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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-03-07Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) Board of Management Meeting Minutes Tuesday March 7, 2022; 6:30pm Virtual Meeting due to COVID-19 pandemic In Attendance: Edgar Lucas, Chair Laura Holmes, Secretary Gerri Lucas, Treasurer Justin Barry (departed 8:OOpm) Cathy Holmes Ron Hooper Erin Kemp Bonnie Wrightman, CBOT representative Regrets: none Delegations Present: Inspector Stefanie Finateri, DRPS Staff Sergeant Chris Ludlow, DRPS 1. Presentation by Delegations (a) Inspector Finateri assumed responsibility of East Division in October 2021. 20 years experience. East Division is a large area covering 720 000 sq km — 4 patrol zones. Community Safety Advisory Committee meets monthly which includes representatives from every Ward in Clarington and from Diversity and Inclusion Committee at MOC. There are certain areas in East Division where there is a focus on community safety and perception - downtown Bowmanville is one. This involves visibility of officers and foot patrols are encouraged. (b) Staff Sergeant Ludlow presented on the body -worn camera (BWC) initiative. Request was made in 2014. Year -long pilot project in 2018. Data analysis in 2019 resulting in Police Service Board granting funding in 2020 for front-line rollout. BWC advantages outweigh disadvantages. The community reported more favorable interactions and improved perceptions of officers with BWC. Evidence management and coordination and efficiency with justice system is improved. BWC have resulted in decrease in use -of -force incidents. Very cognizant of privacy concerns and take appropriate steps to ensure privacy is protected. Training and deployment started in Clarington in early 2022. If there are any comments, concerns, questions contact bwc@drps.ca or call East Division and ask for the body worn camera project team. 2. Updates from Community Partners (a) CBOT "Spring into the shops of Clarington" campaign starts next week. Includes advertising and contests. Plan for 2022 is to focus seasonally. Hoping to have some in -person events coming up. Hosting a virtual session with Inspector Finateri next month. Data Walk has workforce data specifically related to pandemic Durham -wide. Idea is to share the workforce data widely so that it can be used for strategic planning. Virtual session tomorrow at 10am. Talks are ongoing with local chambers and BIAs about partnering to extend the Shop Where You Live program. There is a toolkit on the website with photos, logos, and other marketing that can be used. Rapid test kits are still available for businesses. 3. Adoption of Minutes Historic Downtown Bowmanville 2 March 2022 Business Centre (BIA) Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by R. Hooper THAT the minutes of the meeting of Tuesday February 8, 2022 be approved as circulated. CARRIED 4. Business Arisine from Previous Minutes (a) Blue Box Regulations Councillor Hooper viewed a report from Durham Region from March 2, 2022 and was present as a guest at a Regional meeting discussing this topic. New program begins July 2024. Downtowns were not included in the new blue box program. It is becoming a producer responsibility program. Discussion ongoing about how to fund collection in downtowns and whether it can be renegotiated into contract. Councillor Hooper will attempt to obtain a copy of the report to distribute to the board. 5. Correspondence Correspondence was received from i. Jake Farr, President PFlag Durham Region requesting use of banner poles Moved by R. Hooper, seconded by G. Lucas THAT the correspondence be received for information and be discussed as new business. CARRIED 6. Treasurer's Report The Treasurer presented the following: i. $13627.23 in current account ii. 2022 budget has not been transferred to date Moved by L. Holmes, seconded by J. Barry THAT the Treasurer's Report be adopted as presented. CARRIED 7. Directors' Reports (a) Council Liaison — R. Hooper: There is a new mural behind the cenotaph. OBIAA survey with vacancy in downtowns — 41% remain same, 31% decrease, 21% increase. Discussion on how to handle vacant space. Some communities offer co -pay for non-traditional 30-day rentals while seeking permanent leases. The Chair asked Councillor Hooper to follow up on the light standards and receptacle repair/replacement. (b) Events — C. Holmes: Reported that approvals have been sought for hosting events in 2022. Meet the Easter Bunny with professional photographs is scheduled for Sat April 16. Spring Girls' Night Out April 21. Maplefest May 7. Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) (c) Membership Relations —J. Barry: March 2022 Reported that a community member has organized a clean-up for this Saturday. Interested members are asked to meet at King and Temperance at 8:30am. Councillor Hooper welcomed Talk of the Town to the downtown. Poppies Cove has relocated to next door storefront. (d) Streetscape — G. Lucas: Reported that winter banners will be removed in April and spring installed. Legion will need to be notified that Remembrance Day banners cannot be installed until after Applefest this year. The vendor for winter baskets will provide options for new decor items by next months meeting. (e) Communications— (vacant): No report (f) Website & Social Media — L. Holmes: Reported that design work is ongoing on the website and development of the new vendor application process is complex. The business directory is being updated with all the new businesses that have opened. Social media continues to grow in followers and will be used to promote the upcoming events. 8. New Business (a) PFlag Durham Region Request Councillor Hooper received a letter of request from PFlag Durham Region asking for installation of 6 banners for the month of June. This is the letter entered into Correspondence in Item S. The Board questioned why the letter was sent to the BIA as initial point of contact rather than the Municipality. The Board also discussed the requirement that this be an annual commitment and the responsibility for install and removal according to the timeline. The Board recommends that the banners be placed in front of the Municipal Administrative Centre. Overall, the Board is supportive of the initiative but would like to refer the letter back to staff at the Municipality. Councillor Hooper will discuss with Ms. Mittag who chairs the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and will report back at the next meeting. (b) Parking for part-time employees of downtown businesses Councillor Hooper reports that the Mayor has received several inquiries about where employees will park once everyone returns to work. It is unclear if the concern is related to parking in Municipal lots. Bylaw has been visible enforcing parking infractions at streetside meters. Historic Downtown Bowmanville 4 Business Centre (BIA) March 2022 It was suggested that Mr. Anderson be invited to the next meeting to discuss the status of the parking project and to provide further information on the rates for daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly parking passes. Moved by C. Holmes, seconded by L. Holmes THAT an invitation be sent to Mr. Anderson to attend the April 12, 2022 meeting or to send a written update if unable to attend. CARRIED 9. Date of Next Meeti The next meeting of the Board of Management is scheduled to be held on Tuesday April 12, 2022 commencing at 6:30pm, virtually. 10. Adjournment Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by C. Holmes THAT the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 8:56pm.