Council Meeting Highlights – February 21, 2023

February 24, 2023
Town News
  • Ribfest organizers, Whitney Kilgore and Brian Tunnicliffe appeared before Council and requested that Council consider waiving the facility, equipment, and permit fees for the 2023 Ribfest Event.   Council granted a $2,143 Tourism Advisory Panel grant to cover the 2023 costs. 
  • Council provided a community grant to the Gananoque Horticultural Society in the amount of $185 towards the cost of their plant sale and a community grant to the 1000 Islands Chamber of Commerce in the amount of $2,975 toward the cost of their Women’s Day Event.
  • Council provided its support to Augusta Township who is seeking support for an alert system for children with special needs when they leave a caregiver or location when they are a serious risk of injury or death.
  • Council appointed Jeffrey A. Abrams of Principles Integrity as the Town’s Integrity Commissioner for a three year term. Council approved a $1,200 budget deviation for the 2023 fiscal year to fund the retainer fee. 
  • Council received the GBM Canada 150 Outdoor Rink Project Financial Report for information..
  • Following receipt of the Thousand Islands Accommodation Partners (TIAP) 2022 Report, staff were directed to explore TIAP’s interest in amending the Municipal Accommodation Tax transfer agreement to cap the overhead expenditures at 25%.
  • Council directed staff to reopen Bay Road for the summer seasons.   The road will continue to close during the winter months.
  • In lieu of forming a Waterfront Music Committee, Council supported staff’s recommendation to issue an expanded Request for Proposals to include the waterfront concert series and Le FestivILES. It will include a minimum of 10 concerts for the Waterfront Concert Series, and 3 concerts for Le FestivILES.
  • Gretchen Huntley was re-appointed as Poet Laureate for the remainder of Council’s term.
  • Chris McDonald presented the Gananoque Public Library Quarterly Report.
  • Council approved the Fire Chief’s recommendation to no longer use crossing guards to patrol the intersection of William and North Streets as the traffic flows have returned to pre-construction levels.
  • Council received a report by the Manager of Public Works on the Curbside Waste and Recycling Contract and Transition. 
  • Council received the Water and Wastewater fourth (4th) quarter report for information. 
  • Council passed the first and second reading of the 2023 Downtown Gananoque BIA Operating and Capital Budgets by-law.  The third reading will be considered on March 7, 2023.
  • Council authorized its consent for the Leeds Condo Corporation No.47 to allow the Waterlot Lease Agreements to be registered on title with the Land Registry Office at no cost to the Town. Council continues to require that Environmental Liability Insurance be maintained by the Condo Corporation. 
  • Council directed staff to bring back reports on the following items: the feasibility of installing a kayak dock at Kinsmen Park (on the east side of the Gananoque River), improved maintenance of the Canoe/Kayak Dock located at the Dog Park, and improving the Municipal Boat Launch located at the north end of River Street. 
  • Mayor Beddows’ motion to change the hours for the drop off of yard waste at the Municipal Yard at the end of James A. Brennan Road from 8am to 12 noon to 12 noon to 4pm was defeated.
  • Council passed a motion to approve the expenditure of integrity commissioner services to determine if a conflict of interest exists regarding the BIA treasurer also acting as the Chamber of Commerce treasurer.