Alvena Cain, Craig Walkington, Anne Perry, Bryan Darrell, Owida Downey, Arthur Carter, Kristian Curran, and Delaine Clyne

Shazza Laframboise and Clark Cromwell 
   

Call to Order - The meeting was called to order at 6:03pm. 

Review of Notes from Previous Meetings –

Meeting Between Ted Tam, Dan O’Halloran and Craig Walkington on 4 August 2005: 
(Note:  This section is largely a repetition of the discussion points on these subject matters from the meeting on 6 September 2005).

1. Exterior Materials on Wastewater Treatment Plant (WTP) – Craig said that he was asked to confirm the colour and type of materials for the exterior of the plant that were selected by the CLC earlier in the summer.  
    
2. Trail Along Barrington Street – Craig said that he raised the issue of the HHS project supporting the trail along Barrington Street.  Ted said that the HHS project fully supports the concept, but has no additional funding within the project envelope to actually build the trail that would be adjacent to the WTP.  It was stressed that the trail issue must be advanced before any landscaping and the WTP fence are installed.  It was suggested that we make a submission through the Parks and Recreation Department as part of the upcoming budget process.  It was noted that there could be funding under the “Active Transportation” Plan.  It was further suggested that we arrange a meeting with Peter Bigelow of the Parks and Recreation Department to advance this issue.   Kristian said that he would determine the status of the trail committee that was recently established and what work it has completed.  Kristian said he would also follow-up with Paul Euloth. 
    
3. Indication of Legal Viability of the Community Development Corporation (CDC) – As per an earlier request by Anne Perry, Craig raised this issue to determine if HRM would support the concept of a CDC from a legal and technical perspective (i.e. Is it permissible under the various Provincial Acts and HRM Bylaws?).  This information was requested so that the CLC does not waste time and effort in pursuing the CDC concept only to learn that it is not legally possible. Craig was advised that a submission should be made to Council via HRM Staff.  The submission should detail what the CDC is and give specifics of the various projects/activities that the CDC will carry out.  Craig was also advised that the CLC should avoid any duplication of services/projects that Council may perceive as falling under the jurisdiction of other levels of government.  It was also suggested that if we wanted funding for a study by Professor Divine, then a formal submission must be made to Council via HRM Staff.

Mission Statement – The CLC reviewed the draft Mission Statement that was updated at the meeting of 2 August 2005.  Craig also circulated the input from Sharon Martin and Frank Palermo.  It was decided to modify and adopt the input from Frank Palermo.   
 

Motion:  To adopt the following as the Halifax CLC’s Mission Statement:

“The Halifax Community Liaison Committee is a group of volunteers from Central Halifax dedicated to informing, working with and advancing the interests of the community in the development and operation of the Wastewater Treatment Plant through the establishment of a Community Development Corporation with the Community Integration Fund.”
 

Moved by Bryan; seconded by Arthur. Carried.

Microfinance – Craig said that he and Anne had a meeting with Maureen Strickland on the concept of microfinance (also known as microcredit).  In essence, microfinance is the loaning of small sums of money to people who are usually impoverished and the small loan allows them to establish a small business.  It is a concept that is widely used in the third world.  It was introduced to the CLC as a possible process that could be used within the Community Development Corporation (CDC) (subject to approval by HRM Council).   The attraction of this process is that it encourages a bottom-up approach on projects and any projects should have a greater chance at success, as those people involved will become stakeholders.  There is an international microcredit conference being hosted in Nova Scotia in November 2006.  Anne said she would get more details on the conference from Maureen MacDonald.  Bryan stated that he is familiar with the microfinance concept as he used to sit on the Board of Directors for the Shambhala Peer Lending Group, one of the peer lending groups under the umbrella of Calmeadows. He said that it worked extremely well.  Bryan said that he would ask Paul Susnis who worked with the lending group to come and speak to the CLC.  In addition, Kristian said that he would ask his wife, Leanne Hachey, who is the Director of Provincial Affairs for the Canadian Federation of Independent Business about the microfinance concept and ask her to attend the meeting at which Paul Susnis will be speaking.  In general, although this concept is subject to approval from HRM Council and much work needs to be done to investigate its viability for the CDC, the CLC was very enthusiastic about the concept and wish to pursue it further. 

Background Paper Review – Craig circulated the report that Delaine had prepared.  It was noted that Section 4 (Future Direction - Objectives and Milestones) needs to be expanded.  Craig asked the members to review the report in detail with the view to finalizing it in the near future.

Next Meeting Date – The next meeting will be at 6:00 pm, Tuesday, October 4, 2005 at the George Dixon Centre.