MINUTES
Strategic Priorities Committee
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| Date: |
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| Location: | Council Chambers, Town Hall |
| Council Present |
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| Council Regrets |
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| Staff Present |
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Chair Strathdee called the meeting to order at 9:00am.
None declared.
Chair Strathdee announced to the Committee that there would be no microphones at today's meeting due to the necessity of the equipment at another location the previous evening.
Jim Brown introduced Ashely Watson to Council. Ms. Watson is working with the Finance Department as a high school coop student until the New Year.
- RECOMMENDATIONResolution2017-11-21-01Moved By:Councillor WinterSeconded By:Councillor Van Galen
THAT November 21, 2017 Strategic Priorities Committee agenda be accepted as presented.
CARRIED
Dave Blake spoke to PW 59-2017 report and responded to questions from Council.
Dave Blake confirmed that the projections included the 5 year capital plan needs and the 2018 operational budget.
The Wastewater Financial Plan was last updated in 2014. As the Heinz plant closure occurred after 2014, it has not been considered within the current projections.
The Committee discussed the current water reservoir project and that it is being implemented to bring the system up to current safety standards.
Councillor Pope arrived at 9:33am.
Staff will be proposing the 2018 Water and Wastewater Rate By-law at a future Council meeting.
- RECOMMENDATIONResolution2017-11-21-02Moved By:Councillor Van GalenSeconded By:Councillor Winter
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the 2018 Water Rates be set at 3% increase from 2017and the 2018 Wastewater Rates be set at 3% increase from 2017.
DEFEATED - RECOMMENDATIONResolution2017-11-21-03Moved By:Councillor OsborneSeconded By:Councillor Pope
THAT the Committee recommend to Council that the 2018 Water Rate be set at 3% increase from 2017 and the 2018 Wastewater Rate be set at 5% increase from 2017.
CARRIED
Grant Brouwer spoke to DEV 36-2017 report and responded to questions from the Committee.
The Committee discussed options for the review of the Sign Permit Application.
Staff was directed to investigate the Town's liability regarding sandwich boards in the absence of an easement agreement.
The Committee discussed its approach to enforcement.
Staff is going to work out the appeal process within the Sign By-law and present the information to Council at an upcoming meeting.
- RECOMMENDATIONResolution2017-11-21-04Moved By:Councillor Van GalenSeconded By:Councillor Osborne
THAT DEV 36-2017 Sign By-law Update be received for discussion; and,
THAT the Strategic Priorities Committee direct Staff to revise By-Law 33-2005, a by-law to prohibit and regulate signs and other advertising devices and the posting of notices on buildings or vacant lots within the Town of St. Marys.
CARRIED
The Committee took a brief recess at 10:18am.
Chair Strathdee called the meeting back to order at 10:26 am.
Jenna McCartney, on behalf of Brent Kittmer, spoke to CAO 42-2017 report and responded to questions from the Committee.
The Committee had a thorough discussion about the Strategic Plan and the priorities achieved over the past year and the priorities it feels should be focused on going forward.
The Committee agreed that it has been very helpful to have staff reports reflect on their relationship with the pillars of the Plan.
Balanced Growth - The Committee agreed that a focus on housing should be a priority of this pillar. It was stated that in the absence of attainable housing, the Town will not be able to accommodate balanced growth.
Communication & Marketing - The Committee agreed that the development of a Tourism Plan is necessary to understand what it should be focusing on when attracting tourists.
Culture & Recreation - The Committee agreed that the implementation of the Recreation Master Plan will be very important in 2018. The Committee cited the eventual need for a PRC business plan.
The Committee agreed that the Forestry Management Policy will assist future development within St. Marys as well as the Official Plan review.
The Committee would like to see a redevelopment of the Community Grant Policy. The program should focus on collecting metrics to evaluate the success of each recipient.
Economic Development - The Committee is committed to investigating the James Street Concept Plan. The Committee agreed that an inventory of available industrial and commercial lands are necessary however, the key is that the lands need to be serviced in order to increase the lands attractiveness.
The Committee would like to receive a report on the uptake of the Community Improvement Plan.
Housing - Once again, the Committee agreed that a focus on achieving attainable housing is vital to the Town's growth.
Infrastructure - The Committee agreed that all bullets under the infrastructure pillar are equally important.
The Committee directed staff to investigate fibre options for the Town.
Finally, the Committee reviewed the priorities that were identified at the October 17, 2017 Strategic Priorities Committee meeting. The Committee feels that these priorities are valid.
The Committee concluded by stating the benefit to a working session of this nature and hopes to make it a regular practice going forward.
- RECOMMENDATIONResolution2017-11-21-05Moved By:Councillor Van GalenSeconded By:Councillor Osborne
THAT report CAO 42-2017 regarding 2018 strategic priorities be received for discussion and direction to staff.
CARRIED
Chair Strathdee reviewed the upcoming meeting as presented on the agenda. Councillor Craigmile forwarded his regrets for the December 5 meeting, as did Councillor Pope.
- ResolutionResolution2017-11-21-06Moved By:Councillor OsborneSeconded By:Councillor Craigmile
THAT this meeting of the Strategic Priorities Committee adjourn at 11:45am.
CARRIED