7.1 Committee of Council Orientation
Committee of Council Orientation information supplied to the Committee Members for their binders.
7.1.1 Revised Terms of Reference for the Downtown Revitalization Advisory Committee
Revised Terms of Reference supplied to the Committee Members for their binders.
7.1.2 Accessibility Training Video
Accessibility Training Video watched.
7.2 Appointment of Alternates
The Committees appointed alternatives for three of the Community Working Groups.
7.3 Digital Main Streets
Digital Main Streets has two funding programs.
Digital Transformation Grant, a $2,500 grant available to support digital upgrades. Businesses are required to sign up, complete a series of training videos . Upon completion are eligible to apply for the grant.
Digital Service Squad Grant - $10,000 available to BIAs, Small Business Centers, Municipalities, Chambers and community groups to hire a Digital Service Squad to help main street businesses with their digital needs. The City will be submitting an application to cover all main street businesses in Kawartha Lakes.
7.4 Teeny Tiny Summit Update
Attendees of the Teeny Tiny Summit were welcomed to speak to their lessons learnt at the event.
- The importance of community led action and recognizing municipal restraints
- Encouraging relationship building, more fun, less "meetings"
- Washrooms are important to Downtowns
- Progress takes time, but keeping a positive environment makes for small scale celebrations
7.5 Community Engagement Successes
Fenelon Falls spoke about the success their working group has experienced by creating a collaborative space for all organizations to engage with each other. Through monthly, evening dinner sessions they've successfully strengthened relationships amongst the community and been able to progress their Downtown Action Plans with more community involvement.
7.6 Business Toolkit
Economic Development is working with Local Intel on an interactive platform to support business attraction and investment. It will be housed on the City's website. When the program is launched, host a webinar to review with the Committee.
7.7 Public Washrooms
Public washroom were identified in three of the four Downtown Action Plans. The Committee feels strongly that public washrooms are vital to the Downtowns. They are an asset to Tourism, and support the local business economy by removing pressures on private business. Coboconk and Fenelon Falls are in immediate need of public washroom facilities in the Downtowns.