HomeMy WebLinkAbout3. March 21, 2023 ACAC Minutes
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
MARCH21, 2023CITY OF KITCHENER
The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee metvirtuallyonMarch21, 2023, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
PRESENT:All members present, except I. Bhattacharjee,Councilor Dave Schneider,A.McWebb,M.
Melo,J. Paquette,andM. Waddell
STAFF:E. Robson, Manager, Arts & Creative Industries
E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries
K. Varin, Program Assistant, Arts & Creative Industries
GUESTS:M. Brown, Region of Waterloo
M. Chandy, Region of Waterloo
S. Miller, Region of Waterloo
A. Olano, Region of Waterloo
K. Vala-Webb, Region of Waterloo
Overlap Associates
1.Acceptance of agenda
Carried
2.Declaration of conflict of interest
None
DELEGATION/PRESENTATIONS:
3.Charles Street Terminal Visioning -Stakeholder Labs, A ThrivingEconomy:Region of
Waterloo, Overlap Associates
Staff from the Region with the support of Overlap Associates led a workshop to get feedback
aboutpossible uses for the vacant Charles Street Transit Terminal site. This meeting was the first
of several stakeholder engagements on the subject.
Following introductions, regional staff outlined ownership, site conditions and the initial community
engagement process that led to inform the Visioning Process and its priorities.The four priorities
that were identified are:
1. Affordable housing
2. Climate action
3. Equity, diversity and inclusion
4. A thriving economy
Further, supportingthe cultural sectorwas one of the items identified under the Thriving Economy
priority. Members were asked to weigh in on the questions:
How would you define “a thriving economy” as it applies to this site in downtown Kitchener?
What are some site-specific features we should work towards to meet this definition of a
thriving economy?
Regional staffclosed the session by outlining other engagement opportunities and ways to get in
touch with theirproject team:
Charles Street Terminal Visioning Page
Community Connector role postingto join the project working group (deadline is March 24)
Forward staff any questions, additional ideas in relation to redeveloping the site and
identifying any persons or groups to engage in the discussions
March2023-ACAC Minutes 1
ARTS ANDCULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES
MARCH21, 2023CITY OF KITCHENER
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
4.Development of new vision for Downtown Kitchener:E. Robson
The city of Kitchener is developing a new visionand set of guiding principles for its downtown. City
staff arelooking for input from the community,which includes reaching out to various citizen
committees. E. Robson led a discussion based on a DIY Facilitation Guide developed for this
purpose by city staff (Downtown Development) and a consulting firm. Members concentrated on
theme twoin the guide: Street Life, Events and Culture, specifically addressing the questions:
What does a vibrant downtown look like to you?
What does a vibrant street life look like to you?
What three words would you most like to use to describe DTK in the future?
A&CI will forward members’ feedback to Downtown Development staff and ask to communicate on
next steps planned.
ActionItem:staff to update members what will be the next steps following this community
engagement and on the results of the engagement
During this discussion, members asked to clarify how downtown boundaries are determined.
Action Item: staff to find out how downtown boundaries are determined.
5.Sub Committee voting
Postponed.
INFORMATION ITEMS:
6.Standing items city updates
Postponed.
7.Downtown Action and Advisory Committee:minutesshared.
8.Economic Development Advisory Committee:minutesshared.
9.Public Art Working Group: minutes sharedwith agenda.
10.Council report
Postponed.
Themeeting was adjourned at 6:00p.m.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday,April 18at 4 p.m., Learning Room, city hall.
March2023-ACAC Minutes 2