Page 1 of 6 MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH MIDDLESEX MINUTES OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Monday, @ 7:00 p.m. Shared Services Centre Library Programming Room 1. CALL TO ORDER Cr. Cornelissen called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. 2. ROLL CALL Members Present were: Council Representatives Committee Members: Adrian Cornelissen Councillor (Chair) Brian Ropp, Deputy Mayor Jeff McGee McGee Farm Services Merv Carter Hensall Co-op Ron Harwood Ailsa Craig Home Hardware Committee members Absent: Mike Cronyn Ailsa Craig/Parkhill Foodland Vanessa Lobodzinski Lobo s Heather Otton Whimsey Hair Salon John Bender Piet Blaaubouer Staff Present: Justin Dias, Economic Development and Communications Officer Donna VanHooydonk Administrative Assistant Others Present: Lisa deboer, Municipality of Lucan Biddulph
Page 2 of 6 Chair Cornelissen called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. Approval of October 17, 2016 Minutes ROPP/McGEE DELEGATION: That the October 17, 2016 Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes be accepted as presented. Lisa Deboer Municipality of Lucan Biddulph Lisa was invited back to the to provide strategies that their municipality used to promote development. Lisa advised that Council approved the waiver of all Development Charges from 2005 2007. It was inquired how waiving the development charges came about and the Committee was informed that it was Council-driven decision. During a review of the development charges (at that time $4,500 in Granton and $5,500 in Lucan) Council decided to waive the development charges, and partner with local developers in promoting the Move to Lucan campaign. A marketing strategy was developed which included: billboards along Highway 4 (Richmond Street) between Lucan and London, mailers were sent to surrounding municipalities and draws for gift certificates (Donnelly Dollars) were promoted at builder open houses. A radio campaign was also implemented. The radio campaign was to work with businesses to help them with advertising their business. The 30 second promotion of Lucan was followed by a 10 second advertisement from local businesses. Lisa further advised that the development was phased in due to future expansion of the infrastructure. A question arose in regards to feedback from the community from others that had to pay the development charges. The waiving of the development charges was a kickstart for the developers and they are continuing to develop, with the development charges in place. This campaign resulted in the creation of the largest growth in Middlesex County during this time. Three subdivision agreements were signed prior to the end of the Development Charge holiday. It was asked what the policy/procedure was for waiving the Development Charge. Lisa advised that Council passed a by-law and would provide a copy of this to the North Middlesex staff. Also asked was the level of business development during this period. Lisa replied that unfortunately there was not a great spin off from this residential development for the businesses, likely due to their proximity to London. Committee members had an opportunity to ask a few more questions, and Lisa departed at 7:45 p.m.
Page 3 of 6 CORRESPONDENCE: None DISCUSSION ON OTHER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK The Economic Development and Communications Officer outlined some of the activities/initiatives that have been worked on since the last EDAC Meeting: The Economic Development and Communications Officer then provided the committee members with an overview of the newly launched North Middlesex website. There were a few questions from the committee with regard to the event calendar. It was felt that if the committee members had an information sheet on how to submit an event to our calendar to provide to local groups or businesses, this would assist in populating the calendar. If those populating our calendar would then like the municipality to promote their event, they could then contact the Economic Development Officer to push this through on the municipality s social media. The municipality has been approached once again by Grand Bend Tourism to place a promotional advertisement for the municipality in their brochure. The committee concurred that any promotional exposure for the municipality is beneficial. Economic Development and Communications Officer reported that he is working with the Parkhill businesses helping to promote their Parkhill Holiday Extravaganza being held on Friday December 2, 2016 from 5 8:00 p.m. Economic Development and Communications Officer advised that there would be special promotions and samples. The municipality is opening the lobby of the Shared Services Centre to provide a space for home based businesses and retailers from across the municipality to set up a table to promote their goods. Committee members were encouraged to pass on the word of this event to the public. Ron Harwood then gave an overview of the Holiday Extravaganza that is held in Ailsa Craig. This has been a very successful event for Ailsa Craig, and one of the unique things that they have is music playing in the entire downtown area. A discussion then ensued with regard to having sound systems installed in both of the downtowns. The sound system could then be used for various events throughout the year, and played during the Christmas season including the Santa Claus Parades. ROPP/HARWOOD: That the recommend to Council that they consider budgeting for the purchase and installation of permanent, year round, sound systems for both of the downtowns, Ailsa Craig and Parkhill to be used for various events throughout the year (ie: parades, during Christmas season etc.)
Page 4 of 6 Any support that the Economic Development and Communications Officer could provide toward the Ailsa Craig Holiday Extravaganza on behalf of the municipality was encouraged by the committee. The Economic Development and Communications Officer then presented the proposed changes to the EDAC Terms of Reference based on the City of Kingston committee guidelines: 1. Proposed additional clause: A committee position may become vacant by way of resignation, disqualification or by being absent from meetings or the committee for six consecutive meetings without authorization. If a committee member is absent for six month, the secretary will contact the member and notify them of the impending vacancy. At this time the committee may make a recommendation to Council to appoint a new member to fill the vacated position. 2. SUBCOMMITTEES If it is the desire of the majority of a Committee to establish a Sub-Committee/Working Group, a recommendation must be made to Council for approval of the creation of the Sub-Committee/Working Group. Included with the recommendation for the establishment of the Sub- Committee/Working Group must be information with respect to: a) the Sub-Committee/Working Group mandate/terms of reference; b) the number of members; c) the composition of membership, including members of the public and staff, if applicable, and how members are to be recruited; d) the reporting structure; e) the staff and other resources to be made available; and, f) a start and finish date. (adapted from a City of Kingston committee by-law) 1. STAFF SUPPORT The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) should be replaced with Economic Development Officer as the staff liaison for the committee. 2. AGENDAS Agendas are developed by the Chair and CAO *replace with EDO* with input from other applicable staff. 3. Proposed additional clauses:
Page 5 of 6 CODE OF CONDUCT As a Committee of Council, EDAC members are subject to the Code of Conduct for Members of Council, Advisory Committees and Local Boards. EDAC OPERATIONAL BUDGET EDAC may be granted a yearly operational budget as part of the Economic Development budget to fund minor activities, event attendance and other incidentals. All major EDAC expenses shall require a motion, be recorded by the secretary and included in the minutes for review by Council. Following a discussion with regard to the proposed changes to the Terms of Reference, the committee concurred that if a member misses 3 consecutive meetings (rather than 6), that they be contacted by the secretary. Also, staff were asked to clarify what the By-law states with regard to appointing members to the committee. Staff are to make the necessary changes, and bring the Terms of Reference back to the next committee meeting. Municipal Promotional Video Budget Update and Review of Examples The Economic Development and Communications Officer advised that there is currently $11,500 in the budget for a promotional video. The committee members discussed their likes and dislikes of the sample videos that were provided. Committee members were particularly partial to the one video, however, it was indicated that the cost for this was twice what we currently have budgeted. The members felt that in order to showcase North Middlesex, that it was important that all of the seasons be represented in the video, hence we would have to get things in place relatively quickly to include this year s winter season (ie: Nairn ice rink, snowmobiling, etc.). By incorporating all of the seasons, this would spread out the filming and eventual production of this. Prior to the next meeting, the Economic Development and Communications Officer is to speak to some videographers, as well as provide the committee members with more sample videos for further discussion at the next meeting. Bus Tour Update It was reported that the Economic Development and Communications Officer along with Chair met with the CAO to discuss the parameters of the bus tour. This tour will still proceed, but will not be until next year.
Page 6 of 6 Ailsa Craig Street Dance Ron Harwood reported on the success of the 2016 Street Dance. Ron reported that the proceeds will go to the Ailsa Craig Village Association. The process of running this event each year gets easier now that they have a process in place. Ron advised that the proceeds from the car show, pork dinner and food booth goes to the Ailsa Craig and Area Food Bank. Entrance Signs Economic Development and Communications Officer reported that the North Middlesex road signs (back) will be going into production very soon and provided a proof to the members. OTHER BUSINESS Deputy Mayor Ropp reported that the North Middlesex Historical Society received a $275,000 endowment from the estate of the late Donna McIntosh, a former Nairn resident. Merv Carter reminded the members of the upcoming Ontario Rural Education Symposium on Saturday, November 26 th @9:00 a.m. Donna will forward a copy of the flyer to all of the committee members. The next meeting will be held on Monday, December 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Deputy Mayor Ropp will assume the position of Chair for the remaining two years of the current committees mandate. CARTER/MCGEE: Being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:35 p.m. Cr. Adrian Cornelissen Chair Donna VanHooydonk, Secretary
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE DATE OF MEETING: Recommendation No. 1 ROPP/HARWOOD: That the recommend to Council that they consider budgeting for the purchase and installation of permanent, year round, sound systems for both of the downtowns, Ailsa Craig and Parkhill to be used for various events throughout the year (ie: parades, during Christmas season etc.)