HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2001-03-28ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
March 28, 2001
4pm – 7pm
Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall
Attendance:
Glenn ScheelsHans Pottkamper
Shawky FahelMike Sully
Jeff WillmerManfred Conrad
Councillor, Christina WeylieCouncillor, John Smola
Councillor, Berry VrbanovicPeter Benninger
Henrik NoesgaardPeter Cook
Scott Baird
Staff:
George BorovilosBrock Stanley
Marie MorrisonGrace Bermingham
Heather RogersTrudy Beaulne
Recording Secretary: Sandy Curzon
Regrets:
Jane Jantzi Lawrence Bingeman
Mayor, Carl ZehrRay Robinson
In the absence of Glenn Scheels, Brock Stanley assumed the Chair.
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1. Approval of Minutes of February 28 , 2001
Peter Benninger asked for clarification relating to the recommendation made by
committee on Highway #7 Extension. After a brief discussion and clarification the
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minutes of February 28, 2001 were approved as written.
Moved bySeconded by Carried.
Peter Benninger Hans Pottkamper
2. Presentation – Business Enterprise Centre (BEC)
Kathi Smith, Manager of Business Enterprise Centre, using PowerPoint, reviewed
the Business Enterprise Centre operation.
Key highlights:
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March 1999 – Official opening of Kitchener office
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June 2000 – Official opening of Cambridge office
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Assists small businesses in finding and connecting them to solutions
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Facilitates private, public and non profit sector partnerships and alliances to work
co-operatively to help benefit small business and ultimately the Region
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Receives funding through public, private sectors including Municipal, Federal and
Provincial governments
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The Business Enterprise Centre is not a legal entity at the moment
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The City of Kitchener signs any legal documents on behalf of BEC
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General Inquiries and Consultations have increased substantially since 1998
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It is now possible to Register your Business using the Ontario Business Centre
terminals located at the BEC
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Government Information Centre is unique for Kitchener and serves as an infor-
mation hub for City Hall
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85% satisfaction rating from clients – all without the aid of advertising
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WebSite went live January 2000 –
www.bizenterprisecentre.com
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Young Entrepreneur Program (YEP) kick-off will be late April or early May, 2001
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Quarterly Newsletter is available
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May 17, 2001 – all day Anniversary event – details to follow
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Challenge at the moment for the BEC is to get additional funding
Action: Kathi Smith to be put on a future agenda with a funding proposal
for Committee’s support
3. Benchmarking
Currently, various municipalities are being surveyed for their input on benchmarking/
measurements
Action: Item to be deferred to meeting of April 25, 2001
4. New Business
None
5. Compass Kitchener
Marie Morrison, Project Co-ordinator for Compass Kitchener together with Trudy
Beaulne Social Planning Council facilitated the 2hour Kitchen Table Talk session.
Also present were Grace Bermingham and Heather Rogers, both from Wilfrid Laurier
University doing their Masters of Social Work, who have been assisting Ms. Morrison
with this project.
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EDAC Minutes
March 28, 2001
Committee was given an overview of Compass Kitchener and the purpose/goals of
the Kitchen Table Talk sessions. Confidentiality of information was noted and
Committee was informed that names are not used in the final report. A summary of
the discussion will be available upon completion.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10p.m.
Moved Seconded byCarried
by Hans Pottkamper, . Scott Baird
……………………………………………….
Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Department of Business & Planning Services
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Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 25, 2001
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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Conestoga Room, 1 Floor, City Hall
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EDAC Minutes
March 28, 2001