190321 Development MIN The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Economic Development
Advisory Committee
March 21, 2019
7:30 a.m.
Board Room, Customer Service Centre
10 Lisgar Ave. MINUTES
Present:
Andrew Burns, Deb Gilvesy, Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens, Jim Hayes, Mayor Stephen Molnar, Ashton Nembhard, Jeff Van Rybroeck, Steves Spanjers, Collette Takacs,
Randy Thornton, John Veldman
Absent with Regrets:
Kirby Heckford, Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Cedric Tomico, Lindsay Tribble
Also Present:
David Calder, Chief Administrative Officer
Amelia Jaggard, Legislative Services Coordinator
Ian McKenzie, General Manager, Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. (Arrived at 8:20 a.m.) Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:32 a.m.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Economic Development System to be added as item 7.5.
Proposed Resolution #1
Moved by: Stephen Molnar
Seconded by: Lisa Gilvesy
THAT the Agenda prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee
meeting of March 21, 2019, be adopted, as amended.
Carried
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.
4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
Proposed Resolution #2
Moved by: Andrew Burns
Seconded by: Deb Gilvesy
THAT the minutes of the Economic Development Advisory Committee dated February 12, 2019, be approved.
Carried
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Date: March 21, 2019
5. Presentations/Deputations
5.1. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc Policy Changes – Presented by Ian McKenzie, General Manager, Tillsonburg Hydro Inc.
6. Information Items
6.1. Correspondence – Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade
Currently Tillsonburg does not have any sites in the 500 to 1,500 acre range for industrial expansion; however, we do have some potential to amalgamate
properties to create a larger site and the Town intends to make a submission to
this program.
7. General Business & Reports 7.1. Monthly Project Updates (Attached)
• Retail Gap Analysis – Implementation plan being created and will be
brought to Council shortly
• Sanitary crossing underway and the Tender for the extension of
Clearview Drive South is anticipated to be ready for release soon.
• Future Industrial Growth – Feedback from companies on new name has
been provided to Council. Will be sending out media release shortly.
• Education Enhancements – Setting up meetings with school board and
high school to discuss expansion of experiential learning opportunities for
students.
7.1.1. Downtown Retail Gap Analysis
Development Commissioner circulated a supplemental handout which
contains an initial analysis of the report’s recommendations and next steps.
This document is being reviewed by the Business Improvement Association
as well and will be developed into a more comprehensive plan working with Mark Renaud, Executive Director, Tillsonburg BIA.
Staff to send supplemental handout with the minutes.
There was discussion regarding the pros and cons of having multiple online business directories on websites including the Tillsonburg BIA, Tillsonburg
District Chamber of Commerce and the Town of Tillsonburg website.
The Tillsonburg Operations Department has incorporated the Downtown
Parking and Accessibility Study into their 2019 Business Plan and the Building Department will be utilizing the information from study when
addressing parking around the Town Centre.
7.1.2. MAP Update – High Tech Mfg Cluster Model (Attached)
Development Commissioner provided an overview of the High Tech Mfg Cluster Model, which showed that Tillsonburg has the highest proportion of
its resident labour force employed in manufacturing at 33% compared to
20% in the tri-county area and 9% in Ontario54% of manufacturing
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Date: March 21, 2019
employment is in the transportation sector followed by machinery (12%),
food (10%), fabricated metal (8%), etc. Tillsonburg’s share of Advanced Manufacturing (High Tech) was also higher than the tri-county and Ontario
areas.
The goal of the study is to help create a framework for manufacturers to
work together using an “industry cluster” type model. There was feedback received at the workshop regarding a desire for
collaboration between businesses.
There was feedback received at the workshop regarding a desire for
collaboration between businesses.
There was discussion about finding ways to encourage youth to pursue
manufacturing jobs such as the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
which is a school to work program for grades 11 and 12. It was noted that
Norfolk County has a similar initiative called “Turning Point.”
Encourage Human Resource departments of local manufacturing
businesses to engage with local high schools to create opportunities for
youth to learn about and engage with the manufacturing industry.
Ian McKenzie arrived at 8:20 a.m.
5. Presentations/Deputations
5.1. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc Policy Changes – Presented by Ian McKenzie, General
Manager, Tillsonburg Hydro Inc.
Ian McKenzie provided an update on Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. (THI) Distribution
System Expansion Costs and Charges changes as approved by the Board of Directors in January 2019. Motion approved was:
AND THAT the Board confirm that THI use the EEM process capturing
total capital costs (developer and THI) and ongoing costs defined as
Operating, Maintenance, Administration, Depreciation and Interest costs as outlined in the Distribution System Code effective January 1, 2019;
AND THAT the expansion deposit collection be deferred until it is
mandated by the regulator.
This change includes a change in the cost-sharing ratio from 50:50 to 90:10 with
the developer now bearing the majority of the costs as determined through the
Economic Evaluation Model (EEM). This is different from other utilities in the
area, but it is anticipated that they will be moving to this type of model in the
near future. While this requirement is now in place, no applications have been received yet.
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Date: March 21, 2019
The Board did defer the requirement for a system expansion deposit until such
time as it is mandated.
No formal communication from the development community regarding the recent
changes has been received by staff or the Board.
Concerns regarding the varying costs throughout Ontario should be directed to the Ontario Energy Board.
Staff to send “Update on Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. (THI) Distribution System
Expansion Costs and Charges” letter dated January 31, 2019 with the minutes.
Ian McKenzie left the meeting at 9:00 a.m.
Motion
Moved by: John Veldman
Seconded by: Randy Thornton
THAT the Economic Development Advisory Committee advise Town Council that the Committee is deeply concerned about impacts to competitiveness with
respect to the decision made by the Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. Board of Directors to
increase the costs included in the Economic Evaluation Model as well as to
increase the share of these costs paid by the developer. Carried.
Staff to keep the committee updated regarding this topic.
7.2. Community Strategic Plan
7.2.1. Goals for Committee Term Item to be brought forward at the next meeting.
7.3. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc.
7.4. Town Hall Task Force
7.5. Economic Development System
8. Committee Organization Updates
8.1. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
8.2. Downtown Business Improvement Association (Attached)
8.3. Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board (Attached)
The new First-Time Home Buyer Incentive program will allow Canadians to purchase a home and lower their monthly payments by sharing the cost of the
mortgage with the government. Terms and conditions will be released in the
coming months and the program is expected to be operational by September
2019.
Increasing the Home Buyers' Plan (HBP) Withdrawal Limit from $25,000 to
$35,000 will allow home buyers greater access to their own savings to purchase
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Date: March 21, 2019
a home. To date, the HBP has helped over 2.9 million Canadians achieve
homeownership.
Expanding eligibility for the HBP during significant life changes to include
Canadians who have experienced a breakdown in their marriage or common-law
partnership.
8.4. Physician Recruitment
Funded in the 2019 budget.
9. Round Table
Deb Gilvesy proposed that the Tillsonburg Hydro Inc development charges be an item at the next meeting.
Mayor Stephen Molnar met with one of the Regional Government Review advisers,
more discussion regarding this topic will happen.
Staff to send the Tax Ratio Policy to the committee.
The Federal budget has been approved and there will be an internal review of
impacts. The Provincial budget is coming up in April 2019.
SCOR’s Annual General Meeting is being held on Friday, March 29, 2019 at their
office at 4 Elm St Tillsonburg.
Development Commissioner noted that a local construction materials manufacturing
company has laid off employees due to a slowdown in the housing market.
Another currently vacant facility will likely be on the market shortly.
10. Other Business
11. Next Meeting
Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. at the Corporate Office in Suite 203, 200
Broadway, Tillsonburg, ON.
12. Adjournment Proposed Resolution #3
Moved by: Andrew Burn
Seconded by: Jim Hayes
THAT the March 21, 2019 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:23 a.m. Carried