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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2007-08-22 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 22, 2007 City of Kitchener The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Councillor Christina Weylie, the following members were in attendance: Steven Voll, Lawrence Bingeman, Adrian Conrad, Willy Heffner, Ian Cook, Glen Woolner, Bob Denton, Len Carter, A. Paul Singh, Mayor Carl Zehr The following people sent their regrets: Peter Benninger, Sherryl Petricevic, Howie Budd, Dan Piedra, Don Zehr, Mark Collins, John Smola The following people were absent: Jeremy Auger, Staff in attendance: Kathy Weiss, Rob Morgan, Silvia Wright, Hans Gross, Janette MacDonald, Cory Bluhm, Brandon Sloan Approval of Minutes Minute approval was deferred to the September meeting. 1. Discussion Items 1.1 Brownfield Discussion Terry Boutilier, Senior Business Development Officer & Brownfield Coordinator, was in attendance to provide a presentation and receive comments and recommendations from the Committee to bring forward to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee, Council and the Region of Waterloo. Brownfield Incentive Program Mr. Boutilier provided an overview of how the current program works and identified the following changes to the program: - studies and remediation work but no redevelopment work, add administration costs - matching 50% grant for Phase 2 ESA - reduction of development charge to equal remediation costs - combined region & city TIG - Payment use 100% of region and city increment until paid or 10 years whichever comes first Mr. Boutilier did specify that there are no additional benefit to areas that are exempt. The Committee discussed the details of the new Regional Brownfield Program. The following was raised: - concern for current applicants not being included in the new program - need for a data base that identifies these lands (Committee was advised that to date only Quebec has a listing and that the City is unaware of contaminated sites until they are told about them) - have a timeline for the project so Council can look at it again The Committee agreed that they would endorse the proposed recommendation to Council; however, only the following would be endorsed at this time: “That Kitchener’s Economic Development Advisory Committee concur with the Proposed Joint Regional – City Brownfields Financial Incentive Program as outlined in Region of Waterloo Staff Report F-07-046/P-07- 079” The Committee would like Mr. Boutilier to come back to discuss the further impact and details of the City endorsing the program and revising the current policies. Service Station Renewal Project Mr. Boutilier advised the Committee that the City has 16 vacant stations. He advised that the Ontario Brownfield Coordinator has set up committee and provided information on the process that is on-going for the remediation of the program. The Committee had the following concerns: - Finding the party who wants to clean up and sell – do current owners know if the site is contaminated - Is imperial oil going to be at the table or are we doing this without the land owner being involved. - Is the Ministry of Environment not pressuring the oil companies, is there not leaching on neighbouring properties, as long as it is staying on their property than fine, but if there is leaching then the Ministry has to place an order on them, the oil companies have to come to the table - With typical gas station size around an acre or 2, properties on either side are probably contaminated Councillor C. Weylie, thanked Terry Boutilier for his presentation and advised the Committee is looking forward to seeing this project unfold. 1.2 Growth Management Strategy Mr. Brandon Sloan, Senior Planner approached the Committee with a request that someone from EDAC volunteer to sit on the Growth Management Strategy Committee. He advised that Council has endorsed proceeding with Growth Management Strategy for Kitchener and help is needed to determine direction in which we hope to go. Growth Management Strategy will develop through 2 groups – technical working group (putting together everything) second group is community advisory group (looking at high level decisions, communications) Ian Cook volunteered. 1.3 Update – Corporate Visitation Program Ms. Kathy Weiss advised the Committee that appointments are being booked now, we are allowing 8 weeks for visits, letter has gone out from the Mayor and the focus is on all manufactures. She asked that people to sign up and participate and handed out a sign up sheet. She advised that training will be provided and Valerie Bradford will coordinate the appointments. Christie Digital Presentation Gerry Remers, President & COO of Christie Digital provided an overview and history of Christie Digital, prior to taking the Committee members on a tour of the facility. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.