Town of Newmarket

Minutes

Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management

Meeting #:
Date:	Wednesday, July 07, 2021
Time:	8:30 A.m. - 10:30 A.m.
Location:	Electronic VIA ZOOM See How to Login Guide

Members Present:

• Tom Hempen, Chair
• Councillor Kwapis
• Councillor Twinney
• Rob Clark
• Jennifer McLachlan
• Ken Sparks

Members Absent:

• Allan Cockburn, Vice Chair
• Debbie Hill
• Mark Iacovetta
• Omar Saer

Staff Present:

• E. Hawkins, Business Development Specialist
• J. Grossi, Legislative Coordinator

​The meeting was called to order at 8:34 AM.
Tom Hempen in the Chair​.​

---

1.

Notice

Tom Hempen advised that all Town facilities were closed to the public, and that members of the public were encouraged to attend an electronic Advisory Committee or Board Meeting by joining through the ZOOM information provided with the agenda.

The Legislative Coordinator reviewed the process for members of the public to join an electronic Advisory Committee or Board Meeting and how to view all in attendance via ZOOM. 

2.

Additions and Corrections to the Agenda

None.

3.

Conflict of Interest Declarations

None.

4.

Presentations & Recognitions

4.1

Making Main Street Newmarket Accessible

Steve Foglia and Martha Jez provided a presentation to the Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management regarding Making Main Street Newmarket Accessible. They outlined who the Accessibility Advisory Committee is and their mandate, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and the benefits of accessibility to all businesses. They also provided examples of available funding for accessibility related projects, partnership opportunities with local school boards, and the linkages to the Newmarket Council Strategic Priorities. The presentation concluded with next steps with included free accessibility audits of any business and a request to share information will the General Membership. 

The Board of Management discussed the opportunity to send an email to all businesses, go door to door with additional information, and include information on the website. They also discussed increasing accessibility awareness through social media and snapd articles. 

• Moved by: Councillor Kwapis
  Seconded by: Jennifer McLachlan
  1. That the presentation provided by Steve Foglia, Chair, Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC), and Martha Jez (AAC) regarding Making Main Street Newmarket Accessible be received. 
  
  
  
  Carried

5.

Deputations

5.1

Ready, Willing & Able

Kristen Stokl, Ready, Willing & Able (RWA) provided a deputation explaining RWA's model to connect and support businesses through introductions with people with intellectual disabilities and community agencies, to find suitable employment opportunities. She advised that this vision promoted awareness among employers and the general public on inclusive hiring practices. She also provided an overview of the process including pre-hire support and ongoing collaboration after the hiring process was complete. 

• Moved by: Ken Sparks
  Seconded by: Rob Clark
  1. That the deputation provided by Kristen Stokl, Labour Market Facilitator regarding Ready, Willing & Able be received. 
  
  
  
  Carried

6.

Approval of Minutes

6.1

Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management Meeting Minutes of May 7, 2021

• Moved by: Councillor Kwapis
  Seconded by: Jennifer McLachlan
  1. That the Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management Meeting Minutes of May 7, 2021 be approved. 
  
  
  
  Carried

7.

Items

7.1

Sub-Committee Reports

Street Events

• Jennifer McLachlan provided an overview of the first pub crawl that occurred in June, and thanked all businesses for their support of the event.
• Kwapis advised that the Town was working on potential events for the Fall and that any information would be shared with the BIA as soon as possible. 

Advertising

• Rob Clark provided an overview of the May and June reports from snapd regarding engagement and activity. The Board discussed processes for businesses leaving the street and new businesses joining Main Street. 

Website

• Rob Clark advised that the website is taking longer than expected, and any further updates would be provided as soon as possible.

7.2

Garbage Update

Councillor Kwapis advised that there were no further updates to garbage on Main Street and that the standing item could be removed from future agendas as the immediate issue had been resolved. Tom Hempen reminded Members that any future concerns can continue to be brought forward during new business. 

• Moved by: Councillor Kwapis
  Seconded by: Jennifer McLachlan
  1. That the Garbage Update item on Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management agendas be removed beginning in August 2021.
  
  
  
  Carried

7.3

Parking Update

Tom Hempen asked for an update on the parking projects in the Main Street area, and Councillor Kwapis advised that Council had discussed short, mid and long term goals earlier this year which were still being rolled out by staff. 

The Board of Management discussed the current 30 minute parking limit on Main Street and advised that a survey would be distributed to the General Membership to gather their feedback prior to the BIA providing a recommendation to the Town on future Main Street parking.

8.

Adjournment

The Main Street District Business Improvement Area Board of Management lost quorum and adjourned at 9:40 AM.