this report/recommendations go to PED Committee on November 8, 1999. Hans further advised that the committee decided not to get too specific in terms of how this would get implemented but rather try to keep at a strategic level as much as possible. Paul Britton abstained from voting due to conflict of interest on this motion to accept these recommendations. It was decided to move and accept the recommendations as noted on the Memorandum dated October 18, 1999 from the Economic Vision Committee with respect to short and long-term industrial land, as written. Moved by Shawky Fahel, Seconded by Peter Benninger. Carried. Paul Britton commented that there was an article in Saturday's Record regarding Industrial Land shortage, etc. (copy attached) and mentioned that everyone may want to read it. 4. Director of Economic Development's Report - September/October, 1999 George Borovilos advised that each month at EDAC he would like to present a brief outline of what is happening in his division. The categories he would touch on are Administration, Committees, Functions, Projects, Marketing and Reporting Format. Some information George shared with the committee was that at present there were still three (3) vacant positions (Data Technician and two Business Facilitators). George further advised that there will be no increase in the 2000 budget - must get a handle on what division is doing first, in particular in light of CTT's work. George also mentioned that CTT's share in the budget is going up from $80,000 in 1999 to $120,000 in 2000. George also advised that come mid-November, his division would be moving to their new offices on the 6th floor of the Tower sharing the floor with Planning Division. With respect to Committees, George advised that he will sit on EDAC and the Board of Advisors for CTT & Business Enterprise Centre, CTT - Marketing & Promotions Committee will be represented by Jane Jantzi and Economic Development Committee - Beth Christensen. The new Manager of the Downtown will sit on the Downtown Advisory Committee. John Forsythe Site George also brought up the issues around the sale of the John Forsythe site. George advised that to his knowledge the building has been listed since 1991 and has had offers of $400,000 to $800,000 that were never accepted by the owners. George has recently met with the principals and they have requested a demolition permit. However, Heritage Kitchener wants site to have heritage designation. George is hopefully going to continue to explore some options with them over the next 30 - 60 days. Manfred Conrad asked George if anyone has ever approached them on a joint venture proposal and commented that the site definitely is an eyesore and has been for some time. Shawky Fahel mentioned that four (4) years ago, Adaptive Reuse Committee talked about a partnership with the City and J. Forsythe as it was felt that this was the only way in which this project was going to fly. Goudies/Green Site George advised that the Green Site has been sold and they still have a number of interested parties on the Goudies site. Many committee members voiced their concern over the loss of the green space in that area and hoped that some sort of green space would be made and maintained between the Green Site and Goudies. Paul Britton questioned whether this Committee should have a role to play in these types of decisions and George mentioned that through the Terms of Reference, this Committee does have a very important role to lay, Courthouse Various development options and the site is now out for proposals. KOR Art Studios George advised that the K0R Art Studios are looking for new home to store and display their art. Marketing George asked the Committee if they would like to see this sort of report at each meeting. Paul Britton advised that he would rather see EDAC involved with issues that come along and need EDAC's opinions & meet for input as opposed to seeing more reports. The general feeling was that everyone preferred that specific items of interest or items needing EDAC' s input be brought forth at EDAC meetings rather than a report each month. Other Business Peter Benninger brought up the fact that he received a copy of the Draft Commercial Policy Review Study and questioned why this document was never a part of the EDAC agenda. Definitely felt it was an issue we should be dealing with at EDAC. Brock Stanley advised that this particular document's direction was set by Council and is still in major implementation stage - approx, one (1) year to go to finalize it. Brock further advised that this Committee can still play a major role in the implication process. In the future, Hans advised that Brock and George will keep him and Linda informed of any items they feel should be included on the Agenda and brought to the attention of EDAC for discussion, information and/or input. Jane Jantzi advised that she would like to see the Wellhead Protection issue brought to EDAC for discussion before the end of the year. Paul Britton advised that until the Region has prepared a draft set of policies with a final map we really are not in a position to comment or discuss this issue further at this time. Henrik Noesgaard left the meeting. Recruiting Committee: The Chair reminded the Committee that we still have not filled the void of Gord Huntington on EDAC and asked if there were volunteers to establish a Recruiting Committee with focus on the manufacturing sector to take Gord's place. Shawky Fahel and Jane Jantzi volunteered and were going to contact Henrik Noesgaard to see if he was able to assist in filling this position. Motion to adjourn meeting. Moved by Mike Sully, Seconded by Paul Britton. Carried. Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 24, 1999 from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. in the Caucus Room, 2na Floor, City Hall. CC~ Members of Council Management Committee