Minutes of the Meeting of the Board of ... - City of Welland

Minutes of the Meeting of the
Board of Management (the “Board”)
of the Welland Downtown Business Improvement Area (the “Corporation”)
of the City of Welland (the “city”)
held on Monday, October 5th, 2015
upstairs from Little Nashville
Board Members Present: D. Bujold Wright, S. Canjar, J. Eisen, H. Hudson and G. Walker, D.
Thomas, B. Herchmer, A. Stockler, J. Chiocchio, B. Fokkens and E.
Yaremkiw
Board Members Regrets:
Staff Member:
Recording Secretary:
E. Hodder
S. Hicks
J. Bujold
1. Welcome and call to order
Welcome everyone
2. Committee of the Whole (In-Camera) (5:45 p.m.)
a) Personal matters about identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees.
1. Staff, Hiring and Wages
3. Arise from Committee of the Whole (In-Camera) (6:00 p.m.)
4. General Meeting
a) Acceptance of Agenda
J. Eisen moved and accepted the agenda. It was seconded by G. Walker. The motion was carried.
b) No declaration of conflicts
5. Board of Directors General Meeting Minutes from September 14 th , 2015
E. Yaremkiw motions that the minutes of September 14 th be accepted. It was seconded by A. Stockler.
The motion was carried.
6. Board of Directors Special Meeting Minutes from September 23 rd , 2015
B. Fokkens motions and approved minutes of September 23 rd with the revision to include HST. It was
seconded by G. Walker. The motion was carried.

7. Report of Executive Director
Social Media – Downtown BIA Facebook likes 251. Top September FB post was Welland Bridge 13.
- Twitter followers of 740. Top September tweet was Thai Dish hosting the Thailand Team.
- Welland Bridge 13 FB likes 213. Top September post was Amazing organic reach with 73 likes in
1 week.
- Second top FB was Welland Bridge 13 lit up gold for American Childhood Cancer Organization
likes 4,365
- Twitter followers for Welland Bridge 13 lit up blue & white for Niagara College Students was 205
- Top follower of 3,207 was for Malcolm Allen
- Top media tweet was during Elvis Viva Las Vegas 439 impressions
Website – Glen Bowes and I are meeting Tuesday October 13, 10:00 am
September 15 th – Registered the WDBIA to have 2 seats on the 150 th Anniversary of Canada committee
September 16 th – Welland Canal Brochure Meeting
September 17 th – Press release for the bridge lighting for the Francophone flag on September 2th
September 28 th – Welland Canal Brochure Meeting
September 29 th – Signed up to participate in the Museums Haunted walk for October 24 th
September 29 th – Signed up for October 4 th Welland Mural Walk
September 30 th – Food Festival debrief – Not very successful this year. Rained for 42 hours straight. Had
to cancel Kim Mitchell – major factor. 2014 FF made $70,000 in alcohol sales in 2015 they made
$17,000. Last year 60 000 people and this year 15 000. Concern that Executive Director brought up was
that no DT members received a letter from FF indicating that the road was being closed and to schedule
deliveries and parking around that. Also brought up that better screening needs to be done for
volunteers. Other issues was the Health Department stating that communication and paperwork was
lacking. Also the Liquor Board advising that they amp up the security for 2016 or they can put
stipulations and larger fees for their 2017 permit.
October 1 st – Meeting with Anthony Gallaccio regarding use of his pictures for production of souvenirs.
October 4 th – Welland Mural walk
Important date upcoming – Wednesday, October 7 th – 40 th anniversary of the WDBIA, bridge lit Green
and White for the WDBIA.
8. Report of the Chair
The board is looking at the HST rebate for up to 4 years. Chair received information that the Board
should seek letter from municipality of para-municipal status. The chair will contact CRA & OBIAA for
guidance. Upcoming meetings in regard to the Welland Canal Corridor which is 4 municipalities (St.
Catharines, Thorold, Welland and Port Colborne) and the marketing of such.

Discussion with Thorold Tourism led to the involvement of Welland through the WDBIA. Pursuant to
recommendation from Councillor Fokkens, Contacted Economic Development. Funds were not readily
available. During a meeting with Mayor this was mentioned and potential of having the cost covered.
The cost is $2,500 by each municipality with a matching grant from TPN of $10,000 with the 4
municipality. The ongoing cost for future printing of the brochure will be $500 annually.
A meeting was held with Mayor on Strategic Planning on a 12 point presentation. Attending were vice
chair Steve Canjar and Executive Director Stephanie Hicks. IT was a very positive meeting. IN speaking
to the specifics of the concert series, we’re advised to keep an open mind in regard to the future of the
Concert on the Canal and that the Council would welcome the Board’s participation through a
submission in an RFQ.
Concert debrief today with City Treasurer, Parks & Recs department Manager and the Mayor. The
Concerts on Canal series ended with funds in the bank. When asked, Ms Hicks responded to the
treasurer that different revenues were sought and received. The main issue to address is that of the
volunteer bank. The success is founded on the in kind work and donations. The event was a best foot
forward by the two city BIA’s.
Annual WDBIA report to Council on October 20 th . Possible Power Point for a better visual to Council.
9. Report of the Treasurer
a) Financial update
Starting balance was $20,290.66. There was 7 withdrawals totaling $2,710.31 which leaves us a current
balance of $17,579.75 for the period ending September 30 th 2015. The levy is anticipated to be received
during the month of October.
10. Committee Reports
1. Mission Statement, Constitution and By-Laws
D. Thomas and D. Bujold Wright ordered some material on this matter.
2. Beautification
H. Hudson has nothing to report currently.
3. Event and Marketing
The Santa Claus parade is the next event. There is a meeting next week. The parade is on November 21 st .
Suggestions for future parades; cultural Santa Claus, school floats, Xmas carolers, children choirs and
Santa Claus in dragon boat with elves.
11. Report on Welland Canada Corridor – funding
This was discussed under the Chairs report.

12. White Space
Explore canal for water parade. Distance dragon boat & canoe & kayaking of 10K and make it a Regional
event. Roller skate hockey, Street Basketball, a 5km through downtown, awnings on front of business to
give a look of old vintage. Hay rides through the downtown and running planters along the buildings.
Special Meeting – light up membership area. Colored lights coordinated to music with lighting of the
bridge. Proposal was received for this type of work which included costs for the purchase of the
lighting. As this would entail LED lighting – the Board should consider a submission to Hydro for extra
funding. The lights would be year round.
13. Correspondence
None
14. Next General Board Meeting
Monday, November 2 nd , 2015 – 5:30 pm at the Leisure Loft, 30 King St.
15. Adjournment
D. Thomas motions that the meeting be adjourned at 7:35 pm. It was seconded by H. Hudson.
The motion was carried.