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Home My WebLink AboutEcon Dev Adv - 2005-06-20 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 20, 2005 11:00am-1:00pm Bingeman Funworx Facility, Kitchener Attendance: Peter Benninger, Lawrence Bingeman, Ed Brooker, Len Carter, Bob Denton, Jane Jantzi, Henrik Noesgaard, Mark Paleczny, Hans Pottkamper, Glen Woolner Shelley Adams, Valerie Bradford, Patricia Bacon, Hans Gross, Carla Ladd, Bernadette Lowry, Janette MacDonald, Rob Morgan, Michelle Schurter, Kathy Weiss, Councillor Christina Weylie, Silvia Wright Regrets: Howie Budd, Manfred Conrad, Shawky Fahel, Mayor Zehr, Councillor John Smola Absent: Scott Baird, Rob Browning, Carla Ladd Special Guests: Rob Clement (WRSBC), Karen McLaughlin (WRSBC), & Erina Harris (COK) 1. Welcome Hans Pottkamper chaired the meeting which took place at Bingeman's Funworx Facility. The meeting was called to order and Hans thanked everyone for attending. 2. Review and Adoption of Minutes of May 24th, 2005 Item #7 was amended as follow: "Lawrence Bingeman has some concerns regarding Lackner and Fairway Roads: Lackner, from Victoria to Fairway - needs to be 4 lanes Fairway Rd - Bridge S1. to River Road - needs to be 4 lanes River Road - needs to be extended over the expressway and connect with Manitou - also needs to be 4 lanes Moved by: Jane Jantzi Seconded by: Glen Woolner Carried 3. Business Enterprise Centre - Overview - Rob Clement & Karen McLaughlin Karen McLaughlin and Rob Clement from the Waterloo Region Business Enterprise Centre gave a PowerPoint presentation about the history and current services provided by the BEC. Of particular note is the recent branding of the centre. There is a new look and name which is the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre. This new branding reflects the mandate of the SBC. Included in their presentation were: a) What is the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre b) The SBC's Current Service Levels i) General inquiries - 2004 -12,355 ii) Consultations - 2004 - 2,441 iii) Business registrations - 2004 - 2,722 c) Client Service levels I) 47% Kitchener ii) 18% Waterloo iii) 21 % Cambridge iv) 14% Townships d) 3 Year Strategic plan 2004 - 2006 - a) baseline funding from local municipalities to allow for stabilization of staffing and operations and b) increase private sector sponsorships by corporate means and event planning e) 2004 Successes - NEW funding from the Region, INCREASED funding from Waterloo and Cambridge as well as restructuring of the SBC administration f) A 3 year baseline funding strategy g) 2005 Initiatives - increased private sector sponsorships h) 2005 Initiatives Programming - enhanced events and new programming i) 2005 Initiatives - improved fiscal management including monthly analysis, operating budgets with realistic vision j) 2005 Initiatives - Performance Measurement Tracking k) 2005 Initiatives - Communications I) 2005 Initiatives - Marketing m) Services provided - Business consultations, newsletters, website, reference library, seminars, networking events n) OBC online registration, technical services 0) Services - memberships to the SBC, Summer Company, Business Plan Competition p) Partnerships - SEB - promotes self-sufficiency in the labour market through self employment. This will benefit the SBC by increasing traffic into the Centre, increased revenue for the lease of space for 2 mentors, and guaranteed 75 seats and revenue for the Bridges to Better Business event in October. The guest speaker at this year's event is Mr. Jim Brickman from Brick Brewery. q) Partnerships - Venture Creation with the Waterloo Region District School Board - open to students aged 15 - 30 for a 28 week entrepreneurship course. The WRDSC rents training room and office space 4. Region's Transportation Strategy Discussion/Questions & Issues The items that were discussed regarding this issue were the following: a) Highway 401 - changes and additions b) Highway #7 - when is it going to happen c) The LRT - this is a separate issue to possibly be addressed in October d) Widening the Bridge at Bridgeport e) Bike Trails f) Kitchener link with VIA Rail g) Victoria Street widening A motion was made that a recommendation to Council that we encourage the MOE to move forward on this project. It was agreed to request the Region for an update, possibly for the September meeting. Moved by: Mark Paleczny Seconded by: Glen Woolner Carried 5. Culture Plan II - Erina Harris Erina Harris was invited back to ask for EDAC's support with Culture Plan. A PowerPoint presentation was summed up by a proposed Motion for support: a) That the City of Kitchener Economic Development Committee (EDAC) recognizes the significance of investment in culture and diversity as a long-term economic development strategy to retain a cutting-edge workforce, and maintain community- wide quality of life b) That EDAC champions CulturePlan II as a strategy to develop social and economic health in the City of Kitchener through support and collaboration, as required. It was suggested that the sentence structure be revised From: as a long-term To: as part of a long-term Moved by: Len Carter Seconded by: Peter Benninger Carried 6. Other Business: Downtown Brantford: The committee was asked about their interest in having someone from Brantford attend one of our future meetings to discuss their city's successes and incites. It was discussed that it is always beneficial to learn from someone else's practices and successes. It was discussed that perhaps it would be interesting to have someone from the City of Brantford come and talk about their experiences. This may happen in the fall of this year. Attendance & Business Sector Representation: The Economic Department Advisory Committee (EDAC) recommends that the following committee members be replaced as well as three (3) new positions be filled: Major Retail -outside of Downtown Housing Development Downtown Office owner High Tech NEW - Education NEW - Arts & Culture NEW - Health Care - Scott Baird to Donald Zehr - Shawky Fahel to be determined - Manfred Conrad to Adrian Conrad - Jane Jantzi to Sherryl Petricevic - To be determined - To be determined - To be determined Further, that the city send suitable thanks to the four (4) departing members for their years of service. Rob Moraan: Rob gave a brief update regarding the Regional land inventory and the minutes from both the April and May meetings were handed out. A status report is due in July. Patricia Bacon: Patricia gave a brief update on the property's involved in the Grand River West Business Park. The report was being sent to Mayor Zehr and the members of council concerning city owned land and the offers to purchase from MTE Properties and Custom Leather Realty. The report to Mayor and Council were distributed. Michelle Schurter: Michelle advised us that she is leaving the City of Kitchener to pursue a career with the Ministry of Health in Toronto. Committee members thanked her for her input and presence on the committee and wished her will in her new endeavour. Chairman Hans Pottkamper thanked Lawrence Bingeman for the hospitality and splendid food and refreshments at the Funworx Facility. Everyone enjoyed the change of venue and the opportunity to see view the facility. Thank you again Lawrence. Meeting terminated at 1 :15 p.m. Bernadette Lowry, Recording Secretary Economic Development Advisory Committee August 24, 2005 September 28,2005 October 26, 2005 November 23, 2005 December 14, 2005 Next Meeting: August 24th, 2005 11:00am-1:00 pm City Hall - Conestoga Room Dates and Location of Future meetinos: Conestoga Room Conestoga Room Conestoga Room Training Room - Waterloo Region Small Business Centre Conestoga Room