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200609 Development MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting June 9, 2020 7:30 a.m. Electronic Meeting MINUTES Present: Jesse Goossens, Andrew Burns, Collette Takacs, Lisa Gilvesy, Randy Thornton, Jeff VanRybroeck, Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Cedric Tomico, Steve Spanjers, Mayor Molnar, Suzanne Renken Regrets: Lindsay Morgan-Jacko and Kirby Heckford Staff: Kyle Pratt, CAO; Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner; Laura Pickersgill, Legislative Services Coordinator 1. Roll Call 2. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:34 a.m. 3. Adoption of Agenda Resolution #1 Moved by: Cedric Tomico Seconded by: Collette Takacs THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of June 9, 2020, be adopted. Carried 4. Adoption of Previous Minutes Resolution #2 Moved by: Lisa Gilvesy Seconded by: Andrew Burns THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of April 14, 2020, be adopted. Carried 5. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof Deb Gilvesy declared a pecuniary interest with item 6.3 due to a family member that would receive financial gain from this transaction. 6. General Business & Reports 6.1 Monthly Projects Update Cephas Panschow provided an overview of the Monthly Project Update for June 2020. The development of a vacant space marketing program will be initiated coming out of the pandemic. It was noted that advice had been received that if an industrial property is not listed through a brokerage then it may not get included in many Requests for Information handled design/build companies. A survey for both commercial realtors and construction industry representatives has been developed with review by this committee’s legal/real estate members, and will be distributed to investigate this further with the goal of ensuring the Town’s industrial land information is getting included. The Van Norman Innovation Park Environmental Compliance Application was submitted in the spring with a requested response due by mid-June. The tenders are in progress for release. Staff had met with some potential investors for the property. Staff will be aware of any opportunities that this Committee can help move this initiative forward during meetings with parties involved later this week. 6.2 Mayor’s COVID Business Recovery Working Group- Update on Actions 6.2.1 COVID-19 Business Impact Survey 2.0 Results Summary An update was provided on the great effort this working group has achieved thus far. Members reviewed the results of the survey. It was noted that this group has had input into the financial programs being developed through Community Futures Oxford such as the Oxford Economic Stimulus Fund. It was estimated that five or six Tillsonburg companies have applied for the Oxford Economic Stimulus Funding program. The Chamber hosted a webinar that featured Premier Ford and Minister Fedeli regarding discussions on reducing red tape and backlogging of issues were noted at the municipal level. It was suggested that other areas of the Corporation could review backlog and ‘red tape’ areas at a local level to help move initiatives through faster and more efficiently. It was recommended that it is important for Town staff and Council members to acknowledge receipt of a message to an inquirer to let them know their question or concern has been noted and a response will be provided in due course. Laura will circulate the document from the province regarding the re-opening into phase 2. Oxford County CAO’s have met to discuss the Oxford County Joint Service Delivery Review done in April. A report will be brought to Council on June 11 that outlines efficiencies and recommendations. It was suggested that this material won’t change the budget for 2020 but may have budget implications for 2021. Laura will circulate this report to the group. It was noted that only 8.4% of businesses indicated on the survey a re-opening without some kind of change implemented. Members were reminded that these businesses may re-open but should remain diligent on whether they can survive or not in the long-term. 6.2.2 Webinar Series Update (Getting on the Road to Recovery) The webinar series have been well attended and well received. Deb Gilvesy left the meeting at 8:06 a.m. 6.3 Future Industrial Lands Update Resolution #3 Moved by: Andrew Burns Seconded by: Randy Thornton THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee move into Closed Session to consider: -a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town; Carried Deb Gilvesy re-joined the meeting at 8:30 a.m. 6.4 Economic Development Strategy Update Staff proposed the question to the Committee if they felt it would be beneficial to have a shorter term solution as recovery from the pandemic included in the Economic Development Strategy Update or would it be better to focus on a long-term strategy. Members suggested that both short term recovery solutions and a long-term plan should be included in the update. It was suggested that the short term goals be focused on business retention and recovery. Laura will circulate the current Economic Development Strategy to the Committee. It was suggested that sub-committees be developed to lead various components of the public consultation, i.e. industrial land opportunities, downtown revitalization, etc. It was noted that the industrial focused group should include representation with an engineering background and that the downtown core group should include a representative from the BIA. Staff indicated that the consultation process involved with any level of this committee will be built into the consultation process of the strategy update. Staff will bring this item forward on the next agenda. There were no concerns noted with staff keeping more weight around pandemic recovery but also keeping in mind the long term goals while working through this process. 6.5 Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. 6.5.1 Hydro Subcommittee Update – Presentation to THI Board on May 26 Laura will provide this presentation to Committee members for information following the meeting. Hydro subcommittee members provided an overview of their presentation to the THI Board. It was noted that it was difficult to determine actual installation costs for all comparator municipalities in their data comparison but that the numbers for St. Thomas were factual. It was suggested that the Tillsonburg hydro figures may be represented much higher because the data includes: amortization, appreciation and interest expenses while the other data may not include such and the model of the cost split between the utility and the developer. The Subcommittee has asked THI for a response and will provide an update back to this Committee once a response is received. The subcommittee has asked for a potential meeting with the Minister of Energy. The Subcommittee also noted concerns with reports of poor communications from THI. They have requested to review their customer service model for suggestions on improvement. Discussion was held regarding a report written by interim CAO, Ron Shaw, outlining that the economic evaluation model used by THI is not mandatory by the OEB but rather is preferred. It was noted that the report dictates that if THI were to move back to a 50/50 cost split then the cost would increase to the ratepayer to upkeep the cash flow. Members were encouraged to bring any suggestions they have forward to the committee for discussion to potentially be forwarded to Town Council for discussion on overall hydro costs in Tillsonburg. This topic will be discussed further at the next meeting. The Subcommittee will attempt to validate the St Thomas numbers obtained with more details. It was suggested that multiple developments and their associated costs need to be reviewed to get an average cost since every development is a bit different. Members noted concerns with what the actual cost savings are to the ratepayer by moving to the 90/10 model. The THI AGM is typically held at the end of June. Collette left the meeting at 8:50 a.m. 6.6 Town Hall Task Force A draft report to go to Council is currently being developed. 6.7 Community Strategic Plan There is a draft RFP available for Council’s consideration and the timing of when this report will go to Council is undetermined at this time. 7. Community Organization Updates 7.1 Downtown Business Improvement Association Cedric Tomico noted that there were a few applicants in May for the Commercial Rent Relief Program offered through the BIA. Some businesses have reached out regarding the use of funds for façade requests as the funding was initially used for the façade improvement program. The planter program was launched on a smaller scale and information is to be provided to make the public aware that these planters were donated to the BIA. The Town has entered into a new Memorandum of Understanding for one year in 2020 that will include BIA assistance in the downtown core with, street cleaning, garbage removal, watering of plants and tree maintenance. The sign by-law was temporarily amended to allow businesses to post banners and advertising signs during the recovery phase of the pandemic. A report regarding pop-up patios is being discussed at the June 11th Council meeting. 7.2 Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce There will be a board meeting held on June 10th. A date has not been rescheduled for the Awards of Excellence at this time. The TDCC open golf tournament was scheduled for June but will have to be amended. Staff are in contact with the Bridges Golf Course to discuss alternative options. The TDCC has been an advocate regarding improvements to the CECRA program. Area chambers have been working together to reduce red tape to allow businesses to get extended patio liquor licenses this year. The Chamber is planning to apply for the $25,000 Oxford Economic Stimulus Fund. 7.3 Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 7.3.1 April 2020 It was noted that the real estate industry is doing well despite the poor projections from the CMHC. 8. Round Table There has been a temporary ban put on commercial rent evictions. The Former TRW property (101 Spruce Street) has now been sold to a cannabis manufacturer. 9. Next Meeting Tuesday, July 14 at 7:30 a.m. 10. Adjournment Resolution #3 Moved by: Deb Gilvesy Seconded by: Randy Thornton THAT the June 9, 2020 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:37 a.m. Carried