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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2000-05-11DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, May 11, 2000 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Acting - Chairmanship of Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison, with the following members present: David Corks, Nancy Brawley, Molly Green, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Denise Shelbourne, Brenton Toderian, Ruth Tomlinson, Peggy Walshe, Barry Zehr, Catherine Heal Others:Frank Pizzuto, Zyg Janecki Regrets:Councillor Mark Yantzi, Trudy Beaulne, Tom Brennand, Neil Carver, Regis Coladipietro, Chris Cowie, Mary Drandzyk, Doug Hoch, Howard Rotberg, Debbie Schlichter, Denise Strong 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – MAY 11, 2000 It was moved that the agenda for the May 11, 2000 meeting be approved. Moved by:Molly Green Seconded by:Denise Shelbourne CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – APRIL 13, 2000 An amendment to the minutes that on page 3, Molly Green did not ask about 72 Victoria St., but was mentioned by someone. nd An amendment to the minutes that on page 5, the 2 motion relates to the effects of inner city schools, instead of specifically St. Mary’s. Moved by:Anita Petsche-Good Seconded by:Brenton Toderian CARRIED 3. COMMUNITY SERVICES OVERVIEW – FRANK PIZZUTO Mr. Frank Pizzuto, General Manager of Community Services (formerly Parks and Recreation) provided us with a quick overview of how the Department is moving from a Parks and Recreation aspect to a more inclusive Department of Community Services. City Council directed an overview of the Department and Fred Galloway & Associates (consultants) were hired to look at the future of where it is going. This overview is now 1 a “work in progress”, given a basic framework and strategic direction, with room to look at how things are done, which direction to go and what time frame. (see attached report). All top management will have to re-apply for positions as there currently are 44 management positions and the new organizational chart allows only for 40. All positions will be posted internally and then they will go externally if no one is suitable for the position. This change is seen as a good structure to move ahead and achieve goals. Karen Taylor-Harrison added that going from 44 to 40 positions is not seen as a means to reduce costs, but to make the Department as efficient as possible. Unionized staff is not affected. Howard Marr asked how long will it be before this is completed. Frank indicated that hopefully by July, all positions will be filled. Frank then showed an overhead of the proposed structure. With the restructure, there will be three Divisions – Parks & Environmental Services Division, Community and Administrative Services Division, and Enterprise Services Division. It is the Department’s wish to still keep the services offered in tact and provide quality programs, but in a different way of doing business. There will be two support Divisions, Administrative Services and Marketing and Planning Division. Dan Daly has been appointed the Director of the Parks & Environmental Services and Keith Baulk will be the Director of the Enterprise Division. The third Director will be filled externally. They are now looking at the Manager positions internally. A question was asked if the downtown is considered as a community centre, as there is no physical centre down here. Frank went on to advise that Community Services gets involved where there is no centre available, i.e. youth issues in downtown, and said that there are floating staff who lend expertise where necessary. Frank explained that the Community Services programs will work with the Neighbourhood Associations to continue to run programs. As well as the Community Centres will work on their own and develop programs themselves with support from them. There is still strong Arts & Culture support. Discussions took place as to the concern that community programs cannot . support themselves and look towards the City for assistanceIt was asked if the downtown would get a community centre. Karen said that a feasibility study shows that there is a need for small venues for neighbours to come together, not one large community centre. 2 Molly Green asked in regards to the Special Events area, how would the Department address motivation of special events, as most of these events happen in downtown. Frank stated that we would want to be able to run good events that would see a lot of people involved and bring a large number of people to the downtown. These events would not necessarily generate a lot of money, but possibly break even. Howard Marr asked how will the restructure affect the change in staffing. Frank indicated that they would still have areas working properly, providing the best facilities and programs that we can. Further discussions took place regarding what would happen if amalgamation occurs, what is the plan for the Department. Frank explained that they want to have a great running department that would fit in with the amalgamation. 4. DOWNTOWN ROOMING & LODGING HOUSING – ZYG JANECKI Zyg Janecki appeared before the Committee seeking clarification on downtown rooming/lodging housing. There is concern in the downtown and what does committee want staff to do. A previous DAC resolution requested staff to evaluate the distance separation that exists in other zones that requires a 400m distance between certain uses. The intent is that the same requirement be applied to Inner City zones. The uses under consideration are group homes and rooming houses. Discussions took place regarding OASIS and what a problem they have been in the past and their proposal to add lodging houses on King St. A distance separation factor does not apply to the downtown area as it does in the R-5 zone. Resolution from DAC was to apply same distant separation to the downtown. Zyg noted that some lodging houses are run very well, with people who stay there being screened, while other lodging houses are not run as well, absentee landlords having problems with drugs, etc., give the rest of lodging houses a bad reputation. A “group home” is a residence for 3 or more people and is managed, government funded, has regulations and rules that apply, is limited in number of people, is located in certain zones of the city. A lodging house is a cheaper and simpler form of housing for single person/bachelor type housing, smaller scale, with many houses located near transit routes. 3 After much discussion, Zyg was asked to return to the committee with a written definition of group homes, rooming houses and other similar uses, as well as a map illustrating the Inner City zones and their regulations. 5.UPTOWN WATERLOO UP-DATE – BRENTON TODERIAN Due to time restrictions, Brenton agreed to put this item off until next month’s meeting. 6.UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) David Corks reported that the offer to purchase on the Forsyth building has been extended to end of June. They will start marketing the building in September and renovate during the summer for co-op rental units. The agreement is for one year to pre-lease units, and if a certain percentage is not pre-leased, the building will go back to Forsyth and their plans would be to probably demolish the building. The Kaufman building has four active offers to purchase. Most offers are looking to put in residential units and possibly keep office space. Decision to be made very soon. 5 Michael St. has an offer to purchase with a mixed-use retail/office use. Manulife has bought the King Centre. This is good news for the downtown, they are here to stay, and will be doubling their employees. However, parking is a problem, but a good problem to have. Sears is having their grand opening at Market Square on Thursday, May 11, 2000. Theatre & Co. are having a hard-hat campaign, walking from their old location to the site of their new location for their ground breaking at the new site. The City has hired consultants (Paradigm Transportation Solutions Limited) to do a parking study for the downtown. Brenton Toderian is involved in a parking workshop open house meeting (see attached) on nd June 22. The workshop will allow us to discuss the parking issues in the downtown and a size and location for a potential new garage. Molly Green reported that Viola Hair Stylist is open at the corner of Queen and King Streets (former Dolan space) and that the renovations look great! 4 The KDBA hosted the Taste of Downtown, an event where new employees of the downtown were invited to sample the many different restaurants in the downtown. The event was well attended with over 200 people coming out for a “taste”. The KDBA also hosted a Networking Social held at the 4 Points Sheraton. Another well attended event, and plans for the next one will be in August. Big push for advertising by the KDBA. The Original City View is a quarterly publication giving information about downtown events (see today’s Record for the insert) - looks great! th The Motorcycle Show and Shine will be on Friday, May 26 and will be bigger and better than in the past! 3,000-5,000 people are expected to attend with lots of things for kids to do, plus music and entertainment. The KDBA is hiring 4 summer students, if approval for funding comes through, to help look after special events. Molly will provide us with a copy of the Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter and the Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletter on a monthly basis (see attached). Donna Kuehl asked about the building in the East End that had the fire back in December, will it be coming down? Yes, eventually. Also, Donna inquired about the mural restoration, will it happen? There are currently 4 murals in downtown , Goudies Lane mural will be changed as well as the mural on the former Goudies site on Queen will be gone by next month. Molly did mention that for the millennium project they will be using the Highball restaurant for a new mural. Brenton asked about resolutions from last meeting, re St. Mary’s – David said a committee has been organized to review this. Nothing has happened yet. It was suggested that we might want to co-ordinate with Waterloo and School boards on this. 7. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES Mill-CourtlandGlobe Studio opened, very interesting, its located at the end of Cedar St. The owners are very pleased with what they’ve accomplished. There is a th neighbourhood garage sale this Sat. May 13, everyone is welcome. th Cedar HillSat., May 13 they are planning a plant exchange day, everyone is welcome to come out for this. 5 Civic CentreThe tours of the old gaol will be taking place this week-end May 12-13, please register early by contacting Rita Delaney in the Clerks Dept. A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Moved by:Howard Marr Seconded by:Donna Kuehl CARRIED LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Operational Review – Parks and Recreation Department 2. Downtown Parking Interactive Workshop 3. Downtown Promotion Reporter newsletter 4. Downtown Idea Exchange newsletter 6