Craig Walkington, Anne Perry, Maureen Strickland, Arthur

Carter, Alvina Cain, Owida Downey, Clarke Cromwell, Fred Connors, Mia Rankin

Ross Cantwell, Sharon Laframboise, Larry Tench, Sharon Martin

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 6:08pm

Review of Notes from March 10th Meeting

Motion by Alvina to accept the notes, seconded by Clarke. Motion Carried.

Next Steps -Exterior Design Information

Craig briefed the meeting that he had received George Rogers suggestions on the next steps and had sent an e-mail to Bill Corbyn at HREP outlining our desired next steps. A copy of that e-mail is attached. On the same day as the meeting, Craig received a call from Bill Corbyn acknowledging the e-mail and that he would contact Craig shortly to establish the process. During the e-mail he emphasized that HREP was committed to working with the community on the exterior design.

Craig also briefed that he had been in e-mail contact with Frank Palermo and that he was willing to meet with us to discuss urban landscaping issues.

In order to clearly articulate our ideas and vision to the HREP architect and designers, it was suggested we needed to first meet with George Rogers and Frank Palermo. This would help us solidify what we were looking for in our requests to the HREP architects/designers. Craig said that he would set up the meeting for the next CLC meeting on 8 April 2003.

It was also suggested that we need to explore available means to get input from the public once we do receive design proposals from the HREP architects/designers.

Discussion on the CIF Strategic Plan - Next Steps (HRDC, Capital District, HRM-HSP)

Mia reported on the meeting that took place between Wanda Seward of HRDC and members of the CIF Sub-Committee on Wednesday, 19 March 2003.

Mia indicated that there were two options through HRDC to get personnel assistance for the study. The options are:

a. Job Creation Partnership - We simply submit an application and a detailed job description. The successful candidate must be unemployed; and

b. Labour Market Plan - This is a more complicated means to get assistance and requires the submission of a detailed plan.

Mia indicated that HRDC expressed their concerns that the CLC study and initiative may overlap with other programs that have underway, for example, the Inner City Initiative. Mia stated that HRDC would consider our proposal and report back to us. At the time of the meeting, HRDC had not spoken to Mia.

At this point in the meeting, general discussion focussed on the complexity of our proposal and possible overlaps with HRDC and the HRM Capital District Plan. Craig indicated that Holly Richardson had outlined her department's concerns that our plan was to broad in its approach and that it was unclear as to what we were trying to achieve. Holly is also concerned that our broad approach may result in Council not approving our proposal if there is no direct link between the proposal and mitigating the hosting of the STP. Holly indicated that she would like to have an informal meeting with the CIF Sub-Committee to discuss the Capital District Plan and other initiatives within her department and the CLC initiative. Holly has also offered her assistance in refining and narrowing the focus of the CIF plan. Craig will set-up a meeting with Holly Richardson and advise the CIF Sub-Committee.

Maureen requested that she also serve on the CIF Sub-Committee.

Meeting with area MLA

The meeting on advocacy that had been planned to take place between Maureen MacDonald (area MLA) and Anne, Maureen and Sharon L. on March 24, 2003 did not occur. Anne indicated that she had spoken with Maureen MacDonald and Maureen felt that it was premature to meet as the strategic plan for spending the CIF had not yet been developed. She indicated her willingness to meet with the group at a later date.

Public Meeting

Craig raised that HRM will be hosting a public meeting at 6:00pm on March 31 st at George Dixon. Sharon martin is the Team Leader on an action-oriented committee comprising of HRM Staff who represent different Departments. The staff on this committee are decision makers and they have been mandated to take action. This meeting will be an opportunity for the public to identify the issues that it would like HRM to act on.

Next Meeting Date - Whole Committee

Tuesday, April 8, 2003 at 6:00pm at George Dixon

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 7:00pm.