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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2020-03-10Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) Board of Management Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 10, 2020; 6:30pm Clarington Meeting Room 1-C Present: Edgar Lucas, Chair Laura Holmes, Secretary Gerri Lucas, Treasurer Justin Barry (arrived 7:15pm) Cathy Holmes Ron Hooper Absent: Carrie Hooper Delegations Present: Amanda Tapp - Planner, Municipality of Clarington Kristy Whittaker — Star Apples The meeting was called to order by the Chair. 1. Presentation by Delegations (a) Amanda Tapp — Mobile Street Vendors Inquiry received at the Planning Department from owner of Pink Lemon Decor to be able to park a branded vintage restored trailer on main street in Clarington (specifically downtown Bowmanville) to conduct sales. Image of trailer provided by Amanda. The owner is looking to set-up during Ladies Night events and certain Saturdays, whenever busy schedule permits. Background: Pink Lemon Decor is a handmade maker of wood signs. Pink Lemon Decor products are already available full-time in at least 3 businesses in Historic Downtown Bowmanville, and regularly during pop-up markets at Gather. Similar wood signs are available at nearly all retail gift shops in downtown Bowmanville. Pink Lemon Decor owns several restored vintage trailers that are used as pop-up shops to display and sell product. Pink Lemon Decor is a registered vendor for 2020 Maplefest and Applefest and has also participated in previous years. The trailer is part of the branding strategy and has a large social media following. The owner is looking for additional opportunities, outside of the events in downtown Bowmanville, to be able to conduct sales. The owner is not interested in setting up a brick and mortar store but is very interested in keeping the pop-up trailer in Clarington as this is home - base. The owner wants to be able to pop-up periodically in main business districts of Clarington, not only Bowmanville, whenever suits scheduling, and does not want a permanent space for the trailer. Thus far, the owner has been directed to both CBOT and Clarington bylaw, and it has now ended up in Community Planning to look at a Pilot Project and/or a bylaw revision. Amanda is seeking input from the Bowmanville BIA on this. Historic Downtown Bowmanville 2 Business Centre (BIA) March 2020 A pilot project, like done with restaurant roadside patio expansion, would allow for a trial period and collection of feedback before any permanent decisions are made. The pilot project could allow for a limited number of permits, limited dates of use, limits on where trailers can park, etc. It could not, however, limit based on aesthetics of trailer or type of business. A permit fee would apply and would be payable to the Municipality. There is precedent for this in areas of Toronto. Toronto allows permits for pop-up shops to park in designated areas, usually in front of vacant storefronts. Peddlers bylaw does not apply to this business, unless the owner petitions to be classified as a commercial business (as opposed to handmade items). If a Peddlers Permit is approved it would allow the owner to set-up permanently for approximately $300 per year on any commercially - zoned private property. Additional employees under the Peddlers Permit would require a permit for $100 per year. Refreshment vehicle bylaw also does not apply to this business, as it is not a food service trailer. The refreshment vehicle bylaw has a provision that prohibits operation within 60m of a restaurant. If a similar provision was applied to a pilot project for Pink Lemon Decor the owner would not be satisfied because it would result in no ability to park within the main business areas. Ron Albright has been tasked with determining if there is any safety risk. Access would be restricted to entrance from sidewalk only and liability insurance would be required. The discussion involved a series of questions posed by BIA board members. Several concerns about the impacts of allowing mobile street vendors were raised. - Parking is already an issue in downtown Bowmanville — this would further reduce space - Aesthetics — not all trailers will be appealing and restored like Pink Lemon Decor - Trailers detract from the Historic characteristics of our downtown buildings - Unlevel playing field — brick and mortar stores have fixed monthly expenses (rent, utilities, etc) and higher overhead costs - Property owners within the BIA pay an additional tax levy — premium rent to be located in Historic Downtown Bowmanville - Product/Service competition — vendors offering same/similar as our brick and mortars - Incentivizes small business owners to move to a mobile business model — could result in more vacant properties and loss of tax revenue - Opportunities are already available — via events, via private property, via pop-up markets - Public safety — potential for sizable crowds when roads are open to traffic - Different from restaurant patio pilot because that was available to all existing restaurant owners and did not introduce additional competition - Noise and pollution concerns, if generators must be used to operate equipment - Fairness - Existing brick and mortar stores are prohibited from using parking space to execute sales - Visibility — size of trailer could block storefront windows/signs and thus reduce sales and customer flow at existing businesses - Duty to promote BIA members to keep downtown stores and services open for business Historic Downtown Bowmanville 3 Business Centre (BIA) March 2020 The Bowmanville BIA does not support a Pilot Project or any bylaw revisions to allow mobile pop-up street vendors. Amanda was thanked for soliciting input from the BIA on this proposal. At this time, Amanda has no immediate plans to solicit input from the other BIAs or Chambers of Commerce. Amanda departed at 7:25pm. (b) Kristy Whittaker — attracting customers to Star Apples Star Apples is concerned about lack of traffic to their business that has been open for approximately one year. They are relying upon the upcoming festivals to draw foot traffic towards the east end so that they can attract new customers. Maplefest and Applefest are not a concern, it is more the summer events Summerfest and BluesBERRY that they would like increased traffic and activity. Kristy asked if it would be possible to place more vendors near their location during the summer events. The Director of Events responded saying that the typical number of participants in Summerfest and BluesBERRY is only one tenth of the larger events so it is not possible to fill the street with vendor tents, as the numbers just aren't there. For Summerfest, the Green Street Challenge is being located at the east end this year so that will help fill the street and draw larger crowds. For BluesBERRY, the bike parade staging and judging zone will be in the east end. There was also an offer to place a band in the east end which Kristy felt might help. Kristy was thanked for her input and encouraged to bring forward any ideas. 2. Adoption of Minutes Moved by R. Hooper, seconded by C. Holmes THAT the minutes of the meeting of February 11, 2020 be approved as circulated. CARRIED 3. Business Arising from Previous Minutes (a) Spring Street Pole Banners 4 new design proofs reviewed. Moved by L. Holmes, seconded by C. Holmes THAT a request for design option 2 with revised background colours be issued. CARRIED (b) Parking Meters Historic Downtown Bowmanville 4 Business Centre (BIA) March 2020 The Chair attended Council meeting on February 18, 2020 to provide feedback on parking meters in downtown Bowmanville. Parking, specifically availability of parking, is an increasing issue in Historic Downtown Bowmanville. The following requests were made: - No bagging of meters in December - Eliminate 2 hour free parking - Update fees to current market rates Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by J. Barry THAT the Chair's report be adopted as presented. CARRIED (c) Nerivon Website Redevelopment Discussion deferred 4. Correspondence Correspondence was received from i. Canada Revenue Agency approving the request to classify the BIA as a 'determined municipality' for the purposes of the Excise Tax Act ii. Kasey Schewaga, Accountant - MOC, with an interpretation of the Canada Revenue Agency letter and directions for moving forward (via email) iii. Ashlee Kielbiski, Tourism Programmer — MOC, regarding a session explaining how local business can partner with the film industry (via email) iv. Lions Club of Bowmanville regarding supply list for Maplefest pancake breakfast (via email) Moved by R. Hooper, seconded by G. Lucas THAT the correspondence be received for information. THAT item 4.iii. be distributed to Bowmanville BIA members. CARRIED 5. Treasurer's Report The Treasurer presented the following: i. $38 961.34 in current account ii. Transfer of BIA Levy has not been received iii. Bank services fees have been higher recently owing to number of vendor cheques being deposited (limit of 20 transactions per month included with our account) Moved by C. Holmes, seconded by J. Barry THAT the Treasurer's Report be adopted as presented. CARRIED Historic Downtown Bowmanville 5 March 2020 Business Centre (BIA) 6. Directors' Reports (a) Council Liaison — R. Hooper: Reported that a request had been made to the Acting Director of Operations to schedule snow removal in downtown Bowmanville, which was honored. Unfortunately, following the removal there were complaints lodged with the Municipality about evening noise of snow removal. The Councillor thanks Operations for taking care of the snowbanks and salting the area. Suggests inviting the Acting Director to a BIA meeting to discuss a snow removal strategy for next season. (b) Events — C. Holmes: Reported that vendor spaces at Maplefest are 75% sold out and Applefest vendor space is 85% sold out. This is the earliest ever. Overflow parking access has been granted at 45 Raines Avenue for May 2 by the new property owner. Bylaw has been consulted about increasing accessible parking spaces during events and they may be able to supply accessible branded bags for parking meters. Green Street Challenge is confirmed for Summerfest but will be located at the east end for 2020 which will allow more space for Touch A Truck and free up space for business participation at the west end. Met with Emergency Services and Operations about road closures for 2020. Additional safety measures are planned for Moonlight Magic. Food Truck Friday closure will be Temperance N and S all day Friday with food trucks on north side, and municipal stage and picnic tables on south side. Summerfest main road closure will commence at 5pm on Friday. Emergency Services Director has asked the BIA to start thinking about planning for COVID-19. (c) Membership Relations —J. Barry: Reported that Brianna's Sweet Treats is closed. Intowne Gallery has moved out of their location and will provide custom framing services out of The Willow Branch. (d) Streetscape — G. Lucas: Reported that discussions are ongoing for order of spring flower baskets. Inspection of winter planters will occur once removed. New soil will need to be placed in permanent flower planters. Inspection of planter lids to see if new screws are needed for next season. (e) Communications— (vacant): No report. (f) Website — L. Holmes: No report. (g) Media Relations — C. Hooper: Historic Downtown Bowmanville 6 March 2020 Business Centre (BIA) Councillor Hooper reported that the 2020 Events Flyer is posted on facebook. 7. New Business (a) Update on Digital Main Street (DMS) Program Provided by Jamie Nowe, Digital Services Squad member, via email 56 businesses registered with DMS (upon review: 9 are not Bowmanville BIA members) 8 began training modules 5 completed training modules 5 applied for and received DMS grant 5 received services from digital service squad unrelated to grant Digital Service Squad assistance is available to any Bowmanville BIA business until March 31. Moved by R. Hooper, seconded by L. Holmes THAT the report be adopted as presented. CARRIED (b) Maplefest Pancake Breakfast The Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary met with Steve Coles and Moe Richards of the Lions Club of Bowmanville on March 3, 2020 regarding the operation of the pancake tent. The Secretary presented a draft letter addressed to the Lions Club outlining the discussed changes for 2020. Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by L. Holmes THAT the letter be approved without changes and sent to the Lions Club representatives. CARRIED (c) Appointment of New Board Member Erin Kemp from Kemp Travel has indicated interest in appointment to the vacant position on the Board of Management. Moved by C. Holmes, seconded by R. Hooper THAT Erin Kemp be appointed and notice sent to Council for approval. CARRIED (d) Meeting with Support Staff The Chair and Treasurer met with the support staff to go over duties. The empty street pole banners on the side streets were pointed out and a reminder was issued that in future banners must be placed on these. Concerns were raised over lawn sign placement and staff asked about use of fewer and larger signage but, as explained, this would be contravention of bylaws. Staff raised complaints about the quality of the winter hanging planters this year, Historic Downtown Bowmanville 7 Business Centre (BIA) March 2020 including chain hangers being twisted which led to difficulties when installing. Staff plans to clean out storage shed when weather is conducive and may require a dump bin to dispose of obsolete supplies. (e) Snow Banks Store owners have received feedback and have witnessed customers having difficulty navigating around and over the significant banks of snow along the curbs and icy sections of sidewalk this year. Oftentimes, those in street side parking spaces were unable to open passenger side doors as a result of the large banks of snow that had frozen solid. There is recognition that this winter season was particularly difficult, as snowfall was often followed by periods of melting and then refreezing. 8. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Board of Management is scheduled to be held on Tuesday April 14, 2020 commencing at 6:30pm in Clarington Meeting Room 1-C. 9. Adiournment Moved by C. Holmes, seconded by L. Holmes THAT the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 9:OOpm.