REPORT ON COUNCIL
Jan. 13, 2016
Special Committee of the Whole Meeting Regarding Township Parking Strategy: 9 a.m. – 2:37 p.m.
Jan. 25, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 12:55 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6:00 p.m. – 6:27 p.m.
All members of Council Present: Mayor George Cornell, Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma, and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart.
2016 SUMMER EVENTS SCHEDULE IN BALM BEACH:
The events proposed and in kind support requested by the Business Association of Balm Beach are to be discussed at the Committee of the Whole Meeting of Council on February 8. There is no request for exemption from the township’s noise by-law.
PARKING STRATEGY MEETING:
On January 13, Council heard open deputations about parking issues in particular areas from Mary Jane Price, President of Deanlea Beach Association; André Claire, resident in the Bluewater Dunes area; Nicholas Leblovic, resident immediately south of Balm Beach; Diane Harvey, resident in Bluewater Dunes area; Chris Tulley, President of Carusoe Bay Association; Karen Thomson, President of Wahnekewening Community Association; Andrew Chomentowski, on behalf of the Cawaja Propertyowners Association; Dorene Trunk, member of Rochelle Beach Association; Alan Smith, President of Edmor Beach/Georgian Heights Ratepayers Association; and David White, with regard to beach capacity and the environment. Judith Grant made a scheduled deputation on behalf of the Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations, asking that Council consider using the word “municipal” rather than “public” when describing Township parks to make it clear that township parks are not provincal. She emphasized that all residents should be able to enjoy township-owned beaches, that they should be managed in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way. She also spoke about persistent problems.
On January 25, Council made several moves in response to the presentations and discussion on January 13. It set “the total number of permits for non-residents at 150 per year on a first come first serve basis with non-residents being defined as residents from the Township of Tay, Town of Midland, Town of Penetanguishene and the Township of Springwater” and “further that the process for the sale of resident permits be maintained as is for the 2016 season.”
Given the overcrowding at many beaches in 2015, there was considerable feeling among attendees on January 13 that no permits should be sold to non-residents, but members of Council were strongly in favour of selling permits to neighbouring municipalities.
Council decided that Township Parking Strategy would be on the Agenda of its Regular Committee of the Whole Meetings hereafter until it decides otherwise. It directed staff to prepare a report on the square footage of the Township’s five major shore parks and also on existing parking arrangements at these parks.
ZONING BY-LAW 06-001 HOUSEKEEPING AMENDMENTS:
There were housekeeping amendments to Zoning By-Law 06-001 in 2008 and again 2012. This series of amendments deals with minor inconsistencies and items requiring clarification.
WEEKEND BY-LAW PATROL: An inquiry by Councillor Hinton elicited the information that the township does not provide weekend patrols between November 28th and February 19th, as “traditionally there have been very few complaints received over the winter season.”
