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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-05-05Historic Downtown Bowmanville Business Centre (BIA) Board of Management Meeting Minutes Tuesday May 5, 2026; 6:30pm Virtual Meeting 1. Attendance In Attendance: Ron Hooper, Chair Laura Holmes, Secretary Gerri Lucas, Treasurer Lloyd Rang, Council Representative Cathy Holmes, Director Edgar Lucas, Director Bonnie Wrightman, CBOT representative Laura Knox, MOC Ec Dev representative Amber Ross, owner Pink Lemon Nadine Herron, owner Nest Specialty Desserts Natalie Dookheran, owner Roam Coffee Regrets: Erin Kemp, Director Delegations Present: none 2. Call to Order The Chair called the meeting to order. Recognized the hard work that went into the planning and execution of Maplefest. 3. Land Acknowledgement The Chair read the land acknowledgement statement. 4. Presentation by Delegations The Chair recognized that no delegations were present. 5. Updates from Community Partners (a) CBOT B. Wrightman shared that they have received approximately 65 responses to the blue box survey to date and plan to send a reminder to complete soon. Thanked the BIA for distributing to members. Results will be combined with results from other Durham Region chambers and sent as a report to Minister McCarthy with copies to regional and municipal councils. BIA will send reminder about survey and showcase to members. The Chair congratulated CBOT on their recent gala and recognized the BIA members that received longevity awards. Councillor Rang shared that Region has no plans to provide recycling services but has not publicly shared where funds previously budgeted for recycling are being used. Historic Downtown Bowmanville 2 MAY 2026 Business Centre (BIA) CBOT hosting Region Chair meeting with 300 businesses at Tosca this week. Plans to ask Region about diversion of funds from blue box. (b) Invest Clarington L. Knox shared that patio applications are open. Brewers Pantry patio was installed in time for Maplefest. Feedback from neighboring businesses regarding smoking/cigarette butts was noted and shared with the applicant. Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) was approved at Council. July 1 hotels and motels start charging 5% tax. ORHMA collects and remits monthly to Municipality. 100% towards tourism-related activities - 50% to Invest Clarington and 50% to a Municipal Service Board. Will engage BIA in 2027 once new Council installed. CIP update proposal planned for June 15 planning development meeting and June 22 council meeting. Planned new CIP implementation for 2027. Existing CIP program remains open. Draft proposal not ready to share yet. 6. Adoption of Minutes Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by E. Lucas THAT the minutes of the meeting of April 14, 2026 be approved as circulated. CARRIED 7. Business Arising from Previous Minutes None 8. Consent Items - Correspondence Correspondence was received from i. Planning Department re: Notice of Recommendation to Council - Soper Springs ii. Planning Department re: Public Meeting Notice – 933 Mearns Ave iii. Planning Department re: Notice of Recommendation to Council – Courtice Waterfront iv. Planning Department re: Public Meeting Notice – 45 Raynes Ave v. Planning Department re: Public Meeting Notice – Concession 3 Moved by L. Holmes, seconded by E. Lucas THAT the correspondence be received for information. CARRIED 9. Consent Items – Discussion none 10. Treasurer’s Report The Treasurer presented the following: i. $269419.99 in current account ii. Maplefest expenses still outstanding iii. Audit is complete. There were some changes to process this year. Moved by G. Lucas, seconded by C. Holmes Historic Downtown Bowmanville 3 MAY 2026 Business Centre (BIA) THAT the Treasurer’s Report be adopted as presented. CARRIED 11. Directors’ Reports (a) Council Liaison – L. Rang reported that public statutory meeting for former Goodyear property is on May 11. Resident complaint about incident in parking lot on Division St. where person was followed to vehicle. Police and bylaw were notified and letter sent to Council. Spoke with Regional Chair about recycling. There was a question about where the Regional funds that were previously used for recycling collection are being directed but no answer received. Veterans crosswalk is on the radar of Public Works for repairs. DRPS provided crime statistics at a recent meeting. The Chair shared that he met the owner of the former Goodyear property and discussed the redevelopment plans and explained the BIA and how it operates. (b) Events – C. Holmes shared appreciation for special assistance provided by Ron and Amber during check-in. Also expressed thanks for all volunteers. Maplefest well attended despite unusually cold weather. Issue with vehicles in event zone and parked in shuttle stop at start of event. Shuttle buses were very well utilized. A reminder was sent to all businesses following the event because there were several violations of the conditions for road space usage - weights not used to secure tents, food/drink without health board permit. Risk of fines and/or no approval for future. Issue with businesses allowing others to use their space which is against the rules. Several vendors sent notes thanking for well organized event. Across road banner needed emergency repair ahead of event and needs permanent repair. Light pole at Gay Construction power failed during event. MOC staff inspected during Maplefest and said there was no power and no reset on the GFI. Will need replaced. Picnic table and garbage bin delivery fees are still under review. Cross road banner cables are nearly broken and currently held in place with rachet strap. Query whether worth repairs. Cannot be used until repaired. Will require a utility company. Question raised whether large marquee tents necessary for Applefest. Many other GFI need fixed, wiring is old, some boxes hanging off poles. E. Lucas will contact Mariano about repairs. Noted a huge line up for photos in front of inflatable syrup jug. Questions about violations and rules set out for business during events. There has been no change to the rules/conditions set for business. Several violations occurred. If the board wishes to discuss further the discussion will be deferred to a special meeting. (c) Membership Relations – G. Lucas reported that Kings Milk is open with new ownership. Lash Maven has moved to Silver St. KeepFit HQ will take over former Lash Maven location. (d) Streetscape – E. Lucas reported that welder is working on new plant holders. Will speak to flower wholesaler about ordering fiber pots for winter. Vendor declined to provide sidewalk planters this summer because they Historic Downtown Bowmanville 4 MAY 2026 Business Centre (BIA) failed to thrive last summer. No plan to seek new vendor for sidewalk planters. Concerts in Park sign is damaged and will need replaced. Sidewalk sweeper seen downtown before Maplefest. (e) Communications – L. Holmes reported that road closure notices were shared with members. Proposes to send letter to Public Works and copy Council sharing appreciation for sidewalk snow clearing and salting and pre-Maplefest clean up. (f) Website & Social Media – L. Holmes reported that the business directory has been updated with new businesses and vacancies. Social media focused on Maplefest promotions. 12. New Business None 13. Date of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Board of Management is scheduled to be held on Tuesday June 9, 2026 commencing at 6:30pm, virtually. 14. Adjournment Moved by L. Holmes, seconded by E. Lucas THAT the meeting adjourn. CARRIED The meeting adjourned at 7:42pm.