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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2006-09-27ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 27, 2006 City of Kitchener The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor Christina Weylie, commencing at 11:10 a.m. with the following members in attendance: Councillor John Smola, Ian Cook, Peter Benninger, Sherryl Petricevic, Glen Woolner, Mark Paleczny, Lawrence Bingeman, Don Zehr, Adrian Conrad The following people sent their regrets: Dan Piedra, Howie Budd, and Henrik Noesgaard, Hans Pottkamper The following people were absent: Edward Brooker, Kathy Durst, Sunshine Chen Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Hans Gross, Rob Morgan, Tracey DeVille, Shelley Adams, Terry Boutilier, Valerie Bradford, Jenn Walter, Jeff Willmer 1. NEW BUSINESS 1.1 Approval of minutes - The minutes of August , 2006 be approved. 1.1 Healthy Communities Plan - Moved by Seconded by Carried Ms. Shelley Adams, Director of Community and Corporate Planning had distributed a package of the DRAFT Strategic Plan for a Healthy Kitchener (2007-2027) for review and comment at today's meeting. Ms. Adams provided an overview of the following aspects of the report: ^ Quality of Life ^ Permanent healthy community framework under Compass Kitchener ^ Leadership and Community engagement ^ Partnerships ^ Recommendation that Advisory Committees meet as a group to discuss important issues ^ Volunteer resources increased ^ Corporate need to have the City of Kitchener staffing compliment the diverse nature of the population ^ Continue with the Downtown Strategic Plan, create partnerships, increase safety perception ^ Continue with Economic Development Strategy ^ Continue with Culture Plan 11 Ms. Adams advised the Committee that information for the report came from both the Who Are You? Kitchener campaign and the Evnironics Survey. Ms. Adams and Mr. Rod Regier, noted that the wording for the Economic Development Strategy will be to ensure there is balance with what the City is doing and what the Region is doing. 1.2 Economic Development Strateggy -Update Mr. Regier provided an update on the Economic Development Strategy. He thanked the Committee for their input and noted that the presentation to Council on September 11, 2006 was successful. He advised the Committee that Economic Development was preparing a brief discussion paper support partnership discussions on the potential approach to an Urban Development Agreement. He advised that Winnipeg, Edmonton and Vancouver all have urban development agreements with Federal and Provincial governments. Kitchener and the Region may find the UDA to be useful in aligning policies and programs around agreed strategies over the next 5 to 10 years. He advised that informal discussions are planned with the region, province and the Federal governments; he noted that the previous Federal government was on board with the concept, but we will have to discuss this with the current Federal government. 1.3 East Side Lands -Update Mr. Kevin Curtis, Region of Waterloo, provided a brief update on the East Side Lands. Phase 1 - $1.5M for upgrades to sewer and $12M for Victoria Street extension Phase 2 - 300 acres remaining, Randell drain water shed (airport area) is approximately 5-7 years out for completion, GRCA is monitoring next phase Mr. Curtis noted that the industrial lands are also asking for transit service to accommodate their employees, the need to follow the Places to Grow document as well as ensure that all amenities are taken care of. 1.4 Approval of Minutes That the minutes of the August meeting be approved. Meeting adjourned at 1:00 p.m.