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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2001-09-13 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE September 13, 2001 The Downtown Advisory Committee met on this date under the chairmanship of Councillor Christina Weylie with the following members present: Doug Hoch, Tom Brennand, Staff Sgt. Greg Lamport, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Anita Petsche-Good, Marty Schreiter, Peggy Walshe, Debbie Schlichter, Chris Cowie Staff: Michele Hodgins, David Corks, Albert Runstedler 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made to approve the agenda for the meeting of Thursday, September 13, 2001. Moved by: Anita Petsche-Good Seconded by: Tom Brenand CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made to approve the minute from the meeting of Thursday, July 26, 2001. Moved by: Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by: Doug Hoch CARRIED Chairman Weylie introduced Staff Sgt. Greg Lamport and as well Staff Sgt. Tom Bruce as replacements for Staff Sgt. Barry Zehr. The two Staff Sgts. will alternate their attendance at the DAC meetings. Committee members proceeded to introduce themselves to Staff Sgt. Greg Lamport. 3. CHESS CLUB REPORT Doug Hoch gave a brief report on the successes of the downtown chess program (see attached). Doug described the rebuilding the downtown brick by brick and referred the chess program as one little brick in this plan. Doug also elaborated that they have had some positive press coverage both in print and television (see attached). CHESS CLUB REPORT cont'd. Doug then introduced Albert Runstedler who has been hired to run the chess program at City Hall. Albert described the many different types of chess players he sees playing at city hall, seniors, disabled, chess club members and general public, including street kids that congregate at city hall. Safety has been an issue with playing at city hall, and it has been very helpful that security officers place themselves in this area. Chess sets are set up early in the morning to encourage play. Albert feels that creating this area for chess playing is a positive reason for people to come to the downtown. As a result of being so successful, a Kitchener Masters Tournament, a series of internationally rated events will be taking place this week-end (Sept. 15-16) at city hall in the cafeteria starting at 10:00 a.m. and continuing for the next 3 weekends. It is not an event that the general public can participate in, rather they can be spectators and watch the chess masters at play. Many positive comments came from DAC members and David Corks suggested that since this is a great "good news" story, we should somehow have this presentation become publicized, at which point Chairman Weylie invited Doug and Albert to give their presentation to Council. Doug and Albert discussed the difficulties and challenges of organizing chess programs at City Hall, with the different personalities that gather at this spot. Marty Schreiter commented on the positive and negative comments from downtown area residents, retailers and customers, stating that most believe the chess is a positive turn around in the downtown. Discussions then turned to a negative aspect of the chess tables at city hall, regarding the drug problems. Staff Sgt. Greg Lamport commented that it is unfortunate the drug problems have been connected in a small way to the chess table area, but that it is a difficult problem to handle, police are continually working on it and asked members to continue to call in problems. While DAC members realized this was an important topic to discuss, it was suggested we separate the drug and chess program and devote a separate meeting to the drug problem in the downtown, and asked that during our next meeting we could deal with social and crime issues. CHESS CLUB REPORT cont'd. From this brief discussion, the following recommendation came forward: Members of DAC recommend that staff be directed to put together a multi- diciplined task force to look at criminal activity in the downtown boundary. Moved by: Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by: Marty Schreiter CARRIED Discussions continued on the chess program and many positive comments were made from the Neighbourhood Association representatives about the chess program. Doug commented on how the chess program's funding is limited and will soon be coming to an end. The club is seeking further funding partnerships to continue the program. It was determined that Doug will work with Marty Schreiter (KDBA) and Councillor Weylie to create a funding proposal for 2002 and report back to DAC. 4. YOUTH CRIME ACT Chris Cowie provided a brief presentation of some of the changes that are anticipated in the proposed Youth Criminal Justice Act that will replace the Young Offenders Act. Explanation was provided for how the current provision of Young Offender services works in Ontario and in other Provinces. Chris outlined some proposed changes regarding sentencing, use of adult court, increased flexibility in determining level of custody for individual clients and increased use of alternative sanctions. The new act provides increased opportunity for youth justice committees and other community groups to play a role in dealing with young offenders. Chris encouraged the City to think in a proactive way about developing committees that would be prepared to address youth crime in a creative way that is reflective of the specific needs of Kitchener. Discussions ensued regarding other modified programs that are working in Kitchener, i.e. John School program. Presently no one is initiating discussions on youth crime programs here in Kitchener. It was agreed that much discussion needs to take place and solutions can be accomplished at a community level but would need to involve community agencies and youths coming together, in order for it to be successful. YOUTH CRIME ACT cont'd. Further discussions evolved around the Community Mobilization Program and the successes they have experienced. Staff Sgt. Greg Lamport offered to give DAC a presentation on Community Mobilization, 5. UPDATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) · New Kitchener Market - the deadline for moving out of the present location is Dec. 31, 2003, which means we'll need to start construction on the new market by mid-2002. Ideas for the new market will be ready for a public meeting to be held in the fall. The city won't hear about the Superbuild funding until later in the year. · Theatre & Co. - the grand opening is tonight (Sept. 13th), and staff are very excited. Staff will try to organize a tour of the facilities. · Child's Museum should start construction next month. · Garage Benton/Charles - selecting design consultant. Should break ground next year. A further temporary parking lot is being created at the Epton site. · Bars task force - recommendation for ALL AGES, went to Finance & Administration Committee and will continue on to Council, with a slight adjustment in the wording (see attached report). · Metropolis - license has been approved with conditions, and we will report back to DAC once conditions have been made available. · Kaufman building - there is still interest in this building, however, the hold-up is with environmental problems in the parking lot. Looking at a mixed office, residential use. · Rugged Comfort owners are working with interested parties in developing commercial/residential at that location. · KDBA open house held at their new location went well. · Graffitti program is finished for summer, which concentrated on the downtown. · 28 new businesses opened up in the downtown in the last 4 months. · Street sweeping program finishes after Oktoberfest. 6. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UPDATES Mill Courtland Karen Taylor-Harrison reported that their open house to sign up for programs was successful. 7. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS · Discussions took place regarding the reorganization of Advisory Committees and members' concern that Neighbourhood Associations are being eliminated from DAC, and their specific issues won't be brought forwards. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS cont'd. Members asked if anything could be done to change the new committee structure, many want to continue with DAC, as they feel this is a forum for them to learn what is happening in other parts of the city and it is a good way of gathering information to share with others. Members asked this be an agenda item for the October meeting and invite council back to DAC and discuss these changes to DAC and how the Neighbourhood Associations are being eliminated/dismantled from DAC. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Impact of Chess Prorgram on Civic Square and Downtown Kitchener 2. BPS Report 01-111 All Ages Dances in downtown Kitchener 3. CRPS Report 01-173 Review of Business Licenses for those with Liquor Licenses