Donald Rathwell, Warden. Raye Anne Briscoe, Mary Campbell, John Hildebrandt, Tammy Stewart

Transcription

1 DEVELOPMENT AND PROPERTY COMMITTEE Tuesday, October 13, 2009 A meeting of the Development and Property Committee was held on Tuesday, October 13, 2009, at 9:30 a.m., at the County of Renfrew Administration Building, Pembroke, Ontario. Present were: and Committee Members: Staff Present: Regrets: Bob Sweet, Chair Donald Rathwell, Warden Raye Anne Briscoe, Mary Campbell, John Hildebrandt, Tammy Stewart Norm Lemke, Chief Administrative Officer/Clerk James D. Kutschke, Treasurer/Deputy Clerk Jim Lynch, Manager of Real Property Assets Mitchell Wilkie, Manager of Economic Development Jeff Muzzi, Manager of Forestry Services Charles Cheesman, Manager of Planning Services Judy Kelly, Administrative Assistant, Development & Property Bob Johnston Chair Sweet called the meeting to order at 9:43 a.m. The roll was called, and no pecuniary interests were disclosed. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Mayor Campbell Seconded by: Reeve Stewart THAT the agenda be adopted as presented. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Mayor Campbell Seconded by: Mayor Hildebrandt THAT the minutes of the September 15, 2009 meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

2 D & P 2 OCTOBER 13, 2009 DEVELOPMENT & PROPERTY Mr. Cheesman overviewed the Development and Property Department Report, which is attached as Appendix I. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Mr. Wilkie overviewed the Economic Development Division Report, which is part of the Development and Property Department Report. Mayor Briscoe entered the meeting at 9:49 a.m. Discussion was held on the AMO Alert entitled Southern Ontario Municipalities Invited to Submit Funding Requests. Mr. Wilkie advised that as of August 13, 2009, Community Futures Development Corporation (CFDC) agency offices in southern Ontario have switched from Industry Canada and FedNor to the new Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario called FedDev Ontario. Office operational funding and funds for the existing Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) for Renfrew County CFDC now come from FedDev Ontario. The EODP has closed for the current intake and letters of offer were already awarded to winning proposals; however, proponents were cautioned not to start projects until funds were confirmed to flow from FedDev Ontario. The Southern Ontario Development Program (SODP) is a new $100 million initiative launched under FedDev Ontario and it is currently offering up to $40 million toward projects in the first round with an application proposal deadline of December 1, SODP projects must be completed by March 31, Mr. Lemke suggested having the Chair of the local CFDC and Ms. Dianne McKinnon, Renfrew County CFDC Executive Director, speak at the November County Council meeting to provide some clarity as to what can be approved locally and what has to be approved in Kitchener. Mr. Wilkie advised he has been promoting the SODP program to some local entrepreneurs, who have indicated that the grant to private businesses may have to be paid back, but this information is not clear. Mayor Briscoe advised that what local manufacturing businesses need is access to operating capital. When they approached the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), they were turned down flat. She feels that the Eastern Ontario Warden s Caucus (EOWC) needs to be notified of this and they need to spread the word. Discussion was held on the septage pilot projects and their progress (Townships of Horton and Bonnechere Valley). Mayor Briscoe inquired when an update could be expected on these projects. Mr. Lemke advised that Mr. Darch would be updating the Operations Committee at their next meeting on the progress of the projects. Discussion was held on the Economic Development Strategic Planning Session. Mr. Wilkie advised Committee that he would circulate the report from Mr. Lockhart to those interested in viewing it. Mayor Campbell advised that she attended the Digital Economy Symposium. She indicated that Mr. Wilkie s presentation on the Rural Broadband initiative was very interesting and indicated that he should make this presentation to County Council. Chair Sweet advised that the Warden would consider it as he decides who makes presentations to County Council.

3 D & P 3 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Discussion was held on biomass and energy production. Chair Sweet inquired what Feed-in Tariff Rate (FIT) under the Green Energy Act for power production is viable and what FIT rate would meet the need. Mr. Muzzi advised that wood biomass and agricultural biomass has always cost less than solar, wind, etc. Mr. Leo Hall presented his report on wood biomass at several energy meetings around the province and it was felt that it fell on deaf ears. Mr. Muzzi advised that Mr. Alastair Baird has repeatedly tried to arrange meetings with various ministries but has not been able to do so. Mayor Hildebrandt recommended that a business plan be put together and the information be used to decide what is viable. Mayor Campbell advised that when going to the Ministry for backing, it would be helpful to get an actual private company ready to invest stating what they can do with X number of dollars. Chair Sweet advised that there is a lot of interest out there, but the actual costs of business outweighs the investment. He feels that the EOWC has a better chance of arranging meetings with Ministers than individual persons or counties. Chair Sweet advised that Mr. Lemke and Warden Rathwell should discuss this and bring it forward to the EOWC as these problems (forestry and agriculture) are spread across eastern Ontario. Mayor Briscoe advised there is an unfairness in the formula between solar and wind power and biomass energy. Mr. Wilkie advised that he is currently working with one client and the pellet market in Europe is very high, but there are transportation issues getting it there. Locally, we could use wood pellets to generate electricity (e.g., schools, hospitals, military bases, etc.). Mayor Campbell reiterated that we need to think through our project before bringing it before the government. Mr. Muzzi pointed out that a number of County mills looked at this ten to fifteen years ago, but the problem has always been getting/selling power back on the grid. Mayor Hildebrandt reiterated that we need a business plan first. Chair Sweet inquired if the business plan/study to be done by the Forestry Alliance would be shared with us. Mr. Wilkie advised that he has a consultant willing to complete the business plan, but he needs commitment from local businesses for the next 10 years for 750,000 tonnes of biofibre per year. Mr. Muzzi informed Committee that local producers are on the same page on this issue. There are 18 different investor groups looking at this but they need a commitment on volume. If you are going to produce a product, you need a market. None of the investors have shown they have a viable market. Local producers want a long-term solution. In Europe the government has committed to this, but Canada has not done this. Mayor Briscoe stated that the root of the problem is the sustainability of the revenue. Chair Sweet suggested that Warden Rathwell take this issue to the EOWC and inquire if it is an issue in their counties as it is in the County of Renfrew. Mr. Cheesman suggested giving a position/summary paper to the EOWC on this issue. Committee agreed with this suggestion. Mr. Lemke advised that the next EOWC meeting is October 18, Discussion was held on the Premiers Award for Agri-business Innovation Excellence. Mayor Campbell inquired if Mr. Bob Dobson and others were being considered for this Award. Mayor Briscoe advised that all nominations come from the Renfrew County Agricultural Economic Development Committee to Mr. Alastair Baird and he then forwards the nominations.

4 D & P 4 OCTOBER 13, 2009 OTTAWA VALLEY TOURIST ASSOCIATION Mr. Wilkie overviewed the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association Report, which is part of the Development and Property Department Report. Discussion was held on the Discovering Ontario Tourism Competitiveness Report. Mr. Wilkie provided Committee with an overview of the report. He indicated that a decision will be made on the destination marketing areas by the end of this year and further information about the destination-marketing fee should be available in the spring of Mr. Beakley entered the meeting at 10:47 a.m. ENTERPRISE RENFREW COUNTY (ERC) Mr. Wilkie overviewed the Enterprise Renfrew County Report, which is part of the Development and Property Department Report. Mr. Wilkie informed Committee that ERC has assisted 25 new businesses startup this year. He advised that he would provide a list of all the new businesses for 2009 at the November meeting of Committee. FORESTRY Mr. Muzzi overviewed the Forestry Division Report, which is part of the Development and Property Department Report. Discussion arose on the contract Field Naturalist position the OVTA has submitted a grant application to the Eastern Ontario Development Program (EODP) for. Mr. Muzzi advised that the K&P Trail would be one of the 10 wildlife habitat areas to be identified by the Field Naturalist and that the operation of the trail will not be impacted. Mayor Briscoe commended Mr. Muzzi on the excellent work he has completed on the K&P Trail over the past couple of years. Discussion was held on the Endangered Species Communities Act ad for the Town Hall meeting in Barry s Bay on October 15, Mayor Briscoe inquired who the sponsoring organization is. Mr. Muzzi advised that the Ontario Forest Industries Association is the sponsor and did not want to put their name on it, as the Act affects more than foresters. Mr. Lemke brought up the issue that Ministers Cansfield and Duguid have not got together on the Native Land Claim and the Lightening the Footprint in Algonquin Park report and now we have the Endangered Species Act we now have several competing issues. Mr. Lemke advised putting the Endangered Species Act in the report to the EOWC, as it will also impact the forestry industry. REAL PROPERTY Mr. Lynch overviewed the Real Property Assets Division Report, which is part of the Development and Property Department Report.

5 D & P 5 OCTOBER 13, 2009 Discussion was held on the janitorial contract for November 2009 to October RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Mayor Hildebrandt Seconded by: Reeve Stewart THAT this Committee recommend that County Council pass a by-law to provide for the entering into of an agreement between the County of Renfrew and Bob Hackett Janitorial for the provision of janitorial services to 7 and 9 International Drive in the amount of $279, for the period November 1, 2009, to October 31, CARRIED PLANNING Mr. Cheesman overviewed the Planning Division Report, which is part of the Development and Property Department Report. Mayor Campbell suggested that the County Strategic Plan be completed before the County Official Plan is updated. Mr. Cheesman replied that the Strategic Plan will be completed in 2010 and the County Official Plan may take a couple of years to update. Discussion was held on the Green Energy Act. Mayor Briscoe advised that there are regulations in the Act relating to taxation for municipalities. Discussion was held on County Official Plan Amendment No. 13 (Part Lot 2, Concession 4 EML, geographic Township of Westmeath, now in the Township of Whitewater Region. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Mayor Hildebrandt Seconded by: Mayor Briscoe THAT the Development and Property Committee recommend that County Council pass the attached by-law, being a By-law to Adopt Amendment No. 13 to the Official Plan of the County of Renfrew. Discussion was held on the hosting of the County of Renfrew GIS (Geographical Information System) Web Application. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Reeve Stewart Seconded by: Warden Rathwell

6 D & P 6 OCTOBER 13, 2009 THAT the Development and Property Committee recommend that County Council pass a by-law being A By-law to Enter into an Agreement with Marmak Information Technologies to Host the County of Renfrew Geographical Information System (GIS) Web Application. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Reeve Stewart Seconded by: Mayor Campbell THAT the Development and Property Department Report attached as Appendix I be approved. Committee recessed for lunch at 11:25 a.m. and reconvened at 12:09 p.m. with the same persons present. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Stewart Seconded by: Hildebrandt THAT this meeting becomes a closed meeting for the following purpose(s): Time 12:10 a.m. (a) the security of the property of the municipality or local board; (b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees; (c) a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board; (d) labour relations or employee negotiations; (e) litigation or potential litigation, including matters before administrative tribunals, affecting the municipality or local board; X (f) advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose; (g) a matter in respect of which a council, board, committee or other body may hold a closed meeting under another act; (h) A meeting of a council or local board or of a committee of either of them may be closed to the public if the following conditions are both satisfied:

7 D & P 7 OCTOBER 13, 2009 i. The meeting is held for the purpose of educating or training the members AND ii. At the meeting, no member discusses or otherwise deals with any matter in a way that materially advances the business or decisionmaking of the council, local board or committee. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Reeve Stewart Seconded by: Mayor Hildebrandt THAT this meeting resume as an open meeting. Time: 12:25 p.m. RESOLUTION NO. DP-C Moved by: Stewart Seconded by: Campbell THAT this meeting adjourn and the next regular meeting be held on Tuesday, November 10, Time 12:26 p.m.