HomeMy WebLinkAboutSpecial Council Meeting Creative Economy September 28, 2021 CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY
Special Council Meeting Minutes
Tuesday,
September 28, 2021
9:34 a.m.
Centre 200
Main Concourse
481 George Street, Sydney
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall called the meeting to order.
Council: Mayor Amanda M. McDougall
Councillor Gordon MacDonald
Deputy Mayor Earlene MacMullin
Councillor Steve Gillespie
Councillor Eldon MacDonald
Councillor Glenn Paruch
Councillor James Edwards
Councillor Ken Tracey
Councillor Darren O'Quinn
Staff. Marie Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer
Jennifer Campbell, Chief Financial Officer
John MacKinnon, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
Demetri Kachafanas, QC, Regional Solicitor
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning & Development
Kirk Durning, Manager of Recreation
Mike Targett, Community Consultation Coordinator
Sharon MacSween, Senior Administrative Assistant
Tanya Nicholson, Recording Secretary
Absent: Councillor Cyril MacDonald (Regrets)
Councillor Steve Parsons (Regrets)
Councillor Darren Bruckschwaiger (Leave of Absence)
Councillor Lorne Green (Regrets)
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
September 28, 2021 Approved November 9, 2021 2 of 5
Summary of Decisions
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
Motion to approve the September 28h, 2021 Special Council Agenda as circulated.
Carried.
2. CBRM REN Creative Economy Support
A presentation was provided on CBRM Creative Economy Support.
3. A Proposal for CBRM Artist Grant Program:
A presentation was provided on a Proposal for CBRM Artist Grant Program.
4. Council Discussion:
Motion that Mayor and Council support, in principle, the proposal for a CBRM Artist
Grant Program, and to ask staff to bring a $50,000 increase to the REN(Regional
Enterprise Network)budget to budget deliberations, and direct staff to prepare an Issue
Paper regarding same with options for creative economy support. Carried.
5. Review of Action Items from the Meeting:
Mayor McDougall reviewed action items from this meeting.
ADJOURNMENT
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
September 28, 2021 Approved November 9, 2021 3 of 5
Land Acknowledgement
Roll Call
1. Approval of Agenda
Motion:
Moved by Deputy Mayor MacMullin, seconded by Councillor Tracey, to approve the
September 28a', 2021 Special Council Agenda as circulated.
Motion Carried.
2. CBRM REN Creative Economy Support:
Tyler Mattheis, Economic Development Officer - Cape Breton Partnership,provided a
presentation on the CBRM Creative Economy Support including the following:
• Proposed CBRM Artist Grant Program —Where did the idea come from?
• Business Support and Programming through the REN
• Financial Support for arts, historic and cultural organizations through grants
• Direct delivery of programs, performances, and events through ConnectArts and
other programs
CBRM REN supports the Island's creative economy
• Initiatives of the CBRM REN to support the Creative Sector
CBRM Creative Economy Growth Plan
Cape Breton Island Culture Sector Strategy
• 2020/2021 Job Creation Partnership
o Education Project
o Legacy Project
• Feedback from interviews and focus groups
Michael Ruus, Director of Planning & Development, presented the following:
• Future updates to the Municipal Planning Strategy and Land Use Bylaw
(December 2022)
• Historic CBRM Spending—Arts and Culture Sector Grants
Staff support for Creative Sector: direct partnership, employment, and
programming
• Makin' Waves
Songs in Small Spaces
CBRM ConnectArts
Staff Recommendation
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
September 28, 2021 Approved November 9, 2021 4 of 5
Council agreed to have discussion following both presentations.
3. A Proposal for CBRM Artist Grant Program:
Nelson MacDonald, Grassfire Films, provided a presentation on a proposal for CBRM
Artist Grant Program which included the following:
• Artists in the CBRM
• The missing piece
Our proposal for CBRM
• Impact local artists have on CBRM economy
• Administrating the fund
• Existing Canadian city examples that provide grants to Artists and Arts
Organizations
City of St. John's
Supporters of this initiative
Next steps
• Proposed request
Mayor McDougall thanked Tyler Mattheis, Nelson MacDonald and CBRM staff for their
presentations and acknowledged the artists in attendance for all the work they do.
4. Council Discussion:
During Council discussion, Councillor O'Quinn brought forward the following motion:
Motion:
Moved by Councillor O'Quinn, seconded by Councillor Paruch, that Mayor and Council
support, in principle, the proposal for a CBRM Artist Grant Program, and to ask staff to
bring a $50,000 increase to the REN (Regional Enterprise Network) budget to budget
deliberations, and direct staff to prepare an Issue Paper regarding same with options for
creative economy support.
Discussion:
Some of the Council discussion included:
• Funding support for the Ashley McKenzie film "Werewolf' by the provincial and
federal governments, as well as by broadcasters
• Revenue generated by Ashley McKenzie films was put back into local CBRM filming
0 St. John's, NF financial support to local artists
Continued...
Special Council Meeting- Minutes
September 28, 2021 Approved November 9, 2021 5 of 5
Council Discussion (Cont'd):
• An Artist Grant Program could potentially help 150 artists over 3 years
• Distribution of CBRM's Arts and Culture Sector Grants, noting a portion of same
includes Tax Concessions
• Destination Cape Breton funding and distribution
• Issue Paper to include a possible restructuring of how grants are distributed and revenue
projections
• Individuals are not eligible to apply to the Municipal Grants Program (per the MGA)
• Events currently supported by CBRM include Lumiere, Making Waves, East Coast
Music Awards, Celtic Colours and other community festivals
• The proposal for $50,000 a year for 3 years for the Artist Grant Program would be
referred to budget deliberations and if approved, the REN would distribute the grants
• Supporting the proposal in principle allows the group to carry out groundwork to create
the marketing material and the framework for the grant selection committee (i.e. jury
of artists)
• No other municipality in Nova Scotia has an Artist Grant Program
• Discussion with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities for input on how other
municipalities can adopt an Artist Grant Program
Motion Carried.
5. Review of Action Items from the Meeting:
Mayor McDougall noted the following items would be addressed:
1. There was a motion for a staff Issue Paper depicting the financial details required to
make a final decision on the funding request for the CBRM Artist Grant Program.
2. Discussion with Minister John Lohr, Department of Municipal Affairs, asking how to
make a CBRM Artist Grant Program work under the MGA.
3. Discussion with the Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities for input on how other
municipalities can adopt an Artist Grant Program.
Meeting adiourned at 10:57 a.m.
Mayor Amanda M. McDougall John MacKinnon
Deputy Chief Administrative Officer
/tcn