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
April 20, 2011
Village of Sundridge Municipal Office
Present: Strong- Merlyn Snow
Sundridge- Elgin Schneider, Bill de Vries
South River- Jim Coleman, Les Mahon, Jeff Dickerson
Machar- Doug Maeck, Ron Bennison
Joly- Betty Barnes
Absent: John Newstead
Guests: Peter Bell, Business Development Officer, Price Advertising
Laurie Ypyä, Economic Development Officer, Municipality of Callander
Ron Begin, Fed Nor
Tara Hamilton, Ministry of Northern Development and Mines
Staff Present: Caitlin Unger, Recording Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 9:34 am by Merlyn Snow.
Merlyn informed the group that guests Stephan Poulin and Renée Beauparlant would not be in attendance due to poor weather conditions.
Guest
Introductions – Peter Bell, Price Advertising
Peter prepared a report to be presented to CAEDA by the Northern Advertising Association of Ontario (NAAO) regarding their plan to take on the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and their policy which considers billboards a safety hazard on class 1 highways. NAAO’s position is that billboards are an economic necessity in this area and do not believe there is evidence supporting that billboards are a safety hazard, so are appealing to the MTO to provide proof. They want to ensure that the area is able to advertise, but not create a safety issue by allowing too much signage. NAAO was successful in their meeting with the Sudbury Chamber of Commerce and gained support from the North Bay Chamber of Commerce, and Peter shared that this support gave them the opportunity to speak to the Chief of Staff for the MTO. Peter is hoping that they can meet with the Minister of Transportation, but needs other municipalities to join forces with the North Bay Chamber of Commerce to show universal support in the area to change this policy. Peter’s appeal to CAEDA is that they take the report back to their councils in order to push back the MTO, and he agreed to attend their council meetings if needed. Some raised concern over location of signs in the area due to private property and wooded areas. Doug Maeck shared that there are issues without signs, some families or travelers do not feel as safe driving if there are no signs to direct them to stores, eating and gas stations. Jim Coleman stated that the TODS signs would be more of a distraction if they are relied upon, more would be needed without billboards. Maeck suggested lobbying the government for a separate Northern Ontario Policy for signs. Peter shared that the top safety concerns from highest to lowest include: speed, weather and alcohol, but volume should also be considered. Peter closed by asking CAEDA to pass a resolution of support for NAAO’s cause, and send a letter to the MTO asking for change.
Guest Introductions – Laurie Ypyä, Economic
Development Officer, Municipality of Callander
The group asked Laurie to explain how the EDO job was created in Callander. She shared that Callander revised their Strategic Plan in 2007, which created the need for an EDO in the area. They began by employing interns for two terms back-to-back, and by 2009 agreed to hire a permanent person. Laurie has been there full-time for just over one year, and her position consists of managing the website content, preparing applications to secure funding for various initiatives, and economic development. When she started, there was no specific Strategic Plan for the ED department, so she created one to evaluate the state of Callander – what they have and what they need. Their area consists of a tax base of 96% residential and growing each year. They hope to raise their 4% tax base higher by growing commercially to ease off taxpayers and create opportunities for business to stay in Callander. She shared her accomplishments over the year which consist of creating the department Strategic Plan, creating roles for staff, committees and Council, and watching her projects are within the set budget. Tara Hamilton asked Laurie what she would like to have seen if she could have been a part of planning for the position. Laurie felt that there should have been an action plan with a strategy of what is needed to give the person coming in an idea of expectations. Les Mahon asked Laurie what she would do if she were working for 5 municipalities and said there must be a common goal among the group, to identify priorities and have a group action plan. de Vries asked Laurie if she felt the funding she secures offsets the cost of having an EDO. Tara felt in Laurie’s situation it did, since she was able to get funding for a major project in her first month. Ron Begin warned that the group should consider the work behind the scenes as being a win as well, even if they are not seeing tangible proof, such as networking, researching funding, learning about all asset inventory specifications, and answering questions of potential business owners in order to be investment ready. Tara suggested having a special meeting to facilitate goal setting and creating an EDO job description. The group was in agreement. Having an EDO take care of funding is important since there is someone to complete the applications, and follow-up with photos and additional reports. Laurie shared that her time spent on funding varies through the year and she does not have any clerical support, nor feels she needs it. Betty Barnes asked Laurie to share her education or relevant training, which consist of two university degrees in sociology and psychology, as well as courses in Human Resources, Marketing and Tourism. She is also a member of the Economic Development Association of Canada, so is able to network. Laurie shared what skills a potential EDO should possess which includes communication and ability to network. An EDO is a hub of information and they need someone who can properly manage and communicate it, as well as being a good fit into the area. Ron suggested having monthly meeting to look at the EDO’s progress and communicate what is being worked on.
General Discussion – Merlyn suggested moving Airport discussion to the May 18th meeting.
Correspondence
Caitlin Unger received an email from Stephan Poulin, who was not able to attend the meeting due to weather, about whether they would like to re-schedule. The group agreed to wait and see how their next meeting progresses before they decide if they need to speak to other EDO’s.
New Business
Group set special meeting with Tara Hamilton to discuss EDO position on May 4th at 9:30am in South River. Tara reminded the group that April 30th is the deadline for Summer Job Service applications.
Coleman agreed to write a motion of support for NAAO to be presented at the Municipal Meeting on April 29th.
Coleman and Maeck shared that there will be a bike lane created by paving the shoulders of the highway between Sundridge and South River, once the highway bypasses. The regional director’s office requested that CAEDA write a letter of support for this project.
Resolution
10-2011
Moved by: Les Mahon Seconded by: Elgin Schneider
Be it resolved that this committee does hereby support a letter being sent to MTO Northeastern Regional Director Eric Doidge to show CAEDA’s support for the shoulders to be paved between South River and Sundridge.
Carried
Coleman and Maeck shared information about their Breakfast Business meeting held on April 12. Forty people were in attendance at the South River Legion. They had 38 responses to their survey which included that they would like to meet quarterly, using computers/social networking to market the area, and receiving information for applying for funding. The business owners appreciated the time with members of council. Jeff Dickerson thought it would be good to have a similar group in the other municipalities as a local focus and have representatives from the smaller group meet for a regional focus. Dickerson also suggested that for others wanting to use the survey, to also ask business owners how they can help you improve your business. Coleman said it was really a great thing since council speaks on business owners’ expense without really knowing what they think. This provides a platform to find out.
Maeck suggested having a discussion on Municipal display signs at the next meeting,
Adoption of Minutes:
The minutes of the March 16, 2011 meeting were circulated. It was
Moved by: Jim Coleman Seconded by: Doug Maeck
That we accept the minutes of March 16, 2011 as presented.
Carried
Adjournment
Moved by: Bill de Vries Seconded by: Betty Barnes
That we now
adjourn at 12:20 p.m. until the next regular meeting May 4, 2011 or at the call
of the chair @ 9:30 a.m. at the Village of South River Municipal Office. Carried.
……………………………….. ……………………………………….
Chairperson, Merlyn Snow Recording
Secretary, Caitlin Unger