Council Reports September 2024
Regular Council Meeting Wednesday September 18th, 2024
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and Councillors Brunelle, Helowka in attendance. Councillor Walma absent due to a work conflict.
Enbridge Gas Grant $10,000. Director Leitch advised that again in 2024, the Township of Tiny received the grant from Enbridge recognizing its contribution to GHG reduction through the purchase of hybrid/electric vehicles.
Open Deputations
Ms. Janice Murton – addressed Council regarding golf carts on the roads, in support of D. Petitpas concerns as outlined in her correspondence. While in support of the utility vehicles on the road, there should be rules in place and enforced. As a result, it was requested that consideration be given to making the area a Community Safety Zone as previously requested by LASHA, where fines for infractions are doubled. Mayor Evans indicated this would be discussed further at the committee of the whole meeting on Oct. 9th.
Scheduled Deputations
Samantha Barnett, Township of Tiny Volunteer Firefighter – 2024 Movember Campaign. Ms. Barnett asked for the following support: assistance with deposits, 2 parking passes, purchase of matching t-shirts, communication assistance in support of campaign, fire truck placed at various locations during November, Council representation at events, Waiving TTCC rental fees, commercials during council meeting break.
Council approved these requests. Ms. Barnett was thanked for her years of service as Team Captain for the Township of Tiny Fire Department’s Movember Fundraising Initiatives
Michael Mead, Georgian Bay Park – Zoning By-law Amendment for Georgian Bay Elvis Festival. Mr. Mead clarified that due to licencing issues the festival will be called the Georgian Bay Festival.
Council approved that the deputation from Michael Mead, Georgian Bay Park, regarding a request for a Zoning By-law Amendment for a proposed Georgian Bay Festival on Saturday, June 7, 2025, be received as information, noting that the Zoning By-law Amendment application for a Temporary Use By-law has been filed with the Planning Department and that all other municipal requirements must be met.
Balm Beach Pickleball Courts – PWR-029-24 Director Tim Leitch advised that on March 13th, 2024 staff was instructed to award a contract to Powcon Inc. with an extended scope of work which will include repaving and resurfacing the tennis courts as well as the pickleball courts for a price of $129,924 + HST.
The 2024 Budget included funds for converting one of the three tennis courts at Balm Beach Park into pickle ball courts. This included the reconstruction of the base and hot mix asphalt, a new surface, fencing, and pickleball nets creating two dedicated pickleball courts.
Powcon’s original bid was approximately $50,000 below the budgeted amount; staff asked Powcon for additional pricing to include the repaving and resurfacing of the two tennis courts. With this expanded scope their pricing came in at $129,924 + HST.
Unanticipated discoveries during the demolition of the existing courts resulted in significant cost increases:
• Firstly, a fiberglass reinforcing mesh added during the last resurfacing of the courts made pulverizing the asphalt impossible and unacceptable by the typical recycling sources.
• Secondly, the base gravel under the asphalt was holding a large amount of water which could not be left in that state since this would lead to the rapid deterioration of the new asphalt surface. The second layer of asphalt was removed as well. This necessitated the tennis net posts being removed and replaced.
• Thirdly, it was noticed that during heavy rains, water comes off Oliver Drive, flows through the parkette, ending up in the tennis court area. A French drain was added to the south edge of the courts to help direct the runoff towards a road allowance. This work is not complete yet due to budget constraints.
These unanticipated circumstances have caused several price increases to the projects. As it stands, the project is $42,904 over budget. The work that isn’t complete yet would be an additional $37,920.
The bulk of the funds to complete the work could be taken from the Balm Beach Walkway project which is anticipated to be completed this fall.
The scope of work for the walkway project will involve the reconstruction of the asphalt walkway from the Surf Restaurant to the washrooms, plus landscaping. This work is anticipated to cost $70,000. This 2024 Capital Project’s budget is $120,000 (02-700-3515).
In the 2025 budget considerations, Public Works will be including $80,000 to renovate the current washroom facility and will also be including the redevelopment of the traffic flow between Concession 11 and TBRN at Balm Beach to assist in traffic flow/safety, resurface and speed calming.
Financial Implications The overall overage for the project would be $82,246.50 ($80,824 plus HST ($42,904+$37,920)). Public Works is recommending we transfer funds from various other projects that came in under budget.
Council instructed staff to proceed with the work needed to finalize the courts.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday September 18th, 2024
Staff Reports Consent Items
County Council Update/Highlights. Mayor Evans noted that the County was currently discussing county governance looking at recommendations for council size and having an appointed full-time Warden.
Matters for Consideration
Discussion/ Deputation by Joshua Fuller – Sledheads 4 Kids. Council considered this deputation of August 28, 2024, regarding charity events planned at Georgian Bay Park.
It was moved that the deputation be received and that the organizers be advised that all municipal requirements are to be met, such as, but not limited to, planning, fire, and building requirements as necessary, prior to the events taking place.
Discussion/ Deputation by Donald Stubbs – Georgian Bay Park. Council considered the deputation of August 28, 2024, from Donald Stubbs regarding planned activities and zoning and it was moved that the deputation be received as information.
Discussion/Renewal of Library Agreements. Council considered the renewal of the existing library board agreements with Midland and Springwater Library Boards that expire at the end of December 2024 and approved staff moving forward with the renewal process.
Tiny Beaches Road North and Rue Jules Leger – All-Way Stop. Further to a resident’s complaint, Public Works studied the safety issues regarding the intersection of Tiny Beaches Road North and Rue Jules Leger and determined that
the installation of an all-way stop at the intersection was justified and will be presented for formal approval at the October 9, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council.
Emergency Services Report ESR-006-24 – A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Operate a Multi-Jurisdictional, Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Incident Response Team. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Operate a Multi-Jurisdictional, Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT) Incident Response Team was received and it was recommended the MOU, along with the authorizing By-law, be presented at the October 9, 2024, Regular Meeting of Council for formal approval. The Fire Chief noted that this has been a long-standing arrangement that is only being changed due to the City of Barrie withdrawing from the program.
Committees
Matters for Consideration
Accessibility Advisory Committee – Capital Budget. Council considered the Accessibility Advisory Committee resolution regarding a capital budget request of $5000 for the Accessibility Capital Reserve. After some deliberations it was recommended that a contribution request of $5,000 to the 2025 Accessibility Capital Reserve be forwarded to budget deliberations for consideration.
Communications
Matters for Consideration
AMCTO – Modernizing the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) for the 21st Century.
After review of the lengthy document, the Township of Tiny calls for the Province to update the MEA, with priority amendments as outlined by AMCTO before Summer 2025, and commence work to review and re-write the MEA with longer-term recommendations ahead of the 2030 elections.
Midland, Penetanguishene and Tay Joint Letter – User Fees and Charges for Recreation Amenities and Services (as deferred from the August 7, 2024, Committee of the Whole Meeting). Mayor Evans, supported by Deputy Mayor Miskimins, suggested the letter be received as information only. Councillor Brunelle questioned why Tiny is not moving forward in discussion with our neighbours. Mayor Evans advised that he has no interest in moving forward with collaboration with neighbouring municipalities.
Denise Petitpas – Golf Carts on Roadways and Underage Drivers. Ms. Petitpas suggested that the OPP is too busy to patrol our neighborhoods for underaged drivers using golf carts on the road and wondered if golf cart owners should be required to register their vehicle with the township and sign a permit of some kind acknowledging that they shall not be used in this way.
After discussion it was moved that correspondence dated August 25, 2024, from Denise Petitpas, be received and that staff advise Ms. Petitpas that such matters are under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Provincial Police and not the Township.
Severn Sound Environmental Association – Natural Assets Management Roadmap Opportunity. The Natural Assets Initiative (NAI) is accepting expressions of interest from municipal governments to participate in the Natural Asset Management Roadmap Program. NAI is a not-for-profit organization that works across Canada. Natural assets are a component of a municipality’s assets and can include features that are not necessarily owned by the municipality such as woodlands, wetlands, lakes and creeks that provide services such as clean water, flood mitigation and social/cultural benefits. The roadmap program is to help municipalities start integrating natural asset management into overall asset management practices.
The program requires that a minimum of 3 municipal staff participate. Municipalities in Ontario insured by Intact Public Entities (IPE) are able to participate at no cost, otherwise the rate is $850.
Public Works Director Leitch indicated that he believes the Township’s asset management program is sufficient to address our needs. The mayor supported his position.
It was moved that the correspondence be received and that due to the large scope of the Natural Assets Roadmap Program, the lack of the necessary staff resources and potential financial implications, Council directed that the Township of Tiny does not submit an expression of interest in participating in the program.
North Simcoe Breastfeeding Coalition – Request for National Breastfeeding Week Flag Raising and Proclamation. For many years National Breastfeeding Week was celebrated with our local municipal partners through annual flag raising ceremonies and proclamations, and the Township of Tiny is encouraged to become involved once again.
Mayor Evans suggested that a policy be developed to address these issues moving forward. Clerk Walton pointed out that they do have a policy that could be brought forward for further discussion and review.
Councillor Brunelle raised concern that the only flags that should be raised are the Country, Province and Township so that Tiny does not appear to be supporting some organizations and not others.
In the matter of the Breastfeeding Coalition request, the Mayor and Deputy Mayor were in favour with councillor Helowka and Brunelle against. As such the motion to approve was lost.