Economic Development Committee

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE � NEW
Chair: Councillor-at-Large Larry Clarke - lclarke@mindenhills.ca The purpose of the Economic Development Committee is to increase economic opportunity and quality of life for businesses and residents of Minden and area. The Committee will seek ways to create better conditions for economic growth and year-round employment. We want to help local businesses grow and to attract new business through promotion and marketing of Minden as the commercial, recreational and tourism gateway for Haliburton County. Committee Members: David Bradley Andy Campbell Nick Lawrence David Rea Peter Robinson Alan Scriven John Sloan Bob Smith Staff: Laura Cunliffe, Interim Clerk Email: lcunliffe@mindenhills.ca
NEXT MEETING SCHEDULED:
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING NOTICE Thursday, October 27th at 4:00 pm in the Council Chambers
DRAFT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES
THE CORPORATION OF THE TOWNSHIP OF MINDEN HILLS Thursday, March 3rd, 2011 � Rotary Room, Minden Library Commencement: 5:00 p.m. Adjournment: 6:50 p.m. Present: Councillor at Large, Larry Clarke, Chair David Bradley Andy Campbell David Rea Alan Scriven John Sloan Marie Gage Cheryl McCarroll, Recording Secretary Regrets: Brian Barker Nick Lawrence Peter Robinson Bob Smith CALL TO ORDER The Chair welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. INTRODUCTIONS Members of the Committee were introduced and they provided a brief biography and the Chair presented an overview of those members unable to attend. AGENDA APPROVAL The agenda was approved as presented. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & GENERAL NATURE THEREOF The Chair provided a definition and example of a pecuniary interest and should this arise, a member would be expected to declare a conflict and abstain from any debate and decision making. ADOPTION OF MINUTES For future meetings, minutes will be forwarded to the Chair and then circulated to members and brought forward for adoption at the next meeting. BUSINESS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES For future meetings. ADMINISTRATION ITEMS The Chair advised that the advisory committee meetings would follow similar process as regular Council Meetings. Open & Closed Meetings All meetings will be advertised and open to the public except as provided for in Section 239 of the Municipal Act: security of the property of the municipality or local board, personal matters about an identifiable individual, proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land, labour relations or employee negotiations, litigation or potential litigation, advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, any other Act which permits, education or training. Members of the public may observe the meeting. If they wish to address the committee they may come forward at the next meeting as a delegation. Terms of Reference The standardized Terms of Reference were circulated to the members and the Chair asked that member report back at the next meeting with anything they wished to amend. The Committee members will produce the Mandate/Goals & Objectives, specific to the Economic Development Committee. Sample examples were provided from Brock and Smith Falls. Discussion took place regarding: What�s the next thing we want to attract? Ensure that stewardship comes successfully Business retention is critical Attracting other business (do we have properly zoned lands, water & sewer requirements, highway access, reducing speed limits, signage, what are the challenges)? Best Practices Identifying and making recommendations to Council Volunteering Policy Copies of the Volunteering in Minden Hills Policy were circulated and members were asked to read the document and sign the declaration. The Recording Secretary is to copy the declarations and return a copy to the members at the next meeting. OPP Reference Checks The Chair advised that all employees, members of Council and Committees were required to provide an OPP Reference Check. A letter detailing OPP requirements and a letter requesting that the fee for the Police Check be waived were circulated. The Police Checks are to be forwarded to the Recording Secretary at the next meeting. Meeting Dates & Times The group present agreed to the date: (Thursdays), time: (5:00 p.m.) and location: (Rotary Room at the Library). Conference calls and exchanging ideas via e-mail were encouraged. COMMITTEE MANDATE & OBJECTIVES The Chair discussed the following: Draft mandate (overview) as published is a starting point Value all the experience of the group Identify the goals and objectives used in other communities Take inventory of what is here and identify gaps The reality of Haliburton County Noted some of the information and resources available Business survey undertaken by the Chamber of Commerce (what might work here, common elements and the diversion Business Retention & Expansion Survey � Taking Care of Business inRural Ontario extract (swat analysis) - OMAFRA Will bring in Planning Staff re: land use planning Results of the former Council�s Visioning Session (Strategic Planning) Components we need to look at to improve the business environment Marie circulated the �I had a dream for Minden Hills� exercise � what members envision for the future of the Township. For example if the vision was for a Retirement Village then changes to Health Care, i.e. Physicians in Minden would be required (there is a Doctor Recruitment Committee) with a turn-key practice available as many dollars are being spent out of the area i.e. Bracebridge, Haliburton, Lindsay, etc. The exercise asks member to list opportunities or reasons for setting up or expanding a business in Minden, identifying the challenges for business set up or growth in Minden Hills and how do you see the Township or this committee enabling growth of existing businesses and attraction of new business ACTION ITEMS Review & Input on Terms of Reference Guideline Review & Input on Volunteering in Minden Hills Complete & Return OPP Police Reference Checks Review Samples & OMAFRA Questions Complete Survey & return Input for discussion at the next meeting � determine what are the commonalities and diversions The Chair is to distribute the above-noted documents electronically and are to be returned to the Chair by March 31st Further discussion included: Reeve will be chairing the Economic Development Committee at the County level (this group needs to be mindful of not stepping on toes) Discussed the December 29th presentation by the Manager of Strategic Planning for Whistler, BC (not just a ski hill but also a cultural attraction � translates into promotion � cash inflow) Natural assets of the Highlands Need for improved signage i.e. Rotary Park, Panorama look out � why isn�t it maintained and open year round? Mapping indicating facilities available i.e. White Water Preservation Area (location of the 2015 Pan Am Games � White Water events) Identifying Challenges of Haliburton County i.e. MTO access off Highway #35, need for transportation, affordable housing � define the problem and what will be necessary to address it for the prosperity of the Township First Impressions Program detailed (exchange with Madoc) �Tried it before & it didn�t work� is not productive Good to get this committee started � have fun with it! ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 6:50 p.m. with the next meeting to take place on Thursday, April 14th at 5:00 p.m. in the Rotary Room of the Library.

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