The discussion was far longer than anticipated, but North Battleford has given its support to the proposed Greater Battlefords Marketing Alliance.
A resolution supporting the new Alliance passed unanimously this week, but only after North Battleford council scrapped its original resolution on the marketing alliance.
Debate on the topic was interrupted by a major thunderstorm that cut short Monday's city council meeting before a vote on the original resolution was even held.
City Hall lost power and council and administration officials scrambled for the exits as the storm hit around 9:55 p.m., before a vote could even take place. Discussion resumed Tuesday, when the council meeting reconvened at 12:05 p.m.
The original resolution would have approved the following regarding the marketing alliance: that the Greater Battlefords Marketing Alliance be incorporated as a non-profit organization: that the director of business development be appointed to the initial start-up board of directors until the first annual general meeting, that all funding agreements be executed, subject to legal review and council approval, that notice be served on Battlefords Tourism and the Town of Battleford regarding termination of the funding agreement: and that a wind-down plan, including current year-to-date financials and list of assets be requested from Battlefords Tourism.
Councillors Grace Lang and Don Buglas had problems with the original resolution. Lang disliked the wording and thought Battlefords Tourism and the agreement with them were separate issues.
It was "up to their own board to look after," Lang said at one point. Buglas agreed with Lang's position on the issue.
The original resolution was defeated on a 2-2 tie vote.
In its place, council unanimously passed a different, more general resolution that resolved the City is in support of the Greater Battlefords Marketing Alliance corporation and working in partnership to negotiate a finalized funding agreement.
That passed unanimously.
Not at the Tuesday meeting were councillors Ray Fox, Trent Houk and Brad Pattinson, who participated in the discussion Monday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting Tuesday, Director of Business Development Denis Lavertu said he was pleased to see the Greater Battlefords Marketing Alliance finally get the green light.
It's "been something that's been worked on for the last number of years as far as developing a new model trying to do a marketing consortium, trying to get more resources for marketing and also tourism and business development," said Lavertu.
According to Lavertu, partners at the table have also included the Town of Battleford, the Chamber of Commerce, the Battlefords Hotel Association, and Battlefords Tribal Council, and Battlefords Tourism has been at the table as well.
"Tonight, what was recommended was that transition, and part of that is multiple steps to do that," said Lavertu. "The gist of it is (council is) in support of the Greater Battlefords Marketing Alliance corporation which is being developed, and the overall concept of that, and also negotiating the agreement for funding for that."
Lavertu says they will develop new contracts for the GBMA and with the transition from the current Battlefords Tourism to the larger entity.
The new entity would do "enhanced job, or modernize it as Councillor (Ron Crush) put it." Lavertu said the new entity would use new strategies and new tools, pointing to social media as an example, and add some resources.
It will include tourism and business development marketing, as well as for more marketing for entities such as the CUPlex.
Lavertu adds that the Battlefords Hotel Association would bring $50,000 to the new entity and Battlefords Tribal Council as well, plus an increase in budget from the city.
"It's good for the community - a larger organization that's going to have more marketing power, more resources," said Lavertu, pointing to its ability to attract events and conventions to the community.
Lavertu also acknowledged surprise at comments from Battlefords Tourism chair Donna Challis, who compared the transition from Battlefords Tourism to tossing out the "baby," "bathwater" and "the tub" during her presentation to council Monday.
He told reporters he was "a little bit surprised, I guess, by some of the comments and concerns that came out that didn't come out earlier. I wish they would have."
