BIA - Township of Springwater

Elmvale
Business Improvement Area (BIA)
INFORMATION SESSION
O C T O B E R 2 6 TH, 2 0 1 1
Administration
 Agenda
 Administrative
 Introductions
 Presentation
 BIA Testimonials
 Questions
Introductions
 Al Pontes (MC)
 Mayor Linda Collins
 Ward Councillor Dan Clement
 Heather Sewell (BIA Steering Committee)
 Trevor Henderson (Midland BIA Treasurer)
 Steve Maurice (Midland Business Owner)
 Laura Thompson (Township of Springwater)
 Laurie Kennard (Township of Springwater)
 John Daly (Township of Springwater)
What is a BIA?
 As per the Business Improvement Area
Handbook 2010;
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“A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a
„made-in-Ontario‟ innovation that allows local
business people and commercial property
owners and tenants to join together and, with
the support of the municipality, to organize,
finance, and carry out physical improvements
and promote economic development in their
district.”
Function of a BIA
 Promote the area as business area or shopping
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destination
Beautification of the area, beyond what municipality
can typically provide
Advocate on behalf of the Business Improvement
Area
Business Recruitment
Attracting, Coordinating and supporting events
Other roles
Successful BIA‟s
 Bloor West Village (1st BIA in 1970)
 Outlook was „grim‟…sound familiar?
 Many groups trying to create business associations
 Not enough voluntary support
 In 1970 the first BIA created, 275 BIA members
 Primary focus beautification, local promotion
 Now more than 400 unique shops!!
Why do we need a BIA?
 First Impression “Grim”
 Loss of many businesses
 High rate of business
turnover
 Many vacant storefronts
 A huge amount of traffic
flows through Elmvale,
there is an opportunity
to cater to this existing
tourist traffic
BIA work on image
Attract new businesses
Assist and advertise
existing businesses
Beautify storefronts
Use signage and
advertising to capture
existing traffic
Who is Involved?
 Steering Committee/Board of Management
 local business owners, municipal staff, members of Council
 Members are encouraged to participate
 Recommendations, voting
 Municipality
 Notices, tax collection, budget approval
 BIA Leaders
 Currently contemplated as volunteer positions
BIA Membership and Funding
 Once a BIA is approved by Council, applicable
businesses become members and contribute a BIA
levy in addition to their regular property taxes.
What will I be expected to invest?
 Suggesting 0.01% of your assessment value
 Minimum value of $150.00 and a maximum value of
$1,250.
 Almost 70% of businesses would pay LESS than $300.00
per year, LESS than the cost of one full colour ad.
 Resulting in $20,503.37 for the first year of the BIA.
 Properties taxed on size
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Attempt to ensure fair rates based on size/frontage
Attempt to ensure no business is over/under paying
Proposed BIA Budget
 DRAFT budget only
 Suggested starting point for the first year
 MEMBERS (you) decide the final budget items
(Township responsible for approving, but NOT
creating the budget)
How will it help me?
Steering Committee focused on four goals;
1. Beautification
2. Events
3. Communications
4. Marketing/Promotions
How will it help me?
 Coordinated approach to promotion of Elmvale
 Advocates for your interests
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At Township Meetings
In support of projects that will
assist Elmvale
As a result;
 More shoppers
 Stronger economy
 More businesses, better balance of retail & services
BIA levies vs Taxes
Property Taxes
BIA Taxes
 Township-wide water, sewer,
 Elmvale specific marketing
 Designated advocate for BIA
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roads, infrastructure
Municipal Buildings and Services
Economic Development
By-law Enforcement
Library Services
Fire Services
Public Health
Parks and Recreation
Police Services
Sidewalks
Road Maintenance including
Snow Removal
members
 Business Recruitment
 Event Planning
 Beautification items such as;
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Flower Baskets/Planters/Trees
Murals
Street Furniture
Seasonal Decorations
Banners
Window Art
Signage
What does BIA pay for vs my existing taxes?
Property Taxes
BIA Taxes
BIA levies vs
Taxes
BIA levies vs Taxes
 BIA funds will be allocated in BIA area ONLY, and
spending is decided by Board of Management and its
members (YOU!)
 Beautification items such as benches, flowers and
murals are often the first to be cut from municipal
budgets in a tough economy
Who will oversee the BIA?
 A Board of Managers will oversee the BIA, this board
will most likely consist of;
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Director/Chair
Vice-Chair
Treasurer/Secretary
Councillor
Municipal Staff Representative
Elected Members
(This Board is governed by the Municipal Act, section 204.)
How is a BIA implemented?
 Establish a need
 Establish a Steering Committee
 Establish Goals and Objectives
 Prepare Preliminary Budget Proposals
 Establish Proposed Boundaries
 Communicate with all Parties within Boundary
 Formalize a request to the Municipality
 Notification of a Proposed BIA Designation
 Pass a Municipal Bylaw
Who Approves the BIA?
 Once a by-law to establish the BIA is proposed, the
municipality must send notice to all applicable
property owners
 The municipality may not pass a by-law if written
objections are received within 60 days of the notice if
those objections have been signed by at least one
third of the applicable properties/persons
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For exact legislation, please refer to Section 210 (3) of the
Municipal Act
Who would be included within the BIA?
 Approximately 151 properties in the Catchment Area
 68 are currently assessed as Commercial
 Mapping based on existing Commercial District and
properties zoned Commercial
 ONLY those assessed by MPAC as „Commercial
Properties‟ will be charged the BIA levy
Successful BIA‟s
 Downtown Port Colborne BIA
 Modest budget of $20,000, 150 members
 Volunteer run-Requires a minimum of ten dedicated
volunteers
 Focus on the beautification of 15 Coal hatches (which become
annual outdoor art projects)
 Website, radio and television ads, and street events
Successful BIA‟s
Successful BIA‟s
 Mount Pleasant BIA (British Columbia)
 Formed in 1989
 One of first BIA‟s in British Columbia
 Business owners wanted to preserve heritage
NOW
 Voted as having Vancouver‟s
“Coolest Street” and “favourite
shopping destination”
Close to Home
 Coldwater BIA
 Formed in 2009
 $25,000 budget ($5,000 used for admin-bookkeeper, insurance)
 First term dedicated to beautification
Flowers
 Metal Arbours between businesses
 Banners
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Second term now dedicated to; Marketing/Advertising & Events
Branding for Downtown (name, logo, shopping bags, signage)
 Alley/laneway improvements
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Midland BIA
Helpful Resources
 Business Improvement Area Handbook 2010
 http://www.mah.gov.on.ca/Asset7396.aspx
Contact Information
Township of Springwater
Main Project Township Contact:
Laura Thompson
Acting Planner
P. 705-728-4784 ext 2064
laura.thompson@springwater.ca
Tax, Levy and Finance Inquiries:
Laurie Kennard
Director of Finance
P. 705-728-4784 ext 2009
laurie.kennard@springwater.ca
Municipal Act & Legislative Requirements:
John Daly
Director of Corporate Services/Clerk
P. 705-728-4784 ext 2026
john.daly@springwater.ca
BIA Steering Committee
Heather Sewell
705-322-3484
Bob Simmons
705-322-1715
Also on Committee:
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Al Pontes
Brenda Stanley
Kim Anderson
Councillor Dan Clement
Dan Gallo
Frank Carrigan
Chris Messecar
Rosemary Holt