Board of Director’s Meeting – Minutes

Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Location: Virtual via Zoom 6:30 p.m.

Attendees: Monique Gaudet (MG), Moe Hartley (MH), Colin Best (CB), Diana Lakich (DL), Tom Dusmet (TD), Kristina Tesser Derksen (KTD), Eric Parris (EP)

Regrets: Eric Chabot (EC)

KTD called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m.

KTD asked the board if there was any declaration of pecuniary interest or conflict of interest. None were made.

Motion to accept the previous meeting minutes by TD, seconded by MH. Motion passed.

Treasurer Report (TD):

  • Key costs have not been reported to date
  • Miracle on Main Street expenses have not been reported
    • MH moved to accept the Treasurer Report. CB seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Council Reports

Regional (CB)

  • The Regional budget was passed, which included an increase to the police budget of $1M
  • The total residential tax increase for next year will be 6.5%
  • Several construction projects are expected including the repaving of Ontario Street which is a joint Town and Regional operation.
  • CN Intermodal project has been appealed to the Supreme Court of Canada. CN is not proceeding as quickly as they said they would.

Local (KTD)

  • As Colin mentioned the total residential tax increase will be 6.5%.
  • 98% was The Town increase, kept it under double digit increase; 12 new fire fighters have been hired, more money will be put towards transit.
  • The dollar amount, total blending tax increase an additional $50.44 per year per $100,000 of assessed value of your home as assessed by MPAC.
  • TD inquired how many extra staff have been hired by the Town of Milton.
  • KTD 1 position was added to the economic development team.
  • CB 12 full-time fire fighters 12 plus a district chief and then the remaining will be divided by departments.
  • TD recommended that The Town highlight the positions filled in a public forum so that tax increases can be explained clearly.
    • EP moved to accept the Council Reports. MH seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Executive Director Report

**Administration:

  • The DMBIA 2025 budget was approved
  • Non-paid intern from Mohawk College moved to a position at The Town of Milton that was more aligned with her education.
  • The Canada Summer Jobs program is November 18th to December 19th, 2024. The application has been completed.
  • OBIAA 2025 Annual BIA Conference is March 30 – April 2, 2024, in Collingwood. More details to follow.
  • OBIAA Membership renewal is due and will be paid this month.
  • Working on the 2025 DMBIA sponsorship package.
  • TD inquired about the increase in sponsorship revenue
  • MG explained that SummerFest was bigger than previous years as we extended to Commercial Street, this increased vendor and sponsorship revenue. Along with the additional hour of the See you in September Car Show event, sponsors were more inclined to participate in the event.
  • In Council report ES-033-24, Council has approved the request to update the Financial Management Policy No. 116 – Treasury to re-classify the DBIA Reserve to the DBIA Reserve Fund. This reclassification will take effect on January 1, 2024, for the purpose of interest allocation. Here is a link to the Council report. For more detail, please refer to the Policy Update – No. 116 Treasury section on page 8 of the report.

https://calendar.milton.ca/Meetings/Detail/2024-11-04-1900-Council-Meeting/58570271-a016-4e92-be22-b2200141d1d4

**2025 Strategic Planning Committee

  • 2025 Operating Calendar & Strategic Plan will be worked in alignment with the committee.
  • Participants: Domenic Pasqualino, Abhideep Sarkar, Diana Lakich, Eric Chabot, Monique Gaudet, Lauren Uba, Mira Nasser
  • Dates to be reviewed, however, the start date will be Monday January 13th
  • MG recommended 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
  • DL agreed with the timing
  • KTD would like to join the Strategic Planning Committee

ENHANCED PROMOTION ON THE DOWNTOWN MILTON COMMUNITY AND ITS BUSINESSES

  • **DMBIA Events:
    • Miracle on Main Street – Saturday December 7th, 2024 @ 2 pm – 7 pm, was successful. Board report to follow
    • Christmas Giveaway, Marquee Steakhouse will run the last week of the giveaway
    • Taste of Downtown Milton: Friday February 21, 2025 – Sunday March 16, 2025
    • We continue to promote member events via social media, newsletter, and our events calendar.

INCREASED FOCUS ON ATTRACTION OF NEW BUSINESSES

  • New businesses:
  • 238 Main Street – Eat My Sweets Bakery opened on Saturday, December 7th
  • 249 Mary Street – Kindling Cannabis opened in December
  • Zee Hamid has moved in

ENHANCED DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE FOR BUSINESSES AND VISITORS THROUGH BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS

  • **Beatification:
    • Neighbourhood Tree Lighting November 19th @ 5:30 pm was a success.
    • Holiday lights are up, we had two lights that there were not working, $2000 to fix so that all lights would be ready for Miracle on Main Street.
    • KTD mentioned that the receptacle poles have popped out
    • MG to ensure that they are put back in place
      • TD moved to accept the Executive Director Report. CB seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Adjournment

  • EP moved to adjourn. TD seconded the motion. Motion passed.
  • KTD Meeting adjourned at 7:12 pm.