June 23 , 2010 - Minutes of the BIA's annual meeting, held at the Rendez-Vous restaurant on June 23rd, 2010.

Were present : Gérald Gaudreau, (Vice-President), Katrina Carrera (Council Rep.), Daniel Sigouin, Noël Cantin (Collins Barrow), Jacques Lecours (Hearst Municipality), Janice Newsome (Hearst Municipality), Rick Rosevear (All North), André Plourde, Mona Habel, Michel Habel, Eric Plourde, Natacha Desjardins (CINN-FM), André Bolduc (Le Nord), Tammy Coulombe (Agriva), Marie-Pier Girard (Agriva), Diane Bernier (Secretary).

Subjects discussed :

- After supper, the Vice-President, Gérald Gaudreau informed members that Mike Wilson, President, will not be attending the meeting and welcomed all members present as well as business owners and special guests.

- Proposed by:  Katrina Carrera, Supported by:  Eric Plourde

THAT the order of business be hereby accepted as submitted.

Agriva Market :

- Tammy Coulombe and Marie-Pier Girard of the Agriva Market informed members of the agreement concluded between the BIA and Agriva Market. Whenever the Agriva Market will hold a market downtown at scheduled dates (dates might change due to unforeseen circumstances), the BIA will close George Street between 8th and 9th Street. Tammy and Marie-Pier also informed members that, during the last market, scheduled for September 18th, a country fair will also be organized. Other details will be provided later.

- Rick Rosevear reported that All North will have already begun the replacement of street lights on September 18, but that they are not scheduled to work on Saturdays. However, he cautioned everyone to be very careful near barricades that will be installed for safety.

Downtown and Front Street Improvement Plan:

- Mr. Jacques Lecours, representing the Municipality, discussed about the new improvement projects that will begin soon. He discussed about the construction of the new train kiosk for which Fern Girard Construction has been chosen. He also discussed about the new structure that will be erected at the entrance of town on the old Texaco gas station, and consisting of the old Harty saw mill that will be moved there and also of the new street lights that will be installed. The total cost for this project is more than $1,500,000.00.

- Mrs. Janice Newsome, representing the Municipality, presented the Downtown and Front Street Improvement Plan and informed members of the new developments and aspects of the project. She informed members that All North Plumbing has been chosen to replace the street lights downtown. Rick Rosevear, representing All North Plumbing, explained that they are scheduled to begin the installation of new street lights around August 3rd and that they are planning to replace three at the same time. One member asked if they will use heavy equipment to dig the wholes and Rick responded that they will use kind of a flusher that will dig the wholes using water pressure.

- Janice Newsome requested that the Secretary send a note to all BIA members and businesses to inform them of the date that the work will begin and also to ask them to be careful for the duration of the work.

- One member asked what kind of lamp will be used in these new street lights and Mrs. Newsome responded that Metal Halide lamps will be used as, following some tests, they proved to be superior compared to the others.

- Janice Newsome also informed members that the old warehouse owned by Armand H. Couture at the downtown's entrance will be used as the BIA warehouse from now on to store BIA decorations, banners and other things. The fence will be removed, renovations will be done and plants will be planted to improve the landscape.

- The Rotary Park will also undergo some improvements and a new sidewalk will be built on the north side of Front Street going further downthe downtown area.

- Mrs. Newsome also informed members that programs to improve their building's facade were still available throught the Municipality.

- The Secretary also mentioned that new banners will be purchased and provided an example of the summer banners to be purchased from M.J Signs (Blain). Members all liked the sunflower banner.

Minutes from the 2009 annual meeting:

- The Secretary asked members if they all read the minutes from the 2009 annual meeting and made a résumé of what was discussed during the last annual meeting. She then asked members if they had any questions. Since nobody had any questions, it was

- Proposed by: Gérald Gaudreau, Supported by: Sylvie Mousseau

- THAT the minutes from the 2009 annual meeting be hereby approved.

CARRIED

- N/A

- The Secretary mentionned new businesses that established themselves in the downtown area, for instance Studio Derma (Chantal Macameau) moved to 809 George Street, at the same location as Le 7ième Ciel and Esthétique par Sylvie and Pharmacie Brunet-Cantin which was renamed Pharmacie Novena and underwent a complete face lift. Mona Habel mentionned that Expression Fleurale will also be moving downtown at 814 George Street. The Secretary also mentionned businesses that closed their doors in 2009.

None

- Noël Cantin, from the firm Collins Barrow, presented the 2009 Financial Reports and summorized revenues and expenses compared to the 2009 budget. In general, revenues for 2009 are in the amount of $43,994, of which $9,959 are contributions by the Municipality towards capital projects and downtown maintenance and expenses are in the amount of $40,089 for a surplus of $3,905 for 2009. Mr. Cantin also explained changes in the accounting of capital expenses which Municipalities and their committees have to bind to, which was not done yet for the BIA. This means that all capital expenses will have to be amortized over several years from now on. Therefore, this will create a higher surplus each year for the BIA, but that doesn't mean that the surplus amount is the real amount in the bank account, this will only mean that the expense will have to be amortized over the following years.

- THAT financial reports for 2009 be hereby accepted as presented, and

- THAT the firm Collins Barrow be appointed as the BIA auditors for 2010.

- Proposed by: Mona Habel, Supported by: Gérald Gaudreau

- The Secretary then presented the 2010 budget which was already submitted to the Municipality, but not yet approved officially. The total budget for 2010 amounts to $48,950.00. The Secretary informed members that the 2010 budget is practically the same as for 2009 and also that the item “Festival d’été” will be renamed next year to accommodate the new summer activities structure of the BIA.

- Janice Newsome explained that new benches and garbage cans will be purchased through the Improvement Plan.

- Proposed by: Gérald Gaudreau, Supported by: Sylvie Mousseau

THAT the 2010 budget be hereby approved as submitted to the Municipality.

- The Secretary informed members that the BIA web site will undergo a complete redesign in the coming months and when it is ready, they will be informed and they will be able to make suggestions or comments on the new design.

- Daniel Sigouin requested that a link to the Hearst.ca portal be added to the BIA web site and Janice Newsome also requested that a link to the Improvement Plan be added. The Secretary responded that the links will be added.

- The Vice-President presented new executive members again before thanking the audience for their attendance, questions and participation at this annual meeting.

- Proposed by:  Mona Habel, Supported by:  Eric Plourde

- THAT this 2009 Annual Meeting be hereby closed at 8:20 pm.

Winners of door prizes:

1st prize: $50 in BIA money - drawn by Gérald Gaudreau - Winner: Daniel Sigouin
2nd prize: $50 in BIA money - drawn by Gérald Gaudreau - Winner: Sylvie Mousseau