HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2002-03-27 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
March 27th, 2002
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Conestoga Room, Main Floor, Kitchener City Hall
Attendance: Glenn Scheels Councillor, John Smola
Hans Pottkamper Peter Benninger
Scott Baird Joan Euler
Peter Cook
Staff: George Borovilos Sandy Curzon
Kathy Bissell Patricia Bacon
Regrets: Councillor, Berry Vrbanovic Manfred Conrad
Shawky Fahel Ray Robinson
Henrik Noesgaard Councillor, Christina Weylie
Jane Jantzi Mayor, Carl Zehr
Lawrence Bingeman Jeff Willmer
Mike Sully
1. Approval of Minutes of February 27th, 2002
Minutes of February 27th, 2002 were approved as written
Moved by Hans Pottkamper
Seconded by Scott Baird
Carried
2. Children's Museum
Joan Euler announced that the Federal Government has approved $657,000. to the
Children's Museum under the Cultural Spaces Program. This program is based on the
square footage used for exhibit purposes of which the Children's Museum will utilize
5,600 sq.ft.
Ms. Euler urged the City of Kitchener to look at programs for other funding.
3. Benchmarking
There has been a follow-up with David Gibson, consultant who has been retained by
the City at a cost of $3,000. to establish a workplan comparing Kitchener internally and
externally with other municipalities on various criteria. Timelines include:
· Establish criteria- March 2002
· Data Gathering- April '02
· Compile results- July'02
· Report to EDAC - August '02
4. Canada's Technology Triangle
George Borovilos reviewed Council Report DTS-02-051 Canada's Technology
Effectiveness Assessment. After discussion the following motion was made:
That City Council make a condition of their funding to Canada's Technology Triangle
based on the following:
That CTT meet with municipal Economic Development Officers of Kitchener, Waterloo
and Cambridge and clearly define their individual roles including geographic
boundaries to eliminate overlaps;
and;
That CTT be directed to take a leading role in creating improved cooperation and
partnership with the municipalities
Moved by: Hans Pottkamper
Seconded by: Scott Baird
Carried
5. Centre Block - Update
George Borovilos gave Committee an update on the Centre Block. A number of points
were raised:
· The City currently has eleven holdings in the Centre Block
· 3 workshops with stakeholders and 2 public open houses have taken place
· Investment prospectus presently being put together
· Walking tours yet to be conducted
· Should there be an expression of interest sent out for the properties?
· Should certain properties be demolished?
· Forsyth Building
· Heritage designated building
· Take down part of building?
· Remove encumbrances?
· Reserve heritage?
· Asking price?
· What do you do in the interim between expression of interest and tender?
· Landscape?
EDAC Minutes
March 27, 2002
· Lighting?
· Do you bring in a 3rd party to look at development costs?
· Can these entities work?
· Retain a development broker?
· Necessity of evaluation team?
· Replicate the block?
Next Steps:
· Expression of Interest to engage interest
· Evaluate interest
· Short list interested group
· Centre Block completion date targeted for March 2003
6. Waterloo Region in the 21st Century
Glenn Scheels provided and gave an overview of a pamphlet entitled Waterloo Region
in the 21st Century. It was suggested that Kevin Curtis, Regional Administrator of
Policy Planning, attend a future meeting of EDAC.
7. Westside Lands
This item was tabled today, and will be placed on the April 24th agenda.
8. New Business
Nil
Motion to Adjourn: Scott Baird
Second: Peter Benninger
Carried
Meeting adjourned at 12:55p.m.
Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, April 24th, 2002
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Conestoga Room, 1St Floor, City Hall
EDAC Minutes
March 27, 2002