HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2001-10-11 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
October 11, 2001
The Downtown Advisory Committee met on this date under the chairmanship of
Councillor Christina Weylie, with the following members present: Tom Brennand, Fred
Bishop, Marty Schreiter, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Trudy Beaulne, Chris Cowie,
Donna Kuehl, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Deb Schlichter, Karen Taylor-Harrison
Staff: Brock Stanley, David Corks, Michele Hodgins
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
An adjustment to the agenda was made, Rosemary Pitfield is unable to attend
today's meeting, we hope to reschedule her for next month's meeting.
Motion was made to approve the agenda for the meeting of Thursday, October
11, 2001.
Moved by: Tom Brennand
Seconded by: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic
CARRIED
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
As a follow up item regarding the Metropolis licence conditions, staff is not in
receipt of the conditions at this time, but will try to obtain a copy to add to these
minutes.
Donna Kuehl moved that since the DAC membership is changing in the new year
with the elimination of Neighbourhood Association representation on DAC, that
future minutes of DAC meetings be sent to the current members to keep them
up-dated on these meetings.
Seconded by: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic
CARRIED
Motion was made to approve the minutes from the meeting of Thursday,
September 13, 2001.
Moved by: Anita Petsche-Good
Seconded by: Fred Bishop
CARRIED
3. FURTHER DISCUSSION ON TASK FORCE FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN
DOWNTOWN
Brock Stanley asked the Committee for background discussion on their request
for a task force on criminal activity in the downtown. He needed to better
understand where the committee is coming from on this resolution and is looking
for direction on what specifically they want done regarding this problem.
Brock suggested we work in phases, first gathering information on the downtown
activities from the police and then work from there.
Marty Schreiter informed the Committee that the KDBA Board of Directors has
asked that Anne McConnell from the Waterloo Regional Police attend their next
board meeting to report on criminal activity in the downtown and thought that
maybe staff could contact her for background information.
Antia Petsche-Good outlined that this discussion came from the chess tables
presentation at DAC's last meeting, stating that the chess tables seem to attract
criminals and drug deals happening right in front of city hall and retail shops. As
it is obvious to passers-by, the police must notice this, yet little seems to be
done. Anita also stated that the congregation of youths will happen even without
the chess tables, and not all kids hanging out at city hall is involved in drug or
criminal activity.
Tom Brennand commented that in some cities in the United States in areas
surrounding schools, activities are monitored, and if drug activity is found to be
taking place in these areas, fines are doubled. Tom wondered if something like
this could be done here. Committee members agreed this would be a good idea
to consider.
Trudy explained that this topic of criminal activity in the downtown is something
that has been discussed before, that the Safe City Committee emerged from
these discussions. Brock suggested that this could be a topic that does go back
into the hands of Safe City, or is dealt with jointly from both Committees.
Karen Taylor-Harrison agreed with Trudy in that she feels like we are going in
circles with this topic. We need to evaluate what's been done in the past
concerning this problem and if programs that have been put in place to alleviate
this problem have been effective or not.
Councillor Vrbanovic proposed that this is a problem that both Safe City and DAC
can look at and come together to work on. However, the Committees must be
aware that while working on this problem it could attract negative attention to the
downtown, and they would need to manage media information in positive way.
Trudy added that we should continuing monitoring activities in the downtown,
deal with the issues while working on continuing the improvements in downtown
and the community involvement. She also sated that while there are criminal
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON TASK FORCE FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN
DOWNTOWN cont'd.
activities in the downtown, a lot of good things happening happen downtown too,
and we need to be careful of what press we will be reporting.
Mike Peng pointed out that good things are happening in the evening in the
downtown, not all bad. Their new theatre's attendance is up, and restaurants
and surrounding businesses are benefiting from this increased activity too. The
theatre makes it inviting for more people to come downtown. Mike summarized
that there is a general tolerance in the downtown of the unlikely kind of activity
and it's colourful characters.
Discussions then turned to the topic of the new Downtown Advisory Committee
that will start in January. The advertisement for the new Committees will be
placed in the Record on Friday, October 12, 2001 and applications will be sent
out to existing membership as well.
Donna Kuehl expressed concern that the directions of Compass Kitchener is to
have more involvement by residents in the community, but yet it appears that
neighbourhood representation is being reduced in these Committees. It seems
there will be less involvement and less voice of the ordinary citizen going to
Council, and a filtered view of citizens concerns will be going to Council.
Chairman Weylie stated that Community Services would be holding meetings for
Neighbourhood Association representatives to meet and discuss their concerns.
She also urged that any Nieghbourhood Association could come to any of the
Committee meetings and still participate.
Councillor Vrbanovic stated that it is Council's challenge to balance different view
points from all the Committees, that official notice was sent out regarding the
changes to the Committees and the reorganization plan was passed at council.
He also noted that DAC's terms of reference would change. There will continue
to be citizen representation on the Committees, they'll just be "wearing different
hats".
Karen Taylor-Harrison remarked that this is the only Committee where
Neighbourhood Associations select their own representation for this Committee,
and without their selected representation, information from meetings and Council
will not be related back to the Neighbourhood Associations. Further discussions
ensued about messages being lost from Neighbourhood Associations and their
viewpoints.
Karen asked the non-residential members of the Committee if the voice of the
Neighbourhood Associations would be missed. Mike Peng replied it is good to
find out what is happening in the surrounding neighbourhoods. He also stated
that sometimes no clear direction comes from this meeting, and he wants to
know what plan the City is putting in place during this next transitional year, on
how to communicate better with the Neighbourhood Associations, and if they
3
FURTHER DISCUSSION ON TASK FORCE FOR CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN
DOWNTOWN cont'd.
could strengthened through funding support, etc. Mike feels there is a shared
responsibility, both from the city, which has an investment in the Neighbourhood
Associations and the Neighbourhood Associations have commitment to
strengthen and become better informed. Anita responded that as a business
person, she has always enjoyed this Committee, which includes people from all
aspects, i.e. business, residential, arts, etc. She believes the discussions are
valuable, we don't always walk away with something concrete, but we have in the
past made positive decisions i.e. 40 initiatives for the Downtown Strategic Plan.
Councillor Vrbanovic advised that the City's new Communications Department
would be developing ways to inform the public of what is going on in the
meetings.
Trudy commented that at several meetings she is involved in she is hearing that
the Neighbourhood Association voice is being neglected, and feels we need to
separate the community voice and what Council is wanting Advisory Committees
to do. The desire for community voice is a need that is there, but Council needs
to find a way to deal with it.
Councillor Vrbanovic continued by saying that the new Committee will have 3
community representatives; 2 from the downtown wards and 1 suburban
representative. With regard to separating DAC issues from community
involvement, Councillor Vrbanovic stated that improvements are being made with
directions from Compass Kitchener. The intent of the restructuring is good, but it
won't be perfect.
Donna Kuehl suggested with the new Neighbourhood Association meetings
being conducted by Community Services, possibly Council members would
consider attending these meetings to keep a dialogue going with the
Neighbourhood Associations.
Councillor Vrbanovic stated that applications for the new members of DAC could
have letters of endorsement from Neighbourhood Associations for their opinion of
who they would want on the Committees. He also stated that after a year of the
new Committee, DAC would be reevaluated to see how things have worked out.
Members questioned how this would work, and Councillor Vrbanovic stated that
Neighbourhood Associations could be invited back for the report.
Trudy feels sad that the social aspect will be lost at DAC. Chris Cowie agreed,
DAC could benefit from hearing about social safety issues.
Marty challenged Neighbourhood Associations and the social sector to fill seats
in the back of DAC's meeting room and continue to come to DAC and keep us
accountable for the decisions we make.
4. UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA)
· KDBA has contributed $5,000 instead of $10,000 this year to Oktoberfest,
looking at using the contribution towards beautification of the downtown.
· Anne McConnell will be meeting with KDBA Board to give up-date on criminal
activity in the downtown.
· Efforts are being made to put up safety fences in parking garages, and KDBA
is working on better media reporting regarding this matter.
· Graffiti program is continuing until the winter.
· International Downtown Conference was held in Pittsburg last month, main
topics were about BIA's involvement in safety and security in the downtown.
Homelessness was also a strong issue amongst other BIAs.
· Replacing garbage cans on King St. from a black metal style, which is costly
to maintain to a black with gold trim plastic style. The new style is easier to
maintain and can be used year-round. A sample of the new garbage can is
on display at the KDBA office.
· Original City term is being changed on banners. Urban Evolution message is
much stronger and public are aware that this means changes in the
downtown.
· Patio signs have been designed for public complaints regarding undesirable
patios. It has been noted that in the past the public didn't know how to
register their complaints, see attached.
· Children's museum construction will begin this fall, with the new market
construction starting in the spring.
· Kiosk information boards on street lamps will be put up this winter, holding
information regarding events in the downtown and a "you are here" map.
· Consultant for new streetscape will be coming in January, some changes to
be made will be with the sidewalks being changed from interlocking brick to
white concrete with gray trim.
· New Municipal Act to govern licensing is being released, this will give the City
much more power to control activities in the downtown, i.e. adult movies, etc.
· Press release tomorrow (Oct. 12th) at the corner of Charles & Cedar Streets
at 10:00 a.m. with good news about the downtown.
· Patio license for the Saloon had been withdrawn.
· Methadone clinic relocation is unknown to staff, however, they will inquire
about its new location.
5. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES
Social Planning A homelessness plan has been submitted to Minister
Bradshaw for approval. The Region has also been
approached to be the community entity for the
homelessness plan and this will go to Council
Committee on October 16th.
NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES cont'd.
Deb Schlichter further commented that a sponsor has
come forward for the Rent Bank and she will bring
more details to the next meeting of who this is and
when the program will be launched.
Auditorium Tom Brennand had 2 questions for the committee;
with the improved lighting on Cedar St. and Krug St.
area, a light base with wires has been installed, but
no light attached. Neighbours are concerned if this will
stay like this or a light will be installed. Secondly,
there used to be a phone number for illegally parked
cars on city streets, what is it? Chairman Weylie
advised she would find this number and contact Tom.
Cedar Hills Karen Taylor-Harrison reported that their Association
has their regular meetings back on schedule, with
their next meeting to be held the week of October 15-
19. Construction in the neighbourhoods has been
going well, lots of dust!
6. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS
· Rent Bank up-date by Deb Schlichter for next meeting.
· Chris Cowie asked that a sub-committee be set up to explore what would
need to be done to set up a Youth Justice Committee. Chris will chair, Tom
Brennand volunteered and Councillor Weylie will also attend. Fred Bishop
offered that this could be an issue for CityWide Youth Committee, and it was
agreed that the sub-committee would look at this issue and decide if it should
go to CityWide Youth.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 10:30 a.m.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
1. What do you think of my patio? Sign