Regular Council Highlights – November 19, 2024

Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights from the Regular Council Meeting on November 19, 2024.  

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

Regular Council Minutes from October 22, 2024 were received and adopted. 

Experience the Holidays in Kawartha Lakes 

With the holiday season upon us, Council shared some upcoming festive events happening throughout the municipality. Check out our 2024 Holiday Events news release for the full list. 

Committee of the Whole – November 5, 2024  

All recommendations from the Committee of the Whole meeting were adopted as printed in the minutes, save and except for Items 9.3.2 and 9.3.4. 

Item 9.3.2 - Economic Development Strategy 2025 to 2029 

The Economic Development Strategy 2025 to 2029 Committee of the Whole report was moved as printed. A follow-up motion was made to amend Objective 1.1 (page 8) in the Economic Development Strategy 2025 to 2029 to read, “Position Kawartha Lakes to attract new business investment and support job creation.” The amendment will ensure that new business investment and job creation remains a priority for the municipality. The follow-up motion was passed.  

Item 9.3.4 - Phase 2 Cultural Centre Feasibility Study 

The Phase Two – Cultural Centre Feasibility Study Findings Committee of the Whole report was moved as printed. Prior to moving the report, Council provided the public with a point of clarification that there is no line item in the 2025 Budget for the cultural centre. In the 2023 Budget, $100,000 was allocated to initiate phase two of the feasibility study. In November 2023, staff applied for funding through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund. The funding application was approved in 2024, and the Green Municipal Fund matched the $100,000 the municipality has already spent on Phase 2 of the project.  

At Council’s direction, Phase 3 of the project will commence using the funding received from the Green Municipal Fund. Staff will report back to Council with the next steps and implementation plan for Phase 3 of the project by the end of June 2025.   

Planning Advisory Committee – November 6, 2024 

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

2025 Council Meeting Schedule released 

The 2025 Council, Committee of the Whole, and Planning Advisory Committee dates were released and approved by Council. View the full 2025 schedule here. 

Consolidated Fees By-Law Amendment

The municipality conducts an annual review of the Consolidated Fees By-Law 2018-234 to establish the payment fees for information, services, activities and uses of municipal property in Kawartha Lakes. The purpose of these fees and charges is to attribute some or all of the costs associated with providing the information, service, activity, product, and enforcement activity to the user or consumer of the service. Fee increases are reflective of the current Consumer Price Index (CPI), the service or program’s market value (in comparison to other municipalities of similar size and geography), and the required staff effort. 

View the 2025 Proposed Amendments to By-law 2018-234 council report to learn more about the fees that will be in effect January 1, 2025.

Ward 5 Office of Council declared vacant; by-election to come 

The City Clerk’s report to Council has been received, and the Ward 5 Office of Council has been declared vacant. Council has chosen to fill the position through a by-election. A Special Council meeting will be held by January 18, 2025, to pass a by-law enabling the City Clerk to conduct the by-election. The by-law will outline the timing and voting methods. The nomination period must last between 30 and 60 days from the date the by-law is passed. Voting Day will occur 45 days after Nomination Day. The candidate voted in will not be sworn in until April or May 2025. 

Ward 5 residents are encouraged to verify their registration on the Voters’ List for Provincial and Municipal Elections at: https://vreg.registertovoteon.ca/en/home

Petitions 

A petition regarding a request for a Speed Limit Reduction on Base Line Road (Kawartha Lakes Road 42), former Township of Somerville was received and referred to staff for a return report. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 30 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request.

A petition regarding a request for the request for the Lighted Push Button Crosswalk at the Intersection of St. Patrick Street and Queen Street, Lindsay was received and referred to staff for a return report. The first page of the petition can be found here. A complete copy of the petition with 257 signatures is available at the Clerk's Office upon request.

Memorandums

Councillor Perry brought the Memorandum Regarding Lakeview Park Road Snow Plowing for the 2024 to 2025 Winter Season to Council. Last November, Council approved the resumption of snow plowing for Lakeview Park Road for the 2023 to 2024 winter season to provide time for a Limited Services Agreement (LSA) to be signed with the residents. The residents have since created a not-for-profit organization, joined the Federation of Ontario Cottage Associations, and obtained a quote for insurance. By doing so, they have demonstrated and stated their commitment to signing an LSA with the municipality but they require some additional time to complete and execute the agreement. The motion was to move as printed and it passed. 

Next Council meeting  

Council will return for budget deliberations at a Special Council Meeting on November 26, 2024 at 9am. 

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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