(EDTF) HELD ON WEDNESDAY JUNE 20, 2018 AT 7:00 PM AT THE MUNICIPAL COMPLEX COUNCIL CHAMBERS. Present: Councillor John Inglis (Chair), Mayor Ron Higgins, Betty Hunter, Debbie Emery, Brian Moffitt, Paul Thiel, Daniel Vaillancourt, Corey Klatt Manager of Community Development (MCD) and Lori Newman (Secretary). Absent with Regrets: Councillor Vernon Hermer and Tom Sheppard 1. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by the Chair at 7:00 p.m. 2. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest & General Nature Thereof: None. 3. Delegations: None. 4. Economic Development Task Force Notes: Notes of the May 16, 2018 EDTF Meeting as approved via email by members of the Task Force and received for information by Council at the June 1, 2018 Council Meeting. 5. Business Arising: a) i) Update re: potential of partnering with Frontenac County for area maps Mayor Higgins. No report at this time as a partnership with the County does not appear to be necessary. The MCD advised that a Company named AdverMap is currently working on a map similar to the past Land O'Lakes Tourism Map. They have been in contact with local businesses for advertising opportunities, etc...and will be distributing maps throughout the area in the future. This item will be removed from future EDTF Agenda's as further action is not required by Mayor Higgins at this time. ii) Update re: purchase of large Township maps for local Tourism Businesses - MCD I of 5
The MCD advised that the County is currently updating the Township map and will print the maps when the updates are completed in the coming weeks. The MCD and Members of the EDTF will arrange to deliver the maps to local tourism based businesses within the Township once the maps are received, as previously approved by Council. b) Update re: Potential building to house the large telescope for the Dark Sky Preserve (DSP) that has been donated to the Township and Go Fund Me initiative Mayor Higgins Mayor Higgins advised that he is looking into options for funding to build a facility to house the telescope that has been donated by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The EDTF discussed the Crowd-Funding (on-line donations) initiative for the building to house a large telescope at the North Frontenac Star Gazing Pad and that the donations have reached $3,300 to date. Betty Hunter reported that there was a great turnout at the June 161h DSP event including a group of sixteen 20-30 year old enthusiastic stargazers from Toronto, who were sincerely amazed at the dark skies and the stars as they don't see this in the Toronto area. c) Update re: Feasibility of Potential Mountain Bike Trails Councillor Inglis (Chair) Councillor Inglis (Chair) advised that he has not had any success in obtaining feedback from the Ottawa and Kingston Cycling Clubs regarding arranging a meeting to discuss the feasibility of non-motorized trails in North Frontenac, as he had hoped would occur. It was also expressed that in order to have successful biking trails in North Frontenac there will need to be an extensive volunteer system to build and maintain the trails as well as financial funding from the Township. The EDTF agreed to revisit this topic at a future meeting when reviewing and updating the Economic Development Strategic Plan, for Council's consideration in 2019. d) Update re: Potential Art Mural Project Debbie Emery and/or Councillor Inglis. Discuss locations of murals, etc... Debbie Emery and Councillor Inglis advised that two local painters are ready to begin their art projects. Councillor Inglis will arrange for the plywood to be dropped off to them this week. The MCD will look into obtaining cheques this week for the artists paint costs and materials for the murals, as previously approved by Council. 2 of 5
The Clarendon Central School students will begin their mural in September. They requested that the mural the students complete is installed at the school for everyone to see. The EDTF agreed that the mural for Ward 2 will be installed at the school. A mural will be installed at Sherwood Park beside Road 506 for Ward 1 and a mural will be installed at the Mississippi Bridge for Ward 3. It is proposed that an event take place on Saturday, October 20, 2018 to unveil the murals. The EDTF will further discuss details and ideas regarding the event at a future meeting. e) Update re: Implementing and Promoting the Accommodation Study Brian Moffitt, Paul Thiel, and Daniel Vaillancourt. Brian Moffitt, Paul Thiel and Daniel Vaillancourt provided information and feedback resulting from their discussions with local accommodation businesses. It was reported that some existing lodge owners and campground owners throughout North Frontenac advised they are at capacity for guests during the busy season. This is great to hear. As a result, the EDTF discussed the feasibility of a Municipal Owned Campground which may open up opportunities for overnight guests for four seasons of the year. Mayor Higgins (with input from the EDTF) will work on creating a Business Plan to present to Council for consideration in the future. f) Update re: Royal Astronomical Society of Canada General Assembly request for Sponsorship. The MCD advised the EDTF that Council did not approve the donation to the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada General Assembly as recommended in the May 161h EDTF meeting notes. 6. Communications: a) Email from Guy Nason (Resident Astronomer) re: request for signage at North Frontenac Star Gazing Pad. The EDTF discussed an email that was received from Guy Nason suggesting signage at the DSP to support the Go Fund Me Initiative currently underway for a building to house a donated telescope from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The EDTF will discuss at a future meeting as Mayor Higgins suggested that he may have an option for the needed funding. The MCD informed the EDTF that Guy Nason and Gary Colwell (Resident Astronomers) are appearing as guests on CKWS Morning Show on Friday, June 3 of 5
22nd at 7:50 a.m. and the North Frontenac Dark Sky Preserve will receive some exposure and promotion as a result. Betty Hunter informed the EDTF that a guest book is now located at the Star Gazing Pad to provide a record of visitors. b) Email from Mayor Higgins re: Yurts at Bon Echo Park. The EDTF discussed an email that was received from Mayor Higgins regarding Yurts and small cabins. The EDTF agreed that it would be a good idea to incorporate yurts and small cabins into the Municipal Owned Campground - Business Case Proposal, for Council's consideration. c) Council Resolution #208-18 Mayor Higgins advised the EDTF of Council Resolution #208-18 instructing the EDTF to discuss matters with respect to "One Small Township" and provide recommendations to Council. Mayor Higgins discussed several projects based on the Contributionism model that are being considered by possible investors throughout the Township. He also advised that he is looking into some funding options. This verbal update was received for information by the EDTF and Mayor Higgins will continue to update and discuss with the EDTF for possible future recommendations to Council. 7. New Business: a) Betty Hunter provided the EDTF with information regarding the "Teeny Tiny Summit" that she attended on June 14th in Tweed which provided suggestions for Economic Development in Small Communities such as identifying opportunities for small businesses by renovating large buildings into multiple commercial spaces. The EDTF will discuss this at future meetings. 8. Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 9:03 p.m. NOTE: The July 18, 2018 has been cancelled. The next meeting of the EDTF will take place on Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at 7:00 pm, at the Municipal Complex Council Chambers located at 6648 Road 506, Plevna. 4 of 5
Recommendations to Council BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council for the Township of North Frontenac receives for information the Notes of the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF). Receive $ y,coypcil on July 13, 2018 Councilor John, glis, Chair Township of North Frontenac Economic Development Task Force NOTES OF A MEETING OF TIIE ECONOMIC DEVELOPAIENT FiSK FORCE 5 of 5