Town planners are looking to update governance framework for Ponoka’s Economic Development Board (EDB).
Councillors were presented with a draft governance policy for the EDB during their regular meeting, Tuesday, Oct. 28.
Coun. Teri Underhill says she researched similar communities’ EDB bylaws and she suggests some of the governance modalities in the draft bylaw needs to be clarified. She mentioned in particular item 13 in the bylaw, which states: “The board shall not pledge the credit of the town in connection with any matters whatsoever. Nor shall the said board or any member thereof, have any power to authorize any expenditure charged against the Town of Ponoka.”
“I think there’s something developed in our budget that accounts for the EDB,” said Underhill.
She suggests this may be confusing for EDB members planning an event that costs money.
Mayor Rick Bonnett replied that EDB members have money budgeted for the board but anything over and above that, they are unable to use or make promises on behalf of the town.
“The other thing is resigning; there’s nothing setting out how members should resign,” said Underhill.
She wants to see some clarification in the draft. Councillors approved first and second reading on the bylaw to give administration time to look at those changes. Once the bylaw is approved, the older EDB bylaw will be repealed.
Board appointments
Councillors approved the reappointment of Danny Lineham and Justin Graham to the EDB starting Nov. 1 to Oct. 31, 2017.
Appointments of Andrew Middleton and Ashley Plamondon for one year were tabled pending changes to the EDB bylaw.