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MINUTES - Economic Development Advisory Committee - 20160512 TOWN OF AURORA ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES Date: Thursday, May 12, 2016 Time and Location: 7 p.m., Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall Committee Members: Councillor Paul Pirri (Chair), Councillor John Abel (Vice Chair) (departed 8:05 p.m.), Don Constable (departed 8:05 p.m.) Marilee Harris, Javed Khan, and Bruce Walkinshaw Member(s) Absent: Rosalyn Gonsalves Other Attendees: Councillor Tom Mrakas, Anthony Ierullo, Manager of Long Range & Strategic Planning, Michael Logue, Program Manager, Economic Development, and Samantha Yew, Council/Committee Secretary The Chair called the meeting to order at 7 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 Javed Khan Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the agenda as circulated by Legal and Legislative Services, with the following change, be approved: New Business be discussed following Delegations. CARRIED Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 10, 2016 Page 2 of 5 3. RECEIPT OF THE MINUTES Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2016 Moved by Don Constable Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March 10, 2016, be received for information. CARRIED 4. DELEGATIONS (a) Doug Lindeblom, Economic Strategy Office, Regional Municipality of York Re: Item 4 – Greater Toronto Investment Attraction Agency – Toronto Global Mr Lindeblom gave an overview of Toronto Global, and outlined the history of the strategy, organizational structure, funding sources, the role of York Region, and the potential benefits of the strategy. The Committee inquired about the role of the Chamber of Commerce, and the benefits of the Toronto Global in relation to the Town’s economic development. Moved by Councillor Abel Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the delegation by Doug Lindeblom be received for information CARRIED 5. MATTERS FOR CONSIDERATION None 6. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS 1. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range & Strategic Planning Re: Small Cell Technology with Bell Canada Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 10, 2016 Page 3 of 5 Staff provided an update and informed the Committee that Bell Canada could be implementing a small cell pilot project in Aurora. The Committee expressed their support for the project and inquired about timelines. Moved by Marilee Harris Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the memorandum regarding Small Cell Technology with Bell Canada be received for information. CARRIED 2. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range & Strategic Planning Re: Aurora Employment & Industry Trends Staff provided background to the memorandum and noted that there is positive employment and business growth. Moved by Marilee Harris Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the memorandum regarding Aurora Employment & Industry Trends be received; and THAT the information in this memorandum be presented at a future Council meeting. CARRIED 3. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range & Strategic Planning Re: Activity Report Moved by Javed Khan Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the memorandum regarding Economic Development Action Plan Update be received for information. CARRIED 4. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range & Strategic Planning Re: Greater Toronto Investment Attraction Agency – Toronto Global Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 10, 2016 Page 4 of 5 The Committee inquired about the benefits that Toronto Global could bring to the Town. Staff advised that it could attract more business. Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw Seconded by Marilee Harris THAT the memorandum regarding Greater Toronto Investment Attraction Agency – Toronto Global be received for information. CARRIED 5. Memorandum from Manager of Long Range & Strategic Planning Re: Development of an Attraction Strategy for the Hotel Industry Staff provided background to the memorandum and asked the Committee to provide ideas for a work plan. The Committee discussed the objective of the hotel, hotel development charges, feasibility studies, and the possibility of sending marketing materials to architectural firms that specialize in hotel design. Moved by Marilee Harris Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the memorandum regarding Development of an Attraction Strategy for the Hotel Industry be received; and THAT comments provided by the Economic Development Advisory Committee be considered by staff when developing of an attraction strategy for the Hotel Industry. CARRIED 6. Extract from Council Meeting of April 12, 2016 Re: Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of March 10, 2016 Moved by Bruce Walkinshaw Seconded by Javed Khan THAT the Extract from Council Meeting of April 12, 2016, regarding the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting minutes of March 10, 2016, be received for information. CARRIED Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Thursday, May 10, 2016 Page 5 of 5 7. NEW BUSINESS The Committee consented to discussing New Business following Delegations on Approval of the Agenda. Councillor Abel advised that Council recently endorsed a Music Strategy, and provided copies of the Aurora Music Strategy to the Committee. The Committee discussed the Music Strategy and whether it would fit within the Committee’s strategic priorities. New Business Motion No.1 Moved by Don Constable Seconded by Councillor Abel THAT the Aurora Music Strategy be received for information. CARRIED The Committee inquired about whether they have any input in the downtown revitalization strategy, and asked questions regarding the proposed patios on Yonge Street. Staff indicated that the Committee has not been directed to provide input, and that the patios would be a pilot program which is pending Council approval. The Committee inquired whether the targets outlined in the Business Retention & Expansion Plan have been met for the year. Staff advised that they have not met the business visitation requirements as yet, however it is anticipated that they will meet the expected targets. 8. ADJOURNMENT Moved by Javed Khan Seconded by Bruce Walkinshaw THAT the meeting be adjourned at 8:50 p.m. CARRIED COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE NOT BINDING ON THE TOWN UNLESS ADOPTED BY COUNCIL AT A LATER MEETING.