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DEPUTATIONS REGARDING MOTION 19-G-292, BARRIE BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION (BIA) BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mayor Lehman called upon Robb Meier to provide his Deputation. Mr. Meier advised that he will be withdrawing his Deputation Request.
Mayor Lehman called upon Janet Kemp to provide her Deputation. Ms. Kemp advised that Denise Tucker will providing the Deputation in her place.
Ms. Tucker advised that she is the past Chair of the BIA Board of Directors, business owner in the downtown area and a member of the BIA. She discussed her seven years on the BIA Board and her recent resignation to pursue other opportunities. Ms. Tucker commented on the BIA Board's accomplishments in the community, the downtown projects including the Meridian Place and the ongoing projects including the downtown market and the Fisher Auditorium.
Ms. Tucker outlined that the current composition of the BIA Board of Directors is 12 elected Directors that are approved by Barrie City Council. She noted that the past Board's dedication to serving the community to increase the visibility for the City's downtown. Ms. Tucker discussed her thoughts on the recent events that had taken place associated to the BIA Board including conduct issues at the BIA meetings, the resignation of two members, the motion recommending Council to directly appoint two members to the Board and a request to conduct a third party governance review and by the recent resignation of four more members. She provided her opinion by urging Council to not appoint new members to the Board and allow for the BIA take care of its own affairs. Ms. Tucker suggested the removal of the two Council representatives to depoliticize and depolarize the environment and to gain trust back between the BIA Board and City Council. She expressed her opinion that Council representatives are to bridge the gap between Council and the BIA and not to control the agenda of an independent business association. Ms. Tucker commented that...
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