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200811 Development MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting August 11, 2020 7:30 a.m. Electronic Meeting MINUTES Present: Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Randy Thornton, Mayor Stephen Molnar, Collette Takacs, Steve Spanjers, Suzanne Renken, Cedric Tomico, Lisa Gilvesy, Andrew Burns Staff: Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner; Laura Pickersgill, Legislative Services Coordinator Regrets: Lindsay Morgan, Kyle Pratt; CAO Absent: Kirby Heckford, Jeff VanRybroeck 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: Collette Takacs Seconded by: Andrew Burns THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of August 11, 2020, be adopted. Carried 4. Adoption of Previous Minutes Resolution #2 Moved by: Randy Thornton Seconded by: Lisa Gilvesy THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of July 14, 2020, be adopted. Carried 5. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared. 6. Closed Session Resolution #3 Moved by: Cedric Tomico Seconded by: Councillor Gilvesy THAT the Economic Development Committee move into closed session to discuss: -a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the Town Carried 7. General Business & Reports 7.1 Monthly Projects Update Cephas provided an overview of the Economic Development Q2 Report. Highlights of the report included: five businesses opening and three businesses closing. The website activity has increased likely due to the pandemic information. There were a variety of key lead files noted that there are organizations seeking space for manufacturing, food facility, transformer manufacturing, and industrial needs. It was noted that there is a large amount of interest in industrial lands within the Town. It was suggested that a property could be developed that would host multi- unit businesses under one property (condo option). It was noted that the minimum lot coverage should not be reduced as the business case is contingent upon associated tax revenues for higher lot coverages. It was suggested that more opportunities for employment and for increased tax revenue would be beneficial. It may be helpful to have multiple businesses so that there is more opportunity for more businesses to provide opportunities with their services. It was noted that there needs to be some space for businesses who want to start their business and then have lands available to expand as needed. Mayor Molnar left the meeting at 8:52 a.m. 7.1.1 New Economic Development Strategy- Next Steps Cephas provided an overview of the new Economic Development Strategy process. The first Economic Development Strategy was completed in 2008 which preceded the 2004 Strategy. The next steps include: public engagement, stakeholder interviews, a draft strategy, a final strategy and a presentation to Council. The draft strategy is targeting for October 1 and the final strategy by November 1. A proposed agenda for the workshop hosted by MDB Insights was provided. The following items were flagged for further discussion: housing concerns and access to the industrial area. Cephas will provide notice of cancellation of the August 12 and 13 workshops and confirmed dates of the workshops in September will be circulated at a later date. Members of the Committee are encouraged to participate in the workshops to assist in facilitating discussions at the tables. Further discussion will be held at a future meeting regarding the review of results of the workshops and building these ideas into the strategy. Members who are interested in forming a subcommittee to review and refine the draft strategy are encouraged to contact Cephas if interested (A. Burns, S. Spanjers, C. Tackacs). 7.2 Contractor Interest in VIP 7.3 Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. 7.3.1 Hydro Subcommittee Update – Presentation to THI Board on May 26 Cephas will set up a future meeting with the Hydro Subcommittee. Members are encouraged to offer their comments regarding the letter to the subcommittee before their next meeting. 7.4 Town Hall Task Force This Committee has been reassembled and are working on amending their Terms of Reference. Concerns were noted about looking at developing a new Town Hall at this time due to the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. 7.5 Physician Recruitment & Retention Committee 7.5.1 Potential Walk-In Clinic Sandy Jansen, CEO of TDMH, and Cephas are discussing ways to accommodate the increasing amount of orphan patients in the community. This item will be placed on a future agenda. 7.6 Community Strategic Plan 8. Community Organization Updates 8.1 Downtown Business Improvement Association Cedric noted that the new beautification system is in place with four part-time employees in place to clean and beautify the streets. The BIA was successful in retrieving the full $25,000 through Community Futures Oxford fund to help implement and set up pop-up patios and market them. There is façade design work moving forward and the façade committee is awaiting quotes from four applicants. 8.2 Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce The Awards of Excellence Ceremony will be held on November 19, 2020 virtually. The annual golf-a-thon will be held in place of the tournament. The opportunity allows individuals to golf as many times as you want on the Chamber price for a month and to sponsor a hole. 8.3 Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 8.3.1 July 2020 Activity Report 8.3.2 July 2020 Commercial Listings No representative was present to discuss the real estate listings and report. 9. Round Table It was noted that potentially the new Director of Operations could be invited to a fall committee meeting. Committees will have the opportunity to meet in-person and electronically. Laura will reach out to the committee on the more detailed options for meeting locations in the future. There was concern noted with increasing case counts of COVID-19 in the meantime. 10. Next Meeting September 15, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. 11. Adjournment Resolution #4 Moved by: Cedric Tomico Seconded by: Randy Thornton THAT the August 11, 2020 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:32 a.m. Carried