REPORT ON COUNCIL
Apr. 25, 2016
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 a.m. – 12:02 p.m.
Regular Meeting of Council: 6 p.m. – 6:24 p.m.
Deputy Mayor Steffen Walma and Councillors Cindy Hastings, Richard Hinton and Gibb Wishart present at both meetings. Mayor George Cornell absent.
NEW SENIOR MEMBER OF STAFF INTRODUCED:
During the Committee of the Whole Meeting, Doug Luker, CAO/Clerk, introduced Tim Leitch, the Township’s new Manager of Public Works. Leitch replaces Henk Blom.
PROPOSED ARBORETUM:
At the April 11 meeting of Council, the North Simcoe Anglers and Hunters Conservation Club asked Council to support a Municipal Arboretum as public parkland and an educational resource, offering assistance in planning, planting and funding if the project is approved. The purposes of such an arboretum are many, including preservation of native species, reintroduction of locally eradicated species, and providing seeds for each species for the future. Council liked the idea. However, as staff noted, the concept was not included in either the 2016 budget or the Strategic Plan. Council decided to begin tentatively with site selection and planning and to consider funding for the project during 2017 budget deliberations.
SPECIAL OCCASION PARKING PERMIT PROGRAM:
Special Occasion Permits (for weddings, family reunions, and the like) are to be issued only in Permit Parking Areas on a first come, first served basis at a cost of $15 plus HST per day, per vehicle. Residents would be eligible to receive up to five permits, for a maximum of three days per permit, twice a year. Once the Pilot Parking Program has been assessed, this Program may be changed.
SWIM TO SURVIVE PROGRAM:
Based on the Lifesaving Society’s program, this program, which will be offered at Jackson Park, shows parents how to drown-proof their children.
ICE/WATER RESCUE VEHICLE:
According to Fire Chief Tony Mintoff, the budgeted ice/water rescue vehicle did not meet all the township’s requirements. A rescue hovercraft is more suitable in all seasons for the township’s 70 kilometer shoreline. A slightly used demonstrator model was available at a significantly reduced price of $61,000, but $16,000 above the budgeted $45,000. Council decided to approve the purchase without using the Township Procurement processes, the shortfall to be sourced equally from the Fire Reserve and the 2016 Departmental Budget.
SPEED CALMING FOR TINY BEACHES ROAD SOUTH BETWEEN CONCESSION 5 AND BETTY ROAD:
The radar trailer is to be used in this location until the results of the speed cushion pilot program on Andrew Drive (soon to be installed) have been assessed.
SEPTAGE ADVISORY COMMITTEE:
Still no action on partnering with a neighbouring municipality while the Committee waits for an update from the Minister of the Environment regarding field spreading.
