Council Highlights - June 7

Communication Options Reconsideration
At the May 3 meeting, Council voted to cancel the regular placement of the Springwater Link in the Springwater News in favour of moving towards a direct mail option. At the June 7 meeting, Council received a petition and heard from a number of community members regarding this decision. As a result, a reconsideration of the previous decision was tabled but failed to receive the required number of votes to be overturned. As such, the Township will move towards a direct mail option to communicate with residents.

Short Term Rental Accommodations
An information report regarding the challenges and benefits of regulating short-term accommodations was received by Council. Staff were directed to report back to Council with a draft policy and by-law regarding short- term accommodations in the near future.

International Competition Grant Application
Council approved a $1000 grant from the International Competition Grant Fund to assist a local youth who competed on Team Canada Dance and the Canadian Tap Team at the World Tap Championship in Croatia last year.

Edenvale Conservation Area Agreement
Following the completion of a 20-year agreement for the Township to manage the Edenvale Conservation Area, the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority (NVCA) will take over the management and maintenance of the property. The space will remain accessible as a passive recreation greenspace for residents and visitors. The new agreement will take effect on October 24, 2023.

Temporary Outdoor Patio Program
Council has directed staff to prepare a draft outdoor patio program with the goal of offering this program to existing businesses for the summer of 2023. This initiative is to assist restaurants that do not have a permanent patio space on their property to take advantage of the summer months and offer outdoor dining space to their customers.

Springwater Water Tank 2023 Maintenance Project
The award for the Springwater Water Tank 2023 Maintenance Project was awarded to Greatario Industrial Storage Systems Ltd. at a cost of $149,510 excluding HST. The project includes the supply of all labour, materials and equipment necessary for the maintenance of three water storage tanks in Midhurst, Elmvale and Hillsdale.

Official Plan Review – Adoption Update
Council were advised that following the completion of considerable work related to the Official Plan Update, staff are preparing to bring the new Official Plan forward for Council’s consideration and adoption at a special Council meeting taking place on June 21, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.

Elmvale District High School Agreement Update
In August 2019, the Township and School Board partnered on the Elmvale District High School Joint-Use Agreement which allows the community access to several areas within the renovated EDHS facility. The Agreement was put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Staff have been directed to renegotiate the terms of the agreement with the Simcoe County District School Board to ensure access for community use. While the agreement is being renegotiated, staff have been directed to utilize the facility for programming as soon as possible.

Community Hub Reconsideration
On May 10, Council received a presentation from Weston Consulting regarding the vision and design for the new Community Hub to be located at 1132 Snow Valley Road, also known as the Hasty Tract. During that meeting Council directed staff to continue working with the consultants on a design that included a double ice pad in phase one and aquatics in phase 2. At the June 7 meeting, Council voted to reconsider that motion and have requested staff to move forward with a design for aquatics and a gymnasium in phase one, with the potential for a double ice pad to be built in phase 2.

Shipping Containers
Council has requested that staff draft a report regarding the current regulations and alternate options regarding the placement of shipping containers on properties within the Township.

This summary is not a full representation of the meeting. For the official record, please refer to the minutes in the next Council Agenda. Past Council Meetings are available for viewing on the Township’s YouTube channel.