HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2002-06-13DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 13,2002
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.,
chaired by Sally Gunz, with the following members present: Councillor John
Smola, Anita Petsche-Good, Glen Woolner, Mike Peng, Doug Hoch, Const. Mark
Neill,
Others Present:
Schreiter)
David Corks, Michele Hodgins, Nancy Finkel (for Marty
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - JUNE 13, 2002
On motion by Anita Petsche-Good
it was resolved:
"That the agenda for the June 13, 2002 meeting be accepted."
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Anita Petsche-Good
it was resolved:
"That the minutes from the May 9, 2002 meeting be accepted."
3. DAC OBJECTIVES AND GOALS 2002 REVIEW
In our March meeting, Committee members discussed what the objectives
and goals for 2002 should be. Committee members reviewed and made
adjustments to our list of objectives and goals and decided on the
following:
City Incentives
expand on the downtown incentive program to encourage the use of
the fa~;ade loan program and other incentive programs/development
fees to help improve the esthetics of downtown neighbourhoods.
Committee members suggested the downtown merchants should
restore original facades, awnings, signs, or placing plaques saying
what the original building was used for on storefronts, which would
create a museum, feel. Committee members want to see the
downtown as being unique and eclectic, and this would encourage
more people to come to the downtown.
Communications
create a better relationship with the media (the Record) and have them
come to meetings as participants and have a secondary person for
reporter.
Community Centre
downtown location; Councillor John Smola has been working with the
Central Frederick and Civic Centre neighbourhood representatives
who will be putting forth a request supporting a downtown Community
Centre.
Counc#
· DAC should be a voice representing other citizens, sharing ideas with
Council.
Lodging Houses
· Management of, location, distance separation, property standard
Policing
improve relationship/partnership with police. Committee members
commented that relationships have improved, the police are more
visible along King St., and encouraged them to keep up the good work.
Also, the community mobilization is improving relationships with
retailers/business owners.
Property Standards
this issue is part of an overall team dealing with social and related
issues in the inner city. When results and actions are firm, they will be
asked to report to DAC.
Schoo~
the Committee wanted a city role in the closing. The City has asked
the Separate School Board for a deferral on more closings until after
task force has reported back. David explained that a report has gone
to Council on June 10th from Development & Technical Services
Committee asking the following:
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"WHEREAS the Waterloo Catholic District School Board Accommodation
Review Committee has recommended the closure of St. Joseph School,
the last catholic school in the Downtown and St. Francis School; and,
WHEREAS the City of Kitchener continues to invest significant funds to
rejuvenate the Downtown; and,
WHEREAS the closure of St. Joseph School would be counterproductive
to the efforts of the City of Kitchener; and,
WHEREAS there are signs that indicate a strong and renewed interest by
citizens to live in and around the Downtown; and,
WHEREAS the suburban areas of the City are equally concerned with the
detrimental effect on community wellbeing caused by school closures;
and,
WHEREAS schools are vitally important to the health of communities
whether in the Downtown or in the suburbs;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Kitchener expresses its
strong concern that St. Joseph and St. Francis Schools are being
recommended for closure; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Waterloo Catholic District School
Board be urged to consider postponement of any closure decision pending
the Board's analysis of the results of a review of school funding formulas
being undertaken by the Province of Ontario."
DAC members discussed the above resolution put forth their own as
follows:
On motion by Anita Petsche-Good
it was resolved:
"That the Downtown Advisory Committee supports the resolution from
Development and Technical Services Committee regarding the possible
closures of St. Francis and St. Joseph schools."
Social Agencies
· Committee asked that Marty Schreiter report to DAC on the formed
sub-committee that is handling social problems in downtown.
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KDBA UP-DATE
· KDBA is working with Stephanie Massel, from the Market, on the
specialty markets held at Civic Square. The next specialty market is
scheduled for Thursday, June 20th and will feature Fine Arts & Crafts.
· Downtown sidewalk sale will be June 19-22, downtown dollars being
offered
· Cruise night is scheduled for July 5th, over 200 cars are expected to
parade down King St., live entertainment and fun for the whole family.
Committee members are encouraged to come out and have fun.
· Social Services committee met last month with various participants
from the police, social agencies and retail sector in downtown. This
meeting was successful and the next meeting will be June 21st at 7a.m.
at the Walper Terrace Hotel.
· The KDBA has hired 2 summer students to help with office work and
the graffiti program.
DOWNTOWN UP-DATE
· A consultant has been hired to lead us through the process of finding
developers for the Centre Block. It is expected to evaluate
submissions from developers starting in the fall.
· Glen Scheels, from Green Scheels Pidgeon Consulting, will give a
presentation to Council on Monday, June 17th showing the different
concepts of what the public has suggesting on what the centre block
could be used for.
· Aurburn Developments from London have announced the
redevelopment of the Arrow Shirt factory. Converting warehouse
space into a 4 story, mid-to-luxury rental 145 unit building.
· Work has begun on the KHI housing project at Cedar and Charles St.
· A retail recruitment drive is planned for the new market, centre block
and other downtown locations.
· New City, an Asian grocery store is scheduled to open at the old Ka
Seng market site.
EDAC UP-DATE
Joan Euler was not available to give an up-date.
SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES UP-DATE
Doug Hoch reported that the Safe & Healthy Communities Committee has
completed their strategic plan, with an emphasis on lodging houses and
by-laws. Doug explained that Shayne Turner, Director of Enforcement
attended to present a report regarding Enforcement Protocol & Policies;
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Protocol for Lodging House Licensing; and New Policies for Lodging
House Enforcement. Eight key recommendations are as follows:
· That the Director of Enforcement be designated as the key contact
person regarding enquiries from and co-ordination with outside
enforcement agencies.
· The recommendation that Council adopt a revised policy resolution
concerning enforcement by-laws.
· The recommendation that Council adopt an operational protocol for
enforcement staff.
· The preparation of a "Rights of Entry Fact Sheet" and contact list of
enforcement staff for availability to afl enforcement staff.
· The training of enforcement staff to recognize issues concerning
child protection and the appropriate reporting process.
· The recommendation that Council adopt a new policy regarding the
enforcement of lodging houses.
· The identification of non-licensed lodging houses and the taking of
appropriate action to ensure enforcement where necessary.
· The preparation of a lodging house licensing information guide for
distribution to landlords.
Doug continued to explain that the Planning Department will be revisiting
the planning concept of lodging houses, which is allowed in most zoned
areas with space limitations, except in the downtown area; and a review of
license renewals has to meet city requirements.
Doug then asked for staff to invite Janice Given from the Planning
Department to come to a future DAC meeting and report on changes to
the lodging house/group home allowances.
ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE UP-DATE
Mike Peng reported that the Arts & Culture Committee is working on their
terms of references/objectives/priorities. Carla Ladd and David Corks
gave a very interesting presentation on the centre block. Committee
members expressed they don't want artists left out of the promotion of the
centre block. The Committee is looking at creating a report card on what
has been done in the downtown from a cultural aspect and show the
importance of art and culture in the downtown. The Committee is also
discussing having a possible cultural storefront at the new market.
9. NEW BUSINESS/AGENDA ITEMS
10.
· Committee members discussed whether to meet during the summer
months. It was decided to cancel the July meeting and try and
arrange an August meeting.
· ACTION: Michele will arrange the August meeting and advise
members.
· ACTION: David will prepare a draft vision statement.
· ACTION: Marry Schreiter can give a progress report from the
sub-committee on social agencies/police and street people.
ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
1. DAC Goals and Objectives 2002