Thursday March 19th, 2020
9am to 10am
+1 647-497-6301
Conference ID: 679 593 993#
Attendance: Eshe, James, Jeff, Julie, Jamie (on call at 9:30am)
Also: Brenda, Terry, Brandon, Cristina
Regrets: Alana, Jules, Jim
Absent: Esther Pauls, Kathy
Welcome & Introductory Remarks – Chair, Eshe Despres
Adjusting agenda to move vote items until Vice Chair, Jamie McHardy can join the call at 9:30
Starting with Committee updates
Treasurer Report – Alana Travis
Not available: Alana unavailable for this meeting
Chair of the Beautification Committee –Chair: Alana Travis , presented by Cristina Geissler
New summer banners have been installed
Tulips starting to bloom at gateways
Both BIA gateways now illuminated
Inquiries will be made for the removal of the winter inserts with Harpers – date TBC
Planting of summer flowers historically does not happen until after the May Victoria Day weekend – in light of the COVID19 crisis, installation date TBC
Chair of the Concession Marketing Committee – Chair: Kathy Kreidl, presented by Cristina Geissler
CHCH commercial advertising project updates – TBC confirmed in light of the COVID19 crisis
Shop Local Perks updates – fundraiser for CAP details to follow shortly
Shop Local Perks Hamilton wants to do what we can to help encourage the support of local businesses during this time of need.
At no cost to your business, Shop Local Perks Hamilton will distribute (through Canada Post) 50,000 flyers encouraging our city to Support Hamilton Businesses. Flyers are set to go out May 1st, 2020.
You do not need to be a Shoplocalperks.com business to participate in this FREE initiative to support local business in our city. Together we can help reduce the impact of these uncertain times and truly show the strength of the Hamilton Business Community.
Taking part in this initiative is simple, please send your business logo in high res format to Cody@shoplocalperks.com by April 10th to be included in the 50,000 flyer mail out.
Chair of Concession Events Committee – Chair TBC - Presented by Eshe Despres
Uptown Bunny Hop now a colouring contest
Rest of events for the year TBC and assessed on an individual basis (in the interest of public safety)
Our website Events page now has this disclaimer added:
In light of the unprecedented global crisis of COVID19, the Concession BIA
will be assessing and deciding on whether or not to proceed with our 2020 events
on a case by case basis.
As this is a fluid situation that is changing day-to-day
please bear with us as we may have to make very difficult decisions
in the interest of public safety.
https://www.concessionstreet.ca/whats-on---events-on-concession.html
Motion put forward to cancel the May 16th and June 20th Sidewalk Sounds in the interest of public safety
Motion put forward to cancel the June 13th date for Streetfest (alternate date being considered)
Chair of Safety Committee – Chair: Jim Foreman, presented by Cristina Geissler
We were swept with an aggressive wave of tagging and graffiti on the night of March 17th. Trouble makers taking advantage of less eyes and people on the street – they vandalized the front windows and property facades of over 12 buildings. Absolutely disgraceful. My daughter and I cleaned up the mural at Upper Wentworth and Concession this morning. They also hit 3 HSR bus shelters. I will be notifying them as well to get that cleaned up as soon as possible.
To make matters worse, we are also experiencing break & enters. Concession Pizza was hit late last week. Someone unsuccessfully tried to break into Zarky’s from the back alleyway and yesterday someone tried to break into Stoneroads as the bar owner was working in the back of the pub. Luckily they did not get in but he is clearly on edge and will probably be sleeping in the bar for the next few weeks to protect his inventory of liquor.
HPS has been notified. Our Crime Manager has ordered increase police patrols but of course, the police cannot be everywhere at all times. I have asked our businesses that remain open to increase their vigilance of the street – reporting any suspicious behaviour and not wait until they see a crime in progress. I have also them to keep more lights on in their shops to not only add more illumination to the street but also help HPS as they do their night patrols (easier for them to spot someone rummaging around in the light as opposed to dark shadows).
So disappointing. I suspect that this kind of behaviour will not be unique to Concession Street. I have let the other Hamilton BIA’s know about this so they too increase their vigilance as we navigate through the next weeks/months.
We ask that any businesses that remain open to please be extra vigilant to suspicious or unusual activity. It takes a village – and collectively we need as many eyes on our street as possible. · If you see anything – or suspect that a crime is in progress – please call 911 immediately. · If you seen unusual behaviour you can also call the non-emergency number 905-546-4925. Our Crime Manager with HPS is Amberlee Woodard. Please either let the BIA office know or contact HPS directly as soon as you see anything.Amberlee Woodard AWoodard@hamiltonpolice.on.caWe are also asking businesses to please leave extra lights on in your shops. If you are closed, police patrols can more effectively see if anyone is in your space that should not be there. Safeguard your shop and our community. It’s a small thing but every bit helps!
Executive Director Updates – Cristina Geissler
COVID-19 Updates:
Small business financial relief programs being announced by both the Federal and Provincial government (we hope to have more specific information as well from municipalities including the City of Hamilton)
BIA office shared communication (March 18th) with links to investigate if any of these programs would be of benefit to your specific business. If you need a copy of that communication please let the BIA office know.
The BIA office will continue to share information as it is made available.
Banks announced mortgage deferral options yesterday.
We are recommending that commercial tenants talk to their landlords – see if any contingencies or relief can be negotiated through these mandated business closures.
We are recommending that business pivot to keep themselves afloat through the next few weeks/months. Look into online shopping options, delivery options, online offering of services where possible, special incentives, adjusted store hours, confirmation of enhanced cleaning practices, etc.
Use social media to keep your customers updated. Encourage you to keep the lines of dialogue open throughout this crisis. Please tag @concessionbia so we can also share any information to our community.
Please note:
If businesses are not complying with government regulated direction for closures or adjustments to services, given that the order came from the Medical Officer, yes a business can get in trouble. All licenses for restaurants and food service businesses have basically been suspended for dining room service as per the notice the other day https://www.hamilton.ca/government-information/news-centre/news-releases/hamiltons-medical-officer-health-orders-restaurants
All businesses who do not comply are subject to section 22 of the Health Protection and Promotion ACT https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90h07#BK27
In Toronto it’s up to $25,000. I cannot find if that is specific to Toronto or is a provincial mandate. That will be confirmed.
This will be strictly enforced by MLE and there will be orders to comply issued. Given the state of emergency issuance and the mandatory order from the City of Hamilton, it could be quite punitive (possibly loss of license) given that this is a global pandemic.
Encourage this business/member to immediately comply with these orders before this escalates
BIA Awards of Excellence: Tuesday March 24th, 2020 – delayed until June 2020
The Butt Blitz – April 18th (1-3pm on Concession Street) – TBC
Parking on Concession – update from Councillor Pauls: given the current Parking Master Plan review, the city is looking for ways to increase revenue and not diminish it. For this reason, parking enforcement hours will remain as is on Concession Street.
Zachary’s Paws for Healing – invitation to Open House TBC
Stoneroads Mural – preparation of the wall will commence end of this week (weather permitting) – project will take approximately 4-6 weeks for completion
Commercial Vacancy Initiative Project updates – all promotional pieces now complete. We will be re-assessing the launch of this promotional project in light of the COVID crisis. More details to follow shortly.
Shop Local Perks fundraiser for CAP – more information to follow pending a meeting with Cody Chambers
New businesses:
Drip Beauty Parlor – 489 Concession opening soon
Silver Skull Tattoo Studio – 548 Concession now open
Stage Diner – 518 Concession opening soon
Goodbye to East Uptown Yoga – the Concession BIA wishes you well Diane and Annie
Also Bulletproof has officially closed on Concession and Century 21 office has relocated off Concession
ACTIONABLE Vote items:
Review & Approval of the Agenda : Julie/Jamie
Review & Approval of Feb 2020 Meeting Minutes : Julie/Jeff
Motion to have conference calls moving forward until further notice (in light of COVID crisis) – ALL IN FAVOUR
Motion put forward to cancel the May 16th and June 20th Sidewalk Sounds in the interest of public safety : Jamie/Jeff
Motion put forward to cancel the June 13th date for Streetfest (alternate date being considered) : Jeff/Julie
BIA Members and Community
- Eshe, encourage all businesses to share any online marketing ideas moving forward.
- Jamie, as Vice Chair, if anyone needs to talk he has “opened his door” to listening and helping where possible
- Cristina, in whatever capacity I can, I am here to help. Although the BIA office is officially closed until further notice to the public, I am here if anyone needs help. Please feel free to contact me at any time through email concessionbia@gmail.com or directly at 289-933-8899
- Message from Brandon from IPC Investments (588 Concession):
Brandon Eyre
Associate Advisor to Michael Ward, CFP
IPC Investment Corporation
588 Concession St. Hamilton, ON L8V 1B1
Tel: 905-387-8303 Fax: 905-387-8301
Next Board meeting via conference call on Thursday April 16th – 9am. Dial in details to follow.
Motion to adjourn: Julie/Jeff at 9:55am
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Emergency Vote regarding Streetfest 2020
This evening our Streetfest team met (via conference call) and made the very difficult recommendation to defer Streetfest to next year, 2021.
The following factors were taken into consideration:
- Given the momentum of COVID19, it is impossible to predict where Hamilton will be in September or October 2020
- Hamilton’s Public Health department says social distancing could be required until at least September to ensure health care services aren’t overwhelmed by COVID19
- Other BIA’s have already started to make tough decisions to cancel large scale events for 2020 (Dundas BIA just announced today that Buskerfest will not happen this year)
- Many vendors have expressed concerns with participating in our large scale Streetfest event
- Given the intense economic difficulties that small businesses will endure in the coming weeks and months, the optics of having a large scale event in 2020 do not align
- Many vendors may not be able to afford the vendor fee this year after the current and upcoming hardships. We are currently at 30% sold of vendor spaces.
- Many residents may still be apprehensive to attend a large scale event – so if we did proceed we are anticipating a declined attendance anyway
- The BIA levy money dedicated to Streetfest will be deferred to next year – allowing us to ramp up and make 2021 even better.
- Event Grants have not been dispersed yet so if we cancel Streetfest 2020 the money will just not be paid out
- We will not be any more out pocket for Streetfest. Doris has waived the remaining payments on her fee (to date we have paid $2500)
- All performers have not been paid -and will not have to paid if the event is cancelled because of this pandemic outbreak
- If possible, the BIA will try to have smaller events still happen. Each will be assessed 30 days prior to each date – starting with Sidewalk Sounds in July, Aug and September, Fallfest on Oct 3rd, Taste of Concession, Halloween parade, Breakfast with Santa
- BIA will look to add, if and when appropriate, a reopening of business celebration post COVID19