Council changes economic development committee

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
Claresholm town council has updated the bylaw governing the town’s economic development committee, but not before a discussion and failed amendment on whether to allow the Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce and Municipal District of Willow Creek to designate their own representatives.
At its Dec. 11 meeting, council moved second reading of the updated bylaw which had changes that stated the committee shall:
• Consist of 10 voting members appointed by council;
• A maximum of three members of the committee may be from outside the municipal boundaries of the town;
• Appointments shall be for four years.
At that point, during discussion of second reading, Coun. Donna Courage said she would like to see eight members appointed by council, with one member each designated by the chamber of commerce and M.D.
Mayor Doug MacPherson said allowing the chamber and M.D. to designate their members takes power away from town council to determine the membership of its own committee.
Courage responded these representatives are the chamber and M.D.’s.
MacPherson said if the chamber and M.D. designate their representatives, they cannot be removed by council, even if their performance is poor.
Courage replied she could not believe the M.D. or chamber would send someone who did not want the Town of Claresholm to move forward.
“Both of those groups should be able to designate their own people,” she said.
She later added the chamber’s current representative has been asked to step down too.
MacPherson said that was because the chamber’s representative did not meet the requirements of the bylaw. In this case, it is because the representative is from outside the municipal boundaries, and the committee already had a maximum of three members from out side municipal boundaries.
Courage repeated she could not believe these organizations would not send their best, adding the chamber sent a highly qualified representative.
Coun. Lise Schulze then asked for clarity, because she wanted to understand what was being proposed.
Courage said she likens the EDC to other committees, where they have a town council representative but don’t tell the town who to send. The town appoints their representative.
When it came time to vote on second reading, everyone voted in favour except Courage who was opposed. She also had requested a recorded vote.
She then moved an amendment before third reading that the EDC will have 10 voting members with eight appointed by council and one each appointed by the Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce and Municipal District of Willow Creek.
That amendment was defeated with Courage voting in favour and everyone else voting against it.
“It’s sad you don’t have confidence in your chamber or your M.D.,” Courage said.
Council then approved third and final reading with Courage opposed and everyone else voting in favour.
The economic development committee promotes residential, commercial and industrial development in the Town of Claresholm.