Council Meeting Highlights – December 19, 2023

January 3, 2024
Town News
  • Council met on December 7th & 8th for the 2024 Budget Deliberations and is currently considering a 7% tax levy increase. Council will be considering a first and second reading of the 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets as well as the 2024 Water / Wastewater Budgets at their regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2024. The third reading will be considered on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.
  • Jennifer Baril, Tourism Coordinator presented the 2023 Visitor Centre Year-End Report
  • Council approved not-for-profit lease agreements as follows: “Additional Rent Only – Cost recovery of operating expenses and contribution to reserves for the building, as negotiated by the Manager of Parks and Recreation and Facilities, per square foot, per year, and; allow the tenants the opportunity to negotiate rent based on approved capital improvements in line with the Asset Management Plan (AMP) for contribution to reserves only.”
  • The Community Grants Program Policy was amended to include delegation of authority to the Treasurer and various policy amendments. As such, the Delegation of Powers and Duties Policy By-law was also amended.
  • Council passed a By-law to amend the Remuneration and Expenses By-law for Council which ties Council remuneration increases to the CUPE and non-union increase for 2024 at 2%.
  • A budget deviation of up to $125,000 was approved for the lagoon road and berm maintenance project, to be funded from the wastewater reserves.
  • Council approved accepting TLTI’s offer of $158,500 towards the 2024 recreation cost sharing agreement for the Lou Jeffries Arena and to add the remaining shortfall of $14,170 to the arena budget.
  • Council approved a Motion put forth by Councillor Harper to rotate the membership of the Finance Working Group on an annual basis, starting in January 2024.
  • Deputy Mayor Leakey put forth a Motion to Amend the Parking Meter Rates and Exemptions at various locations between December 2023, January and February 2024. This was defeated.
  • Mayor Beddows put forward a motion to amend the criteria of the Physician Recruiting Locum Program by amending the terms from “8 weeks or 40 days”, to “up to 8 weeks or 40 days”. This was approved.
  • Mayor Beddows proposed a motion seeking a staff report on Debt-Financing Re-Capitalization of the Municipal Marina by June 2024. This was approved.
  • Council directed the Treasurer to add $14,855 to support the 1000 Islands Gananoque Visitor Centre from the Tourism Advisory Panel reserve.
  • Council amended a By-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign an Amending Lease Agreement with the Thousand Island Youth Boxing Club (TIYBC) for a portion of 400 Stone Street North to extend the term of the lease to March 31, 2024.
  • The Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan Review was received for information.