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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2002-01-10 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES JANUARY 10~ 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m., Chaired by Councillor John Smola, with the following members present: Joan Euler, Anita Petsche-Good, Sally Gunz, Doug Hoch, Staff Sgt. Greg Lamport, Const. Mark Neill Others present: David Corks, Michele Hodgins, Dave Marck David Corks welcomed everyone to our first meeting of the newly formed Committee and introductions were made of members present. 1. ELECTION OF CO-CHAIR David Corks explained to Committee members the procedure and role of Co- Chair for these meetings. Co-Chair John Smola suggested that the Co-Chairs alternate chairing each meeting. The election of a Co-Chair has been deferred to next month's meeting, allowing for more of the membership to be present in this election. 2. MEETING DATES AND TIME It was explained to the Committee that Council has changed the time Committees of Council will meet, formerly 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., allowing better attendance and convenience for Councillors and Committee members to attend, however, if the Committee felt an alternate time would better suit, the Committee was entitled to make that change. Discussions ensued as to what time would be best suited for them. The Committee decided that 4:00 p.m. meetings would be suitable for the majority of Committee members. 3. APPOINTMENT TO SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES COMMITTEE Doug Hoch and Sally Gunz expressed an interest in sitting on this Committee. The decision to elect a Committee member has been deferred to next month's meeting, to allow members to review Safe & Healthy Communities' Terms of Reference. 4. APPOINTMENT TO EDAC COMMITTEE Committee members asked how many representatives are to be elected to EDAC and Safe & Health Communities Committees. They were advised that one representative from DAC for each Committee is to be appointed. The decision to elect a Committee member has been deferred to next month's meeting, to allow members to review EDAC's Terms of Reference. 5. VACANT POSITIONS David Corks reviewed the vacant positions on DAC. · Downtown Storefront Retailer Sector (it was thought Anita Petsche-Good could "wear two sets of shoes" in representing the KDBA Chair and Downtown Storefront Retailer) · Downtown Restaurant Sector (will be receiving shortly an application from Elvis Ellison from Brittania Fine Cuisine) · Downtown Live Entertainment Sector · Downtown Developer Arts & Culture Committee has appointed Mike Peng to represent them on DAC. Doug Hoch asked if a listing of names, addresses, phone numbers and e-mail addresses could be provided to Committee members (see attached). 6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF COMMITTEE The Committee reviewed Council Policy Resolution - Terms of Reference for Downtown Advisory Committee (copy received in Welcome package). It was decided that no changes would be made to the Purpose and Scope and Responsibilities section of the Terms of Reference. The Committee can decide how much information they want from staff to be able to determine which issues they wish to become involved in. In addition, Council would like input from DAC on its various initiatives pertaining to the downtown. The Committee can then work out a list of responsibilities they wish to assume. In answer to a question from Joan Euler, David Corks said her role was to represent a suburban resident's perspective of downtown. Committee members expressed interest in seeing the relationship between Safe & Healthy Communities and DAC be strong one, and have good communication from the Committees. Staff Sgt. Lamport suggested they (police) have a representative on both DAC and Safe & Healthy Communities to link the two Committees. Committee members also asked if staff could arrange for minutes from the Safe & Healthy Community Committee is distributed to them. 7. DOWNTOW DEVELOPMENT TEAM UP-DATES (City & KDBA) · David introduced himself and explained what roles he and other staff member handle in the downtown. The Downtown Development Team works hand-in- hand with the KDBA who takes care of private sector initiatives, and City staff take care of public sector initiatives. · He also explained a temporary reorganization of downtown management has resulted in a creation of a Leadership Resource Group, whose purpose is to coordinate and deliver our initiatives in accordance with our strategic direction for Downtown. In other words, the downtown is a major goal of both Council and Administration. · David unveiled the new market design sketches, explaining how new retail development, the market (both permanent and part-time) and residential units will all come together in creating a vibrant, thriving hub of activity in the east end of the downtown. An urban and ethnic style market, modeled after the St. Lawrence market in Toronto, very different from the Waterloo/St. Jacobs market is planned. Keeping it reasonably priced for vendors, both permanent and part time/seasonal vendors to come in. Underground parking will be available, as well as some street parking for vendor's trucks. Landscaping at the east-end has started to take place with new street lamps, benches, sidewalks, and information kiosks to be installed on King St. · The downtown has been broken into different sections, east end will be known as the market district, the west end as the warehouse district, and the centre core for mixed-use. · KPMG report is being released Monday, January 14th at 7:00 p.m. at Council meeting to give advise on block next door. David explained the history in purchasing the buildings in the block next door. · Community Services Department will be hiring a full-time supervisor for co- ordinating cleaning and garbage pick-up in the downtown. · Celebrating our Success event is coming up on February 26th at the Walper Terrace Hotel, invites will be sent out soon. · The KDBA Strategic Planning will be taking place next week, with the release of the reported scheduled for the spring. · Vacancy rates for office is under 10% and residential is 1%. · Parking garage being built of new at Benton/Charles with retail to be incorporated on Benton St. frontage. A 2nd garage is planned at Charles and Francis area after that. · Residential developments are taking place at Queen and Weber Sts. from Tricar Development and the former Arrow Shirt Factory on Benton St. is being renovated to residential. There also has been an application for residential development on Margaret St. and Lancaster & Frederick Sts. · The Region is looking at creating a transit corridor from Waterloo, through downtown Kitchener and on to Gait. The former Epton site is being considered as a possible site for a new transit terminal. · As part of Marketing/Communications and Council's initiative, staff is developing a more professional way of dealing with press. They are creating a newsletter which will be release 6 timer per year, more advertising on radio and print. · On behalf of the KDBA, Anita Petsche-Good reported that the downtown dollar campaign was very successful this year. For every $100 (up to $400) you received $10 bonus bucks that could be used in the downtown. 8. NEW BUSINESS / FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS Anita advised the Committee of a new business that opened up in the downtown called "Body Perfect", an exclusive men's fitness club. She urged staff to watch this site, as it could turn out to be something else, i.e. used for illicit purposes. David assured the Committee that staff would investigate this and report back to the Committee. Doug Hoch asked the Committee to consider changing our structure to include sub-committees. Their role would be to experts on particular topics to review proposal and report back to DAC. He continued that sub-committees draw on talents throughout the city, that sometimes the Committee is not always able to make a positive contribution/decision, this is where the sub-committee would step in. 9. ADJOURNMENT On motioned, it was moved to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 p.m. Michele Hodgins Committee Secretary