Below is a summary of key items discussed at the Municipality of Port Hope Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings held on Tuesday, October 19, 2021. 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.
Addition of Manager, Tax and Revenue position
Council approved the request to hire a Manager, Tax and Revenue in addition to the current approved staff complement. This position will address the current staffing needs in the department, improve customer service, and enable the completion of the final property tax billings for the 2021 tax year.
Parks, Recreation and Culture user fee review
Council approved the proposed changes to the Parks, Recreation and Culture user fees relating to admission, facility rentals, program fees, marina, parks, cemeteries, and advertising.
Appointment of Municipal Law Enforcement Officer
Council appointed Samantha Taylor by By-law as Municipal By-law Enforcement Officer.
Committee of the Whole:
The following are highlights from the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Delegation – Port Hope Public Library
Jennifer Keyes, Chair, Port Hope Public Library, provided a delegation regarding the annual report and noteworthy updates for the library.
Delegation – United Way Northumberland
Debbie Dawson, CEO of United Way Northumberland provided a delegation regarding their upcoming initiatives. This delegation requested Committee to consider recommendations regarding Period Promise and free menstrual products in Municipal facilities as well as a financial support request. The Committee received this delegation as information.
New Communications Policy
Staff provided a report outlining a new draft Communications Policy for the Municipality. The Communications Policy informs the ways in which communications is conducted by the Municipality of Port Hope to build trust with our community and stakeholders and enhance our reputation as an accountable and transparent organization.
A resolution will be presented to Council for their consideration at the meeting on November 2, 2021.
2022 budget development initiative
Committee considered a report outlining the guidelines and timelines regarding the 2022 budget. The Committee received this as information and directed staff to prepare the 2022 operating and capital budget.
Individual members of Council will identify additional budget priorities they would like included in the budget and forward these to staff for consolidation. These will be considered by the Finance Committee at a later date.
Community Development service delivery review results
MDB Insights Inc. provided an overview of results from the recent service delivery review completed for the Community Development department. This service review considered population and employment forecasts, current organizational structure, performance profiles and performance metrics.
This report was received as information. Staff will review the recommendations from the review, implement where appropriate and seek Council approval when required.
Town Park Recreation Centre expansion update
Staff provided an update regarding the Town Park Recreation Centre expansion. In March 2021, the Municipality received funds in the amount of $3,000,000 under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. These funds are to be used to replace the aging Ruth Clarke Activity Centre.
To date, staff have reviewed multiple contract management options and are proceeding with a design-build contract. The Municipality is currently seeking submissions from interested contractors to pre-qualify and a short list will be reviewed the week of October 25, 2021.
The total project budget identified in the application submitted is $3,000,494 and the Municipal portion in the amount of $800,231 is included in the capital budget. Staff identified some challenges related to escalating construction costs beyond the Municipality’s control.
Staff will provide regular updates to Committee as the project advances and will provide recommendations for approval as required.
Garbage and recycling roadside collection in Rural Area
The Works and Engineering Committee considered a notice of motion for roadside collection of garbage recycling, and green bin waste by Northumberland County in the Rural Area of the Municipality of Port Hope.
After discussion by the Committee, a motion to refer back to staff was put forward for Municipal staff to work with Northumberland County staff to:
- Gather information on the current provincial guidelines associated with waste management
- Identify a cost comparison between roadside collection and the current transfer station
- Identify an environmental impact comparison between roadside collection and the current transfer station
- Investigate the cost associated with advertising this information in the Rural Area through hard copy circulation.
Once completed, this information will be presented to Committee for further review.
Minutes and video recordings
Meeting minutes will be available pending approval at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, November 2, 2021, at which point they will become the official record of the meeting.
Recordings of the October 19, 2021, Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are available at porthope.ca/council.
SubscribeContact Us