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180213 Development MIN= ATTENDANCE Andrew Burns, Deb Gilvesy, Mel Getty, Lisa Gilvesy, Jesse Goossens, Councillor Jim Hayes, , Mayor Stephen Molnar, Lindsay Morgan, Ashton Nembhard, Steve Spanjers(Left 8:47 AM), Randy Thornton(Left 8:57 AM), John Veldman Staff Present: David Calder, Cephas Panschow MEMBERS ABSENT/REGRETS Kirby Heckford, Cedric Tomico 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 7:35 AM. 2. Adoption of Agenda Moved By: D. Gilvesy Seconded By: S. Spanjers Resolution # 1 THAT the Agenda for the Development Committee meeting of February 13, 2018 be adopted. Carried 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof – None Declared 4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting – January 16, 2018, February 5, 2018 Moved By: A. Burns Seconded By: J. Veldman Resolution # 2 THAT the Minutes of the Development Committee Meeting of January 16, 2018 and February 5, 2018 be approved. Carried 5. Delegations and Presentations 5.1. Tourism Oxford The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Development Committee February 13, 2018 7:30 AM Boardroom, Customer Service Centre 10 Lisgar Ave, Tillsonburg MINUTES Development Committee Meeting Minutes (February 13, 2018) - 2 - Committee welcomed Meredith Maywood, Tourism Specialist with the County of Oxford at 8:30 AM. County receives 1.1 million visitors per year of which 49% are visiting family and friends, 22% visitor, 20% business, and 9% other. Of note is the 229,000 visitors that stay overnight as that drives more local spending. Their role is to educate, help with market readiness, partner, and tell stories to promote local assets like cheese trail, local growers, food and accommodation. Their digital marketing campaigns are starting to grow and a number of Tillsonburg area companies have participated. Overall, partners are reporting increased visitors and activity. Tourism Oxford doesn’t plan events, but rather, they facilitate. Suggestion to ensure that Turtlefest Committee is accessing available resources. Anyone interested in finding out more information is invited to contact her directly. 6. Information Items 6.1. Community Strategic Plan – Public open house is being planned for Q2. 6.2. Post-Secondary Education – No update. Move to Monthly Project Updates. 6.3. Tillsonburg Hydro Inc – Chair Dan Rasokas presented to the Shareholder at last night’s Council meeting. Information included accomplishments, long term asset management plan, and new branding, which was released at the meeting. Provide a copy of the presentation. It was noted that last night was the first night that the Council meeting was streamed live to youtube. This should increase availability. 6.4. Town Hall Task Force – Meeting scheduled for Feb 21. 7. General Business & Reports 7.1. Elections Moved By: S. Molnar Seconded By: J. Hayes Resolution # 3 THAT Jesse Goosen be nominated for the position of committee Chair. Carried Moved By: S. Molnar Seconded By: R. Thornton Resolution # 4 THAT Deb Gilvesy be nominated for the position of committee Vice-Chair. Carried 7.2. Monthly Project Update – Building permit received for 253 Broadway. Business Park drawings undergoing review by Ministry of Transportation. Parking survey results indicate that there is overall capacity in the municipal parking lots, although specifics lots are over –capacity. More information to be brought forward. S. Molnar advised that Development Committee Meeting Minutes (February 13, 2018) - 3 - Tillsonburg was among a number of municipalities that received funding from the Province through their “Main Street Revitalization Initiative” Tillsonburg’s allocation appears to be $49,487. 7.3. Self-Employment Training Program – This program will be offered in Oxford County by Community Futures Oxford and is designed to assist people on unemployment with starting their own business. General comments that this is a good program. 7.4. Vacancy Tax Rebate Program Update Province had provided opportunity in 2017 for municipalities to eliminate this program. Oxford County had proposed eliminating it, but due to input from the business community; including the Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce, Development Committee and private property owners, they instead agreed to cap the participation at five years. This was approved by County Council at their January 24 meeting. Interpretation is that any use in the past will be included in the five year period. In essence, this is a phase out of the program. There will be an opportunity to revisit in the future. S. Molnar suggested that this is a win for the community and that there is also an opportunity to create a “Made in Tillsonburg” solution. For example, consider collecting previously rebated funds into reserve and then rebated after properties improved. Question as to who will be tracking this? Likely local tax departments. 8. Committee Minutes & Reports 8.1. Tillsonburg District Chamber of Commerce – The Board welcomed Ian Barton, Michael Kocheff and Tyler Wood as new members at their AGM. Stephanie Nevins moved to past President and Lindsey Tribble is the new President. 8.2. Downtown Business Improvement Association – No update. Committee asked that an alternate representative be provided. Add Downtown Street Light project to list of monthly updates. AGM is scheduled for March 27. 8.3. Tillsonburg District Real Estate Board – January experienced strong sales activity, which may be due, in part, to mortgage approvals granted prior to the change in regulations. 8.4. Physician Recruitment – Recruitment ongoing and incentive program is achieving objectives. May need to be tweaked slightly. Hospital foundation has received an endowment of $300,000 to support medical education. Moving towards a “hospitalist” model where a doctor provides in-hospital care instead of relying on the family doctor. This should help alleviate the length of stay concerns. Development Committee Meeting Minutes (February 13, 2018) - 4 - 9. Correspondence – Committee received chair resignation letter from Lisa Gilvesy, who will stay on as a member, but is unable to maintain chair responsibilities due to workload. Chair Goosens and S. Molnar thanked her for her years of service and contributions. 10. Other Business 10.1. Roundtable Question as to how strong industrial investment interest is. Fairly strong with available properties receiving solid interest. D. Calder reminded members that property discussions can be a conflict of interest and to ensure that members declare any potential conflicts. S. Molnar provided overview of Town budget, which was approved last night with a 1.95% increase. J. Goossens noted that he has been made a partner in Millards as of January 1, 2018. 11. Closed Session - None 12. Next Meeting The next meeting of the Development Committee is scheduled for 7:30 AM on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. 13. Adjournment Moved By: A. Burns Seconded By: Proposed Resolution 5 The meeting adjourned at 9:35 AM.