Councillor Bucher, Chair, called the meeting to order (12:10 p.m.).

Transcription

1 FILE: /TOURISM ADVISORY COMM. #01 TOWN OF SMITHERS MINUTES OF THE TOURISM ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING HELD AT THE MUNICIPAL OFFICE, 3836 FOURTH AVENUE, SMITHERS, B.C., ON MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2004, AT 12:00 P.M. Committee Members Present: Councillor Cathryn Bucher, Chair Mayor Jim Davidson, (Alternate Chair) Jack Bovill, Hetherington & Hooper Geri Britton, Private Sector Tony Gabel, Storks Nest Inn Debby Meissner, Chamber of Commerce Al McCreary, Hudson Bay Lodge Staff Present: Town of Smithers: Leslie Ford, Financial Administrator James Warren, Corporate Administrative Assistant Gladys Atrill, Smithers Tourism Coordinator Jason Llewellyn, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Shannon Miller, Executive Assistant/Recording Secretary Smithers District Chamber of Commerce: Brian Burrill, Manager Committee Members Excused: Andy George Jr., Office of the Wet suwet en Greg Meredith, Meredith & Associates Staff Excused: Wallace Mah, Chief Administrative Officer 1. CALL TO ORDER Councillor Bucher, Chair, called the meeting to order (12:10 p.m.). 2. DELEGATIONS 2. a) None. 3. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES 3. a) Gabel/Britton THAT the minutes of the Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting held December 8, 2003, be adopted.

2 Page 2 4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES / UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4. a) Winter Carnival - See 5. c) and Draft Five Year Plan See 5. d). 5. REPORTS A ITEMS 5.a) Monthly Finance Report L. Ford, Financial Administrator McCreary/Britton THAT the Monthly Finance Report of the Tourism Advisory Committee to December 31, 2003, be received. 5. b) Monthly Report G. Atrill, Smithers Tourism Coordinator - TOU Gabel/Davidson THAT Monthly Report TOU dated January 6, 2004, from G. Atrill, Smithers Tourism Coordinator, be received. SnoRiders McCreary/Davidson THAT up to $400 be placed in the 2004 Tourism Advisory Committee budget to host the SnoRiders team while in Smithers at the end of January, Adventures North Tours Inc. Meissner/McCreary THAT letter dated December 24, 2003, from Adventure North Tours Inc., to G. Atrill, Town of Smithers, requesting support for their charter coming to our area via Gold Pan City Stage Lines Ltd. be referred to the Town of Smithers. See attached letter. McCreary/Meissner THAT the Tourism Advisory Committee support the local proposal from Bill High of Highway Cabs for charters in our area for 2004.

3 Page 3 D. Meissner left the meeting at this point (12:32 p.m.). 5. b) 2004 B.C. Tourism Industry Conference G. Atrill informed the Committee that if she is only able to attend one conference this year, she would prefer to attend the Northern B.C Tourism Association conference. 5. c) 5. d) Winter Carnival Funding Davidson/Meissner THAT the Committee request the Town of Smithers to consider donating in-kind services performed by the Town s Works Department for the 2004 Smithers Winter Carnival. Draft Five Year Plan Gabel/Britton THAT the Draft Five Year Plan be received. McCreary/Bovill THAT the Regional Photo program commitment of $600 be removed from the 2003 budget and added to the 2004 budget; AND THAT the Five Year Plan, as amended, for the Tourism Advisory Committee be forwarded to the Town of Smithers for approval. 6. CORRESPONDENCE A ITEMS. 6. a) Bulkley Valley Cross Country Ski Club Grant Application McCreary/Gabel THAT the letter dated November 8, 2003, from D. Doogan-Smith, Bulkley Cross Country Ski Club regarding grant application for funding to purchase race software, be received, with the funding approved for 2004.

4 Page 4 6. b) Telkwa Gold Sled Dog Championships Grant Application Bovill/Gabel THAT the Grant Application of up to $3,500 from Telkwa Gold Sled Dog Championships, be received and the request denied. The Telkwa Gold Sled Dog Championships have previously received a one-time start-up grant of $1, CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS B ITEMS None. 8. OTHER BUSINESS / NEW BUSINESS 8. a) Winter Carnival Brochure G. Atrill distributed the Smithers Winter Carnival events schedule to the Committee. 8. b) NAV Canada 8. c) Lunches Mayor Davidson provided a DRAFT informational pamphlet prepared by the Town of Smithers on the current situation at the Smithers Regional Airport relative to the reduction of services by NAV Canada. The community will be provided this pamphlet and encouraged to send letters to the Federal and Provincial Governments. Mayor Davidson informed that he has scheduled meetings with the Premier and NAV Canada to discuss this situation. It was suggested that consideration be given to ordering the Committee lunches from the various hotels in the area, as they pay the hotel tax. It is proposed that the Committee will be holding some of their future luncheon meetings at the various Smithers hotels.

5 Page 5 9. FOLLOW UP ITEMS The Committee reviewed the list. 10. NEXT MEETING The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, February 9, 2004, at noon. 11. ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned (12:59 p.m.). Councillor Cathryn Bucher Chairperson Shannon Miller, Executive Assistant Recording Secretary LF/sm n:\wordpro\min\min 2004 other\min tourism advisory #01 jan 12.doc