Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee

1. Two (2) members of Council.
2. Between six (6) and eleven (11) community representatives appointed by Council for the term of Council or until reappointed.  One (1) community member shall be a representative of the Grand Erie Business Centre, the remaining members should consist of local business owners/leaders and land developers with experience in business growth, attraction and retention preferably within Haldimand County.   
3. Mayor is an ex officio voting member of the committee.
4. A Chair and Vice-Chair will be elected by members at the first meeting annually.
5. Council may terminate the appointment of any member without notice.
6. The Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee, when applicable for special projects determined by the committee, be able to engage outside expertise on defined terms, to inform the committee.

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1. Members will actively participate, and provide support and expertise.
2. The Chair will facilitate meetings, ensure participation by members, maintain decorum, and be the primary contact of the Committee.
3. Council appointees will act as a liaison between the Committee and Council. They will serve as voting members and count towards meetings quorum.
4. Staff will provide a committee liaison to manage administrative functions, including assisting the Chair with preparation of agendas and minutes, and attending Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee meetings.
5. The Clerks Office will provide procedural and legislative guidance to the committee.

1. It is the responsibility of all appointed members to comply and work with County procedures, by-laws and Provincial legislation, with guidance from staff:
   1. Municipal Act
   2. Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act
   3. Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
   4. The Provincial Occupational Health and Safety Act
   5. Haldimand County’s Procedure By-law
   6. Council Code of Conduct
   7. Haldimand County Accountability and Transparency Policy
   8. Haldimand County Social Media Policy
   9. Haldimand County Media Relations Policy
   10. Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee Terms of Reference
   11. Other applicable Haldimand County by-laws and policies
2. The Committee may make recommendations to Council on various issues related to the Committee’s mandate, through meeting minutes, motions, and reports.
3. The Committee may take on additional initiatives as recommended or approved by the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and/or the relevant General Manager.

The term of office for the Business Development and Planning Advisory  Committee will be the term of Council.

While the Clerks Office  and staff liaison staff provide administrative support, the entire Corporation will provide input and support to the Committee as required, with the approval of the CAO and/or the relevant General Manager.

The Committee will act as an advisory body and does not have any delegated authority. Recommendations for implementation must first be considered and approved by Council or recommended by the CAO unless otherwise stated in this terms of reference or other municipal policy or procedure.

The Committee will report to Council once per year with a written report and 10-minute presentation on its activities and its intended direction or projects.

All approved Committee minutes will form part of the next regular Council agenda.

No member shall receive remuneration for services.

The Business Development and Planning Advisory Committee (BDAPAC) has an allocated annual budget subject to Council approval through the tax supported operating budget.  Any expenditures from the committee budget must be authorized by the Manager of Economic Development and Tourism be utilized in alignment with the committee's strategic objectives, and must follow Council approved policy. 

Members may receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses related to specific activities approved in the Committee’s mandate and workplan including expenses to attend trade shows, conferences or client meetings.  Reimbursement requests must be pre-approved by the Manager of Economic Development and Tourism, and receipts/invoices must be submitted.

If a Committee Member is absent for three consecutive meetings, without being authorized to do so by a recommendation of the committee, they have forfeited their membership.

The Business  Advisory Committee shall meet a minimum of four times per year, and more frequently at the discretion of the Chair. Meetings shall be governed by The Haldimand County Procedure By-law as may be amended from time to time

The agenda for any regularly scheduled meeting, complete with all reports and attachments, will be made available to members of the public a minimum of two business days prior to the meeting.    Meeting minutes will be made available to the public once they have been approved by the Committee.

Meetings may be held electronically. A member may participate electronically in open or closed meetings. Any such member shall be counted toward quorum of members present at any point in time and shall be able to vote, as permitted by the Municipal Act. Virtual access to meetings may be provided to members of the public at the discretion of the Chair.  In the event Committee meetings are live streamed to the public, these meetings may occur in Council Chambers and members will be assigned seating to accommodate the technical requirements of the video recording system.

Citizen members:

• Mike Lessard (Chair)
• Tauri Caputo
• Phil Hauser
• Paul Makey
• George Naylor
• Adam Peet
• Mark Reynolds

Council members:

• Mayor Bentley
• Councillor O;Neill