170613 Development MIN=
ATTENDANCE Andrew Burns, Mel Getty (Left 9:34 AM), Deb Gilvesy, Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens (Left 9:34 AM), Councillor Jim Hayes, Kirby Heckford, Lindsay Morgan, Steve Spanjers, Randy Thornton
(Left 9 AM), Cedric Tomico (Arrived 7:44 AM), John Veldman
Staff Present: Cephas Panschow, Dave Rushton
MEMBERS ABSENT/REGRETS
Mayor Stephen Molnar, Ashton Nembhard
1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:40 AM.
The Chair recognized the passing of Marty Klein, who was a contributing member and past
chair of this committee along with many other accomplishments. At the time of his passing
he was the chair of both the Town Hall Task Force and the hospital foundation.
2. Adoption of Agenda
Moved By: J. Goossens Seconded By: D. Gilvesy
Resolution # 1
THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Development Committee meeting of June 13, 2017
be adopted.
Carried
3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof – None Declared
4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting
4.1. Minutes of the Meeting of May 9, 2017
Moved By: D. Gilvesy Seconded By: S. Spanjers
Resolution # 2
THAT the Minutes of the Development Committee Meeting of May 9, 2017 be
approved.
The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg
Development Committee
June 13, 2017
7:30 AM
Boardroom, Customer Service Centre
10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg
MINUTES
Development Committee Meeting Minutes (June 13, 2017) - 2 -
Carried
5. Delegations and Presentations
5.1. Phase-out of Vacant Unit Tax Rebate (8:30 AM)
Director of Finance provided an overview of the County’s consideration of phasing out the
Vacant Unit Rebate Program for industrial and commercial properties. The Province’s 2016
Fall Economic Statement amended tax policy to allow upper tier municipalities to create or
terminate rebates for vacant units or land and also to change eligibility requirements.
The program would be phased out over three years. Total cost of the rebate across the
county is approximately $450,000 with 156 properties. The rationale appears to be to
encourage property owners to do something with their property instead of allowing it to be
vacant. Presumably, paying the full taxes for the property will “incent” these actions or
encourage property owners to lower their fees to attract tenants. With the Town’s launch of
the new Community Improvement Plan, there is an opportunity to shift these tax dollars to
the property owners that are actually investing in their real estate.
Some of the challenges that municipalities face are the significant decreases in Industrial/
Commercial valuations, which has resulted in less revenue and shifting of the tax burden to
residential tax classes. The multi-residential tax ratio is also decreasing to ensure it is in line
with other residential property types. What is the desired mix of residential and non-
residential assessment? Target is around 80% residential and 20% non-residential. D.
Rushton will provide an overview of the current assessment mix. What amount of tax
arrears does the Town have?
Concern also raised about the short time period for consultation as there was not enough
time for many boards/committees to consult their members, review the information and
provide a response back.
There is also some concern about absentee landlords who have no plans to
maintain/upgrade their properties. Fortunately, Tillsonburg does not have too many of these
type. Regardless, if this is a concern, then revise the program so that certain criteria are
met.
The Real Estate/property sector has been impacted by a lot of new legislation and
regulations, so this is not a good time to add additional costs into the system. This program
is a good tool for the municipality to offer, especially in economic downturns.
Development Committee Meeting Minutes (June 13, 2017) - 3 -
Moved By: J. Veldman Seconded By: K. Heckford
Resolution # 3
THAT a letter be drafted under the Chair’s signature addressing the following points:
That the Vacant Unit Tax Rebate Program be retained but revised to increase the
requirements for receiving it to include:
a. Property taxes being current with minimal arrears by the current owner over
the past year;
b. Consideration of a maximum time period for use (3 years); and,
c. With minimal property standards violations;
AND THAT a delegation request be made to County Council;
AND THAT increased focus be on improving collection of tax arrears accounts;
AND THAT any reductions in vacancy rebate total funds be re-invested in supporting the
Town’s CIP program.
J. Goosens and D. Gilvesy agreed to represent the Committee at the June 28, 2017 meeting
where it will be discussed. Town Council will also be given information on this issue.
6. Information Items
6.1. Community Strategic Plan – No update
6.2. Post-Secondary Education – No update
6.3. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc – Member D. Gilvesy raised concern about the branding
process as there is some concern about meeting the Sep 1 completion date and also
the public consultation survey that was proposed.
6.4. Town Hall Task Force – Staff have secured proposals for expert advise for the next
phase and will be bringing these to the meeting next week.
7. General Business & Reports
7.1. Monthly Project Update – The status of various development projects was discussed
including opening of new commercial offices and new industrial companies. New sign
permit from MTO for Highway 3 Business Park is expected shortly. Add Tillsonburg
Hub Consortium to list of projects as they are working on obtaining a feasibility study.
Development Committee Meeting Minutes (June 13, 2017) - 4 -
7.2. Update on Joint (Town/Chamber/BIA) Strategic Plan Integration Task Force
The integration task force met on May 10 and established a quarterly meeting schedule, a
proposed seminar schedule and agreed to collaborate on the following primary and
secondary initiatives:
Primary:
o Communications model for partners
o Seminars
o Post-Secondary Education
Secondary:
o New Businesses to Town
o Manufacturing Acceleration Program
o Community Ambassador Program
A Funding for Non-Profit Agencies seminar has already been scheduled for June 21 and is one
of the first initiatives that is moving forward.
7.3. Development Review (article)
C. Tomico indicated that, based on the article, there are some concerns about timelines for
approving developments. His experience in Tillsonburg has been very good, but he wants to
make sure that we maintain that level of service. There has been a number of reviews of the
development approval processes in the recent past, which has helped to position the Town well,
but monitoring should be ongoing as this is important for the Town’s continued success. The
Town is experiencing significant development activity, but Town Council approved the hiring of
another building inspector at their meeting last night.
Discussion regarding the Globe & Mail article on communities with the highest proportion of jobs
at risk of being automated with Ingersoll being number 1 on the list, Tillsonburg second and
Woodstock fifth. While this is a real concern, this is not new information. The risk ranges from
roughly 45% in some communities to 50% of jobs in the higher risk communities so even
communities at the lower end still have a significant portion of their jobs at risk. Plus, the
communities at lower risk appear to be those with a higher proportion of government and related
jobs and also in markets with higher unemployment rates. Hence, it appears that Oxford
communities are more at risk because they have more private sector jobs.
Development Committee Meeting Minutes (June 13, 2017) - 5 -
7.4. Committee Minutes & ReportsTillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce –
Chamber was hoping to get input from area chambers on the Vacant Unit Tax Rebate
program, but was not able to do so based on the one month period for comments.
7.5. Downtown Business Improvement Association – Working on Turtlefest. Board will
also be reviewing the Vacant Unit Tax Rebate issue and providing input.
7.6. Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board – May prices were up 48% from May 2016 to
average of $342,109, which was influenced by a few high sales. Total value of sales
was up 37% to $110M. The Canadian Real Estate Association has expressed some
concern about the real estate market. Also, they believe the biggest impact on real
estate will be the imposed rent controls and not foreign buyer measures taken.
7.7. Physician Recruitment
One physician office has been able to recruit a second doctor. Incentive program that has
been launched should start seeing results. Next meeting is in two weeks.
8. Correspondence - None
9. Other Business
9.1. Roundtable
NHL Centennial Fan Area being organized by the Kinsmen from August 10 to 12. Website
was just launched. Sponsorship and gala tickets opportunities are available.
10. Closed Session - None
11. Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Development Committee is scheduled for 7:30 AM on Tuesday,
July 11, 2017.
12. Adjournment
Moved By: K. Heckford Seconded By:
Proposed Resolution 4
THAT the Development Committee Meeting of June 13, 2017 be adjourned at 9:53 AM.
Carried