MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE DOWNTOWN PORT PERRY BIA
HELD TUESDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M.
IN THE SCUGOG BUSINESS CENTRE
PRESENT:
Chair, Stewart Bennet Lynn Philip Hodgson
Vice – Chair, Terri Venner Birgitta MacLeod
Lana Crosbie Christy Stone Curry
Susan Clearwater
Julie Brock
Absent:
Michelle Belair, Bill Minors
ALSO PRESENT: General Manager - Kenna Kozak
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:10 pm.
2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
No member made a disclosure of pecuniary interest in any of the following matters.
3. DEPUTATIONS none.
4. MINUTES OF THE JULY 14 AND SEPTEMBER 8, 2009 MEETING
RESOLUTION NO: 09-29
Moved by: Lynn Hodgson
Seconded by: Susan Clearwater
THAT the minutes of July 14 and September 8, 2009 meeting be approved.
Carried
5. REPORTS
i. President’s Report
Where did the summer go? Here we are with early darkness and cold weather once again. But, Christmas is coming and we need to be ready for business like never before.
I advise all businesses to take advantage of the coop advertising that we have set up through the BIA as we all have to participate and not rely on the regular few who do spend on advertising. We need to make sure our staff is ready and trained for those extra add on purchases and our stores are clean and uncluttered. Be sure to have your windows well lit for walkers to window shop.
Although sales in the first half of 2009 were slow, it has definitely picked up in the last quarter with many visitors in town, especially on weekdays. The weather is still a huge factor in our success so we need to capture every sale while it is there.
The construction has been going well and should not be a concern to most of our businesses. I think the township has done very well to schedule construction with the least possible negative affect on the downtown.
Good to hear that Wal-Mart is stalled for another year.
Hoping you have a great October and a Happy Halloween,
RESOLUTION NO: 09-30
Moved by: Birgitta MacLeod
Seconded by: Julie Brock
THAT the President’s report for October 2009 be received.
Carried
ii. Treasurer’s Report
Michelle was absent due to illness so there was no report. A special budget meeting is required before November 2 in order to meet the Township deadlines. This year event budgets are being broken down to separate the advertising costs. Cooperative advertising will also be shown separately. We should consider some kind of increase to the budget because we are adding more events and updating the website. Perhaps $5,000 can be added. There has been no increase in 3 years.
iii. Advertising Report:
The upcoming ads for Curious Country shopper for Nov. & December will be full colour and extra copies (pull-out) will be printed again this year. Other advertisers (KX96) will be offering cooperative ads to businesses. The CHEX co-op has been popular with 18 participants. In 2010 the BIA will drop the ads in the Toronto Star. The BIA has done a good job managing its own advertising this year without Taalwood.
Upcoming Events:
The Tree Lighting is the next event. Terri, Lana & Julie are coordinating this. The reindeer will be booked again. There will be a new format this year, with the lighting starting at the tree at the west end of Queen Street and then walk towards the park and have the reindeer there. We will try to light more trees at the park this year and possibly have a marshmallow roast if we can get permission from the fire department. Several choirs will be stationed along the way.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-31
Moved by: Lynn Hodgson
Seconded by: Julie Brock
THAT the Advertising report for October be accepted.
Carried
iv. Area Development – Susan Clearwater
BRACKETS AND BANNERS
The brackets will be installed the week of October 19th in the evening. The brackets on Water Street from Queen Street to North Street will be installed after construction is completed. All decorative brackets will be placed on the lampposts on the road side of the pole so that they will be more visible.
The proposed design for the new banner was provided to the Heritage Committee for approval.
The cost for the banners will be $2212, not including taxes and freight. This price will only be in effect until the end of the year and this price does not include installation.
ECONOMIC COMMITTEE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEETING
The meeting of the Economic Advisory Committee is scheduled for October 15th.
COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM
A decision was made not to have the Garden Tour next year due to a lack of interest from both participants and attendees. Since most of the people that attend are local and buy their tickets the same day as the tour, the rain played a big part in the low attendance. It was determined that not enough advertising was done in free publications and the Committee does not have enough funding to do paid advertising. The Committee has decided to donate funds raised from any future Garden Tours to a local charity.
Communities in Bloom is actively looking for new members to assist in helping with events.
The Photo Contest is over on October 30th.
The owner of the property on the northeast corner of 7A and Water Street has agreed to have it landscaped. This will greatly improve the appearance of a very important gateway to the town. No decision has been made on who will be providing/funding this landscaping.
A comment was made in the Communities in Bloom meeting that people did not know where to find the free breakfast on Harvest Day.
REVISION OF MOU (By-Law Number 39-08)
A meeting will be held with Bev Hendry, Gene Chartier, John Sellars, Kenna and I to discuss any changes that may be necessary to the MOU with the Township of Scugog and the BIA “regarding the joint management and maintenance of the BIA and Area Development”.
ACCESSIBILITY ACT
I will be attending the “Business for Breakfast” Meeting on October 29th and will communicate the information provided on the overview of the Accessibility Act to BIA members.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-32
Moved by: Amanda Jackson
Seconded by: Lana Crosbie
THAT the Area Development report for October be accepted.
Carried
v. Councillor’s Report
The west end development is still delayed and the issue appears to be a lack of tenants. The waterfront development is coming along well. There is concern that the propose HST will result in increased costs and that contrary to some reports, is not revenue-neutral. Some estimates for the Region put the increase at 1.4%.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-33
Moved by: Susan Clearwater
Seconded by: Birgitta MacLeod
THAT the Councillor’s report for October be accepted.
Carried
7. CORRESPONDENCE
A tourism performance bulletin was received from the Ministry of Tourism.
8. NEW BUSINESS
Christy reported that she was unhappy that the Chamber of Commerce’s breakfast booth at the fall festival was directly in front of her business. Although it was a fundraiser, it should have been in front of a different business, i.e. not a restaurant.
The Township apparently does not set up or take down barricades for street closures, as reported earlier. The BIA will write a letter to the mayor and council indicating it is a Twp. liability issue and they should be responsible. This issue must be resolved before the Santa Claus parade and tree lighting.
Next meeting will take place November 10. There will be no meeting in December. The Annual General Meeting will take
place on January 12, 2010.
9. ADJOURN 7:40 pm
