www.hearstbia.com/English/annual2009.html -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 5/14/2009
Last Visited: 10/4/2009
Were present : Mike Wilson (President), Katrina Carrera (Presentation on PAC), Luc Pépin (President Chamber of Commerce), Gérald Gaudreau, Marc Dufresne, Luc Vachon, André Plourde, Isabelle Boulanger, Francis Bouchard, Kevin Gow, Thierry Guindon, Denise Doyon, Shana Verrier et Diane Bernier (Secretary).
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- After supper, the President, Mike Wilson, welcomed everyone present as well as business owners and special guests for the meeting.
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Mike asked everyone if they had time to read the minutes from the last annual meeting and resumed what was discussed during this meeting.
He then asked members if they had questions.
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- Mike mentioned his disappointment for merchants' participation at this annual meeting, but congratulated members present saying that this demonstrated that they had their downtown at heart.
- He mentioned that the current economy and the fact that retail stores were establishing outside the downtown area was greatly affecting the downtown area.
- He summarized all activities and projects that were done in 2008 and presented the executive members specifying that there was room on the committee for more members for those interested.
- Mike reported that, this year, the Summer Festival will take place on July 2-3-4, 2009.
- He also reported that new BIA brochures have been printed and distributed to all merchants.
- Mike discussed about the Hwy 11 Improvement Project - Front Street and BIA Area and presented the latest developments since the first meeting in August 2008.
J.L. Richards & Associates Limited was hired for the elaboration and presentation of the plan.
The principal goal of this improvement plan is to make the downtown area greener and more friendly.
- Mike mentioned that the BIA needed new ideas, initiatives and energy in order to improve and that there was still room for new members on the Executive Board.
New Kids on the Block:
- Mike listed new businesses that opened their shop downtown in 2008, of which is Northern Medical Mobile Inc, Kevin Gow and Pierre Dalcour also new owners of the Ginsue building.
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- Mike presented the financial statements for 2008 and resumed revenues and expenses compared to budget for the same year.
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Mike responded that the budget is planned in accordance with the special BIA tax that the Municipality collects from building owners in the downtown area and that this tax can vary from $300 to $1,000 per building.
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Mike explained that it was now building owners that were responsible to pay this special BIA tax and not businesses that rent a space in the building .
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- Mike also mentioned that following a meeting with the Municipality, it was decided to establish free parking on Friday nights and Saturdays for a trial period of two months, May and June, in order to help customers and increase patronage downtown.