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May 2016 Newsletter
In this issue: Open City 5.0, CertaPro Painters, NEBA Updates, Getting the North End on the Map, Centre Plan, Tax Reform and more.
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OPEN CITY 5.0
MAY 7th 2016
NEBA has signed on as a sponsor for Open City 5.0. There is no cost to participate - all independent businesses are encouraged to take part. Last year the North End had a great showing and thousand of people came to check out the offers. It is not too late to sign up! And if you can't participate this year please come out and join in the fun and share this with your friends & family....let's make this year even better!!
If you have not participated or experienced Open City before, it is a wonderful opportunity to showcase what you do best. It is a free flowing event that encourages people in Halifax to get out, go new places, and try new things. Key components to Open City are Back Door Takeout specials, shopping deals and unique meet the maker experiences. There are also community events such as Artist for a Day at NSCAD, and open air busker style performances throughout the city. Think of it as a day when you can sample anything you'd like - shops, services, museums, galleries and food.
In previous years, several businesses have reported greater than 50% increase in sales on the day and for many businesses it is the busiest day of the spring season for them. Success is largely dependent on the creativity and involvement of our members. If you have ideas about how to enhance the North End Open City experience, or want to get involved, contact us at: info@gonorthhalifax.com.
A full list of participating groups, businesses, organizations will be constantly updated at http://www.ilovelocalhfx.com and as we get closer to the event a Google map will be put together for people to better plan their day.
Individual stores/restaurants/organizations are more than happy to run their own internal contests — a great opportunity to build your in-house email database, or social media following.
OPEN CITY AGRICOLA STYLE
11am to 3pm
Nurtured Products for Parenting & Cyclesmith Halifax are partnering together again to bring back this year’s Agricola Open City Event on May 7th. Enjoy the fun filled day with the return of a petting zoo and live music, plus Food Trucks & local Agricola Street eateries extravaganza! Participating local eateries include:
EnVie - A Vegan Kitchen
Smith's Bakery & Cafe
Old School Donut Bus.
Agricola Street Brasserie
T DOGS
Jamaica Lee Style Cuisine
Back by popular demand Hatfield Farm will be calling the Nurtured & Cyclesmith backyard "home" with many surprise farmyard guests your little ones (and big ones) will love to spend time with.
Don't miss: Photo-Ops in store with a very special guest - Houdini the Goat, who loves selfies (a real #Nurtured"Kid").
Join the Facebook Event Page HERE for more details....Save the date and come on by for a memorable day. It's spring and the the city is open!
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NEBA BOARD NOMINATIONS
The North End Business Association (NEBA), is a self-funded, not-for-profit society governed by a Board of Directors on behalf of nearly 400 members, who consist of business owners and commercial property owners in the North End of peninsular Halifax. We will be hosting our Annual General Meeting on June 23rd (time and place to be announced.)
With the AGM fast approaching it is time to start thinking about nominations for new Board Members. The Board of Directors makes informed decisions in the best interests of the Association as a whole, that advance our vision, mission and values.
VISION: The North End is the most progressive place to do business in Canada.
MISSION:
- To create policies, and events, awareness and momentum to build upon a successful, resilient business community;
- To be an influential advocate for the best conditions for sustainable business growth; and
- To support the development and retention of a diverse, inclusive and vibrant North End.
VALUES: Integrity. Accountability. Responsibility. Effective Leadership. Creativity. Informative. Visionary. Inclusivity. Strategic. Accessibility.
Here are a few points to keep in mind when considering a nomination:
- A Nominee must be a person who is a non-resident tenant in or an owner of a Commercially Assessed real property within the District as defined by the Business Improvement District (BID) boundary, See Map HERE
- Members of the Board of Directors who are not Officers shall be entitled to serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms of 2 years for a total of four (4) years prior to resignation or retirement.
- Nominations of Members to the Board of Directors may be made from the floor of the Annual General Meeting provided that they are both proposed and seconded by two different Members, both of whom are in good standing.
- Each Member, (hereinafter: “Members”) and Director in good standing shall have one vote at all General Meetings of the Association and at the Annual General Meeting thereof. Good standing shall be defined as not being in arrears with respect to the payment of any local area rates upon business occupancy and/or commercial realty and/or any dues.
If you wish to put your name forward or have someone in mind you wish to nominate please contact Ditta Kasdan, Chair of the Nomination Committee, at dittak@gmail.com or 902-221-6614. For more information on the processes and governance of the Board of Directors and the Association please visit our website to view the NEBA By-Laws and Governance Manual.
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NEBA LEVY CHANGES
The NEBA Board of Directors met on March 14th, 2016 and voted to increase the Association's Levy. This is the first increase since the association was established in 2011. In order to continue meeting our objectives it was determined that an increase in funding is necessary. A letter from the board chairperson, Laurie Stephenson, was mailed out to all commercial property owners in the NEBA district on April 11th, 2016 notifying of the levy changes.
Upon much discussion and debate the following increase was voted on and approved by the Board:
- A levy rate increase from $0.15/$100 of assessed value to $0.16/$100 of assessed value;
- An increase to the cap from $2500 to $3000;
- Increase in the minimum levy amount from $50 to $350;
- Removal of the multi-property clause (which will require a by-law amendment.)
If you would like to check how these changes affect you please go to our website and download our on-line calculator or you can email us at info@gonorthhalifax.com and we would be happy to assist you.
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GETTING THE NORTH END ON THE MAP
It has been 5 years since the North End Business Association was founded, and in that time there are has been a tremendous amount growth in our local business community. We felt is was high-time the North End got on the map and became known as great place to go for those visiting our city. To promote our district as a cultural, retail, entertainment, food & drink destination, NEBA, and a number of our local businesses, will have ads in the Hop On / Hop Off Bus Guide, Mobimap City Guide, and other high circulating publications marketed to those interested in discovering the best of what our city has to offer. This will be the first year the North End will be included on the Mobimap. Special thanks to all the businesses that participated by placing their logos on the map — collectively we have graphically brought this part of the city alive. Participating businesses include: Back Packers, EDNA, The Seahorse Tavern, Ratinaud/The Kitchen Table, Dee Dee's, Agricola Street Brasserie, Cyclesmith, Lady Luck, Made in the Maritimes, Lion & Bright, Monster Comic Lounge, Penelope's Boutique, Studio 14, and Waffle Love.
Over the summer we will be conducting research and developing a tourism marketing strategy, and will be asking for your input. Please let us know if anyone has come to North End because of a specific publication. We want to make sure our efforts are being directed in the most impactful way.
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CONSTRUCTION MITIGATION
In February, 2016 Regional Council directed staff to prepare guidelines for the mitigation of impacts on surrounding neighborhoods that arise when construction is carried out within, or adjacent to abutting streets. Pursuant to this direction, staff has developed guidelines that contain provisions for site protection and hoarding, vehicle and pedestrian management, lifting and crane operation, site management (street cleaning, dust, etc.), and notification requirements. The guidelines recommended for adoption are intended to guide the development of a Construction Management Plan (CMP). The scale and complexity of a CMP will be directly proportional to the scale and complexity of the project, the site, and the surrounding conditions. As a minimum, a CMP would include:
1. Project description;
2. Project contact information (Owner and/or Responsible Contractor);
3. Construction schedule;
4. Hours of operation;
5. Site plan;
6. Traffic Control Plan(s) (TCP);
7. Haul routes and staging areas;
8. Pedestrian Management Plan(s) (PMP);
9. Site protection and hoarding details;
10. Hoarding aesthetics details, if applicable;
11. Signage details;
12. Safety protocols;
13. Overhead crane lifting operation details and locations;
14. Stormwater management plan;
15. Description of noise, dust, and emissions controls
Regional Council has directed staff to prepare guidelines that can be implemented for this year’s construction season. The proposed guidelines are scheduled to be presented to the Transportation Standing Committee on May 26. For further information, and to provide any feedback or commentary on the proposed guidelines, please visit the HRM Shape Your City website.
This will be of particular interest to businesses that are adjacent or located nearby a construction project that may impact business access or operations. Please contact NEBA if you have any issues, and/or call Municipal Services and Information at 311.
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NEWS ON SMALL BUSINESS TAX REFORM!
This could be good! Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill will hold a bill briefing Thursday, May 5, at noon, on amendments to the Municipal Government Act and the Halifax Regional Municipality Charter. The amendments relate to commercial property tax.
Please watch for a notice — should public/stakeholder input be required, we will need your voice.
And, if you have not done so already, please 'Like' the Small Business Tax Reform Halifax Facebook page where you can stay up to date on local tax reform initiatives, read related articles and papers, and post your own thoughts on the topic.
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CENTRE PLAN
Give Your Input!
I know — we have been harping on and on about this one for years. And now THE TIME HAS COME! Please make an effort to attend a Centre Plan stakeholder event. There will be a workshop at the Halifax Forum on May 11th. The media attention and community reaction around the expansion of Colonial Honda is just one example of why planning and zoning is so important.
Check out Shape Your City for details.
NEBA has also requested a special business stakeholder workshop to provide business owners and commercial property owners an opportunity to share their unique insight and vision of what a vibrant local economy and commercial district looks like. We will let you know if something come of this.
In the meantime — attend May 11th!
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YOUR ASSISTANCE IS NEEDED.
Updating the NEBA directory.
NEBA is preparing to develop a new website that is better designed to market and promote the area as a destination and highlight all the wonderful businesses, communities, and events here. One of our first steps is to correct and update our internal directory.
Please take five minutes to send us updated information. Let us help you promote your business.
BUSINESSES: If you are a business operating in the NEBA district, or the NEBA Associate Member district, please fill out this Business form. Not sure if you are in our district? Check out the District Map and Associate District Map.
PROPERTY OWNERS: If you own one or more commercial properties in the NEBA district, please fill out this Property Owner form.
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If you have something you would like to share with NEBA members about the North End, please send it to us and we will do our best to post it. We want to hear from you! Just do it now...
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