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Home My WebLink AboutDowntown Advisory - 2000-10-12DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, October 12, 2000 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi, with the following members present: Councillor Karen Taylor- Harrison, David Corks, Trudy Beaulne, Tom Brennand, Anita Petsche-Good, Denise Shelbourne, Brenton Toderian, Ruth Tomlinson, Marty Schrieter Others:Marie Morrison, Nicole Schmidt, Don Chapman Regrets:Nancy Brawley, Neil Carver, Chris Cowie, Mary Drandzyk, Doug Hoch, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, Howard Rotberg, Debbie Schlichter, Denise Strong, Peggy Walshe, Barry Zehr Mark welcomed Marty Schrieter to our meetings, as he is the new KDBA manager taking over from Molly Green. Mark also welcomed Don Chapman, the new Special Events Facilitator for Community Services. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved that the agenda for the October 12, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved by:Anita Petsche-Good Seconded by:Karen Taylor-Harrison CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved that the minutes from the September 14, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved by:Ruth Tomlinson Seconded by:Tom Brennand CARRIED 3. COMPASS KITCHENER – MARIE MORRISON Marie Morrison, Compass Kitchener Project Coordinator, appeared before the Committee to give a Power-Point presentation of the results of the Compass Kitchener survey (see attached PowerPoint presentation, Summary of Compass Kitchener Input, Direction #3 (Downtown)), and also to discuss, in particular, Direction #3 (Downtown). All agreed that it was an excellent 1 presentation. General comments were made on how the KDBA and Compass Kitchener can spread this message to the downtown retailers, as many are unaware of what this project is all about, as it was felt that this information is very important for the revitalization of the downtown. Marie shared that on October 20 there will be a mail-out going to 60,000 households in Kitchener via the Penny Saver. This mail-out provides a brief overview of Compass Kitchener, what has happened to-date, who was involved, and contact information should the resident want to get involved, ask questions or desire further information. Marie went on to explain that Council has approved Compass Kitchener. It is important to note that this report is not only supported by Council, or downtown residents and/or retailers, but also supported by the community as a whole. Marie briefly gave an overview of the DIRECTION #3 (Downtown) (see attached). A question was asked as to how many replies were received for the survey. Round 1 had approximately 800 participants, with 600 comments made that specifically related to the downtown. Round 2 had approximately 400 participants, for an overall total of 1200 for both rounds. Budget for new initiatives related to Compass Kitchener most likely won't start until 2002. Specific action plans will be identified in 2001 enabling new initiatives to be identified and budgeted for in 2002. 4. UP-DATE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) · David commented that Compass Kitchener has been a good thing for the downtown, it gives us the opportunity to keep the downtown in the eye of the Council and public. He stated that we are already doing some of these directives, and that we are investing $2.6 million for Capital projects for the year 20001 in up-grades for the downtown, and this Compass Kitchener report makes it easy to ask for the money. th · There is a Children’s Museum event happening Thursday, October 26 which will bring in “real” children to preview exhibits. · Construction is underway at the new location for Theatre & Co. · Governor’s House exterior is under construction! · Farmer’s Market consultant tender is closing, this will be a very public process, asking for the public’s input. · Urban Evolution signs are out, saying that something great is expected here! · The Warehouse District has developers wanting to repeat the success of 72 Victoria St. building. This is a very “hot” idea, and the City will put in intense improvements in this area, i.e. street lighting, new sidewalks, etc. 2 UP-DATE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) cont’d · The widening of Victoria St., between Park & Joseph St., work to begin in the fall. · Application going to council for over 6,000 sq. ft. patio in front of Metropolis. We have concerns about this and the impact that it will have on the public and the downtown. Anita Petsche-Good will be speaking at the Finance & Administration Committee against this request and she is asking for support th at Monday, October 16’s meeting at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers. She will speak to Council on this topic and how badly this can affect the downtown. Discussions took place on licenses and extension of licenses and the possible outcome of this decision. There were not enough members present for quorum and/or resolution in regards to opposing the liquor license extension. Karen Taylor-Harrison offered to contact those members not in attendance at this meeting, for their support against this extension. It was suggested we try to build momentum in support of our disapproval of the extension, and we should contact other surrounding Municipalities that have similar problems with the same property owner, and gather information. It was felt that if we have large numbers of people against this proposal, we might be able to make a difference in stopping the extension. · The KDBA held their annual Jazzy Fashion Show with great success, over $5,000 was raised for the United Way. · The KDBA held their Boundary Extension meeting, and they are still going forward with this process, even though there wasn’t a great turn out for the meeting. · The Millennium Mural is underway on the Sears wall at Market Square, unfortunately, the web-cam planned for this site is not up and running yet. th · The next Networking Social will be held on Wednesday, October 18 at Schrieter’s Home Furnishings. · Molly’s gone, Marty is here! Amber has left we the KDBA are looking to fill the Marketing Director spot. 5. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES Mill-CourtlandThere is a 3 on 3 “Hoopn’ for Hear” program coming up, see attached brochure. There also will be a craft rd sale on the October 23, everyone is welcome to attend. Mt. Hope/BreithauptFestival of Neighbourhoods was celebrated on Oct. st 1, with great success. This year’s winner was Central Frederick/Brubacher St. 3 6. HOMELESSNESS UP-DATE The Federal Government has announced it will give this area $500,000/yr to help fight the homelessness issue, over the next 3 years. DAC and Compass Kitchener should be “key” issues for the decision on where and how this money will be used. At this point it is uncertain as to what plan will be used for spending the money, as it cannot be used for actual housing, but is intended for the prevention of homelessness, shelters, etc. Trudy Beaulne is requesting that part of the Downtown Development Team be part of the decision process and developing the plan. (see handout). 7. NEW BUSINESS · Michele Hodgins has received a letter from the City Clerk, advising of DAC appointments terms expiring (Howard Rotberg, Deborah Schlichter, Mike Peng and Brenton Toderian). Please see Michele for renewal of term. · Tom Brennand reported that a sub-committee from DAC met and discussed the Lyric and the All-Ages Dances that they have and the problems experienced with them. Tom suggested if we can give the Lyric some competition for these dances, and they are run correctly, we could possibly cause they Lyric to discontinue these types of dances. Mark Yantzi suggested discussing this as an agenda item for a future meeting, and in the meantime, Tom will gather further information on this topic. st · November 1 is the opening of the interum Downtown Health Centre at the Duke & Frederick location. It was also suggested that this be a future agenda item. Meeting adjourned. List of Attachments 1. Compass Kitchener Top 10 Countdown – PowerPoint presentation 2. Compass Kitchener Direction #3 3. Compass Kitchener Input Summary 4. KDBA Fall Networking Social 5. 3 on 3 “Hoopn’ for Heart” brochure 6. Craft Sale flyer 7. “Let’s Talk About Poverty” newsletters 4