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191008 Development MIN The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Economic Development Advisory Committee October 8, 2019 7:30 a.m. Boardroom, Customer Service Centre 10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg MINUTES Present: Andrew Burns, Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Mayor Stephen Molnar, Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens, Jim Hayes (Left at 9:23 a.m.), Kirby Heckford (Arrived at 8:22 a.m.), Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Steve Spanjers, Collette Takacs, Randy Thornton, Cedric Tomico, Jeff Van Rybroeck (Left at 9:31 a.m.) and John Veldman (Arrived at 7:40 a.m.). Regrets: Lindsay Tribble and Ashton Nembhard. Also Present: Amelia Jaggard, Legislative Services Coordinator Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner Ron Shaw, Chief Administrative Officer Councillor Chris Rosehart 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:34 a.m. 2. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution #1 Moved by: Cedric Tomico Seconded by: Andrew Burns THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of October 8, 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: Collette Takacs THAT the Minutes of the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting dated September 10, 2019, be approved. Carried. 5. Presentations/Deputations Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 2 - of 5 Date: October 8, 2019 6. Information Items 7. General Business & Reports 7.1. Monthly Project Updates Staff noted that the Van Norman Innovation Park is anticipated to be completed soon and the lands are expected to become available for sale in between July and September of 2020. The Town is currently waiting for servicing and storm water management reports for the Van Norman Innovation Park. John Veldman arrived at 7:40 a.m. Staff noted that lands within the Van Norman Innovation Park can be sold prior to the project completion in 2020 under a conditional offer which would indicate the date of sale as being such time as the Town can provide the road in front of the property. Mayor Molnar provided an update regarding Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. The Board is currently updating corporate by-laws, as well as reviewing the job descriptions of the corporation (President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary). It was noted that at their meeting on September 23, 2019, Council approved a new job description for the Town of Tillsonburg CAO which does not include Hydro as a component of the role. Development Commissioner provided an overview of the completed and outstanding tasks as identified in the 2008 Economic Development Strategy. The Economic Development Strategy will be reviewed and updated through a mix of external and internal effort. External consultants will complete data review, community engagement and report drafting. Staff will review the 2008 Economic Development Strategy and identify relevant strategies to carry forward, data analysis, report drafting and final version. Staff noted that the Town’s intention with the Turtlefest Committee to date has been to enable the committee to be as self-sufficient as possible. It was noted that a presentation by the Oxford Ontario Health Team regarding potential partnerships to advance a regional health team will be brought forward to County Council on October 9, 2019. Staff have requested that the Oxford Ontario Health Team make the same presentation to Town Council at their meeting on October 28, 2019. 7.2. Community Strategic Plan 7.2.1. Excellence in Local Government 7.2.2. Economic Sustainability Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 3 - of 5 Date: October 8, 2019 7.2.3. Demographic Balance 7.2.4. Culture and Community 7.3. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc Discussed under item 7.1. 7.4. Town Hall Task Force The Committee presented an overview of Report DCS 19-29 Proposal Summary and Public Engagement Process at the Council meeting on September 23, 2019. Council voted against moving forward with the public engagement process as outlined in the report. Staff were directed to provide a report which includes other Town Hall options including a build our own option and modifying the current space. Staff noted that all three proponents agreed to extend the RFP timeframe to the end of December 2019. Kirby Heckford arrived at 8:22 a.m. Staff will be providing Council with further information at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting. 7.5. Community Improvement Plan (Oxford Lofts Inc, 83 Rolph St – Phase 2) The developer applied to the CIP program strategic level for a proposed building in the parking lot at the 83 Rolph Street property. Staff responded to the applicant that the project meets the medium level of the CIP program. The developer is asking for the CIP program to be reviewed and altered to allow the application to meet the strategic level. Staff are currently reviewing the CIP program and will provide further information at the next meeting for the committee’s review and comment. 7.6. Oxford County Water and Wastewater Billing and Collections Review (Draft Water By-Law) There was discussion about the proposed changes to the Oxford County Water By-Law. It was suggested that the proposed changes, which would shift the responsibility of water and wastewater payments from the tenant to the landowner, is unfair as the landowner could be stuck with a huge bill if a tenant leaves or goes bankrupt. Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 4 - of 5 Date: October 8, 2019 It was suggested that the proposed changes would negatively impact the environment as tenants in multi-unit residencies would share one meter and therefore would not likely be concerned about their water usage. It was suggested that the proposed changes will negatively impact home renters as rental costs will rise due to the landlord assuming responsibility of payments. Additionally, rising rental costs could lead to a rise in poverty. The Tillsonburg Chamber of Commerce Advocacy Committee is meeting at the end of the month to discuss this topic. Staff to confirm when the final decision on the proposed changes will be made by County Council. The committee passed the following resolution. Motion Moved by: Jim Hayes Seconded by: Kirby Heckford THAT the Committee advises Council of their objections to the County’s proposed policy changes to water and waste water billing which would shift responsibility of water and waste water service costs to industrial, commercial and residential landlords and will negatively impact environmental sustainability, affordability and fairness. AND THAT the committee request Council’s support for the committee to present their opposition to the proposed policy changes to County Council. Carried. 8. Community Organization Updates 8.1. Downtown Business Improvement Association The BIA Award nominations have be extended to October 6, 2019. 8.2. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce 8.3. Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 8.4. Physician Recruitment Staff to reach out to the committee for an update. It was suggested to reach out to the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital to ask how to encourage student residences at the hospital and how to attract specialist interns. 9. Correspondence Committee: Economic Development Advisory Committee Page - 5 - of 5 Date: October 8, 2019 10. Other Business 11. Round table The Toronto Home Show was successful and a Tillsonburg Home Tour is scheduled for October 26, 2019. It was suggested to include a phone number on the competitive advantages flyer. Jim Hayes left at 9:23 a.m. It was suggested that other types of parking stalls (ex. maternity/family) should be incorporated into municipal parking. Staff to follow up with the Operations Department regarding snow piling responsibilities at curb cuts. Jeff Van Rybroeck left at 9:31 a.m. 12. Next Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 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: Kirby Heckford THAT the October 8, 2019 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:32 a.m. Carried.