Board of Director’s Meeting – Minutes

Wednesday May 14, 2025, 6:30 p.m.
Location: Virtual ZOOM

Attendees: Monique Gaudet (MG), Diana Lakich (DL), Eric Parris (EP), Abhi Sarkar (AS), Kristina Tesser Derksen (KTD), Colin Best (CB)

Regrets: Tom Dusmet (TD), Moe Hartley (MH)

Guests: Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation (TJSF): Tiger Jeet Singh Jr, Robert Hans

EC called the meeting to order at 6:36 p.m.

EC 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 CB, seconded by DL. Motion passed.

Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation & Downtown Milton BIA – Miracle on Main Street 2025 Planning & Event Recap

  • To discuss the direction, challenges, and planning process for the 2025 Miracle on Main Street in Downtown Milton event and identify next steps for both the Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation (TJSF) and the Downtown Milton BIA.
  • EC: Led the discussion about the Miracle on Main Street in Downtown Milton event, seeking to understand the event’s value, challenges, and potential solutions. He highlighted BIA’s resource constraints, with staff spending approximately $35,000 and approximately 1100 hours on the event. He is supportive of the event but emphasized the need for a more streamlined approach that doesn’t overwhelm BIA’s limited resources.
  • TJSF: Summarized the foundation’s mission of community engagement, charity work through the Miracle on Main Street event, emphasizing a commitment to giving back.
  • MG: Shared concerns about the amount of staff time required to organize Miracle on Main. While they want to continue the event, they suggested reducing its scale, removing vendors, and simplifying logistics. Their main priorities are to support local businesses during the holiday season and make the event manageable.
  • EC: Requested that MG put together an event proposal. This will help TJSF understand where the BIA is coming from and explore how both sides can work together.
  • MG will prepare and send an event proposal to TJSF for review.
  • The Downtown Milton BIA Board of Directors, BIA staff, and Tiger Jeet Singh Foundation agreed to an in-person meeting on June 10th to discuss the event’s logistics. They aim to find a mutually beneficial solution that reduces staff hours, simplifies event planning, and maintains the event’s community value.

Treasurer Report (MG):

  • We will begin seeing expenses from SummerFest coming through.
  • EC commented that our expenses are much higher in April 2025 than in 2024.
  • MG verified that our Classic Display expense for our 2024 snowflake installation and storage was posted in April 2025.
    • AS moved to accept the Treasurer Report. DL seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Council Reports

Regional (CB)

  • Provided an update on regional developments, including the upcoming opening of the Tremaine Road overpass, new housing developments in Milton Heights, and upcoming council meetings. He noted potential changes to the housing strategy in response to community needs and referenced the ongoing provincial and federal election processes.
  • Colin expressed support for the Miracle on Main event and suggested reducing the street closure to the section between Fulton and Charles Street to minimize logistical challenges.

Local (KTD)

  • Absent

Executive Director Report:

  • **Administration:
  • Lauren Uba’s last day was Friday, April 25, 2025.
  • Interviews for the new Marketing Coordinator position are taking place this week. We currently have three qualified candidates.
  • The proposed hiring date is Monday, June 2, 2025. I recommend that the Marketing Coordinator role remain within the $40,000–$42,500 salary range, with two weeks of vacation and benefits commencing after a three-month probationary period. I have narrowed the search to three qualified candidates.
  • AS checked LinkedIn and $42,500 is an expected salary
  • I recommend a salary adjustment for Mira to reflect the current rate of inflation, contingent on a similar adjustment being considered for my role. I also propose updating her title to the Events Manager, to recognize her experience and five years with the BIA.
  • The group discussed missed annual reviews for the Executive Director. Due to leadership transitions, key processes were lost. The team will review past salary changes and make necessary corrections. DL and MG to work together to implement a proper review process.
  • We received funding for one Canada Summer Jobs student for 8 weeks at 35 hours per week. Kaleigh Chapman started on Wednesday, April 30, and will work through June 25, 2025.

ENHANCED PROMOTION ON THE DOWNTOWN MILTON COMMUNITY AND ITS BUSINESSES

  • SummerFest: Saturday, June 7 from 12 pm – 8 pm.
  • The Charity Partner for SummerFest is “Pack A Bag for a Friend Foundation.” Their vision is to ensure that as many infants, children and youth, and their families do not go without the basic clothing necessities and food for Christmas in the Halton Region.
  • Farmers’ Market begins Saturday, May 17, 2025.
  • Social media and promotions – Key focus is the Downtown Milton BIA businesses and SummerFest 2025
  • We have exceeded our goal of 10,000 Instagram followers and are currently at 12.4K.
  • Seasonal Patio program opens this week. Patios include The Works, Casa Americo, Ivy Arms, and Pasqualino’s
  • Sheriff Country, a television series, will be filming in downtown Milton until January 2026. Filming is set to begin on May 16, 2025.  I am working closely with the production team to stay updated and manage any effects it will have on our business.  There should not be any road closures, only traffic stoppages along Main St.

**Partnership Funding Program – Hamilton Halton Brant programs. 

  • Co-Op Advertising: Paid Social Media Campaign $1000. OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES Partner with us and launch highly targeted paid media campaigns on Meta (Facebook and Instagram ads) through our expert media management vendor.
  • Photography Asset Development $500 OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES Partner with RTO3 to refresh your digital assets with professional photography this year.
  • Culinary Tourism Alliance ‘Do Something Delicious’ Seasonal Campaigns $2500 OVERVIEW AND OBJECTIVES Partner with RTO3 and the Culinary Tourism Alliance (CTA) in this seasonal digital campaign series, delivered in collaboration with Destination Ontario

INCREASED FOCUS ON ATTRACTION OF NEW BUSINESSES

  • Business updates

New Business:

  • Wildflour Bakery is expanding and opening Terra Mar, the Portuguese restaurant in Milton
  • Allegra is now Solterra Spa & Wellness

Closing:

  • Lala Soap Company is closing
  • Nature’s Spirit closing in June, the sale of their building is still pending, they are waiting on the official notice.

ENHANCED ADVOCACY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON KEY ISSUES AFFECTING DOWNTOWN

  • ED is meeting with Nitya Irwin, Economic Development Officer, next week to review collaborative opportunities between the Town of Milton and the DMBIA.
  • ED is in contact with Heide Schlegl, Manager Traffic, regarding upcoming filming dates.

ENHANCED DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE FOR BUSINESSES AND VISITORS THROUGH BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS

**Beautification

  • Flower baskets will be hung up by June 1, 2025
  • The Flower Shed is sending a revised estimate as we will not be planting in the flower beds this year.
  • I have reached out to The Town asking for a second garbage bin to be placed outside of Jay’s ice cream.

Other Business:

Adjournment

  • EC moved to adjourn. CB seconded the motion. Motion passed.
  • EC Meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.