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General Committee – Wednesday, November 26, 2025, 7pm (or immediately following Finance and Responsible Governance Committee)

Updated: Nov 26, 2025

Culture Plan update, Employment Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP), Sign Bylaw, Red-Light Camera Program


Minutes: not yet available

Watch Online: https://www.youtube.com/citybarrie [direct link not yet available]

Meeting Location: Council Chambers or online


All members of Council present



📝📑 Reports of Reference, Advisory or Special Committees


💸🤷 Affordability Committee


💸🤷 Affordability Committee


🏛️🫂 Infrastructure and Community Investment Committee

🎭📋 Culture Plan Update

  • Report:  https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14954383&GUID=DCED2C46-8111-4CD4-AA1B-09AD6CEDDA28 from Economic and Creative Development, and Recreation and Culture Services

  • Recommendations: 

    • Receive and approve in principle the Culture Plan Update, to guide the future planning and development of the cultural sector

    • Use the 65 recommendations identified in the Culture Plan Update to guide the development of the 2026-2035 Cultural Development operating budgets and future Capital Plans for Council consideration as part of the Business Plan approval process

    • Implement these items as part of the 2026 Budget (net-zero impact on tax base):

      • Allocate unspent funds ($50,000) from Capital Project "Culture Plan and Public Art Master Plan" to create a new capital project to update the Arts and Culture Investment Program to align with the new Culture Plan and Performing Arts Centre, including exploring alternate funding models to grow the program

      • Re-allocate summer student salaries ($32,000) within the Economic and Creative Development budget to provide additional resource capacity within the Small Business Centre in the form of programming, and/or conversion of a part-time resource, to temporary full-time, to deliver consultation services, professional development programs to support culture organizations in building capacity in preparation for a new Performing Arts Centre

    • Include an intake form in the 2027 Budget for the development of an In-Kind Tourism and Culture Event Grant Program to offset hard costs for municipal provided services (e.g., transit shuttles, waste removal, etc.) for significant tourism-driving and culture-supportive events, with cost recovery to be supported by the Tourism Reserve of up to $100,000, with the following program goals:

      • Boost Tourism

      • Enhance Cultural Vibrancy

      • Increase Capacity

      • Promote CIvic Pride

    • Recreation and Culture Services Department in consultation with Economic and Creative Development Department to report back to General Committee on the progress of the plan's implementation as part of the Department's Performance and Budget Reporting

  • APPROVED on consent

🔌🛻 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Update

  • Memorandum:  https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14946712&GUID=D346AAF4-F0FC-4630-BF94-4A7D11C0F8B3 from A. McMullin, Manager of Energy Management

  • Recommendations: 

    • Director of Corporate Facilities to issue a request for proposals, and be authorized to enter into an agreement with the successful third-party turnkey service provider for the replacement and upgrade of the current downtown Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE)

      • service provider would be responsible for provision and installation of replacement and/or upgraded existing EVSE in downtown with universal charging stations, at no cost to the City

      • service provider would be responsible for management of operational aspects related to the EVSE, including maintenance, client services, plus setting, collecting and overseeing fee and charging services

      • service provider would be responsible for maintenance and other operating costs associated with the equipment

      • service provider would be responsible for decisions related to the number and location of EVSE, in consultation with the City

      • agreement would align with the provisions of the City's existing EVSE contracts

        • City retains the right to expand, add, or remove EVSE, using grant funding where available

        • service provider has first right of refusal for integrating any new charging stations at covered locations

        • City retains ownership of all auxiliary EVSE infrastructure, excluding the charging stations

        • annual cap on price increases will be established for the contract term

    • If the procurement is unsuccessful, Staff to include alternative services options for consideration within the 2027 Business Plan

    • Director of Corporate Facilities to be authorized to amend the agreement with the service provider and the existing agreement with Alectra, as necessary, to support the evolving needs of the electric vehicle infrastructure program

  • HELD by Harvey

  • AMENDMENT by Harvey:

    • In paragraph 1, add the words "if needed" after "request for proposals"

    • Alectra may elect to do this, which means no RFP would be required - gives chance to see if they're interested, and if not, it goes out to tender

    • Amendment CARRIED (vote not shown)

  • MOTION, as amended, CARRIED (vote not shown)

🎪🤓 Kempenfest Consultation

  • Report:  https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14946716&GUID=D153B5DE-C66F-4116-9A97-7EEBA786698D from Recreation and Culture Services, and Economic and Creative Development

  • Recommendations:

    • Receive the report for information purposes

    • Create an In-Kind Tourism and Culture Event Grant for larger-scale festivals and events as part of the 2027 budget process

    • For 2026, support Kempenfest with:

      • up to $5,000 of in-kind staff support for site services (waste removal)

      • cost recovery of up to $17,000 for shuttle bus service supplied by Barrie Transit, funded from the Tourism Reserve

      • up to $10,000 to support rental and equipment costs for the Family Side Stage to serve as a showcase for local talent and artist development, funded from the Tourism Reserve

    • Ask the Kempenfest Board to seek fundraising sponsorship to support the City's fiscal contribution of up to $27,000, and advise Council in writing prior to Council's 2026 summer recess if they are unsuccessful

    • Consider the consultant's recommendations for the City-related medium- and long-term infrastructure and environmental sustainability support of events, as part of the future development of a Waterfront Festivals and Events Strategy

  • HELD by Hamilton

  • REFERRED, by Hamilton, back to staff in Recreation and Culture Department for review of financial records and funding-in-kind services to be provided to them

  • Referral CARRIED (vote not shown)



📑🗂 Staff Reports


🚒🚑 Establishing and Regulating (E&R) Barrie Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw


🛣️🪧 Street Names - Hewitt's Central Draft Plan of Subdivision (Ward 10)

  • Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14978148&GUID=027D852F-64AD-449D-80F5-D9AF2524CD8E

  • Recommendations:

    • Approve the following names from the Municipal Naming Registry

      • Street D - Crosswinds Road

      • Street E - Wheatland Road

      • Street F - Brookland Street

      • Street G - Still Water Way

      • Street I - Wildfield Way

    • Confirm the following as prolongations of existing municipal streets into Hewitt's Central Draft Plan of Subdivision:

      • Street A - Prince William Way

      • Street B - Terry Fox Drive

      • Street C - Lally Terrace

      • Street H - Giovanni Crescent

  • APPROVED on consent


🛣️🪧 Street Names - Hewitt's Gate Phase 5 Draft Plan of Subdivision (Ward 10)


🏎️🪧 Speed Limit Review - Essa Road (Ward 7)


🏢🏭 Proposed Employment Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP)


🚤⛵️ 2025 Watersport Pilot Project Results (Wards 1, 2, 8 & 10)

  • Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973788&GUID=152CA44B-4329-49FA-AB96-5239362D9BE7

  • Recommendations:

    • Implement a permanent watersport vendors process with a structured permitting system authorized under the Parks Use Bylaw

    • Amend the 2026 Fees Bylaw to include:

      • Motorized Watercraft Operator RFQ minimum bid: $3,500

      • Individual vessels registered under each permit: $500 each

    • Change in lineup of services or number of vessels permitted by each vendor to be updated based on operator and staff feedback

    • Ask Transport Canada to delegate authority to the Legislative and Court Services Department to conduct enforcement measure by way of ticketing under the Canada Shipping Act (2001) as a support function to Marina staff

    • Authorize the Director of Corporate Facilities to modify permit categories and vessel permit quantities based on factors such as safety, risk and the feasibility of the various users to safely and effectively operate together within Kempenfelt Bay

  • HELD by Hamilton

  • REFERRED, by Hamilton, to Finance Committee for further discussions around the RFP process and staff recommendation about increasing vessels based on success of the pilot project

  • Referral CARRIED, unanimously


💰📊 2025 Capital Project Status Report


🪧🧑‍⚖️ Review of Sign Bylaw

  • Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973783&GUID=03535FF2-A8AB-4059-97B5-36D8E8F73BBA

    • Addressing third-party advertising restrictions, clarifying regulations for mobile and poster panel signs

  • Recommendations:

    • Do not permit third-party advertising on a ground sign unless:

      • it is for a business, goods, products, services or facilities on an adjacent property, and the properties are designed to operate as a singular development and vehicular traffic does not need to leave the private property to access the business; OR

      • it is for a registered charitable or not-for-profit organization to promote their specific goods, products, services or facilities and/or fundraising initiatives

    • Re-define "Ground Sign" as a permanent sign in a fixed location, including a pylon sign

    • Re-define "Poster Panel Sign" as a permanent sign that advertises goods, products, services or facilities that aren't available at the location where the sign is situated, or directs people to another location, including free-standing structures, wall signs, etc., including a billboard sign

    • Replace section 11.1.11.0.0 with: signs on the wall of a building or structure that advertises goods, products, service or facilities not available at that location (third party advertising)

    • Replace section 12.3.5.1.7 - where a lot abuts two or more streets, one ground sign containing a digital display may be erected on each street frontage, provided the frontage is greater than 15m

    • Legislative and Court Services Department (Enforcement Services Branch) to apply for set fines for offences

  • HELD by Thomson

  • AMENDMENT by Thomson:

    • That staff in Legislative & Court Services implement a pilot program beginning January 1, 2026 and ending June 30, 2027 that will permit unrestricted third-party advertising on the digital display contained within the ground sign located at 509 Bayfield Street under the following conditions:

      • that the existing ground sign is not changed or altered in any manner for the duration of the pilot project, except for necessary repairs as required to ensure good working order

      • that section 12.3.5.002 12.3517 Digital Display Electronic Messaging Board and Bylaw 2018-029 continue to apply

      • that Business Licence Bylaw 2006-266 Sign Company Requirements shall not apply for the term of the pilot

      • failure to comply with any of these provisions shall result in immediate termination of the project

    • That the City be permitted to publicize public safety announcements, emergency alerts and other City-sanctioned and approved messages on one out of eight slides of the digital display at 509 Bayfield Street at no cost

    • Enter into an agreement in support with the Riocan Georgian Mall to be executed by the Mayor and City Clerk in a form acceptable to the director of Legal Services

    • Amendment SEPARATED into 2 parts:

      • "In Kind" portion:

        • CARRIED (FOR: Nixon, Thomson, Nigussie, Harvey, Hamilton; AGAINST: Riepma, Courser, Morales; ABSTAINED: Kungl , Harris due to potential conflict)

      • "Unrestricted Advertising" portion:

        • CARRIED (FOR: Nuttall, Nixon, Courser, Thomson, Nigussie, Harvey, Morales, Hamilton; AGAINST: Riepma; ABSTAINED: Kungl, Harris due to potential conflict)

  • MOTION, as amended, CARRIED (FOR: Nixon, Courser, Thomson, Nigussie, Harvey, Hamilton; AGAINST: Riepma, Morales; ABSTAINED: Kungl, Harris due to potential conflict)


🚦📸 Red-Light Camera Program

  • Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973792&GUID=46FBD766-D0D6-4C9A-9880-E229BC90CDBB

    • Confidential Appendix A&B circulated separately

  • Recommendations:

    • Ask the Minister of Transportation for approval to install and operate approved Red-Light Camera (RLC) systems within the city limits where data shows a high level of red-light running

    • Authorize the City Clerk and Executive Director of Development Services to execute any related agreements or documents

    • Install red-light cameras at locations experiencing high levels of red-light running, with initial funding coming from the ASE Reserve

    • Add two Red-Light Camera Provincial Offences Officers, using approved funding for the Administrative Penalties Clerk position from the 2026 Business Plan and revenues received through the Red-Light Camera program

    • Allocate any net revenues from the Red-Light Camera Program to the ASE Reserve (to be renamed as the Red-Light Camera Reserve) to use for traffic calming / safety measures

    • Authorize staff to contact and enter into agreements with other municipalities who may be interested in having Barrie process RLC violations on their behalf and share operating costs, and report back to Council if other municipalities are added

  • APPROVED on consent



📥🔄 Circulation List Referrals


🗺️🤝 County of Simcoe Municipal Services Agreement


🧑‍💼💸 Sandbox Centre Annual Report and Request

  • Memorandum:  https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973439&GUID=744608A5-75E2-421E-863D-272F551DEC02  from S. Young, Senior Business Innovation and Strategic Partnerships Officer

  • Sandbox Centre's operations and programming from January 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025, focusing on impacts since it became Ontario's 17th Regional Innovation Centre

  • The Sandbox Centre has asked the City for a one-year deferral to remit the maintenance, utilities and property taxes due in 2026 (estimated at $24,060.54), and to renew their current lease agreement

  • For Council to support this request, a funding source would be required - possibly the reinvestment reserve

  • REFERRED by Thomson to January Infrastructure and Community Investment Committee

    • CARRIED (vote not shown)


💰⚖️ County of Simcoe Budget

  • Memorandum:  https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14991706&GUID=D1EB1DF1-BBC0-47BA-B867-5FAE12B28089  from C. Smith, Interim Director of Finance

    • Analyzes the new proposed agreement for County services, in comparison to how it would look under the current agreement

      • If the City continued the old agreement with the County, the increase for 2026 would be 12.1% - however, under the new proposed agreement, the increase is only 4.4%

      • The new proposal lowers capital costs, but increases operating costs

  • REFERRED by Thomson to General Committee, December 3

    • CARRIED (vote not shown)





Barrie - General Committee - Meeting

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