HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2006-01-25ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
January 25, 2006 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date commencing at
11:05 a.m. with the following members in attendance: Hans Pottkamper,
Christina Weylie, Howie Budd, Kathy Weiss, Glen Woolner, Adrian Conrad, Ian
Cook, Sunshine Chen, Bob Denton, Donald Zehr, Peter Benninger, Dan Piedra
and Mark Paleczny.
The following members from the Downtown Advisory Committee were also in
attendance: Dennis Pellerin, Marcus Shantz, Marty Scheriter, Jason Lane and
Glen Woolner
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Kathy Weiss, Janette MacDonald, Valerie
Bradford, Silvia Wright, Sandy Curzon, Hans Gross
1. NEW BUSINESS
Hans Pottkamper announced that 2006 marks the 80t" Anniversary of Budd's
Department Store and congratulated Howie Budd on behalf of the Economic
Development Advisory Committee for their success.
1.1 Light Rapid Transit Presentation - Region of Waterloo
Hans Pottkamper welcomed and introduced Mr. Graham Vincent, Director of
Transportation, Region of Waterloo.
Mr. Vincent provided the Committee with growth information of the Region. He
provided data showing the growth pattern of the Region and what some of the
benefits and costs have been. He noted that by 2031, the estimated population
of the Region will be up to 730,000 people.
The Light Rapid Transit project will consist of the following phases:
Phase 1 -Project Initiation and Activities during Phase 1
Phase 2 -Generation and Assessment of Alternatives
Phase 3 -Alternative Design Concepts for Preferred Alternative
In Phase 1, the Region will focus on looking at different approaches to the project
and make decisions on what approach to take with the project. Three (3)
different approaches will be looked at; namely, the do-nothing approach, to
improve existing conventional transit and lastly to look at the possibility of road
improvements and/or expansions.
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1.1 Light Rapid Transit Presentation - Region of Waterloo (cont'd)
In Phase 2, the Region will focus on the criteria; namely, transportation needs,
the socio/cultural environment, the natural environment and the economic
impact.
In Phase 3, focus will be placed on the possibility of alternative systems with a
more concentration placed on the performance, overall system costs and overall
benefits.
Mr. Vincent explained that the purpose of the Regional Growth Management
Strategy is to promote a more compact and sustainable urban forum thereby
protecting the environment, preserving countryside. The LRT is intended to be
more than just the core area transportation issue.
He showcased Portland Oregon and the success they have had with the
installation of the rapid transit system there. He noted that in Portland, they have
been able to shape the city to be a more pedestrian friendly environment through
rapid transit system
Mr. Vincent noted that the Region is treating this as a larger package than just
providing transportation solutions in the core spine of the Region. The spin offs
will include stable and safe neighbourhoods for all residents of the Region.
The Committee discussed the challenge of getting people to use the system. Mr.
Vincent noted that the system is already attracting new users and will be
designed to grow with the Region. The community has been saying they would
like to see a more usable transit system over the existing road system including
good transportation within the employment and residential areas will be a priority.
The Committee suggested the GRT encourage local schools and universities to
support the use of public transit by both students and staff. Mr. Vincent noted
that Grand River Transit currently has an agreement with Wilfred Laurier
University to include the cost of a bus pass in their tuition so that every student
has the convenience and ability to take public transit.
In response to questions, Mr. Vincent clarified that the Portland project was
funded by both federal and local funding. Concerns were raised regarding the
funding for the LRT project since it was unclear that the federal and provincial
governments have not yet made a commitment to the project. Mr. Vincent noted
that the Provincial government has referenced the project in their Places to Grow
document, as well, the Federal government has show support in theory.
Mr. Hans Pottkamper thanked Graham Vincent for the presentation.
1.2Herita_ge Act Update
The Heritage Act Update presentation was deferred to a later meeting.
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2. DISCUSSION
2.1 Approval of minutes -
Minutes of the December 14, 2005 meeting were approved.
Moved by Glen Woolner
Carried
2.2 Business Visitation Program
Hans Pottkamper, Co-Chair, provided the members of the Downtown Advisory
Committee with a review of the program and the benefits the program has to both
the City of Kitchener and the local businesses. Ms. Valerie Bradford, Business
Development Officer, advised that the visits start February 6, 2006 and noted
there is a need for volunteers. Ms. Bradford advised there will be a media
release to launch the program noted that there is a media release that will be
going out next week. Ms. Bradford advised the Committee that there will be a
training session on February 3rd, for all volunteers.
A concern was raised regarding the issue on the importance of having significant
Council representation on the site visits. General agreement was to encourage
all members of Council to participate.
2.3 Employment Land Inventory
Ms. Kathy Weiss, Director Business Development, provided the Committee with
an update of the Regional Lands Inventory. Ms. Weiss explained how the
Regional Lands Inventory plan fits into the growth plan for the greater horseshoe.
She advised that the working group is represented by members of CTT,
Communitech and local Economic Development professionals.
Ms. Weiss provided handouts on the timelines for the Regional land budget, and
Places to Grow -the Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Ms. Weiss also provided an update on the East Side land and the non residential
land inventory which forms the basis for their assessment of the demand for
employment lands. The Region Planning Department has concluded that there
is a special need for large parcel. This conclusion is in contrast to the City's
analysis which indicates the actual demand is focused on 1 and 4 acre parcels.
The Province is aiming to create a land bank of the large parcels in Ontario, as to
provide larger scale businesses with location options in Ontario. The City of
Kitchener currently has 270 acres of available land that do not fit into the
Provincial plan. Since the demand for non-residential land is up, the City needs
to look at alternative opportunities.
2.4 Centre Block Update
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Mr. Rod Regier, Executive Director, provided an update regarding the Centre
Block Project Committee. He advised that the Project Committee is meeting on a
weekly basis and the Request for Proposal (RFP) is in the final draft stage.
Hans Gross spoke on the details Expression of Interest (EOI), explaining the
review and screening process used to determine qualifications. Mr. Gross
advised that the screening process will include presentations to both the public
and Council. It is possible that there will be no submissions that include a library
on site. In this case, the City would reissue request for expression of interest for
a proposal that do not include a library. The final time line should be available by
April /May. Public processes would be done before the end of June and that
process would result in the selection of 2 proponents and they would be given
time to submit very detailed proposals and thy would come back with the
extensive proposals to the Project committee and the entire process would end
up with a rating to each of the process and input from the public would be part of
that rating. The process could include public meetings being held during the
election in the fall.
Hans Pottkamper noted the importance of ensuring that the budget is not
exceeded. It was noted that research has indicated the library is can be a major
catalyst of this project supporting further residential and retail activities.
Research has shown that this is the way to attract to the core.
2.5 Who Are You Kitchener? Update
Ms. Shelley Adams provided an update on the program, explaining that the
program is intended to develop an identity statement for Kitchener. Ms. Adams
reminded the Committee of the joint meeting on February 9, 2006 and
encouraged the attendance at the meeting.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 1:15 p.m.
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