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Home My WebLink AboutEcon Development - 2001-10-24 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 24, 2001 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall Attendance: Glenn Scheels Councillor, Christina Weylie Jane Jantzi Lawrence Bingeman Peter Benninger Mayor, Carl Zehr Councillor, John Smola Hans Pottkamper Scott Baird Mike Sully Henrik Noesgaard Peter Cook Jeff Willmer Councillor, John Smola Staff: George Borovilos Sandy Curzon Brock Stanley Jeff Fielding Kathi Smith Tim Fox David Corks Catherine Heal Regrets: Manfred Conrad Ray Robinson Shawky Fahel Councillor, Berry Vrbanovic 1. Chair, Glenn Scheels introduced and, on behalf of Committee, welcomed Jeff Fielding, Chief Administrator who started his position with City of Kitchener on October 22, 2001. Mr. Fielding thanked Committee and gave a brief overview of his personal background and his professional relationships. Action: Mr. Fielding was asked to submit any initiatives he may wish Committee to discuss at future meetings Mr. Scheels then reviewed the Minutes of September 26th for those who were not in attendance. Action: Committee to submit any future items they wish to discuss. 2. Approval of Minutes of June 27th , 2001 Minutes of June 27th, 2001 were approved as written. Moved by Christine Weylie Seconded by Peter Cook Carried 3. Approval of Minutes of September 26th, 2001 Minutes of September 26th, 2001 were approved as written Moved by Jane Jantzi Seconded by Peter Benninger Carried 4. Business Enterprise Centre Funding Proposal Kathi Smith, Manager of the Business Enterprise Centre provided an overview of her request for funding report (DTS-01-022) and to request Committee's support. Among the many topics, Ms. Smith reviewed: · Number of inquiries · Need for a newwebsite · Consultations since 1998 · Organizational chart · Government Information Centre · Partnerships- Private & Public · Financial report · Bridges to Better Business Forum · Hewlett Packard reception A lengthy discussion revolved around confirmed and non-confirmed revenue sources and potential surplus. Recommendation: That the Economic Development Advisory Committee support the funding proposal DTS-01-022 dated October 29th as written for the sum of $50,000. Moved by: Henrick Noesgaard Second by: Jane Jantzi Not Carried: Committee turned down the request 5. Downtown Strategic Work Plan Due to time constraints, Mr. Scheels asked that the item be deferred to a separate meeting date of Thursday, November 8th, 2001. Tim Fox, Sr. Downtown Development Officer gave Committee a brief overview. The original strategic plan was done in 1995, updated in 1999. It is felt that now is the time to look at a new direction and how to take us to the next phase of Urban Evolution. EDAC Minutes October 24, 2001 Mr. Fielding informed Committee that Winnipeg is struggling with their downtown, which is run by Centre Venture Program. Calgary on the other hand has a strong downtown, however their 'problems' are completely different. Mr. Fielding felt, from what he knows of Kitchener's downtown, we placed somewhere in the middle of these two cities. Action: Evening meeting for Thursday, November 8th - 7pm - 9pm has been arranged for Committee to provide input into the Downtown Strategic WorkPlan. 6. New Business a) Victoria Street Widening: the possibility of there being a four-lane road between Park and Lawrence Streets will be discussed at Regional Council in the New Year. Cost could range from $5.4 - $8 million. Options include four lanes between King & Lawrence or King to Park street section widened to four lanes b) Brownfields Conference: a brochure entitled Managing Contamination and Brownfield Redevelopment was provided to members to invite them and their colleagues to a two day Conference held November 14--15 at the Waterloo Motor Inn. c) Chamber Representation: Scott Baird asked that EDAC formalize their membership to include a representative from the Chamber of Commerce. After some discussion it was decided that EDAC take no action since they already have representation by the Chamber, albeit informally, through Messrs. Baird and Willmer who are members of the Municipal Affairs Committee. It was encouraged, however, that these members share information with the Chamber Motion to Adjourn: Hans Pottkamper Second: Scott Baird Carried Meeting adjourned at 1:15p.m. Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary Economic Development Advisory Committee Department of Business & Planning Services Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, November 28th, 2001 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Conestoga Room, 1St Floor, City Hall EDAC Minutes October 24, 2001