BIA MEETING WEDNESDAY SEPT 16/2009
IN ATTENDANCE
Board: Rick Cowsill, Trevor McWilliams, Clifford Vanclief, Lynn Craig, Ken Buller, Greg Robbins
Other: Shannon Nunan, Tammy, Jim Mallard, Tom Hilborn, Cory VanIersel, Judy, Garielle, Sue, Joy Walker
Open Meeting started at 6:05pm
Trevor asked for Alex Mitchell’s presentation be moved to Oct Bia meeting. Suggested it be put on the agenda first
Parking
Shannon Nunaan introduced herself to all in attendance
Joy from an “observation point” has concerns with safety in regards to the changes to parking on Queen St, where parking has been removed. She has witnessed u – turns, three point turns and other violations. The delivery vehicles stopped in on coming traffic have exposed some safety concerns.
The business’s that rely on drop off type of parking, i.e. Grub Hub, Java Garden, Cleaners and Continental Hair have been affected by the new parking. They are a pick up or drop off business requiring parking.
The speed from pinch point (bump out) in front of Classical Guitar has increased heading to Guelph Ave intersection. Joy has businesses on file that can witness to this.
Tom Hilborn expressed how dangerous it is to try and cross Guelph Ave on the North side now that parking has been removed. He was hit by a car that did not stop.
Also, drivers are pulling into laneway between Grahms and the Spa to try and turn around.
Joy feels that if the pinch point (bump out) is removed it will only increase the speed in that section.
Shannon reminded everyone that Queen St E does not have the most accidents but has a High Potential for Accidents, in the top ten.
Gabrielle asked if we could put a three way stop at Tannery/Queen St, it would calm traffic.
Joy also mentioned it is hard for non-locals to park as they are not familiar with the lay out and they may carry on through if they can’t find parking. It is to confusing to try to drive around to park.
Tom Hilborn mentioned that trucks will sometimes pull up on sidewalk to do deliveries but creates another safety concern.
Rick Cowsill again explained the consultant was hired to set up a parking strategy for all the cores. They are unique cores and should be treated differently, also, the new regulations in regards to width of road needed for fire trucks has accounted for changes in parking.
Rick also clarified that 10 or so years ago bump outs were the IN thing but now they are to be removed to enhance the cores.
Joy suggested crosswalks to slow traffic.
Rick said he would take that back to Staff for review, but it would have to be presented to Council, which would have to change the entire Master Plan for Cambridge.
Perhaps we could look at the concerns raised to see what could be done to amend Master Plan for Hespeler. For the Master Plan to be successful it has to work in all three cores.
Joy also mentioned that for council to pass something this big, she was wondering why there was not a proxy vote.
Trevor suggested taking concerns to senior staff
Rick asked if the merchants would like to see the parking back to the way it was and Tim, Joy and Jim agreed that this would be what is wanted.
Shannon said she would review the solutions and get back to Rick Cowsill, Not able to amend Master Plan. As well cannot control what the delivery trucks do in the core.
Rick asked where the trucks park for delivery?
Tom - Deliveries happen early in the morning now, he has no option
Lynn and Sue – Drop off from customers is difficult in no parking zone
Gabrielle – seniors have a hard time walking across busy traffic and from farther away.
Shannon asked how the trucks parked before the parking was removed?
Why there was no problem with the delivery trucks then?
It seems they would just stop in the direction they were going
End of parking discussion
BIA meeting started at 6:47pm
BIA boundary expansion
Rick suggests waiting for Alex to present at next meeting. There is support for expansion, a lot of good things happening in Hespeler, in the next 2-3 meetings we should see more things happening in the core.
Tammy asked how to get a building in the core,
Rick explained that we would like to expand the BIA boundary to include her building and others, possibly up to Lens Mill, to allow homes to be in a commercial position.
Tammy asked what are the BIA benefits, Rick explained Carac funding, listing on website, any advertising for the core you are invited.
Second item Rick wished to talk about was the policing in the core. There is a new Staff Sergeant; Rick is on the task force with. Rick has brought up the Hespeler Core issues, after the Task force meeting in October.
Banner
Cliff has said the Forbes Park banner will come down Soon,
Music in Lights
Lynn asked if there is a way for us to keep people in the core after tree lighting ceremony
There are various ideas, how do we involve the rest of Queen St, and i.e. have an event in City parking lot, Ernie’s area, Discuss at next meeting
Lynn explained Music and Lights and Christmas in Cambridge.
Winky Presentation – Bags/Flyers
Winky (Hespeler Physio…), List downtown merchants on bag (re useable shopping bag), with BIA logo on it. Inside put advertisements, pamphlets, print cost is more if numbers are lower, rough estimate is 9000-10,000 aprox $0.50/5000, done by local company, Vanguard, on Milling St. The bags fit in well with a “Green” theme.
Put on website and/or newsletter. Winky would like to see a November delivery to homes and BIA contribute to it.
2nd item is a leaflet style flyer approx cost is $150/business based on 12 businesses. These are just templates, can be worked to different idea.
It was asked who would delivery the bags, there is a young person who can do this.
Rick sees an opportunity to market with the bag, The BIA has to be proactive, it is in our mandate, and it also may be eligible for 50/50 money.
We will try to get it on website and talk numbers at the next meeting, Winky will send out cost info to board, Winky’s email is
davemandryk@hotmail.com for any color suggestions.
Cliff suggested a Town Hall meeting to explain BIA constitution, boundary, etc to new merchants.
Rick has reported The Cats Meow has put in a liquor license application. It was not accepted by City due to complaints, it is now with the Liquor Control Board, if it does go through there may be restrictions put on the license. The owners do have the right to an appeal. Rick has had a meeting with them to explain the types of business that work in the core.
Meeting adjourned at 7:35pmNext meeting October 21/2009 6:00pm at St Andrews Presbyterian Church
