Special Committee of the Whole Minutes

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Town Hall Council Chambers
COUNCIL PRESENT:
  • Toby Randell, 
  • Andrew Tennant, 
  • Linda Seccaspina, 
  • Jeff Atkinson, 
  • Dena Comley, 
  • Sarah Cavanagh, 
  • and Mark Hinton 
STAFF PRESENT:
  • Diane Smithson, CAO, 
  • Trisa McConkey, Treasurer, 
  • Joanne Henderson, Manager of Recreation and Culture, 
  • Niki Dwyer, Director of Development Services, 
  • and Ross Rankin, Property and Project Manager 

1.
CALL TO ORDER

 

Councillor Dena Comley called the meeting to order at 9:13 a.m.

2.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA

 
  • Moved by:Sarah Cavanagh
    Seconded by:Linda Seccaspina

    THAT the agenda be accepted as presented.

    CARRIED

3.
DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY/CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

 

None.

4.
BUSINESS

 

1.
Update by Trisa McConkey, Treasurer, of budget status from November 14, 2024 Budget Meeting

 

The Treasurer provided some opening remarks on the budget. 

2.
Discuss "parking lot" items

 

Council discussed the following parking lot items at great length and made the following decisions regarding these items:

  • Recreation Department 50hp tractor – Staff are to provide further information to Council on whether the existing tractor can be repaired and at what cost or whether it does not make sense to fix the existing tractor. Once the information is presented and a decision made, it will be funded through year end surplus or strategic reserves.
  • Electric vehicle for Recreation – Council agreed to lease a small hybrid truck which will be leased at an annual cost of approximately $10,000 and funded through Development Charges
  • Carambeck Pathway – Council agreed the $15,000 for the pathway should remain in the budget.
  • Tourism management/coordination of efforts – Council agreed to fund the Chamber at a total amount of $93,400 for 2025 which includes funding at the same level as 2024 ($91,850) plus the cost of living increase of $1,509. It was noted that a plan will be developed over 2025 which may change the funding level for 2026.
  • Town Hall Renovations
  • Building Department Renovation – Council agreed to keep the $50,000 in the budget for this project which will be funded from the Building Department reserve
  • Museum Request – Council agreed to fund the Museum at $40,000 for 2025 and to wait to make a decision on the additional $20,800 request until we know what level Beckwith Township will be funding the Museum at as they are also to be asked for additional funding for 2025.
  • Cornerstone Landing Request – Council decided not to include the $10,000 requested in the 2025 budget.
  • Moved by:Jeff Atkinson
    Seconded by:Sarah Cavanagh

    THAT Council supports proceeding with the renovations to the Town Hall at a cost of $298,000 which will be funded from the funding for the Building Automation System for the Arena ($150,000), $45,000 carried over from 2024 for the second floor painting/flooring and $103,000 from reserves. 

    CARRIED

3.
Other items

 

The Committee discussed the following other items:

  • A discussion is to take place with the Canoe Club about assisting with the funding of capital works in the facility that specifically benefit the Canoe Club
  • The Accessibility Committee will discuss the beach mat and “in water” apparatus required at the beach to determine what is required. Once this is known, staff can look for a grant application that will assist with paying for the requested items.

4.
Next Steps

 
  • Moved by:Toby Randell
    Seconded by:Jeff Atkinson

    THAT Council supports a total 8% tax increase for 2025 comprised of 4% to offset the OPP increase and 4% for Town purposes.

    CARRIED, CONSENT
  • Moved by:Toby Randell
    Seconded by:Mark Hinton

    THAT Council supports retaining the approved tax increase should funding be provided by the Province of Ontario be obtained to offset the cost of the OPP increase for 2025; and

    THAT should Provincial funding be received, it be placed into reserves.

    CARRIED, CONSENT
  • Moved by:Sarah Cavanagh
    Seconded by:Mark Hinton

    THAT Council directs the Treasurer to present to the public for comment at the November 26, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting the Draft 2025 Budget based on a 4% increase to offset the OPP increase and 4% for Town purposes. 

    CARRIED, CONSENT

5.
ADJOURNMENT

 
  • Moved by:Toby Randell
    Seconded by:Jeff Atkinson

    THAT the meeting be adjourned at 12:17 p.m.

    CARRIED
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