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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2001-07-26DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE July 26, 2001 The Downtown Advisory Committee met on this date under the vice-chairmanship of Howard Rotberg, with the following members present: Howard Marr, Fred Bishop, Staff Sgt. Barry Zehr, Tom Brennand, Doug Hoch, Anita Petsche-Good, Debbie Schlichter, Marty Schreiter, Denise Strong, Karen Taylor-Harrison Staff: Tim Fox, Catherine Heal, Michele Hodgins Others:Const. Mark Neill, Margaret Wall, Brian Barlett, Alice Schuda, Alan Runstedler 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Doug Hoch and Catherine Heal both asked for an item to be added to the agenda, it was decided they could speak of it in item #7 – New Business/Agenda Items. A motion was made to approve the agenda for the meeting of Thursday, July 26, 2001. Moved by:Tom Brennad Seconded by:Anita Petsche-Good CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Howard Rotberg reported that a sub-committee met and made certain recommendations on the Saloon issue from our last meeting (see attached minutes). A motion was made to approve the minutes for the meeting of Thursday, June 14, 2001. Moved by:Fred Bishop Seconded by:Denise Strong CARRIED 3. DISCUSSION ON ALL AGES DANCES Anita Petsche-Good started the discussion by giving a brief history of All Ages Dances at the Lyric Nightclub and last year’s incident of the near riot in 1 downtown that called on a large amount of police officers to attend. Anita urged that something must be done regarding these problems and hopes to prevent DISCUSSION ON ALL AGES DANCES cont’d. them from happening again in the future. She went on to say that many cities are experiencing these same problems and discussions ensued as to what we could do about them. Staff Sgt. Barry Zehr explained that the police are finding this an extremely difficult situation to handle. Underage people are allowed into a facility that serves alcohol, wristbands identify the underaged patrons, however, there always is a way for the underaged patrons to get the alcohol. It was also mentioned that drugs are a big problem and being used at these events. Barry introduced 2 newspaper articles (see attached). The articles reviewed last year’s incident at the Lyric Nightclub. The result was a 21-day suspension of their liquor license, to be served consecutively before September 5, 2001. In reality, the Lyric has converted all of their openings to “all ages” events during their liquor license suspension. This allows them to be open for business during their suspension period. Barry went on to say that the police do not support All Ages Dances, and suggested that if a nightclub/bar were to lose their liquor license for violations, their business license should be suspended at the same time. Marty Schreiter reported that the KDBA is trying to work with bar owners through the KDBA’s License and Entertainment Committee and develop a good working relationship with them. Marty suggested one way of banning All Ages Dances could be through a by-law that would abolish them. Marty also suggested we go as a group to these All Ages Dances and see what activities take place at these dances. Much discussion continued about problems at various downtown bars and All Ages Dances and many Committee members supported the suggestion of a business license suspension to bar/nightclub owners when they have received a liquor license suspension. The following resolution was put forth: That DAC request Council to seek a legal opinion regarding the ability to produce a by-law or other legal controls that would restrict and/or control All Ages Dances in downtown Kitchener; and also to look at how effective it would be to have a suspension of a business license when there is a liquor license suspension and/or other breaches of law, i.e. smoking, noise by-law, concurrently. DAC requests that staff report to Council within 60 days of the matter. 2 DISCUSSION ON ALL AGES DANCES cont’d. Moved by:Marty Schreiter Seconded by:Fred Bishop CARRIED Anita Petche-Good suggested educating the community of these events and what goes on during these dances, by writing letters to school boards, Neighbourhood Associations, etc. It was decided to form a sub-committee involving Anita and Karen Taylor-Harrison to work on drafting a letter, it was also suggested they should liaise with the police on this issue. Anita also suggested that staff look into what other cities are doing to solve or prevent problems at these events. One final suggestion from Anita was to take this issue to a Provincial level, that City staff and the police give their perspective of the ongoing problems these All Ages Dances pose for cities. It was recommended that our Committee Secretary forward on to the AMO (Association of Municipalities of Ontario) our minutes and resolution regarding this issue and request assistance in any way possible for their support at the Provincial level. 4. POLICE MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS Staff Sgt. Barry Zehr gave examples of positive and negative events police are called to in the downtown. He advised that police try not use the word “downtown” in media releases, they use street addresses, as was suggested from DAC in a previous meeting, as it gives bad impression of downtown. DAC members encouraged the police to keep using street addresses. Tim Fox also stated that City staff appreciates the downplay on using the word “downtown” in media releases. Tim stated that we want to promote positive activities in downtown. He also expressed his hope to see more police presence in the downtown. Barry introduced Const. Mark Neill as the new Community Mobilization Officer. 5. UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) 3 · Catherine Heal, the KDBA and the Planning School of the University of Waterloo are discussing conducting a pedestrian intercept study in the UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) cont’d. downtown. The objective is to understand pedestrian movement in relation to urban design and various other factors. · Judges for the Communities in Bloom program were in the downtown recently and Tim informed them of our Urban Evolution concept. Results of winners should be made in September. · A Market Working Group, involving market venders, Ric Haldenby from the University of Waterloo, David Mota from Canada Trust, and City staff are providing council with a report (due mid-October) on options on what the market would look like, who it would involve, etc. · A music video was shot on Pearl Place behind Galleria off Scott St. It went very well. · City staff are working on a new strategic plan for the downtown. · A Brownfields conference is scheduled to take place this fall, more information will follow at a future DAC meeting. · Hoarding is up at 57 Queen St. N. the Tri-Car development of the “Regency” an 18 story, 168 residential unit building being built and completed by 2002. · Saloon – Council decided to oppose the liquor license application from the Saloon. The applicant, as of early July, had not submitted an application to the AGCO. A hearing date of the application would not be set until the application is submitted. The City’s solicitor expects that the hearing will not take place until at least a few months later. Neighbours raised concerns about the newly built deck. · A new theatre has opened up in the downtown – Highland/Odeon Theatre on Ontario St. is the new KW International Cinema, showing foreign films. · The KDBA has moved to 53 Queen St., the old Good Will Centre location. · Graffiti removal is being done by summer students at the KDBA, all is going well. · Cruise Night was very successful, we were pleased with the turn out of participants and the large number of people attending the event. · Blues Festival is set for August 18th in downtown Kitchener, music, food and much, much more. · Street sweeper program is continuing to be successful. 6. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATIONS UP-DATES Mount Hope/BreithauptDoug Hoch reported that last Saturday, July st 21, a neighbourhood picnic was held in Huron Park. The purpose was to bring their community together, it proved to be a very successful event with several hundred people showing up, and lots of activities took place. 4 NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATIONS UP-DATES cont’d. Doug also introduced Alice Schuda who read a letter regarding the incident in Victoria Park (see attached). Discussions ensued regarding Victoria Park and whether police should pursue a by-law not allowing people in the park after 11:00 p.m. Barry had said this was very successful in other surrounding cities (Waterloo and Cambridge). It was suggested we bring this issue back to DAC as an agenda item in the fall. 7. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS · DAC members should have received a letter from Mayor Carl Zehr and City Clerk Gary Sosnoski regarding the recommendation on the revised committee th structure, taking place on August 14 at 7:00 p.m. It was suggested that once we receive the report, if members feel that DAC is an important committee to continue, members need to speak out about this and show their support at this meeting. · Doug Hoch introduced Albert Runstedler as the new co-ordinator for the chess program here at City Hall. This is made possible by a partnership between the City, the K-W Chess Club and the HRDC who worked together for funding for this full-time co-ordinator. Since starting the chess program last year, we found a need for more programming. Doug encouraged DAC members to introduce themselves and partake in the chess events. Doug also asked for this to be an agenda item for the September meeting to give and impact report on chess program in downtown and events (see attached events schedule). · Homelessness – Catherine Heal sits on the Waterloo Region Homelessness Working Group, which is creating a community plan to deal with issues around homelessness. As one of the ways to decentralize social agencies throughout the region, Catherine has been suggesting to the group that a policy to that effect be included in the Homelessness Community Plan. Input from the community in this regard might be helpful. The group is hosting a public consultation meeting to gather public input (see attached flyer) on how to address issues around homelessness. Catherine encourages DAC nd members to attend the meeting on August 2. Deb Schlichter added that a Regional housing satellite office would be opening up in Waterloo, shifting some of the social issues out of downtown Kitchener. · Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association is hosting once again “theatre under the stars” (see attached flyer). 5 A motion was made to adjourn the meeting. Moved by:Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by:Tom Brennand CARRIED LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Minutes from Sub-committee on The Saloon , report # BPS-01-082 2. Newspaper articles on the Lyric Nightclub 3. Letter from Alice Schuda 4. Chess Event Schedule 5. Homelessness flyer 6. Cinema Under the Stars 2001 6