HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2006-02-02
KPL/CENTRE BLOCK PROJECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 2, 2006 City of Kitchener
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee met this date, commencing at 8:30 a.m., Chaired by Hans
Pottkamper with the following members present: Carla Ladd, Hans Gross, Rod Regier, Larry Gordon,
Sonia Lewis, Bruce McNeil, Michael May, Jana Miller and Sandy Curzon
Approval of Minutes
1.
On motion by Bruce McNeil, it was resolved that the minutes of January 26, 2006 be accepted
and posted on the city’s website www.city.kitchener.on.ca
2.Centre Block Components
2.1 Terms of Reference – Marketing Piece
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Comments received:
Reduce the number of pages
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First page needs to be an overview of the opportunity
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Get ‘sales message’ upfront. Why would a developer want to look at this business
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opportunity? What are we offering that’s attractive to the development industry?
The executive summary needs to be clear on what it is we are asking for in order
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generate interest – partnerships; ownership; leasing opportunities; how much
money is available. Clearly show the relationship that the City is trying to build
with the developer
Highlight the economic impact that a library generates - 700,000 visitors annually
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has the potential of numerous spin-off opportunities; number of employees
currently working in the downtown; recent increase in housing (lofts); 1500
faculty and staff from two university campuses
Indicate the location of the site in proximity to City Hall and the two university
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campuses
Action:
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J. Miller will take the comments received and provide the final Marketing Piece for
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review February 9
2.2Advertisement to Industry
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J. Miller provided Project Committee with a sample ‘Banner Ad’ that will be placed
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on the front page of the Daily Commercial News on February 24 and possibly the
Globe & Mail
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The purpose of the Ad is to make the development industry aware of the upcoming
Expression of Interest due at the end of March 2006
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Some of the comments received included:
To be consistent with all other materials, have R. Regier as the contact person
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Change the map to show proximity to City Hall and Universities
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Include the acreage of the downtown site
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Minutes: February 2, 2006
Ensure that it captures the developers attention by saying what the City wants – a
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library and what the developer will get – the land
Action:
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J. Miller will take the comments received and provide another draft of the Banner Ad
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for review February 9
2.3Kitchener Public Library Report
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S. Lewis provided an overview of KPL’s ‘For Information Only’ report to Council on
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February 6 which identifies the Need, Vision, Benefits and Cost of a New Central
Library
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Comments/Discussion:
The cost amounts in the report are to illustrate what has been heard through the
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press – they are not intended to be the amount given to developers
The uppermost important goal is to get a library that meets the needs of the
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community
Action:
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No action required
2.4KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Draft Report – CAO-06-009
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C. Ladd provided Project Committee with a draft overview of the report to Council on
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February 6
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To get the final necessary commitments for the project, a definitive direction from
Council, which can be built into the RFP documents, is required so that when the RFP
is released to the public substantial decisions will have been made
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In order to make the project a success, it is vital that all the pieces are laid out and
dealt with before the documents are released to the public
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The Report outlined three areas:
i)Heritage
ii)Financial
iii)Project Process
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Ms. Ladd reminded members that we are now asking Council to make a decision
outside the budget process
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Aside from a new central Library being the catalyst for the site, the economic benefits
would include the tangibles – cash and property
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After some discussion around the cost of furnishing a new library and whether or not
existing furnishings can be used, Ms. Lewis acknowledged that there was never any
intent of replacing all existing furnishings and that an inventory will be conducted to
see what can be used in the new building
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A suggestion was briefly discussed of approaching financial institutions, some of
which have largely invested in the downtown programs, to see if there are
opportunities for them to guarantee the fundraising activity
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Project Committee agreed to include funding options of a parking structure and an
explanation of how each option will meet the $8.5M shortfall
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Minutes: February 2, 2006
Action
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Staff to re-write report based on comments received
2.5Legal Agreement
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C. Robson & H. Gross have met with Ken Yolles, Legal Advisor retained by the City
to build a framework for a legal agreement between the City of Kitchener and the
Developer
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Project Committee briefly reviewed a draft report
Action:
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Further discussion of the framework on February 9
3.Kitchener Public Library
3.1 Parking Requirement Update
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KPL have finished an analysis on their parking needs which has concluded that 180
spaces are required for public visitor parking
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It was noted that the focus was on the public needs and that 180 spaces does not
include 50 spaces required by library staff
Action:
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Report documents to identify 180 public parking spaces required for the new central
library
Meeting was adjourned at 10:35 am
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Next Scheduled Meeting: Thursday, February 9, 2006
Conestoga Room, Main Floor, City Hall
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Minutes: February 2, 2006