SUNDRE – A seven-member panel that includes a blend of both Sundre business owners as well as town residents has been appointed by Sundre's council to sit on an ad hoc steering committee that will provide input into an area redevelopment plan to enhance the downtown corridor.
Council had earlier this year struck the committee and approved its terms of reference.
At the time, Linda Nelson, the town's chief administrative officer, had told the Albertan, “The committee will offer feedback on downtown corridor enhancement communication strategies, engage in idea sharing and discussions to incorporate public input into the drafting of the area redevelopment plan, and assist administration during public information sessions.”
During the May 12 meeting, Chris Albert, director of corporate services and acting CAO, said there had been great interest expressed judging by the number of applications received.
As a result, although the terms of reference stated that five community representatives were to be appointed, administration recommended increasing that number to seven, said Albert.
The CAO, director of community development, the economic development officer as well as a recording secretary will make up the balance of the committee, he added.
Per background information outlined in council’s agenda package, appointments were based on recommendations of administration through an expression of interest process and scoring matrix. The committee will eventually disband when council adopts the area re-development plan bylaw.
Coun. Jaime Marr asked whether all of the names that were brought forward are either Sundre residents or local business owners, which administration confirmed.
Council subsequently passed seven individual motions appointing all of the community representatives to the committee.
They are as follows: Laura Kutz, of Kutz Law Office; Aaron Melin, citizen and project manager for McElhanney Ltd.; Tom Boucher, citizen; Brad Lindeburgh, citizen and local real estate agent; Corynn Wylie, citizen and educator; Steve Bouchet, local business operator and land developer; and Cam Bowman, general manager at Freson’s Bros.
“I’m really excited to see all these names,” said Coun. Owen Petersen, adding it’s not altogether uncommon for council to strike a committee that garners little interest.
Marr asked if there had perhaps been even more expressions of interest with other residents or business owners who applied with the selection process ultimately producing the final list of seven.
“No, there was not,” said Benazir Thaha Valencia, director of community development.
