Regular Council Highlights - July 22, 2025

Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights from the Regular Council Meeting on July 22, 2025.  

The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube Channel. 

The Regular Council minutes from June 24, 2025 were received and adopted. 

Kawartha Lakes-Haliburton Housing Corporation Shareholders Meeting 

Judy Lightbound, Managing Director with Housing Services Corporation, presented a review and analysis of the Kawartha Lakes Haliburton Housing Corporation.  

Following the review, six key themes were identified to guide future housing efforts. These include: developing a Housing Plan; creating a Housing Reserve Fund to support affordable and supportive housing; confirming the mandate of KLHHC as the City’s property and asset manager; and building internal housing development capacity within municipal staff. The plan also calls for defining KLHHC’s role in housing those with complex care needs and strengthening collaboration across departments. Additionally, it recommends formalizing the partnership with Haliburton County through a housing agreement, where the County would act as partner and funder and Kawartha Lakes as the service manager. The review was received as presented. 

We’re also thrilled to share that Stephen DiManno, the Manager of Provincial Offences for Kawartha Lakes has been honoured with not one—but two—prestigious awards from the Municipal Court Managers’ Association (MCMA): the 2025 Commitment to the Organization Award and the 2025 Leadership Award. 

Congratulations to the Customer Experience team and to Stephen! 

Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) 

The Department of National Defence (DND) is seeking public feedback on their Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar (A-OTHR) program in southern Ontario. The DND aims to ensure the country’s defence capabilities are relevant and inclusive for all Canadians, with input from Indigenous, intergovernmental, and community partners. DND has acquired a site in Kawartha Lakes, Ontario, and a site in Clearview Township, Ontario, for the program. 

“We’re aware of the federal government’s plans to build a site in our municipality for the Arctic Over-the-Horizon Radar project, and have taken part in early discussions. Plans are being developed for public consultation by National Defense, along with municipal coordination. In today’s world, national security and intelligence are more important than ever, and we’re committed to working together to ensure both safety and transparency,” said Mayor Doug Elmslie. 

Visit the A-OTHR project website to learn more and provide the DND with your feedback and comments.  

Fenelon Falls Downtown Revitalization Plan 2.0 

At the July 23, 2024 Council meeting, Council approved entering into a funding agreement with the Province for the Fenelon Falls Downtown Revitalization 2.0 project, supported by Ontario’s Rural Economic Development (RED) program. This initiative builds on the success of the 2017 action plan and is based on community engagement, local data, and a structured planning process. With Stages 1 to 3 now complete, the community is ready to move into implementation. The new five-year Discover Downtown Fenelon Falls Action Plan focuses on four goals: improving infrastructure, growing business diversity, building pride of place, and creating engaging public spaces. The presentation and report were received as printed. 

Deputy Mayor’s Customer Service Initiative 

The Deputy Mayor’s Customer Service Initiative was launched to improve how the municipality handles service requests, with a focus on making services more consistent, responsive, and coordinated. The report highlights progress made in areas like Urban Tree Service, which successfully reduced backlogged requests by introducing clear service timelines. It also shares performance data from the Customer Service Division, noting a 22% increase in call volume and a 34% increase in service requests compared to 2024. To address growing demand and system technical limitations, the municipality is exploring a modern Customer Relationship Management system and renaming the division to Customer Experience to reflect its evolving role. The report was received as printed. 

Read the Deputy Mayor’s Customer Service Initiative report.  

Records Transfer Agreement with Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough (HKNP) Health Unit 

In 2014, the Haliburton Kawartha Northumberland Peterborough Health Unit (HKNPHU) ended its agreement with the municipality to enforce the Building Code for private on-site sewage systems. The municipality took over the program in 2015 but had limited access to historical records. While discussions to transfer hardcopy files began in 2015, HKNPHU initially declined. In 2021, needing office space, they reopened talks. After years of negotiation, both parties agreed the municipality would take ownership of the records, allowing digitization and destruction of paper copies. Around 150 boxes will be transferred, improving efficiency and customer service while ensuring permanent digital retention. The report was received as printed. 

Designs to be revised for capital projects on Kent Street and Victoria Avenue in Lindsay 

We're updating our design plans for Kent Street and Victoria Avenue in Lindsay to better align with the 2025 Transportation Master Plan and upcoming development needs. Kent Street’s project will now include an environmental assessment (EA) and be extended west to Angeline Street, preparing for future road widening. Victoria Avenue’s project will also include an EA, supporting sewer upgrades and better coordination with Kent Street. Design budgets have been adjusted, with most of the funding coming from development charges. These changes aim to ensure long-term efficiency and growth, with construction expected to begin in 2029. The report was received as printed.  

Read the Revisions to Design Capital Projects for Kent Street and Victoria Avenue report.  

Committee of the Whole  

Please note that there wasn’t a June Committee of the Whole meeting as we have a reduced Council meeting schedule in July and August. Committee of the Whole returns on September 9, 2025. 

Planning Advisory Committee – July 9, 2025 

All recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee were adopted as printed in the minutes.  

Memorandums 

Mayor Elmslie brought the Memorandum Regarding a Nomination to the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee to Council. The memo recommends that Planning Officer - Environmental Policy, Jenna Stephens, be nominated to serve as the Kawartha-Haliburton municipal representative for the City of Kawartha Lakes on the Trent Conservation Coalition Source Protection Committee. The memorandum was received as printed and passed. 

Councillor Perry brought the Memorandum Regarding the Relocation or Removal of an 80km/hr Speed Posting Sign on Helen Street at Highway 35 in Fenelon Falls to Council. The memo recommends removing the 80km/hr that is posted at the curve of the road on the way to Highway 35. Residents report excessive noise and unsafe driving as cars accelerate at the curve, only to have to slow down moments later as they approach the intersection. The memorandum was received as printed and referred to staff to review the speed limit with a report back by the end of December 2025. 

Councillor Perry brought the Memorandum Regarding Intersection Illumination at Glenarm Road and Birch Point Road to Council. After an assessment, staff determined that a streetlight wasn’t required at the intersection. The memo asks staff to consider lighting alternatives at the intersection to help drivers safely and clearly see the entrance to Birch Point Road at night.  The memorandum was received as printed and passed. 

Councillor Ashmore brought the memorandum regarding Support for Supply Management in Kawartha Lakes. The memo recommends that the City of Kawartha Lakes endorse the defense of Supply Management. Within Kawartha Lakes, there are over 75 dairy, poultry and egg producers contributing to a $300 million industry, and the related businesses employ over 1000 people in the municipality. The memo seeks to protect the dairy and poultry industry, processors, and related businesses in Kawartha Lakes, and states that it be forwarded to MP Jamie Schmale and the Right Honourable Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney. The memorandum was received as printed and passed. 

Next Council meeting  

Council will return for a Regular Council meeting on August 26, 2025 at 1pm. 

Please note that we have a reduced Council meeting schedule in July and August, with the next Committee of the Whole set for September 9, 2025. 

Public attendance in Council Chambers is welcome. Regular and Committee of the Whole meetings will be broadcast live on the City’s YouTube Channel and on Cogeco cable television. 

Please note that you can watch recordings of the City of Kawartha Lakes Regular Council Meetings on Cable Cable channel 26 and Rogers Ignite channel 548 at 1pm on the Sunday that follows the Tuesday meeting.  

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