Loading...
2021-10-12 Growth Committee Agenda Packet - Open Session Growth Committee Meeting Open Session September 14, 2021 MINUTES - OPEN SESSION GROWTH COMMITTEE MEETING SEPTEMBER 14, 2021 AT 12:00 P.M. nd 2 FLOOR COMMON COUNCIL CHAMBER, CITY HALL Present: Mayor Donna Noade Reardon Deputy Mayor John MacKenzie Councillor Joanna Killen Councillor Brent Harris Councillor Gerry Lowe Also Present: City Manager J. Collin Commissioner Growth and Community Services J. Hamilton Director Growth and Community Planning P. Ouellette Director Permitting and Development A. Poffenroth Growth Manager D. Dobbelsteyn Manager Special Project N. Moar Communications Manager L. Caissie Councillor P. Radwan Communications Officer N. Logan City Clerk J. Taylor Administrative Officer R. Evans Administrative Assistant K. Tibbits 1. Meeting Called to Order Councillor Killen called the Growth Committee open session meeting to order. Moved by Deputy Mayor MacKenzie, seconded by Mayor Reardon: RESOLVED that Item 1.9 Development Update (verbal) be moved forward on the agenda, following Item 1.4. MOTION CARRIED. 1.1 Approval of Minutes August 17, 2021 Moved by Mayor Reardon, seconded by Councillor Harris: RESOLVED that the minutes of August 17, 2021, be approved. MOTION CARRIED. 1.2 Selection of Vice-Chair of Growth Committee Moved by Deputy Mayor MacKenzie, seconded by Mayor Reardon: RESOLVED that Councillor Brent Harris be appointed Vice-Chair of the Growth Committee. MOTION CARRIED. Growth Committee Meeting Open Session September 14, 2021 1.3 Growing in Saint John Series Mohamed Aloon and Jeff Murray The Growing in Saint John series shares success stories in the city and provides an opportunity to profile local businesses, leaders, newcomers, investors, and entrepreneurs. Mr. Cutler introduced Mr. Jeff Murray, owner of Saint John Spring Works, and Mr. Mohamed Aloon, heavy truck mechanic. Mr. Aloon discussed immigrating to Saint John from Syria and the challenges and opportunities he faced as a new immigrant. Mr. Murray discussed the benefits of providing an opportunity for a new immigrant to work, live and raise a family in Saint John. Moved by Mayor Reardon, seconded by Councillor Lowe: RESOLVED that the Growing in Saint John Series Mohamed Aloon and Jeff Murray, be received for information. MOTION CARRIED. 1.4 Saint John Affordable Housing Plan (Verbal Update) provided an update on the Affordable Housing Action Plan project. This is a collaborative project between community affordable housing partners, CMHC, Government of NB and the City of Saint John. The goal of the action plan is to identify actions needed to maintain and create safe, suitable, and affordable housing for all residents. A Request for Proposals has been issued for a consultant to prepare a housing needs assessment and to provide support in the development and implementation of the action plan. The RFP will close October 1 with selection expected by mid-October. The next milestone will be stakeholder engagement in late November. Moved by Councillor Harris, seconded by Mayor Reardon: RESOLVED that the Saint John Affordable Housing Plan verbal update be received for information. MOTION CARRIED. 1.9 Development Update (Verbal) Ms. Poffenroth stated that One-Stop Development continues to support a strong development season, with particularly strong development in the residential sector. An infographic will be provided on a quarterly basis to highlight major development and key milestones. Moved by Mayor Reardon, seconded by Councillor Harris: RESOLVED that the Development verbal update, be received for information. MOTION CARRIED. 1.5 I Chose To Marketing Campaign Ms. Hamilton stated that is a key deliverable to support the . This initiative is in collaboration with federal, provincial and community partners. It is also a joint initiative between Team. Moved by Councillor Harris, seconded by Mayor Reardon: MOTION CARRIED. (Councillor Killen withdrew from the meeting; Councillor Harris assumed the Chair) Growth Committee Meeting Open Session September 14, 2021 1.6 Saint John City Market Strategic Plan - Launch Mr. Ouellette stated that the last strategic plan for the City Market was completed over 15 years ago and the development of a new strategic plan was identified as a key priority in the 2021 workplan. There will be many opportunities for feedback, public engagement, and analysis. The strategic plan will be a 10-year plan and will maximize the value that the market delivers for the community. and discussed key deliverables, guiding principles, governance, timelines, key roles, and responsibilities. Moved by Councillor Lowe, seconded by Deputy Mayor MacKenzie: RESOLVED that the Growth Committee endorse the project plan for the City Market Strategic Plan; and recommends that Common Council create and populate the City Market Strategic Plan Steering Committee and adopt its terms of reference. MOTION CARRIED. (Councillor Killen re-entered the meeting and assumed the Chair) 1.7 Immigration Strategy Update Mr. V. Boin and discussed strategy and next steps. A proponent for the RFP for consulting services is currently being selected. The consultant will lead stakeholder engagement sessions and combined with data from the Succeed and Stay study, develop an Immigration Strategy to attract and retain newcomers to the City. Moved by Councillor Harris, seconded by Deputy Mayor MacKenzie: RESOLVED that the Immigration Strategy update be received for information. MOTION CARRIED. 1.8 Ethnocultural Small Grant Pilot Program Mr. Dobbelsteyn stated that the Ethnocultural Small Grant Pilot program initiative was derived from the Succeed and Stay program. This pilot program is intended to help with retention. ul $20K in funding from the Succeed and Stay program was received to support the development of ethnocultural groups in Saint John and the implementation of a grant program to support the establishment of, or further development of, existing ethnocultural groups. Moved by Deputy Mayor MacKenzie, seconded by Mayor Reardon: RESOLVED that the Growth Committee approves the Ethnocultural Small Grant Pilot Program in principle with a budget of up to $20,000 from the Succeed and Stay program, and that staff be directed to bring a policy statement and concept to Council for approval. MOTION CARRIED. Adjournment Moved by Councillor Harris, seconded by Deputy Mayor MacKenzie: RESOLVED that the open session meeting of the Growth Committee be adjourned. MOTION CARRIED. Growth Committee Meeting Open Session September 14, 2021 The open session meeting of the Growth Committee held on September 14, 2021, was adjourned at 1:20 p.m. Guiding Principles Predictability and Clarity Facilitated and Streamlined Customer and Community Focused One Stop Development Shop Innovation and Continuous Improvement Communications – scale active projects - 7 large – lead initiatives to facilitate customer experience - Continuous Improvement Response to stakeholder feedback/engagement Pilot program Staffimprovements20% increase in client satisfaction post project –––– Proactive Solutions Approach to Problem Solving InitiativeInfrastructure Development Improvement projectCustomer Experience Series Plan ••• July 2019November 2019 10 8 6 4 2 0 Developer Survey Results service experience? development project(s). 5. I feel I get phone calls returned promptly. 4. I feel meetings with City staff are effective. 8. I feel I get timely responses to my questions. proactively problem solve and offer solutions. solve problems and maximize opportunities. 3. I feel that staff have the skills, training & abilities to 2. I feel staff offer innovative and creative approaches to 6. I feel staff is responsive to my questions and concerns. 1. I feel staff are empowered to take a risk with offering 9. Overall, how would you rate the quality of your customer solutions to help me move my development project forward. 7. I feel well informed about the status of applications for my Survey Questions in - law to reflect new Legislation - Upcoming Initiatives Completion of Robust Development ManualEngagement with stakeholders to checkPhase 2 of PSAPS projectVarious internal process improvements to improve turnaround times, client services and the client experienceNew Building By ••••• - Act Local Governance Building Code Administration Act to the Role of Building Inspector National Building Code of Canada 8 Assistant Building Inspectors –– Building Inspector is appointed under the pursuant Exercises authority under the Act to ensure safety of all construction, renovation, demolition projects meet Codes and bylawsAuthority Having JurisdictionDeputy Building Inspector has authority in Building Inspector’s absence ••••