Concession Street Board of Management Meeting
Membership and Board Meeting
Alcatraz Mystery Studio - 604 Concession Street
February 21, 2018
8:34am
Board Attendance: Chair Leo Santos, Vice-Chair Brad Robyn, Secretary Juliene (Jules) Gauthier, Treasurer Alana Travis
Directors: Hasan Reda (Big Bee), Jamie McHardy (Realty Network), James Knott (Alure), Mike DeVries (Relay Coffee)
Community Attendance: Samatha Diller (The Zoetic), Nathan Ziwak (Alcatraz Mystery Studio, Jim Foreman (CAP), Hannah Carter (Crime Stoppers), Tricia Hoben (Hamilton Police Services working with Crime Stoppers) and Cristina Geissler (ED of BIA)
Welcome & Introduction – Leo
MOTION - Review & Approval of the Agenda: James, second Jamie
Guest Speakers: Hannah Carter (Crime Stoppers), Tricia Hoben (Hamilton Police Services working with Crime Stoppers)
Hannah - has been an officer for the last 15 years and works directly with Crime Stoppers. To be clear, this is not a police program but a charity - they help one another.
How it works: any tip that they receive either on line or via phone is guaranteed anonymity. Phones are scrambled and they do not have call display. The phone is answered 24\7 even if no one is in the office.
Once they get all of the information, they make sure that nothing will identify the “tipster” and provide them with an ID #. They can then use that number to offer additional information, get follow ups or if it leads to an arrest.
They get tips in all areas of criminal activity: immigration, customs, SPCA, child abuse/pornography, narcotics, robbery, vandalism, murder, sexual assault etc...
If tips lead to an arrest, the “tipsters” could be eligible for a reward depending on the arrest and the size of the crime or “seize” or the impact that it would have on the community.
They want people to call back with additional tips in the future.
Fundraisers pay for the tipster rewards - nothing comes out of the poice funds. There were 140 arrests last year through Crime Stoppers with an estimated 2 Million dollars in seized items.
Her role as an officer includes a lot of the media on CHCH or the “Crime of the Week” feature on the radio and she tends to a lot of the social media as well. If the police are looking for additional info on a specific crime they are investigating, they will start to blast awareness to hopefully get people to step forward with any information that they might have.
Tricia - has been with Crime Stoppers for 18 years in the role of administrator. They pay out approximately $35’000 every year in tips. They spend an additional $100’000 each year on advertising, marketing and merchandise.
Stats are based on what can be removed from the streets. Fentanyl is much cheaper than marijuana or coke… etc. and therefor it's street value is much less.
They have a plaque program - $100 a year for a 5-year contract to help get businesses involved - considered sustainable funding. Encourages businesses to work together and calling or making a tip through their website if they notice any kind of suspicious activity ie; kids going around buying multiple cans of spray paint
When you make a tip, this is not considered evidence but simply information that is taken down that will start an investigation or the continuation of one already in progress.
Leo: How do we promote to the businesses?
Tricia: More eyes on the area creates a natural deterrent for petty crimes. Seeing someone tag a building, might not be a police call but anonymity and a chance of a reward might be incentive to cal Crime Stoppers. Residents and businesses have been receptive to put up posters. If you provide info to the police, they can’t contact Crime Stoppers; this is considered the same source but you can call CS if you have new information.
Rewards are dropped off in cash at random storefronts in a sealed envelope with the ID number on it. The tipster is directed where to pick it up, using their reference number.
Jim: Is anyone skittish about picking up their reward in a store?
Hannah: No, all businesses are completely random and all they are given is a reference number. No one has ever had a problem. It could be several months later and no one knows what the reference number is for. In a busy store with customers that go in and out all day long, it would be difficult to figure out that one of these customers was picking up a cash reward for a specific arrest.
It is their job and top priority to protect the “tipsters”. If it’s ever compromised, it would be the end of CS.
MOTION - To partner with Crime Stoppers for $100 per year, for a 5-year contract: James, second Alana
Board Business
Leo - There have been several requests from board members to change the start time to 9:00AM instead of at 8:30AM. There have been changes with school drop off times etc that make it difficult to get here for the designated time. We would like to propose at 9AM start time for all board meetings moving forward.
MOTION - To change the start time to 9:00am: Jamie, second James - all approved
Leo - We have been approached by the City to have the Concession St BIA designated as a tourist area. Under current legislation, it is actually illegal for certain businesses to be open on Statutory holidays and could be fined if they wanted to pursue it. There are a few exceptions to this rule like restaurants. Changing this designation will allow all businesses to open if they choose to without repercussion.
MOTION - To change the Concession St BIA to a tourist designation: Jules, second Jamie
Treasurer Report - Alana Travis
All of the minutes and the financials are being sent to the auditor today to close off 2017. Attached is the final report that will be sent showing the 2017 Budget and what was actually spent in each category ending December 31st, 2017. Additional revenue and grants are on the second page in order to show where the additional money came from to support the expenses.
MOTION - To accept the accept the Treasurer's Report: Jamie, second James
Beautification Committee - Regrets Deb Kitchen - Cristina
-We have partnered with Beautiful Alleys to help with our Spring clean up which will be held on Saturday, April 21st. Creating a partnership with them provides additional volunteers to clean up the gateways, and the alleys along Concession St.
-Flowers have been ordered for the planters. The sun-patients will be planted after the Victoria Long weekend in May.
Marketing Committee - Regrets Jason Hoffing - Cristina
-Spring Series posters are ready and will be distributed to the storefronts today or by the end of the week. All Spring events are listed; Bunny Hop, Spring Clean Up, Sidewalk Sounds, Try Hamilton, Streetfest and 100 in 1 Day. The postcards will have all of our events listed for the entire year on one side and the other side will be dedicated to Streetfest.
-Radio Promotion for KLite FM would be $1000 for a 6-week promo. Ads will run during the weather forecast segments.Will also include a live broadcasting from one of our events. It would nice to be able to get Sunny and Hayes for a live broadcast during Streetfest but there's no guarantee at this time. They are celebrating their 25th Anniversary and are offering additional additional coverage as part of their celebration; additional ad spots or live broadcasting etc...
-Radio Promotion for 92.2 The Grand $500.00 for a 6-week promo. Trying to target the demographic directly South of us; Binbrook, Cayuga etc... about a half hour away to encourage them to join us for our events.
-Print Promotion with Visit Hamilton - Full page ad would be $3000 ($4180 total requirement but 10 ad spaces will be made available for purchase from businesses at $118 plus HST per spot to off-set the additional cost). This magazine is located in all of the hotels and tourist areas in the City. Kept all year long and all other BIA's are well represented in this volume.
MOTION - To accept the KLite FM radio promotion for $1000.00: Jamie, second Alana
MOTION - To accept the 92.2 The Grand radio promotion for $500.00: Jamie, second James
MOTION - To accept the Visit Hamilton full page ad for $4180 (with the understanding that it will be offset by 10 ads from businesses): Alana, second Mike
Events Committee - Jules Gauthier
-This Saturday, February 24th will be The Coldest Night of the Year Walk. Registration starts at 4pm at St Stephens on the Mount. Although this is not a BIA event, it is held within the BIA and it's an event that we participate in and sponsor. All proceeds go to Neighbour to Neighbour.
- Good Friday is on March, 30th. The Easter Bunny Hop and Seek will be held on Saturday, March 31st from 10am until 3pm. The scavenger hunt bunnies and the bunny ears have been purchased and are ready to go. The bunnies will be hidden inside 22 different stores for the families to find. This year, to make it a little easier, we have created a poster that will go in the windows of participating businesses in order to inform the hunters that there is a bunny inside. Once they find the hidden bunnies, they are to take a picture and post it to social media; Instagram, Twitter or FB with #bunnyhop #concessionbia in order to be entered into a draw to win one of two baskets. The first 100 kids who arrive at the Concession St BIA office will receive a pair of bunny ears to help them hop their way up the street. We are also encouraging businesses to have small chocolates or treats to hand out to the children as they come by. Robin Benedict will be playing in front of the Zoetic Theatre and Alfie Smith will be playing in front of Candi Werx.
-Mother's Day: Friday, May 11, carnations will be handed out to moms throughout the day to celebrate and thank all mother's for everything that they do.
-First Sidewalk Sounds will be held on Fri, May 18th from 6pm-9m. We should have the full musical line-up by March Break or the week after. Confirmation of chalk artist for 3 of the summer dates; Dental office has agreed to pay for one of the months as a form of sponsorship.
-TRY Hamilton will be held on Saturday, May 26th from 12pm-5pm with an after party to follow. This is an event brought to us and organized by a realty group. This will not cost Concession St anything. They organize and promote the entire thing but it will bring a lot of people who may never have stepped foot on Concession St to see all that we have to offer. It's about selling the neighbourhood, not necessarily the residential sale itself. This will be the third event they host; first one was at Barton Village and the second at the International Village, both proved to be very successful. This is a great way to promote and showcase what your business has to offer. looking at scheduling tours or a sort of passport to encourage people to go into the businesses along the street. They are just getting ready to relaunch their website and the Concession St event will be included. They will be doing a "speaker's corner" that will include the vision of our membership (videoed interviews) as well giving people the opportunity to voice their perception of Concession St. They had them set up during Art Crawls on James St N and at a few other events to help promote this. More details will follow.
-Streetfest is Saturday, June 09 from 10am-8pm. Main Stage will be at Upper Wentworth. The musical line-up will all be "tribute bands". Working with the owner of the "RBC" building to see if a stage could be set up on either side of the building. More details to follow
Safety Committee - TBA - Cristina
-Graffiti blitz- encourage shop owners to make every effort possible to remove all of the tags as quickly as possible as it deters future taggers. -Meeting scheduled with HPS in the coming weeks to discuss the overall community safety.
Executive Director Updates - Cristina
- Tuesday, March 20th, Carmen's Banquet Center will host the annual BIA Awards of Excellence. Mountain Wellness at 437 Concession and Steeltown Pickers will receive awards that evening for their contributions to keeping our street beautiful.
- Pop Up Patios: we have the opportunity to have a Gaming Patio set up this year in front of the Library. As a pilot project, there would be no cost to the BIA outside of the $400 permit and the insurance coverage. The company would be responsible for setting it up in May and its tear down in October. They would bring all the games that would be "signed out" at the library during all open hours. People would also be encouraged to bring their own games as well. It would still be a public space open to anyone and you would not require a library card to "sign-out" the games.
-The Tourism Kiosk in front of the library will have a "way-finding" map on one side that will include all major buildings/permanent structures (library, hospital, parking lots etc) in order to help people navigate the street better and the other side will have the Concession St logo, website and pertinent information. "One City, Spend it Here" campaign will also be on the other side of the kiosk.
New Businesses
-Hamilton Belly Dance moving to 422 Concession St opening March 2018
-Vision Design (a graphic design and SEO company) moving to 417 Concession St opening March 2018
-We've Got That moving to 532 Concession St opening March 2018
-Vintage Toy Store moving in to 540 Concession St (front store location at the corner where Tie One On is) opening April 2018
-Mountain RX & Health Pharmacy moving to 564 Concession St opening May 2018
BIA Members and Community
Jim on behalf of CAP - Bench at 360 Concession has been pried up due to the bobcat removing snow. He has given the events calendar to the new events coordinator in order to "schedule" volunteers for events so that they have a presence on the street. Additional waste receptacles are needed for events. Garbage accumulation is greater than our bins can handle and there is garbage everywhere until it gets picked up.
Sam on behalf of The Zoetic - all BIA events can be sent home with the dance students as part of their Newsletter. The wrap up after party for Try Hamilton could be held at the Zoetic. She will bring up the idea at her next meeting. June 09 is their recital. They will try to figure out a sidewalk entrance during Streetfest.
MOTION - To adjourn; Jamie, second Alana
9:47am
Concession Street Board of Management Meeting
Membership and Board Meeting
Alcatraz Mystery Studio - 604 Concession Street
February 21, 2018
8:34am
Board Attendance: Chair Leo Santos, Vice-Chair Brad Robyn, Secretary Juliene (Jules) Gauthier, Treasurer Alana Travis
Directors: Hasan Reda (Big Bee), Jamie McHardy (Realty Network), James Knott (Alure), Mike DeVries (Relay Coffee)
Community Attendance: Samatha Diller (The Zoetic), Nathan Ziwak (Alcatraz Mystery Studio, Jim Foreman (CAP), Hannah Carter (Crime Stoppers), Tricia Hoben (Hamilton Police Services working with Crime Stoppers) and Cristina Geissler (ED of BIA)
Welcome & Introduction – Leo
MOTION - Review & Approval of the Agenda: James, second Jamie
Guest Speakers: Hannah Carter (Crime Stoppers), Tricia Hoben (Hamilton Police Services working with Crime Stoppers)
Hannah - has been an officer for the last 15 years and works directly with Crime Stoppers. To be clear, this is not a police program but a charity - they help one another.
How it works: any tip that they receive either on line or via phone is guaranteed anonymity. Phones are scrambled and they do not have call display. The phone is answered 24\7 even if no one is in the office.
Once they get all of the information, they make sure that nothing will identify the “tipster” and provide them with an ID #. They can then use that number to offer additional information, get follow ups or if it leads to an arrest.
They get tips in all areas of criminal activity: immigration, customs, SPCA, child abuse/pornography, narcotics, robbery, vandalism, murder, sexual assault etc...
If tips lead to an arrest, the “tipsters” could be eligible for a reward depending on the arrest and the size of the crime or “seize” or the impact that it would have on the community.
They want people to call back with additional tips in the future.
Fundraisers pay for the tipster rewards - nothing comes out of the poice funds. There were 140 arrests last year through Crime Stoppers with an estimated 2 Million dollars in seized items.
Her role as an officer includes a lot of the media on CHCH or the “Crime of the Week” feature on the radio and she tends to a lot of the social media as well. If the police are looking for additional info on a specific crime they are investigating, they will start to blast awareness to hopefully get people to step forward with any information that they might have.
Tricia - has been with Crime Stoppers for 18 years in the role of administrator. They pay out approximately $35’000 every year in tips. They spend an additional $100’000 each year on advertising, marketing and merchandise.
Stats are based on what can be removed from the streets. Fentanyl is much cheaper than marijuana or coke… etc. and therefor it's street value is much less.
They have a plaque program - $100 a year for a 5-year contract to help get businesses involved - considered sustainable funding. Encourages businesses to work together and calling or making a tip through their website if they notice any kind of suspicious activity ie; kids going around buying multiple cans of spray paint
When you make a tip, this is not considered evidence but simply information that is taken down that will start an investigation or the continuation of one already in progress.
Leo: How do we promote to the businesses?
Tricia: More eyes on the area creates a natural deterrent for petty crimes. Seeing someone tag a building, might not be a police call but anonymity and a chance of a reward might be incentive to cal Crime Stoppers. Residents and businesses have been receptive to put up posters. If you provide info to the police, they can’t contact Crime Stoppers; this is considered the same source but you can call CS if you have new information.
Rewards are dropped off in cash at random storefronts in a sealed envelope with the ID number on it. The tipster is directed where to pick it up, using their reference number.
Jim: Is anyone skittish about picking up their reward in a store?
Hannah: No, all businesses are completely random and all they are given is a reference number. No one has ever had a problem. It could be several months later and no one knows what the reference number is for. In a busy store with customers that go in and out all day long, it would be difficult to figure out that one of these customers was picking up a cash reward for a specific arrest.
It is their job and top priority to protect the “tipsters”. If it’s ever compromised, it would be the end of CS.
MOTION - To partner with Crime Stoppers for $100 per year, for a 5-year contract: James, second Alana
Board Business
Leo - There have been several requests from board members to change the start time to 9:00AM instead of at 8:30AM. There have been changes with school drop off times etc that make it difficult to get here for the designated time. We would like to propose at 9AM start time for all board meetings moving forward.
MOTION - To change the start time to 9:00am: Jamie, second James - all approved
Leo - We have been approached by the City to have the Concession St BIA designated as a tourist area. Under current legislation, it is actually illegal for certain businesses to be open on Statutory holidays and could be fined if they wanted to pursue it. There are a few exceptions to this rule like restaurants. Changing this designation will allow all businesses to open if they choose to without repercussion.
MOTION - To change the Concession St BIA to a tourist designation: Jules, second Jamie
Treasurer Report - Alana Travis
All of the minutes and the financials are being sent to the auditor today to close off 2017. Attached is the final report that will be sent showing the 2017 Budget and what was actually spent in each category ending December 31st, 2017. Additional revenue and grants are on the second page in order to show where the additional money came from to support the expenses.
MOTION - To accept the accept the Treasurer's Report: Jamie, second James
Beautification Committee - Regrets Deb Kitchen - Cristina
-We have partnered with Beautiful Alleys to help with our Spring clean up which will be held on Saturday, April 21st. Creating a partnership with them provides additional volunteers to clean up the gateways, and the alleys along Concession St.
-Flowers have been ordered for the planters. The sun-patients will be planted after the Victoria Long weekend in May.
Marketing Committee - Regrets Jason Hoffing - Cristina
-Spring Series posters are ready and will be distributed to the storefronts today or by the end of the week. All Spring events are listed; Bunny Hop, Spring Clean Up, Sidewalk Sounds, Try Hamilton, Streetfest and 100 in 1 Day. The postcards will have all of our events listed for the entire year on one side and the other side will be dedicated to Streetfest.
-Radio Promotion for KLite FM would be $1000 for a 6-week promo. Ads will run during the weather forecast segments.Will also include a live broadcasting from one of our events. It would nice to be able to get Sunny and Hayes for a live broadcast during Streetfest but there's no guarantee at this time. They are celebrating their 25th Anniversary and are offering additional additional coverage as part of their celebration; additional ad spots or live broadcasting etc...
-Radio Promotion for 92.2 The Grand $500.00 for a 6-week promo. Trying to target the demographic directly South of us; Binbrook, Cayuga etc... about a half hour away to encourage them to join us for our events.
-Print Promotion with Visit Hamilton - Full page ad would be $3000 ($4180 total requirement but 10 ad spaces will be made available for purchase from businesses at $118 plus HST per spot to off-set the additional cost). This magazine is located in all of the hotels and tourist areas in the City. Kept all year long and all other BIA's are well represented in this volume.
MOTION - To accept the KLite FM radio promotion for $1000.00: Jamie, second Alana
MOTION - To accept the 92.2 The Grand radio promotion for $500.00: Jamie, second James
MOTION - To accept the Visit Hamilton full page ad for $4180 (with the understanding that it will be offset by 10 ads from businesses): Alana, second Mike
Events Committee - Jules Gauthier
-This Saturday, February 24th will be The Coldest Night of the Year Walk. Registration starts at 4pm at St Stephens on the Mount. Although this is not a BIA event, it is held within the BIA and it's an event that we participate in and sponsor. All proceeds go to Neighbour to Neighbour.
- Good Friday is on March, 30th. The Easter Bunny Hop and Seek will be held on Saturday, March 31st from 10am until 3pm. The scavenger hunt bunnies and the bunny ears have been purchased and are ready to go. The bunnies will be hidden inside 22 different stores for the families to find. This year, to make it a little easier, we have created a poster that will go in the windows of participating businesses in order to inform the hunters that there is a bunny inside. Once they find the hidden bunnies, they are to take a picture and post it to social media; Instagram, Twitter or FB with #bunnyhop #concessionbia in order to be entered into a draw to win one of two baskets. The first 100 kids who arrive at the Concession St BIA office will receive a pair of bunny ears to help them hop their way up the street. We are also encouraging businesses to have small chocolates or treats to hand out to the children as they come by. Robin Benedict will be playing in front of the Zoetic Theatre and Alfie Smith will be playing in front of Candi Werx.
-Mother's Day: Friday, May 11, carnations will be handed out to moms throughout the day to celebrate and thank all mother's for everything that they do.
-First Sidewalk Sounds will be held on Fri, May 18th from 6pm-9m. We should have the full musical line-up by March Break or the week after. Confirmation of chalk artist for 3 of the summer dates; Dental office has agreed to pay for one of the months as a form of sponsorship.
-TRY Hamilton will be held on Saturday, May 26th from 12pm-5pm with an after party to follow. This is an event brought to us and organized by a realty group. This will not cost Concession St anything. They organize and promote the entire thing but it will bring a lot of people who may never have stepped foot on Concession St to see all that we have to offer. It's about selling the neighbourhood, not necessarily the residential sale itself. This will be the third event they host; first one was at Barton Village and the second at the International Village, both proved to be very successful. This is a great way to promote and showcase what your business has to offer. looking at scheduling tours or a sort of passport to encourage people to go into the businesses along the street. They are just getting ready to relaunch their website and the Concession St event will be included. They will be doing a "speaker's corner" that will include the vision of our membership (videoed interviews) as well giving people the opportunity to voice their perception of Concession St. They had them set up during Art Crawls on James St N and at a few other events to help promote this. More details will follow.
-Streetfest is Saturday, June 09 from 10am-8pm. Main Stage will be at Upper Wentworth. The musical line-up will all be "tribute bands". Working with the owner of the "RBC" building to see if a stage could be set up on either side of the building. More details to follow
Safety Committee - TBA - Cristina
-Graffiti blitz- encourage shop owners to make every effort possible to remove all of the tags as quickly as possible as it deters future taggers. -Meeting scheduled with HPS in the coming weeks to discuss the overall community safety.
Executive Director Updates - Cristina
- Tuesday, March 20th, Carmen's Banquet Center will host the annual BIA Awards of Excellence. Mountain Wellness at 437 Concession and Steeltown Pickers will receive awards that evening for their contributions to keeping our street beautiful.
- Pop Up Patios: we have the opportunity to have a Gaming Patio set up this year in front of the Library. As a pilot project, there would be no cost to the BIA outside of the $400 permit and the insurance coverage. The company would be responsible for setting it up in May and its tear down in October. They would bring all the games that would be "signed out" at the library during all open hours. People would also be encouraged to bring their own games as well. It would still be a public space open to anyone and you would not require a library card to "sign-out" the games.
-The Tourism Kiosk in front of the library will have a "way-finding" map on one side that will include all major buildings/permanent structures (library, hospital, parking lots etc) in order to help people navigate the street better and the other side will have the Concession St logo, website and pertinent information. "One City, Spend it Here" campaign will also be on the other side of the kiosk.
New Businesses
-Hamilton Belly Dance moving to 422 Concession St opening March 2018
-Vision Design (a graphic design and SEO company) moving to 417 Concession St opening March 2018
-We've Got That moving to 532 Concession St opening March 2018
-Vintage Toy Store moving in to 540 Concession St (front store location at the corner where Tie One On is) opening April 2018
-Mountain RX & Health Pharmacy moving to 564 Concession St opening May 2018
BIA Members and Community
Jim on behalf of CAP - Bench at 360 Concession has been pried up due to the bobcat removing snow. He has given the events calendar to the new events coordinator in order to "schedule" volunteers for events so that they have a presence on the street. Additional waste receptacles are needed for events. Garbage accumulation is greater than our bins can handle and there is garbage everywhere until it gets picked up.
Sam on behalf of The Zoetic - all BIA events can be sent home with the dance students as part of their Newsletter. The wrap up after party for Try Hamilton could be held at the Zoetic. She will bring up the idea at her next meeting. June 09 is their recital. They will try to figure out a sidewalk entrance during Streetfest.
MOTION - To adjourn; Jamie, second Alana
9:47am