HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2006-08-23ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 23, 2006 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Hans
Pottkamper, commencing at 11:10 a.m. with the following members in
attendance: Mayor Carl Zehr, Glen Woolner, Bob Denton, Peter Benninger,
Henrick Noesgaard, Adrian Conrad, Kathy Durst, Mark Paleczny, and Sherryl
Petricevic
The following people sent their regrets: Dan Piedra, Len Carter, Sunshine Chen,
Ed Brooker, Howie Budd, and Lawrence Bingeman
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Hans Gross, Rob Morgan, Tracey DeVille,
Carla Ladd, Shelley Adams, Terry Boutilier
1. NEW BUSINESS
1.1 Approval of minutes -
The minutes of June 28, 2006 be approved.
1.2 Economic Development Strate_gy -
Moved by Kathy Durst
Seconded by Glen Woolner
Carried
Mr. Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development, provided the
Committee with an overview of the presentation that was made at the June
meeting. Summarizing with the following findings:
^ Ensure a balanced strategy that supports development of both emerging
and mature clusters
^ Ensure a broad range of housing needs are addressed
^ Identify and assist with the changing needs of the manufacturing sector
^ Support the research and development potential of local firms
Mr. Regier recommended the Committee continue the discussion on the
Economic Development Strategy by answering the following questions:
^ What are the current strategic economic development issues from your
perspective?
^ Have they changed since the City's cluster strategy was initially cast?
^ What is the role of the City in addressing them?
^ What are the potential implications for EDIF?
The Committee participated in a round table discussion to answer these
questions. The following comments and identified challenges were noted:
^ Employment Lands
^ Downtown
^ Transportation -infrastructure must lead
^ Cluster development (Bio, Manufacturing, Knowledge)
^ Arts & Culture
^ Safety & Cleanliness
^ The Official Plan (intensification &LRT)
^ Support for development controls on urban design
^ Economic Development Vision Statement to reflect the new direction
^ Brownfield Strategy development
^ Vitality
^ Communication Plan /Promotion of Kitchener
^ Continued Community Engagement
^ Improved development approval process (building permits etc.)
Mr. Rod Regier asked the Committee to identify which of these challenges are a
priority and should be addressed immediately. The Committee agreed that the
City could easily address the following:
^ Employment Lands (identify between retail and industrial /value of each)
^ Downtown (work & feel aspect)
^ Arts & Culture
^ Safety & Cleanliness
^ Official Plan (intensification /LRT)
The Committee also discussed the need to revisit the current vision statement to
revise it as to reflect the direction that Economic Development is taking now.
The Vision statement was created before a number of significant changes had
taken place.
Mr. Rod Regier thanked the Committee for their input and suggested that they
continue to think about the Economic Development Strategy.
Hans Pottkamper then adjourned the meeting, reminding the Committee that the
tour of the Wilfrid Laurier University, School of Social Work will begin at 1:00 p.m.
for those that are interested.
Meeting adjourned at 12:45 p.m.