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190910 Development MIN The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Economic Development Advisory Committee September 10, 2019 7:30 a.m. Boardroom, Customer Service Centre 10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg MINUTES Present: Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens, Jim Hayes, Kirby Heckford (Arrived at 7:48 a.m.), Ashton Nembhard, Steves Spanjers, Collette Takacs, Randy Thornton, Cedric Tomico (Arrived at 7:57 a.m.), Lindsay Tribble (Arrived at 8:25 a.m.), Jeff Van Rybroeck and John Veldman. Regrets: Andrew Burns and Lindsay Morgan-Jacko. Also Present: Amelia Jaggard, Legislative Services Coordinator Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m. 2. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution #1 Moved by: John Veldman Seconded by: Jim Hayes THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of September 10, 2019, be adopted. Carried. 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared. 4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting Proposed Resolution #2 Moved by: Steve Spanjers Seconded by: Collette Takacs THAT the Minutes of the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting dated July 9, 2019, be approved. Carried. 5. Presentations/Deputations Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 2 - of 5 Date: September 10, 2019 6. Information Items 6.1. New Competitive Advantages Flyer (Draft) It was suggested to remove the crime statistics and to highlight the regional emergency services located in Town. It was suggested to highlight that fibre optic services are available in both industrial and commercial areas. It was suggested to soften the Tillsonburg housing numbers and to include ten year and current housing price averages. It was suggested to include a reference to the Maclean's magazine article. It was suggested to make the text of the titles larger and the Tillsonburg logo smaller. It was suggested to include a contact name and phone number. Staff noted the flyer will be distributed at the Toronto Home Show and will be made available on the Town’s website. 7. General Business & Reports 7.1. Monthly Project Updates The High Tech Manufacturing Sub-cluster Action Plan will be brought to Council for review and endorsement soon. Kirby Heckford arrived at 7:48 a.m. It was suggested to promote the square foot tax rates when promoting the Van Norman Innovation Park. Cedric Tomico arrived at 7:57 a.m. It was suggested to promote the CIP program on the New Competitive Advantages Flyer. 7.2. Community Strategic Plan Funding for updating the Community Strategic Plan has been deferred from Q3 to Q4. 7.2.1. Excellence in Local Government 7.2.2. Economic Sustainability 7.2.3. Demographic Balance 7.2.4. Culture and Community 7.3. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc – Briefing from Subcommittee The subcommittee has met once. The subcommittee will be requesting a conference call with the Ontario Energy Board. It was suggested that the Ministry of Energy might better be able to provide an overview of the sector. Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 3 - of 5 Date: September 10, 2019 7.4. Town Hall Task Force Proponent interviews were held in August 2019. A summary of the proposals including financial information was presented to Council at their in camera meeting on Monday, September 9, 2019. The committee will be presenting the proposals at Council in open session on Monday, September 23, 2019. Following the public engagement sessions the committee will make a recommendation to Council. Committee members will be invited to view the proposals once they are released to the public. 7.5. Second Quarter Report – Economic Development & Marketing Development Commissioner provided an overview of the Economic Development and Marketing Q2 report. Lindsay Tribble arrived at 8:25 a.m. 7.6. Second Quarter Report – Building Planning & Bylaw Services 7.7. 2019 SOMA Asia Mission Briefing Staff have received an invitation to the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber conference in India this coming November. The Development Commissioner and Mayor are planning to visit India, Taiwan and Japan. 8. Community Organization Updates 8.1. Downtown Business Improvement Association The BIA’s sidewalk day promotion was a success. Nominations are now open for Downtown Tillsonburg BIA Awards 2019. Cedric T. to send information regarding nominations. The deadline for nominations is October 1, 2019. The facade improvement program currently has three applications to consider. The Town sign on Broadway requires an electronic upgrade in order to work. Staff to find information regarding snow clearing responsibilities of business owners which now have a curb cut in front of their building. 8.2. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce The Retention Committee will be hosting a new fall lunch event. The sponsorship program for businesses will be expanding. Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 4 - of 5 Date: September 10, 2019 A new poster has been launched that provides information on the benefits of joining the Chamber. In advance of the upcoming Federal Election the Chamber will be hosting a Meet the Candidate event on October 3, 2019. The event will be open to the public. The Chamber will be attending the Canadian Chamber of Commerce 2019 AGM and Convention in New Brunswick this month. The Chamber will be presenting a new policy. There are two full trips going to Spain. It was suggested that the Chamber should host a breakfast/ or lunch and learn event for women in business. 8.3. Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 8.4. Physician Recruitment Staff to find out if Tillsonburg is still designated a high needs area. 9. Correspondence 9.1. Letter to MP MacKenzie Regarding Short Line Rail Service No response has been received. Development Commissioner and Aston N. to follow up. 9.2. Request from Oxford Lofts Inc Regarding the Town’s Community Improvement Plan (83 Rolph St – Phase 2) The developer applied to the CIP program strategic level for a proposed building in the parking lot at the 83 Rolph Street property. Staff responded to the applicant that the project meets the medium level of the CIP program. The developer would like the Committee to review the CIP program and consider altering the program to help them qualify. This project has not gone through the planning approval process. Item to be included on the next Agenda. Staff to circulate information on Bill 108 requirements. It was suggested to provide a matrix on the CIP levels and the requirements of each. Randy Thorton left at 9:05 a.m. Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 5 - of 5 Date: September 10, 2019 10. Other Business Ron Shaw has been hired as the Interim CAO. Mr. Shaw will be invited to future Committee meetings. 11. Round table The Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund (OCIF) funding has been received. There will be a Council Budget Meeting on Thursday, September 12, 2019 starting at 5:00 p.m. Due to time constraints there will be an item on the Agenda that deals with an offer to purchase land (31 Earle St. – peopleCare Inc). peopleCare is planning for a five acre development consisting of over 100 long term care beds and over 100 retirement beds. 12. Next Meeting Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. in the Board Room at the Customer Service Centre, 10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg, ON. 13. Adjournment Proposed Resolution #3 Moved by: Jim Hayes Seconded by: Steve Spanjers THAT September 10, 2019 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:21 a.m. Carried.