Only two of the city’s proposed new committees were adopted by council at the Jan. 12 meeting.
The city’s two new approved committees will be the standing Food Security and Climate Change Committee and the Seniors Advisory Committee.
The Food Security and Climate Change Committee will consist of four mayor-appointed members of the community, one member appointed by the executive of the Alberni Valley Transition Town Society, one member appointed by the executive of the Alberni Environmental Coalition and one council member.
The Seniors Advisory Committee will consist of four mayor-appointed community members, one member appointed by the executive of the Sunshine Club and one council member.
Terms of reference for the city’s Youth Committee and McLean Mill Advisory Committee are postponed pending a review of the membership criteria and authority of the two committees.
While Mayor Mike Ruttan had originally intended for the Youth Advisory Committee age range to extend up to 28, Coun. Denis Sauve said that he would prefer to see the upper age limit set at 18.
According to Coun. Sharie Minions, what the committee lacks is more youth representation.
“I was expecting to see more youth on the committee. I know we have one student from VAST and one student from the high school but I feel like it’s just going to be a committee of adults trying to plan more events for youth and not necessarily getting the voice of the youth that we should be getting.”
The McLean Mill Advisory Committee also got a major shake up courtesy of Coun. Jack McLeman.
McLeman’s proposed changes would have the committees mandate include reviewing the McLean Mill operations and structure, providing oversight for the city’s investment in the mill and training, assess the effectiveness of the agreements signed by the city and the Industrial Heritage Society, find ways to improve income of tourism and find new auxiliary cash streams.
His changes to membership included six rather than four mayor-appointed community members, a representatives from Island Timberlands and at least one other forestry company, the Community Forest Corporation, the IHS, the Young Professionals as well as one city councillor, the mill manager, the AV Museum manager, with the city’s economic development manager and other staff members to assist. The committee would provide recommendations for council to act upon.
City clerk Davina Hartwell suggested that staff would change the terms of reference as suggested by McLeman and bring it back for the next council meeting after council has a chance to review the new terms.
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