200407 Development MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting
April 7, 2020
7:30 a.m.
Electronic Meeting MINUTES
Present: Collette Takacs, Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Randy Thornton, Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Mayor Stephen Molnar, Jesse Goossens, Andrew Burns, Steve Spanjers, Lisa Gilvesy, Kirby Heckford, Cedric Tomico
Staff: Kyle Pratt, CAO; Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner; Laura
Pickersgill, Legislative Services Coordinator
Regrets: Jeff VanRybroeck
1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:32 a.m.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1 Moved by: Collette Takacs Seconded by: Kirby Heckford THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee
Special meeting of April 7, 2020, be adopted. Carried 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting Resolution #2
Moved by: Randy Thornton Seconded by: Cedric Tomico THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of March 10, 2020, be adopted. Carried
4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof Deb Gilvesy declared pecuniary interest on agenda item 5.1.3 (Highway 3 Industrial Land) from the Economic Development Committee Meeting held on March 10, 2020 with reasoning that a family member may receive financial gain from this initiative
(Deb was absent from that meeting). 5. General Business 4.1 Review of Key Federal and Provincial Business Support Programs The Development Commissioner provided a summary of the COVID-19 Provincial
Government, Ontario’s Action Plan, March 2020 Economic and Fiscal Update, Support for Businesses and Individuals.
A concern was noted that small businesses who receive loans through credit unions will not be eligible for some of the available programs. Some highlights noted were the Work-Sharing Program which is an adjustment
program designed to help employers and employees avoid layoffs when there is a temporary reduction in the normal level of business activity that is beyond the control of the employer. The measure provides income support to employees eligible for Employment Insurance benefits who work a temporarily reduced work week while their employer recovers.
The new $50 million Ontario Together Fund will help businesses provide innovative solutions or retool their operations in order to manufacture essential medical supplies and equipment.
A New Provincial online portal is available that is aimed at connecting employers with workers in the agri-food supply chain. 4.2 Update on COVID-19 Mayor’s Working Group Town Staff have been meeting regularly with representatives from the Tillsonburg
Chamber of Commerce and the Tillsonburg BIA to investigate options for supporting local businesses. Town Council endorsed the reallocation of funds provided in part by the Town and in part by the BIA for the façade improvement program to be redirected for this year to
create a joint retention plan for local businesses. Cedric Tomico noted that the BIA will encourage businesses to use existing Provincial funding opportunities first and then they could potentially use this funding as a backup plan. The Development Commissioner noted that a survey was circulated to local
businesses with a deadline of March 31, 2020. The results of this survey established a sense of the immediate and future impacts of the pandemic on the local economy. It was suggested that this survey be recirculated in the near future to retrieve updated results. A subsequent survey is currently being circulated to be able to compile a list of local businesses that remain open and/or have
delivery/pickup options available to the public. The Town website includes three pages involving updates on COVID-19, which include: a main informational page, a link to the Mayors daily bulletin and a page providing information on support for businesses.
Oxford County Council is looking at a potential tax deferral initiative.
Concern was noted that many businesses have been forced to close for almost one month now and that by providing loans rather than immediate solutions will just
compile long-term debt. Discussion was held surrounding the concerns of the consumer’s ability and willingness to spend money once this pandemic slows down and restrictions are loosened. The Development Commissioner provided an example that the City of Hamilton is
allowing businesses to put up sandwich board type signs without retaining a municipal permit so that they can advertise their hours and openings. The Development Commissioner noted that local manufacturing businesses and businesses on the water distribution list are receiving regular updates in conjunction
with ideas from the Ministry of Economic Development. The Development Commissioner will reach out to local businesses who indicated an immediate need to provide information to available resources.
Town Staff to be bringing a report to Council to provide options for adjustments to the 2020 Business Plan and Operational Budget. Town Staff are currently undergoing a review of service and developing work plans for business continuity. It was noted that the Town still needs to collect tax payments to a certain extent as
payment is required to be made for essential services such as: OPP, fire, hydro, water and road maintenance. It is important to keep some projects running as this will provide a source of income to the contractors doing the work. Haldimand-Norfolk Health Unit has issued parameters reducing the permitted
number of labourers to reside in a bunkhouse. Concerns were noted regarding food shortages and price increases due to the decreased number of labourers in the fields. It was suggested that South-Western Public Health should communicate messaging on proper social distancing for migrant workers and that they implement a reduction similar to that in Norfolk County. It was also suggested that the
Consulate needs to ensure they are communicating rules regarding social distancing to the incoming workers. It was recommended that post-secondary students seeking summer employment could be deployed to work in the farming industry. Town Staff to investigate
communicating this idea. It was suggested that the Town provides consistent messaging along with community partners on communicating the importance of social distancing and following appropriate housing space precautions to the Ontario Farmers Association.
It was suggested that the Town reaches out to local motels/hotels to potentially provide access to their rooms for migrant workers to use.
It was noted that increased support for services such as: the Food Bank, Mental Health support, Rent Assistance and Crime Prevention will be needed in the
immediate future. Steve Spanjers indicated he will circulate a list of local mental health programs available to the community for information. 6. Local Business Support Programs 6.1. Community Futures Oxford 6.2. Downtown Business Improvement Association 6.3. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce 6.4. Town of Tillsonburg 7. Next Meeting
Tuesday, April 14, 2020 at 7:30 a.m. using Zoom conferencing application 8. Adjournment Resolution #3 Moved by: Kirby Heckford
Seconded by: Steve Spanjers THAT the April 7, 2020 Economic Development Advisory Committee Special meeting be adjourned at 8:58 a.m. Carried