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

- 3 hours ago
- 7 min read
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]
Agenda: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1328987&GUID=2D156562-11E8-413D-9536-DFF566E0FE19
City's Legistar: https://barrie.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=1328987&GUID=2D156562-11E8-413D-9536-DFF566E0FE19&Options=info|&Search=
Meeting Location: Council Chambers or online
📝📑 Reports of Reference, Advisory or Special Committees
💸🤷 Affordability Committee
Report from October 29: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973789&GUID=11043FA8-782F-44D5-82C4-43C3EBBA2ACA
💸🤷 Affordability Committee
Report from November 12: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973790&GUID=8A12891F-A62F-435D-992D-09CE178E769E
🏛️🫂 Infrastructure and Community Investment Committee
Report from November 19: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973791&GUID=F1E25584-2AD7-47FB-A5AC-1C129BCC0825
🎭📋 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
Culture Plan Update Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14954384&GUID=0A35D712-F533-4242-BC75-CBF7FAA66A8E
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
🔌🛻 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 withthe service provider and the existing agreement with Alectra, as necessary, to support the evolving needs of teh electric vehicle infrastructure program
🎪🤓 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
Kempenfest Festival Review Final Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14946713&GUID=347D0750-E9FF-4D27-B76F-DBFC084BCDA5
Kempenfest Metrics and Methodology for Measuring Economic Impact 2025: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14946714&GUID=22E06D82-5238-48F7-9141-1C2BAF8FD9B2
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
📑🗂 Staff Reports
🚒🚑 Establishing and Regulating (E&R) Barrie Fire and Emergency Services Bylaw
Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973793&GUID=D2F3485A-F943-4164-A6DF-1E1E60FB88AA
Recommendation:
Updating the bylaw to meet current legal compliance requirements and standards
🛣️🪧 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
🛣️🪧 Street Names - Hewitt's Gate Phase 5 Draft Plan of Subdivision (Ward 10)
Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14978098&GUID=39FBD162-105B-41B8-984E-37CF7A000A4C
Recommendations:
Approve the following name from the Municipal Naming Registry:
Street Z - Ridgehill Way
Confirm the following as prolongations of existing municipal streets into Hewitt's Gate Phase 5 Draft Plan of Subdivision:
Street A - Lally Terrace
Street C - Prince William Way
Street 0 - Chardonnay Heights
Street Q - Ginseng Trail
🏎️🪧 Speed Limit Review - Essa Road (Ward 7)
Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973784&GUID=E9D9FBDD-EF55-471E-B744-46C4B62F8C6E
Recommendations:
Change the speed limit to 60km/h on Essa Road from Coughlin Road to the South City Limit
🏢🏭 Proposed Employment Development Community Improvement Plan (CIP)
Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973786&GUID=5BF52E91-24F4-4F66-B12B-A23CEDECDFBC
Expanding on the financial incentive programs' general eligibility and requirements, policy and legislative context, the defined project area, and program goals and objectives
Enabling Council to provide financial incentives for strategic employment areas
The Employment Development CIP will be a 5-year program, and be reviewed and updated on a 5-year cycle
Draft Community Improvement Project Area Bylaw: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973776&GUID=9A9A176A-F1AD-4038-9649-15179FF98CFB
Draft Employment Development Community Improvement Plan Bylaw: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973777&GUID=CBBC3343-5797-4DBE-9F7E-D78D47F3BCE4
Draft Employment Lands Development CIP: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973778&GUID=A02DF1D4-4C30-488B-98B9-22B3E9343F52
Employment Development CIP Scorecard: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973779&GUID=35B17D4D-30E5-4115-B624-CF197BE21BDE
Summary of proposed changes to draft Employment Development CIP: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973780&GUID=EC683F2D-8029-4E38-B360-1C398633B7C9
Recommendations:
Approve the Staff Report and take the following actions
Approve the new Employment Development Community Project Area
Approve the new Employment Development CIP Bylaw
Reallocate the Industrial/Commercial Land Reserve Fund ($856,000) for Employment Development CIP use to the end of 2026, with any remaining funds being carried forward for the following year
Starting by the end of the first quarter of 2026, staff to launch a continuous application intake for the Employment Development CIP to be implemented as per the eligibility criteria outlined in the Employment Development 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
💰📊 2025 Capital Project Status Report
Report: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973787&GUID=A63686C3-A760-4300-94E0-4B7B663114AA
Capital Plan Project Status: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973781&GUID=88069879-7B6D-42A3-AFCD-F292519DEEA8
Capital Project Closures: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=14973782&GUID=987D2303-08A6-44BF-9059-AB5EBFFC3351
Recommendations:
Authorize staff to close projects and project phases identified
Authorize staff to decrease the Capital Plan approved budget by $2,389,420 and adjust funding plans as described
🪧🧑⚖️ 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
🚦📸 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
📥🔄 Circulation List Referrals
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