MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING
OF THE DOWNTOWN PORT PERRY BIA
HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009 AT 6:00 P.M.
IN THE SCUGOG VISITOR & BUSINESS CENTRE
PRESENT:
Chair, Mr. Stewart Bennett Christy Stone-Curry
Vic-Chair, Terry Venner Birgitta MacLeod
Bill Minors Michelle Belair
Susan Clearwater Amanda Jackson
Julie Brock Lynn Hodgson
Michelle Belair
ALSO PRESENT: General Manager - Kenna Kozak
Anita Clark
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Chair called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm.
2. DISCLOSURE OF PECUNIARY INTEREST
No member made a disclosure of pecuniary interest in any of the following matters.
3. MINUTES OF THE MARCH 10, 2009 MEETING
RESOLUTION NO: 09-10
Moved by: Bill Minors
Seconded by: Michelle Belair
THAT the minutes of March 10, 2009 meeting be approved.
Carried
4. REPORTS
i. President’s Report: Stewart Bennett welcomed everyone to the new space and thanked those who helped with the actual move, especially the Chamber of Commerce. It will be a comfortable space and Kenna will have more time to spend on BIA business. Stewart urged everyone to keep up their advertising effort and reinforced that it is unfair to ride on the backs of businesses that do a lot of advertising. Generally speaking, you should spend 5-7% of sales on advertising. Stewart thanked Julie for an excellent presentation to Council which resulted in approval for the Brits on the Lake Festival in August. Stewart wished everyone a great spring season.
ii. Treasurer’s Report: Michelle Belair reviewed updated figures for the current year.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-11
Moved by: Birgitta MacLeod
Seconded by: Terri Venner
THAT the Treasurer’s report for April be accepted.
Carried
iii. Advertising Report: There was no formal report as Lana was absent from the meeting. Upcoming co-op ads include Toronto Star and CHEX, which needs 4 advertisers to make it feasible. The rates are good and include production. A draft of the business card promo with the BIA information on the reverse and info about on-line contest (click to enter) was presented. The new BIA logo looks great. A new tourism book for Port Perry is being produced and several members are participating.
Divas in Downtown is the next event. There will be no horse and buggy and live music will replace the DJ from last year. Susan will ask for the decorative lights to be turned on.
iv. Area Development - Susan Clearwater distributed a report with her comments from her review of the official plan. These reflect Susan’s interpretations and it was agreed that there should be a separate document that outlines the BIA’s position. Stewart Bennett, Lynn Hodgson and Christie Stone-Curry will meet to prepare this item. Bill Minors expressed his thanks to Susan for her hard work, on behalf of the BIA.
Benches are being refurbished by Brenda Clark the week of April 18-26. Requested that the Township set them up the week of April 27. Susan has requested changes to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Township to see that banners are installed when wreaths are taken down and banners taken down when baskets are installed; also that decisions regarding flowers be made in January so members and the BIA could respond in time. Baskets have been ordered with request that they be installed no earlier than June 1. The banners and their brackets have a new design, which has to go to Parks and Rec for approval, possibly the Heritage Committee as well. Susan will set this up. The brackets will be made by Classic Displays of Mississauga. The next meeting of the Downtown Heritage Conservation District Study is April 20. The final document will go to Council on June 22. The Spring Garden Show takes place at the Recreation Centre on April 18 & 19.
v. Councillor’s Report – Lynn Hodgson
Pitch in Week takes place April 20-26 with a “20-minute Makeover” on April 24. There is no further progress at present on the west end development; there are several outstanding issues to be resolved. There is a good relationship between the Township and BIA now with the location of the BIA office. A program called “First Impressions” may be useful to the BIA. This involves members from other, similar BIA’s visiting Port Perry and providing constructive feedback. More information will be available at the next meeting.
4. CORRESPONDENCE none
5. NEW BUSINESS
Car Rally: A car rally to benefit the March of Dimes will be coming through Port Perry on May 24. Lynn will check if permits are required and Kenna will send more information to members via email.
Decorative Light Poles for John Street: Gene Chartier has inquired about extending the decorative light poles along John Street. The Township is looking for BIA approval and help with the funding. This is tied in with the John Street redevelopment taking place in July. It was agreed that there is no money in this year’s budget.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-12
Moved by: Bill Minors
Seconded by: Julie Brock
That the BIA consider decorative light poles for John Street in a future budget if the option is still available.
Carried
Town Hall 1873: In recognition of Michelle Jones, the Town Hall 1873 is raising funds for “Michelle’s Project” to purchase black curtains.
RESOLUTION NO: 09-13
Moved by: Bill Minors
Seconded by: Susan Clearwater
That the BIA donate $500 to “Michelle’s Project”
Carried
Brits on the Lake Event: Bob Duchesne is organizing this event with BIA assistance. He suggested there be a Hawaiian theme as well to make the event more interesting to participants, who will bring their British cars and motorbikes to display along Queen Street, from John Street to Water Street. The BIA would have to help secure sponsorship and sharing the proceeds with the hospital foundation was suggested. Christy suggested the Rotary Club may help, perhaps with a BBQ; they have 30 members. Council has approved the event. Several suggestions were made, including selling leis to raise money for the hospital, live music, lemonade stand. The Scugog Council for the Arts is interested in participating. It will help if businesses make their washrooms available to the public.
Movie Night The Rotary Club said it may be interested in helping in 2010.
Piano Inn will be expanding by adding conference facilities for groups up to 35. It should be ready by the end of September.
Parking: police have begun ticketing vehicles parked overnight.
6. ADJOURN
The meeting was adjourned at 8:03 pm. The next meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 12 at 6 pm.
