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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-15Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) Board of Management Meeting Minutes Tuesday November 15, 2023; 6:30pm Virtual Meeting In Attendance: Ron Hooper, Chair Laura Holmes, Secretary Gerri Lucas, Treasurer Cathy Holmes, Director Edgar Lucas, Director Laura Knox, MOC Economic Development representative Amber Ross, owner Pink Lemon Decor Sarah Gerdy, owner Markets Regrets: Bonnie Wrightman, CBOT representative Lloyd Rang, Council Representative Erin Kemp, Director Delegations Present: none 1. Presentation by Delegations The Chair recognized that no delegations were present. 2. Updates from Community Partners (a) Economic Development L. Knox shared that the Hometown Holiday campaign will launch soon. The major push is for shop local and attracting visitors to the downtown areas. Direct mail postcards will be distributed by Canada Post. New Invest Clarington branding has launched. Branded bags will be made available to BIA businesses. Patio program has come to a close for season. Would like to seek input on the program for future. CIP grant program promotion will launch early in the new year. THEE parade set for December 6, 5:30pm. (b) CBOT B. Wrightman sent an email reminder about the Crime and Homelessness roundtable session that is scheduled for Friday November 17. If there are any questions or issues that need to be raised please direct them to CBOT. 3. Adoption of Minutes Moved by L. Holmes, seconded by E. Lucas THAT the minutes of the meeting of Monday October 16, 2023 be approved as circulated. CARRIED 4. Business Arisine from Previous Minutes None. Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) S. Correspondence NOVEMBER 2023 Correspondence was received from i. Planning Department regarding Bowmanville East Urban Centre planning documents and schedules (via email) Moved by L. Holmes, seconded by G. Lucas THAT the correspondence be received for information. CARRIED 6. Treasurer's Resort The Treasurer presented the following: i. $128 000 in current account Invoices yet to be received for holiday season programming Moved by E. Lucas, seconded by C. Holmes THAT the Treasurer's Report be adopted as presented. CARRIED 7. Directors' Reports (a) Council Liaison — No report. (b) Events — C. Holmes reported that Girls Night Out was reportedly not as well attended as previous years. Moonlight Magic event is planned for December 1. OPG request to participate was denied, as community outreach space is not offered at Moonlight. BMO window wrap is partially installed. Lights will be installed on the Christmas tree. Photos with Santa on the first three Saturday's is planned. Live reindeer was cost prohibitive this year and funds will be redirected to new event The Grinch Giveaway which is planned for Saturday mornings in December to help promote shopping downtown. Businesses have been encouraged to donate gift cards and vouchers to the promotion. Parade entry is set for Saturday November 18. Advertising for shopping downtown and Moonlight Magic starts this Friday. Poster delivery for Moonlight is complete, Grinch posters will go out this week, and Santa posters the following week. (c) Membership Relations — G. Lucas reported that HER Beauty lounge has not had an official opening yet. The Chair attended the official grand opening for Sugar Dust Bakery. (d) Streetscape — E. Lucas reported that Christmas garlands are mostly installed. Banners and shooting stars will be installed this week. Hanging baskets will be installed at end of month, because the weather has been too warm. Stationary planters are being delivered this week and the provider uses a special spray to keep the greenery Historic Downtown Bowmanville 3 Business Centre (BIA) NOVEMBER 2023 fresh longer. The Chair reported that the Horticultural Society installed holiday urns in front of the Municipal Administrative Centre. (e) Communications— L. Holmes reported that notices of public meetings and roundtable sessions have been distributed. (f) Website & Social Media — L. Holmes reported that social media accounts have nearly 5000 followers each. 8. New Business (a) Vomit & Garbage downtown A concerned citizen reached out to the Chair and the Mayor's office about the state of the downtown. The Chair forwarded the concern about garbage to Operations. The Chair also performed a walk -around downtown and was unable to locate the vomit. The concern was raised following Applefest so it is possible that a spill from the event was misidentified. Operations arranged for garbage removal. No further action required. (b) OBIAA question The Chair posed a question that was raised at a recent OBIAA meeting. OBIAA members would like to know how or if business members attending BIA meetings are permitted to speak. It was suggested that business members that wish to raise a question or concern should do so in writing ahead of the meeting. (c) Vaping/Smoking on the sidewalk Community members and business owners have raised concerns about people smoking and vaping outside of business doors which is impeding and making passage on sidewalks uncomfortable. The Chair will seek answers from OBIAA and Bylaw on the rules and regulations. 9. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Board of Management is scheduled to be held on Tuesday January 9, 2024 commencing at 6:30pm, virtually. 10. Adiournment Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by C. Holmes THAT the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 7:45pm.