HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2007-02-28
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 28, 2007 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by
Adrian Conrad, commencing at 11:09 a.m. with the following members in
attendance: Dan Piedra, Len Carter, Glen Woolner, Sherryl Petricevic, Don Zehr,
Mark Collins, Peter Benninger, Howie Budd, Jeremy Auger, Bob Denton
The following people sent their regrets: Willy Heffner, Lawrence Bingeman,
Gerry Remers
The following people were absent: Paul Singh, Ian Cook
Members of Council in attendance: Councillor C. Weylie, Councillor J. Smola,
Councillor B. Vrbanovic
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Kathy Weiss, Rob Morgan, Chantelle Dixon,
Shelley Adams, Valerie Bradford, Silvia Wright, Hans Gross, Cory Bluhm, Terry
Boutilier, Jeff Willmer, Brian Scott, Edwina Weiss
Approval of Minutes
Economic Development Advisory Committee supported the January 24, 2007
minutes.
General Information
a)
Adrian Conrad congratulated the following businesses that were recognized at
The Chamber of Commerce event:
Miller Thomson - Business Leader of the Year Award for Plus 20 employees
Stemmler Meats and Cheese - Business Leader of the Year Award for less than
20 Employees
Enermodal Engineering Limited - Environment Award
Christie Digital Systems Inc - Innovation Award
J. Fred Kuntz - Michael R. Follett Community Leader of the Year
Baker Investment Group Inc - New Member of the Year Award
Lutherwood - Workplace Training Award
John Baker - Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award (Desire2Learn)
Tim Sothern - Volunteer of the Year Award
Congratulations!
b)
Adrian updated that members of the Compass Kitchener committee are looking
at ways to promote and improve communication among the advisory committees.
1. Discussion Items
1.1 Brownfield’s – City Perspective on Regional Approach
Terry Boutilier provided a PowerPoint presentation to review the history and
status of brownfield properties within the city and to seek advice on how the
committee would like staff to process.
Terry explained the following challenges investors face when dealing with
environmental contaminated properties:
a. Cost to clean the land
b. Regulatory liability (MOE Order)
c. Civil liability – may be the largest challenge
d. Reluctant financial institutions
The committee is asked to review the report and material along with the following
questions to discuss at the next meeting in March:
1. How much should we assist?
2. How should we assist?
3. Should we combine the City and the Region programs?
4. What is our objective – clean up, re-use or both?
1.2 Economic Development Strategy – Creating a Vision for the City
Approach
The committee participated in a round table brainstorming session to cultivate
key concepts to assist in developing a vision statement.
We envision an Economy that is:
?
Diversified
?
Successful
?
Growing
?
Creative
?
Dynamic
?
Potential
?
Balanced
?
A place where everybody plays
?
Adaptable economically
?
Prosperous
?
Quality of place
Our mission is to:
?
Attract talent
?
Retain talent
?
Healthy community
?
Create an environment that fosters success, etc.
?
Environment people want to be in
?
Business/investment retention
?
Leadership
?
Visitor attraction
?
Create Vitality
?
Community of Learning
?
Incubation of innovation
?
Competitiveness
?
Most popular immigration destination
?
Cultivate, embrace, support and nurture all forms of diversity
?
Environmental sensitivity
We Value:
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Progressive
?
Inclusive (cultural)/ diversity
?
Friendly
?
Collaborative
?
Open door/shop
?
Smart
?
Passionate/enthusiastic
?
Connected, cooperative & communicative (a+b is greater than c)
?
Strategic
?
Flexible
?
Committed
?
Capable
?
In cooperation with neighbours
?
Pragmatic collective problem solving
?
Participatory (volunteerism)
?
Innovative
?
Sustainable
?
Inviting
?
Humility/Spirituality
?
Assertive
?
Confident
?
Adaptable
?
Authentic values
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Entrepreneurial
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Made in Kitchener
?
Vibrant
?
Strategically located
?
Innovative
?
Culturally diverse
?
Distinguished
?
Embracing change
Statement should be:
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Aspirational
?
25 years ahead
?
Distinguish between Vision, Mission, Values
?
Concise
?
Inspirational
?
Real/Authentic
?
Distinguished
?
Powerful
?
Categorize
?
Statement should be Distinctive/unique
Staff will take the list and use it to articulate a number of potential vision
statements.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:00 pm.