HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Development - 2002-11-27ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MINUTES
November 27, 2002
11:00 am- 1:00 pm
Conestoga Room, City of Kitchener
Attendance:
Staff:
Regrets:
Glenn Scheels
Peter Benninger
Lawrence Bingeman
Henrik Noesgaard
Councillor, John Smola
Mike Sully
Peter Cook
George Borovilos
Patricia Bacon
Rob Morgan
Terry Boutilier
Leon Bensason
Councillor, Berry Vrbanovic
Paul Kuntz
Manfred Conrad
Jane Jantzi
Scott Baird
Councillor, Christina Weylie
Mayor, Carl Zehr
Joan Euler
Shawky Fahel
Sandy Curzon
Jeff Willmer
Larry Masseo
Jennifer Voss
Cathy Gravelle
Ray Robinson
Hans Pottkamper
Carl Zehr introduced Cathy Gravelle, Executive Assistant to the Mayor. Representing the
Mayor, Ms. Gravelle will be asked to sit at future meetings of which Mr. Zehr cannot
attend. Committee welcomed Ms. Gravelle.
1. Approval of Minutes of October 23rd, 2002
Minutes of October 23rd, 2002 were approved with the following amendment:
Page 2.
Avenue.
Industrial Vacancy Rates: address for Shirley Avenue should be 6 Shirley
2. Urban Investment Strategy
Moved by Scott Baird
Seconded by Joan Euler
Carried
Larry Masseo, Manager of Development & Design introduced members of his team
who will be presenting the Urban Investment Strategy which is a comprehensive
approach to revitalizing central neighbourhoods through:
Downtown Investment Program - already in progress
Brownfield Remediation Program
Central Neighbourhoods Residential Incentive Program
Heritage Property Tax Rebate Programs
Affordable Housing Program
Mr. Masseo and his colleagues addressed the challenged areas in the downtown as
they relate to: Decline of Traditional Industry; Loss of Employment Opportunities; Loss
of Residential Population; Decreasing non-residential Assessment; and Old and/or
Underused Infrastructure.
Comments:
incentives will push price of real estate
education dollars need to be part of the solution
each case needs to be looked at individually
closing inner core schools is not condusive to a good community
incentives should not be retro-active
incentives will favour older buildings over newer structures that are not historically
designated
information school boards are using is outdated
issue of fairness needs to be addressed
Action: Larry Masseo will meet with those who expressed their concerns on incentives.
Several committee members expressed their concern of the closing of downtown schools.
It was agreed that the following recommendation was necessary to capture those
concerns:
That the City of Kitchener Economic Development Advisory Committee has a very
strong concern regarding school closures.
As an Advisory Board to the City of Kitchener, we suggest that the school boards
immediately enter into a partnership with municipalities, business leaders and
neighbourhood associations to develop a plan regarding future school resources
that has the consensus of all parties.
Motion by: Shawky Fahel
Seconded by: Joan Euler
Carried
3. Other Business
Centre Block - A Request for Expression of Interest for re-use and/or
redevelopment of the Centre Block is available at a cost of $100. Deadline is
December 20th. For consistency, Frank Lewinberg, Urban Strategies Inc. is
handling all inquiries
· Shirley Avenue - staff will be putting together a marketing package and report
back to EDAC prior to the sites being marketed externally.
EDAC Minutes
November 27, 2002
Growth Management Strategy - a report summary for the employment land needs
study will go to Regional Planning & Culture Committee December 3rd and Regional
Council for approval December 10th. EDAC will be provided a copy for discussion,
A possible sub-committee from EDAC will be discussed at their December meeting.
Exchange Magazine - Economic Development staff have arranged for four
'testimonial' ads to appear in upcoming issues of Exchange Magazine. The
Warehouse District has been featured in the November issue; Market District in the
January issue; City Centre District in the March issue; and Civic Centre in the May
issue
Reimbursement of Damage Deposit - there was concern expressed from a few
members of EDAC as to the time taken by the City to return monies associated with
damage deposits - Mr. Willmer has agreed to look into the matter and advise those
affected
Children's Museum - Gala opening is September 25, 2003, official opening
Saturday, September 27, 2003
Meeting called to adjourn at 1:00p.m.
Moved by: Shawky Fahel
Seconded by: Peter Benninger
Carried
Sandy Curzon, Recording Secretary
Economic Development Advisory Committee
Next meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 18th, 2002
11:00am- 1:00pm
JG Contracting, 173 Roger Street
Kitchener
EDAC Minutes
November 27, 2002