Board of Directors Meeting April 10 2025

In Attendance: Danielle Ramsten, Diane Beck, Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac, Terry Yaldo and Bridget Scheuerman

Regrets: David Duke

Motion by Diane and seconded by Danielle to approve the minutes of the previous meeting.

Bridget presented the following financial report
Bank balance as of February 28, 2025, $8,094.71
Deposit balance of 2024 Operating Budget $2,000.00
Deposit 50% of 2025 Operating Budget $20,000.00
Total after deposits $30,094.71
Total Outstanding Cheques $4,052.92
Final Balance after outstanding cheques $26,041.79
Pending Deposit HST Rebate $1,831.04
Capital Works Balance owing $46,200, Amount paid to date $85,800
Motion by Danielle and seconded by Diane to accept the financial report as presented. Passed

Danielle, Bridget and Terry attended the first BIA meeting where a number of items were discussed.
Hanging baskets was brought forwarded and it was indicated that this year the city will only provide half the number of hanging baskets and next year and going forward the city will no longer be putting hanging baskets in the BIAs. It will be up to each BIA to decided if they want the baskets and if so, they will have to manage the cost. The city will store the baskets at the end of each season. It was noted that this decision by the city was made after all of the BIAs had already established their operating budgets for the year.
Events were discussed and information shared about what each BIA will be doing.
It was determined that these meetings would takes place quarterly.

Bridget gave a report on the discussion that she had with the Ottawa Street BIA who are having a Street Sale and other events on the same day as we had previously selected for our Street Sale.
Danielle feels that we need to develop a strategy going forward with events.
We have to look at what we want and put more into it.
Think outside of the box.
Work with vendors.
Add visual and we need to talk to the businesses to see what they want.
Some ideas were Caribbean or Jamaican, kid’s activities, utilize the presence of the Day Care parking lot. Mom & kids spa day.
Encourage salons to participate.
Jo-Anne suggested we need a theme that can be used year after year. Do something related to the businesses.
Change date to late August or beginning of September.
We need to plan a business meeting, and we can do an online zoom for those who cannot attend in person.
Looking at September 6^th for the event.
Business meeting will be April 23, 6:00 p.m. at Hawkins Accounting.

Bridget gave report. Planning is progressing well with the project.
There are concerns about Encroachment regarding the address banners. May have to make the address banner smaller.
Pole Banners have met requirements for Enwin Utilities and the City for weight and other requirements.
Entrance Poles and banners are in process of final approval from Traffic (site line requirements) and Engineering regarding the installation of the poles.
Bridget will call AngelStar to pick up the prototype for the next Board Meeting.

Car Wash has changed ownership.
Look to see if we can co-ordinate something with the Running Factory’s Annual Run to see if we could direct some of the participates to our BIA for 2026.
Some ideas for the event would be “Puppies In The Parking Lot” to include best costume, puppy parade, etc. Bring this up at the April 23^rd

Meeting Adjourned