The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutEcon Development - 2000-11-22EDA\2000-01-22 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES nd November 22, 2000 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall Attendance: Glenn ScheelsJane Jantzi Lawrence BingemanMayor, Carl Zehr Shawky FahelMike Sully Paul BrittonManfred Conrad Councillor, Christina WeylieHans Pottkamper, Chair Peter BenningerHenrik Noesgaard Ray Robinson Staff: George BorovilosBrock Stanley Marie MorrisonDavid Corks Patricia Bacon Recording Secretary: Sandy Curzon Regrets: Scott BairdCouncillor, Tom Galloway th 1. Approval of Minutes of October 25, 2000 th Minutes of October 25, 2000 were approved as written. Moved bySeconded byCarried. Shawky Fahel, Henrik Noesgaard, 2. Kitchener-Waterloo Tourism Sandra Millar, Manager of Kitchener-Waterloo Tourism gave Committee an overview of the past two years’ accomplishments. With no members and limited resources, K-W Tourism moved in with the Kitchener-Waterloo Chamber of Commerce at 80 Queen Street in January 1999. Since that time they have accomplished, the following: * Developed a Mission Statement * Established a Tourist Advisory Committee * Produced promotional material * Established a market segmentation approach * Developed new website and member newsletter * Reported to City Council’s quarterly * Attended Trade Shows * Established co-op advertising opportunities for members * Partnered with Grand River Country and Southern Ontario Tourism Organization K-W Tourism has three categories that it serves – consumer, trade & trade corporate and meetings/conventions. In their third year of operation (2001) the focus will be on these specified categories through new marketing initiatives such as: * Attract interest and promote facilities in the Conference (conventions), and sporting events. * Co-op Advertising with local trucking companies * Touring and Getaway packages in coordination with Ontario Government initiatives in programs such as Discover Rural Ontario; Paddling Ontario, ATV Tours. It was noted that Kitchener has been recently added to Ontario Government Cities list. * Navigational Centres which would provide directional information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Ms. Millar reviewed the results of a recent survey, which had a 42% response rate. The survey indicated that: * 63% of revenue comes from outside the region * 88% visit St. Jacobs * $70. per person is spent per visit * 40% wanted to see more events The purpose of Ms. Millars’ presentation today was to update Committee on K-W Tourism and its mandate in order to solicit further funding from the City of Kitchener. After several questions, Ms. Millar was thanked for the presentation and that she will be advised of Committee’s decision. After a lengthy discussion, the Economic Development Advisory Committee supports and recognizes the importance of tourism and impact on economic development, however, they indicated that they were not prepared at this time to support the request for additional funding without the development of a Tourism Development Strategy and a budget, before making a formal recommendation to City Council. Action: Staff Report to go to Planning & Economic Development Committee on th December 11, 2000 stating their position on the request by Kitchener -Waterloo Tourism. 3. Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro – Security Deposit Policy Henrik Noesgaard provided Committee with an overview of concerns that Hroux Devtek Inc. have encountered with Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro with respect to Hydro’s Policy & Procedures, more specifically, as it relates to Rate Classes 410 and 50 – General Service. 2 After a lengthy discussion Committee recommended the following changes to the existing policy: * new tenants Follow the existing policy for , which states “A security deposit equal to two months billing is required. Deposits may be in the form of cash, a guaranteed letter of credit from the customers bank, trust company, credit union or a power bond from their insurance company. The minimum security deposit is $200.00.” * NewExpanding Businesses Committee has suggested that Tenants and be included in this category to recognize that they are existing clients. * Security Deposit Refunds In section that the following clause be added. st “A review of all customers security deposits is performed on December 31 of each year. If a customer has been at the same service address for more than 24 months and if in the opinion of management of Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro have operated their be refunded within thirty (30) days account in a satisfactory manner, the deposit after the 24-month probationary period . (remove sentence – “Otherwise, all security deposits are held by Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro until final billing of the customer’s account.) Action: the above recommendations be forwarded to Mayor Carl Zehr prior to his meeting with the Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro Board of Directors for consideration at the Board’s meeting on Friday, November 23, 2000. 4. Compass Kitchener – Update Marie Morrison gave Committee an update on input received to a survey as it relates to Employment, Business, Industry and Shopping like and dislikes. Ms. Morrison reviewed the desired outcomes of what the community wanted to see. Next update is scheduled for spring 2001. 5. Industrial Land Strategy – Update George Borovilos updated the Committee and indicated that the report was adopted by Council and referred to the Capital Budget for final approval of Lackner Boulevard and Shirely Avenue Extension. 6. Water Resource Protection Amendment – Update George Borovilos indicated that Regional Council adopted the Official Plan Amendment. Specifically the mapping and the policies related to redesignation of land for Category A, B, and C uses within the wellhead protection areas. The policies do not apply to lands, which are already designated in the Official Plan for any Category A, B, or C uses. 3 7. Downtown Focus Group th The Downtown Focus Group who met November 16 provided the following recommendations for the Downtown Development Team to undertake in 2001: 1. Immediately revise the 1999 - 2001 Strategic Plan to incorporate: * The unprecedented recent changes in the core * The Compass Kitchener Strategic directions * A simple and succinct vision statement for the downtown 2. Produce a one-page simple information brochure to let the public know of our successes, current initiatives and vision. The Focus Group recognizes that there are already several groups associated with the downtown team, however felt that by acting as a facilitator with local developers they could capitalize on the current momentum to keep up with the constant changes. Action: Downtown Focus Group to continue meeting and report at EDAC meeting of th January 24, 2001. 8. New Business George Borovilos, on behalf of the Business & Planning Services Department, presented EDAC members with a complimentary wind jacket and turtleneck embroidered with the Economic Development logo for their commitment to Committee during the past year. Action : Sandy Curzon to ensure that Scott Baird receives these gifts. Moved bySeconded by Meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m. Peter Benninger, Lawrence Carried Bingeman. ………………………………………………. Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary Economic Development Advisory Committee Department of Business & Planning Services th Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, January 24, 2001 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. st Conestoga Room, 1 Floor, City Hall 4