Central Almaguin Economic Development Association

P.O. Box 1120 * Sundridge ON * P0A 1Z0

Phone (705) 384-5819 Fax (705) 384- 5892

Chair: Merlyn Snow: Merlyn.snow@sympatico.ca Vice Chair: Ron Bennison: rbennison@vianet.ca

August 17, 2011

Village Sundridge Municipal Office

Present: Sundridge - Elgin Schneider, Bill de Vries

Strong – Merlyn Snow, John Newstead

South River – Les Mahon, Jeff Dickerson

Machar – Doug Maeck, Ron Bennison

Joly - Betty Barnes

Absent: Jim Coleman

Guests: Mayor Mario Campese – Township of Joly

Tara Hamilton- Ministry of Northern Development, Mines

Ron Begin - FedNor

Staff Present: Caitlin Unger, Recording Secretary

The meeting was called to order at 9:30 am by Chair Merlyn Snow.

Guest and General Discussion:

Mayor Campese began the meeting by discussing a business proposal from the Township of Joly regarding their 10 Megawatt Solar Project. The bank has approved a loan of $50 million (including HST) and the bank has acknowledged that they will not receive money until Hydro pays Joly. The annual revenue is expected to be about $8.033 million based on $.44/kilowatt once up and running. The interested municipalities would need 100 acres of land and to upgrade their hydro lines (cost of $9 million, included in the $50 million cost). Mayor Campese shared that the project can be split based on weighted assessment or equally, whereas each municipality would receive the approximate revenues (gross):

Weighted Assessment:

· Township of Strong: $2.8 million;

· Township of Machar: $2.7 million;

· Village of Sundridge: $1.2 million;

· Village of South River: $724,970;

· Township of Joly: $517,000.

Equally Split: Each would receive about $1.6 million.

The cost would be approximately $495,000 per month, amortized over 10 years, with a $2.5 million profit. Each municipality would be responsible for $9.8 million of the debt. The contractors are Ontario Power Generation and Ontario Hydro and the supplier is Blackstone (out of Toronto). Concerns were raised over the assessment of the business, maintenance contract and risk or liability insurance, if more interest Mayor Campese can provide more information. Mayor Campese agreed to attend the Township of Strong council meeting on August 23^rd at 5:30pm to present the material and answer additional questions to Strong and Village of Sundridge. The Solar Project proposal was circulated to committee members. Mayor Campese left the meeting at 10am.

Tara Hamilton took the floor to discuss the progress of funding the EDO position through NOHFC. There was push back on the application because salary is not usually funded unless the area applying is in an extreme economic position. They suggested that CAEDA consider two interns for two years with funding up to $27,500 per intern, per year. She suggested searching for interns who have secured their masters degree and to consider sending them for their EDAC Certification at the University of Waterloo (phase 1 is 1 week the first year, phase 2 is one week the second year - $3500 per intern, per phase) to ensure sustainability of the position after the two years. NOHFC will fund 90% of the intern salary only, not including benefits or deductions (usually 17% of salary). Hamilton suggested breaking the position down into two more specialized positions: Community Development and Business Support, and Regional Promotion and Investment Readiness. They could be located at different offices but would require one person to provide daily supervision and direction, and a CAEDA rep to provide mentoring and project plan/direction. Ron Begin reminded that the group could set a probation period and annual performance reviews to direct expectations and decide if the program is working. The group was in agreement to pursue applications for the two interns and will pass a resolution at the next meeting once the budget is firm, if needed to accompany the applications.

Correspondence:

The Chair circulated a letter of response from Eric Doidge, MTO Northeastern Regional Director, regarding Central Almaguin signage. The letter explained that to secure Central Almaguin decorative signage, municipal signage would have to be given up and accepted via resolution. Bill de Vries shared that he spoke to Gordan Rennie, MTO Regional Advisor, about the letter. Rennie shared that he cannot acknowledge if the billboard policy will be changed but there may be additional options for Central Almaguin signage other than decorative.

The Recording Secretary shared an update from Peter Bell, Price Advertising, on his July 25^th meeting with Eric Doidge. He shared that the proposed policy changes are with the Minister’s office for review and that changes to the policy are specific to highway 11 and 69.

New Business:

The Recording Secretary shared that Judy Kosowan, CAO/Clerk-Treasurer at Township of Ryerson, was in touch about information on CAEDA’s involvement with MTO signage policy changes. Judy was to send the presentation brief to Jeff Dickerson who will represent CAEDA on signage at the AMO meeting.

Elgin Schneider reminded the group that the executive Municipal meeting is taking place September 30, 2011 and to get any resolutions in for district approval.

Adoption of Minutes:

Resolution 2011-22

The minutes of the July 20, 2011 and July 28, 2011 meeting were circulated. It was

Moved by: Ron Bennison Seconded by: Elgin Schneider

That we accept the minutes of July 20, 2011 and July 28, 2011 as presented.

Carried

Adjournment:

Resolution 2011-23

Moved by: Betty Barnes Seconded by: Bill de Vries

That we now adjourn at 11:05 a.m. until the next regular meeting September 21, 2011 or at the call of the chair @ 9:30 a.m. at the Township of Strong Municipal Office. Carried.

……………………………….. ……………………………………….

Chair, Merlyn Snow Recording Secretary, Caitlin Unger