HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-27 EDAC Minutes
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Committee Minutes
March 27, 2024, 11:00 a.m.
Electronic Meeting
Present: Councillor D. Schnider, Member
G. Trusler, Member
J. Malfara, Member
M. Lam, Member
M. Krushack, Member
P. Kreutner, Member
J. Curto, Member
M. Bingeman, Member
A. Akbar, Member
Staff: K. Remus, Committee Admnistrator
Cory Bluhm
Brian Bennett
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1. Commencement
The meeting commenced at 11:00 a.m. Chaired by Joe Curto.
2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
No pecuniary interests disclosed.
3. Delegations
None.
4. Discussion Items
4.1 Growing Together Update
John Zunic, Senior Planner at the City of Kitchener, provided an update on the
Growing Together policy framework. On March 18, 2024, City of Kitchener
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Council unanimously approved the Growing Together plan, a policy framework
that builds on Kitchener's role as a national leader in addressing the housing
crisis. Growing Together enables more than 100,000 new homes in all shapes
and sizes, and at least 20,000 new homes in "missing middle" forms. More
information can be found on the Growing Together Engage WR page.
4.2 Bramm Yards Community Engagement Summary
In 2023, the City of Kitchener developed a proposed vision and set of principles
identifying an ambition to develop the Bramm Yards into a leading-edge mixed
use residential development and urban business park, including significant
health-innovation focused employment space with sustainable development
practices. Jay Brown, City of Kitchener Economic Development Analyst, shared
with the committee the community engagement process, key findings recorded
from stakeholders and the next steps in the development of a Bramm Yards
Master Plan. More information can be found on the Bramm Yards Master Plan
Engage WR page.
4.3 Honorarium & Reimbursement Policy
Katelyn Remus, Economic Development Assistant at the City of Kitchener,
shared that the Equity, Anti-Racism & Reconciliation team has created an
Honorarium and Reimbursement Policy for Advisory and Quasi-Judicial
Committees of the Council. Staff are looking to gain an understanding of
committee members that utilize public transport and/or childcare to attend
committee meetings. This information will help with the implementation of the
policy.
4.4 Terms of Reference
Brian Bennett, Manager of Business Development at the City of Kitchener,
shared that advisory committees are currently reviewing their Terms of
Reference and making updates/adjustments as needed. The committee reviewed
the current Terms of Reference and made suggestions for revisions. B. Bennett
will bring the revisions back to the committee for their final approval at the April
meeting. K. Remus shared that the current committee term will be ending
November 2024. Committee applications will open in the early fall.
4.5 Upcoming EDAC Meetings
Cory Bluhm shared that some 2024 committee meeting dates may need to be
adjusted to the third week of each month due to meeting with the committee
before Council meetings. The committee will be given advance notice of meeting
dates that may need to be adjusted.
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5. Adjournment
On motion, this meeting adjourned at 12:36 p.m.
Katelyn Remus
Committee Administrator
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