From the Desk of Mayor Rawson & Council #13

10 May 2023

In my last correspondence, I reported that CAO, Jeff Lees, our Deputy Mayor Dan La Rose, and myself went to Toronto to complete a delegation to the Solicitor General at the Ontario Good Roads Conference regarding costs of policing at Central North Correctional Centre (CNCC). 

With the expert help of our town staff we were able to provide facts, details and financial forecasts to support our position. We approached our meeting with Minister Kerzer with three main objectives: 

  1. Invite and hold an audience with the Solicitor General in our municipality, including a tour of CNCC; 
  2. Make our community whole from the cost implications; 
  3. To work collaboratively with the province and key partners in creating a funding formula that is equitable and balanced for future years. 

Minister Kerzner and his staff positively listened to our concerns. Our municipality has been working diligently advocating with the province about these costs. The delegation proved to be successful, and our concerns were genuinely heard. 

In terms of the main objectives, the Town has secured the commitment from the Solicitor General to visit the Town of Penetanguishene in June 2023. The Minister also expressed their appreciation and understanding of the cost imbalance and is committed to genuinely working with his staff and our municipality on a resolution moving forward. We will update you as information becomes available.  

Council met on April 19th for a presentation by Tony Pigott, Executive Director of the Georgian Bay Geo Park  and their plan, partnerships, and details of Georgian Bay becoming a future UNESCO site. For more information you can review the presentation on our YouTube channel or review information on their website.  

UPCOMING COUNCIL EVENTS  

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 @ 6:45 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Special Council Meeting.   

  • Council will move to a closed session and will be discussing appointments to committees:  
    • Museum & Heritage 
    • Town Dock Technical Advisory 
    • Property Standards 
    • Line Fence Viewers 

If you want to review the agenda, you can find it here.  

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 @ 7:00 pm - Town of Penetanguishene Council Meeting.   

Council will meet for our regular monthly council meeting. Council will be discussing: 

  •  Council will consider the following proclamations: 
    • May is Museum Month 
    • Children’s Mental Health Week 
    • VON Simcoe County Week 
  • Council will have the following presentations and delegations: 
    • Years of Service – Fire Chief 
    • Cheque Presentations 
      • Penetanguishene Garden Society 
      • GBGH Foundation
      • SGB Physician Recruitment 
    • Urban Metrics – Market Gap Analysis 
    • RVH – Partnering Health Future 
  • Council will review and confirm the following minutes: 
    • Council - April 12, 2023 
    • Special Council - April 12, 2023 
    • Special Council - April 26, 2023 
  • Council will review and confirm Committee of the Whole Reports (April 12, 2023) 
    • Recreation & Community Services (Chair: Councillor Waters) 
    • Planning & Development (Chair: Councillor Vadebonceour) 
    • Transportation & Environmental Services (Chair: Councillor Marchand) 
    • Finance & Corporate Services (Chair: Councillor Desroches) 
  • Council will review the following by-laws for consideration and adoption: 
    • 2023-21 - Being a By-law to Adopt the Budget Estimates of All Sums Required for the Year 2023 
    • 2023-22 - Being a By-law to Set the Rates of Taxation For the Year 2023 
    • 2023-23 - Being a By-law to Repeal and Replace By-law 2022-50 to Authorize the Execution of a loan from the Hydro Electric Commission (HEC) Reserve Fund for funding required for the purchase of 51 Dunlop Street 
    • 2023-24 - Being a By-law to Authorize the Entering into of a License Agreement with the Huronia Historical Parks for the provision of signage 
    • 2023-25 - Being a By-law to Amend Site Plan Control By-law 2014-30 for The Town of Penetanguishene 

If you want to review the agenda, you can find it here.  

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 @ immediately after the 7:00pm Council Meeting - Town of Penetanguishene Committee of the Whole Meeting.   

Council will convene as Committee of the Whole immediately after council. Committee will be discussing:  

  • Committee will receive a presentation – Annual Year End Report – Sewage Treatment Plant  
  • Transportation & Environmental Services – Chair: Councillor Marchand 
    • Consent: Memo Truck Main Street 
    • Matters For Consideration: Implementation of New Utility Locate; Snow Removal Level of Service; Municipal Roads – Minimum Maintenance Standards; Disposal Surplus Assets; Wash Bay Engineering.  
  • Recreation & Community Services – Chair: Councillor Waters 
    • Consent: Museum & Heritage Committee Minutes; Memo re: Gateway relocation 
  • Planning & Community Development – Chair: Councillor Vadeboncoeur  
    • Consent: Committee of Adjustment Minutes; Economic Advisory Committee Minutes; Memo – Planning & Design; Memo – Monthly By-Law Activity 
    • Consideration: Proposed New Open Air Burning By-Law; Extended Use of Sidewalks By-Law; Market Gap Study; Zoning By-Law Amendment (1056 Fuller Ave); Notice of Intent – Designation – Angels;  
  • Finance & Corporate Services – Chair: Councillor Desroches 
    • Consent: Quarterly Financial Summary; Financial Indicator Review; Strategic Plan Update 
    • Consideration: Municipal Tax Supported Review; 2024 Budget Timeline; Clerk’s Department Staffing Request  

If you want to review the agenda, you can find it here.  

Special NOTICE this meeting will be held at the Penetanguishene Centennial Museum, 13 Burke Street, Penetanguishene and WILL NOT Be live-streamed. We will be recording the meeting and will upload to our Town’s YouTube channel after the meeting. As always, we welcome your participation and comments at all of our meetings. 

COMMUNITY INFORMATION  

Big Brothers, Big Sisters MEGABike Event Details: Thursday, May 11th. Participation starts at $150/person. Limited rides available. Sign your team up today to secure your spot! https://northsimcoe.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/megabike-northsimcoe/ 

If you would like to review or see any previous council meetings you can watch and listen to them on the Town’s YouTube channel. Please subscribe to ensure you are updated on new meetings that are posted (all regular and special meetings are live-streamed).   

During the budget this year, allocations have been made to ensure we are effectively communicating with everyone within our community. You can find this newsletter across town facilities and in your email and posted to the Town website. Please pass this along to anyone that you feel could benefit. Additionally, I have been doing Question & Answer sessions with Rogers Local Cable TV.  If you have a question you would like answered for Rogers you can email us at askus@penetanguishene.ca   

The two previous sessions can be viewed here:  

Interview #2 - INFO Simcoe | One-on-One with Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Rawson Part 2 | Rogers tv  

Interview #1 - INFO Simcoe | One-on-One with Penetanguishene Mayor Doug Rawson | Rogers tv  

How to keep up to date with Community Events  

You can find community events on the town's website by visiting the Community Calendar. Subscribe to ensure you never miss an event. You can also submit any community events you would like to share with the community.  

Please help spread the word about this communication and encourage others to subscribe. We have placed this newsletter throughout the community (arena, town hall, library) and are open to other sources. A summary of the month will be shared in the Midland Mirror, on the fourth Thursday of each month.   

Subscribe to Town of Penetanguishene News Portal  

Who to contact?  

If you or someone you know has difficulty figuring out where to turn for help or want to learn about available resources, I encourage you to call 2-1-1. This free community service will help you find the right resources in our community.   

Have a great rest of your week,  

Doug 

Mayor Doug Rawson

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