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Home My WebLink AboutEcon Development - 2001-06-27 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES June 27, 2001 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall Attendance: Glenn Scheels Councillor, Christina Weylie Jane Jantzi Lawrence Bingeman Mike Sully Henrik Noesgaard Peter Cook Jeff Willmer Linda Thompson on behalf of Manfred Conrad Shawky Fahel Ray Robinson Staff: George Borovilos Brock Stanley Larry Masseo Secretary: Sandy Curzon Regrets: Mayor, Carl Zehr Councillor, John Smola Councillor, Berry Vrbanovic Peter Benninger Hans Pottkamper Scott Baird 1. Approval of Minutes of May 23rd , 2001 Minutes of May 23rd, 2001 were approved as written. Moved by Lawrence Bingeman Seconded by Ray Robinson Carried. 2. Conestoga College- Skills Research Pat St. John, VP Continuing Education, Conestoga College presented an overview of the Skills Shortages Research Project. He introduced John Gee, HRDC who is handling the funding of this project. Mr. St. John indicated that there is a severe shortage of workers in the skilled trades and technology field. The purpose of this project was to determine the attitudes and perceptions towards skilled trades with Sr. Elementary Students; Jr. High School Students; Parents; and Teachers. In addition, examine ways to uncover key elements to promote Skilled Trades as a career choice. Focus groups were set up conducted by PMG Consulting to not only provide awareness to the skilled trades, but to also identify the attitudes towards careers in skilled trades and perception of those currently working in the field. Where students get their information on career opportunities and how they are influenced when making career choices became a major objective of the focus groups. Television, parents, peers and friends all contributed to this information chain. Among the key findings, most participants had little knowledge of skilled trades - what they were and how rewarding they can be. It became clear that students wanted jobs that were cool, exciting, glamorous and made lots of money - to students, skilled trades lacked all of these qualities. It became apparent that students needed to hear that skilled trades are in high demand, interesting, Iow stress, and pay well. Receiving a degree coming out of college would help to improve the image of skilled trades. In summary, PMG Consulting found that applied degrees would have the most significant impact along with positive advertising emphasizing the advantages of skilled trades. Following the presentation, Committee made the following comments: Dramatic change in attitude towards skilled trades is needed - earlier in a students life the better Businesses need to work with school boards to change the perception Technology is not just computers Other countries have same concern - find out how they are resolving problem In Europe, apprenticeship is revered Use role models - success stories of skilled labourer i.e. Klaus Woerner of ATS 3. Commercial Building Review Larry Masseo, Manager of Development & Design tabled the Proposed Commercial Policy Structure which focuses on introducing a series of high intensity, mixed-use areas that make full use of existing infrastructure which invariably distributes employment more evenly throughout the city. The project which started over two years ago, was done in response to issues in the mid 90's with the existing policy as it related to regulation of commercial land use. It became obvious that the current policy was out of date and in need of a review. During the 1st year, Planning staff formed a partnership with Royal Leppage to study and complete an analysis of existing commercial space. During the 2nd year, working groups were set-up to review the recommendations. EDAC Minutes June 27, 2001 The new commercial districts are: 1. Primary Node 2. Mixed Use Nodes 3. Mixed Use Corridors 4. Planned Commercial Campuses 5. Neighbourhoods and Mixed-Use Centres 6. Arterial Commercial Corridors The Proposed Commercial Policy structure will go to Planning & Economic Development Committee in early September for adoption from Council by mid September 2001. 4. Information Items a. EDCO Exchange Newsletter b. Canadian Property Guide - South Central Ontario Industrial Edition 5. New Business a. General Environmental Group (90 Woodside) George Borovilos advised Committee that GEG have cleaned the site (52 Woodside) to a residential record of site condition. GEG needs to apply for a demolition application for part of 90 Woodside The region has been asked to comment on a report being prepared b. CTT Land Task Force CTT has organized a task force to look at land for industrial growth It is hopeful that CTT will focus on the airport lands One outstanding issue will be who gets the taxes c. City-wide Reorganization With a 'Service First' policy, Council have adapted a reorganizational structure for city departments 5 departments instead of the current 7 Brock Stanley is now Assistant General Manager along with Steve Gyorffy and Fire Chief Bert Kuntz under the newly named Development & Technical Services Department. The news release and organizational chart are available to Committee at their request EDAC Minutes June 27, 2001 d. Summer Schedule It was decided that Committee will resume on Wednesday, September 26th, 2001 Meeting adjourned at 1:10p.m. Moved by Jane Jantzi Seconded by Lawrence Bingeman Carried Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary Economic Development Advisory Committee Department of Business & Planning Services Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, September 26th, 2001 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Conestoga Room, 1St Floor, City Hall EDAC Minutes June 27, 2001