Corporation of the District of Maple Ridge
ECONOMIC ADVISORY COMMISSION
REGULAR MINUTES
The Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Economic Advisory Commission, held in the
Economic Development Office at Maple Ridge Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place, Maple
Ridge, British Columbia, on Thursday, October 13, 2005 at 7:30 a.m.
____________________________________________________________________________
COMMISSION MEMBERS PRESENT
Commissioner Ernie Daykin
Commissioner Guy Flavelle
Commissioner Ken Galpin
Commissioner Steve Pelton
Commissioner Terry Wilding
Commissioner Racine Barbour
Commissioner Glen Watson
Councillor, District of Maple Ridge
Community at Large, Chair
Community at Large
Community at Large
Community at Large
Chamber of Commerce
Home-based Business Representative
STAFF PRESENT
Jim Rule
Rick Laferriere
Jaynne Aster
Chief Administrative Officer
Business Retention & Expansion Officer
Administrative Assistant
REGRETS
Commissioner Kathy Morse
Commissioner Peter Janis
Commissioner Dennis Kinsey
Mayor, District of Maple Ridge
Community at Large, Vice Chair
Community at Large
DELEGATES & GUESTS
Steve Nicol
Lions Gate Consulting
Shane James
Home-based Business Representative
______________________________________________________________________________
1.
Call to Order & Introductions
There being a quorum present, the Chair called the meeting to order at 7:35 a.m.
The Chair introduced the delegate and a round of introductions was made.
2.
Adoption of the Agenda
MOVED BY: R. Barbour
SECONDED BY: G. Watson
That the Agenda for October 13, 2005 be adopted as circulated.
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CARRIED
3.
Adoption of the Economic Advisory Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting
Amended the organizational representative of the Commissioners to reflect appropriate
roles.
MOVED BY: J. Rule
SECONDED BY: R. Barbour
That the Minutes of the Economic Advisory Commission June 30, 2005 Regular
Meeting be adopted as amended.
CARRIED
4.
Delegations or Presentations
4.1
Steve Nicol – Lions Gate Consulting
Steve Nicol gave an overview of his background and experience and familiarity with
economic development. Steve noted that not many municipalities in the GVRD are
engaged in economic development. He discussed the work ahead in several steps:
Economic Analysis – looking at collected information, research and statistics, local and
regional economy, demographics, and labour force trends; SWAT analysis – where we
stand; Community consultation – (2 steps to this) 1st – Interview program, 2nd – focus
group/stakeholders; Strategy preparation and priorities – intense workshop to come up
with an idea of where we should be headed. This should be finished by January and then
we are in the home stretch. In February we would prepare our draft strategic plan,
tweaking it so it meets expectations, budgets and parameters.
It will take 2-3 weeks to prepare the first report. The focus groups should be ready by
early December. Steve noted this is a critical step for the project.
Rick Laferriere clarified the role of the EAC in the final plan; determine direction of plan,
review the plan, adopt it in principle, and submit to Council for approval.
The Chair thanked Steve and invited questions.
Steve Nicol asked his own questions regarding the group’s viewpoints on focusing on
indicators such as labour force and community income – getting an understanding of
those companies and sectors that are creating wealth in the community. Not a large
report – 10-15 pages maximum.
Jim Rule stated that we also are looking to benefit from Steve Nicol’s expertise, what he
knows about trends, etc.
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The group discussed data collection, infrastructure needs, SWAT analysis, deliverables
(short term and long term), the spectrum of people involved in the groups, themes of
focus groups, thinking in a competitive context, benchmarks and monitoring strategies,
community feedback through questionnaires, and the upcoming municipal election.
Steve Nicol stated that there should be 6-7 focus groups with 6-10 people each, and we
should be starting with a list of 150-200 people to populate these groups.
Steve Nicol will send Rick some questions that could be put on a questionnaire.
Glen Watson spoke about home-based businesses in the community noting it is huge and
growing.
The group discussed different sectors such as arts, tourism, forestry, high tech, sports and
recreation, education, downtown development, agriculture, etc.
The Chair thanked Steve, who was invited to stay for the rest of the meeting.
5.
Current Projects
5.1
Film Production
Rick reported that we continue to have a record year, issuing permit number 104 the day
before, and that we have processed 25-27 different productions through our District this
year. Rick spoke about the news coverage and recent articles on Maple Ridge and
filming in our District, and that the local studio is hiring permanent staff for the first time,
generating local employment. Rick spoke about the spin-off effects of the productions in
the District. The group discussed the possibility of a sound stage, and the proposal by the
local production studio to take out and relocate one of the courtrooms in the old
courthouse.
Ernie Daykin noted he’s been getting positive feedback on how good and accommodating
we are here and in the community.
5.2
BioGas
Rick reported that he spoke with Ann Eastman and she said they are investigating the
possibility of legislation, but not sure if small farms would fall under the legislation or
not. Richard Hallman is the economic expert on biogas treatment who Rick is waiting to
hear from regarding the real industrial opportunities there. He noted we are taking them a
bit by surprise with our proactiveness.
5.3
Community Profile
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Rick told the group we will be issuing an RFP to get the community profile done properly
and in conjunction with the strategy. We have funding for this through the CISP program
which is the only grant out there for promoting a community internationally.
5.4
Branding
Rick discussed how we should consider this along with the strategy. It should represent
our economic pursuits, community strengths and appeal to outsiders to make them want
to come and check us out. As the strategic process takes shape the branding should mesh
with it. An RFP will be issued by this year’s end. Rick spoke about the need to ‘debrand’ the Ridge-Meadows label. Pitt Meadows has just unveiled their brand, “The
Natural Place”. Ideally ours will have a strong economic focus.
5.5
Business Plan – Economic Development Office
Rick told the group that the majority of the department’s business plan will fall out of our
strategy and that this was an interim plan. Rick handed out a paper listing key themes
and ideas, noting the business plan will change significantly based on the strategy.
MOVED BY: T. Wilding
SECONDED BY: G. Flavelle
That the EAC approve the Economic Development Office business plan in principal.
CARRIED
5.6
Community Magazine
Craig Kelman and Associates are interested in partnering with us for a Maple Ridge
magazine. Essentially it is at no cost in exchange for a letter of endorsement from our
Mayor and allowing them to sell advertising in the magazine to local businesses. It can
serve for business and residential attraction. It would be less statistically based and is
distributed to 5000 manufacturers across Canada, and we would get another 5000 to
distribute as we wish. CISP funding can also be used for this.
In answers to questions Rick said that the majority of the magazine is content and the
number of pages would be based on number of ads sold. We would also get a PDF/web
version. The magazine should have a shelf life of 2-3 years. Our strategy would be far
enough along to focus on articles as the editorial content is done in February/March.
Professional writers put the articles together.
MOVED BY: R. Barbour
SECONDED BY: K. Galpin
That the EAC send a recommendation to Council via the Corporate Management
Team to enter into a partnership with Craig Kelman and Associates to produce a
Maple Ridge magazine.
CARRIED
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6.
New Business - nil
7.
Committee Reports - nil
8.
Correspondence
8.1
Tourism Support Letter
Rick reported the support letter was provided our tourism group to indicate we are willing
to work and support the initiatives of Maple Ridge Pitt Meadows Tourism, who are
applying for Tourism BC funds for strategic development support and marketing
development support.
9.
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for November 17, 2005 in the Blaney Room at Maple
Ridge Municipal Hall at 7:30 a.m.
10.
Adjournment
MOVED BY: E. Daykin
SECONDED BY: R. Barbour
That the meeting be adjourned.
CARRIED
The meeting adjourned at 9:11 a.m.
__________________________
Chairperson
/ja
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