STRATHROY-CARADOC PROGRESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE

Strathroy-Caradoc Municipal Office Upper Level Committee Room

April 7, 2016 7:00pm

1. Call to Order

The meeting of the Strathroy-Caradoc Progress Through Partnership (PTP) Committee was called to order at 7:00 p.m.

2. Roll Call / Welcome New Members & Guests:

Present: John Brennan (Council Rep.), Dave Brock (Strathroy BIA), Kristen Jones (Mount Brydges BA), Emma Dayment (Mount Brydges BA), Kelly Warren (Citizen Rep.), Erna Tischler (Horticultural Society), Ed Gibson (Citizen Rep.), John Pammer (Strathroy BIA), Sheila Joris (Strathroy BIA), Justin Pasichnyk (RBC), Kevan Baker (SCRCA), Steve Pelkman (Council Rep./Chair), Andrew Meyer (Director, Community & Cultural Services). Regrets: Jean Moir (Middlesex County Library), Patti Keeler (Art Group), Susan Memodovich (Citizen Rep.), Brenda LaGrandeur (Citizen Rep.), Neil Flegel (Council Rep.).

3. Declaration of Pecuniary Interest None.

4. Approval of Minutes RECOMMENDATION 002-16

Moved by: D. Brock Seconded by: K. Baker THAT the Progress Through Partnership Committee meeting minutes of February 18, 2016 be approved. CARRIED.

5. Presentations/Delegations/Petitions/Communications

None.

6. Unfinished Business None.

Reports of Partner Representatives / Project Updates

a) 2015 PTP Priorities – Status Reports on Unfinished Projects Updates were provided on a number of 2015 PTP initiatives as follows:

Mount Brydges Commercial Area Improvements: The ‘Cenotaph Park’ sign was installed in Mount Brydges at the end of March;

Enhancement to Rotary Memorial Trail entrance and signage: A new trail marker and map sign recognizing the funding support provided by Marilyn Buttery through the ‘Mar for Mayors’ was installed at the end of March. The trail will be completed in the coming weeks by Parks & Recreation staff, and promotional efforts (including the printing of an updated Outdoor Adventure Guide) will be undertaken following the completion of the trail;

Revitalization of the Strathroy-Caradoc 402 gateway signs and landscaping feature: Based on the discussion at the previous meeting, revised pricing was obtained for the replacement signage, at a cost of $4,450.00 per sign. The new concept is a 18.5’ wide x 10’ high and 6mm thick blue aluminium panel cut out in the shape of the municipal logo, with support brackets installed for wind bracing where necessary, with the words ‘Strathroy-Caradoc’ mounted beneath on white aluminium panel with a blue border (see attached concept). The project will also involve the replacement of the existing high pressure sodium flood light with an LED flood, and scaling back the existing landscaping (as previously discussed);

Re-charge station for electric vehicles: A. Meyer informed the committee that, further to the direction from the previous meeting, an order has been placed with Sun Country Highway to supply an EV Charger with mounting pedestal. The charger is to be installed in the parking lot behind Town Hall and connected to the electrical panel in the Library Administration facility.

b) 2016 Project Budget Allocation & Status Reports Members reviewed a draft copy of the 2016 PTP budget (see attached), which included a list of projects as follows:

Vimy Ridge Commemorative Tree Program support – Brian Anderson of SDCI to be informed of progress on project to engage student participation in the planting this fall, as he is currently coordinating a student trip to Vimy for April of 2017;

Adopt-A-Street environmental/community engagement initiative; Amphitheatre Concept, Fair Grounds Recreation Complex – Members

reviewed a preliminary proposal to develop a pavilion based on concepts plans developed in 2000. The plans and pricing will be used to initiate a discussion with potential community funding partners and government granting agencies. The proposal would include the construction of a performance bandshell and earthen berm to create a

natural seating area and sound barrier within the park space. Programming ideas include concert series, movie nights, dance performances, and community theatre among other activities for the summer season, and the potential to integrate an outdoor ice rink for the winter season. Members discussed the importance of drainage, sound buffers such as trees and berm placement, and the need for a business plan to ensure consistent use as considerations in moving forward. A. Meyer to report on progress of concept at the next meeting.

Additional garbage & recycling receptacles – Front Street East, Strathroy (Tim Horton’s/Mac’s as potential locations/sponsors), King Street Park, Mount Brydges;

Public art installations in Commercial Districts; Continued investment in tree carving program – a commitment to

carving the existing tree at the corner of Thomas and Front Streets in downtown Strathroy;

Downtown Strathroy Farmer’s Market – Investment in barricades, signage and other enhancements. Parks & Recreation Department staff to coordinate construction of barricades;

Downtown Master Plan – Enhancements to Frank Street between Centre & James Streets. Committee discussed engaging Ron Koudys Landscape Architects to define scope of plan, landscaping, street furnishing and light standards placement, etc. This firm was responsible for the preliminary plans developed for the Frank Street Civic Area as part of the 2010 Downtown Strathroy Master Plan adopted by Council;

Investigate boulevard landscaping along Adelaide Road, Mount Brydges with Middlesex County (traffic calming measure, tree planting locations). A. Meyer to inquire with County Engineer as to process for implementation of improvements;

Walk of Fame Concept in public space – building on Cultural Master Plan concept & research related to the Hometown Heroes museum exhibit (naming opportunities also to be considered);

Enhance base of Frank Street pedestrian bridge (Alexandra Park) with stone boulders at base to complete project;

Further develop plan for additional benches throughout the community; Support for the development & implementation of a Cycling Strategy; Continued investment in historic mural enlargements on aluminium

panel – develop sponsorship program; Further investigate the integration of municipal, provincial and federal

flags at the entrances to communities; Define alternative locations for the development of outdoor ice rink and

performance space. Based on the committee’s review of the above noted items, a draft budget was created (attached). For several items, no funding was allocated as there are alternative sources of funding available. The proposed budget identifies $91,700 in projects, supported through a combination of

donations, municipal program funding and BIA contributions to downtown master plan improvements. An additional reserve amount of $20,000 remains available as required for those projects with no funding currently allocated.

RECOMMENDATION 003-16

Moved by: D. Brock Seconded by: E. Gibson THAT the 2016 Progress Through Partnership Committee budget and associated projects be approved for implementation. CARRIED.

8. New Business

a) Status of Canada Day Fireworks Display Members were informed that Bethel Baptist Church, who has generously coordinated the annual Canada Day celebrations and fireworks display for several years, has indicated to the Municipality that they are not able to take this event on this year. As such, the Municipality is inviting community service clubs to consider assuming a role in coordinating the event as a fundraiser for their respective organization.

b) Naming Opportunities Members discussed the intention to initiate a heritage home plaque program in 2015, and the idea of transitioning this idea into other naming opportunities to recognize significant figures associated with the history of the community. The example of dedicating the new Albert Street Bridge in memory of Major General William Bethune Lindsay was presented by Councillor Brennan, at the request of John Sargeant. Lindsay was educated at Strathroy District Collegiate Institute and later enrolled at the Royal Military College of Canada. In 1900, he was appointed assistant engineer of the Department of Marine and Fisheries. Lindsay was one of the original officers of the Corps of Royal Canadian Engineers. During the First World War, he served as Chief Engineer of the Canadian Corps. He died in 1933 and is buried at Strathroy Municipal Cemetery. A. Meyer to inquire with the County of Middlesex regarding the process to dedicate/re-name infrastructure.

9. Enquiries or Comments by Members J. Brennan: Recommended an invitation be extended to Angela Verberne, Editor of the ‘Keepin’ It Local’ magazine, to participate in the Progress through Partnership meetings, helping to provide exposure to programs and activities. A. Meyer to communicate with Mrs. Verberne.

10. Scheduling of Meetings The next meeting of the Progress through Partnership committee will be held on May 26, 2016 at 7:00pm, or otherwise determined at the call of the chair.

11. Adjournment

Moved by: J. Brennan THAT the Progress Through Partnership Committee meeting be adjourned at 9:15 p.m. CARRIED.

07/04/2016 The Municipality of Strathroy-Caradoc

2016 Progress Through Partnership DRAFT Budget

2016 2016

BUDGET ACTUAL

PROGRESS THROUGH PARTNERSHIP

PTP PROJECT REVENUES

DONATIONS 15,000.00

MUNICIPAL FUNDING - PTP PROGRAM 35,500.00

DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN - BIA CONTRIBUTION 40,000.00

-

-

TD GREEN STREETS DONATION - TREES -

PTP- RESERVES 21,201.00

PTP PROJECT REVENUES 111,701.00

PTP PROJECT EXPENSES

CITIZEN REPRESENTATIVE MEMBERS - REMUNERATION 700.00

2015 Projects REVITALIZATION OF 402 GATEWAY ENTRANCE (CENTRE RD) 15,000.00

DIRECTIONAL SIGNAGE - MT BRYDGES COMMERCIAL AREA - N/A

HERITAGE HOME PLAQUE PROGRAM 500.00

EV RE-CHARGE STATION 4,000.00

New Projects PARKS & REC MASTER PLAN IMPLEMENTATION - N/A

TREE PLANTING INITIATIVES - N/A

BANDSHELL CONCEPT - FAIR GROUNDS REC COMPLEX - N/A

COMMUNITY CYCLING STRATEGY - BIKE RACKS/SIGNAGE 2,500.00

TRAIL ENHANCEMENT - MAR FOR MAYORS 15,000.00

MESSAGE BOARD SIGNAGE - MT BRYDGES 4,500.00

GARBAGE & RECYCLING RECEPTACLES - COMMERCIAL AREAS 3,500.00

ADELAIDE ROAD MOUNT BRYDGES LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS

WALK OF FAME CONCEPT -

HISTORIC MURAL ENLARGEMENTS 1,000.00

PUBLIC ART INSTALLATIONS

TREE CARVING 3,000.00

BENCHES FOR ROTARY TRAIL -

DOWNTOWN FARMER'S MARKET 1,500.00

ADOPT A STREET/PARK PROGRAM 500.00

SUPPORT FOR FORMER MILL PROPERTY N/A

Downtown Master Plan REVITALIZATION OF FRANK STREET CIVIC AREA 40,000.00

SUPPORT FOR RESTORATION OF FORMER MILL PROPERTY -

PTP - TRANSFER TO RESERVES

PTP PROJECT EXPENSES 91,700.00