MINUTES | SESSION NO. #7 | August 4, 2021 |
The meeting of Economic Development Executive Committee of the Town of Fort Frances was held virtually in the Civic Centre on August 4, 2021 from 1200 hrs to 1244 hrs. |
PRESENT: | Councillor J. McTaggart, Councillor M. Behan and Mayor J. Caul (ex-officio) |
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ALSO PRESENT: | D. Brown, CAO, C. Vangel, CBO / Municipal Planner, T. Drysdale, Economic Development Consultant, G. Gillon, RRFDC, L. Slomke, Clerk, K. Haney, Deputy Clerk, Joerg Ruppenstein, CAO FFPC, Jamie Pryde (1203 hrs) |
REGRETS: | Chairperson D. Judson, D. Cridland, T. Ryll, J. Forbes, Human Resources Manager |
Call to Order @ 1200 hrs/ Roll Call |
Disclosure of pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof - None |
Approval of Previous Committee Minutes |
Session 6 - 07 July 2021 - Accepted as presented
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Items Referred from Council - None |
New Business |
MAT meeting follow up - Post Covid discussion re attracting and retaining staff for local businesses.
Discussion included job fairs, foreign worker programs, student housing, incentive programs, shared employee pool between same industries, modifying and simplifying industries to reduce staffing need. We need to remain cognizant of challenges associated with staffing of future industries. Councillor Behan to raise topic at next meeting of Chamber of Commerce. RRFDC to work on possible next items and bring back next meeting. Item to remain on agenda.
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Outstanding Items |
Standing items for updating:
Ranier Bridge - Letters to Stauber and Klobuchar - Concerns re rail bridge. C. Vangel to communicate with CN Public Affairs group and bring further information back to next meeting. Working group to be created and consist of C. Vangel, J. Caul, J. McTaggart and D. Cridland. 2021/06/09: Working group to meet within next two weeks 2021/07/07: Conversation with CN Public Affairs and C. Vangel re future status of Ranier Bridge. Concerns identified included flood risk and economic gateway between two communities. Project in infancy stage with 3-5 year potential. TOFF requested to be kept apprised of consultation process. 2021/08/04: Working group has not yet met. Orea White Paper Small Towns Big Opportunities - Further information re action plan/seeking organizations that can assist in lobbying to be sought. Item identified at RRDMA - on radar, may assist in lobbying going forward. Query pilot project. 2021/06/09: Item to proceed to NOMA in January with CAO involvement. 2021/07/07: No updates. Keep as item on agenda. 2021/08/04: Tannis advised she will have more information next meeting. Winnipeg to Thunder Bay tourism route initiative - Work in progress. NOMA tourism panel aware - possible intent to draw people to Hwy 11 and onto 71 corridor. 2021/06/09: No updates. 2021/06/29: Heart of Canada Touring Route 2021/07/07: In final stages of touring route between Winnipeg and Thunder Bay. Regional initiative and a focus on Highway 71 corridor. Recommendation via Committee for Council to support RRFDC by way of resolution a seat on affiliated steering committee. Public launch of initiative to occur at 2022 Rendez-vous Canada. 2021/08/04: We need to ensure we are included in marketing and get our message out there. RRFDC is our representative at the Steering Committee. Cross Border Fishing Activity - Status of reciprocal agreement re walleye report to be determined. 2021/06/09: Correspondence forwarded. No further updates. 2021/07/07: Correspondence outstanding. Keep as item on agenda. 2021/08/04: Greater police presence observed on the lakes. Mayor Caul to initiate discussion with Marcus Powlowski at the meeting scheduled for Friday, 06 August 2021.
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Information |
City of International Falls - Resolution No. 48-2021 - Mayor Caul to initiate discussion with MP Marcus Powlowski during meeting scheduled for Friday, August 8th, 2021
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July - TOFF 2 year workplan REPORT to EDEC - Accepted as presented
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In-Camera - none |
Adjourn @ 1244 hrs / Next Meeting Date - 08 Sept 2021 |