Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-09-10Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) Board of Management Meeting Minutes Tuesday September 10, 2024; 6:30pm Virtual Meeting In Attendance: Ron Hooper, Chair Laura Holmes, Secretary Gerri Lucas, Treasurer Lloyd Rang, Council Representative Cathy Holmes, Director Edgar Lucas, Director Laura Knox, MOC Ec Dev representative Amber Ross, owner Pink Lemon Decor Regrets: Bonnie Wrightman, CBOT representative Erin Kemp, Director Delegations Present: Paul Pirri, MOC Director of Economic Development Chief Dave Speed, MOC Fire Chief (departed 6:46pm) The Chair read the Land Acknowledgement statement and called the meeting to order. 1. Presentation by Delegations (a) Q&A regarding upcoming Fire Inspections Chief Speed thanked the BIA for distributing the materials to members. Fire Inspectors have completed their campaign to visit businesses and deliver letter regarding inspections. Main purpose is to ensure barrier protections are in place and fire exits are accessible. A full fire code inspection will take place of the premise. If infractions are uncovered, owners will have opportunity to remedy. If unwilling to rectify, fines can be issued under the Fire Code. The inspections will focus on business locations with three or more residential units. There will be no distinction between restaurants and retail. (b) Introduction of Clarington's new Director of Economic Development P. Perri has a background as a municipal councillor, holds a Master of Public Administration. Former positions include Senior Manager of Economic Development for City of Whitby and member of Entrepreneurial Services with the City of Toronto. Clarington will hire two Economic Development officers. L. Knox will remain in current position. There will not be a focus on tourism or destination marketing. Believes Kitchener is a good example of progress in Ec Dev. Key focus on getting out to business to see how small and home -based business can grow in Clarington. Build sense of community within Clarington to help local business grow, cross -promote between sectors, connect local vendors. Concedes that infrastructure is an issue in Clarington, including telecom and servicing of vacant. Recruitment of larger sector business will be longer term goal. Intention is for Energy Park and Technology Park to continue to attract new business. There is a role for Ec Dev to play in safety, cleanliness of downtown. 2. Updates from Community Partners (a) Economic Development Historic Downtown Bowmanville 2 Business Centre (BIA) SEPTEMBER 2024 L. Knox shared that Veterans Square redevelopment is on schedule for completion this fall. More concrete timelines will be shared when available. CIP is open. Mystery Wheel pizza is working to renovate and hope to open by summer. Former Happy King Restaurant has sold. There are two new vacancies on King just west of Division. Dam Foods has opened in the former Little West Indies. It is their second location. Mayor's address is Sept 12 in Newcastle and there is opportunity to sign up. CBOT hosting tourism retail roundtable. (b) CBOT Update provided by B. Wrightman via email Wishes to extend appreciation to the BIA for distribution of information and resources on homelessness provided by Durham Region Social Services. Another community conversation about homelessness is being planned for November 12, 2024. More information to follow. (c) OBIAA The Chair shared some recent issues raised during best practice calls. Parking. Advocacy. Seeking support for Municipal Act changes. Issues with building codes. BIA bucks. 3. Adoption of Minutes Moved by L. Holmes, seconded by G. Lucas THAT the minutes of the meeting of June 11, 2024 be approved as circulated. CARRIED 4. Business Arising from Previous Minutes (a) Power Supply Councillor Rang will follow up with Public Works to determine if any repair plans are in place. (b) Feasibility of Historic Designation Councillor Rang submitted the request to staff just prior to summer break. Will follow up. (c) Recycling Program Producer responsibility is a provincial directive downloaded onto Regional Municipalities. Councillor Rang reports that there is not much clarity related to implementation at the present time. Recommends waiting until more information is available. 5. Correspondence Correspondence was received from i. Planning Department regarding Concession Road 6 ZBA2024-007 Public Meeting Notice (via email) ii. Steve Kay regarding garbage on King St (via email to The Chair and various members of Municipality) iii. Clarington Fire and Emergency Services regarding planned fire inspections including letter to business owners/property owners (via email) iv. Office of CAO/Treasurer regarding any proposed budget changes (via email) Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) SEPTEMBER 2024 V. Legislative Services regarding Notice of Adoption OPA137, OPA138, NOA ZBA2024-004, PD-049-24 (via email) vi. Legislative Services regarding Notice of Adoption NOA ZBA2021-0015, 2024-030, PD-057-24 (via email) vii. Legislative Services regarding Notice of Adoption NOA ZBA2021-0016, 2024-029, PD-056-24 (via email) viii. Steve Kay regarding Terry Fox kick off promotion (via email to The Chair) ix. Planning Department regarding Bowmanville East Urban Plan Recommendation Report (via email) Item 5.ii. was also sent to several persons at the Municipality. Councillor Rang shared that staff is seeking a solution for the garbage issue downtown. The Chair did a walkabout with Public Works regarding locations of waste receptacles. Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by L. Holmes THAT item 5.iii. and 5.viii were time sensitive and were already distributed to members THAT item 5.iv. was time sensitive and the Treasurer responded in due course THAT the correspondence be received for information. CARRIED 6. Treasurer's Report The Treasurer presented the following: i. 2023 Audit document received $185 657 in current account Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by C. Holmes THAT the Treasurer's Report be adopted as presented. CARRIED 7. Directors' Reports (a) Council Liaison — L. Rang reported that homelessness is a Regional responsibility but the Municipality takes a vested interest. CBOT will host a roundtable in November. Integrated Community Outreach Group is faith -based group that meet regularly to support unsheltered. Mayor and staff will attend meeting at St Paul's Church. Currently exploring location for winter warming centre. Library is working with Trent U to have Social Work co-op student placements. Durham Region Outreach Team provides 24-7 assistance for shelter. Staff is working with telecos for service improvements in Clarington. MPP Jivani is hosting a townhall on the issue. (b) Events — C. Holmes reported that Applefest is completely sold out. An issue has arisen where people are being told to contact downtown businesses with event -related questions. All event related inquiries must be directed to email bowmanvillefestivals@hotmail.com or to use the 'contact us' form on the website. Call for volunteers will be going out in October. Shuttle service will run between Clarington Fields and Rotary Park. (c) Membership Relations — Historic Downtown Bowmanville 4 SEPTEMBER 2024 Business Centre (BIA) G. Lucas reported that new businesses have been welcomed and sent flowers. (d) Streetscape — E. Lucas reported that fall banners were installed at end of August and will be removed by end of Sept so that Legion banners can go up on October 1. Flowers and planters did well this summer with lots of rain. Flowers will come down after Applefest. Stars and garland have been tested and are ready for install this winter. Power supply boxes will need repaired soon. (e) Communications— L. Holmes reported that all relevant communications have been distributed. Recently, the email used to communicate solely with BIA members has received messages from non-members. Reminds that any persons wishing to contact the BIA should either use the 'contact us' form on the website or email bowmanvillefestivals@hotmail.com. Suggests that a 'how-to contact the BIA' document be created and distributed. (f) Website & Social Media — L. Holmes reported that the business directory has been updated. 8. New Business None. 9. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Board of Management is scheduled to be held on Tuesday October 8, 2024 commencing at 6:30pm, virtually. 10. Adiournment Moved by E. Lucas, seconded by C. Holmes THAT the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 8:03pm.