2022 Annual General Meeting Report - St Thomas Downtown Development Board

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN ST. THOMAS 2022

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Presented January 18, 2023

January 18, 2023

On behalf of the St Thomas Downtown Development Board, I welcome you to our 2022 Annual General Meeting.

The St Thomas Downtown Development Board is a volunteer based Committee of Council tasked to (a) oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality generally; and (b) to promote the area as a business or shopping area.

Your DDB Board has been extremely busy throughout 2022, working to make our downtown a vibrant place to work, invest and shop. We can only hope that the 2020 and 2021 pandemic problems are behind us. On a positive note, many businesses found that they were able to find new ways to attract new customers, provide even better customer service and to move forward with a business plan that can tackle any future problems. Please continue to support our Downtown businesses and Shop Local.

Our Annual Report will provide an overview of the work that has been completed over the past year on behalf of all downtown property and business owners and define the projects and events planned for 2023.

I would like to personally thank the DDB Board of Directors and the many volunteers for their commitment and dedication to our downtown.

Our 2019 - 2022 Board of Directors are committed to developing and implementing plans to promote our downtown and to keeping it looking good. But we can always use your help. Please jump in and volunteer. As you know, more hands make everyone's job easier and we can achieve great things as a result.

Thank you,

Earl Taylor Earl Taylor, DDB Chair

545 Talbot Street, P.O. Box 520, St Thomas, Ontario N5P 3V7 ddb@stthomas.ca www.downtownstthomas.ca 519-633-5248

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING January 18, 2023 AGENDA

of

Motion to confirm the minutes of the January 26, 2022 AGM

Motion to accept all acts, contracts, bylaws, proceedings, appointments and officers forming the Board of the St. Thomas Downtown Development Board during the fiscal year 2021 as the same, are set out or referred to in the Minutes of the St Thomas Downtown Development Board, or in the financial statements, or in reports submitted to this meeting, be approved, ratified and confirmed.

Earl

Dave

Sarah

Grayden

Susan

Reza

Ian

Tina

Sean

Megan

Elle

Adrienne

Paul

Joe

GOAL / MISSION / VISION

Goal

The St Thomas Downtown Development Board is a volunteer based Committee of Council tasked to:

(a) to oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality generally; and (b) to promote the area as a business or shopping area.

Mission

To cultivate a community of all Downtown property and business owners and residents, while advocating, beautifying and actively promoting our businesses and authentic heritage in Downtown St Thomas

Vision

To engage, inspire and welcome our community and visitors to experience Downtown St Thomas as a unique destination

Assessment: $64,617,536 for 2023 (Reference $64,745,116 for 2022 and $64,300,516 for 2021)

216 properties along Talbot Street from First Avenue to Stanley Street and the south side of Curtis Street and the north side of Centre Street.

The St Thomas DDB was formed in 1985.

The DDB Levy is assessed to every property located in the BIA footprint as defined by the City of St Thomas BIA Bylaw. Once the DDB budget is approved, the levy is assessed by the City of St Thomas to the tax bill of all DDB Members based as a percentage of the assessed valuation. As such, every property owner is a member of the DDB and through tenant leases, where the levy is passed along to the tenant, business owners are also a member of the DDB. Businesses located in the former Canron Manufacturing location are not included in the DDB footprint.

In the following report, you will quickly see that many of the events and happenings that appear to be supplied by the City or other groups are actually provided by the DDB. Please note that the DDB appreciates the cooperation of the City of St Thomas which allows the DDB to complete these events and projects.

MANAGEMENT

DDB Office

The City provides the DDB with an office in the lower level of City Hall - access the north east doors and we are easy to find. The 2023 budget allows $13,900 to cover the following expenses and services. Office supplies $1,000, Telephone and internet services $500, Accounting, Bookkeeping and Legal costs $1,500, Insurance $4,800, Board and Committee meetings $200, Bank service charges $400, Seminars / Conference expenses $2,400, Membership fees $1,100, Annual General Meeting $1,500 and Computer expenses $500.

Meetings

Board Meeting are typically held at 8am on the first Wednesday of each month in City Hall Room 304. However, due to COVID guidelines, these meetings were moved to virtual meetings in April 2020 and continued as such through 2021 and from January to April 2022. In May 2022, we returned to in-person meetings with a Zoom attendance option. The DDB meetings are open to all property and business owners in our Downtown. Please plan to attend or email DDB@stthomas.ca if you would like to obtain the Zoom link.

Office Staff

Throughout 2022 we continued to employ Annette S'barra as our Office Administrator to manage our DDB office at City Hall. Annette maintained our office duties, updated the DDB Members database, website and social media sites and was our liaison with all Downtown business owners. Annette also worked on all special projects like the Nostalgia Nights Car Show and the Tree Lighting Celebration. The 2023 Wages and Benefits budget allows for $17,000 to cover these and other office related personnel expenses.

Newsletters

The DDB newsletter is distributed by email to all DDB members on our email list on a weekly basis. The newsletter updates members on recent and upcoming events in the downtown, and other relevant local information. Please ensure that the DDB has your correct email address.

Website

The DDB website, www.downtownstthomas.ca continues to be updated to display ongoing and upcoming events as well as a full membership directory. The 2023 budget for our Website is part of the Promotions budget encompassing Website, Timken Wall and Social Media.

Social Media

The DDB also maintains a Facebook page, www.facebook.com/downtownstthomas which is continually updated with our information from events in our downtown. We also maintain a Twitter feed @stthomasddb and an Instagram site www.instagram.com/stthomasddb.

DDB Membership Business Directory Database

A new membership database was developed in 2015 and refined each year to display all contact information of our members. If you require changes to your contact information, please contact out office. This database was expanded to include a section that identifies all businesses that accept Downtown Dollars. Our directory is available for viewing at www.downtownstthomasdirectory.ca and there is a tab on the DDB website and on the Railway City Tourism website. Please ensure that your business information is correct.

CIP - Community Improvement Plan

The CIP program is facilitated by the City of St Thomas and our DDB is represented on this committee by Russell Schnurr and Susan Boldt, to understand and provide input on the developments in our Downtown. Visit the City website at www.stthomas.ca and search “CIP” or visit our DDB website at www.downtownstthomas.ca for more information.

Municipal Heritage Committee

The Municipal Heritage Committee is a City of St Thomas committee and our DDB is represented on this committee by Russell Schnurr, to understand and provide input on the heritage developments in our Downtown. The Downtown Historic Conservation District plan which was implemented by the City in early 2019, will bring a higher level of control on the historic features of our Downtown. Visit www.stthomas.ca and search “Municipal Heritage” for full details.

Special Events Committee

The Special Events Committee is a City of St Thomas committee and our DDB is represented on this committee by Earl Taylor, to understand and provide input on the events happening in our City.

Sign Bylaw

This new Bylaw, came into force in February 2018, setting rules for the use of temporary signs throughout the City eliminating all temporary signs in our Downtown Core. This Bylaw also ensured that Downtown businesses could install Sidewalk A-Frame signs during business hours and better defines the use of our business facade signs.

Vacant Property Tax Rebate

Started in 2017 and implemented in January 1, 2019, property owners who maintain a vacant property will no longer be able to apply for a 30% municipal property tax reduction. We have also been advised that the funds which would have been rebated to the owners of such vacant properties were moved into the Community Improvement Program.

Downtown Policing

In November 2022, St Thomas Police Services increased their Downtown Policing Initiative and opened a temporary office at 574 Talbot Street. Constable Katherine McNeil and her team are now a familiar face in our Downtown keeping an eye on Downtown happenings and building a positive relationship between Police and Downtown merchants, property owners and visitors.

St Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre

The DDB supports the STEPAC with a $1,000 donation each year which is used to sponsor a juried art show that brings further awareness of our DDB to the community.

CCTV Cameras

In the spring of 2019, the DDB presented an idea of installing CCTV Cameras at each of the 8 major intersection of Downtown St Thomas. The goal was to implement a system that would allow residents to feel safer in our Downtown as well as to assist STPS in crime reduction.

The CCTV camera installations were completed in 2021 with 8 cameras along Talbot Street at St George, Elgin, Hiawatha, Moore, Ross, Manitoba, CASO Crossing and Woodworth. In November 2022, a 9th camera was installed at Talbot Street and Princess Avenue. The DDB budget allocates $1,800 from the Community Projects funds to pay for the camera fibre optic internet costs. The DDB offers our sincere thanks to Chief Herridge and his STPS team for their dedicated work to make this happen.

Social Issues

A number of new and some old issues came to the forefront in 2022 including Homelessness, Mental Health, Drug Addiction, Sharps, Crime and Garbage. Although these issues fall beyond the original mandate of the DDB, they affect our Downtown property and business owners. As a result, we are committed to finding a solution. If you require assistance, please send your input, concerns and solutions to customerservice@stthomas.ca and copy the DDB at ddb@stthomas.ca.

Downtown Crosswalks

As a result of a number of issues and concerns in 2021, the DDB petitioned the City to change the Talbot Street “Courtesy Crossing” crosswalks to “Pedestrian Friendly” crosswalks were vehicles must yield to the pedestrian. With the reconstruction of Talbot Street in 2023, we are happy to report that all non-signalled crosswalks will be changed to the new “on-demand” signalled crossings. This will create a much safer experience for our Downtown shoppers.

Murals

Although the amazing murals found throughout our Downtown are not sponsored by the DDB, our DDB is extremely pleased that other community organizations have found our Downtown to be the perfect canvas for these artworks. A perfect reason to take a stroll Downtown.

Membership Guide

The DDB produced a Membership Guide that is used to explain what the DDB is all about and how we can help your business through the various Promotional events we sponsor and the Beautification project we complete throughout the year. These guides are distributed to new businesses, but if you wish to obtain one, in digital or print form, please connect with us.

Partnerships and Sponsorships

We are all in this together. The DDB is extremely appreciative of the many partnerships that have been developed with a number of groups and organizations over the past number of years.

Our many partners include:

* City of St Thomas - Municipal Heritage, CIP, Special Events, Permits, Infrastructure

* St Thomas Parks and Recreation - Hanging Flower Baskets and Planters, Downtown Parkettes

* Elgin County Railway Museum - DDB Coach

* Railway City Tourism - Murals Projects, Arts Crawl

* The Small Business Enterprise Centre - Bridges to Better Business

* St Thomas Economic Development Corporation - Business Development Fund, So Much More Life

* Talbot Teen Centre - Social Media Training

* St Thomas Elgin Public Art Centre - Sponsorship of a Juried Art Event

* St Thomas Public Library - Downtown sponsorship initiatives

* St Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce - Membership and business networking, So Much More Life

* St Thomas Police Services - CCTV Cameras and Downtown safety initiatives

* Entegrus - LED Christmas Lights and Cross Street Banner installations

* Horton Market - Christmas Market

* Andrew Gunn Consulting and Young & Free Press - Downtown Sidewalk Patios and Mural Projects

* Elgin County Economic Development - So Much More Life program

* MP Karen Vecchio & MPP Rob Flack - Advocacy, Optimist Magical Christmas Santa Claus Parade

* St Thomas Fire Department - Santa escort to Tree Lighting Celebration

* St Thomas Optimist Club - Santa Claus Parade, Nostalgia Nights Car Show

PROMOTIONS REPORT

Advertising Program

Throughout the year, the DDB places advertisements in local print media including the Elgin County Visitors Guide. This fund also covers the cost of social media advertising and pays for the website domains owned by the DDB. The 2023 budget allows $4,000 to cover these costs.

The Downtown VIBE

In August 2020 we launched a new monthly printed publication called the Downtown VIBE. The VIBE interviews and highlights our many unique Downtown businesses, brings awareness to our historical and cultural features and introduces the many exciting events happening in our Downtown. Checkout The VIBE Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/TheDowntownVibe or read all VIBE issues online at https://issuu.com/ stthomasddb. The 2023 budget allows $7,500 to cover the Downtown VIBE printing and distribution costs.

Radio Advertising

The DDB has worked hard to promote our downtown businesses and events using radio advertisements. Through MYFM 94.1, we implemented a program where we are on the radio on a consistent schedule. The 2023 budget allows $9,500 to cover Radio advertising.

Joe Thornton Centre

A DDB donation of $150,000, paid off in 2015, allows the DDB to maintain a slideshow presentation on a television screen to display Downtown scenes, activities, events and to promote the businesses in Downtown St Thomas. The 2023 budget allows $1,500 for Website, Timken Wall programming updates and other Social Media expenditures.

Home Show

Discussions are underway to participate in the 2023 St Thomas Home Builders Home Show. To do so, we need your help to setup and remove the display as well as work in the booth. Please connect with us and we will get a schedule setup. The 2023 budget allows $2,000 for the possible return of the in-person Home Show.

Welcome to Downtown St Thomas

The DDB continued a program to recognize and welcome the many new businesses that choose to locate in downtown St Thomas. A flower arrangement and a welcome package including a Downtown Dollars window sticker are delivered to each new business. In 2019, a new booklet was produced, and reprinted in 2021, to better explain the DDB events and the many services provided by our DDB. The 2023 budget allows $1,000 for this program.

Optimist Santa Claus Parade

After a 2 year hiatus, we were once again able to sponsor a band in the November 18, 2022 Optimist Santa Claus Parade held in Downtown St Thomas. The 2023 budget allows $1,000 for sponsorship of this event.

Tree Lighting Celebration

The DDB held the much anticipated annual Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration on Friday November 18th with over 1000 smiling faces in attendance. At 5:45pm, Santa arrived on a St Thomas Fire Truck and lit the tree at 6:00pm. Visitors were treated to Hot Chocolate and cookies, listened to Christmas tunes and the children were able to meet with Santa. Since 2016 we have hired a professional lighting company to install the tree lights. The 2023 budget allows $3,000 for the sponsorship of this event and $250 for City Hall washroom security. This event is once again scheduled for Friday November 17, 2023.

Nostalgia Nights Car Show and Free Train Rides

The 9th annual Nostalgia Car Show, held on Saturday July 9, 2022, once again brought 1000’s of people to our Downtown to view 1000’s of amazing classic cars, enjoy some great food, hear some toe tapping music and to participate in the Free train rides. Due to the 2023 Talbot Street reconstruction project, we are working to find another site to hold this ever popular event, which if successful, is scheduled for Saturday July 8, 2023. The 2023 budget allows $6,000 for sponsorship of this event.

Easter Shop Hop

Due to COVID, the annual 2022 Shop Hop event was cancelled for the third year. In anticipation of better times, the 2023 budget allows $500 for sponsorship of this event which is scheduled for Saturday April 8, 2023.

Downtown Pumpkin Prowl

The October 28th Downtown Pumpkin Prowl was a tremendous success this year, seeing 1000’s of eager children and parents visit over 40 participating Downtown businesses to collect a few tasty treats. The 2023 budget allows $500 for sponsorship of this event which, is once again scheduled for Friday October 27, 2023.

Black Friday

The Black Friday event was not held in 2022 but in anticipation of better times, the 2023 budget allows $500 funding in the Other Community Event to sponsor this event. With participation from our Downtown businesses, the 2023 event is scheduled for Friday November 24th.

Downtown Santa

For the 7th year, Santa returned to Downtown St Thomas on Saturday December 3rd from 11am - 1pm to greet Christmas shoppers and collect Christmas wish lists. We used $750 Downtown Dollars to surprise Downtown shoppers by paying for their purchases. As Santa headed back to the North Pole, he promised to return next year. Thanks to Dave Thomson and Grayden Laing for making this a successful event.

The 2023 budget allows $250 to cover the expenses for this event which, is scheduled for Saturday December 2, 2023.

Bridges to Better Business

As a sponsor of the Bridges to Better Business, the DDB has the honour of presenting the Downtown Small Business Award. The 2022 Downtown Small Business Award winner was Susan Boldt of Limitless Tattoo. Susan was involved in every event and our DDB benefitted from Susan’s the “limitless” energy and enthusiasm. As Promotions Chair, she visited downtown businesses to pick up their Downtown Dollar redemptions, welcomed new businesses, delivered bouquet of flowers and informed new businesses what the DDB was all about.

The 2023 budget allows $5,000 to cover Community Events and Sponsorship with $1,000 specifically earmarked to cover this Bridges to Better Business Sponsorship.

Downtown Dollars Program

In 2022 we donated Downtown Dollars to different promotions such as the Scavenger Hunt and the Nostalgia Nights Car Show. To make it easier for the Downtown Dollar recipients, we have created a special page on our Downtown St Thomas webpage - visit www.downtownstthomasdirectory.ca. Please make sure your business participates in the Downtown Dollar program. If not, please contact us for more information.

Downtown Dollar Promotion

As a special project in 2022, to encourage residents to #ShopLocal, $25,000 from the Reserve Fund, were used to allow the sale of $100,000 in Downtown Dollars at a 25% discount. Sales began on November 1st with a scheduled end date of December 20th, but due to overwhelming demand, all $100,000 Downtown Dollars were snapped up by the 2nd week of November. Even more reason to make sure your business participates in the Downtown Dollar program. The 2023 budget allows $6,000 in Downtown Dollar donations and $500 for printing costs.

Sidewalk Patios

For the 3rd year, the DDB continued the Sidewalk Patio program seeing only Bella Jacks and Why Not Cookies participate in 2022. St Thomas Parks assisted by placing 2 of our planter urns around the patios to enhance the patio experience. Due to the 2023 Talbot Street reconstruction project, this project will be placed on hold.

Horton Market

For the second year, the DDB sponsored Serge Lavoie in his efforts to raise funds for the St Thomas Food Bank during the Christmas Horton Market. The sale of local chestnuts being roasted over a wood charcoal BBQ raised $300.00 and enhanced the shopping experience for market shoppers.

Downtown Jingle

In the spring of 2015, the DDB launched a Downtown Jingle advertising plan to highlight and promote our downtown. The main jingle is 30 seconds in length but with many options to allow a sing in, sing out or just a musical score. Using the theme "Love Where You Shop" as the tag line we have continued to use this theme in all signage and print material.

DDB Coach

Unveiled at our July 12, 2014 Nostalgia Nights Car Show, our DDB Coach became a major investment in our downtown St Thomas advertising plan. With the help of St Thomas Tourism who designed the vinyl wrap graphics and in cooperation of the ECRM who supplied their 70' 120 passenger Quebec Coach, the DDB Coach has been the showpiece at the Day Out With Thomas event and Iron Horse Festival Events. Of course, over the past 8 years, our DDB Coach has been the centre piece of the Nostalgia Nights Train rides. In 2019, we renewed our contract for a further 6 years.

Discover Downtown St Thomas Sign

In 2016, after 25 years of service, the DDB replaced the "Discover St Thomas" sign at the intersection of Talbot Street, Sunset Drive and Wellington Road with a new "Love Where You Shop - In Historic Downtown St Thomas" sign. This sign is designed to allow advertising panels to be installed to alert visitors of upcoming Downtown events like the Nostalgia Nights Car Show.

BEAUTIFICATION REPORT

Banners

We were able to restart our banner installations in 2022. With the help of Van Pelts Business Solutions, 72 unique banners that highlighted many Downtown businesses were installed in early summer. When these banners were removed in early November, 8 updated historical banners were installed to replace the existing faded banners. The 2023 budget includes $4,500 to cover the costs to remove and install our banners up to 2 times per year plus $4,500 to cover the cost to purchase a new set of banners or repair our existing art banners.

Downtown Facade Signs

A new program started in 2016 and continuing through 2022 has seen Downtown Facade Signs installed to better identify our Downtown businesses. A wrought iron bracket attached to the business facade holds a 12" x 24" DDB sponsored sign to identify the business location. These signs are being designed & installed by McBain Signs. Want one for your retail business? Send us a Hi-Res file and we’ll have one installed for you.

The 2023 Community Projects budget includes $7,500 to continue the installation of these signs, pay for the high speed fibre optic CCTV Camera internet charges and other Community programs.

Summer Students

Since 2011 we have hired summer students for our Ambassador Program. In 2022 we hired two summer students - Cadence Boulet and Owen Taylor - to work in the downtown core picking up garbage and providing tourism related information to visitors. We also hired Lynsey Last to work in our DDB office to update our membership database and assist with our many projects. We were fortunate to receive $6,500.00 in funding through Canada Summer Jobs to cover 50% of the wages for these 3 summer students. We have once again applied for 2023 Canada Summer Jobs funding for 2 summer students.

Our 2023 budget includes $9,000 to cover employee wages, $100 for WSIB and $500 for Repairs and Maintenance.

Planter Urns

Thanks to the St Thomas Parks Department, our 27 planter urns were planted with colourful flowers and installed on our downtown sidewalks throughout the summer. As a result of an expanded planting program, these urns will remain on the sidewalks year round. In early September the summer petunias are replaced with colourful Mums. In mid November, the Mums are replaced with a planting of evergreens. As the evergreen plantings fade in January, they are removed and our protective urn covers installed until springtime.

Our 2023 budget includes $5,000 to cover the cost of these fall and winter plantings.

Hanging Flowers Baskets

After a 2 year hiatus, St Thomas Parks were once again able to install our hanging flower baskets in 2022.

The DDB has set the 2023 budget to include $10,000, payable to the City of St Thomas, to cover our portion of this project. It should be noted that our contribution does not cover the complete cost of this program. We thank St Thomas Parks for their commitment in the beautification of our Downtown.

Storage Unit

The DDB rents a storage locker to store our Christmas lights and decorations, banners, brackets, tents, Carollers, Car Show and Home Show equipment and files. The 2023 budget includes $4,500 to cover this expense.

Directional Signs

First installed in October 2019, we maintain our 33 directional signs that assist visitors entering our city, to find our our Downtown.

Ongoing Downtown Beautification Projects

Railway City Tourism Sign

In 2016, our DDB contributed $10,000 to the Railway City Tourism sign that is installed in front of the L&PS Station / Tourism office. An agreement with the Economic Development Corporation and Tourism allows our DDB to advertise upcoming events and other messages to promote our Downtown.

Canada Flag Pole

On November 11, 2015, the DDB installed a new 30' tall, gleaming white flag pole in the L&PS Railway Corridor, just south of Talbot Street. As a result of the newly installed Veterans Memorial Gardens at this location in 2017, our flag pole was relocated to the Talbot Street and Stanley Street intersection as a welcome point to our Downtown.

Cross Street Banner

Our Cross street banner installations for local organizations like Alzheimer's Society, Lions Club Car Show, Railway City Road Races and the Optimist Santa Claus Parade, were suspended in 2022 due an unsuitable cabling system that was installed when our banner poles were relocated in 2021 to make way for the CCTV camera system.

Our West End DDB Cross Street Banner poles, relocated in 2016, were not used in 2022 due to high winds that typically cause damage to banners located at this location. These poles are only used for special short periods of time.

Downtown Street Clock

In 2014, the DDB installed an historic replica designed street clock in the DDB Gardens in front of the L&PS replica train station. In 2022, a new set of batteries were installed.

Weed Control

The City Parks Dept implemented a new non toxic vinegar based weed control spray program in 2017 in our downtown core. This program continues to eliminate weeds and grasses that makes our Downtown sidewalks look much better.

LED Snowflakes

In 2016 the DDB purchased 14 new LED Snowflakes and installed them on the poles in the newly constructed west Talbot Street. In 2017 we purchased an additional 25 Snowflakes, in 2018 we purchased another 25 Snowflakes and in 2019 we purchased 6 to bring our count to 70. Our summer students spend an afternoon testing each unit in preparation for the pending installation. Thanks to Entegrus, our LED Snowflakes were installed free of charge on the week of November 9th and will remain in place until mid January 2023.

Downtown Entrance Signs

On June 12th 2014, the DDB installed two new 11 foot tall “Welcome to Historic Downtown St Thomas” signs in the Canron Parkette gardens at Talbot Street and First Avenue and another in the Stanley Street gardens at the west Talbot Street entrance.

Bikes and Skateboards

St Thomas Police continue to work to keep bikes and skateboards off the sidewalks in order to make our Downtown a safer place for pedestrians.

Downtown Sidewalk Snowplowing

A City bylaw ensures that Downtown sidewalks are cleared and salted 7 days a week. Through the winter we ask that you please ensure that the snow is removed from the sidewalk, from your front door to the curb, so that shoppers can easily access your business. And, in the summer, please help keep our downtown clean by sweeping the sidewalk and picking up any accumulated garbage.

2 Hour Free Parking

As a reminder, a 2 Hour Free Parking Bylaw allows a vehicle to park anywhere within the Talbot Street zone for 2 hours total. We have been assured by the City, that vehicles, unless they are business owners and repeat offenders, shoppers would not be ticketed if they parked in various locations along Talbot Street for more than 2 hours total. In 2021, the City implemented the HONK app to make all day parking lot fees easier to pay.

2021 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES

ST THOMAS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD WEDNESDAY JANUARY 26, 2022 at 8:30am VIA ZOOM

2019 - 2022 Board Member Attendance: Chair - Earl Taylor, Vice Chair - Dave Thomson, Beautification Chair - Grayden Laing, Reza Alavie, Russ Schnurr, Ian Gillespie, Advisors Tara McCaulley, Paul Jenkins, Megan Pickersgill, Adrienne Jefferson, Duane Orth and Mayor Joe Preston

Absent: Promotions Chair- Susan Boldt, Sean Dyke

There were 42 business, property owner and board members in attendance. Reference 2021 Annual General Meeting Report as provided to attendees via email link to http://Issuu.com/stthomasddb and on the www.downtownstthomas.ca website.

1. The DDB 2021 AGM Meeting was called to order by Chair Earl Taylor at 8:32am.

2. Chair Earl Taylor provided Opening Remarks

3. Confirmation of Agenda: Motion by Mayor Preston, Seconded by Dave Thomson “To confirm the DDB 2021 AGM Agenda as presented and distributed” Carried

4. Confirmation of Minutes: Motion by Grayden Laing, Seconded by Ian Gillespie, “To confirm the minutes of the January 20, 2020 AGM Minutes as presented and distributed" Carried

5. Act of the Board

Motion by Reza Alavie, Seconded by Mayor Preston, “That all acts, contracts, bylaws, proceedings, appointments and officers forming the Board of the St. Thomas Downtown Development Board during the fiscal year 2021 as the same, are set out or referred to in the Minutes of the St Thomas Downtown Development Board, or in the financial statements, or in reports submitted to this meeting, be approved, ratified and confirmed.”

Carried

6. Declaration of Conflict: None

7. Introductions: Chair Earl Taylor explain what the DDb was all about and details on the source of the Levy funds.

8. Goal / Mission / Vision

Earl Taylor read the DDB Goal, Mission and Vision as developed in the Strategic Plan.

9. Management Report: Earl Taylor presented the details as outlined in the 2021 AGM Report.

10. Promotions Report: Chair Earl Taylor presented the details as outlined in the 2021 AGM Report.

11. Beautification Report: Chair Earl Taylor presented the details as outlined in the 2021 AGM Report.

12. 2021 Budget Approval:

Chair Earl Taylor presented the details as outlined in the AGM Report.

Motion by Russell Schnurr, Seconded by Mayor Preston "To accept the 2022 Budget as outlined in the 2021 AGM Report" Carried

13. Open Discussion and New Business:

Overall, members were pleased with the actions of the Downtown Development Boards actions through 2021 and look forward to the proposed plans for 2022.

A discussion about various Downtown issues including homelessness, drug addiction, garbage, sharps, petty crime and mental health concerns were discussed.

14. Adjournment:

Motion by Grayden Laing, Seconded by Dave Thomson, “To adjourn the meeting at 9:09am" Carried.

ST THOMAS DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD 2023 Budget

January through December 2023

Jan - Dec 2023

Ordinary Income / Expense

Income

4020 - BIA Levy 140,000.00 Total Income 140,000.00 2022 2023 BUDGET BUDGET Expense

5000 - Office

5010 - Office Supplies 1,000 00 1,000 00 5020 - Telephone & Internet 300.00 500.00 5120 - Accounting, Bookkeeping & Legal 6,000.00 1,500.00 5130 - Insurance 4,500 00 4,800 00 5135 - Board & Committee Meetings 200 00 200 00 5140 - Bank Service Charges 400 00 400 00

5145 - Seminars / OBIAA Conference 0 00 2,400 00 5150 - Membership - OBIAA, Elgin, Chamber 1,500.00 1,100.00 5160 - AGM Meeting 500.00 1,500.00 5440 - Computer 500.00 500.00 -------------

Total 5000 - Office 14,900 00 13,900 00

5200 - Promotion

5206 - Advertising 4,000.00 4,000.00 5203 - Downtown Vibe 7,500.00 7,500.00 5211 - Radio Advertising 9,500 00 9,500 00 5208 - Video Production 3,000 00 0 00 5212 - Website, Timken Wall & Social Media 2,500 00 1,500 00 5254 - Awards and Recognition 1,000 00 1,000 00 5257 - Home Show 1,000 00 2,000 00 5258 - Santa Claus Parade Sponsorship 250.00 1,000.00 5260 - Christmas Tree Lighting 2,500.00 3,000.00

5266 - Nostalgia Nights Car Show / Train Rides 5,000 00 6,000 00

5268 - Pumpkin Prowl 500 00 500 00

5270 - Shop Hop 500 00 500,00

5271 - Downtown Santa 250 00 250 00

5289 - Other Community Events & Sponsorship 5,000.00 5,000.00 5299 - Security 0.00 250.00

5446 - Downtown Dollars Expense 500.00 500.00 5445 - Downtown Dollars 6,000 00 6,000 00 -------------

Total 5200 - Promotion 49,000 00 48,500 00

General Meeting January 18, 2023

2022 2023 BUDGET BUDGET

5300 - Beautification

5230 - Seasonal Banners - Install 4,500.00 4,500.00

5232 - Seasonal Banners 4,500.00 4,500.00

5320 - Community Project 7,500 00 7,500 00

5401 - Repairs and Maintenance / Equipment 500 00 500 00

5405 - Christmas Boxes 5,000 00 5,000 00

5406 - Floral Projects 10,000 00 10,000 00

6000 - Storage Unit Rental fees 4,000 00 4,500 00 -------------

Total 5300 - Beautification 36,000.00 36,500.00

7000 - Wages and Benefits

7050 - Summer Students 9,000 00 9,000 00

7600 - WSIB 100 00 100 00

7700 - Office 17,000.00 17,000.00

7781 - Honorarium 0.00 15,000.00 -------------

Total 7000 - Wages and Benefits 26,100 00 41,100 00 -------------

Total Expense 126,000.00 140,000.00