2011/10/12 Economic Development Committee Meeting 1. Call to Order 2. Attendance (John Close, Janice Jackson, Matt Standen) 00:00:00 Mike introduces new member Ted Young 00:00:38 Ted Young speaks to committee born and raised in Wiarton public service career corporate finance President of University of Guelph alumni assoc. 00:04:10 3. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest none 00:04:30 4. Adoption of Minutes 00:05:09 Sept 14, 2011 carried 00:05:30 Sept 28, 2011 carried 00:05:50 5. Action Items from Last Meeting Danielle speaks. All have been done 00:06:15 Chairman revies items 00:06:40 6. Chairman's Remarks 00:07:15 expands on comments from last meeting; terms of reference 00:09:00 airport Mike had excellent meeting with (John) part owner Paladis Aircraft of Canada interested in developing a terminal for their aircraft closer to Toronto who are current major users of airport - logical to contact them for increased use 00:11:40 John Close responds re customs, coast guard, military 00:15:00 Mike says John mentioned Toronto Air based out of Buttonville - training Chinese pilots 00:16:08 Seneca college has flight training school; approach Georgian college to consider flight school 00:19:00 Ted works with Chinese government officials regarding agriculture; they want to learn English 00:20:24 Mike says committee is trying to create benefit without tax drain; opportunities need to come with funding 00:22:10 Mike suggests touring community to become more familiar with community; says some council members are not geographically aware of community 00:24:20 How to get residents more engaged with committee; encourage press to attend 00:25:29 Ted Young speaks - hard to engage the press; not sure how much local people want to hear about change 00:27:00 Dave (?) speaks about mailout in Allenford; people now aware of Allenford Improvement Association 00:28:43 Wiarton is difficult to deal with regarding change - not enought hype regarding Bluewater park 00:29:40 Many people do not know what EDC is doing - tell success stories 00:31:20 Ratepayers always ask what it will cost when change is implemented; need to develop level of confidence in ratepayers with council and committees 00:33:17 John Close speaks about poverty and illiteracy in area; run town hall like a business need to grow community to help get rid of povery and illiteracy 00:34:33 Aliston was successful in overcoming povery and illiteracy; took a water pipeline to accomplish 00:35:13 Janice Jackson asks what is poverty line; avg in town is $43,000 per family; guess ... family of 4 is $48,000 per year 00:36:10 Dave (?) outfitter looked at avg income when deciding not to locate business here; located in Tobermory 00:39:00 Ways to make economy more viable 00:39:25 Chairman still bothered by how many people in Toronto do not know about Bruce Peninsula 00:40:35 We have a hidden gem here; we need a plan to handle influx of revenue; secret is getting out 00:41:30 People tired of increased traffic and tourists but want tax $$ 00:43:00 Must keep big picture in mind; careful planning 00:43:30 Sauble has too many signs; too many restrictions; it is not attractive; things need to be made easy for people 00:44:45 Janice Jackson asks about fascade program; concentrate on Wiarton downtown and main thoroughfare 00:46:39 Something needs to be done with Hepworth 00:47:00 Bothered by wayfaring sign program - signs sitting in warehouse; maybe priorities are wrong 00:48:30 Priority recommendation to council 00:49:00 Public works should be at EDC committee meetings 00:49:30 John Close speaks about staff utilization; roads maintenance requirements 00:51:20 These are symptoms of the problem 00:52:10 Danielle speaks to committee and her recommendation to council to get funds from other projects turned down by council; will be considered in next years budget 00:53:25 Takes a lot of money these days to just keep things going; hard to find $$ to go forward with long term projects are private sector partnerships needed 00:55:00 is education a problem here? skills are needed; first nations partnerships; better communications needed 00:57:08 why not a winery on Cape Croker; EDC cannot talk to First Nations; council responsibility 00:58:15 Janice Jackson education is the key; Spruce the Bruce grant turned down; taxpayer money involved 00:59:30 Why did council not approve shifting funds; manpower issue 01:00:28 Spruce the Bruce was for gateway sign 01:00:50 Removal of old sign would cost too much and PW did not have manpower 01:01:50 Mayor doesn't know why funding transfer was turned down 01:02:45 Chairman new Terms of Reference discussed vigorously; turned down; two members of EDC voted against change 01:04:00 Janice Jackson responds and explains reason for voting against 01:04:30 going after funding 01:04:45 moving forward with infrastructure development 01:05:30 John Close clarifies Robert's rules; explains how council works with EDC 01:07:50 Chairman talks to grant issue; committee can do research; members have contacts that councillors do not have 01:09:20 Jack suggests how wording could have been changed 01:09:47 Janice Jackson agrees with Jack; problem was in wording 01:10:30 should EDC retable new Terms of Reference; Paul says there must be some leaway 01:12:16 request to update terms of reference came from clerk 01:13:00 Danielle reads revised terms of reference 01:13:35 Janice Jackson happy with revised language 01:14:00 Mayor speaks about $$$ that is out there; public and private 01:15:20 Danielle confused regarding SWEA not approved by council 01:16:30 Mayor agrees with SWEA but some felt is was upper tier grant 01:17:20 SWEA can rap on doors and have clout; grey bruce regional economic group; can't work alone 01:18:10 Mayor talks about SWEA working with University of Guelph; distance learning 01:19:10 still wrestling with terms of reference; seems council wants to handcuff EDC 01:23:00 Keith (?) how do we learn from this experience 01:23:50 Mayor says if member missed meeting and communication if strong disagreement 01:25:00 Trying to establish a trust relationship with council 01:25:55 Jack says modified wording may pass council 01:26:30 Danielle reads first revision 01:26:42 Dave more discussion of wording 01:28:00 Danielle reads second revision 01:28:20 more discussion of wording 01:29:05 motion to recommend changed terms to council - carried unanimously 01:30:00 7. Budget work plan 01:30:20 Janice Jackson asks about flyers and budget amount 01:31:30 Jack speaks using initiatives for communication with public 01:37:00 new item added to EDC budget $2500 for semi annual flyer 01:38:20 vote on budget - carried 01:38:50 question to Janice and John is EDC budget all or nothing 01:39:30 8. Subcommittees or leader for each initiative 01:41:00 wait until council approves work plan; deferred until work plan approved 01:42:08 9. south end Wiarton development; add and redesignate lands for more commercial and residential development 01:44:00 EA's must be done 01:44:30 will EA have any future benefit for airport; airport is separate issue 01:45:40 10. Subcommittee reports 01:45:45 Bluewater park committee report 01:50:30 2012 highlights 02:01:15 motion to send list of priorities to council - carried 02:02:20 next meeting November 9, 2011 02:02:35 12. Adjournment - carried