For Elliot Lake's Edo ten Broek, it might be only a short hiatus from his city volunteer work.
The long-time member of the Elliot Lake Economic Development Advisory Committee is up for appointment to a city new steering committee, if Elliot Lake City Council approves the idea.
Last year he was among a number of citizen volunteers who resigned from the Elliot Lake Economic Development Advisory Committee, after decades of service.
Now, if council approves, ten Broek could be among the members appointed to a newly-minted Ad Hoc Elliot Lake Arts and Culture Hub Steering Committee.
Also suggested to sit on the Arts and Culture Hub Steering Committee is long time Elliot Lake arts advocate, Murray Finn.
The motion before council recommends creation and formalizing of, "An existing informal Arts and Culture Hub Steering Committee and appointment of a councillor(s) as needed."
That from a written report by Elliot Lake CAO Daniel Gagnon which states, "that Council create an Ad Hoc Arts and Culture Hub Steering Committee to be comprised of the following members: - Murray Finn - Edo ten Broek - A representative appointed by the Serpent River First Nation - A representative appointed by the Mississauga First Nation - City Staff as Resources (CAO, Special Projects Manager, Manager of Rec and Culture) - one Councillor - Mayor Marchisella as ex-officio."
"An informal project steering committee has existed for some time to work with staff and the consultant doing the feasibility study for the proposed Arts and Culture Hub," Gagnon went on.
"Mr. Murray Finn and Edo ten Broek were invited to evaluate proposals for the consultant selection and were invited to do further work with the consultant and staff for their valuable input.
"Later, an invitation was extended to the Serpent River First Nation (SRFN) and the Mississauga First Nation (MFN) to participate and provide input into the project’s evolution.
"SRFN appointed their Cultural Coordinator (staff). MFN has yet to formally appoint but that is expected in the near future.
"The ad hoc Steering Committee would report to Council via the Recreation and Culture Standing Committee," concluded Gagnon.
Also next Monday night, Elliot Lake City Council will deal with a report from the city's new Special Projects Manager, Steve Antunes.
A few months after ten Broek did so, Antunes also submitted his resignation from the Economic Development Advisory Committee. Antunes did it so he could assume his new position with the City of Elliot Lake. His resignation will be considered by Council Monday.
Antune's report recommends establishment of The Elliot Lake Safety and Well Being Plan Committee in line with changes to the Ontario Police Services Act.
He suggested that Mayor Dan Marchisella and council would serve as Champions of the project, to motivate participation.
Under provincial edict, Safety and Well Being plans are required to be prepared by an advisory committee comprised of representation from the Police Service Board and other local service providers in health/mental health, education, community/social services and children/youth services.
The province says the goal of the Community Safety and Well-Being Plan is, “To achieve sustainable communities where everyone is safe, has a sense of belonging, opportunities to participate, and where individuals and families are able to meet their needs.”
"Two other roles need to be established. First, a champion of the plan. In many communities this will be the Mayor and Council," continued Antunes.
"Second, the preparation of a community safety and well-being plan needs a coordinator to ensure project objectives are being met, and that the process is moving forward and on track.
"The Council is mandated to consult with:
- The advisory committee;
- Members of the public, including youth, members of racialized groups and of First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities in the municipality or municipalities;
- Community organizations, including First Nation, Inuit and Metis organization and community organizations that represent youth or members of racialized groups, in the municipality or municipalities.
"Staff is recommending to Council that an advisory committee is assembled at the earliest possibility and that a report be created from the output of that committee," Antunes concluded.
Monday's Council Meeting (Jan. 25, 2021) will be held virtually and live streamed on the City of Elliot Lake website at 7 p.m.