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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2001-05-10DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE May 10, 2001 The Downtown Advisory Committee met on this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Christina Weylie, with the following members present: Mayor Carl Zehr, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Brock Stanley, David Corks, Trudy Beaulne, Fred Bishop, Doug Hoch, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Marty Schreiter, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Barrie Zehr Others: John McBride 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – May 10, 2001 An adjustment is made to the agenda, adding Committees of Council Review. Also, Parking Study Up-Date from John McBride. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – April 12, 2001 A motion was made to approve the minutes from the meeting of April 12, 2001. Moved by:Councillor Berry Vrbanovic Seconded by:Fred Bishop CARRIED 3. COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL REVIEW Mayor Carl Zehr explained to the Committee that the existing Committee of Council structure has been operating for many years, and that the functions of these Committees have changed over the years. Staff felt a need to review these Committees, as there has been duplication of Committee members and information shared at several Committee meetings, as well as recruitment issues. Brock Stanley, General Manager of Business & Planning Services, then reviewed the attached package (Process for Advisory Committee Review). Brock stated that all Committees would run through to the end of November 2001, when the annual appointments would then take place. It is the Review Committee’s hope to have changes made and report to Council by the end of August. Brock explained that this review came about from Compass Kitchener. The proposed new structure would see representation from social, economic and environment areas. 1 COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL REVIEW cont’d. Both Carl and Brock pointed out that no decisions have been made yet about Committee structure, the outline is not “cast in stone” and Council has not reviewed the reorganization. The Review Committee will come back to all Committees involved and present the final report. Brock went on to explain that DAC goes back as far as 1981, and is one of the oldest Committees. Over the years, Council has added new Committees with their own terms of reference. When reviewing the Committees, it was apparent that there was duplication of issues and staff on several different Committees. It was also noted that some Committees have strength in some areas others don’t, i.e. Economy, Social, and Environment. A question was asked as to how large will the Committees be. Brock answered approximately 12-15 member per Committee. Trudy Beaulne expressed her concerns regarding the reorganizing of Committees, she sees these special Committees as a communication outlet for the community. She feels that DAC has a good representation of a healthy community, representation from all aspects, with good Council representation and good staff support, and feels DAC is very strong. Trudy stressed that we wouldn’t want to lose the community input on this Committee. Anita Petsche-Good expressed that if Compass Kitchener’s key concern is the downtown, she is afraid if DAC consolidates with other Committees, that downtown issues might get lost. She emphasized that downtown issues are unique and best solved by people with a vested interest in the downtown. Donna Kuehl’s concern is that key people will be left out with the reorganization, which it seems like a smaller group would be focusing on a larger number of issues. She stressed the Review Committee look at the individual Committees and what they provide and not apply the same template to Committees. Berry Vrbanovic replied that we want to try to get as many issues as possible through the advisory process as early as possible. Staff need to develop a better understanding of how issues in communities come to Council. Also look at how the downtown relates to the well being of the entire healthy community. Doug Hoch suggested that Sub-Committees could be formed, working groups that can work out the basic problems and then go to next step or Committee and then present the problem or solution to Council. Howard Marr commented that specialist groups seem to have a certain focus and gather together people with that particular knowledge and expertise, and get 2 COMMITTEES OF COUNCIL REVIEW cont’d. results. Howard doesn’t want the Committees to be diluted with people that don’t have a vested interest in the downtown. Karen Taylor-Harrison remarked that it is the Committee themselves who decides who sits on the Committees, i.e. representation from neighbourhoods, arts, social planning, all put their “experts” on these Committees. Mayor Zehr said that Committees are useful for informal decision making before Council consideration. Marty Schreiter felt the downtown is unique and has its own special needs and problems, which need special attention. If we become a sub-committee, it seems like a step backwards. Anita Petsche-Good commented that if there is a duplication problems of staff and Committee members on several different Committees, could one presentation be given to all Committees gathered at special meetings? Staff replied that in some cases it has worked and others it hasn’t. They are trying to bring strengths that DAC has to the rest of the city’s Committees. Trudy Beaulne summarized the history of DAC and potential spin-off Committees, and the potential for problem solving through Sub-Committees. Mike Peng feels that Compass Kitchener is the cornerstone of what the City wants and a healthy downtown is a focal point. 4. PARKING STUDY – John McBride John McBride, Director of Parking & Traffic, reported on the attached Parking Garage Feasibility Study. John went on to say that the Public Works & Transportation Committee invited comments from committees, e.g. EDAC, Chamber of Commerce, etc. and the th general public. A report is to be brought back by June 4. Regarding the former Epton site, parking is being developed this summer, approximately 200 spaces, which will help to address demand for long-term parking in west-end. Howard Marr commented that the Epton site is a great opportunity, suggests look at longer-term site rather than short-term. Howard inquired what kind of payback will the new garages produce? John replied that projections indicate revenues, the money people pay for parking will only cover maintenance of the garages, and we’ll most likely never get our initial investment back. 3 PARKING STUDY – John McBride cont’d. Howard also commented that the new garage structures need to be visually pleasing. Anita Petsche-Good inquired what is the study area? All of downtown boundary. Staff Sgt. Barrie Zehr’s concern is about security in parking garages and being open late at night, how will parking issues be enforced? John answered that security is going through up until midnight. There will be a public process for design, we want to keep in mind safety and lighting issues in the design of the parking garage. A question was asked regarding short-term parking, how can it be accommodated? John replied that the maximum people will walk is 2-3 blocks, so we can accommodate that. Short-term parking is for shoppers and people doing business. However, we can’t accommodate 2-300 spaces at this time (long-term), there are waiting lists for these parking spaces. The general overview of DAC members is that they agree with the results of the parking study and encourage it. A motion was made to support the parking study results, which advocates the building of 2 new garages in the downtown, as presented by John McBride, from the Parking & Traffic Division. Moved by:Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by:Fred Bishop CARRIED 5. METROPOLIS NIGHT CLUB/ALL AGES DANCES Marty Schreiter reported that the agreement between the City of Kitchener and the Metropolis Nightclub has been approved by Council. There still will be a th liquor license meeting on June 6 at the Four Points Hotel. The Metropolis has reduced the number of seats for the outdoor patio from the orginial proposal of 400 to 230, and this number will be reduced again in the winter, as they won't be able to use their patio. The outside patio would be open from 11 am to 1 am and the indoor restaurant would be open from 11 am to 2 am. Anita Petsche-Good still has concerns regarding Metropolis' new club and changes to the hours of operations. She advised we still have a chance to go to the hearing and express our concerns. th The hearing is on June 6 at Four Points Hotel, starting at 9:30 a.m. Anita is encouraging anyone who is opposed to this to come to this hearing. 4 6. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES st Civic CentreThere will be a flag-raising ceremony on May 21 at 7:00 p.m. in Heibner Park. st Housing Rep.On June 21 from 6-8 p.m. at Victoria Park Pavillion, there is an Intergenerational Picnic (see attached). th Cedar Hill On May 20 Victoria Day celebrations will take place in Sandhills Park, starting at 5 p.m. th Mill-Courtland Garage sale this Sat., May 12, as well as a plant th exchange on May 19 at St. Joseph’s school, 10:30 a.m. KDBACongratulations to KDBA’s new Co-chair Anita Petsche-Good and Tom Nuhn from Manulife. Also, congratulations to Howard Marr on his 30 year anniversary with Canada Trust. Motion was made close the meeting. Moved by:Mike Peng Seconded by:Howard Marr CARRIED LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Process for Advisory Committee Review 2. Parking Garage Feasibility Study report 3. Intergenerational Picnic flyer 5