210413 Development MINThe Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Economic Development Advisory Committee Meeting
April 13, 2021
7:30 a.m.
Electronic Meeting MINUTES
Present: Andrew Burns, Councillor Deb Gilvesy, Mayor Stephen Molnar, Lisa Gilvesy,
Cedric Tomico, Suzanne Renken, Randy Thornton, Lindsay Morgan-Jacko, Steve
Spanjers
Staff: Kyle Pratt, CAO; Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner; Laura
Pickersgill, Executive Assistant; Karen Keller, Economic Development & Marketing
Coordinator
Regrets: Collette Takacs, Jesse Goossens
Absent: Kirby Heckford, Jeff VanRybroeck
Guest: Mark Renaud
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:30 a.m.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Resolution #1 Moved by: Suzanne Renken Seconded by: Cedric Tomico
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of April 13, 2021, be adopted. Carried 3. Adoption of Previous Minutes
Resolution #2
Moved by: Councillor Gilvesy Seconded by: Lindsay Morgan-Jacko
THAT the Minutes as prepared for the Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of March 9, 2021, be adopted. Carried 4. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
There were no disclosures of pecuniary interest declared.
5. Presentations 5.1 Wayfinding Signage Update Presented by: Cephas Panschow & Karen Keller
Karen Keller provided an overview of the wayfinding signage project.
Opportunity was provided for participants to provide feedback and comments.
Comments and feedback included:
• Provincial signage is required for locations such as: Fire Station, OPP, Museum and Hospital. These locations have their own mandated signs and
the idea was to save the space on these other signs.
• The Trans-Canada Trail has been recently re-branded as the Great Trail but still exists as the Trans-Canada Trail and not many individuals are aware of this update yet.
• Add more signage for the soccer park and the skate park.
• Add southbound signage for the ‘arenas’ at the Community Centre.
• The sign on Broadway (northbound) before Lisgar Avenue be included as part
of the school notification sign for southbound traffic.
• Too many signs along Broadway. There are only five additional signs being added to Broadway (advertising the Community Centre).
• Some signs are larger than they need to be such as the Glendale High School sign.
• The term OPP should be changed to Police for better understanding.
• The theatre sign on Potters Road should indicate ‘live theatre’.
• The outdoor Scott MacLean Memorial Park should be highlighted.
• The funding for this project is coming from an earmark in a reserve of $30,000
already designated for this project. Karen Keller left the meeting at 8:14 a.m. 6. General Business & Reports 6.1 Collaboration Discussion with Chair of Tillsonburg Airport Advisory Committee
Mark Renaud, Chair of the Tillsonburg Airport Advisory Committee, was presented
and indicated that there is lack of awareness of the Tillsonburg Airport. Although it is owned by the Town, the airport does have a wide regional impact. It was mentioned that some people don’t have a full understanding of how important the airport is such as being utilized by Air ORNG and the Canadian Military.
It was noted that there has been unprecedented growth at the airport. There are concerns with lack of hydro availability at the airport.
It was suggested that keeping an identified agenda item quarterly on this
Committee’s agendas moving forward to continue discussion. It was suggested that the Airport Master Plan draft be sent to this Committee for feedback.
Kyle Pratt provided a brief history of the Tillsonburg Airport. One of the recommendations coming out of the Oxford County Service Delivery Review was to provide proof that the airport does provide a regional economic benefit. As part of
this, an economic impact analysis was completed. It was noted that the concept of fly-in tourism packages could be a unique way to bring more tourism into our community. It was suggested that this concept be delivered to Oxford County and if
they agree with the concept they may provide funding that could be put into reserves
for the airport to put towards items such as hydro.
It was suggested that an individual be selected to be the champion of the Airport Master Plan to drive this plan forward.
Mark Renaud left the meeting at 8:38 a.m. 6.2 Monthly Projects Update
Cephas provided an overview of the monthly projects update. The preliminary earthworks contract is near completion at VanNorman Innovation Park. The storm
water management pond shaping is near completion. There is clean up work being done such as adding top fill and laying seed. The tender is to close tomorrow with
plans to bring a report to Council on April 26. 6.3 Economic Development Strategy Update- Survey Results
There have been seven responses received so far but staff would like to see more
responses. Staff will circulate the survey again. 6.4 Call for Nominations- Chamber of Commerce
The Call for Nominations has begun. There will be a summary brought to the next
meeting and the nomination process will take place. 6.5 Tillsonburg Hydro Inc.
It was mentioned that the Chair of the Hydro Subcommittee requested a meeting
with the Chair of the THI Board about one month ago. There has been no response received. This concern will be taken back to the subcommittee and a further update will be provided. 6.6 Town Hall Task Force
The next meeting is scheduled for April 14th where the Committee will be reviewing
the results of the employee space needs study and land appraisal quotations. 6.7 Physician Recruitment & Retention Committee
The next meeting is currently scheduled for May 4th but there is anticipation it will be held at the end of April. It was noted that there needs to be a Tillsonburg staff representative on the Oxford County Physician Recruitment Committee. The
Tillsonburg Committee will discuss this at their upcoming meeting. 6.8 Community Strategic Plan
It was noted that two community leader focus groups have been held. The public survey closes on April 15th and then the next step will be for the consultant to consolidate the feedback from this survey to present to Council.
7. Community Organization Updates 7.1 Downtown Business Improvement Association 7.1.1. April 2021 Report
There have been concerns brought forward from local businesses not being able to
re-open following this provincial lockdown. There were a variety of funding opportunities discussed that are available for local businesses. If anyone is aware of a business that has applied and not received the funding yet they are advised to let
staff know. 7.2 Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce
Suzanne provided an overview of the letter sent to the provincial government
regarding the impacts on local businesses with the provincial lockdowns. 7.3 Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board 7.3.1 Listings & Statistics
It was suggested that as housing inventory increases in the spring the prices may go down slightly. The Town was featured in MacLeans magazine as one of the ‘Top 25 Best
Communities in Canada’ to live in. Randy Thornton left the meeting at 9:10 a.m.
8. Round Table
There has been two recent manufacturing business closures.
The information on the Boundary Adjustment and Affordable Housing
subcommittees will be brought forward to the next agenda. A new layer has been hired at Jenkins & Gilvesy Law Firm. 9. Next Meeting
May 11, 2021 7:30 a.m. 10. Adjournment
Resolution #3 Moved by: Cedric Tomico Seconded by: Steve Spanjers THAT the April 13, 2021 Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting be
adjourned at 9:20 a.m. Carried