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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-02-09Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) Board of Management Meeting Minutes Tuesday February 9, 2021; 6:30pm Virtual Meeting due to COVID-19 pandemic Present: Edgar Lucas, Chair Laura Holmes, Secretary Gerri Lucas, Treasurer Justin Barry Cathy Holmes Ron Hooper Bonnie Wrightman, CBOT representative Absent: Carrie Hooper Erin Kemp Delegations Present: None The meeting was called to order by the Chair. 1. Presentation by Delegations The Chair recognized that no delegations were present. 2. Adoption of Minutes Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by R. Hooper THAT the minutes of the meeting of January 12, 2021 and minutes of special meeting on January 22, 2021 be approved as circulated. CARRIED 3. Business Arisine from Previous Minutes (a) Annual General Meeting Discussion deferred. (b) Digital Main Street Update Request for update from Zoe Ferguson (Digital Services Squad member) went unanswered. 4. Correspondence Correspondence was received from i. Carrie Hooper regarding resignation from the social media promotions portfolio (via email) Historic Downtown Bowmanville 2 February 2021 Business Centre (BIA) ii. Municipal Law Enforcement with notice for distribution to business/property owners regarding street parking (via email) iii. Legislative Services Department with notice to discontinue signatures on minutes (via email) iv. Municipal Clerk regarding draft by-law about electronic participation in meeting for BIAs (via email) V. Municipal Clerk with notice of adoption of a zoning by-law 2021-006 (via email) vi. Municipal Clerk with notice of by-law 2020-046 regarding electronic participation in meetings (via email) vii. Municipal Clerk with notice of Resolution PD-022-21 regarding seasonal sidewalk patio program (via email) viii. Municipal Clerk with notice of Resolution GG-230-20 regarding electronic participation at meetings (via email) ix. Planning Department with notice of public meeting for proposed development on Green Rd (via email) X. Planning Department requesting feedback survey link for COVID-19 CIP grant program be shared with member businesses (via email) Moved by C. Holmes, seconded by J. Barry THAT the correspondence be received for information. THAT item 4.ii. and item 4.x. information be shared with BIA members. CARRIED S. Treasurer's Report The Treasurer presented the following: i. $57 311.72 in current account ii. Finance Department has requested a copy of the 2020 budget Moved by R. Hooper, seconded by J. Barry THAT the Treasurer's Report be adopted as presented. CARRIED 6. Directors' Reports (a) Council Liaison — R. Hooper: Reported that the Director of Traffic Services has expressed that there has been some traffic queuing issues when eastbound vehicles on King St want to make a left turn onto Silver St. OBIAA best practices call from earlier today discussed parking strategies and some regions have moved to license plate scanners. Municipal Council is working on the budget. (b) Events — C. Holmes: Historic Downtown Bowmanville 3 February 2021 Business Centre (BIA) Reported that a photo contest was hosted asking people to take photos in front of the BMO window wrap. For Family Day weekend there is an outdoor window scavenger hunt planned where people are asked to walk around downtown and count the number of emoji balls in storefront windows. So far, a total of 37 businesses have committed to participate. Events are an effort to bring walking traffic and awareness of local business during the provincial lockdown. Decisions about future events will be based on regulations in provincial reopening strategy. (c) Membership Relations —J. Barry: Reported that Sushi Holic opened on Division St. Bella Fleur Boutique has closed. A new dog groomer has opened on Temperance St called The Pawlour. There are several locations in downtown up for lease. (d) Streetscape — G. Lucas: No report. (e) Communications— (vacant): L. Holmes reported that new businesses have been added to the mailing list. Regular updates are circulated. (f) Website — L. Holmes: No report. Discussion related to website redevelopment. L. Holmes recommends that a revised quote be requested from the web developer as previous quotes are stale -dated. Recommends that a clear vision for the redesign be in place before asking for a meeting with the web developer. Discussion on the importance of having a project manager to push the project forward as the redesign will require a significant amount of work. (g) Media Relations — C. Hooper: L. Holmes reported that the Instagram account has gained 120 followers in the last month organically. Excellent feedback has been received from both businesses and followers on the daily feature posts and stories highlighting business products. Transition of facebook account administration is underway. In meantime, C. Hooper continues to post essential information. (h) CBOT report—B. Wrightman: Reported that there is money to keep one DSS member until the end of March who will be able to assist businesses throughout Clarington. Asks that this be shared with BIA members. Partnership between Durham Tourism and Whitby BIA has developed SHOP in Durham, an online marketplace. Asks that the information be shared with business owners since this is a free service and there is a team available to assist with on -boarding. Shared some stats related to recent survey: 32% businesses had contact tracing in place. 29% are confident Historic Downtown Bowmanville 4 February 2021 Business Centre (BIA) they can weather storm with some impacts. 45% state they have been significantly impacted. 88% are aware of government programs available to them. CBOT is available to assist all businesses. Asked for feedback on how CBOT is doing, what else would be helpful, any assistance needed. CBOT may be looking to host another small business summit, similar to the one held last year prior to the pandemic. Councillor Hooper expressed his appreciation for the staff being a great resource for business and for the willingness of staff to disseminate and share information between the BIAs and businesses. The Chair recognized the value that CBOT brings. 7. New Business (a) Thefts in Downtown On Saturday February 6, there was a theft of product and a tip jar at The Toasted Walnut. The business owner shared images captured on security camera with the BIA which were then shared with BIA members by email. Several businesses responded indicating that they believed the image may represent the same woman who allegedly shoplifted at their business in previous months. Businesses have been encouraged to share incidents of theft or vandalism with the BIA so that the information can be passed along to fellow business owners. (b) Social Media Hacking A business owner in downtown Bowmanville had their social media account hacked. The hacker was asking followers to send $1000 to be entered in a contest. The business owner was alerted to the fraudulent activity by some savvy customers/followers who didn't believe that the business owner would ever ask for money. There are methods to increase security on social media accounts, including two -factor authentication which requires a code to be entered on any unrecognized device. Tips for social media security should be shared with BIA members. (c) Update from Mayor's COVID task force meeting Dr. Kyle, the medical officer of health for Durham, attended to provide an update on current status. The Chair shared information about the social media hacking incident. Councillor Hooper shared OBIAA updates, particularly related to summer patio programs. (d) Date of Next Meetine The next meeting of the Board of Management is scheduled to be held on Tuesday March 9, 2021 commencing at 6:30pm in Clarington Meeting Room 1-C, unless COVID restrictions are still in place in which case the meeting will be held virtually. Historic Downtown Bowmanville 5 February 2021 Business Centre (BIA) (e) Adjournment Moved by J. Barry, seconded by G. Lucas THAT the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 8:27pm.