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Council Follow-up, week of March 7, 2022

Updated: Jan 6



A relatively uneventful yet productive week of meetings.



City Council



Final approval on the Wastewater Asset Management Plan, the 2022 Economic Recovery Programs (Patios, Business in the Parks, Open Air Dunlop), an amended mandate for the Barrie Arts Advisory Committee, and several other items on consent.


The Council Compensation Recommendations were approved, but without extending the OMERS Pension Program to Members of Council (just the Mayor). This was a disappointing decision, as it keeps Barrie behind comparative municipalities, and it has been shown that a healthy Benefits program can attract a more diverse group of candidates to run – especially lower-income and younger candidates. It was interesting to note the number of arguments that a young person wouldn't be attracted by a pension – and yet, the two youngest Members of Council were the Councillors voting to keep the pension!


The item regarding Pickleball Courts was amended to add that an Outdoor Racquet Sports Strategy would be created, to provide direction on outdoor pickleball and tennis recreational facilities across the City, and included in the 2023 Capital Budget for Council consideration.


Regarding the request for the Province to address Joint & Several Liability for Municipalities, Legal Services indicated they were in favour of this, and had been for some time, so there was no point referring the item back to them. Therefore, the initial motion was reinstated, to support the Association of Municipalities of Ontario's call to the Province to align municipal liability with the proportionate responsibility for incidents, and capping awards.


The City of Barrie International Partners website has been launched at https://internationalpartners.barrie.ca – Dave Morrison, Chair of the International Relations Committee, and website developer Ciaran Byles-Ho gave the presentation.


There was also a presentation by the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre, with a Capital Plan update by Charlotte Wallis (Chair of the RVH Board) and Janis Skot (President & CEO), showing the upcoming phases of the new South Campus, and new phases of the (existing) North Campus.


And the City's new Official Plan has been officially adopted! (Councillor Morales did not vote, due to a potential pecuniary interest.)


Council seemed to behave themselves much better this week, apart from some childish and derisive faces and gestures Councillor Morales kept making (a violation of Section 20 of the Code of Conduct).



City Building Committee



The highlight of this meeting was a presentation on the City's Public Art Portfolio.


The recommendations for the 2022 Public Art Program were approved unanimously and will now be sent to Council. This includes up to $25,000 for temporary public art installations, up to $10,000 for maintaining the permanent works of art, and adding seven new Citizen representatives to the Barrie Public Art Committee (Andrea Araujo, Sharon Bagot, Emily Emond, Jenn Guerin, Craig Handy, Sarah Jensen and Laura Kelly).




Planning Committee



A Public Meeting for a Draft Plan of Subdivision for 750 Mapleview Drive East. Disappointing that the Ward Councillor, McCann, did not attend.


Another very short Public Meeting for a Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 157 Ardagh Road, with only one member of the public speaking.


The Zoning Bylaw Amendment for 620 Lockhart Road was approved on consent.




Heritage Barrie Committee



A presentation on the Allandale Transit Mobility Hub Project. Two recommendations to City Building Committee. First is to add 56 William Street to the Municipal Heritage Register. The second is to proceed with issuing a Notice of Intention to designate 125-127 Dunlop Street East as a Heritage Site.


Also approval of funds for the Heritage Barrie Awards, and for two historic utility box wraps in 2022.

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