EDC puts its cards on the table

Sault Ste. Marie Economic Development Corp. entered a new era of transparency yesterday, committing to open meetings and delineating specific cases in which closed meetings are warranted.

Members of  the public will now be allowed to observe the open portion of board meetings, but are asked to give 72 hours advance notice of their attendance.

Yesterday, EDC directors held a 26-minute open meeting.

"I hope this one's a little longer than the last one," said Don Mitchell, president of the 13-member board.

He was referring to the EDC's meeting on March 7, at which the public portion of the meeting lasted five minutes and eight seconds, including one minute and 55 seconds of introductions around the boardroom table.

The following is the full text of the new open-meeting policy, unanimously approved yesterday by EDC directors:

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Whereas in its efforts to facilitate the conduct of the board's business in an open and transparent manner, generating trust, openness and accountability, and

Whereas the corporation has developed a board policy regarding the board of directors meetings, inviting the public, including members of the media to observe the open portion of the board of directors meetings; therefore

Be it resolved to accept and approve the Board of Directors Meeting Policy as presented.

Open Session

The public, including members of the media, are welcome to observe the open portion of SSMEDC board of directors meetings to:

• facilitate the conduct of the board's business in an open and transparent manner
• ensure the corporation maintains a close relationship with the public, news media and stakeholders groups, and
• generates trust, openness and accountability

Policy

Subject to limitations of space, members of the public, including the news media, are invited to attend SSMEDC board meetings, except during closed sessions.

Notice of Meeting

A schedule of the date, location and time of the board's regular meetings will be posted on the corporation's website www.sault-canada.com.

Changes in the schedule will also be posted on the website.

Attendance

To ensure adequate space is available, individuals wishing to attend are kindly asked to give at least 72 hours' notice to the chief executive officer's office. The board may limit the number of attendees if space is insufficient.

Conduct During the Meeting

Except with permission of the chair, public attendees, including the news media, are not permitted to address the board during the meeting.

The chair may require anyone who displays disruptive conduct to leave.

Agenda and Board Materials

Agendas for the open portion of the meeting will be distributed at the meeting and may be obtained from the chief executive officer prior to the meeting.

Supporting documents that contain private information relating to clients, human resource matters and other confidential affairs will be distributed only to the board.

Closed Session

The board will move to a closed meeting that is not open to the public where it determines it is in the best interest of the corporation and its duty to protect confidential information related to clients, personnel matters and third parties.

Any director may request a matter be dealt with in closed session, in which case a vote will be taken and if a majority of the board so decides, the matter shall be dealt with in closed session.

The following matters will be dealt with in closed session:

• financial, personnel, contractual or other matters which could be adversely affected by premature public disclosure
• discussions and dealings with other entities or persons where the information being deliberated is subject to confidentiality and/or disclosure may compromise the relationship of the corporation with these parties or its relationship with these stakeholders
• labour relations or human resources issues
• matters related to civil or criminal law proceedings, and
• and matter pursuant to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

Delegations and Presentation

Members of the public may not address the board or ask questions of the board without permission of the chair.

Individuals who wish to raise questions and matters with the board are asked to contact the CEO's office in advance of the meeting.

Strategic plan

This policy supports the following areas of the corporation's strategic plan:

• community economic development leader and high performance and best practices
• communications
• governance, reporting and accountability and communications

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Much of the remainder of the meeting consisted of a report from CEO Tom Dodds.

The following are some of the highlights from his report:

• the EDC and Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre will make accountability presentations to City Council on Monday May 16. The two groups are working together to prepare their presentations
• on Tuesday May 16 the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO) will conduct a seminar on economic development for elected officials and the community. 4 p.m. at Millworks, 83 Huron Street
• Robert J. Deluce, president and CEO of Porter Airlines, will be in Sault on Wednesday, May 18. Deluce will accept an award at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre at 3:30 p.m. and will tour the Sault Ste. Marie Airport and J.D. Aero
• at 6:30 p.m. on May 18, an announcement will be made at the Machine Shop at the former St. Mary's Paper site at 83 Huron Street
• EDCO will kick off its Spring Symposium at the Delta Hotel at noon on May 18. The Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters are expected to announce a memorandum of understanding with EDCO
• A Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters event will take place at 1 p.m. on May 18 at the Delta Hotel
• official opening of Millworks business incubator is planned for 10:30 a.m. on Friday, May 20 at Mill Square
• terms of reference are currently being prepared for a cost-savings health-care initiative involving Sault Area Hospital and counterparts in the Michigan Sault
• a manufacturing consortium is also being developed with the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce
• the EDC is currently implementing a customer relationship management (CRM) system
• 40 local companies will be visited this year as part of the EDC's business retention and expansion program
• consulate visits in Detroit and Chicago are planned for this month
• the EDC is continuing with executive lead recruitment for its lottery and gaming initiative
• a capital plan for the upcoming season at Searchmont is being developed by the EDC's Searchmont Committee