Minutes - District of Sooke
Committee Members Present:
Chair: Councillor Maja Tait
DISTRICT OF SOOKE
SOOKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
Meeting held July 18, 2012 at 7:00 pm
Council Chambers
2205 Otter Point Road
Group Members:
• Marlaina Elliott, Alternate, Sooke Region
Cultural Alliance (SRCA)
• Johanne Thompson, Alternate, Sooke Region
Volunteer Centre Committee (SRVCC)
• Debbie Clarkston, SRCA
• Jonathan Heerema, Sooke Region Tourism
Association (SRTA)
• Frederique Philip, Sooke Region Chamber of
Commerce (SRCOC)
Public Members:
• Brenda Parkinson
• Jeff Bateman
• Patrick Grove
Staff: Tina Hansen, Corporate Assistant (Recorder)
Gerard LeBlanc, Municipal Planner
Kari Osselton, Manager, Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce (SRCOC)
Absent: Nicky Logins, Sooke Region CHI/Sooke Region Volunteer Centre Committee (SRVCC)
Jeremy Wilson, SRTA, Alternate
Ed Stipp
ACTION
1. Call to Order
The meeting began at 7:02 p.m.
Chair Tait introduced newly appointed members Jeff Bateman and Patrick
Grove to the Commission.
2. Approval of Agenda
The agenda was approved as circulated with the addition of the following
supplemental information:
• Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce
o Administrative Support Job Description
o Executive Director Job Description
o Relocation Package Information
• Sooke Region Tourism Association Agreement (SRTA) – Schedule
A
3. Adoption of Minutes
The minutes of June 20, 2012 were adopted as amended on page 4.
4. Guest Speaker – Representative from Mariner’s Village
Chair Tait introduced Dean Steffins, representative from Mariner’s Village
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District of Sooke
July 18, 2012 Sooke Economic Development Commission
to the Commission and members of the public.
Dean Steffins, introduced Graeme Harder, Chief Financial Officer and
Kristin Tangen, Project Manager for Mariner’s Village. Mr. Steffins
provided a powerpoint presentation for the Commission on Phase 2
(Merchant’s Landing) of the Mariner’s Village development. The
presentation overviewed the following information:
• Mariner’s Village Master Plan
• Location of Mariner’s Village in the New Town Centre
• Successes and Challenges of Phase 1 – Navigator’s Point
• Phase 2 Mandate: Mariners Village aims to work more closely with
the city and community to meet common goals
• Phase 2 General Specifications
o 95,500 square feet gross building area
o Residential/commercial
o Five stories (four at Sooke Rd)
o residential units on upper floors
• Residential/Commercial Offerings
• Sooke Community Benefits
o Increased commercial space for local commerce
o Increased amenities for local residents and tourists
o Accessible landscape and greenspace
o Increased space for local professional
o Proposed pharmacy, bank, café and daycare
• Future of Mariner’s Village and its place in the Sooke OCP
• Mariner’s Village aspires to become an integral part and foundation
of the town center and community of Sooke
Graeme Harder advised that DCC’s from the development will increase the
District’s tax base substantially. By getting development going, it will help
promote other developers.
A discussion took place between the Commission and Mr. Steffins and Mr.
Harder as to the following comments and inquires:
• Whether there would be conference facilities
• Water features – rainwater collection systems – building green
• Commercial space is an important component for Sooke
• Mariner’s timeline for Phase 2 – break ground in October;
completion in approximately 22 months
• Cost effective meeting space for non-profits groups
• Incorporating an Ocean Discovery Centre or something for children
• Concerns over limited parking
• “Car-share” concept for people who live and work at Mariner’s
• Community owned parking areas – ensuring parking plan
• Incorporating the Library
• Incorporating a facility for seniors and youth
• Using local artisans for public art
• Encouraging alternative methods of transportation
• EDC working together with Mariner’s and other developers to
promote developments in Sooke – increasing communications
• Customs office and Marina – planned for phase 2B
District of Sooke
July 18, 2012 Sooke Economic Development Commission
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• Retail stores – encouraging a local presence
• Informing the community and promoting that Mariner’s is serious
about staying and becoming part of the community
Mr. Steffins reported that Mariner’s wants to work with the District in
moving forward with the project and stated that Mariner’s is on the leading
edge of the vision in the District’s Official Community Plan.
Chair Tait thanked the representatives from Mariner’s Village for their
presentation.
5. Quarterly Report to Council
Chair Tait reviewed the Sooke Economic Development Commission
Quarterly Report – July 2012.
The Commission agreed by general consensus to make the following
amendments to page 1 of the report:
• Sooke Region Tourism Association: “to represent the tourism
opportunities of the Sooke region”
• Sooke Region Cultural Alliance: “to represent the diverse art,
heritage, and cultural organizations”
• Sooke Region Community Health Initiative: “to represent the many
non-profit and community groups in the Sooke region”
MOVED and seconded to accept the proposed Sooke Economic
Development Commission Quarterly Report – July 2012 as amended and
to forward the report to Council.
CARRIED
6. Sooke Starlight Cinema 2012
Chair Tait, provided background on the Sooke Starlight Cinema at Ed
Macgregor Park advising that the Commission needs to consider whether
this is an initiative it would like to support.
The Commission inquired as to who was responsible for setting up the
projector and screen. Chair Tait advised that a member of staff set up the
equipment on a volunteer basis.
A discussion ensued between members of the Commission as to the
following:
• Turnout numbers for previous movies in the park – approximately
200 per movie night
• Consider funding two shows
• Creates activity in the park – detours vandalism and mischief
activities
• May be affected by poor weather
• Something positive for youth
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District of Sooke
July 18, 2012 Sooke Economic Development Commission
• Other community groups benefit through fundraising selling
popcorn & snacks
• Approximately $20,000 left in SEDC budget
Gerard LeBlanc reported that the films brought out a number of families
last year providing them with an activity to do. The films are orientated for
children. It is a good opportunity to give something to the community.
MOVED and seconded to provide $1,200 in funding to the Sooke Starlight
Cinema for two movies for the month of August provided that sponsorship
recognition of the EDC is included.
AND FURTHER THAT a report be submitted on the measurable and
deliverables.
CARRIED
7. Sooke EDC Structure Review – Fee for Service Agreements
Excerpt from Official Community Plan
The Commission received section 4.4 of the Official Community Plan for
information.
The Commission reviewed the Fee for Service Agreement Schedule “A”
for the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce and the Sooke Region
Tourism Association which indicates the services the groups provide to the
District of Sooke.
Chair Tait advised of an email she received from the Mayor requesting the
Agreement and work plans for the Chamber of Commerce and Sooke
Region Tourism Association be provided to Council as Council has
concerns as to their funding requests and will not be releasing funds until
Council has reviewed the issue.
Jonathan Heerema, Sooke Region Tourism Association stated that these
organizations depend on the funding and feels that the decision is
negligent. Mr. Heerema stated his concerns as to eliminating funding to
groups who work at bringing people to the community to spend money
stating that there is no economic value to that but there is in purchasing a
$20,000 web cam. This goes against the purpose of what they are trying
to do. Mr. Heerema reported that SRTA receives funds from the province
which they are not able to spend until they receive the funding from the
District.
A discussion ensued between members of the Commission as to the
following:
• EDC and membership groups to provide an Economic
Development service
• Sooke Region Cultural Alliance has submitted their business plan
and has completed some of the actions on the plan – some are
ongoing
• Using the same Schedule A format for all the groups
• Commission did not receive reporting from Finance Committee on
what type of funding the EDC has
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District of Sooke
July 18, 2012 Sooke Economic Development Commission
• Requesting Finance Chair to present to Commission on funding
• Concerns that funding was provided to groups at previous EDC
meeting without knowing what budget was
• Council contingency has increased from $30,000 in 2011 to $152,
964 in 2012
MOVED and seconded that the Commission invite the Finance and
Administration Committee Chair to the next EDC Meeting in September to
give a presentation to the Commission on the Finances for the Sooke EDC
on economic development and related funding.
CARRIED
The Committee discussed the deliverables and measurable for Sooke
Region Chamber of Commerce and Sooke Region Tourism Association.
The groups will provide this information in DRAFT form to staff to be
forwarded to Council.
A discussion ensued as to the Commission’s focus for the Fees for Service
Agreements; providing examples of successful deliverable and
measurable and request that Council honor their 2012 agreements.
MOVED and seconded to recommend that council approve the Fee for
Service Agreements with the Schedule A and all applicable attachments
from the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce and Sooke Region
Tourism Association;
AND THAT COUNCIL honour the commitments for 2012 as per the
approved 2012 Five Year Financial Plan.
CARRIED
The Commission will review and discuss the Work Plan Budget at a further
EDC meeting.
8. Member Group Reports:
• Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce
o Submitted written report for June 2012
• Sooke Region Tourism Association
o Nothing to report until funds are received.
• Sooke Region Cultural Alliance
o Working on calendar
Sooke Region Community Health Initiative
o CHI Volunteer Centre has been busy
o Working on proposal for grant for seniors project
o CHI and CASA merge
STAFF
STAFF
TO COUNCIL
9. Correspondence for Information
a. Sooke Fine Arts Society
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District of Sooke
July 18, 2012 Sooke Economic Development Commission
The Commission received the letter from Sooke Fine Arts Society.
10. “Word from the Street”
The Commission discussed the District of Sooke webcasting noting that
the issue was never debated in the Council Chambers. A discussion
ensued as to the cost of the webcasting; being transparent.
Chair Tait offered written materials to the Commission for reference on
Wireless Antenna Cell Towers and the Tourism Vancouver Island Vacation
Guide.
Chair Tait reported on the 9 th Annual Communities in Bloom Awards and
Conference in Kelowna September 21 st to 23 rd . The Commission
members will research Communities in Bloom and will discuss sending a
representative to the Communities in Bloom Conference at the next
scheduled meeting.
11. Public Input
There was no input from members of the public.
12. Schedule Next Meeting: August 15, 2012
13. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.
Certified by:
_________________________ ____________________________
Councillor Maja Tait Bonnie Sprinkling
Chair Corporate Officer
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District of Sooke
July 18, 2012 Sooke Economic Development Commission
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