HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-09-010 - Long Term Strategic Plan - Kitchener Market1
ChiefAdministrator's
Office
REPORT
Report To: Finance and Corporate Services
Date of Meeting: March 2, 2009
Submitted By: Kathy Weiss, Director Business Development
Prepared By: Kathy Weiss, Director Business Development
Ward(s) Involved: Ward 6
Date of Report: February 12, 2009
Report No.: CAO 09-010
Subject: Long Term Strategic Plan -Kitchener Market
RECOMMENDATION:
That staff establish a skills based task force to develop a 5 year strategic plan for the Kitchener
Market aligned with current initiatives to-date; and further,
That the strategy identify, evaluate and recommend a governance framework to provide support
and direction in implementing the Strategic Plan.
BACKGROUND:
On June 16, 2008, the Director of Enterprises presented report CSD-08-043 titled Preferred
Market Option and Governance Process outlining the following recommendations that were
approved by Council:
That the Small Independent Vendors Option be approved as the preferred go
forward model for the upper level of Your Kitchener Market; and,
That staff be directed to implement the Your Kitchener Market 2008 Short-Term
Strategic Plan, dated June 12, 2008 and develop an aggressive marketing
campaign focused on vendor recruitment; and further,
That a taskforce be established to review options and put forward a
recommendation for future governance of the Market, as outlined in report CSD-08-043.
REPORT:
Under the leadership of the Director of Business Development, aShort-Term Strategic Plan was
developed to move the Market forward while a process was determined for a solution to a
governance model. The Plan identified short term strategic priorities for the next six months, and
set the stage for the development of a long term strategic plan including a three year business
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plan. To-date, the objectives have either been met or are in progress resulting in many positive
outcomes for the Kitchener Market.
Staff are now preparing to proceed with the development of the long-term strategy and
governance solution for the Kitchener Market. The approach will include
• Establishment of a skills based task force to assist in the development of a long-term
strategy and that recruitment will be focused on expertise in Retail, Hospitality, Real
Estate, Property Management, Commercial Development, Vendor Management,
Economic Development, and a Community Member at large.
• Recruitment of a third party facilitator who will guide the task force in the development of
the long-term strategy aligning it with past and current initiatives and a governance
solution that will be positioned contextually within the strategy.
• Engagement of community and neighbourhood groups in the development of the
strategic plan through focus groups and other opportunities.
• Preparation of a 5 year Strategic plan including action items and a governance solution
that will reinvent the Kitchener Market, to be presented for Council consideration in
September 2009.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Up to $15,000 for consultant/facilitator fees
COMMUNICATIONS:
A communications plan will be developed as a component of the Terms of Reference for the
planning process and will specifically identify further opportunities to engage the community in
the process.
CONCLUSION:
Staff continues to move the Kitchener Market forward. Improved market performance is
bolstering vendor morale. Excitement continues to build as word of mouth speaks to the
changes that are currently being implemented. This long-term strategy will act as a blueprint for
reinventing the Kitchener Market, strengthen it as a City enterprise, and build on its role in the
community.
Kathy Weiss
Director Business Development
Economic Development
Rod Regier
Executive Director, Economic Development