. This document can be made available in other accessible formats or with communication support as soon as practicable and upon request Economic Development Advisory Committee Chair: Councillor Shirley Keaveney Committee: Paul Bishop Paul Osborn David Glass Dan White Liz Harris Mayor Barb Clumpus (ex-officio) Agenda Date: Wednesday, March 8, 2017 Time: 6:30 PM Location: Meaford Firehall (81 Stewart St) 1. Call to Order 2. Moment of Reflection 3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof 4. Approval of Minutes 4.1 November 16, 2016 Recommendation: That the Minutes of the November 16, 2016 meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee be approved as presented. Economic Development Advisory Committee - 16 Nov 2016 - Minutes 5. Presentation 5.1 Andrew Siegwart - President, Blue Mountain Village Association Page 1 of 8
6. Sub-Group Updates 6.1 Beautification / Streetscaping 6.2 Branding 6.3 Building 6.4 Signage 7. Staff Updates 7.1 Big Red Chair Tour Award 7.2 Advisory Committee Vacancies and Nomination Process 7.3 Economic Development Officer's Report 8. Round Table Discussion 9. Next Meeting Date May 10, 2017 10. Adjournment Economic Development Advisory Committee - March 8, 2017 Page 2 of 8
This document can be made available in other accessible formats and with communication supports as soon as practicable and upon request. Minutes An Economic Development Advisory Committee meeting of the Municipality of Meaford was held at 6:30 PM at Meaford Hall on November 16, 2016. Present: Staff: Councillor Shirley Keaveney (Chair) Paul Bishop Mayor Barb Clumpus (Ex Officio) Marissa Dolotallas David Glass Liz Harris Paul Osborn Dan White Robert Armstrong, Director of Development & Environmental Services Stephen Murray, Economic Development Officer Brittany Sheridan, Acting Deputy Clerk/CEMC 1. Call to Order Councillor Keaveney called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. 2. Moment of Reflection The Advisory Committee paused for a moment of reflection. 3. Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof None disclosed. Councillor Keaveney introduced Andy Harrington to the Advisory Committee. Mr. Harrington is from the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre. Page 3 of 8
4. Approval of Minutes 4.1 Approval of Minutes Moved by: M. Dolotallas Seconded by: D. White That the Minutes of the September 21, 2016 meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee be approved as presented. Carried 5. Items for Consideration 5.1 Discussion - Real Estate and Affordability Mr. Armstrong, Director of Development and Environmental Services, circulated a map to the Advisory Committee on the development projects taking place within the municipality. The Director went through the development status of each project including the properties known as: Oak Meadows, Collingwood St, Cook St, Denmark St, Sykes St Car Wash, Gates of Kent, Golf Course, Golf View Estates, the Legion, Meaford Haven, Meaford Highlands Resort, 74 Bayfield St, Nelson St. E, Pinehurst, Queens Bush Estates, Sykes St, and Terrace Wood. The Director made mention of the potential for a preconsultation meeting with the new buyer for the property on HWY 26 known as the old soaring club property. In response to questions, Mr. Armstrong clarified the following: - The NEC board will consider a staff report not to proceed with the proposed boundary changes. - October building report and the increase in value of building permits. - Currently working with local Mennonites on locating a property for a school. Councillor Keaveney asked if the Advisory Committee was interested in discussing what the municipality would need with the potential increase of new residents and developments. Mr. Osborn wondered if we should be speaking with local real estate agents and the developers of these projects to find out what they are hearing from their potential buyers. Page 1 of 5 Page 4 of 8
Mr. Harrington spoke to the importance of developments that are in a price range affordable to military personnel. Mayor Clumpus mentioned that four to five years ago there was a meeting with new developers that may be of use to build upon. One item that came out of that meeting was the need for a hotel. The Economic Development Officer asked what Military families look for when moving here. Mr. Osborn advised what he hears from Terrace Wood buyers. Ms. Harris proposed if the Meaford Hall could open the bar and stay open after big events to help with the missing link for restaurants open late. It was agreed to come up with questions to send around to local real estate agents and work on developing a meeting with the developers. Ms. Dolotalls feels we are missing the pedestrian feel in downtown. 5.2 Approval of 2017 Meeting Schedule Moved by: D. Glass Seconded by: P. Osborn That the Economic Development Advisory Committee approve the 2017 Meeting Calendar as follows (2nd Wednesday every other month - 6:30 p.m. at the Fire Hall): January 11, 2017 March 8, 2017 May 10, 2017 July 12, 2017 September 13, 2017 November 8, 2017. Carried 6. Sub-Group Updates Signage- A new sample sign was circulated for viewing with discussion on the potential new locations of the new signs. July 1st is the potential ribbon cutting ceremony for the new signs introducing people to Urban Meaford. Page 2 of 5 Page 5 of 8
Beautification/Streetscaping- Discussion on this topic was mentioned in earlier discussion, including the importance of side street beautification. Branding- Councillor Keaveney advised that the money for branding is coming from the sale of municipal property and will be set aside specifically for branding. Building- Nothing new to report. 7. Staff Updates The Economic Development Officer provided an update on the following: -MCS School has now been deemed surplus and is available to the Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments first. After 180 days if no public entity purchases it, it becomes available to the private sector. -Former Foodland property continues to search for a new tenant. -In 2017 the Big Red Chairs will tour around to our regional partners as a promotional tool for a month at places like Scandinave Spa and Blue Mountain Village. -Staff are looking to create a complimentary event around the Scarecrow festival that would feature local cuisine during the harvest season. The scarecrow group is on board and the next step is to engage local restaurants. -Ag 4.0 conference was a very successful event at Meaford Hall. Annual Grey Bruce Tourism Conference is next month in Collingwood. -Renew Meaford: Down to one storefront off of Trowbridge Street. Have had discussions with a few potential entrepreneurs on filling the space. -RTO7 videos are completed in draft; will continue to fine tune them. -Information is starting to be collected on 2017 events -Working with the Art Gallery in Owen Sound regarding the 100th anniversary of the death of Tom Thomson. -Angel Investors group has been organized in the region and are currently looking for new companies in which to invest. -Completed the interviews for our Business Videos which will feature Coffin Ridge, 365 Sports and The Barn Co-op. -Grey County has a new Manager of Economic Development, Savanna Myers. -MIFF Economic Impact Analysis is completed in draft; Work was competed via an internship position through the Barrie Campus of Georgian College. -Met with a new cider business which located in Meaford and provided information on the Community Improvement Plan. Page 3 of 5 Page 6 of 8
-No feedback had been provided from the 5-6 Coach Tour operators that have been contacted regarding potential new tours through Meaford. 7.1 Building Report - October 2016 Discussed during item 5.1 7.2 Real Estate Report - October 2016 Discussed during item 5.1 7.3 Recruitment Poster Councillor Keaveney directed everyone to look at the attached poster and the openings. The Committee was advised that Marilyn Morris has resigned. 8. Round Table Discussion Canadian Armed Forces: Mr. Harrington advised the Committee how the Meaford military base operates including the number of staff that work there and the number of personnel that come and go during the year. He addressed the issue of the number of family members and service personnel that come to visit the base for events and travel to Owen Sound and Collingwood to stay at hotels. Meaford Bike Shop: Mr. Bishop continued to extend on his comments from last meeting and the need for revitalizing the downtown and the importance to talking to new residents and finding out what they would like to see downtown. Home Based and Online Sector: Ms. Dolotallas asked the Committee what they were looking for in terms of information about the Home Based business sector. Chamber of Commerce: Mr. White provided an update from the Dragons Den that took place in October. There are a number of new businesses that are up and coming. Mr. White asked the Committee about coming up with a plan to help bring retail to downtown. Page 4 of 5 Page 7 of 8
Third Line Homes: Mr. Osborn is looking at the potential of bringing a manufacturing business to the area. Mayor Clumpus advised the Committee that Lance Thurston will be presenting to Council on November 21. Mayor Clumpus addressed the Committee on a plan to hold a business forum in January with Sue Croft. This forum would be open to local businesses including a workshop and discussions about partnerships with the Municipality, Chamber of Commerce and the BIA. Meaford BIA: Mr. Glass provided an update on a meeting with a new resident who is interested in opening a new business and could be a potential resource for information. Meaford Hospital: Mr. Glass advised that they still struggle to find new physicians and is interested in seeing the presentation from Lance Thurston. 9. Next Meeting Date January 11, 2017 10. Adjournment The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m. Shirley Keaveney, Chair Brittany Sheridan, Recording Secretary Page 5 of 5 Page 8 of 8