Committee of the Whole Highlights - November 5, 2024

Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights of the Committee of the Whole meeting on November 5, 2024.  

The meeting can be viewed in full on the City’s YouTube channel: 

All recommendations made at Committee of the Whole will return to Regular Council for review and/or adoption on November 19, 2024. 

Economic Development Strategy 2025 to 2029 

The municipality announced its new Economic Development Strategy for 2025 to 2029, aimed at fostering a robust, diversified economy while supporting local culture, tourism, and community growth. Read the Economic Development Strategy 2025 to 2029 news release to learn more.  

Read the Economic Development Strategy 2025 to 2029 report for more information. 

The Building By-law Replacement By-law 2024 report proposes updates to the municipality’s building regulations to enhance efficiency and sustainability amid growing development in the municipality. Key changes to the by-law include extending the fee schedule three years to 2029 for cost recovery, introducing a Pre-Approved Model (PAM) process to streamline subdivision approvals, and enabling online permitting with new administrative requirements. These adjustments align with the municipality’s strategic goals for housing affordability, environmental protection, and improved customer service. The updated by-law will ensure that building permits fund the Building and Septic Division's operations and will help to build reserves to handle economic fluctuations, thereby safeguarding municipal resources.

Growth Management Strategy Update 

Leah Barrie, Director of Development Services, along with representatives from consultants Watson and Associate Economists Ltd. and Dillon Consulting Limited, provided Council with an update on the Growth Management Strategy (GMS). The GMS update provides an overview of Phase 1 findings, forecasting significant growth by 2051 with the population projected to reach 130,000 with 16,900 new jobs and 21,600 new homes anticipated. The strategy identifies land needs for community and employment areas, with a surplus in Lindsay but deficits in Fenelon Falls and Bobcaygeon. It recommends adjusting intensification targets, designating new employment lands, and optimizing urban boundaries in key areas to support orderly development. The GMS will guide updates to the municipality’s Official Plan to align with provincial growth policies. 

The project team is working towards releasing a draft of the Growth Management Strategy update to the public in January 2025, with the report being finalized by end of March 2025.  

Learn more about the GMS update by reading the Phase 1 Growth Management Strategy Summary of Key Findings technical memo on the GMS project Jump In page. 

Deputy Mayor’s Customer Service Initiative 

In 2024, Deputy Mayor Charlie McDonald took on a Customer Service Initiative project with staff as part of his duties as Deputy Mayor. The project looked at five service areas: engineering, municipal law enforcement, planning, urban tree services, and roads operations with the objectives to:

• Identify public facing services offered
• Review current turnaround times
• Set targets, establish measurement and reporting
• Report the findings back to Council 

Staff representing the five key service areas each presented their findings from the initiative to Council.  

To learn more, view the Customer Service Initiative presentation here.   

Release of Fenelon Falls Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Funds 

The Release of Fenelon Falls Legacy C.H.E.S.T. Funds report recommends allocating $6,000 from the Fenelon Falls C.H.E.S.T. Fund to Maryboro Lodge Museum. This funding will support KidsFest, a free family event celebrating local history and children’s manufacturing, by covering costs for materials, activities, and local performers. With the current fund balance of $26,247.83, this allocation will leave $20,247.83 available for future projects. This initiative aligns with Kawartha Lakes' priorities to enhance community life, bolster downtown vitality, and promote local collaboration. 

Official bird of the City of Kawartha Lakes 

The City of Kawartha Lakes Official Bird report recommends that the osprey be officially adopted as the municipality’s bird. Following a public vote led by Bird Friendly Kawartha Lakes, the osprey emerged as the community’s favorite, symbolizing the region’s natural beauty and biodiversity. Recognized for its connection to the municipality’s branding and prominent presence near local waterways, the osprey embodies the environmental values central to Kawartha Lakes' identity. This designation aligns with the municipality's priorities of fostering a healthy environment and promoting community engagement without any financial impact. 

Calcium Chloride Program for Gravel Roads 

The Calcium Chloride Program for Gravel Roads report provides an update on our annual program that uses calcium chloride to stabilize and suppress dust on the municipality’s 860 kilometres of gravel roads. The program, which enhances road longevity and reduces maintenance needs, has recently optimized its application rates to achieve cost savings and environmental benefits. Since increasing the application rate in 2018, the municipality has observed fewer dust complaints and grading requests, confirming the program’s effectiveness. Alternative products have been considered but calcium chloride remains the most cost-effective and reliable solution. The program’s costs, including recent price adjustments, are included in the municipality’s operating budget, supporting our strategic goals for efficient asset management and service improvement.