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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-04-25 DAAC Minutes 1 Downtown Action Advisory Committee April 25, 2024, 4:00 p.m. Schmalz Room - Second Floor City Hall City of Kitchener 200 King Street W, Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7 Present: W. Turman, Chair B. Van Dam, Vice Chair A. Belvitt, Member G. Eveleigh, Member J. Birnstihl, Member J. Leslie, Member S. Castle, Member L. Jutzi, Member Councillor D. Chapman, Member Councillor S. Stretch, Member Staff: T. Mistry, Committee Administrator _____________________________________________________________________ 1. Commencement The meeting commenced at 4:07pm. The meeting began with a Land Acknowledgement given by the Chair. 2. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof None. 3. Delegations None. 4. Discussion Items 4.1 DAC Business The Committee did roundtable introductions and everyone shared their connections to Downtown. There is a lot of love for Downtown Kitchener in this 2 group and passion for this community. One member shared that similar to a body, a city can only be as healthy as its core. It's great to have a more robust membership with 3 new members and everyone in attendance! What is DAC: - W. Turman gave a bit of background on DAC. Historically this committee has been a sounding board on a variety of projects from different departments, but sometimes felt like a box that was being ticked. Members wanted to make a more tangible impact, to be consulted at the beginning of a project instead of once it's almost finished. The Committee worked on a new Terms of Reference. As a Committee, if we come together on a position, our collective voice can be stronger then our voices as individuals. Workplan: - ACAC tied their work plan to the strategic compass and put down their goals that they had for the year. - DAC is responsible for creating its own workplan. Downtown is geographically defined and intersects with all these other topics (arts and culture, transportation, etc...) - Could we advise on Downtown Development? (Invite Planning to a meeting.) Let's get people living Downtown. - Policy is an area where we can have impact. - Could DAC throw their weight behind (or against) initiatives? - Interested in events and programming, feedback on what's happening, and ideas on what could happen. - Interested in initiatives for entrepreneurs and creatives. - What is the process from idea to action as an advisory committee? What power does DAC have to get something done? - If you align with the Downtown Councillors on the Committee, they could bring a motion to Council. - What is the process for a motion to be approved and implemented? It will be voted on. It helps if the motion is something specific. - If voted on, Council could direct staff. 3 - Is there a Core Area Masterplan? - Would like to see more downtown revitalization. Kitchener has done a good job, the LRT, the tech cluster, but it seems like it is stagnant. How do we promote business, development, and get people living downtown? - Placemaking! - Pedestrianization of streets. - Potentially forming sub-committees about pedestrianization, putting together some research and concepts. What would be required to do it well? - It is valuable to be connected to other committees. There is often overlap of interests. It's a shame that DAC doesn't have more connections to other committees to magnify and multiply. How do we make / strengthen those connections? - ACAC has members that sit on different committees. DAC might want to do something similar. - Is anyone interested in either or both of these sub-committees? There would be two steps: figure out what we need to do and then actually do it. - What would be the advantage of facilitating a sub -committee? If the majority of this committee meets outside of this committee on DAC business, that's not allowed. It would free up members to do a body of work. - Speaking to pedestrianization of streets, as the BIA, there are so many factors to consider regarding impacts to small businesses. You need to understand that perspective. Someone needs to look out for how it would impact the small businesses. - Might there be businesses that would be open to advising a sub-committee? Business owners might be interested in speaking with the subcommittee to share their experiences, concerns and ideas, but likely wouldn't have capacity to join the sub-committee. - A first step would be to outline all of the considerations. Vote: All those in favour of creating a subcommittee for exploring the idea of pedestrianizing a road downtown. (To bring forwards an outl ine of what would be required to bring a motion forwards.) Passed unanimously. 4 Estimate of amount of work? By the next meeting, a list of considerations, some examples of places, perhaps meeting one or two times. Membership interest: William, Grant, Sandi Recommendations for non-member members of the sub-committee? Reach out to Sam Nabi. Could be interesting to ask Cambridge (don't reinvent the wheel. What else is out there?) Linda offered to connect with the Executive Director of Downtown Galt. "Build it and they will come" is not always the case. Activations are important. Sub-committee will continue this conversation after the meeting. 4.2 Kitchener Market C. Dale had to reschedule, and will come to a future meeting. 4.3 Downtown Kitchener BIA L. Jutzi gave a brief explanation about what a BIA is. As part of BIA's strategic planning, people asked for more connection to arts and culture, more diversity. Arnold Yescas was hired to come up with new creative initiatives and tying them to the downtown businesses. Talked about Palette x Palate and the DTK Artwalk. The new field guide is something special. During Palette x Palate, 26 different artists will be creating live artwork, a new mural in Bells Lane will be unveiled, monster mural project for the kids, music all day, concerts, food. All the art, activity and music is free! There are two community patios. Opportunity for DAC members to volunteer if interested. 4.4 What's New in DTK? Rapid fire "What's New in DTK", highlighting new businesses, places and programming in the Core. Is there a role for DAC related to Inclusionary Zoning and how this effects new businesses moving into the corridor? (Invite someone from Planning to a future meeting.) 5. Information Items None. 6. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 5:45pm.