HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv Comm - 2004-09-22ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
September 22, 2004
11:00 am - 1:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room - City Hall
Attendance:
Staff:
Regrets:
Absent:
Peter Benninger, Lawrence Bingeman, Len Carter, Howie Budd,
Bob Denton, Jane Jantzi, Henrik Noesgaard, Mark Paleczny,
Hans Pottkamper, Councillor Christina Weylie, Glen Woolner
Patricia Bacon, Rob Browning, Janette MacDonald, Rob Morgan,
Michelle Schurter, Kathy Weiss,
Scott Baird
Edward Booker, Manfred Conrad, Shawky Fahel
1. Approval of Minutes of July 28, 2004
Minutes of July 28, 2004 were approved as written.
Moved by Peter Benninger
Seconded by Glen Woolner
Carried
Minutes of the June 23, 2004 meeting were attached to this approval and
passed.
2. Welcome and Introductions
Hans Pottkamper introduced Rob Browning, as the recently appointed Interim
General Manager of Strategic Services and thus Economic Development. He
also introduced Karen McLaughlin, from the Business Enterprise Centre, as
the recording secretary for the corn m ittee.
3. Economic Development Update
Rob Browning provided an update on the restructuring of the Economic
Development and its progress to date.
Highlights included:
Project Administration and Economic Investment
· Hans Gross has been named as Director of this new section. Two staff
has been assigned: Rob Morgan and Michelle Schurter.
· The staff has been working on a number of initiatives such as Grand
River VV~st, University of Waterloo, and the Kitchener Public Library
Business Cases. Work with Woolwich Township, the Region and
private property owners in Breslau re: feasibility of providing water and
sewer services to lands north of Breslau continues. In addition, the
staff are on Region project teams fro East Side Community Scoping
Study and the Light Rail Transit Technical Studies.
Business Development
· Business Development has merged
its services and staff into the
Business Enterprise Centre, making it easier for clients looking for
service to access a one stop shop format.
The new manager, Kathy Weiss, is developing a business plan for the
BEC which addresses the required programming and financial due
diligence in the centre.
Business Development's focus will be aligned with the new economic
strategy relating to business retention supporting the manufacturing
sector and business attraction programs to advance the new education
and pharmaceutical cluster, attract new downtown businesses.
Downtown and Neighbourhood Development
· Accomplishments in terms of enhancing the downtown include, Your
Kitchener Market, partnerships with WLU and UW. Work is ongoing on
the Centre Block and the KPL Business Case.
· Recruitment is underway for a Manager of the Downtown and
Neighbourhood Development. It is hoped to have the position filled
very soon.
· Discussion and questions followed
ACTION ITEM arising from discussion: The committee requested a written
report of a tourism presentation by Rosemary Pitfield, June 23, 2004.
4. City's Response to Golden Horseshoe Growth Management Strategy
Copies of the report were distributed. Hans Pottkamper indicated that the
city's response was similar to the Region's response. It is a good idea but funding
needs to be available up front. All agree that the transportation of goods and
people is very important. Council has accepted the report.
The province expects 4 million more people in the Golden Horseshoe in
the future. Issues of concern: How we absorb this many people and provide
jobs? The border problems (slow down, long lines) need to be addressed.
An early 2005 response is expected.
5. Downtown Strategic Plan Phase III Presentation
Glen Richardson presented via Power Point the Downtown Strategic Plan
Phase III. - Implementation Plan. He described action plans for the various
districts (Warehouse, City Centre, Market and Civic) Urban Design,
Neighbourhoods and Communities, Culture, Housing and Business. Hardcopies
of the presentation were distributed.
A question and answer session followed the presentation.
6. Centre Block/KPL Update
KPL presented their business case on Sept 13, 2004. The steering
committee developed a series of recommendations, the primary being that the
Centre Block be the designated location for the new library and that $32.5 million
be allocated by the city to be supplemented by fundraising and the sale of KPL
building. The mayors and CAOs of Waterloo and Kitchener are still looking to the
possibility of a joint venture. The steering committee also asked that
consideration be given to constructing a parking lot below the library.
From discussion on parking options:
MOTION:
EDAC recommends and supports two levels of parking under the proposed new
library and that the city consider providing additional funds to parking solutions in
the downtown.
Moved by: Glen Woolner
Seconded by: Mark Paleczny
Carried
7. Grand River West Business Case Update
Deferred to next meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.
Karen McLaughlin, Recording Secretary
Economic Development Advisory Com m ittee
Next meeting: October 27, 2004
11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room, Kitchener City Hall