Wednesday, July 7, 2021 – Port Hope, ON
Below is a summary of key items discussed at the Municipality of Port Hope Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings held on Tuesday, July 6, 2021. The agendas and staff reports are available on the Agendas and Minutes page of our website. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was held electronically via video conference.
Council Meeting
The following are highlights from the Council Meeting.
Waterfront and River Walk Master Plan
Council authorized an additional $58,650 to be committed from the Waterfront Reserve to complete the Waterfront and Riverwalk Master Plan. The Waterfront and Riverwalk Working Group has begun the early stages of development for the master plan and are ready to proceed with staff in the release of the Request For Proposals (RFP) process. These funds are required to complete this undertaking and are available in the Waterfront Reserve.
Committee of the Whole
The following are highlights from the Committee of the Whole Meeting.
Municipal Approach to Indigenous Awareness
Council considered a report outlining the Municipal Approach for Indigenous Awareness. The report notes that staff will develop an Indigenous Awareness strategy for future Council approval on how to define and best achieve those goals. The strategy will be brought back to Council for authorization at a later date.
Draft Plan of Osaca Subdivision
Staff provided a report to council regarding a draft plan of the Osaca Subdivision – County Road 65. The proposed development would create a new subdivision (20 lots for 20 single detached dwellings) with internal roadways and serviced by private water and sewage disposal systems. Council approved the recommendation for the By-law and Subdivision Agreement be endorsed and forwarded to Council for consideration.
Water System Financial Plan
Council approved the Water System Financial Plan that was prepared by Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. Staff has been directed to post the new Water System Financial Plan on the website. The approved water/wastewater rate structure has set water/wastewater rates through to 2029. Revising the Water Financial Plan enables the Municipality to proceed with updating the Port Hope Municipal Drinking Water License.
Walton Street Reconstruction Progress Update
The consultant for the Walton Street Reconstruction provided an update to Council on the project milestones to date, the design options thus far and the proposed streetscape improvements. Based on varying public input, Council directed staff to seek further consultation on the Pine Street to Mill Street section of the design over the next several months. Staff will report back to council in the fall or winter of 2021 with the findings from this additional consultation and their recommendation for final design.
Based on the public engagement received, Council directed staff to complete the detailed design of Walton Street from Church Street to Pine Street. This will be considered for reconstruction in 2022.
This two-part approach will allow the project to move forward on the less congested area of Walton Street, while providing more time for consultation and design on the downtown core section.
Environmental Advisory Committee
Councillor Mink put forth a Notice of Motion, which is automatically carried over to the next Committee of the Whole meeting on August 3, 2021, in accordance with Section 24 of the Procedural By-law.
The motion recommends that, in accordance with the approved terms of reference schedules to By-law 05/2021, it is confirmed that upon completion of the final step of the McMaster Project the Climate Change Working Group is hereby dissolved; and that members of the former Tree Advisory Committee and the Climate Change Working Group be asked to participate as members of the Environmental Advisory Committee and a resolution confirming appointment be brought forward for consideration at a future council meeting.
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
