Council Meeting Highlights – February 15, 2022

February 22, 2022
Town News
  • Council supported the City of Brantford’s Request for Support re: The Revolving Door of Justice
  • Council approved Minutes of Settlement regarding an appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal for 68 & 70 Hickory Street.
  • Councillor Adrian Haird was appointed as the Council Representative to the Gananoque Public Library Board, Mayor Ted Lojko was appointed as the Council Representative for the Downtown Business Improvement Area (BIA), and Councillor Osmond was appointed as the Council Representative on the Tourism Advisory Panel (TAP).  These positions were previously held by Councillor Dennis O’Connor.
  • Council Amended the BIA By-law to allow Council to appoint up to ten members to the BIA Board of Directors (one of whom shall be a member of Council).  Existing BIA Members were removed and the following new members were appointed:  Veronica Fitzgerald, Sarah Preston, Shawna Singers, Lisa Robichaud, Ray Stedman, Katherine Christensen and Darren Towriess. 
  • The Mayor Declared February 21st Elizabeth Barnett Day. Elizabeth heroically quashed a raid on Gananoque in 1838.  
  • Council adopted the Kinsmen Building Terms of Reference. The Clerk was directed to call for applications from community members with a deadline of February 23rd 2022. The term of the Advisory Panel will end on May 1st 2022.
  • The first and second reading of the Business Improvement Area (BIA) 2022 Operating and Capital Budgets was passed. The third reading will be considered on March 1st 2022. 
  • 2022 Community Grants were approved as follows:
    • $1,000.00 for the Gananoque District Humane Society for a fundraising event. 
    • $5,000.00 for Gananoque’s Artisans by the Bay, to run a craft show & sale each Saturday which highlights youth and Indigenous peoples.
    • $4,500.00 for the Gananoque Figure Skating Club, for their annual Ice Show and fundraising activilities.
  • Three public meetings will be held on March 1st, 2022 regarding the following development permit applications: Home Hardware, ZanderPlan Inc., and Marco Polo.
  • A virtual Public Open House will be held on March 8, 2022 regarding the Town’s Official Plan.
  • Council approved an agreement with KPMG to assist with the 2022 Asset Management Plan.
  • Council approved an agreement with Cloudpermit to provide Building and Planning Software.
  • Council approved a Quit Claim Deed for the property known as 50-62 Water Street, provided certain conditions are met.
  • Council authorized staff to write-off $4,576 of outstanding advertising accounts at the Arena.
  • The 2021 Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) Annual Inspection Report and Water and Wastewater Annual Report was received.  Staff were pleased to announce the 100% Final Inspection Rating for the James W. King Drinking Water System and reported a zero Non-Compliance ratings in any of the modules that were inspected from 2021.  https://www.gananoque.ca/community-services/public-works-and-utilities/…
  • Council Members Updates: 
    • Gananoque Green shared a survey for residents regarding waste habits and encourages everyone to take a moment to participate in the short survey. 
    • GanaRockWay funding is underway with $7,500 to allocate for local venues.  Applicants are encouraged to apply early. 
    • Tourism Advisory Panel discussed a Concert taking place during Poker Run, which has members concerned about limited accommodations so they are trying to switch the dates. 
    • Councillor Haird reported that there are changes coming in the future regarding Firefighter certifications. 
    • Mayor Lojko noted that a Secondary Suites Program is coming