0540-20/Economic Dev TOWN OF SMITHERS MINUTES OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING HELD IN THE WEST Committee Members Present: Councillor Jo Ann Groves, Chair Mark Bandstra Ted Bobb John Dalton Kelly Ehalt. Committee Members Excused: Mayor Jim Davidson Councillor Cress Farrow Brian Atherton Bill Mracek Kym Putnam. Town of Smithers Staff Present: Deborah Sargent, Acting Chief Administrative Officer/Director of Planning Penny Goodacre, Recording Secretary Jada Martinsen, Economic Development Summer Student Lena Wilson, Aboriginal Liaison Officer. Advisory Members Present: Rick Braam Brian Burrill. Advisory Members Excused: None. 1. CALL TO ORDER Councillor Groves, Chair, called the meeting to order (12:10 p.m.). 1A-1. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS None. 2. DELEGATION None. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES 3.a) Bandstra/ THAT the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting held June 12, 2007, be adopted. 4. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES AND REVIEW UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.a) Time Line for the Top 5 Projects : The Committee agreed to review the Top 5 Projects list at the end of the meeting. 4.b) BC Explorer Program BC Stories :
Page 2 Ehalt/ THAT the report dated June 7, 2007, from J. Martinsen, Economic Development summer student, regarding the BC Explorer Program BC Stories submissions for BC- Canada Place in Beijing 2008, be received (0540-20). Discussion: The Committee agreed the story submissions should focus around our infrastructure assets (sea, sky, highway) and emphasize that we are closer to Asia than the south; as well as stressing that we are not the north but Central BC and the same latitude as Edmonton. Some story items for gems of the future included: a) Twin Falls; b) the Old Church on First Avenue; and c) the Fossil Beds. The Committee suggested that J. Martinson contact the BV Historical Museum Society for some story ideas. The Committee has until September to submit their story ideas to J. Martinson. 5. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE A ITEMS ACTION 5.a) Committee Membership: Bandstra/ THAT the letter dated June 22, 2007, from B. McCreary, General Manager, Hudson Bay Lodge, submitting an application to become a member of the Economic Development Committee, be received (0540-20). Ehalt/ THAT the Committee reply to B. McCreary informing her that Council will be reviewing the current Committee structure in the fall; AND THAT the Committee would be able to respond to her letter at that time. 6. REPORTS/CORRESPONDENCE B ITEMS RECEIVE FOR INFORMATION 6.a) 6.b) 6.a). to Bobb/ THAT the following correspondence be received for information: a) Email dated June 21, 2007, from K. Borden, Executive Assistant, Northern Trust, inviting the Economic Development Committee to the Inaugural Asia Pacific Forum on Mining and Minerals (6750-20); and b) Report DEV 07-058 dated June 18, 2007, from M. Allen, Director of Development Services, providing the Development Services Department report for May 2007 (4560-20). Inaugural Asia Pacific Forum on Mining and Minerals: The Committee requested more information on the Inaugural Asia Pacific Forum on
Page 3 Mining and Minerals being held in Vancouver on September 30, 2007, to October 3, 2007, be brought back to the July 17, 2007, meeting (will there be an opportunity for a trade show booth?). The following Committee members stated they may be able to attend: 1) T. Bobb; 2) Councillor Groves; and 3) D. Sargent. The Committee discussed the possibility of meeting with CitySpaces during this Forum. 7. SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS APPROVED FOR DISCUSSION 7.a) Smithers Regional Airport Monthly Report May 2007: Councillor Groves reviewed the Smithers Regional Airport Monthly Report for May 2007 with the Committee and stated that aircraft traffic and passenger traffic has increased over last year. 7.b) Think Asia 2008 Workshop: R. Braam informed the Committee that he attended the Think Asia 2008 workshop held in Burns Lake. He would like to set up a workshop for the Smithers area; the intent of the workshop is to assist businesses in making sure they are ready and able to do business with Asia. J. Martinson replied that the Spirit Committee is doing something similar and would forward R. Braam her information. 7.c) Smithers Visitor Information Centre: B. Burrill, Smithers District Chamber of Commerce, informed the Committee that the Smithers Visitor Information Centre is placing a 14 spot advertising board in the office. He invited the Committee to create a poster for display free of charge until the spots are sold. Bobb/ THAT the J. Martinson be authorized to create a Committee display poster for the Smithers Visitor Information Centre. 8. NEW BUSINESS/OTHER None. BUSINESS ARISING FROM MINUTES AND REVIEW UNFINISHED BUSINESS CONTINUED 4.c) Time Line for the Top 5 Projects :
Page 4 Bobb/ THAT the draft time line for the Top 5 Projects list to be completed, be received (0540-20). Discussion: The Committee reviewed the Top 5 Projects list. 1. Boomtown to Sustainable Town Has been contracted to CitySpaces to complete by December 2007. 2. Branding Smithers Strategy The Committee will be issuing a Request For Proposals soon to hire a consultant under the Community Investment Support Program (CISP) grant. This consultant will create promotional materials for the Town with emphasis on website development. The Asset Inventory was to be completed by Community Futures Development Corporation Nadina (CFDC Nadina). S. Robertson is no longer working for CFDC Nadina. D. Sargent stated she would contact Mike Murray at CFDC Nadina to see if they are able to continue working on this project. Quality of Life indicators is being updated through a Healthy Communities grant. D. Sargent suggested that CitySpaces be placed in contact with the group undertaking the Quality of Life study. M. Bandstra suggested that the Committee should place a billboard at either end of the Town, similar to the City of Terrace s billboard that states Terrace is Going Mining. J. Martinson commented that she is working on quotes to have the Town kiosk signs Explore. Enjoy. Our History. made into posters to be displayed at the Smithers Regional Airport. 3. The Business Care Program The Committee suggested that the Smithers District Chamber of Commerce challenge businesses to be active Chamber members. B. Burrill commented that the Chamber has set up a task force to welcome new businesses to the community. 4. Infrastructure Development The Committee agreed that the infrastructure Development should be the Committee s number one priority. T. Bobb commented that the population demographics of Smithers has changed
Page 5 over the years. He stated that Smithers is lacking the young family demographic, and suggested one possible way to attract young families the back to Smithers is the expansion of more residential lots. T. Bobb stated that there has not been a new apartment building constructed in over thirty-five years in Smithers. He also suggested the Downtown core should have people living in it. D. Sargent replied that Council and the local Realtors had a meeting on Monday, June 25, 2007, to discuss options for the Willowvale Phase 2 development and that Council will be deliberating on it. 5. Regional Care Initiative The Committee discussed the need to attract shoppers from Houston and the Hazeltons back to Smithers. It was suggested that a Business Improvement Association be considered for the Downtown core (to look at accessibility issues, store hours, etc.). The Committee discussed the possibility of hosting a Brainstorming Session with the Downtown Merchants. J. Martinson informed the Committee of the BC 2008 - Homecoming Celebration to celebration the 150-year anniversary of British Columbia, and stated there may be a possibility for grants to help stage community celebrations. For more information go to the BC 2008 website www.bc2008.gov.bc.ca. Discussion: Community Liaison For Investors: The Committee discussed the need for a community liaison for investors to speak with. The Committee agreed they would act as Ambassadors for the Town and tour the potential investors around. Councillor Groves requested that P. Goodacre create business cards for each Committee member. LB Warner Centre: The Committee requested that an item for next meeting be the future development plans for the LB Warner Centre. 9. NEXT MEETING The next Economic Development Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, July 17, 2007 at 12:00 noon, in the West Fraser Room. 10. ADJOURNMENT Bobb/ THAT the meeting be adjourned (1:30 p.m.).
Page 6 Certified a True and Correct Copy of the Minutes of the Economic Development Committee Meeting held on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, in the West Fraser Room, 1027 Aldous Street, Smithers, B.C. Councillor Jo Ann Groves, Chairperson Economic Development Committee Penny Goodacre Recording Secretary DS/plg n:\wordpro\min\min 2007 other\min economic dev comm #9 june 12.doc
Page 7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE UNFINISHED BUSINESS June 26, 2007 DEADLINE TO COMPLETE 3.a) 4.b) 4.c) Minutes of Economic Development Committee Meeting: Get the minutes of the Economic Development Committee meeting held June 12, 2007, signed. BC Stories Submissions: Submit ideas for the BC Stories submissions to J. Martinsen by September 2007. Time Line for the Top 5 Projects : Branding Smithers Strategy Issue a Request For Proposals for the Community Investment Support Program (CISP) grant. Asset Inventory - contact Mike Murray at CFDC Nadina to see if they are able to continue working on this project. Quality of Life place CitySpaces in contact with the group undertaking the Quality of Life study (Jeremy Coombs). Host a Brainstorming Session with the Downtown Merchants. Community Liaison for Investors Create business cards for each Committee member. Penny Committee Deborah/Jada Deborah Jada Committee Penny
Page 8 June 26, 2007 5.a) 6.a). Committee Membership: Send a letter to B. McCreary informing her that Council will be reviewing the current Committee structure in the fall; and that the Committee would be able to respond to her letter at that time. Inaugural Asia Pacific Forum on Mining and Minerals: Report back to the Committee with more information on the Inaugural Asia Pacific Forum on Mining and Minerals (will there be an opportunity for a trade show booth?). Forward copy of the email to CitySpaces. Jo Ann/Penny Jada Jada 7.a) Smithers Regional Airport Monthly Report May 2007: Email the Smithers Regional Airport Monthly Report for May 2007 to the Committee. Penny 7.b) Think Asia 2008 Workshop: Forward R. Braam information from the Spirit Committee regarding the 2008 Olympics. Jada June 12, 2007 DEADLINE TO COMPLETE 4.a) Community Investment Support Program (CISP) Grant: Form a working sub-committee between the Economic Development Committee, Tourism Advisory Committee and Spirit of BC Community Committee (2010) to discuss joint interests relative the Community Investment Support Program (CISP). First joint meeting will be held on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at noon in the West Fraser Room. Jo Ann/Deborah
Page 9 May 1, 2007 4.b) 4.b) 8.e) Top Five Projects List: a) Schedule a special meeting to discuss the implementation Committee s Top Five project list. b) Place the list on the Town of Smithers website. c) Place an article into the Interior News on the Top 5 List. Developers Focus Group: Host a focus group with the different developers to find out what infrastructure and resources they need to assist them in development projects in Smithers. Minerals Roundup 2008 Vancouver: Consider entering an information booth at the Minerals Roundup 2008 being held in Vancouver. Deborah Penny Deborah/Jo Ann Deborah/Jo Ann Committee March 6, 2007 4.b-i) Brainstorming Session: Issue a Press Release to the Interior News regarding the outcome of the Brainstorming Session held on February 21, 2007, after the Committee s March 27 th meeting. Deborah/Jo Ann