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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2000-11-09DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, November 9, 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, Chris Cowie, Marty Schrieter, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Howard Rotberg, Denise Shelbourne, Debbie Schlichter, Ruth Tomlinson, David Ryan, Catherine Heal Regrets:Neil Carver, Mary Drandzyk, Doug Hoch, Denise Strong, Brenton Toderian, Peggy Walshe, Barry Zehr 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Adjustments will be made to the sequence of the agenda items. It was moved that the agenda for November 9, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved by: Tom Brennand Seconded by: Ruth Tomlinson CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES It was moved that the minutes from the October 12, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved by:Marty Schrieter Seconded by:Anita Petsche-Good CARRIED 3. LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN ON DOWNTOWN BARS (METROPOLIS/LYRIC) – MARTY SCHRIETER Marty Schrieter reported on the letter-writing campaign in regards to the liquor license extension for Metropolis. Using the format of the Cedar-Hills letter, this letter will be sent to the Alcohol & Gaming Commission. This campaign came about because the downtown bar Metropolis has applied for a liquor license extension, as they would like to expand and make a large patio that would front onto King St. Marty explained that we don’t want to stop the good bars/ restaurants from coming downtown, we just don’t want the bad ones here. Marty suggested that the Neighbourhood Associations and also the surrounding residents could write in and object to this extension. It was also suggested that 1 LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN ON DOWNTOWN BARS (METROPOLIS/LYRIC) – MARTY SCHRIETER cont’d. when we write in, we could list the other bad businesses owned by the person in question, so that the Commission could make the connection between the various bars in question. It was also reported that Marty and Anita Petsche-Good went to City council in objection to the Metropolis’ expansion bid, and a resolution came about that council does not support the extension of the liquor license. Discussions took place regarding the existing problem downtown bar, the fire associated with it, the possibility of a by-law stating immediate redevelopment after the fire. A question came up whether or not the downtown district could be designated as a heritage site that would encourage redevelopment. Further discussions took place as to what people from the neighbourhoods perceive as a good bar/bad bar. 4. STREET CLEANING David Corks reported on the level of cleaning in the downtown. Marty and David met with City staff who cleans the downtown, most of it is done in the evening, with staff consisting of 5 full-time and 2 part-time used for the week-end. Staff changes have been made and they are bringing in new equipment for cleaning. David suggested a resolution from DAC to have 2 full-time day staff during the summer. The KDBA will work along with retailers and introduce a “Broom-Day” and incorporate it with Earth Day, get back to basics and have everyone involved in helping clean up the downtown. Discussions took place in regards to recycling and its reintroduction to the downtown. KDBA is producing, along with City staff, a hot sheet of numbers to call for various reasons, i.e. litter, etc. It was suggested that a policy be introduced for recycling bottles, cans, etc. and send this to the Environment Committee asking for their support in cleaning up problem areas in the downtown. Marty put forth the following resolution: That the Downtown Advisory Committee support an additional 2 person compliment to the Public Works Street cleaning staff from the season of April to November, and that they would act as Street Ambassadors in helping keep the downtown clean, during business hours. nd Howard Rotberg 2 the motion, and it was carried Trudy Beaulne put forth the motion: 2 STREET CLEANING cont’d. That the Downtown Advisory Committee write a letter to Environment Committee encouraging them to pursue and explore any opportunities for establishing refundable package incentives, which would help keep the city clean and this could be a Region-wide policy. Donna Kuehl seconded the motion, with 2 people opposing, the motion carried. Howard Rotberg comments indicated that it is not just a downtown issue, it is a city-wide issue and he doesn’t support the motion. 7. UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) David Corks reported that the consultant for the Farmer’s Market survey should be hired soon. The shovel should be in the ground by next September! The budget process that City staff have just completed includes the up-grading of King St. up to Victoria St. Plans are to include white sidewalks with gray inlay, and black street lamps. If approved, program will start in 2001 and be a 3 year program, beginning with the block next to City Hall. It was decided to replace the existing sidewalks by removing the interlocking brick stone, which proves to be difficulty to clean, hard to replace, and also proves to be hazard for walking on. Ziggy’s is looking good, nice interior/exterior, should be opened in January. The converted warehouse at 72 Victoria St. is fully leased to office use. The Kaufman building is for sale, and the Downtown Development Team is working with the brokers. The former Athena Restaurant, which was bought by Tommy Ferguson Jr., is closed and is for sale. Hand-out for Lodging Houses, 2 page commonly asked questions. (see attached). A question was raised about posters in the downtown and how they look messy on the posts. David replied that we have a power-washer to help with the clean up. The new items being brought in (lightposts, etc.) won’t lend themselves to attracting graffiti or posters. A question was raised about the market redevelopment – is it the intent to be multi-cultured? Staff are waiting to see what the public process will tell. Staff 3 UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) have been encouraging the multi-cultural aspect in this area. Lots of discussion took place on views of the market and what it should be like, etc. Trudy Beaulne gave credit to the Safe City regarding the lighting and suggested we go see the pilot area on Cedar St. Marty Schrieter reported that the all-candidates meeting sponsored by the KDBA went well, a good turn-out (see attached newspaper article). 5. COMMUNITY EXCHANGE 2000 – KAREN TAYLOR-HARRISON Karen Taylor-Harrison reported on the Community Exchange 2000 held in Windsor, in September of this year. The Community Exchange started almost five years ago now with Karen being invited to Ottawa to speak to a coalition of neighbourhood associations on issues relating to the illegal sale of drugs and sex in neighbourhoods. Karen brought with her an officer from Waterloo Regional Police to substantiate the information that she was to share with the group. From that meeting, it has now grown to seven major communities in southern Ontario. Groups came with officers and other partners in tow such as city councillors. One police force came with no community members. Each group talked about the problems that they were having, most to do with substance abuse, liquor licensing, and youth. They brought with them SOLUTIONS that they had either launched or were about to launch. We presented from the perspective of Safe City. We have presented in the past on Community Mobilization of Cedar Hill and our working partnerships. Karen spoke with the senior counsel for the Alcohol and Gaming Commission who talked about problems most cities are having with “big bars” and encouraged us to continue to report and to coordinate occurrences of liquor license infractions. 6. PARTNERSHIPS WITH POLICE – KAREN TAYLOR-HARRISON Karen Taylor-Harrison reported that the Compliance Committee is a group that works with all enforcements together. Waterloo Region Police have assigned a staff sergeant to each ward. Staff sergeants are to meet with the ward councillors once a month. In the downtown we have created a compliance committee that combines all enforcement to look at issues in the downtown with the goal of finding workable solutions. The committee meets once a month to exchange information and results. Discussions took place regarding election and councillors and DAC involvement. 4 7. NEIGHBOURHOOD UP-DATES Civic CentreThere is a petition going around the neighbourhood to designate a park in their area, and also another petition regarding the heavy traffic on Queen St. Mt. Hope/BreithauptTrudy Beaulne reported that there is mobilization up- date funding available. 8. HOMELESSNESS The Federal Government has announced it will give Federal money to be used towards the homelessness situation here. At the present time it is uncertain to which community it is intended for. Trudy Beaulne reported that there will be a meeting regarding plans for co- ordinating how the money would be used. Trudy is wanting staff and committee input on how the money should be used. Debbie Schlichter suggested we could possibly discuss the plan at the December meeting. General discussions took place on the homelessness, housing needs. 9.NEW BUSINESS · A question was asked of the future agenda items on the agenda page, how long do they stay this way? Could some move up for discussion? David Corks explained that the new committee will review these items. · As this is Councillor Mark Yantzi’s last DAC meeting with us, the committee presented Mark with a card of best wishes. Good-by Mark! LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Commonly asked questions about Lodging Houses 2. Newspaper article on all-candidates meeting 5