M I N U T E S (OPEN SESSION) REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING OF THE REGIONAL DISTRICT OF OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN HELD IN THE REGIONAL DISTRICT BOARDROOM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2001 AT 9:04 A.M. ______________________________________________________________________ __ PRESENT: Committee Chair: M. Pearce Vice Chair: J. Cardoso Members: D. Cameron Sr. J. Coady (absent) L. Larson R. Lee (absent) G. Logan R. McLean R. Mayer (absent) K. Roberge T. Shields Ex Officio Chm. D. Ashton Economic Development Officers/Reps: Wayne Tebbutt, EDO, Penticton & Wine Country Economic Dev.Serv. Glenn Mandziuk, EDO, Osoyoos Business & Community Dev. Centre (absent) Scott Boswell, EDO, Summerland & District Chamber of Economic Lisa Fraser, Project Coordinator, Similkameen Country Development Assoc. Mayor Randy McLean, Town of Princeton Patrick Deakin, EDO, Oliver & Dist. Community Econ. Dev. Society and Fred Wiley & Jessica Murphy, Oliver & Dist. Community Econ. Dev. Society Community Representatives: Mary Ellen Heidt, Manager, Community Futures Development Corporation of Okanagan- Similkameen Sandra Varchol, HRDC Service Delivery Manager, Human Resources Development Canada (absent) Delegate: M. Flett, Okanagan Film Commissioner Staff: V. Sutton, Chief Administrative Officer G. Derosier, Administrative Assistant ______________________________________________________________________ ________ 2 Regional Economic Development Committee MINUTES of November 1, 2001 RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT ADDENDUM MOTION: BY CONSENSUS that the Agenda for the Regional Economic Development Committee Meeting of November 2, 1001 be adopted with the following additions: (i) Letter from Joanne L. Pepper re Billboard Sign, Item 2(g) (ii) Memo from W. Tebbutt, EDO Penticton re Funding for Health Professional Recruitment Training, Item 3(b)(ii) (ii) Memo from K. Oldfield, Chair, Oliver & District Community Economic Dev. Society re Exploration of Growers Quality Alliance Program, Item 3(b)(ii) 1. DELEGATION (a) Okanagan Film Commission Mark Flett, Film Commissioner, provided an update of the Commission’s activities, marketing initiatives and future plans. Mr. Flett reported that $4.5 million worth of production over the last four years had benefited the economy of the Okanagan-Similkameen. Mr. Flett expressed appreciation to the Committee for their support. He noted that Dan Ashton and Barbara Sheppard were new representatives to the OFC Board. Mr. Flett asked that MLA’s R. Thorpe and B. Barisoff be encouraged to support the Film Commission at the provincial government level. In Y2002, the Commission will seek continued funding support from the Regional Economic Development Committee ($25,000). Director McLean arrived at the meeting. MOTION: SHIELDS/ROBERGE that the following information be received and attached to these Minutes as Schedules “A.1” and “A.2”: Schedule A.1 (i) Financial Statements (unaudited) for the Okanagan-Similkameen Film Commission as at March 31, 2001; and Schedule A.2 (ii) Okanagan Film Commission Strategic Proposal entitled “Building on the Momentum” received October 25, 2001 and the following Regional Economic Development Committee recommendation be endorsed by the RDOS Board: that the RDOS Board forward Letter of Support to the Okanagan Film Commission. 3 Regional Economic Development Committee MINUTES of November 1, 2001 CARRIED 2. CORRESPONDENCE (a) Community Enterprise & Strategic Initiatives (i) At the Regular Board Meeting of October 18, 2001, the following Committee recommendation was endorsed: “that the following information be received: a. Email of Committee Chair Pearce that the provincial government’s “Community Enterprise and Strategic Initiatives Branch” has been “cut back”; and b. Info dated August 17, 2001 from Civic Info BC re “Provincial Cuts to Subsidies May Affect Community & Economic Development Programs”; and that at the next Committee Meeting, Director Logan provide a recommendation regarding sending a letter to the Ministry to outline the affect of provincial funding cuts to Princeton, quantifying the benefits to be taken away from the area, and the need for continued concentration on solutions. Carried” (ii) MOTION: LOGAN/McLEAN that Regional Economic Development Committee Chair M. Pearce forward a letter of support to accompany the Princeton Skill Centre’s application to the provincial government’s Community Enterprise Funding Program. CARRIED Director Logan provided a copy of the Princeton Skill Centre’s Community Enterprise provincial funding application (b) Princeton & District Community Skills Centre (i) At the Regular Board Meeting of October 18, 2001, the following Committee recommendation was endorsed: “that the letter dated July 27, 2001 from Sharan Jung, Manager, Princeton & District Community Skills Centre re Entrepreneurial Development be received; and the item be POSTPONED until the next Committee Meeting, November 1, 2001. Carried” (ii) MOTION: LOGAN/McLEAN that, due to limited staff resources at the Princeton Skills Centre, the proposal to assess feasibility of a program re Entrepreneurial Development (Transforming Business Talent 4 Regional Economic Development Committee MINUTES of November 1, 2001 & Community Economies) be forwarded to Mary Ellen Heidt, Manager, Community Futures Development Corporation. CARRIED 2. CORRESPONDENCE – continued: (c ) Meeting of Mayors, Chairs, MLA’s – Okanagan Region Committee Chair M. Pearce commented on the meeting held October 19, 2001 in Kelowna on the following topics. • Post Secondary Education: A report “Review of Post -Secondary Education Requirements in the Okanagan-Shuswap” (prepared for the joint steering committee of OUC & University 2000) is forthcoming. MLA’s noted the Region is under-funded. A copy of the report is available at www.regionaldistrict.com. • Health Care: The Hon. S. Hawkins, Minister, addressed provincial health care issues. Significant announcements are expected in the near future. • Highways: MLA’s noted the Region is under-funded. It was noted that regions and local areas had varied highway priorities. • Milfoil Control: R. Hobson requested support to request that the provincial government identify funding sources and continue the program. • Tourism Issue: It was suggested that a 2% hotel/motel tax be implemented and that revenues be returned to the regions. MOTION: ROBERGE/McLEAN that the following Regional Economic Development Committee recommendation be endorsed by the RDOS Board: that the RDOS Board forward a letter to R. Thorpe, MLA (Okanagan-Westside) and B. Barisoff, MLA (Penticton-Okanagan Valley) to request a clear indication of their positions with respect to revenues collected from the Coquihalla Highway Tolls. CARRIED (d) Inaugural Okanagan-Shuswap Regional Innovation Forum The National Research Council (NRC) in collaboration with Okanagan University College and related regional and national organizations, will establish the Okanagan-Shuswap Regional Innovation Forum comprised of community leaders representing the overall interest of the Okanagan-Shuswap as a broad base economic region. 5 Regional Economic Development Committee MINUTES of November 1, 2001 MOTION: CAMERON/ROBERGE that the letter dated October 3, 2001 from the National Research Council re the Okanagan-Shuswap Regional Innovation Forum to be held November 26, 2001 in Kelowna, be received. CARRIED 6 Regional Economic Development Committee MINUTES of November 1, 2001 2. CORRESPONDENCE – continued: (e) Okanagan-Shuswap Manufacturers’ Association – Advisory Board A valley-wide Association has been formed to represent all Manufacturers from the Shuswap Lakes area to the USA Border. At the recent Regular Board Meeting, Chair Ashton agreed to act as the RDOS Board’s representative to the OSMA Advisory Board. MOTION: LARSON/LOGAN that the letter dated September 25, 2001 from R. E. Black, Executive Director, Okanagan-Shuswap Manufacturers’ Association be received for information. CARRIED (f) Tourism Promotion MOTION: LARSON/ROBERGE that the letter received October 25, 2001 from D. Tod re Tourism Promotion and the request for $3000 funding to advertise the “Grand Simoka Triangle” be received and considered under “Potential Contingency Projects (item 4{a}.) CARRIED (g) Billboard Advertisement at Hope, BC Addendum MOTION: LARSON/CARDOSO that the letter dated September 26, 2001 from Joanne L. Pepper regarding the billboard sign located at Hope, BC, and comments re the positive image it portrays be received. CARRIED 7 Regional Economic Development Committee MINUTES of November 1, 2001 3. UNFINISHED BUSINESS (a) Status re Regional Marketing Program (i) Committee Members received a copy of the Memorandum dated October 25, 2001 from Chair M. Pearce, requesting endorsement of the “Brand Concept”. A Summary of responses will be brought forward at the RDOS Regular Board Meeting of November 15, 2001. Committee Members will discuss Phase II program funding at the meeting scheduled for December 6, 2001. Phase I: Completed at a cost of $16,344 Phase II: Budget $15,656 (currently remaining in budget awaiting endorsement of the various agencies) (b) Final Review Potential Contingency Projects: November 1, 2001 The list of Potential Y2001 Contingency Projects was brought for final review and determination of project funding allocations. (i) Potential Contingency Project Funding Contingency $17,000 EDO Coordination 2,000 add: EcoTourism (Gateway) 5,000 add: Grant Application 5,000 SubTotal: $29,000 less: Snowbird Project: 4,000 (allocated Oct 4th ) Total $25,000 Potential Contingency Projects: