HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Adv - 2005-04-14
DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 14, 2005
City of Kitchener
The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10p.m.,
chaired by Councillor John Smola with the following members present: Tony DiBattista, Dennis
Pellerin, Marty Schreiter, Marcus Shantz, Jason Lane, Glen Woolner and Michelle Morissetti.
City staff present include Silvia Wright and Tracey DeVille
1. Approval of Minutes
On motion by Councillor J. Smola
It was resolved:
"That the minutes of March 10, 2005 be approved."
2. 2005 Appointments
· Safe & Healthy Advisory Committee Representative
No nominations were put forward. It was noted that the request for appointment to the
Committee will be on future agendas until such time that the position is filled.
Updates from the Safe & Healthy Advisory Committee will be done through receipt of the
minutes.
Mr. Tony DiBattista was introduced as a new member of the Downtown Advisory
Committee, as the representative for the Live Entertainment Section of the Committee.
Marty Scheriter noted that the KDBA is currently working on recruiting new members to fill
the vacancies.
3. Culture Plan II Presentation
Silvia Wright introduced Ms. Erina Harris, Arts & Culture Co-ordinator. Ms. Harris gave a
brief overview of the Culture Plan I, providing an explanation of that plan and how it has
helped in forming the basis of the Culture Plan II. Ms. Harris identified the groups that were
invited to the presentation and thanked them for coming.
Mr. Martin de Groot, Citizen Chair of the Culture Plan II Steering Committee, was
introduced. Mr. de Groot explained the driving force behind the Culture Plan II, noting that it
was built using the existing Culture Plan I and related experiences, including the Region's
Arts & Culture Master Plan. He explained that Culture Plan I was created in 1995 over a 2
day vision exercise and was initially indented as a 5 year plan. He explained that the life of
Culture Plan I was stretched and it was now time to launch Culture Plan II.
Ms. Harris noted that the plan outlines 58 recommendations that are to be implemented
through the life of the plan.
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DAC Minutes
April 14,2005
Ms. Harris answered some questions from the group and thanked them all for coming noting
that there is a public meeting scheduled for May 24, 2005 at 7:00 and the group was
encouraged to attend.
4. Advisory Committee - Updates
An update was provided from D. Pellerin regarding the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee.
He noted that ACAC will be actively involved with the Arts & Culture building reuse program.
G. Woolner provided and update on the Economic Development Advisory Committee,
stating that the business visitation is going well, the feedback from local business owners is
positive.
5. New Business
Upper Storey Renovation Incentive business case is being presented to the Finance &
Corporate Services Committee on April 18, 2005. Silvia Wright provided an overview of the
document noting that the fund could potentially provide financial support to approximately 25
buildings. Questions were raised regarding the potential for an increase in real estate value
should the building owner take advantage of this incentive, it was clarified that the majority
of the buildings that would be taking advantage of this incentive were not in a usable state
and this program would assist the property owners the ability to fill the space with tenants.
M. Schreiter put forward a motion to support in principle the Upper Storey Renovation
Incentive business case. It was noted that a document will be forwarded to Council prior to
the April 18, 2005 meeting of the Finance & Corporate Services Committee.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:25 p.m.
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DAC Minutes
April 14,2005