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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2002-04-11 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 11, 2002 CITY OF KITCHENER The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:03 p.m., Chaired by Sally Gunz, with the following members present: Anita Petsche- Good, Councillor Christina Weylie, Howard Marr, Const. Mark Neill, Joan Euler, Marty Schreiter, Doug Hoch, Glen Woolner Others present: David Corks, Michele Hodgins, Deb Schlichter (House of Friendship), Frank Etherington (The Record), Karen Taylor-Harrison, Brian Hunsberger (House of Friendship), Catherine Heal 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA On motion by Christina Weylie - it was resolved: "That the agenda for the April 11,2002 meeting be accepted." 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Anita Petsche-Good corrected the date of the KDBA's Annual General Meeting (page 4) to be April 11, 2002 and not April 16th as indicated. On motion by Anita Petsche-Good - it was resolved: "That the minutes from the March 14, 2002 meeting be accepted with the correction made." 3. HOUSE OF FRIENDSHIP PRESENTATION Deb Schlichter and Brian Hunsberger from the House of Friendship presented their vision for expansion of their facilities. (see attached presentation) Christina Weylie left the meeting at 4:25 After the presentation, Committee members had several questions/ comments for Deb and Brian. Anita Petsche-Good commented on many newspaper articles regarding homelessness, "if you build it, they will come" strategy, she suggested that the homelessness issue seems like a growing industry. She commented that it appears that the mental illness issue is not being addressed for the homeless, and wondered if money could be put into something else instead of providing more beds for the homeless. Deb explained that they are expanding on existing housing, not building new structures. The House of Friendship is responding to a problem that exists, and by building affordable, supportive housing, acts as a long-term solution. She went on to explain that the Eby Village residents are the working poor, people who are on pensions, working part-time, on some sort of assistance, seniors, etc. Because they have housing, they've gone back to school, shop downtown, sit on committees, stable population. Howard Marr asked about the House of Friendship's locations throughout the city and the number of beds they have. Although Deb could not give specific numbers of beds, she did advise that the library has a book available that lists all the affordable housing throughout the City of Kitchener and that information is listed there. Also, the Region of Waterloo has developed a map of affordable housing throughout the Region. Deb did explained there are 1,000 units in the downtown core. Asked if there was any residential housing in Waterloo, Deb replied that there are addiction treatment programs and a community living house in Waterloo. Howard continued to ask what the turn-around time is for someone staying at the House of Friendship and for helping these people get out of "the system"? Deb remarked that for men, the turn-around time is much faster, they average a 6-10 day stay, some stay longer if needed, and that 60-65% of intakes are return visitors. They come back for temporary shelter, they are not getting the supportive, permanent housing that they need and can't find in the community. Counseling is provided by caseworkers at House of Friendship, which also help in arranging financial assistance, employment, and housing. Committee members asked what the vision for the House of Friendship is and in particular, what the future is for the downtown operation? House of Friendship staff explained they do business in all areas of the city, not just in the downtown. Their plans are to continue to respond to needs of the individuals/families. They have no plans to build more units/houses, but to work on what they presently own. They have no intention of selling these properties (along Charles St.) and have no long-term plans to develop the block. People housed by the House of Friendship can be accused of "less than terrific acts" in one way or another, does the House of Friendship take responsibility on their behalf or take action for them. Deb answered that they can't stay because of illegal actions, if they are a danger to others, or when they don't follow house rules. House of Friendship staff has a close working relationship with the police in situations like these. Discussions ensued regarding the types of people and problems that come with having social services and social housing heavily concentrated in one area, namely the downtown and the Cedar-Hill neighbourhood. Cedar-Hill residents expressed their opinion that they can't continue to development the House of Friendship type of housing in their neighbourhood, they need a different type of mix in the community. By expanding the House of Friendship services, residents don't see how this will help community. It was suggested that the House of Friendship considers selling some of their Charles St. properties and develops elsewhere outside of the downtown. Deb replied that the properties that the House of Friendship owns fit into the community, you don't really know that they are there. She again reiterated that they are not looking at expanding their shelter, their mandate is to reduce homelessness through developing their resources. Following this line of discussion, DAC members decided that a sub- committee should be set up to discuss and make recommendations on the social issues/housing in the downtown. Marty Schreiter offered to head up this sub-committee, and recruit community leaders from retail, social housing, and social services sector, along with police representation. It is believed that both DAC and the House of Friendship's goal are to have diversity in the downtown through people living, working, and playing. The sub-committee can base their discussions on what makes a healthy community model for creating a more positive dialogue between the business and social services sectors. Marty reported that he receives calls at the KDBA about disruptive people in the downtown, the ones that are the hardest to serve, refusing to come into the shelters and are people that need mental help or help with addictions. Deb said that the House of Friendship had a community worker at one time, but funding was no longer available for that service. She said it helps to hear what the business community thinks so that the House of Friendship can apply for funding to help solve those problems. Joan Euler left meeting at 5:35pm. 4. DAC OBJECTIVES AND GOALS 2002 REVIEW David Corks asked that we defer this topic to our next meeting in May, and asked Committee members to review the handout (see attached) and we could prioritize goals and objects at the next meeting. 5. DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM UP-DATE (Staff & KDBA) · The KDBA's Annual General Meeting was held this morning at the Four Points Sheridan. · Marty asked DAC what their expectations were for the sub-committee on downtown social issues - members suggested the sub-committee deal with the "hard to serve" and the social housing issues and suggested they do research on what kind of housing, i.e. long-term, short-term is needed for the downtown. Also suggested that CURA (Canadian University Research Alliance) could help with this research and what kind of economic impact it has on the downtown? Marty will recruit a police rep, housing rep, Compass Kitchener. The sub-committee can then report back to DAC and then DAC can take any recommendations/resolutions to Council. · Construction continues on the Children's Museum, and will soon start on the parking garage at Charles/Benton, the new market site, and the demolition contract has been assigned for the Lyric. · Walper Terrace Hotel is renovating the Reggies Restaurant, and creating a new, mid-priced restaurant. · Two new stores are set to open soon on Water St. - Floral Expressions and Expression in Design. · 70 Victoria St. building is filling their last space, a high-end retail- clothing store is expected to open soon. · Kaufman building has been sold! Developer Mitch Faskin from Toronto and partner Peter Smith will renovate the 180,000 sq.ft, space into commercial office space. · The Region of Waterloo have announced an application for Federal and Provincial funding for a Light Rapid Transit system to run from St. Jacob's, through Waterloo's technology area (by the University) and down to downtown Kitchener. · Tony DiBatista has given the KDBA the Lyric sign, to be placed as part of the mural project. 6. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS · Doug Hoch reported that this month's meeting of the Safe Healthy Community Committee had been canceled due to weather conditions. · Doug also reported on the Chess Program partnership with the City of Kitchener. A report will be going to Council on April 15th requesting support for this program and that the City commits to $10,000 towards running the program this year. (see attached proposal) 4 On motion by Marty Schreiter- it was resolved that: "the Downtown Advisory Committee fully supports the financial support needed for the chess program for 2002 as outlined in the proposal from Doug Hoch, Director, K-W Chess Club. · Next month agenda item - 2002 Goals and Objectives. Terms of Ref. 7. ADJOURNMENT On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:02 p.m. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. House of Friendship presentation 2. House of Friendship brochure 3. DAC Objectives and Goals 2002 4. Chess proposal 2002