200714 Development MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting
July 14, 2020
7:30 a.m.
Electronic Meeting MINUTES
Present: Cedric Tomico, Councillor Gilvesy, Mayor Molnar, Jesse Goosens, Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Lisa Gilvesy, Suzanne Renken, Collette Takacs, Randy Thornton, Steve Spanjers, Andrew Burns Staff: Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner, Kyle Pratt, CAO Regrets: Jeff VanRybroeck Absent: Kirby Heckford
1. Roll Call 2. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:35 a.m. 3. Adoption of Agenda Resolution #1 Moved by: Collette Takacs Seconded by: Cedric Tomico
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of July 14, 2020, be adopted. Carried 4. Adoption of Previous Minutes
Resolution #2 Moved by: Deb Gilvesy Seconded by: Cedric Tomico THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee
meeting of June 9, 2020, be adopted.
Carried 5. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.
6. General Business & Reports 6.1 Monthly Projects Update
Cephas Panschow provided an overview of the monthly project update. It was noted that the future industrial growth survey has closed and the results will be shared at
the next meeting. The VanNorman Innovation Park received approval from the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks on July 8, 2020. Staff are meeting later this month to discuss County approval. The tender was released on July 8 for the
shaping of the road basin and the storm water management pond. The service tenders will be released later this month. There have been inquiries coming in from various businesses, such as a food processing plant. 6.2 Industrial Park Development Offers Discussion
Discussion was held regarding the ability to review development offers in detail or not. 6.3 Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. 6.3.1 Hydro Subcommittee Update – Presentation to THI Board on May 26
The subcommittee provided an update at the last meeting and the subcommittee is waiting on a response from THI. Staff will continue to follow up on retrieving this feedback and will ask for a response before the next meeting.
Concerns were noted regarding the inefficiencies with the invoicing and billing system and process through THI. Staff will follow up on this. The THI members and Board Chair remained the same following the annual general meeting. 6.4 Town Hall Task Force Council passed a resolution to direct staff to reconvene the Town Hall Steering Committee and that the Committee be tasked with bringing back a report for further design, build and own options and leasing options of corporate space.
This report is due back to Council by Q4 of 2020. Laura will circulate this report to the Committee. 6.5 Physician Recruitment & Retention Committee The next meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2020. Staff are meeting on July 20
to review the Physician Recruitment Matrix and this revised Matrix will be brought to the Committee. An endowment fund is available for medical education that could fit within the Matrix well. There is a new foundation director that started last week named Jerry Dearing. It was noted that there will be a full surgical plan starting up at TDMH. There were concerns noted that there is a shortage of physicians available in Tillsonburg.
Laura and Suzanne will discuss filling the position of a Chamber representative following this meeting.
6.6 Community Strategic Plan Council passed a resolution to direct staff to continue with sending out the request for proposal and that the evaluation committee be approved. Laura will send this report to the Committee. The request for proposal will close August 12,
2020. The Economic Strategy Plan will be done in collaboration with one another to share common themes. The Community Strategic Plan is the overarching plan for the municipality and the Economic Strategic Plan will look more at the data. It
will be important to have appropriate consultation processes. 7. Community Organization Updates 7.1 Downtown Business Improvement Association The pop up patio program has been well received. The new MOU agreement
including the beautification project has kept BIA employees busy. There are three façade applications to be reviewed at this time. This program was put on hold momentarily to help with the commercial rent relief program. 7.2 Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
The Chamber is working towards planning a virtual Awards of Excellence ceremony. A golf event is being developed in replacement of the original TDCC open golfing event. There will be a meeting in September 2020 for policy development and members were encouraged to submit any items for this. Suzanne will be sending along questions to this Committee on behalf of the Ontario Real Estate Association
with regards to Ontario Rural and Northern Housing. 7.3 Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 7.3.1 July 2020 Commercial Listings 7.3.2 MLSP Activity Report June 2020
Lindsay indicated that the market is going strong right now and the inventory remains low. 8. Round Table A virtual AMO conference is happening in August. There have been various
delegation requests submitted. There was a discussion regarding the importance of making masking mandatory especially with the Province moving into stage 3 on Friday.
Speak Up Oxford has a survey regarding the composition of County Council. Town Council endorsed electing a Warden at large and a second seat for Tillsonburg on County Council. Laura to send this link with the minutes.
It was noted that as of Thanksgiving the land registry offices will be closed to the public indefinitely. 9. Next Meeting Tuesday, August 11, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. Staff to review the directive and will let the Committee know if the meeting will be virtual or in-person. 10. Adjournment Resolution #3 Moved by: Steve Spanjers Seconded by: Suzanne Renken THAT the July 14, 2020 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be
adjourned at 8:54 a.m.
Carried