Council Meeting Highlights – October 17, 2023

October 20, 2023
Town News
  • Robert George was appointed to the Tourism Advisory Panel, replacing Natalie Robertson. 
  • Town Council officially named the Gananoque Trails system as the Murray/Bickerton Gananoque Trails after Doug Bickerton and the late Peter Murray and referred an amount of $6,000 to the 2024 budget deliberations to update the signage.
  • Ernie Olivo and Bill Spencer appeared before Council representing Habitat for Humanity Thousand Islands proposing to build 5 affordable freehold townhouses on the lot located at the southeast corner of William and Arthur Streets. Council directed staff to bring back a report.   
  • Tracy Birtch and Alison Tutak, United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, presented a Power Point to Council regarding the issue of Homelessness in Gananoque.
  • Mayor Beddows declared October 11th 2023 as the Day of the Girl.
  • Council received the monthly capital matters pending report.
  • The Water and Wastewater Operating and Capital Budget Rates By-law was amended to add in Section 3, a quarterly fee of $250 for utility accounts for owners that have not complied with the water meter replacement program.
  • Gananoque Royals Hockey received a $2,500 Community Grant towards the cost of purchasing hockey socks for all players.
  • D-Squared Construction Ltd., was awarded the contract for the supply and delivery of Road Salt.
  • A report on the 2023 Waterfront Concert Series was received for information.
  • The year-end report on the Consumption of Liquor in Public Places was received for information.
  • Council upheld the requirement for 100% security in the amount of $456,275 for 775 King Street West following a request for security reduction by the developer.
  • The Gananoque Fire Department presented the 2nd and 3rd Quarter Reports.
  • The Gananoque Public Library Quarterly Report was received.
  • Councillor Osmond’s motion to direct staff to investigate the benefits of Green Concrete for future municipal projects was approved.
  • Mayor John Beddows and another Councillor to be determined were authorized to register for the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) 2024 Annual Conference in Toronto January 21-23, 2024. An upset limit amount of $3,200.00 was pre-approved in the 2024 Conference Budget, for registration, accommodations and mileage.
  • Council provided advance Notice of a Public Meeting scheduled to be held during the regular Council meeting of Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at 6:00PM, regarding: Class III Development Permit for 670 Charles Street North (Sean Brophy, Owner and Tony Del Guidice, Applicant).
  • Mayor Beddows advised that a second Public Meeting scheduled for November 7, 2023, regarding a Class III Development Permit -DP2023-15 – 377 King Street East, has been postponed to a later date.
  • In recognition of Local Government Week, Mayor Beddows put forth a motion to direct the Clerk to arrange for an open session of Council to be held at Gananoque Intermediate and Secondary School (G.I.S.S.) during school hours in 2024.