Below is a summary of key items discussed at the Municipality of Port Hope Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings held on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. The agendas and staff reports are available on the Agendas and Minutes page of our website. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was held electronically via video conference.
Council Meeting:
The following are highlights from the Council Meeting.
Due to technical difficulties, Council took a brief recess shortly after the meeting commenced. During this time, staff made the necessary changes and provided notice to the public to ensure everyone was able to attend.
Town Park Recreation Centre expansion project
Council approved the following recommendations regarding the Town Park Recreation Centre Expansion project:
- Approved the final project budget of $5,049,836.00
- Awarded, by By-law, the building contract to Dalren Limited in the amount of $4,167,072.00 (net HST) with the project funds to be drawn from the approved capital budget and ICIP funding
- Authorized an additional $180,500 from the approved Council Initiatives Fund to finance additional amounts required
- Approved the future development of a funding strategy as part of the 2023 budget preparation to address the remaining funding shortfall
Wastewater and stormwater management funding
Council authorized a By-law to enter into a letter of agreement to receive funds under the Wastewater and Stormwater Management funding program. This approval ensures the Municipality of Port Hope is eligible to receive an allocation up to $534,173 to assist with improvements to wastewater and stormwater infrastructure.
Committee of the Whole:
The following are highlights from the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Use of corporate resources for Election purposes
Staff provided a report outlining the updated rules and procedures with respect to the use of municipal resources during the 2022 Election campaign period. This report presented a draft Use of Corporate Resources for Election Purposes Policy. Adoption of this policy will help to ensure compliance with the Municipal Elections Act and will establish standards to be followed by the Municipality and all candidates during an Election period.
The draft policy was supported and a resolution will be presented to Council at the April 5 meeting.
Sidewalk Patio Program updates
Committee considered a report from staff regarding the extension of the sidewalk patio licensing timeframe, to allow for downtown businesses to install patios beginning on April 6, 2022. This adjustment allows businesses to capitalize on the program in time for the first significant public event of the visitor season (Ganny Weekend), support an industry hard hit from the last two years of the pandemic, and help to support on going public safety best practices from a COVID-19 perspective.
A resolution will be presented to Council to consider approval of the amendments at the April 5 meeting.
Choate Street extension cancellation
Staff provided a report outlining the history of Cameco Corporations’ Vision in Motion (VIM) project as it relates to the Municipality. As part of the overall VIM project the Municipality of Port Hope and Cameco Corporation entered into a road construction agreement for the creation of a new roadway known as the Choate Street Extension in 2014. Staff was directed in 2020 to negotiate an amending agreement with Cameco. Municipal Staff have negotiated three agreements with Cameco Corporation and Cameco Property Holdings Inc. that will conclude the cancellation of the Choate Street extension, and transfer approximately 1 acre of waterfront land to the Municipality.
After a lengthy discussion, Committee moved to refer the issue back to staff to continue discussions with Cameco Corporation on the details of the agreement, specially related to the restrictive covenants and land ownership. It will be brought back to Committee for consideration at a later date.
Traffic and Parking By-law Amendment
Staff provided a report recommending several speed reduction measures. These include speed limit reductions within the rural and urban areas within the Municipality’s jurisdiction as well as enhanced speeding awareness through social media and the Municipal website. A broader campaign, including a webpage, on speed reduction will be launched later this year.
The proposed changes will be advertised and an amending By-law with the new speed limit reductions will be presented to Council for their consideration at a future meeting.
PHAI information update
Staff provided a report for information providing an update on PHAI work as it relates to 29 Thomas Street. This site, scheduled to be remediated later this year, contains extensive individual trees and dense wooded areas. Municipal staff requested CNL to explore alternatives in an effort to reduce the tree loss. However, after extensive research, it was determined that upholding the terms of the legal agreement for the removal of contaminated soil, including the removal of trees, is of paramount importance to ensuring the long-term protection and health of the community. After remediation, a landscape restoration plan will be implemented to offset these tree removals.
New mobile parking application
Staff provided a report for information announcing the new options for paid parking in 2022. The current payment option is limited to a coin only option. The mobile parking payment app option will be implemented and launched in April.
Minutes and video recordings
Meeting minutes will be available pending approval at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, at which point they will become the official record of the meeting.
Recordings of the March 15, 2022, Council and Committee of the Whole meetings will be available at porthope.ca/council.
2022-03-17
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