Board of Director’s Meeting – Minutes

Wednesday, September 20, 2023
Location: Online via Zoom 6:30 p.m.

Attendees: : Eric Chabot (EC), Sara Bergsma (SB), Monique Gaudet (MG), Eric Parris (EP), Tom Dusmet (TD), Ian Campbell (IC)

Guest: Diana Lakich

Regrets: Colin Best (CB)

EC called the meeting to order at 6:39 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 TD, seconded by SB. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report (TD)

  • August was a quiet month for expenses.
  • To date the DMBIA 2023 operating budget is on target.
    • SB moved to accept the Treasurer’s Report. EC seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Council Reports

Local (KTD)

  • KTD provided detailed information about the Downtown Milton Civic Precinct project. The primary includes the historic downtown core and Milton-owned lands.  The secondary area surrounds the historic downtown core. More information can be found at https://www.milton.ca/en/business-and-development/downtown-study.aspx
    • SB moved to accept the Council Reports. TD seconded the motion. Motion passed.

Executive Director’s Report (MG)

  • **Administration:
  • Canada Summer Jobs update: The program is the process of being closed, DMBIA has received the activity report from payroll, and it will be submitted by the end of the month.
    • The DMBIA has completed the Town’s Asset Retirement Obligations (ARO) requirements based on this project I have confirmed that the The DMBIA is covered under the following policies: Property Insurance, Commercial General Liability and Cyber and Privacy Liability.
    • The DMBIA currently does not have a Directors & Officer policy, this should be covered through The Town. Risk Management will work on getting an application started with their broker.  We have been unsuccessful working with other brokers.
    • The 2024 DMBIA Operating Budget has been submitted to The Town for review.
    • We should see the journal entry for the following contributions from The Town. The JE will be posted as of September 1, 2023, at total of $108,411.
    • The AGM is set for October 4th from 6pm – 8pm at Southside @ Main. Our numbers seem to be low. We are exploring the option of potentially having a guest speaker onsite or activation.

ENHANCED PROMOTION OF THE DOWNTOWN MILTON COMMUNITY AND ITS BUSINESSES

  • Social media and promotions – Key focus was the See you in September Car Show and the downtown businesses via videos.
  • We continue to promote member events via social media, newsletter, and our events calendar.
  • We placed in the Milton’s Readers’ Choice Awards for the two categories below however; I need to contact Metroland to ensure we receive our plaques as they announced that the Champion has declared bankruptcy and is moving to a digital platform.
2-Platinum Family Activities Entertainment Downtown Milton SummerFest
1-Diamond Local Festival Entertainment Downtown Milton SummerFest
  • Hallmark Movie Filming will take place in Milton. More details to come.
  • The Chamber Community Award Nominations from Downtown Milton: Wednesday, October 25th Sustainability Excellence Finalist:  The Kind Matter Company. Mid-Sized Business of the Year Finalist:  CIE Property Management & Consulting Inc. Large Business of the Year Finalist:  Sargent Farms Ltd.
  • ** See you in September Car Show
    • The See you in September Car Show was a big success. We are in the process of completing the Wrap Up report with final numbers.
    • We hope to have the debrief meeting the week of September 25th with the DMBIA team, Town Councillor Kristina Tesser Derksen, Regional Councillor Colin Best, Larry Green, and Ries Boers.
  • **Additional Events
    • Flavours of Downtown Milton in partnership with Arts Milton will take place throughout Culture Days: September 22nd – October 15 We have 13 restaurants participating.
    • Pop Up Concert (Knox Church) & Mural Painting (Hugh Lane) – The 2 Dollar Bills at Knox Church on Sunday September 24th 2pm – 3pm
    • Milton Farmers’ Market – continues until October 7, 2023
    • Tiny Tot’s Trick or Treat – Saturday October 28th, 2023 @ 10 am – 12 noon
    • Miracle on Main Street – Saturday December 9th, 2023 @ 2 pm – 8 pm

INCREASED FOCUS ON ATTRACTION OF NEW BUSINESSES

  • New Business
    • New Jewellery store in opening in Carriage Square
    • ADR Pet Stores planning to open in the next couple of weeks
  • Closed Business
    • Bryden’s closed on September 17
  • Businesses For Sale
    • Naan Guys
    • SG Hair Design
    • The Works
    • Wings Up

ENHANCED ADVOCACY WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENT ON KEY ISSUES AFFECTING DOWNTOWN

  • ** Canada Emergency Business Account (CEBA)
  • On Friday, September 19, 2023, OBIAA released an Advocacy Update on the Government announcement about the CEBA Loan extension.  In the coming week OBIAA will create and distribute a survey and we will continue to share these updates with our members.
  • Here is what was announced:
  1. The loan repayment is extended until December 31st, 2026, if you choose to access the government loan (at an interest rate of 5%).  If you choose this option, you will be forfeiting the loan forgiveness option.
    2. The 0% interest deadline and partial loan forgiveness has been extended from Dec 31, 2023, to Jan 18, 2024 (3 extra weeks to take advantage of the loan forgiveness)
  2. If you are unable to pay back the loan but want to still receive the loan forgiveness then you will need to obtain financing, this should be applied for by January 18, 2024, but you have until March 28, 2024, to obtain approval of the financing
  • OBIIA will continue to advocate for a year extension on behalf of the small businesses, this was brought up at the Advocacy meeting that took place yesterday.

 

 

ENHANCED DOWNTOWN EXPERIENCE FOR BUSINESSES AND VISITORS THROUGH BEAUTIFICATION EFFORTS

  • **Beautification
    • Mary Street garbage has improved. I implemented the below strategies: businesses to bring the bins in nightly, speaking with My Roti owner and training their staff members, a visit from By-law was made in August, additional bins were ordered, and the long-standing oil bin has been removed. If there are additional complaints, I would like to implement a ‘Keep Mary Street” Campaign and try to create a garbage committee.
    • The gardens and hanging baskets continue to bloom nicely.
    • Follow up on the items presented by Councillors:
      • CB was in Downtown Oakville and noted that their crosswalks have bar lights under the top crosswalk signs that light up when the button is pushed by a pedestrian.  He asked if it was possible, could a retrofit such as this be included in the 2024 budget for the Downtown crosswalk by Hugh Lane?  Did you receive a response?
      • KTD requested moving the trash receptacle and bench that is currently in front of King of Glass and relocating them both to in front of Jay’s.  Did this resolve the problem, do you need DMBIA assistance?

Other Business

Adjournment

  • SB moved to adjourn. EC seconded the motion. Motion passed.

EC – Meeting adjourned at 7:25 pm.