Town Council

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Saugeen Shores will soon have a new committee that will begin working on a waterfront master plan.

At its Monday night meeting, Town Council approved the recommendation to go forward with the ad hoc committee and its new mandate.. 

The committee is to consist of seven members made up of two councilors and five council appointed volunteers, one of which may be from the Parks and Trails Committee.

"I'm excited to see this," said Councilor Diane Huber, "but am concerned that the mandate does not go far enough.  It sounds as though this group will talk about the waterfront plan and then hire someone [consultant].  We have so much talent here in Saugeen Shores and this mandate does not give the committee the opportunity to actually sculpt a plan."

"I don't see the full scope of this committee," Councilor Thead Seaman added.  "It should not just focus on Port Elgin and Southampton but should include the whole waterfront."

Councilor Taun Frosst agreed with Huber.  "We talked before about limiting consultants and [I agree] we should be using local input."

While Vice Deputy Mayor, Doug Gowanlock, said that he liked mandates with a goal and commitments, he added that had hoped the ad hoc committee would be able to do more than "...just hire a consultant ... there is also the river that is part of the waterfront and we are selling ourselves short by not giving the committee the latitude to look at the entire waterfront ... I hope people come forward with ideas."

New Councilor Marcel Legault reminded Council that there had been a previous Waterfront Master Plan and wanted to know if the new committee would be looking at that plan.

"That could be a starting point," agreed Mayor Mike Smith.  "In any event, the committee will have to come back to council and, while I think we have expertise in the community, at some point we may need some outside help."

He also pointed out that there may be some regulatory restraints under the province and others that will have to be identified and that may affect what is feasible to do.

Seaman also said that there may be a lot of people who will come forward with " ... a hidden agenda and we don't want someone there with an axe to grind."

"This is an excellent opportunity to engage the public for ideas," added Huber, "but I would like to see more people become involved and, possibly, to create a 'think-tank' that would be larger than just seven members."

"Well, I am all for community input and access," said Gowanlock, "but the committee has to be manageable.  I recommend a maximum of three public meetings."

To be included in the Committee's mandate will be:

• Development of a waterfront resource in order to create a high quality multipurpose attraction serving residents and visitors

• Improve the level of visitor services and operations within the waterfront area

• Improve the pedestrian and vehicle access and circulation systems

• Promote and inform visitors of the waterfront attraction.

• Seek qualifying applicants to bid on such a Plan.

• Develop selection criteria for an interview process

• Interview short listed candidates

• Provide recommendation to Council on preferred candidate

• Work with the selected candidate to ensure appropriate material is readily accessibility and assist with public consultation when required

Council approved the new ad hoc committee and mandate and the town will be advertising for interested parties to put their names forward.

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Tuesday, January 25, 2011