BIA MEETING MINUTES May 15, 2025
Meeting May 15, 2025 at 9:01 EDT
Meeting records Transcript 
 
Attendees In person: Eva M (chair), Doris CONCESSION BIA ED, Alana Price (Urban Zoo), Jim F (CAP), Tosin I (Treasurer)
 
Attendees Online: Stephanie M (Lavandula Spa)
Regrets: Kim TG, Terry R, Brenda E, Jinay S
 
Alana P: Motion to activate consent agenda
Tosin I: 2nd
 
Summary
Jim discussed and approved the consent agenda and financial report showing $129,234.67 year-to-date revenue. Updates were provided on safety concerns including autotheft, beautification efforts with tree replacement and planter placements, successful marketing engagement, and upcoming events like sidewalk sounds and the night market, alongside positive progress on grant funding and new businesses. The Executive Director's report and Jim's safety report were also approved.
Details

• Meeting Commencement and Introductions Doris CONCESSION BIA ED called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m., confirming quorum. Sheila from CAP introduced herself and welcomed everyone to the CAP boardroom, expressing CAP's support for the BIA (00:05:18).

 

• Consent Agenda Approval Doris CONCESSION BIA ED presented the consent agenda, which included the review and approval of the meeting agenda and minutes (00:07:04). Alana made a motion to approve, and Stephanie Muir seconded it, with Doris CONCESSION BIA ED confirming the attendees present in the boardroom (00:08:05).

 

• Financial Report Tosin I presented the financial report, highlighting a total revenue of $129,234.67 year-to-date, with the 50% levy payment from the city being the largest component. Tosin also discussed operational and payroll expenses, marketing and events expenditures related to the street fest and sidewalk sounds, and investments in beautification efforts (00:09:56). Tosin noted a potential miscategorization of some city grant funding that they would double-check (00:13:24). Jim motioned to approve the treasurer report, and Eva Martens, chair seconded it (00:14:47).

 

• Safety Report and Meeting Confirmation Jim presented the safety report, detailing their attendance at the superintendent advisory committee meeting (00:17:07). The meeting primarily covered autotheft, with Sergeant Michael O'Hagen providing information on methods of vehicle theft and prevention, as well as an overview of "Project Polar Bear" targeting organized crime (00:18:11) (00:21:31). Jim also mentioned a trend of bear spray attacks and past issues at a local McDonald's (00:24:48). Eva Martens moved to approve Jim's report (00:26:53). Jim also confirmed the date for an upcoming safety audit (00:15:33).

 

• Beautification Committee Update Doris CONCESSION BIA ED reported that patios and signs were up and being used (00:27:47). They also provided an update on the replacement of some cedars with pyramidal spruce trees and additional pollinators. Doris CONCESSION BIA ED mentioned working with Agim from the city on planter placements and that Green Venture would be assisting with the planting, which was rescheduled to the week of the 26th due to scheduling conflicts (00:28:39).

 

• Marketing and Events Report Doris CONCESSION BIA ED shared positive marketing statistics, noting high engagement on Facebook and Instagram due to the Concession Diner opening and the Easter parade (00:30:33). They also highlighted the upcoming sidewalk sounds event with multiple entertainment pods, a food drive, and a night market (00:32:24). Doris CONCESSION BIA ED sought approval for the event budget from the events committee, mentioning yes votes from Alana and Janna (00:33:16).


• Executive Director's Report Doris CONCESSION BIA ED reported on a temporary admin assistant who was not the right fit for the outdoor work required (00:34:57). They reiterated the planter box updates and the schedule for the annual planting (00:35:52). The night market was confirmed to start the next day, and Street Fest reporting indicated $2250 in private sponsorships and a significant number of vendor and partner commitments (00:36:44). Doris CONCESSION BIA ED also provided an update on the ongoing audits, with the city reviewing financials before KPMG, and the preliminary approval of multi-year city grants for Streetfest and positive indications for Sidewalk Sounds funding (00:37:46). Doris CONCESSION BIA ED then shared updates on new businesses on Concession Street. Eva moved to approve the executive director's report, and Jim seconded (00:39:56).

• New Business and Adjournment Doris CONCESSION BIA ED reminded attendees about the CAP care walk happening the following Saturday and encouraged members to participate (00:41:07). They thanked CAP for hosting the meeting in their boardroom, noting the improved meeting experience. Doris CONCESSION BIA ED officially adjourned the meeting at 9:39 a.m (00:42:25).