HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-03-21Orono DBIA Meeting Minutes
March 21, 2024
Location: Orono Town Hall
Present: Karen Lowery, vice chair
Brad Beckstead
Gavin Crab
Scott Story
Julie Cashin-Oster
Councillor Marg Zwart
Rhonda Armour
Allister Macrae
Perry Kirkbridge
Leah McKnight
Regrets: Heather Maitland, Frank Maitland, Manish Jagwani
Guests: Rhonda Armour, CBOT,
Laura Knox/ Planning, Mun. of Clarington
Karen Lowery called the meeting to order at 8:35 A.M.
Inclusion Statement
The Municipality of Clarington is situated within the traditional and treaty territory of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas (chip-uh-WUH) of the Anishinabeg (uh-NISH-in-NAH-bek)
known today as the Williams Treaties First Nations.
Our work on these lands acknowledges their resilience and their longstanding
contributions to the area now known as the Municipality of Clarington
Approval of Agenda
Motion: Karen
Seconder: Julie
Approval of February Minutes
Motion: Karen
Seconder: Julie
Leah McKnight is our new " The" secretary
Motion: Karen
Seconder: Julie
1) To be discussed with the sub -committee.
a) Seasonal sidewalk program,
b) Bike rental program
c) BIA apparel
d) Farmers' market
2) CBOT: Next week is the mayor's breakfast on March 28 at Solina Hall 7:30AM to
9:OOAM at Garnet B Rickard. It's an opportunity to voice questions. There will be
28 businesses there that are hiring. Hoping for a big turnout to bridge the gap on
unemployment
3) Laura Knox
a. Economic Development has moved under the CAOs office and
there are changes coming in terms of team structure.
b. Laura will stay on as our prime contact for DBIA.
c. By the end of the week, they will have a refresh of their marketing -
improvements on marketing accessibility grants, advertisements.
d. Next steps for CIP. They're currently reviewing the Orono
Economic Development Strategy - new steps on what is a priority -
how can we better market open storefronts and getting them filled.
e. What is the low hanging fruit - potentially accessing the big box
fund - if we need to - to help with this.
f. Act of Transportation Master Plan — fill out the survey, contest to
win a bike tune up.
4) The fire hall and the lot beside it is for sale. The municipality does not have any
contacts as to the sale of the north/west side lot (Mercer's Garage). Leigh may
have this information.
5) Marg Zwart - The Mill stone is coming back to Orono on April 6. This Is part of
the re -opening of the library.
-Previous minutes adopted-
6) Brad - There will be a grand re -opening on March 27 of Apple Blossom Flowers
. Between 12-5. The ribbon cutting at 1 pm. He is still looking into the pricing for
swag - there are a few other vendors he's waiting to get pricing on.
7) Sandy is moving to Ottawa — she helped with the mapping and website. She
has always pushed for community and organized the 150th Celebration of
Buttercup Hollow (Orono Park) last summer. A Tea will be hosted at the town hall
on April 18 from 1-3 before she moves June 1. Marg to look into getting her a
certificate to honour her volunteer service. A meeting will be scheduled a week
prior to discuss details.
8) Scott —The library wants to help with children's events. They have a button
maker that they brought to the pumpkin walk and Canada Day. Three boxes of
chocolate have been bought totalling 30 Kilos which will be provided and hot
chocolate for Easter Egg Hunt on April 30. We still need an easter bunny - the
costume is tall but not big. Brad said he would ask his son - community hours
available.
9) Subcommittee group: could we get a "did you know" sheet that goes to
businesses to give to customers who purchase goods/services to promote other
small businesses in -town as a "while you're in town" sweetener. Laura to look into
this.
10) Upcoming Events: Orono Town Hall
a) 125th Anniversary Dinner on April 6 - 5 course meal with speaker - $75/ per
person
b) Concert - May 10.
c) Golf Tournament - May 26
d) Canada Day - June 26. Band will start at 5pm and the library will help support
this event.
11) Allister- August 10 is the antique festival. There are concerns around it being
the same day as a new car show booked at the fairgrounds. This could impact
parking downtown. The street is closed for the festival. Extended parking will be
limited due to the car show. The fairground is aware of the antique festival. Arena
parking lot is used for parking. The arena will be under construction —
replacement of the ice pad and other renos. Possible solution would be renting a
bus to shuttle people to and from the event or a golf cart? Scott to get the contact
information of the organizer of the car show. Providing transportation will help
ease the pain of having to navigate the traffic. Karen has safety vests at the store
if anyone needs them. Brad to talk to George and reach out about the parking
situation.
12) Gavin - needs a destination for the Orono sign. If it's on municipal property -
there needs to be a discussion. Possibly the library or south of the yoga studio or
at the side of Allister's building (old bank/Soper Creek Yarn). It needs to be
hooked up to power. Gavin and Allister will discuss it.
13) Enchanted Crystal Cafe - different vendors. Planning on coffee/donuts. Tarot
card reading and local makers to be featured. Opening date is TBD.
Bank - $32,784.07 remaining in Big Box fund
roughly $8000.00 in main bank account - $6000.00 levy has been deposited
by the municipality.
Date of Next Meeting — Thursday, April 18, 2024, 8:30am, Orono Town Hall
Meeting Adjourned at 9:43 A.M.