Board of Directors Meeting
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2016 – 6:00 p.m.
Town Office – Meeting Room #1
Minutes
Present: Joy Bott, Rick Dumas, Don McKay, Neil McDonald, Jean-Marc Paré, Nicole
Richmond Crowe, Chuck Verbo, Bob Hancherow, Andrew Wong
1.0
Call to Order
This meeting was called to order at 6:00PM.
2.0
Establish Quorum
Regular
3.0
Declaration of any Conflicts of Interests
Neil McDonald declares conflicts of interest on Motions #44 and #46 on items 7.3.2
and 7.3.4, respectively.
4.0
Approval of Agenda
Moved by Don McKay; Seconded by Neil McDonald
That the amended agenda for the October 19, 2016 MEDC meeting be accepted as
presented. The closed meeting was moved to last item on the agenda.
CARRIED
5.0
Approval of Minutes
5.1
Approval of the Minutes May 16, 2016
Moved by Rick Dumas; Seconded by Don McKay
That the minutes of the May 16, 2016 MEDC meeting be accepted as presented.
CARRIED
5.2
Approval of the Minutes June 14, 2016
Moved by Don McKay; Seconded by Rick Dumas
That the minutes of the June 14, 2016 meeting be accepted as presented.
CARRIED
6.0
Business arising from the minutes:
6.1
Gchi-Waaswaaganing (Visitor Information Centre)
Andrew presented a report on tourist statistics for the 2016 season. We have
received numerous positive testimonials from tourists, artisans and small business
owners about the Centre. Tyler Davis’ testimonial as a small business owner is of
note. It would be beneficial to track how the Centre impacts businesses in town.
Don presented a report on retail and consignment financials for the season. We
issued 110 cheques totalling $12,082.48 to artists and artisans this season.
Chuck presented a report on the Town’s budget spending on Gchi-Waaswaaganing
for the season.
MEDC will be meeting with the CAO on October 20 to discuss how the season went
at Gchi-Waaswaaganing. MEDC will also be presenting to Mayor and Council at the
Joint Council/MEDC Board Session.
7.0
New Business
7.1
MEDC Board Members
7.1.1 Resignation
Margaret Cousins submitted her resignation to the MEDC Board of Directors
by email dated October 3, 2016.
Moved by Neil McDonald; Seconded by Joy Bott
That we accept Margaret Cousin’s resignation from the MEDC Board of
Directors and we thank her for her service.
CARRIED
7.1.2 Proposed member
Moved by Don McKay; Seconded by Nicole Richmond Crowe
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT Elizabeth Gaudry be accepted to the MEDC
Board of Directors and that her name be presented to Mayor and Council for
approval.
CARRIED
7.2
Intern Positions
7.2.1 Present intern position – second year contract
It was decided to ask NOHFC to fund the current intern for a second year.
The funding application is ready to be submitted.
7.2.2 Second intern position – first year contract
It would be useful to have a second intern to share the workload with the
current intern, working simultaneously. The funding application is ready to be
submitted.
7.3
Moving Forward
7.3.1 Joint Council/Board Session
We plan on holding our annual Joint Council/Board Session in November to
support strategy development for the MEDC. Relevant reading to prepare for
this session are the Corporate Strategic Plan and the Official Plan for the
Town of Marathon. Both documents are published on the Town of Marathon’s
website. We have also put together an economic development map to
illustrate economic development activities in Town. We are looking at the
merits of conducting a Community Improvement Plan in Marathon to guide
the future use of unused and underutilized Town land. The Town would need
to approve the conducting of a Community Improvement Plan. The MEDC is
interested in delivering this Community Improvement planning process, and
would seek approval from the Town to do so.
By October 31, Bob and Daryl will decide when we will hold this Joint
Council/Board Session.
7.3.2 MEDC and Finnopool Inc. MOU
Bob stated that this MOU is between Finnopool Inc. and the MEDC.
Finnopool comes with a high degree of expertise and market connections in
the bioenergy sector. Neil commented on how the intent of the MOU is
excellent. However, while they may be bioenergy experts in Europe, they may
not be experts here in Canada as these are different environments. Don
noted that this is just a memorandum. Nicole asked if there are other
organizations here in Ontario or here in Canada who could be doing similar
work for us. Why are we picking Finland over a Canadian equivalent?
Bob responded that we are looking for expertise at this point, and that we are
not committing to anything beyond that at this point. Rick added that it is just
an information gathering stage, which is necessary to move forward if we
want to build an economy that requires significant expertise.
Neil added that this is a good idea but we should proceed carefully.
Moved by Don McKay; Seconded by Rick Dumas
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT the MEDC enter into a Memorandum Of
Understanding with Finnopool Inc.
CARRIED
7.3.3 Data Centre – NOHFC NCCBP approval
(M)
This is an application for feasibility study funding for the data centre project.
We have been working on an MOU for this project for the last four to five
months. Biigtigong will not be signing the MOU at this stage. The decision is
that Marathon will proceed solely with Shakunt Ventures at this stage and
keep an option open for Biigtigong to re-join the project at a later stage.
Marathon will complete a feasibility study before inviting potential partners
and go forward from there. MEDC met with our MNDM representative to
discuss the NOHFC funding application. This funding application requires
Board approval.
There was discussion around what the feasibility study will accomplish. Nicole
asked how we will benefit from this feasibility study. Can we get further
commitment from Shakunt Ventures past the feasibility study? Rick and Bob
both stated that having a feasibility study will benefit us because we will have
more information to work with.
Moved by Rick Dumas; Seconded by Jean-Marc Paré.
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT the MEDC support an application for funding
to the NOHFC Northern Community Capacity Building Program for a data
centre feasibility study with an MEDC contribution of $10,000 and a total
project cost of $110,000.
CARRIED
7.3.4 Forestry/Energy – NOHFC NCCBP approval
This is an application for feasibility study funding for a value-added wood
product and for residual wood. We wish to do a feasibility study to gain a
better understanding of bioenergy resources in the Marathon area and how
we can make use of them and/or bring them to market. This funding
application requires Board approval.
Moved by Jean-Marc Paré; Seconded by Don McKay.
THAT IT BE RESOLVED THAT the MEDC support an application for funding
to the NOHFC Northern Community Capacity Building Program for a value
added wood product and residual biomass feasibility study with an MEDC
contribution of $10,000 and a total project cost of $110,000.
CARRIED
8.0
GM’s Report
Bob presented a report on MEDC activities since our last meeting. See GM’s report.
9.0
Treasurer’s Report
Revenue. We probably will not get the $31,500 for the full year as budgeted, as the
intern has not worked the full year. We will not be receiving a federal grant for
employment.
10.0
Adjourn to a Closed Meeting
Moved by Don McKay; Seconded by Rick Dumas
That we adjourn to a closed meeting at the hour of 8:10PM.
CARRIED
10.1
Motion to Arise from the Closed Meeting
Moved by Rick Dumas; Seconded by Don McKay
That we arise from the closed meeting at the hour of 8:50PM.
CARRIED
11.0
Task List & Adjournment :
11.1 Next General meeting – TBA
11.2 Adjourn
Moved by Don McKay; Seconded by Neil McDonald
That the meeting of October, 19 2016 be adjourned at 8:51 PM.
CARRIED