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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2023-03-14 Economic Development and Long Range Planning MinutesPage 2 of 11 Sussex Minutes of Meeting of Economic Development and Long Range Planning Committee 03-23 March 14, 2023 7:00 p.m. Present: Mayor Thorne, Deputy Mayor Wilson, Councillor Nelson, Councillor Brenan, Councillor Milner, Councillor Maguire, Councillor Bobbitt, Councillor MacLeod Staff Present: Scott Hatcher, Chief Administrative Officer, Heather Moffett, Treasurer 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Moved by: Deputy Mayor Wilson Seconded by: Councillor Brenan THAT the agenda be approved as circulated. Motion Carried 2. RECORDING OF ATTENDANCE 3. DISCLOSURE OF CONFLICT OF INTEREST No members present declared a conflict of interest on any of the items on the agenda at this time. 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MEETING #02-23 Moved by: Councillor Milner Seconded by: Deputy Mayor Wilson THAT the minutes of meeting 02-23 be approved as circulated. Motion Carried Page 3 of 11 5. DELEGATIONS 5.a SUSSEX DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 5.a.1 SUSSEX DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - POWER POINT PRESENTATION Chairman Nelson welcomes Executive Director Vanessa Coggan and President Paul Bedford of the Sussex and District Chamber of Commerce to the meeting. ED Coggan provided information on the Chamber with their Together We Prosper campaign: - Thriving business community is an integral part of community prosperity. ED Coggan reviews the Chambers mission and the vision of the Chamber being the catalyst for success and community prosperity in the greater Sussex area. - ED Coggan reviews the core values of the Chamber of Commerce and provides insight to the Chambers strategic focus reviewing the three pillars of strategic planning. ED Coggan updates Sussex Council on the Chambers 2023 sponsorship opportunities with programs: - Goodeats Sussex, N.B. campaign Sussex Supports Local campaign Community Scavenger Hunt campaign Balloon Fiesta Weekend campaign - Annual Golf Tournament campaign - Small Business Week campaign 2023 Awards Banquet - 2023 Effie Selfie campaign 2023 Chris -Moose Cheer campaign Brief discussion with the Committee members highlighting, the town's support of the Chamber and to thank the Chamber for their business leadership. President Bedford thanks Council for their support. Chairman Nelson thanks President Bedford and Executive Director Coggan for their interesting presentation. 6. BUSINESS ARISING OUT OF MINUTES 6.a ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STEERING COMMITTEE. Nothing to report at this time. Page 4 of 11 6.13 SUSSEX POPULATION GROWTH STRATEGY: 6.b.1 COVENTRY WALK SUBDIVISION CAO Hatcher advises the Committee on the ongoing progress of Phase 3 of the Coventry Walk Subdivision. Last month the power utility construction has been completed. 6.c ELECTRIC VEHICLE CHARGING STATIONS CAO Hatcher advises the 2 electric vehicle charging stations on the NB Power eNetwork in O'Connell Park are now commissioned and are now in service. 6.d FLOOD MITIGATION PLAN UPDATE CAO Hatcher advises the Town's application for the Flood Mitigation Project has been submitted under the Disaster Mitigation Adaptation Fund through the Government of Canada on March 2, 2023. Our application status remains under review as of March 14, 2023. Town administration will keep the Committee informed on the status of the Town's application. 7. NEW BUSINESS 7.a SUSSEX DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION MEETING MINUTES MARCH 02, 2023. Deputy Mayor Wilson provides a summary of the March 2, 2023, meeting of the Sussex Downtown Business Association. Minutes received and filed by the Committee. 7.b MAS FEBRUARY 2023 MEETING MINUTES Deputy Mayor Wilson reviews with the Committee the Multicultural Association February 2023 meeting minutes. Deputy Mayor Wilson highlights the start of Executive Director Bridget Ryan to lead MAS, Information and minutes received and filed by the Committee. 7.c MAS - DECEMBER 2022 - MARCH 2023 NEWSLETTER The Committee reviewed the December 2022 to March 2023 MAS newsletter. Newsletter received and filed by the Committee. Page 5 of 11 7.d NEW BRUNSWICK 2022 - CHILD POVERTY REPORT CARD Mayor Thorne spoke on the New Brunswick 2022 Child Poverty Report Card and its findings related to the Sussex region. - Sussex is identified as having 26.6% of children living in poverty. Considerably higher than the provincial average. - 169 children living in Sussex at or below the poverty line. - The report provides no measures to identify support programs within the community. - Sussex is not identified as a regional center as an indicator and that there is support in place provided by outside agencies. Beyond the numbers: What can Sussex do? Support for warming centers for homelessness. - Affordable housing development consideration. - Meal programs. - Upcoming mandates of the new Regional Service Commission to address parts of the issues regionally. Encourage community partners to consider an affordable housing development. - Mayor Thorne highlights upcoming meeting scheduled for March 17th, 2023, to discuss potential development of an affordable housing project. Brief discussion with the Committee. Report received and filed by the Committee. 8. SCHEDULE FOR NEXT MEETING APRIL 18, 2023, 7:OOPM 9. ADJOURNMENT Moved by: Councillor MacLeod Seconded by: Councillor Maguire THAT this regular meeting of the Economic Development and Long -Range Planning Committee be adjourned. Motion Carried CCSUNCILLOR LSON, CHAIRPERSON S.M. HATCHER, P. ENG., CAO