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190709 Development MIN The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Economic Development Advisory Committee July 9, 2019 7:30 a.m. Boardroom, Customer Service Centre 10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg MINUTES Present: Andrew Burns, Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens, Jim Hayes, Kirby Heckford (Arrived at 7:49 a.m.), Ashton Nembhard, Steves Spanjers and Cedric Tomico. Regrets: Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Collette Takacs, Randy Thornton, Lindsay Tribble, Jeff Van Rybroeck and John Veldman. Also Present: David Calder, Chief Administrative Officer Amelia Jaggard, Legislative Services Coordinator Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m. 2. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution #1 Moved by: Cedric Tomico Seconded by: Lisa Gilvesy THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of July 9, 2019, be adopted. 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: Jim Hayes Seconded by: Deb Gilvesy THAT the Minutes of the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting dated June 11, 2019, be approved. Carried. 5. Presentations/Deputations Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 2 - of 4 Date: July 9, 2019 6. Information Items 7. General Business & Reports 7.1. Monthly Project Updates (Attached) The Downtown Retail Gap Analysis was approved in principal at the Council meeting on Monday, July 8, 2019. It was suggested that the Town needs discount stores such as Giant Tiger and a discount grocery store The tender for the Van Norman Innovation Park is anticipated to be released in the fall of 2019 or spring of 2020. The Town Hall Project Committee will be participating in proponent interviews in early August 2019. Staff will provide an update report on the Agenda for the Council meeting on Monday, August 12, 2019. Public consultation will be held in early September. 7.2. Community Strategic Plan 7.2.1. Excellence in Local Government 7.2.2. Economic Sustainability 7.2.3. Demographic Balance 7.2.4. Culture and Community 7.3. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc A new THI Board of Directors have been appointed. Development Commissioner to schedule first meeting of the subcommittee. 7.4. Town Hall Task Force It was suggested that sharing the locations of the proposals would be valuable. Staff noted that status quo will be considered. A Space Needs Study which was conducted recently identified that the Town requires 25,000 square ft. to accommodate staff. It was suggested to provide operating costs for status quo. Kirby Heckford arrived at 7:49 a.m. 7.5. Indo-Canadian Business Chamber Mission Visit to Tillsonburg Summary Development Commissioner provided a summary of the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber Mission visit to Tillsonburg. There were visitors from four different companies. Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 3 - of 4 Date: July 9, 2019 An invitation is expected to the Indo-Canadian Business Chamber conference in November 2019. 7.6. Economic Development Strategy – Implementation Status Development Commissioner provided an overview of the implementation status of items identified in the Economic Development Strategy. Staff noted it is time to update the Economic Development Strategy. Staff noted that the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) is designed to tip projects, not fully fund them. 7.7. High Tech Manufacturing Sub-cluster Action Plan (Attached) Development Commissioner provided an overview of the issues, opportunities, threats and next steps identified in the High Tech Manufacturing Sub-cluster Action Plan. Staff noted that the Town does not have the resources to drive a sub-cluster without full support from the private sector. Development Commissioner to meet with interested individuals to brainstorm next steps. Staff will bring forward the High Tech Manufacturing Sub-cluster Action Plan to be approved in principal in at the next Council meeting on Monday, August 12, 2019. 8. Community Organization Updates 8.1. Downtown Business Improvement Association Mark Renaud, Executive Director, and Karlee Slattery, Events and Marketing Coordinator for the Tillsonburg BIA, provided an update from the BIA Board of Management at the Council meeting on Monday, July 8, 2019. Recent events including Turtlfest and Canada Day celebrations were a success. The BIA has secured funding for two summer students who will support the ongoing beautification program. 8.2. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce 8.3. Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board (Attached) It was suggested that the committee should identify existing red tape through discussions with developers and to provide feedback to the provincial government. 8.4. Physician Recruitment Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 4 - of 4 Date: July 9, 2019 9. Correspondence 9.1. None 10. Other Business 11. Round table Ashton Nembhard noted that the Ontario Southland Railway (OSR) is facing capital costs to build level crossings west of Tillsonburg and in order to maintain access to the area. They need more customers to support rail service. It was suggested that the Mayor and the Committee write letters of support recognizing the value of the railroad to send to CN Rail. Development Commissioner to prepare support letter on behalf of the committee. 12. Next Meeting Tuesday, August 13, 2019 at 7:30 a.m. in the Board Room at the Customer Service Centre, 10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg, ON. 13. Adjournment Proposed Resolution #3 Moved by: Steve Spanjers Seconded by: Andrew Burns THAT July 9, 2019 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:15 a.m. Carried.