Thursday Feb 17, 2022
9am to 10am
​Conference Call via Zoom

In attendance:  Eshe, Brandon, Julie
Also in attendance:  Julia Davis, David Reed, Sarah, Jim, Brenda, Terry, Cristina
Regrets:  Jamie, Joanna, James, David, Diane, Esther Pauls
No quorum reached.  MOTIONS deferred to next weeek once Board changes are ratified by Council
​
Welcome & Introductory Remarks – Chair, Eshe Despres 
Eshe Despres:  Comments and suggestions provided on an anti-racism strategy for our BIA which high level summary included:

• reporting database for racist acts in Hamilton through the City of Hamilton
• need defined metrics to work with
• active programming to learn true history
• have regular conversations as a Board
• diversity training to expand to more Board members
• continue diversity and inclusion with the vendors we book and entertainers we book for events like Sidewalk Sounds and Streetfest
• look into a bystander invervention program
• More detailed account of Chair's comments will be made available as separate attachment

Julia Davis:  suggested working with the Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre (and other similiar organizations in Hamilton) to bring forward resposible and feasible action plans to actively support diversity, inclusion and safety in our BIA.  Also suggested inviting them into future Board meetings as guest speakers.

Review & Approval of the Agenda 
Review & Approval of January 2022 Meeting Minutes

Board Business:

• Hate graffiti updates

Cristina:  police investigation ongoing.  Sgt Patton (our Crime Manager) and Sgt Kay (his partner) meetings have been had to discuss status and next steps.  Unfortunately street CCTV cameras did not capture and useable information to apprehend those responsible.  Important to report all and any issues to the police.  Police is actively canvassing local businesses in the area for useful tips and other CCTV footage that might be able to help.  BIA has requested increased patrols during the day of beat officers and undercover officers after hours.  Library CCTV cameras did not capture any helpful info as well. They will be redirecting one of their cameras to the Little Africa plaque.  Library staff will be keeping a vigilarnt eye on the perimeter of the library property as well. BIA has connected with Hamilton Anti-Racism Resource Centre and working with Executive Director Lydon George (meeting to follow this meeting).

• MOTION:  BIA Hate graffiti Board action plan to do better in response to these kinds of actions DEFERRED to next meeting
• Guest invited, Julia Davis Business Development & BIA Officer 

Julia shared her role,  Shared more information on the federal grant Main Street Accelerator Program (David Reed) and the Mayors Task Force Economic Recovery Program of $750,000  ($375K for 2022 and $375K for 2023 for costs associated with animating outdoor spaces through events, street closures and public art.  More details to come on specifically how Concession BIA may benefit from this funding.  Confirmed that patio fees waived for 2022.  Plus recommendations to push the patio program year round (make permanent) will hopefully be ratified soon.

• Code of Conduct review will be sent out once new Board members are ratified later next week.
• New board members will be finalized later this month:  Dave and Sarah to sign Code of Conduct document
• MOTION:  Appointment of interim Vice Chair Joanna Milner - VOTE DEFERRED
• Guest Invitied:  David Reed, Concession BIA Ambassador for My Main Street Accelerator Program:  federal grant thru City of Hamilton that will provide Concession BIA with dedicated Ambassador, David Reed

Accelerator program to focus on three main areas 1.  Marketing Research 2.  Networking (connecting Concession small businesses with support programs and 3.  Grants ($100,000 allocated to Concession BIA). David to work with BIA and all small business owners directly.  Cristina will send out more information in follow up email to membership. Cristina will also introduce David to small business owners in the coming week or so.  We have this dedicated resource until the end of 2022.

Treasurer Report – Brandon Eyre
 Details on expenses to date explained

Chair of the Beautification Committee –Cristina Geissler
2022 Concession Banner - Its Happening Here banners by Alblas Desigs selected as successful  concept.  Minor variations to three banners wil be shared with Board for final approval before new banners are put into production.  Installation slated for Spring 2022.
             
Chair of the Concession Marketing Committee – Cristina Geissler

• CHCH remote with Tim Bolen aired Feb 8/22 – available on BIA website video library
• Hamilton Community News digital marketing campaign 2022
• Mountain News:  new business spotlights to continue
• Concession BIA billboard refresh due.  Look to make an events one in April.  Potentially use the other banner concepts submitted to promote inclusion and diverity in our community (since we purchased these designs, let's use them)
• Continued social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok

 
Chair of Concession Events Committee – Cristina Geissler

• All dates and current information have been updated on our BIA website:  concessionstreet.ca
• Book Crawl on Concession:  third Saturday of each month 10am-1pm (Jan virtual, Feb virtual)
• N2N Coldest Night of the Year – virtual for Saturday Feb 26, 2022 - BIA distance sponsor again this year
  • Concession BIA is a community sponsor again this year in support of N2N
• Hamilton Winterfest:  Feb 18 to March 6, 2022 based out of Auchmar Estate (event start deferred to Feb 18th because of the rain today)
• Virtual Alternative History Tour on Concession active and available on our website

 
Chair of Safety Committee – Chair:  Jim Foreman 
Responsibility of businesses/property owners for prompt snow removal from city sidewalks

Executive Director Updates – Cristina Geissler
Thanks to everyone who reached out and responded to Charlie Broughton’s 90th birthday celebration – it made the front page of the Mountain News
BIA motion (seconded by Concession BIA) to reinstate the marking of parking meters for 2 hour Holiday Parking Program in 2022 and moving forward

New business updates:
Dollarama opening late Spring 2022 at 503 Concession (corner of Upper Wentworth and Concession)
 *All required changes to our online business directory have been done on our BIA website:  concessionstreet.ca

Cristina to send out vote items to Board later next week.  All updates will be added to minutes in due course.

BIA Members and Community   
Penny Pinchers will be Cat In The Hat tomorrow, Friday Feb 18th.  If ever a business wants or needs a specific character, PPCI has geneoursly offered to help them out at no cost - all in an effort to promote the street and make it more welcoming and engaging for visitors.
Meeting adjourned:  10:10am