BIA Subcommittee Meeting Summary

The BIA Subcommittee discussed lessons from an international business-district conference, including staff burnout, partnerships with universities and support for smaller BIAs. Members also reviewed Barton Village BIA's new associate membership model, business supports tied to the Main Street two-way conversion, updates to city incentive programs, and upcoming community events. The committee passed a motion to create a seven-member working group to review its terms of reference.

Topics Discussed

BIA CONFERENCE LESSONS

Members compared Hamilton's BIAs with larger business improvement districts in the United States and other Canadian cities. Toronto was cited as having 86 BIDs, compared with Hamilton's 12.

The discussion focused on what Hamilton could adapt from other jurisdictions, including partnerships with universities, succession planning and support for smaller organizations. One member said universities in some communities help fund nearby business districts because they see the surrounding commercial area as part of the student and visitor experience.

Members also highlighted staffing pressure on smaller BIAs. One speaker said, "The number one thing we talked about was burnout," adding that smaller BIAs are "trying to achieve the same things" with "one and two staff versus 23."

BARTON VILLAGE ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Barton Village BIA reported that it has created an associate membership category for businesses and property owners outside its formal boundary.

Explaining the model, a speaker said, "what we did was created this associate membership. And effectively what it is is it allows for business and property owners that fall outside of our boundaries but are part of our community to opt in as a member to the BIA by paying a membership fee, an annual fee that is in line with the size of their business and would be in line with the levy that would come from that property if they were inside the boundary."

Members said associate members can access BIA promotion, events and some grant opportunities. The arrangement is intended to include nearby businesses that are part of the district commercially but are outside the legislated boundary.

WORKING GROUP ON BIA SUBCOMMITTEE MANDATE

Members discussed creating an ad hoc working group to review and revise the subcommittee's terms of reference. Councillor Tammy Hwang said the current mandate is too limited, stating: "I think that this opportunity to look at the terms of reference because the terms of reference are really quite narrow in terms of what this committee can do. Examining it and expanding the scope for example might be really good. I think that this committee taking advantage of the fact that we have voting EDs that participate that can also identify different funding mechanisms and different initiatives. We should be taking the most advantage of that and really trying to push that forward."

The working group is expected to bring recommendations back at a future meeting.

MAIN STREET AND OTTAWA STREET BUSINESS IMPACTS

Phil Caldwell, manager of Commercial Districts and Small Business, outlined city supports for businesses affected by the Main Street two-way conversion and related construction.

He said, "we have set up a micro site that is available to businesses to engage with economic development for resources and other supports that might be available if they're experiencing impacts or concerns respecting the two-way main conversion. As part of that, previously mentioned business survey, business ambassadors went out along the Main Street corridor and did a targeted engagement with business owners and presented information about the project, including that website that we've provided, as well as staff contacts that they can reach out to to make any concerns known."

Members also referenced impacts from the Ottawa Street closure and resurfacing work in the broader area.

BUSINESS PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS

The committee received an update on business incentive changes that took effect Sept. 9 after council approval on Aug. 5.

Phil said, "Council did approve the changes that were proposed by staff at August the August 5th city council meeting. Our appeal period legislated to us was completed on September 8th and the programs have come into effect on September 9th last week. There are new programs related to office attraction within the downtown core. There is a new art mural program that is being led by our tourism and culture partners but funded by economic development. That's to try and promote more murals within the city and a big change there is paying the artists rather than the property owners."

Members also noted upcoming events including the Barton Village Yard Crawl on Sept. 19, Taste of Barton on Sept. 24, an Ottawa Street sidewalk sale on Sept. 26, Village Pride Halloween programming on Sept. 27, and a Hamilton Day event on Oct. 31.

Motions

Passed: - Ad Hoc Working Group to Review and Revise the BIA Subcommittee Terms of Reference: Approved. The group will have seven members and report back at a future meeting.

Deferred: - Item 7.1 — 2027 Winterfest Tourism Opportunities for Business Improvement Areas: Deferred because presenter Ryan McHugh was absent. - Item 7.2 — Topic not identified in the excerpt: Deferred.

Attendees

The excerpt identifies the following members or participants:

• Councillor Tammy Hwang
• Nadine
• Tracy
• David
• Susan
• Jennifer
• Stephanie
• The chair, whose name was not provided in the notes

The excerpt does not provide a complete official attendance list.