Council Meeting Highlights - April 10, 2024

 Request to Waive Fees - Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre

Council received a letter from the Georgian Bay Cancer Support Centre requesting to waive fees to rent the Pickleball courts at Tiffin Park for their upcoming Butter Tart Classic Pickleball Tournament June 7, 8 and 9. Council approved waiving the fee of $648.02.

 Request for Exemption to Alcohol Policy - Midland Lawn Bowling Club

Council received a letter from the Midland Lawn Bowling Club to obtain a special permit to offer the sale of alcohol at their Annual Sandy Mason & Friends Lawn Bowling Charity Day on July 20.  Council approved the request.

 2023 Year-End Tax Arrears and Tax Adjustments 

Council approved the 2023 year-end tax adjustments presented in a financial staff report. This annual staff report provides an overview of outstanding property tax accounts and includes tax adjustments for the previous year.  Read the staff report.

 Community Infrastructure & Housing Accelerator (CIHA) Procedure 

Council authorized a new planning procedure that gives the Town the planning tools to request the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to issue an order to assist with expediting zoning and development applications. The new provincial tool* and Town procedure were developed as a result of the More Homes for Everyone Act, 2022 in response to the housing crisis in Ontario. Read the staff report.

*On April 10, 2024 (the date of this Council meeting), the Province released Bill 185 to include changes to the Planning Act which could repeal the CIHA tool. If the bill is passed, CIHA orders will not be possible.  Bill 185 is currently out for consultation on the Registry of Ontario and has yet to receive Royal Ascent. Read the bill. 

 Routine Disclosure and Active Dissemination Policy

Council approved a new Town policy that will help to make access to Town records more available to the public.  Depending on the nature of information requested, some requests will still require the public to submit a Freedom of Information request. Read the staff report and policy.

 By-Law Review and Prioritization

Council directed staff to review and update existing, or develop new municipal by-laws for the Town of Midland. A staff report provided a list of active by-laws and a list of priority by-laws that will be either updated or created prior to the end of the Council term in 2026. Read the staff report.

 Huronia Animal Control Contract Renewal

Council authorized staff to enter into an agreement for Huronia Animal Control to continue providing animal control services to the Town after the proper bid process was followed.  The contract was awarded to Huronia Animal Control for a total of $193,915 over three years, ending March 27, 2027. Read the staff report.

 County update on Homelessness Prevention Strategy

The General Manager of Simcoe County Social and Community Services attended Council to provide an update on the County’s 10-point Homelessness Prevention Strategy and introduced new community resources to support housing and homelessness prevention services in the Town of Midland. Read the presentation.