HomeMy WebLinkAboutEDC 2015-10-21 minutes.pdfContact Information: Email: invest@mapleridge.ca Call: 604-467-7320 Website: www.investmapleridge.ca
Maple Ridge Economic Advisory Commission
MINUTES
Wednesday, October 21, 2015
7:30 am – 8:40 am
Blaney Room, Maple Ridge City Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC
EAC Role: Helping advance the goals of Council for a vibrant local economy.
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT:
Tyler Shymkiw, Deputy Mayor Council Liaison
Corisa Bell, Councillor Council Liaison
Bob Masse, Councillor Council Liaison
COMMUNITY LIAISON:
Chrislana Gregory Downtown Maple Ridge Business Improvement
Association
Karen Pighin, Vice Chair Maple Ridge Arts Council
COMMUNITY AT LARGE:
Karoline deVries Community at Large
Malvin A J Harding Community at Large
Josef Lara Community at Large
John Lyotier Community at Large
STAFF PRESENT:
Paul Gill Staff Liaison, GM Corporate & Financial Services
Lino Siracusa Manager of Economic Development
Bruce Livingstone Business Retention & Expansion Officer
REGRETS:
Mayor Nicole Read Council Liaison
Drew Atkins Seyem’ Qwantlen Business Group
Ineke Boekhorst Community Liaison, Downtown Maple Ridge Business
Improvement Association (BIA)
Jessica Chen EAC Youth Representative
Kristina Gervais Executive Director, TMRPM
Andrea Madden Chamber of Commerce, Executive Director
Rohith Manhas EAC Youth Representative
1. Call To Order 7:35 am
Deputy Mayor Shymkiw opened the meeting.
2. Adoption of the Agenda
Quorum for a formal meeting was not met so the Agenda for October 21, 2015
was not adopted.
MAPLE RIDGE
British Columbia
mapleridge.ca
Contact Information: Email: invest@mapleridge.ca Call: 604 -467-7320 Website: www.investmapleridge.ca
3. Adoption of Minutes
Quorum for a formal meeting was not met so the adoption of the
May 20, 2015 and July 29, 2015 Minutes was deferred to the next meeting. DEFERRED
Commissioner John Lyotier arrived at the meeting at 7:45 which allowed for quorum. Deputy
Mayor Tyler Shymkiw called the meeting to order; it was moved and seconded that the Agenda for
October 29, 2015 be adopted, and that the Minutes from the EAC meetings on May 20, 2015 and
July 29, 2015 also be adopted.
4. New & Unfinished Business
4.1 Tourism Contract Update
Mr. Lino Siracusa informed the EAC that SEI has presented a report to Committee of the Whole
recommending that the contract with Duckworth Management for the provision of tourism
marketing services not be renewed when it expires at the end of 2015. Furthermore, the report
recommends that the tourism marketing function be brought in-house within SEI using the
existing $35,000 tourism budget. Committee of the Whole recommended the report be moved
forward for discussion at the Council meeting on October 27. A link to the tourism report will be
sent to all commissioners.
4.2 Fundamentals of Economic Development
Mr. Lino Siracusa gave a presentation on the fundamentals of Economic Development, focusing
on the question of “why” we’re interested in promoting economic development, and a roundtable
discussion on the topic followed. Commissioners discussed how economic development allows
for an “equality” of opportunities for residents and improves the overall quality of life by adding
local employment opportunities and increased funding for arts, culture and sports infrastructure.
Economic development also allows for the continuous growth and regeneration of Maple Ridge.
Councillor Robert Masse asked the EAC to purchase 10 copies of Simon Sinek’s book Start with
Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action for members of the EAC.
Commissioners should contact Mr. Lino Siracusa to receive a copy of the book.
4.3 Roundtable Discussion: Economic Development Opportunities in Maple Ridge
Mr. Lino Siracusa led the group through a discussion of economic development opportunities in
Maple Ridge. Opportunities identified included developing support systems for home-based
businesses, encouraging a post-secondary educational institution to locate in Maple Ridge,
incorporating “compassionate community” designation as an economic driver, and continuing to
improve customer service processes at City Hall.
Note: Councillors Bell and Masse had to leave the meeting at 8:45 to attend other meetings so
quorum was no longer present.
5. Upcoming Dates
None
6. Comments From The Public
None
7. Adjournment 8:55 am
Next EAC meeting – Wednesday, November 18, 2015 7:30 am – 9:00 am
Location – Blaney Room, City Hall, 11995 Haney Place