200211 Development MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting
February 11, 2020
7:30 a.m.
10 Lisgar Avenue, Tillsonburg, ON MINUTES
Present: Andrew Burns, Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens, Steven Spanjers, Randy Thornton, Cedric Tomico, Mayor Stephen Molnar Absent With Regrets: Jeff VanRybroeck, Collette Takacs, Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Ashton Nembhard, Jim Hayes, Kirby Heckford Also Present:
Kyle Pratt, CAO Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner Laura Pickersgill, Legislative Services Coordinator 1. Call to Order- Introduction to New CAO
The meeting was called to order at 7:34 a.m. 2. Adoption of Agenda Resolution #1 Moved by: Lisa Gilvesy
Seconded by: Cedric Tomico THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of February 11, 2020, be adopted. Carried 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting The word “appointed” under 5.9.2 be amended to “nominated”. Council provides appointments and the Chamber of Commerce provides nominations.
Resolution #2
Moved by: Andrew Burns Seconded by: Cedric Tomico THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of January 21, 2020, be adopted, as amended.
Carried
4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared. 5. General Business & Reports 5.1 Monthly Project Updates Development Commissioner provided a monthly projects update.
The Van Norman Innovation Park Environmental Compliance Application will be submitted by February 14, 2020. There are plans to have the area serviced with hydro by fall 2020.
Staff to provide an update to the next meeting on the industrial land inventory, including a map, with potential areas for developing the next industrial park. It was noted that in the last industrial land inventory there was a lot of available space but the space was unusable.
A report went to Council in December 2019 regarding the Town Hall Project Steering Committee and direction was provided for Staff to provide a report to Council in February 2020. Staff are currently drafting a report with various options for a new Town Hall to present to Council in March 2020. 5.2 Retail Recruitment-Environmental Scan Draft Development Commissioner provided an overview of the Draft Plan for Retail Recruitment Environmental Scan. Key recruitment ideas include:
• Contracting with a broker to recruit retail
• Restricting zoning to limit the amount of permitted uses in the downtown area
• Offering technical and business advisory services for downtown retailers, such as a “Store Doctor Program”
• Revision of the Community Improvement Plan to reduce or waive fees for targeted retail uses
• Providing funding for recruitment of unique, one of a kind retailers
• Providing funding to cover recruitment costs and broker fees
• Providing leasehold improvement grants or an interest-free loan Opportunity for feedback on the Draft was provided. Mayor Molnar and Kyle Pratt left at 8:15 a.m.
It was suggested that the Executive Director of the BIA has been working on this project and could provide further assistance with this moving forward. It was noted that potential investors are made aware of the surrounding population and demographics that use the Town’s retail services rather than just the population
of the Town’s residents.
Discussion was held regarding the need for updating the zoning by-laws, as the
current uses listed in the by-laws are very prescriptive and outdated. Suggestion was made to survey Tillsonburg residents regarding their thoughts on what type of retail is needed. This would help inform recruitment efforts. It was discussed that the results of the survey could be impacted due to the seniors’
population and lack of online shopping with that demographic. Staff to prepare a marketing profile based on data from the retail study to support retail recruitment efforts. 5.2 Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. A request has been submitted for a representative from the Hydro Subcommittee to appear as a delegation on March 31, 2020 at the Tillsonburg Hydro Board Meeting to discuss concerns with the revised economic evaluation model and customer
service issues. It was suggested that the delegate provides solutions to the customer service concerns rather than just listing the concerns. 5.3 Town Hall Task Force 5.4 Physician Recruitment and Retention Committee 5.4.1 Physician Recruitment Committee Update Staff to reach out to Sandy Jansen, CEO of TDMH, to determine if any recruitment for General Practitioners is underway.
It was noted that Stephanie Nevins, Clinic Manager of the Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic is interested in opening a Nurse Practitioner-Led Clinic in Tillsonburg dependent on funding from the Ministry of Health. 5.5 Community Strategic Plan 5.5.1 Excellence in Local Government 5.5.2 Economic Sustainability 5.5.3 Demographic Balance 5.5.4 Culture and Community
6. Community Organization Updates 6.1 Downtown Business Improvement Association A revised Memorandum of Understanding was recently brought to the Town for review.
The façade improvement program is going well and many applications have been received for the rear façade upgrades.
6.2 Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce Business after 5 will be held at Millards Chartered Professional Accountants on
February 12, 2020 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. 6.3 Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 6.3.1 February 2020 Commercial Listings 6.3.2 January 2020 Activity Report 7. Round Table Staff to add information on developing a solution for the vacant properties (old gas stations) on Simcoe Street to the next agenda.
Councillor Gilvesy noted that Council has decided to not move forward with a homeless shelter as the costing is not feasible. It was noted that the Salvation Army will transport homeless individuals to surrounding area shelters. Staff to determine if there is any local needle pickup program. 8. Next Meeting Tuesday, March 10, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. 9. Adjournment Resolution #3
Moved by: Andrew Burns Seconded by: Steve Spanjers THAT the February 11, 2020 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:15 a.m. Carried