Regular Council highlights – September 24, 2024
The following are highlights from the Regular Council Meeting on September 24, 2024.
The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube Channel.
Regular Council Minutes from August 27, 2024 were received and adopted.
National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
In honour of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30, Kawartha Lakes hosted a flag raising ceremony at City Hall on Friday September 27, 2024 at 11:00 a.m.
Residents are invited to attend the flag raising ceremony to reflect upon the painful history and lasting impacts of Canada’s residential school system and to reaffirm Kawartha Lakes’ commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
National Senior’s Day
October 1 is recognized globally as International Day of Older Persons or celebrated in Canada as National Senior’s Day. This is an occasion for all Canadians to join in celebrating older adults across Canada — whether a parent, a co-worker, a neighbour or a friend.
In Kawartha Lakes, we have a vibrant senior population and many of our communities are attractive destinations post-retirement. Our seniors are an integral part of our municipality – many helped to build the businesses that we still see today; others helped to institute many of the programs and events that remain favourite past-times of our community. October 1 is a time to honour and recognize this segment of our population. Thank you to our seniors for your hard work and your many contributions to our community.
Learn more about National Seniors Day.
International Plowing Match (IPM) 2024
Get ready for five days of rural excitement at the International Plowing Match and Rural Expo (IPM) happening from October 1 to 5, 2024, at the Lindsay fairgrounds in Kawartha Lakes.
This celebration of agriculture and rural life offers something for everyone. From thrilling plowing competitions to interactive activities for all ages, the IPM is an event residents won’t want to miss.
Explore hundreds of vendors and exhibitors showcasing everything from cutting-edge farm equipment to unique lifestyle products. Enjoy live entertainment across multiple stages and indulge in a variety of delicious food options. As North America’s largest event of its kind, it offers a remarkable chance to experience the best of rural life.
Visit the “Know before you go”, by visiting our webpage to learn everything residents need to know about attending IPM 2024 in Lindsay.
Otonabee Region Conservation Authority Update
Janette Loveys Smith, Chief Administrative Officer of Otonabee Conservation, presented Council with an information update on the Otonabee Region Conservation Authority. Otonabee Conservation published their 2023 Annual Report in April 2024. Some highlights from the report include 1,033 trees being planted with 150 volunteers, 12,078 tree seedlings sold, 391 permits issued, 308 plan reviews and they hosted over 25,000 campers at their three campgrounds. Locally, Otonabee Conservation issued 11 permits and six plan reviews for Kawartha Lakes in 2023.
They have approximately 70 reporting performance objectives to meet and they report to their Board quarterly. Smith shared that they are meeting or exceeding all of the provincial targets and timelines laid out for them.
Visit the Otonabee Conservation website to learn more.
Committee of the Whole – September 10, 2024
All recommendations from the Committee of the Whole meeting were adopted as printed in the minutes, save and except for Items 9.3.3, 9.3.4, 9.3.12, 9.3.14, and 9.3.18.
Item 9.3.18 – Memorandum for City of Kawartha Lakes to Become a Willing Host for Solar and Wind Development
One of the recommendations in the original memorandum had the words “Willing Host” in it. The new motion removed those words to clarify that the requested report is to provide Council with information and options to give them enough information to potentially reconsider Kawartha Lake’s status as a “Willing Host” for renewable energy development in the future.
The motion was as follows, that staff report back to Council by the end of March 2025 on the changes to the Provincial Renewable Energy Program and the procurement of new projects and that the report back include information and options for Council to consider. The motion passed with a recorded vote of seven in favour and two opposed.
Planning Advisory Committee – September 11, 2024
All recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee were adopted as printed in the minutes.
Proposed Amendments to Site Alteration By-Law 2019-105
Council received the report to approve amendments to the current Site Alteration By-law. Site Alteration By-law 2019-105 manages the removal of topsoil, fill placement, and property grading. The by-law aims to maintain drainage patterns, protect natural and archaeological features, and ensure water quality while minimizing disturbances to residents and road damage.
The proposed changes to the by-law focused on clarifying compliance requirements and that it lines up with our commitment to First Nations Consultations in the area of archeology to ensure we have better tools for enforcement. These updates aim to improve enforcement and ensure that the by-law effectively protects the environment and community interests.
Tree Preservation By-Laws
Council reviewed two tree preservation By-laws:
- City Tree Canopy Preservation By-law will protect trees on City property.
This newly passed by-law will only apply to City-owned property including road allowances (both improved and unimproved), shoreline road allowances, and vacant land like water access blocks. The by-law outlines the restrictions and permissions required in regards to damage and removal of trees on city-owned property.
Under the new by-law, no person may damage or remove a City-owned tree without a permit. If residents need to do this for road construction, they will be required to complete an application form on the City’s website and provide the necessary information to the Tree By-law Administrator. This by-law was adopted and is now in effect.
For full details on the new City Tree Canopy Preservation By-law, view Appendix A of the Tree Preservation By-Laws report.
- The remainder of the report that was received by Council as printed, deals with the proposed Tree Preservation on Private Property By-law. It has been narrowed in scope to apply only to development applications pursuant to the Planning Act, and as a result of public feedback. A revised by-law will be presented to Council for its consideration by the end of December 2024.
Council adopted this additional motion: That the Tree Preservation on Private Property By-law be referred back to staff for review and consultation with Kawartha Lakes Environmental Advisory Committee and Agricultural Advisory Committee, among others, to review additional tree protections related to shoreline properties.
Early-Start Approval for Designated Proposed 2025 Capital and Special Projects
Council received the report to approve the following projects be included in the 2025 budgets and that the projects be approved to proceed. The projects are time sensitive due to legislated requirements, grant application deadlines and/or to avoid service disruptions:
- Ambulances: Replacement of six ambulances for a total cost of $450,000 in 2025.
- Ambulance and equipment: Acquisition of one additional ambulance for $135,000 in 2025.
- Buses: Replacement of five buses for $1,000,000, partially funded by a grant.
- King Street Bridge Expansion Joints: Design and replacement of bridge expansion joints for $650,000.
- Emily/Omemee Arena Ice Pad System: Replacement of the ice pad system for $2,900,000, with an application for a grant under the Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund.
- Somerville 3rd Concession Bridge: Expansionary and environmental assessment to determine feasibility of the bridge. This project is also known as the Fenelon Falls bypass or Fenelon Falls second crossing; includes design work if the bridge is determined to be feasible, with $1,400,000 set for 2025.
- Municipal Websites: Redesign and renewal of the municipality’s websites for $400,000, due to the end of the current contract in mid-2025.
Petitions
A petition regarding a request for the Resurfacing of Heights Road, North of Kawartha Lakes Road 36 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 48 signatures is available at the Clerk’s Office upon request.
A petition regarding a request for a Dog Park in the Village of Omemee was received and referred to staff for a return report. The first page of the petition can be found here. The petition also received 19 signatures electronically, view the report here. A complete copy of the paper petition with 244 signatures and the electronic copy with 19 signatures is available at the Clerk’s Office upon request.
A petition regarding a request for the Clean Up and Restoration of Omemee Beach 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 21 signatures is available at the Clerk’s Office upon request.
A petition regarding a request for the City of Kawartha Lakes to Collaborate with the Ministry of Transportation on the Implementation of Traffic Lights or a Roundabout at Elm Tree Road and Highway 7 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 208 signatures is available at the Clerk’s Office upon request.
Heritage Designations
The following properties were designated as being of cultural heritage value or interest by Council:
- 49 King Street East, Village of Bobcaygeon (Bobcaygeon Schoolhouse) – 49 King Street East was constructed in 1873 and is a unique example of a two-storey Victorian schoolhouse in both Bobcaygeon and Kawartha Lakes. It provides important information regarding the history of education in Bobcaygeon and is a local landmark.
- 2 King Street West, Village of Omemee (John McCrea Memorial Methodist Parsonage) – 2 King Street West, also known as the John McCrea Memorial Methodist Parsonage, is an Arts and Crafts house constructed in 1910 as the parsonage for the adjacent Methodist, now United, church.
