Town of Midland Council Meeting Highlights
Regular Meeting – April 10, 2024
April 16, 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. Red 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.
Stay up to date on Town Council
Council meetings schedule:
- Regular Council Meetings take place every three weeks on Wednesdays starting at 6:00pm. The next regular meeting is scheduled for May 1, 2024.
Did you know you can read agendas and minutes online?
- Find links to agendas and minutes on our Council and Committee meeting portal.
Watch meetings live:
- Attend in person.
- Watch on Rogers TV (Cable 53).
- Watch Rogers TV live stream online.
Missed a meeting and want to catch up?
- Council Meeting recordings are posted on the Town’s YouTube channel the next business day.
Midland Meets with Stakeholders to review NSSRC Funding Options
(April 18, 2024, Midland ON) The Town of Midland hosted a workshop with members of local stakeholder groups on April 15th to discuss funding options for the North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre. The workshop, led by an unbiased consultant, resulted in an open and end-gaging session for all. Participants collaborated to brainstorm ideas and explored options to re-duce the financial burden on Midland taxpayers to assist with the deficit to operate the NSSRC.
“I’m pleased to say that the Town and our community partners came together for an excellent discussion and I’m confident we’ll find a way forward with an affordable outcome for operating the NSSRC in a sustainable way that benefits our entire North Simcoe community,” said Mayor Bill Gordon.
The working group included representatives from various NSSRC user organizations and two neighbouring municipalities, with regrets from Tay and Tiny Townships: Askennonia Seniors Centre, Boys and Girls Club, Midland and Penetanguishene Ball Hockey Association, Midland Lacrosse, Midland Minor Hockey Association (MMHA), North Simcoe Girls Hockey Association (NSGHA), Penetanguishene and Midland Basketball League (PMBL), Town of Penetanguishene, and Township of Springwater.
The working group discussed potential strategies to meeting Council’s directive to raise $55,000 in other revenues beyond the general tax levy and the current user fee structure. The group agreed upon several guiding principles for the revenue model including:
- Remaining accessible and affordable to North Simcoe.
- Keeping kids involved in sport.
- Enhancing quality of life and community for North Simcoe.
- Maintaining the importance that the NSSRC is for regional programs.
- Maintaining sports groups utilizing the NSSRC.
Staff will return to Council on May 22, 2024, with a report.