Small Business Advisory Council plans move forward

After a couple of false starts and a workshop to clear up some outstanding issues on composition, Councillor Blair Mirau finally had the chance to introduce the Terms of Reference for the Small Business Advisory Committee he had been championing since the fall of 2015.

At Monday's Council session, Mr. Mirau outlined the frame of reference for the project with a purpose statement:

That the committee provide City Council with research and recommendations on policies that integrate business development into municipal planning, while balancing social and environmental impacts and promoting sustainable and smart growth.

Membership for the Committee will consist of City Council members, as well as other participants to be appointed by the Mayor and Council utilizing the same process as for other community boards.

The goal of the Committee is to deliver a number of initiatives, which include the following:

Development of a new business welcome and information package

Creation of a Mayor and Council "business walk" program

Create options regarding downtown renewal such as a business improvement area

Introduction or reduction of policies to simplify business operations with the municipality such as lifetime business licensing fees, extending business façade improvement program or other similar programs 


Council voted to accept the motion with no discussion, which now moves the project forward.

The full terms of reference for the Committee can be reviewed below (click to expand):

The introduction of the Terms of Reference can be viewed from the City's Video Archive starting at the one hour seven minute mark.



For more items related to Monday's Council session see our Council Timeline archive here.

Further background on City Council issues can be found on our Council Discussion page.