Transit (Important component of long-term economic development in Niagara)

- What experience or approach would you bring to the inter-municipal transit file that would
enhance the work being done to date with the local area municipalities?

- With St. Catharines, Welland, and Niagara Falls to bring back a recommendation to Regional
Council on a long-term solution for inter-municipal transit, how would you approach those
municipalities that have either recently just begun a local transit service (i.e. Pelham) or those
that are at the initial study phase of planning for transit (Grimsby)?

o MONEY AVAILABLE TO APPLY FOR FUNDING, BIG AND SMALL SYSTEMS. FUNDING CAN
BE USED TO ENHANCE IT
o ATTENDING LOCAL CAO MEETINGS, THE CAO WORKING GROUP IS LOOKING TO SEE
HOW THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES CONNECT
o IN ORDER TO BRING OTHER MUNICIPALITIES, HYBRID MODEL, COMMISSISSION STYLE –
REGION AS FUNDER, TRANSIT SYSTEMS ARE AT THE TABLE LOOKING TO IMPROVE INNER
TRANSIT SYSTEMS
o DON’T ACT IN ISOLATION.

Growth / Planning

- The Niagara Region has not experienced much of the growth seen in the GTHA. What
experiences or past approaches have you employed to foster and take advantage of potential
growth in low-growth areas?
o WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO IMPLEMENT THE ECONOMIC ZONE
 MORE AWARENESS ON INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
 RELEIF ON DC
 REDUCTION ON TAX (REDUCTION ON BUREAUCRATIC

- The Niagara Region has recently approved a strategy that identifies and prepares for growth in
areas where the market is most ‘primed’ for growth (i.e. “Grow West”). What experiences or
past approaches have you employed to foster and take advantage of market-based growth?
o EXPEDITING PROCESS AND GETTING APPROVALS
o HAVING LAND CERTIFIED AND READY TO GO BEFORE THEY ARE READY TO LOCATE
 IF YOU LOOK AT WATERLOO, IN HIGH IN EC.GROWTH, THEY HAVE CAN GIVE
YOU 3 SPOTS RIGHT AWAY
 THERES ONLY 1 SPOT, AND ITS STC AND ONLY 10 ACRES

Growth/Planning Case Study question

- In your current role, how do you work with municipalities and the public to support economic
growth?
o GE LOCATING IN WELLAND. A NUMBER OF OBSTACLES FOUND AFTER THE FACT
o AT THE NPCA, WE WERE INNOVATIVE AND TO FIND GE
o EXPEDITING PERMITS
o NF
  WASHINGTON MILLS, EITHER LOCATE IN US ACROSS THE BORDER, OR REMAIN
IN NF. THEY NEEDED TO GROW – AND THE PROBLEM WAS A WOODLOT WHERE
THEY WANTED TO GROW. WE WORKED WITH NF AND THE OWNERS TO
BALANCE THEIR GROWTH WITHOUT IMPACTING THAT WOODLOT. THEY MADE
DECISION TO GROW HERE

o GO TEAM
 APPROVAL DECISION
 GO TEAM
 ASSEMBLY OF LANDS

RELATION
- The positive and collaborative relationship between the Niagara Region and its local area
municipalities is a relatively recent development. What would you do in your first 100 days to
ensure those relationships are maintained and strengthened?
o FIRST 30 DAYS
 BUDGET
 REAFFIRM THE PRIORITIES AMONGS CHAIR, COUNCIL, LAMS
 REVIEW REPORTING STRUCTURE
 HOW YOU TREAT THE EXISTING TEAM (INHERITING THE TEAM)
o MIDDLE 30
 ASD REVIEWS CORPORATE WIDE
 REPORTING ON THE METRICS OF WHERE THE REGION IS AT
o END 30
 ENSURE TIMELINES ON MAJOR INITAITVES ARE BEING MET

Question

5. Relationships****
- Chair – work with Chair to understand position of Council and concerns
o Review agenda with chair prior and post council to ensure the direction of council is
being implemented by staff
- Region staff – REPLACE WHEN REQUIRED TO REPLACE WHEN APPROPRIATE

Question on ROI?

Potential Questions
- Procurement
- Andy Petrowski