Centre Wellington will not seek recognition as intelligent community; issue deferred

Economic Development Officer Pat Rutter is recommending Centre Wellington not pursue recognition as an Intelligent Community.

Instead, council is deferring the matter pending the outcome of its strategic planning discussions.

In her report, Rutter noted that during the 2015 budget deliberations, council passed the following recommendation:

“That the Council of the Township of Centre Wellington directs the Economic Development Advisory Committee to investigate and report to Council on the merits of Centre Wellington pursuing recognition as an Intelligent Community.”

However, at the March meeting of the township’s Economic Development Committee it was recommended the township not proceed with the Intelligent Community program.

The program shares best practices of communities around the world who have adapted successfully to the demands of the broadband economy, and created sustainable growth and supports efforts to improve its competitive advantage through technology, collaboration, innovation and leadership through:

– Broadband connectivity;

– Knowledge workforce;

– Digital inclusion;

– Innovation; and

– Marketing and advocacy.

Rutter stated “While it is a worthwhile program, it was felt that the critical mass of programs to support an application does not exist at this point and resources are better expended elsewhere.”

As such, the economic development committee agreed it was premature to pursue at this time.

Rutter added that some of the actions that would be necessary to apply for the award have merit and may still be considered.

Councillor Kirk McElwain asked what specifically the economic development committee voted against.

“This is a multi-year program starting with a half-day introduction.”

Rutter the committee reviewed the information sent to councillors.

“We did talk about the Intelligent Community program as a single entity.”

McElwain said the program was discussed at budget time and he was hoping that it would move ahead.

“It’s a huge amount of community involvement,” he agreed.

“I just think to defer this for a year or two means it will be another three to four years before we ever get the advantage of being included in the top seven or top 21 intelligent community – and getting all the free advertising that goes along with it,” McElwain said.

He also questioned the recommendation since Centre Wellington is still in strategic planning discussions, “I think it’s a little premature to say ‘we’re not going to do it,’ when the strategic planning exercise is not completed.”

Township CAO Andy Goldie said the discussion at the committee level suggested that based on other priorities, it was not one of the programs to pursue at this time.

He added the recommendation was not a split vote, but a unanimous one not to proceed.

Councillor Steven Kitras said one of the ideas was to proceed after the Wightman fibre option cable installation throughout the community was more complete.

“It’s not that we’re not going to do anything for four years, just that it wouldn’t go ahead this year.”

Councillor Fred Morris said he found the report rather thin and that council was being asked to make a decision based on the recommendation of an advisory committee. “It doesn’t give you much to see what the decision was based upon.”

Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen said there was a lot of information discussed at the committee level which is not in the report.

However, he stated part of the basis of the Intelligent Community program is the awarding of actions a community has taken – not necessarily an action itself.

He said there are a number of smaller steps which are currently underway in the community.

VanLeeuwen said that instead of going for the award “let’s take the steps year by year.”

In short he said it is too early to aim for an award for steps the community has not taken yet.

McElwain suggested council delay turning this down until the strategic planning discussions are complete.

Councillor Don Fisher shared the concerns of Morris about the lack of detail in the report.

He said this sounds like this is something that would fit into the economic development strategy for the 21st century.

Linton said it probably makes sense to put this on pause until the strategic discussions are done.

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