HomeMy WebLinkAboutCouncil - 2007-06-11 S
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 11, 2007
CITY OF KITCHENER
A special meeting of City Council was held at 2:11 p.m. this date, Chaired by Mayor C. Zehr with all
members present except Councillor C. Weylie.
Notice of this special meeting had been previously given to all members of Council by the City Clerk
pursuant to Chapter 25 (Council Procedure) of the Municipal Code.
Moved by Councillor K. Galloway
Seconded by Councillor B. Vrbanovic
"That an in-camera meeting of City Council be held this date to consider a matter subject to
sol icitor -cl ient privi lege"
Carried.
Mr. R. Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development, led a review of the Draft Economic
Development Strategy 2007-2010, dated June 2007. He advised that in 2004, following extensive
analysis and public consultation, the City embarked on a new direction in economic development with
its Urban Investment Strategy. That Strategy shifted the emphasis in economic development from
purchasing, servicing and selling industrial land to stimulating new economic clusters primarily in the
Downtown beginning with the recruitment of two new university campuses. He stated that
implementation was made possible with the formation of the Economic Development Investment
Fund (EDIF), a $11 OM 10-year investment program established to provide the resources for the City
to stimulate catalytic capital projects. He noted that the affect of EDIF investments has been larger
and more rapid than was originally anticipated. Additionally, issues of climate change, demographic
change, growth management, creative city movements and mass collaboration continue to re-shape
the economy. In response, Economic Development staff have been exploring the potential next steps
in the evolution of the City's Economic Development Strategy and over the past twelve months have
consulted widely with the Economic Development Advisory Committee, as well as industry,
government and institutional partners. The result of which being the Draft Economic Development
Strategy that builds on the direction and success of the 2004 Urban Investment Strategy by
advancing that Strategy in the following six areas:
1. Diversifyina the urban economy through systematic emerging cluster development
strategies aimed to advance the fields of education and knowledge creation, health
sciences, and digital media;
2. Supportina manufacturina competitiveness by providing support to existing businesses
and mature clusters, particularly in the manufacturing and automotive sectors, through
corporate visitations, task force facilitation and investment in employment lands for
business expansion;
3. Creatina. attractina. retainina and developina talent, through marketing, interactive and
online communications; arts, educational and cultural development; and, support for
urban vitality;
4. Buildina a dynamic Downtown through a forward looking Strategic Plan and new design
policies which emphasize the role of urban design, business attraction, community
building, cultural events and residential development in creating a dynamic urban
economy;
5. Puttina more contaminated lands back to work, by partnering with other levels of
government to strengthen Kitchener's groundbreaking Brownfield Remediation Program
which is stimulating investment and interest in under-utilized lands; and,
6. Growina small businesses, through an entrepreneurial small business development
philosophy, supported by the Waterloo Region Small Business Centre which provides a
range of services to ensure aspiring and existing small businesses have the information
and support they need to succeed.
Mr. R. Regier further advised that the draft Strategy identifies 37 suggested actions, with the following
10 Best Bets representing the top priority actions that the City should pursue over the next 12-18
months:
1 . design / develop health sciences incubator;
2. design / develop digital media centre;
3. explore manufacturing innovation network;
SPECIAL COUNCIL MINUTES
JUNE 11, 2007
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CITY OF KITCHENER
4. strengthen communication tools to appeal to young professionals;
5. implement Urban Vitality Action Plan;
6. implement King Street Master Plan;
7. plan redevelopment of strategic districts / sites (e.g. Civic District parking lot and post
office site);
8. attract new investments to Brownfields (e.g. Mill-Courtland industrial lands);
9. work with other levels of government for additional resources for brownfield renewal;
and,
10. develop diversity of Small Business Centre (SBC) programs.
In addition, the following action items were put forward as other growing priorities that Council may
consider pursuing:
· Vision for Mackenzie King Square;
· Update Downtown Strategic Plan;
· Operation and maintenance of Downtown streetscape (public and private); and,
· Manufacturing Task Force.
Mr. R. Regier outlined that staff will evaluate the current allocation within EDIF to ensure that it is
appropriately focused in light of the evolving priorities. He stated that staff are seeking input from
Council that will allow for the completion of the draft strategy prior to bringing the document forward
for formal debate and ratification.
A general discussion ensued regarding the principles of the draft Strategic Plan, and a question was
raised regarding the Strategy's capacity to balance long-term planning, while maintaining short-term
flexibility to effectively cope with unforeseen challenges. It was pointed out to Council that investing in
knowledge development and talent retention not only provides a long-term strategy, but also the
capacity to manage challenges as they arise. In addition, responding to a changing economy requires
strategic use of City assets and in order to maximize future investment and economic growth, the
scope of employment land allocation needs to be broadened to include employment buildings as
cluster catalysts for health sciences, digital media, manufacturing, arts and culture, and incubators /
accelerators. Mr. R. Regier added that broadening this scope would also address some issues
immediately facing the City.
Several members stressed the need to move forward with the implementation of the Strategy's action
items. Councillor G. Lorentz requested that the Canada Post site on Gaukel Street be re-named and
outlined a desire to see the Mackenzie King Square redeveloped with a cultural focus. Additionally,
several members noted the importance of attracting key retail and service providers, such as grocery
and hardware stores, to support the downtown's growing population. Councillor B. Vrbanovic
suggested that the Strategy's Vision Statement be revised, as it currently seems to be more of a
community vision rather than an economic vision. In response to questions regarding the potential
impact of a Regional transit initiative on King Street, Mr. R. Regier advised that the Region of
Waterloo has been involved in the consultation process, which should ensure consistency with any
potential transit initiative.
Following further discussion, Council expressed support for the overall objectives of the Economic
Development Strategic Plan 2007 - 2010 and agreed that the following two growing priorities be
added as Best Bets 11 and 12:
11. Work in partnership to attract key retail and services to support the downtown's growing
residential and employment population; and,
12. Vision for Mackenzie King Square.
Staff were directed to report to the June 25, 2007 Council meeting regarding the further development
of the Strategic Plan.
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 3:29 p.m.
MAYOR
CLERK