Council Meeting Highlights – December 5, 2023

December 20, 2023
Town News

Town Staff Years of Service Recognition:

5 Years
Traci Vandusen
Ron Byrne
Frank Mitchell
Justin Sykes
Gordon Ogg
Dana Darlington

10 Years
Landon Lackey-Ruwald
Deirdre Crichton
15 Years
Joel Harding

20 Years
John Caron
Scott Gee
Mark Graham
Peter Lorenz
Curtis Watson

  • Council appointed Alan Smith to the Trees and Trails Advisory Panel for the remaining term of Council.
  • A Public Meeting was held for a Development Permit application located at 337 King Street East (Beside Metro) to construct a new commercial building for the purposes of a new pharmacy building. Council approved the application subject to conditions, as recommended by the Planning Advisory Committee.
  • Town staff sought Council direction on how to charge “for profit” and “not-for-profit” tenants who lease space in Town-owned buildings. Council approved staff’s proposal to charge “For Profit” organizations base rent plus additional rent based on local industry average at the time of the lease agreement. Council postponed their decision on “Non-Profit” organizations.
  • Council awarded the contract to purchase Water Treatment Plant Level Transmitter Replacements from Capital Controls and Instrumentation Inc., for the procurement of materials and services to replace 8 ultrasonic level transmitters at the water treatment plant to an upset limit of $53,948.13 plus the Town’s portion of HST at $949.48 totaling $54,897.61 and that the funding shortfall be funded from the water reserves.
  • The Third Quarter Operating Income Statement was received.
  • Council approved amending the pay schedule for Gananoque Fire Service paid on-call firefighters. The Establishing and Regulating By-law Schedule ‘F’, referencing compensation and benefit, was removed in its entirety. This would remove the current honorarium system from the officers and all firefighters would be paid hourly according to required training and time served.
  • The Visitor Centre is partnering with the 1000 Islands Gananoque Chamber of Commerce and the Thousand Islands Accommodations Partners (TIAP) to offer a 2024 Visitor’s Guide/Dining Guide. The General Fees and Rates By-law Schedule ‘N’ (Visitor Centre) was amended regarding advertising rates.
  • The 2023 Tourism Advisory Panel summary was received.
  • The 2022 to 2027 Multi-Year Accessibility Plan review was received for information.
  • Council amended the General Fees and Rates Bylaw - Municipal Marina Rates Schedule ‘K’ and Community Recreational Services, Schedule ‘H’. The amendment will:
  1. Increase 2024 seasonal slip holder rates by 10%;
  2. Increase 2024 transient slip holder rates by 12%;
  3. Increase 2024 seasonal parking rates to $250; and,
  4. Increase 2024 ancillary fees as recommended.
  • Council further amended Schedule ‘H’, to remove the fees and rates for the rental of the King Street Pedestrian Bridge.
  • The Council Grants Program was eliminated and applicants are redirected to the Community Grants program, and/or the Municipal Accommodation Tax (MAT) Funding Program.
  • Council approved the placement of the Gananoque Islanders sign at the Arena during home games this season.
  • The Gananoque Lions Club wishes to support the upgrading of the Town Park Playground. Staff were directed to bring back a report.