Gravenhurst Council Highlights - July 16, 2024
Ward boundary review presentation
Council received a presentation on the ward boundary review exercise that is taking place.
The town retained consulting firm Watson and Associates Economists Ltd., to conduct the review.
Jack Ammendolia, representing the company, provided a high-level overview of the project.
Ultimately, the purpose of the ward boundary review is to ensure that residents have equitable access to their elected representatives.
The last ward boundary review took place in 2009.
Grace Montross named 2024 GHS Bursary recipient
Mayor Heidi Lorenz recognized this year’s Gravenhurst High School (GHS) Bursary recipient is Grace Montross.
Montross was at the meeting and received a certificate of recognition.
On behalf of council, Mayor Lorenz congratulated Montross on being this year’s $2,000 bursary recipient.
The local resident is attending Sudbury’s Laurentian University in the fall and will study nursing.
Each year, graduating GHS students can apply for the bursary.
Watch the town’s website and social media channels for an opportunity to apply next year.
Gravenhurst Thursday Night Oldetimers Hockey League presentation
Duncan Sanderson of the Gravenhurst Thursday Night Oldetimers Hockey League made a presentation to council.
Sanderson said the league is concerned about the allocation of ice time at the Graeme Murray Arena.
In particular, the league would like more ice time than it has been allocated.
Sanderson said the league has been offered a two-hour spot Thursday nights and noted they would like a four-hour space.
He said the space they have is not what is required or what the league requested.
Mayor Lorenz thanked the league for its presentation and noted one of the challenges is successful youth programing that requires ice time. She added the ice allocation policy makes youth programing a priority.
CAO Scott Lucas said ice allocation continues to be challenging year over year.
He said staff will provide council with updated ice time statistics and a breakdown of user groups.
Lifeguard makes presentation on roles and compensation
Regan Tucker made a presentation to council.
A town lifeguard at Gull Lake Rotary Park, she spoke as a private citizen and made the case that municipal lifeguards should receive greater compensation for their services.
She said guards are highly trained and carry significant responsibility.
Mayor Lorenz thanked Tucker for the presentation and highlighted procedures regarding staff wage rates.
Council approves new road name
Council approved renaming a private road following a two-week public consultation period.
A private road known as Road 3700 will now be called Snug Bay Trail PVT.
The road provides access to six waterfront properties on the northern shore of Lake Muskoka.
An area resident requested the new name and council received a related report about the matter in May.
Before council would consider approving the name change, the request was subject to public consultation.
District of Muskoka officials and members of the public voiced no objections.
Council approves municipal funding agreement
Council members approved a municipal funding agreement that allows the town to utilize the Canada Community Building Fund.
The new 10-year agreement sets out the eligible investment categories and the eligible expenditures for use of the funding.
Typically, Gravenhurst uses the fund for local roads.
The amount received in 2023 from the Community Building Fund was $407,421 and was received in two equal installments in July and November.
Town to evaluate need for handrails at arena
Council passed a resolution directing staff to evaluate the need for handrails in the Graeme Murray Arena seating area.
Councillor Penny Varney brought the resolution forward on behalf of the Accessibility Advisory Committee.
Gravenhurst Public Library update
Officials representing the Gravenhurst Public Library made a presentation to council.
Library board chair Karen Underwood and library CEO Julia Reinhart provided an overview on the library’s programs, services, and plans for the future.
Through its initiatives, the library continues to serve a wide variety of people.
They noted the library is also planning for future expansion.
BFL Canada will provide insurance and risk management services
Council approved using BFL Canada as the town’s insurer and provider of risk management services for the next five years.
The firm was identified through a request for proposals process.
The premium for the first year of coverage is $566,440, plus PST.
Treasurer Ross Jeffery noted that BFL came in with a 21 per cent reduction in their premiums.
He credited the RFP process with resulting in the lower premiums.
Jeffery noted the town received four submissions and all reflected a savings.
He said BFL represented the best of the quotes received.
Mayor Heidi Lorenz thanked Jeffery for the presentation and noted it reflects a good news story.
Terms of reference for new committee approved
Council members approved terms of reference for the town’s new Trails Committee.
Staff will now focus on recruiting volunteers to serve on the committee.
In June, council approved the committee’s creation.
Gravenhurst buzzing for Bee City designation
Council authorized staff to participate in the Bee City Canada Program.
There are three pillars to the program:
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Creating a healthy biodiverse pollinator habitat
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Education
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Celebrating Pollinator Week in June
Staff will proceed with the formal application for a Bee City designation. This includes outlining the town’s current pollinator supportive activities.
The town will also implement messaging that provides education and awareness about the Bee City program.
“By becoming a designated Bee City, Gravenhurst will be joining other communities across Ontario such as Tiny, Minden Hills, Stouffville, St. Thomas and Georgina, all of whom have made a commitment to establish and maintain healthy pollinator habitat within their municipality,” Melissa Halford, director of development services, said. “The Town of Gravenhurst, through our current operating and strategic plans, is committed to performing ongoing education and calls to actions to maintain compliance with the program.”
Resolution calls for province to recognize doctor shortage in Ontario, fund health care
Council received correspondence from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and the Ontario Medical Association.
The letter outlines a campaign the associations are promoting, which calls on municipalities to pass motions asking the province to recognize the shortage of doctors in local communities.
The associations are also asking that the motions call on Queen’s Park to fund health care appropriately to ensure all Ontarians can access the primary health care services they need.
As a result, council passed a motion calling on the province to recognize Ontario’s physician shortage and to fund health care adequately.
Sign exemption request received for information
The Arts at the Albion Gallery requested an exemption to the town’s sign bylaw.
The request was made in a letter to council.
Council received the letter for information and took no further action.
New procedural bylaw for BIA
The Gravenhurst BIA has a new procedural bylaw.
The last procedural bylaw update was in 2015.
Changes to the bylaw include:
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Quarterly meetings instead of monthly
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Electronic participation in meetings for members during extenuating circumstances
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New meeting location – Gravenhurst council chambers
Muskoka Watershed Council update
Councillor Peter Johnston provided his monthly update on the Muskoka Watershed Council.
He noted the Muskoka Summit on the Environment is Oct. 4 in Bracebridge.
He said the summit theme is ‘resilience’.
The focus will be on integrated watershed management.
He said the meeting is geared towards the general public.
He also noted the council produces informative environmental articles that are available weekly on the Muskoka Watershed Council website and encouraged people to check them out.
Update from the mayor
Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.
She encouraged residents to participate in the ward boundary review the town is conducting. To learn more, people should visit the project page on Engage Gravenhurst.
She also recommended people check out the upcoming entertainment planned for at the wharf in August. See Gravenhurst.ca for details.
The mayor said she’s been busy participating in community events and attending a variety of meetings.
Council Highlights
Council Highlights is prepared as an overview of the council meeting. For the official record, please refer to the agenda and minutes on the town website at www.gravenhurst.ca.
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