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160209 Development MIN= Attendance: Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens, Councillor Jim Hayes, Kirby Heckford, Mayor Stephen Molnar, Lindsay Morgan, Ashton Nembhard, Randy Thornton, Cedric Tomico, John Veldman (Departed 9:29 AM) Guest: Tricia Smith, Deputy Clerk (7:55 AM to 8:30 AM) Staff Present: Cephas Panschow Regrets: Andrew Burns, David Calder, Steve Spanjers 1. Call to Order 2. Adoption of Agenda Moved By: R. Thornton Seconded By: K. Heckford Proposed Resolution THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Committee meeting of February 9, 2016 be adopted. Carried 3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest – None disclosed 4. Approval of previous minutes Moved By: R. Thornton Seconded By: J. Veldman Proposed Resolution THAT the minutes for the January 12, 2015 meeting be approved. Carried 5. Presentations and Delegations 5.1 Community Strategic Plan Deputy Clerk provided an overview of Report CL 16-01 Community Strategic Plan Update, which was presented to Council on January 25. A Town Hall meeting is being planned for April 5, 2016 @ 5:30 PM. Question raised as to how this will be communicated. Response was that it would be through the Town’s normal channels and would consider appropriate The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Development Committee Tuesday, February 9, 2016 7:30 AM Boardroom, Customer Service Centre 10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg, ON N4G 5A5 Minutes Council Meeting – Agenda - 2 - social media as well. Suggestion to also consider using the BIA and privately owned messaging signs, including LED ones. Also, can the tracking process be changed to have the status of the items next to the timeframes identified in the original Community Strategic Plan. Yes, this will be done. Discussion about branding process and staff were asked to circulate report to Council once available. 5 Tillsonburg Hub Consortium – Deferred until March meeting 6. Information Items 6.1. Community Strategic Plan 6.2. Post-Secondary Education – No update 6.3. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc (THI) S. Molnar confirmed that two new board members had been approved; namely, Cliff Evanitski and Ann Loker. Still one remaining vacancy. Members will serve until AGM. THI is the only Local Distribution Company (LDC) to have representation on the regional energy planning committee and further information will be coming forward in the near future. 6.4. Town Hall Task Force J. Veldman advised that building assessment information on the 83 Rolph St property had been provided to the Task Force. This property is only one of many that would be considered, but due to public surplus process there is a need to conduct an initial review at this time. The space needs study will help inform future considerations of any site. Concern about operating costs of an older building versus a new one. 7. Reports from Departments 7.1. Economic Development 7.1.1. Fourth Quarter 2015 Staff provided an overview of year end metrics. Lead files opened was above target of 80 at 90 files. Other metrics on or close to targets (95% or more) with exception of client visits to the community, website visits and corporate visits, which were slightly lower than target. 15 new businesses opened versus target of 10 and 6 businesses closed, which was the same as 2014. Supported Community Improvement Plan applications and the eight approved ones resulted in nearly $5.5 Million in investment in our Downtown 7.1.2. Land Sales Staff circulated a copy of the Wise Line Metal Sales Inc news release, which is scheduled to be released today. Two new companies coming to Tillsonburg resulting in Council Meeting – Agenda - 3 - a new 30,000 square foot industrial building and up to 20 jobs. Staff is dealing with another offer on the remaining lands, which will be brought forward to Council at the next meeting. Wise Line was appreciative of the support receiving from the Town. With these two anticipated sales, Committee agreed that focus should be on Hwy 3 Business Park development. 7.1.3. Hotel Study Quotation Staff presented the quote received from CBRE Hotels, the World’s leading hotel experts. CBRE purchased PKF, which was previously Canada’s leading hotel consultancy. This is being brought forward due to some interest by smaller hotel developers looking at the community. Challenge is that the Town doesn’t have sufficient information to build a business case and an updated study will help the Town sell the community better similar to how building concepts could help sell industrial land. The last study was completed in 2006. Suggestion to review that report and costs at that time in more detail and bring back additional information at the next meeting. 7.2. Building Department Staff provided an overview of the Building Department Q4 2015 report in lieu of the Chief Building Official being present. Total building permit value of $19.6 M is comparable to average but down from last year’s total of $39M, which was due to high institutional levels of investment. 61 Single family units and 23 apartment units versus 64 and 36 last year. Some of the apartment totals are influenced by large one-off type projects. Stable projection for 2016 with potential commercial and industrial upside. 8. General Business and Reports 8.1. Committee Vacancies & Election of Chair/Vice-Chair/Secretary Committee acknowledged the passing of committee member Scott MacLean on January 18, 2016 and resignation of Mike Bossy at the January 12, 2016 committee meeting. Deputy Clerk advised that it is up to the Committee as to whether they want to fill the vacant positions or not. The Clerk’s Department will assist either way, including advertisements. Discussion regarding what the gaps in knowledge and expertise may be and J. Goossens suggested using Chamber of Commerce survey to develop a list of existing expertise and potential gaps. He will circulate and collate. K. Heckford will lead subcommittee to review and bring information back to Committee. Moved By: R. Thornton Seconded By: J. Veldman Proposed Resolution THAT Lisa Gilvesy be appointed the acting Chair. Council Meeting – Agenda - 4 - Carried Moved By: R. Thornton Seconded By: K. Heckford Proposed Resolution THAT Jesse Goossens be appointed the Vice-Chair. Carried 9. Unfinished Business - None 10. Committee Minutes & Reports 10.1. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce The annual Chamber Awards will be launched shortly with the Gala being held on May 5. A new award recognizing community contributions has been added to the event. Development Committee selection process for Economic Development New Business Award will be discussed at next meeting. The Chamber AGM is being March 23 at the Carriage Hall. 10.2. Downtown Business Improvement Association Façade Improvement Program has 2 – 3 applications undergoing review. Considering submitting program for recognition by January 2017. AGM is March 22, 2016. 10.3. Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board January report will be circulated when available. 2015 was the second best year on record after 2007. Inventory is down to less than 5 months. 10.4. Physician Recruitment Tillsonburg physician openings have been posted to PracticeInOxford.ca. More information is needed on how many residents don’t have a family doctor. This can be provided. Plan for 2016 includes advertising, visiting medical schools with focus on 3rd year students and locum placements in addition to full-time positions. 11. Correspondence - None 12. Other Business 12.1. Roundtable S. Molnar advised that the South Central Ontario Region Economic Development Corporation AGM is scheduled for February 18 and notice will be circulated. He and Development Commissioner attended economic development conference. Staff provided a brief summary. 13. Next meeting – Tuesday, March 8, at 7:30 AM 14. Adjournment Council Meeting – Agenda - 5 - Moved By: C. Tomico Seconded By: Not required. Proposed Resolution THAT the February 9, 2016 meeting be adjourned at 9:45 AM.