November 2009 Minutes

Minutes from November's Board Meeting were reviewed and passed at February's meeting. Here they are:

Hespeler Village BIA Board Minutes


Wednesday Nov 18/09



Board Present: Loris Manni, Ken Buller, Rick Cowsill,

Clifford Vanclief, Deb van de Water, Greg Robbins

Board Absent: Lynn Craig, Trevor McWilliams



Members Present: Tammy from Video 99, Sue from Monkey Around, Bernie from Hespeler Village Winemaking, Tim Hilborn, Ken Boyle



Guest: Michael Baskett





Meeting called to order at 6:02 pm.



1. Loris read a prepared statement regarding conduct of Board Meetings, in order to facilitate more effective, orderly meetings. This statement will be read at future Board meetings also. Those who wish to present to the Board must indicate their intention to be on the Agenda by the Friday before the meeting.



2. Michael Baskett of the Cambridge Self-Help Food Bank presented on his activities within the community. He is the Street Outreach Worker for this organization, a new position as of one month ago. His objective is to initiate, develop, and maintain relationships with street-involved individuals and act as a bridge between the community, resources, and those individuals. He will advocate for street people and maintain, initiate and develop relationships with local business with respect to those individuals. In 30 days he has already helped 2 people go from homeless to housed. He comes to Hespeler every other Thursday afternoon and alternate Tuesday afternoons. Rick asked how to get in touch with him. Michael left a business card with Rick. His contact information is:
(Contact information removed due to Michael's untimely passing - Deb)

Loris asked if there were problems in Hespeler. Michael hasn’t developed a presence in Hespeler yet, so he couldn’t comment. Loris invited him to attend the AGM (annual general meeting) on January 20th.



3. Presentation by Winky – Winky was absent from the meeting.



4. Review of Minutes – minutes from October 2009 meeting passed. Cliff motioned to accept, Ken seconded. All in favour. Passed.



5. Marketing Strategy – Rick reported on the planning session with the Board last week. The objective is to help the business community leverage its resources. Demographics are changing and big box stores have hurt local business. We have to have a marketing strategy in order to survive. Rick doesn’t want the strategy discussed tonight but will hand it out to the Board. He has performed a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis on the downtown. Rick needs to receive demographics of business customers from Board business owners by mid next week. He will send out a questionnaire. Loris is implementing a business guestbook. Rick also suggested we start a blog rather than a website. Rick will have a draft marketing plan to the Board, to present at the AGM, for discussion and approval. He wants to send it out to the members after a critique by the Board.



6. Silverheights Meeting – Cliff reported on the meeting he attended with this group. They are willing to work with us at their annual event on Canada Day in Victoria Park. They have a lull period from 2 – 4 pm – may present an opportunity to bring people downtown. BIA could set up a booth in Victoria Park. There would be a minimal fee for businesses to have booths there. The association wanted to know about the possibility of having a farmer’s market downtown again. Loris suggested inviting them to the AGM.



7. Budget and Discussion – Loris does not know rate from accountant yet. Hopes 1K will cover it. Will present budget information to the membership at the AGM. Still waiting for 50/50 amount. Loris will email the Board the actuals before the end of the year. Ken motioned to accept this, Cliff seconded. All in favour.



8. Christmas – Lynn’s email updated the Board as to what is happening at Music and Lights. Winter banners will be up within the week. Canlite is hanging the Christmas lights tonight.



9. New Business -



• Boundary change – Loris asked if we are still interested in pursuing this. Discussion about BIA boundary extension followed. Loris will contact Alex Mitchell with proposed extensions to see if this is supportable.



• Benches and Refuse Containers – Loris reported that we are the only core with the correct tree grates and refuse containers. Should we pursue more containers in the next budget? We need at least 4 more and the City will buy 4 more (as part of 50/50 program). They are $750-900 each. Rick suggested putting 10 in the budget. Loris will make that change.



• November 30th – Shawky Fahel will be presenting to Council his plan for his building, for their approval. There is no retail development in the plan. Shawky says there will be no interference with Queen St. during the demolition phase but there may be interruptions on Guelph Ave.



• Loris mentioned that this is the last paid meeting we have booked at St. Andrew’s. Do we wish to continue holding meetings here? Yes.



Meeting adjourned at 7:10 pm.



10. Next meeting -



• AGM - January 20th, Ernie’s Roadhouse (tentative)