Gravenhurst Council Highlights - Sept. 17, 2024
Please note we experienced a technical issue during the livestreaming of the meeting and as a result audio is missing in some instances.
Tall Pines Music and Arts Festival update
Kevin Goodman of the Tall Pines Music and Arts Festival provided council with a report on the 2024 event, which took place in July at Gull Lake Rotary Park (relocated from Muskoka Wharf due to the ongoing Bay and Beyond project).
Goodman told council the event was a great success.
Tall Pines showcased a diverse and eclectic all-Canadian line-up of 15 artists, including Juno winners City and Colour, July Talk, Dan Mangan, and JJ Wilde.
The festival also featured art, food, and vendors.
Goodman noted the festival had terrific exposure through social media and that it garnered significant media coverage. Cottage Life, 102.1 The Edge, and CTV News all reported on the event.
Goodman thanked the municipality for its support and asked to continue to use the alternate location for future festivals.
Mayor Heidi Lorenz congratulated Goodman on the success of Tall Pines and thanked him for the presentation to council.
Review the related presentation.
Ontario Provincial Open Water Swimming Championships
Council received an update on the Ontario Provincial Open Water Swimming Championships, which took place at Gull Lake Rotary Park over two days in July.
Speaking on behalf of the organization, Al Shaw said the championships went tremendously well.
He said officials and participants love the Gull Lake venue.
During the event, the town welcomed 350 swimmers, plus coaches, family, and supporters.
Shaw thanked the municipality for its support of the event.
He also recognized Gull Lake residents for their interest and support.
Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce presentation
Meghan Pratt, executive director of the Gravenhurst Chamber of Commerce, provided council with an update on the organization.
Pratt noted the chamber is looking to stay in its home in the town-owned building at 275 Muskoka Rd. S. The lease expires at the end of the year.
Chamber membership, she said, currently sits at 236 with representation from a variety of sectors, including retail, automotive, real estate, restaurants, and manufacturing.
Pratt said the chamber is active in different initiatives, including its annual car show and the Santa Claus Parade.
As well, she said that earlier in the year the organization printed 20,000 copies of its ‘Experience Gravenhurst’ guide with copies delivered to various locations in Muskoka.
Food Cycle presentation
Jacob Hanlon of the Food Cycle Corporation made a presentation to council members regarding the Food Cycler Municipal Pilot Program.
The purpose of the program is to measure the viability of on-site food waste processing technology as a method of waste diversion.
The company’s FoodCyclers are countertop devices that repurpose food waste, turning it into an odorless powder that can be used in gardens.
Hanlon noted Georgian Bay Township is a nearby municipality involved in the program with participating residents logging the use of their FoodCyclers.
Learn more about the municipality’s involvement.
Mayor Heidi Lorenz thanked Hanlon for the presentation.
Attainable housing presentation
Daniel Segal of Segal Construction made a presentation to council.
He proposed the town get into attainable housing development, funding such building through a mix of municipal bonds and provincial and federal funding.
“We recommend that the council determines specific housing needs and exit strategies as the project progresses, ensuring alignment with local requirements,” he said, in a related letter. “Upon completion, the council can choose to sell the units on the open market, manage them directly, or transfer them to affordable housing providers.”
Mayor Lorenz thanked Segal for the presentation.
She noted the District of Muskoka delivers housing assistance through different programs and recommended Segal get in touch directly with district staff to discuss his proposal further.
Council OKs user fees and charges for 2025
Council members approved user fees and charges for next year.
Some fees remain the same while others have changed.
The purpose of the town’s fees and charges is to recover some, or all, of the costs associated with a related service or enforcement.
Staff review fees and charges each year to determine if adjustments are required.
The changes to the user fees and charges for 2025 will generate approximately $58,000 in additional net operating revenue.
Review the related staff report.
Review the user fees and charges for 2025.
See where changes have been made for 2025.
Council passes new Dock Control Bylaw
Council passed a new Dock Control Bylaw.
The purpose of the bylaw is to regulate the use of public docks, landings, and launches and prevent the abandonment of boats and materials at docks.
Council also passed a resolution to temporarily exclude the Hewitt Street Dock from the general prohibitions in the bylaw until discussions regarding that site can be held with interested parties in the community.
Staff will report back to council once discussions have taken place and at that time council can consider next steps.
Read the related staff report.
Sign bylaw exemption for Marriott
Council members granted the Fairfield by Marriott an exemption to the town’s sign bylaw.
Marriott officials requested an exemption at the August Planning Council meeting.
The town’s sign bylaw allows no more than two wall signs on a single store or business.
Marriott requested a variance allowing one additional wall sign.
Town staff supported the request, calling it minor in nature.
Read the related staff report.
In addition to the three wall signs, the site will have one ground-based sign, which is permitted under the bylaw.
The new hotel is at 112 Fountain St.
Council accepts bid for North Morrison Landing parking lot expansion
Council agreed to hire Advance Excavating and General Contracting Ltd. to carry out the North Morrison Landing parking lot expansion project.
The town will pay the company $275,751, excluding HST, to complete the work.
The company was one of six firms to bid on the project with its price the lowest submitted.
The project involves expanding the landing by 700 square metres, providing 25 public spaces, 14 deeded spaces, and five trailer spaces, representing an overall net difference of 16 spaces above what is currently provided at the site.
Work will start this month with a goal to have the project mostly finished by Oct. 25.
Read the related staff report.
Councillor Erin Strength update
Councillor Erin Strength provided an update on her trip to the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario conference.
The conference took place in Ottawa in August.
Strength went to the conference with Mayor Heidi Lorenz and CAO Scott Lucas.
Strength said this marked her first time at the conference, adding she enjoyed the meetings and networking opportunities.
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 conference is for the public and encouraged people to attend.
Johnston asked council members to help spread the word about the conference.
Learn more about the conference.
Update from the mayor
Mayor Heidi Lorenz provided her monthly update.
The mayor said she and fellow council members attended the second annual Hike for Hospice Muskoka on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Mayor Lorenz said the hospice fundraiser was a great event and thanked people for participating.
She also reminded people about the upcoming Gravenhurst Autumn Arts Tour on Saturday, Sept. 28 and Sunday, Sept. 29, encouraging locals and visitors to check it out.
Additionally, the mayor noted the town has launched its fall recreation programs and she encouraged people to learn more about them. Details are available on the town website.
She also said that earlier in the day she was the guest speaker at the Probus Club of Gravenhurst’s monthly meeting. The mayor provided an update on various municipal projects.
On another note, the mayor invited people to share their thoughts about what should be included in the 2025 budget. People can provide feedback through Engage Gravenhurst.
Council appoints members to new Trails Committee
Council appointed members to the municipality’s new Trails Committee.
Members will serve for the balance of the 2022-2026 council term.
Committee members are as follows:
· Craig Little
· Eric Vanderburg
· Karen Moyer
· Samuel Van Weert
· Tina Kilbourne
· Valerie Loshaw
Learn more about the Trails Committee.
Additionally, council appointed Judy Humphries to the Municipal Heritage Committee for the balance of the council term.
Learn more about the Municipal Heritage Committee.
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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