Wednesday, June 20, 2018 – Port Hope, ON
Below is a summary of key items discussed at the Municipality of Port Hope regular Council Meeting held on Tuesday, June 19, 2018. The full agenda and staff reports are available on the Council Portal.
Motion to Reconsider Intention to Designate Under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act – 65 Ward Street
Prior to the Council meeting on June 19, the Municipality received a legal opinion that Council does not have the ability to reconsider the heritage designation of a property, once the Conservation Review Board (CRB) process is underway. Accordingly, the motion to reconsider the Intention to Designate 65 Ward Street, under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act was withdrawn by the Mover and the Seconder, Councillors Hickey and Lees.
Roadside Vegetation Management Policy
After consideration of a Staff report at the June 5 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council adopted the
Rural Roadside Vegetation Policy and rescinded Resolution No. 44/2015 and any previous By-laws or
Resolutions relating to roadside vegetation.
The revised Rural Roadside Vegetation Management Policy (RRVMP) has been developed to allow flexibility in addressing certain issues on a case-by-case basis, while also outlining the steps the Municipality may take in order to maintain roadside safety. It provides clarification of language and a closer alignment with the Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards and the Highway Traffic Act. These include redefining surface conditions specific to the rural area of Port Hope, while ensuring the Municipality’s resources are able to achieve the proposed Roadside Vegetation policy.
As outlined in the Policy, it is anticipated that efficiencies will be recognized under updated procedures, through an emphasis on further training of staff on equipment, and vegetation control management. In addition, the RRVMP further elaborates on the process to designate a natural area and the implications of that designation.
Additionally, the selection of the most appropriate method of dealing with roadside vegetation is principally based on users’ safety, mitigating risk, maintaining the roads’ structural integrity and reducing the effects of climate change and preserving the natural environment as much as possible.
Main Street Funding Agreement
Council authorized the execution of an agreement with the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) to accept the $52,466.12 allocated to the Municipality of Port Hope through the Ontario’s Main Street Revitalization Initiative.
As outlined in the Staff report, These funds will be used to support improvements to Lent Lane as previously recommended in the Downtown Revitalization Strategic plan, including but not limited to gateway/entrance installations, public art installations, tree and flower planting, and to assist with costs associated with the relocation of the Little Train Station.
Minutes from this meeting will be available pending approval at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, July 3, 2018, at which point they will become the official record of the meeting.
A recording of the June 19, 2018 Regular Council meeting and the Committee of the Whole meeting is available at porthope.ca/council-communications.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
