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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2000-12-14DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, December 14, 2000 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this day under the temporary Chairmanship of David Corks, with the following members present: Councillor John Smola, Trudy Beaulne, Fred Bishop, Tom Brennand, Doug Hoch, Anita Petsche-Good, Howard Rotberg, Denise Shelbourne, Marty Scheiter, Denise Strong, Ruth Tomlinson, Tim Fox, Terry Boutilier, Michele Hodgins Regrets:Councillor Christina Weylie, Councillor Barry Vrbanovic, Neil Carver, Chris Cowie, Mary Drandzyk, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, David Ryan, Debbie Schlichter, Peggy Walshe, Barry Zehr 1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN – DAVID CORKS David Corks welcomed everyone to the new session of DAC and introduced some new members, Fred Bishop and Councillor John Smola, as well as advising that our Committee now has 3 members of Council, including Christina Weylie and Barry Vrbanovic. David went on to explain that it was time to nominate a new Chairman and Vice-Chairman. He said that normally we would have a Councillor sit as Chairman so that resolutions can be brought to Council. He added that our quorum requires 10 members present to pass resolutions. David then opened the floor to nominations, and it was moved that Christina Weylie become Chairman. As Christina was absent at this meeting, she did indicate ahead of time that if nominate for Chairman, she would stand. Moved by: John Smola Seconded by: Trudy Beaulne CARRIED It was then opened for nominations for the Vice-Chairman, and it was moved that Sydney Howard Rotberg become Vice-Chairman. Moved by:Fred Bishop Seconded by:Marty Schreiter CARRIED In Christina Weylie’s absence, Howard Rotberg assumed the Chair for today’s meeting. 1 2. COMMITTEE MAKE-UP – DAVID CORKS David Corks advised that the Committee meeting dates would be circulated with agenda/minutes. The make-up is as follows: Mayor, 3 Councillors, 4 Community Reps., 5 KDBA Reps., 1 from K-W Council Churches, 1 from Social Council, 8 Neighbourhood Associations, 1 Library Rep., 1 Police Rep. 3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Trudy Beaulne asked for the Homelessness item #9 to be rearranged and come ahead of item #5 Attracting Housing in the Downtown, and also an added information item, as she must leave the meeting early and had some important information to share with the Committee. It was moved that the agenda for the December 14, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved by:Howard Rotberg Seconded by:Anita Petsche-Good CARRIED 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Marty Schreiter asked for the spelling of his name to be corrected in the future ieei from Schrter to Schrter. It was moved that the minutes from the November 9, 2000 meeting be accepted. Moved by:Tom Brennand Seconded by:Fred Bishop CARRIED 9. HOMELESSNESS UP-DATE Trudy Beaulne reported that the Federal Government is allocating $453,000 per year for the next 3 years, although the need is Region-wide, the grant money is allocated specifically for the city of Kitchener only. It is to be used towards homelessness projects, including the prevention of homelessness and support of existing shelters. There is a Regional working group that is meeting to prepare a broader community plan to try to figure out how the money will be used. Trudy advised that it’s a complicated issue, but also a great opportunity for the homelessness in the area. 2 HOMELESSNESS UP-DATE cont’d. A question was raised when the money would be available, and Trudy explained that they already have the money, they just need the approval of the community plan and the projects before the money can be put to use. Howard Rotberg asked if the money could be used for housing, or only for shelters. Trudy went on to say that the project must be financially self- sustainable in the long run, and the money could go to the operating budgets of running shelters or other direct homelessness initiatives. Discussions took place regarding the high concentration of the disadvantaged and social serviced people in downtown Kitchener, and that the response should be that the Region share the load and spread out services throughout the Region. Howard suggested that the benefit of caring for the homeless be defused throughout the region, and not just Kitchener, that we don’t want to have all of the social services located in the downtown. Marty Schreiter commented on how we can spread the money throughout the Region. Because of the perception of Kitchener downtown is where all the social services are located, it’s seen as not a nice place to be and we’re tired of that perception. Trudy said the plan should represent all aspects of the community, and would like to see DAC involved in the planning process. This would involve 2 community plans, one regional, and a Kitchener plan regarding the homeless. Tim Fox suggested that Trudy makes the plea to the Government about spreading the wealth and that we should be able to decide how the money is being spent and not the Federal Government. DAC’s concern is we want it to be seen as a Regional problem, not as a downtown problem, Howard expressed concern that from DAC’s point of view we would like to see nothing happen until there is a budget for actual construction, and nothing happen until it be reorganized as a Regional problem and don’t want it to end up a downtown problem. In conclusion, it was agreed that Howard Rotberg would write a letter on behalf of DAC to Council outlining the Committee’s concerns. The extra added information Trudy wanted to pass on to the members of DAC, was that a past member, Regis Coladipietro had passed away recently. Regis had been connected with the Independent Living Centre and sat on DAC for several years. 5. ATTRACTING HOUSING IN THE DOWNTOWN – TIM FOX Tim Fox passed around a copy of the housing package, put together by Economic Development staff, for members to review. The package contained 3 ATTRACTING HOUSING IN THE DOWNTOWN cont’d. information on zoning, why you should live in the downtown, religious institutions, parks, etc. all located in the downtown. This package was sent out to realtors and developers, with positive comments received. We now need to follow up with realtors, and developers on this, and already have seen significant developments starting to happen i.e. Forsyth, Kaufman, etc. Howard Rotberg suggested sending the package to the K-W Record to help improve our liaison with them and their views on the downtown. 6. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS – DAVID CORKS David Corks recommended the Committee review the current agenda items, and eliminate items that are obsolete. It was decided to delete items #1 – Neighbourhoods in Transition, #3 – Downtown Sign By-Law, #4 – Victoria Park Secondary Plan. Items left on will be #2 – Impact of Traffic on Downtown Neighbourhoods, #5 – Downtown Health Clinic, #6 – Façade Improvements, #7 – Youth Crime Act, and #8 – Media Communications. Discussions took place on the media and the image it portrays of the downtown. It was then recommended that we invite Paul Sinnott, the City of Kitchener’s Communications Director to a future meeting. Other future agenda items included: · Hot Items be up-dated each month and added to Up-date by Downtown Development Team – Marty Schreiter · Downtown events – Fred Bishop · Multiculturalism – Howard Rotberg · Downtown Earth Day Events – Terry Boutilier · Kitchener and Waterloo downtown cooperation – Tom Brennand 7. UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) · EDAC (Economic Development Advisory Committee) consisting of representatives from businesses throughout the city, have formed a sub- committee who are interested in the downtown and have passed a recommendation at their last meeting, wanting to revise our strategic plan They would like to see the vision of the downtown made more publicly available and the Strategic Plan contain a “Vision Statement” and educate the public about the good things happening here. · The recent fire site on King St. has been released to the Building Dept. Ackers will come down soon, and the owners will start to deal with insurance agencies before deciding whether to rebuild. The press viewed 4 UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) the fire as a sarcastic view of urban renewal. Retailers are affected in different ways even though not directly affected by fire. · KDBA has been working with the Public Works Dept. to move snow, etc. and the street should be reopened today. · Christkindl Market was effected somewhat by the fire, but all in all, it was very successful once again this year. · Parking discount program offered to some businesses in the downtown has changed. This incentive is not as important today, and there are lots of requests for parking downtown, in fact there is a waiting list. · $6 million has been set aside for the new parking garage being planned for in the downtown next year. 8. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES AuditoriumTom Brennand brought to DAC’s attention that there is a Neighbourhood Association outside the Auditorium boundary, in the King St. East area, that would like to come to this meeting. David advised that there is a vacancy on our Committee for them to attend. Tom will pass information of their representative on to Michele Hodgins. Mill-CourtlandThe rink is up and ready for skating. There is a program on learning how to weave being offered during the Christmas break (see attached flyer). 10. NEW BUSINESS No new business at this time. A motion was made to close the meeting. Moved by:Fred Bishop Seconded by:Ruth Tomlinson CARRIED LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. List of meeting dates 2. Howard Rotberg’s letter to Council 3. Mill-Courtland N.A. Learn to Weave 5 6