MINUTES |
| September 10, 2018 |
The meeting of Economic Development Advisory Committee of the Town of Fort Frances was held in the Council Chambers, Civic Centre on September 10, 2018 11:34 a.m to 1:03 p.m. |
PRESENT: | G. Rogozinski, Chair, R. Avis, J. Gillon, K. McTaggart, D. Fortes, M. Caron, G. McBride, K. Perry, J. Cumming, C. Mallory |
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ALSO PRESENT: | D, Brown, CAO, D. Galusha, Deputy Treasurer, L. Mose, MNDM, G. Gillon, T. Drysdale, Consultant (RRFDC) and K. Lawson, Secretary |
REGRETS: | J. McTaggart |
1. | Call to Order 11:34 a.m. |
2. | Non-agenda Committee items which because of urgency cannot be deferred to a subsequent meeting, identified to be considered later in the meeting. |
2.1 | Councillor K. Perry re: Aggregate Resource Tax.
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3. | Disclosure of pecuniary interest and the general nature thereof - none identified |
4. | Approval of Previous Advisory Committee Minutes |
4.1 | June 4, 2018 Meeting Minutes.
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| Caron-Fortes: THAT the minutes from the June 4, 2018 regular meeting be approved as distributed. CARRIED |
5. | In-Camera - none identified |
6. | New Business |
6.1 | Market Square Summer Review. - Tannis provided the committee with an overview of events which have taken place at the Market Square throughout the summer and into fall. In addition to various weekly vendor activities, the Square hosted a sponsored Rainy Lake Series of Thursday evening concerts. Included were the brother, sister duo called Entyrely Mac, children's entertainer Fred Penner, rock group Kings of None and pop/electric singer IsKwe. Many sponsors came on board who offered a variety of refreshments during the events. The final concert will take place September 17th , featuring a Scottish act - The Cutting Edge Band. In addition to these acts, the square was also provided entertainment by other smaller concert individuals/groups including and not limited to the Mine Centre Church Choir, Rough Cut Pine, Bob Wepruk and the Northern Jammers and Doug Judson. Other evening activities included a "sip and paint" night with Cher Pruys, a Fort Frances High School photo shoot and four movie nights. She advised that square activities have been made possible through a series of grants from the provincial and federal governments, the Ontario Arts Council, as well as local businesses.
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6.2 | Municipal Accommodation Tax Levy Discussion. - a discussion was held about implementation of Municipal Accommodation Tax Levy. Tannis provided a power point presentation which included a Background and Legislative Authority to Impose a Municipal Accommodation Tax. The Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended the following: That Council adopt a Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) on January 1, 2019 which implements a four percent (4%) tax on all accommodation that is less than 30 days in the Town of Fort Frances. That the bylaw reflect that Bed and Breakfasts and American Plan Lodges may charge the Municipal Accommodation Tax on only seventy five percent (75%) of the room rate, understanding that the other twenty five percent (25%) of the rate is considered a meal cost. That Council name an internal auditor who will regularly inspect and verify remittances. That Council set out an interest charge, remittance schedule and fine schedule. That Council direct staff to request a verifiable list of current reservations made on or before September 24, 2018 for the period of January 1, 2019 to August 31, 2019 and these reservations be deemed grandfathered out of the MAT Tax. This list is to be provided no later than October 24, 2018. That Council allow for a compensation (one time) fund of up to $10,000 to be used as a grant to any hospitality establishment who must upgrade or purchase new software to charge or remit taxes. (Tannis will make a site visit to anyone requesting such funding to determine their specific needs). That Council designate the Rainy River Future Development Corporation as the Town’s partner as the Designated Marketing Organization. That Council target the 50% municipal portion to generalized economic development activities and tourism infrastructure programming and partnerships. Tannis advised that she will prepare a report with the recommendations from EDAC and present to Council for their support/passage. - the power point presentation is appended for your reference. MUNICIPAL ACCOMMODATION TAX presentation to EDAC - 2018 September 10
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6.3 | Wood lot and Nurses Station Purchase. Mayor Avis and D. Brown gave an update on the recent purchase from Resolute Forest Products of the properties known as Shevlin Wood Yard and former Nurses Station (420 Mowat Avenue). Mayor Avis indicated that the CAO and Manager of Operations and Facilities have reviewed the environmental assessment reports provided by Resolute and a record of condition was placed on the sale. Committee held a discussion on proposed uses for the property. Mayor and D. Brown agreed with the committee that the Town should take its time and undertake due diligence as they go forward. The first step is to make application for funding through FedNor and under the Rural Economic Development Funding Program (RED), to undertake a consultative process to determine a needs/marketing analysis and with public input provide recommendations that best meet the Town's future economic requirements. Tannis advised that the Heritage Funding application would be due on September 28th.
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6.4 | Applications for EDAC Appointment/Re-Appointment / Member Eligibility. K. Lawson provided a copy of By-Law 53/16, being a By-Law to establish specific Boards/Committees of Council. Members were reminded that the current committee term expires November 30th, 2018, and that the Clerk would be doing the requisite advertising for members of all committees. The application form is found at the back of the by-law and is also available on line at the Town website. Members can drop off their applications or fill them in on-line.
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6.5 | October Meeting. - this matter was covered under item 6.4.
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7. | Non-agenda Items |
7.1 | K. Perry - Resource Aggregate Tax. - Councillor Perry spoke briefly on the matter of Resource Aggregate Tax and advised that he will be bringing forward this issue among others at the next NOMA and RRDMA meetings and will provide feedback on his return.
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8. | Adjourn 1:02 p.m. / Next Meeting Date - October 1st, 2018 |