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 2, 2021. The agendas and staff reports are available on the Council Portal. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was held electronically via video conference.
Sidewalk patio extension and Ganny Weekend celebration
Council authorized the adjustment of the start of the Sidewalk Patio Extensions License timeframe to April 1 for 2021.
Additionally, Council granted permission for downtown merchants to place tables, racks or displays outside their place of business during the Ganny Weekend celebration that is planned for April 8 to 11, 2021.
The traditional Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny River Race will not take place this year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In its place a Ganny Weekend celebration is being planned in conjunction with downtown merchants, to pay tribute to the popular event.
Engagement activities during the weekend will include a crazy craft construction challenge, scavenger hunt, photo submissions, a tribute to the river, and a flood sale themed buy local campaign.
Committee of the Whole
The following are highlights from the Committee of the Whole Meeting:
Council expenses
Staff provided a report to Council with the expenses incurred by Council in 2020. These expenses include remuneration as well as costs for travel, cell phones, conferences, meals, events, and other similar reimbursements.
Parks, Recreation, and Culture Year in Review
Parks, Recreation, and Culture staff provided a Year in Review report, highlighting noteworthy achievements and challenges for the department in 2020. This information is also available on the website.
Tree Planting and Protection Policy review
Council considered proposed revisions of the Tree Planting and Protection Policy.
The existing Tree Planting and Protection Policy is intended to guide decisions of Municipal staff in the planting, protection, maintenance, and removal of trees located on Municipal property in urban and rural areas and to support activities related to the implementation of the recommendations specified in the Municipal Forest Master Plan.
The Policy does not apply to municipal trees that form part of the Port Hope Area Initiative (PHAI) project.
The recently approved Environmental Advisory Committee (comprised in part of the former Tree Advisory Committee) has reviewed the Policy and provided a Tree Replacement Formula to be incorporated into the existing Tree Planting and Protection Policy. The formula calculates the number of replacement trees for those that are removed / destroyed on municipal properties.
Minutes and video recordings
Meeting minutes will be available pending approval at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, at which point they will become the official record of the meeting.
Recordings of the March 2, 2021 Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are available at on the Council page.
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