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MINUTES - Economic Development Advisory Committee - 20150514 TOWN OF AURORA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Date: Thursday, May 14, 2015 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Leksand Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Paul Pirri (Chair), Councillor John Abel (Vice Chair), Don Constable, Rosalyn Gonsalves, Marilee Harris, Paul Smith, Bruce Walkinshaw Member(s) Absent: None Other Attendees: Councillor Tom Mrakas, Anthony Ierullo, Manager of Long Range and Strategic Planning, Michael Logue, Program Manager, Economic Development, and Linda Bottos, Council/Committee Secretary The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. The Committee consented on a motion by Bruce Walkinshaw seconded by Don Constable to extend the hour for thirty minutes at 9 p.m. 1. DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. 2. APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw Seconded by Rosalyn Gonsalves THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services be approved. CARRIED Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 14, 2015 Page 2 of 5 3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of April 9, 2015 Moved by Rosalyn Gonsalves Seconded by Don Constable THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting minutes of April 9, 2015, be received for information. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS None 5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION None 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Economic Development Flow Charts Staff reviewed components of the flow charts and highlighted the six Key Economic Development Themes—Downtown Revitalization, Entertainment District/Community Square, Innovation Centre, University/College Campus, Business Support Services, and Hotel—as they relate to the mandate of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC). The Committee discussed issues of the abandoned hotel property and emphasized the need for a new hotel in Town, and staff provided a status update. The Committee suggested that the EDAC-related flow chart be colour coded to a tracking system that reflects the status of the Key Economic Development Themes and achievements of the Committee. Moved by Paul Smith Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the Economic Development Flow Charts be received; and THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee recommends that the flow chart indicating the six ‘Key Economic Development Themes’ be used for context in any discussion regarding EDAC matters. CARRIED Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 14, 2015 Page 3 of 5 2. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range and Strategic Planning Re: Economic Development Action Plan Update Staff reviewed the status of activities listed on the Economic Development Action Plan, which include: Entertainment District; Permanent Farmers’ Market; Implementation of the Business Retention and Expansion Action Plan; Business Concierge Program; Bio-medical Campus; Innovation Incubator; and Post- Secondary Presence. The Committee discussed each element and suggested that members of Council could become champions for each cornerstone of the Action Plan. Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw Seconded by Don Constable THAT the memorandum regarding Economic Development Action Plan Update be received for information. CARRIED 3. Business Retention & Expansion Action Plan: Progress Update Staff reviewed the background to the business retention and expansion survey completed in 2012 and noted that businesses in Aurora were generally satisfied with the services received from the Town. Staff advised that the Action Plan was created to address the concerns raised during the process, under the categories of How We Grow, Services for Business, and Enhancing Existing Resources. The Committee discussed the need for implementing high capacity broadband in Town and inquired about the challenges. Staff provided information regarding options and infrastructure, and indicated that a representative of York Region would be presenting a broadband strategy update at a future meeting. The Committee inquired about business surveys, promotion of the concierge program, the vacant land inventory, and the Town’s business directory. Staff provided updates and agreed to supply the Committee with concierge program material and samples of completed business surveys and analysis reports. Moved by Paul Smith Seconded by Marilee Harris THAT the Business Retention & Expansion Action Plan: Progress Update be received for information. CARRIED Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 14, 2015 Page 4 of 5 4. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range and Strategic Planning Re: Activity Report Moved by Marilee Harris Seconded by Rosalyn Gonsalves THAT the memorandum regarding Activity Report be received for information. CARRIED 5. Memorandum from Manager of Special Projects Re: Establishment of a Business Improvement Area (BIA) Staff noted elements of the memorandum regarding background, activities to date, and the next steps associated with developing a steering committee to help drive the initiative forward, which was briefly discussed by the Committee. Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw Seconded by Rosalyn Gonsalves THAT the memorandum regarding Establishment of a Business Improvement Area (BIA) be received for information. CARRIED 6. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range & Strategic Planning Re: Medical Marihuana Production Facilities Study/By-law Staff provided a brief overview of the background and process undertaken to identify potential locations and zoning restrictions for medical marihuana production facilities in the Town. The Committee expressed its opposition to allowing this type of facility and noted that it does not fit in with the Town’s Strategic Plan. Staff advised that any particular use cannot be excluded from the community and must be accommodated as permitted by specific zones and policies. Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw Seconded by Marilee Harris THAT the memorandum regarding Medical Marihuana Production Facilities Study/By-law be received; and THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee expresses strong opposition to any medical marihuana production facility being located within the Town of Aurora and that it would be a detriment to economic development in Aurora. CARRIED Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 14, 2015 Page 5 of 5 7. NEW BUSINESS None 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Marilee Harris Seconded by Rosalyn Gonsalves THAT the meeting be adjourned at 9:25 p.m. CARRIED COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.