The Corporation of the City of Kawartha Lakes

Minutes

Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee Meeting

DRAC2019-04
-
Economic Development Boardroom
Economic Development
180 Kent Street West, Lindsay, Ontario
Members:
  • Mayor A. Letham
  • Chris Handley
  • Matthew Hutchison
  • Julie Kellett
  • Lynne Manning
  • Stephen Podolsky
  • Dinah Wilson
  • K. Quinn
Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

1.
Call to Order
 

Chris Handley called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Emmett Yeo, Dinah Wilson, Denise Livingstone, Chris Handley, Lynne Manning, Anna Ready, Chris Appleton, Mayor Letham, Laurie McCarthy, Carolyn Peutebough, Karen Quinn, Steve Podolsky, Matt Hutchinson were in attendance.

Absent: Julie Kellett 

2.
Administrative Business
 

2.1
Adoption of Agenda
 

That the agenda be adopted as circulated.

  • Moved ByS. Podolsky
    Seconded ByL. Manning

    That the agenda be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

2.2
Declaration of Pecuniary Interest
 

There were no declarations of pecuniary interest noted.

2.3
Adoption of Minutes
 

Adoption of June 11, 2019 DRAC2019-03 Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes

  • Moved ByS. Podolsky
    Seconded ByD. Wilson

    That the minutes of the Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee meeting held on June 11, 2019, be adopted as circulated.

    Carried

3.
Deputations/Presentations
 

Chair request to add to the next meeting agenda: Invite Jim Armstrong of Kawartha Works to present on how Kawartha Works can work with groups to support community events and initiatives.

4.
Correspondence
 

5.
Business Arising from the Minutes
 

5.1
Trail Towns
 

Laurie McCarthy, Economic Development Officer - Tourism presented an update on the RTO8 Trail Towns Program, which launched in Cambellford in August 2019. There are 5 designated communities in Kawartha Lakes. Each community has defined roles and responsibilities outlined for the Community, the Municipality, Parks Canada and RTO8.

Laurie introduced the Business Friendly Program.

Tourism photographer is capturing fall and winter images of Trail Towns communities, with input from Community liaisons.

Potential Funding opportunities with RTO8 include: public art, bike share, bike racks benches ,lockers, etc.

Additionally, Laurie introduced the Committee to the upcoming Tourism Strategy: 5 Year Destination Development Plan. Stakeholder engagement will begin in November.

5.2
Digital Main Streets
 

Currently in Request for Proposal process, pending Council approval at October 22, 2019 Council Meeting. 

Committee recommend that once the Digital Service Squad is in place they meet with Community Working Groups, and attend upcoming events such as Chambers of Commerce AGMs and Trail Towns launch in November.

5.3
Retail Refresh
 

Final session will be on Monday October 28th in Fenelon Falls.

Attendees expressed interest in developing a community of practice network. Initial attempt to organize received little response.

Committee suggest that the summer season is difficult to facilitate. Request input at final session. Recommend using Webinars as a way to connect.

5.4
Business Toolkit: Local Intel
 

Carlie Arbour, Economic Development Officer - Community presented the newly launched Local Intel, an online data-driven toolkit for businesses, and the updated "Starting your Business Checklist" on the Kawartha Lakes Small Business Entrepreneurship website page.

The Committee requested an informational "postcard" to help promote the service in their respective communities.

Additionally, suggest that the tool is presented at a Committee of the Whole meeting, shared through the media and utilize a local business leader to provide a testimonial as to how valuable the tool is.

The Committee deemed this goal in their workplans is complete.

5.5
Public Washrooms
 

At the August 2019 Council received the following recommendations:

That Staff provide Council with high level capital and operating cost estimates for providing public washrooms near the wharf in Coboconk and in Downtown Fenelon Falls, including location options by Q1 2020; and,

That Staff be directed to work with the Downtown Revitalization Committee to better understand the current gaps and potential alternative opportunities for addressing the need for washrooms in downtowns (including, but not limited to walking distance, signage, and locations).

The committee discussed the "lived experience" of what the existing challenges are in Fenelon Falls and Coboconk with regards to public washrooms.

Lived Experience:

  • People going into stores, not as customers, to use washroom.
  • Men urinating outside near the backs of buildings.
  • Signage going up in businesses that indicate "no bathrooms available".
  • Staff needing to clean up after unhygienic use of bathroom facilities.
  • No existing way finding signs that direct to washrooms, indicated locations and hours.
  • Some businesses well equipped to deal with public access to washrooms, see it as "civic duty" to provide access.

Signage: Way finding signage that includes locations and hours of operation. Adding public washroom locations on Google maps.

Walking Distance: 200m

Locations:

  • Seek potential businesses in the community who would accept "public" washroom access to be promoted by neighboring businesses.
  • Fenelon Falls: Library, Chamber of Commerce
  • Coboconk: Tourism kiosk, Bell Property, Existing location on opposite side of the wharf with appropriate signage, Riverbank Pizza.
  • Discuss with local business the possibility to partner with the City. An agreement could include the City supporting improvements to the washroom, building external access, maintaining the facilities or supporting water and sewer costs related to the increased usage.
  • Identify Champion businesses or organizations that would be proud to offer their washroom facilities to the public.

Invite Community Services to the next meeting in early 2020 in advance of the Q1 report back to Council.

 

5.6
Downtown Reconstruction
 

Fenelon Falls: recently completed second Public Information Centre for the design of the Downtown. Timing for construction not determined to date. Important to look into additional infrastructure as part of the design including signage, benches and way finding.

Lindsay: Currently completing phase 1 of the 4 of construction. Businesses have expressed a challenge with reduced sales and customer traffic during construction.

Committee believes they have a role in supporting their communities in preparation and throughout the construction. Committee to define what this role is.

6.
Staff Update
 

6.1
OMAFRA Update
 

Carolyn Puterbough of OMAFRA updated the committee on the RED Funding program. Applicants can expect to know the success of their applications prior to the end of 2019.

OMAFRA is currently organizing the next series of Teeny Tiny Summit's and inquired if any of the Downtown communities would be interested in hosting, and if so connect with Carolyn.

OMAFRA is hosting Community Economic Development (CED) 101 and 102 trainins sessions. If the DRAC identified a need for training in their communities, they are encouraged to connect with Carolyn to organize a session.

6.2
Economic Development Update
 

Carlie Arbour, Community Economic Development Officer - Community provided an update in addition to the items discussed under Business Arising from the Minutes.

The approvals for the 2nd intake for the Million Dollar Makeover program have been completed and will be presented at the first Council meeting in November.

Small Business Week is October 21-25. Encourage committee to attend the eventes happening throughout the week.

Global Entrepreneurship Week is November 18-22. The Kawartha Lakes Ecosystem is facilitating sessions regarding succession planning, led by the BDC and Lindsay Downtown BIA.

7.
New or Other Business
 

7.1
2020 Work Plans
 

Working Groups are to review their work plans and identify their priorities for 2020 and provide to Staff Liaison.

 

7.2
Board Renewal
 

Committee review 2019 year and confirm that quarterly meetings sufficient.

Chris Handley, Chair and Fenelon Representative informed the committee that he will be resigning. He will support the new Chair with the first meeting in 2020, and will move on afterwards.

8.
Working Groups
 

8.1
Working Group Success and Challenge Updates
 

Omemee: has seen a lot of additions in the Downtown in 2019. Mickeals Café, movement and increased services at the Linbrary, update of building through Million Dollar Makeover program and annual events hosted by the Omemee Units Committee. Challenges in pushing their work plan forward and keeping it top of mind. 

Lindsay: Recent focus on the existing and upcoming construction and traffic challenges. The BIA has had some successful events. Chair investigating a way to better link the BIA and the DR Working Group.

Coboconk and Norland: Noticed that the communities were busier in the summer this season. New gas station and Tim Horton's are very busy. Success in updating the Norland public parking lot, and overall success with beautification in Norland in 2019. The fesibility of the Wellness Centre is receiving a lot of positive feedback. Challenge: The TSW Dam improvement has created increased parking challenges in the Downtown this summer.

Fenelon: The Enbridge gas installation has created a lot of construction in the Downtown. Advocating for Downtown reconstruction and bridge enhancements. There has been a lot of different and new events happening. Major success in 2019 with the Fenelon Museum and their increased programming and community use of the building.

8.2
Working Group Priorities
 

9.
Next Meeting
 

February 2020; Omemee – a draft schedule for 2020 with dates will be developed and provided to the committee.

10.
Adjournment
 

  • Moved ByM. Hutchison
    Seconded ByS. Podolsky

    That the Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee Meeting adjourn at 7:26 p.m.

    Carried
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