THE CORPORATION OF THE

TOWN OF GEORGINA

Council Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Town of Georgina Civic Centre
26557 Civic Centre Rd.
Keswick, ON
Members of Council Present:
  • Mayor Margaret Quirk
  • Regional Councillor Davison
  • Councillor Biggerstaff
  • Councillor Fellini
  • Councillor Neeson
  • Councillor Genge
  • Councillor Dale
Staff Present:
  • Ryan Cronsberry, CAO
  • Denis Beaulieu, Director of Development Services
  • Steve Lee-Young, Director of Community Services
  • Michael Bigioni, Director of Legislative Services, Town Solicitor
  • Ron Jenkins, Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief
  • Rob Wheater, Deputy CAO/Treasurer
  • Shawn Nastke, Director, Strategic Initiatives
  • Michael Vos, Director of Operations and Infrastructure
  • Rachel Dillabough, Town Clerk
  • Mamata Baykar, Deputy Clerk
  • Carolyn Lance, Council Services Coordinator
  • Karyn Stone, Manager, Economic Development & Tourism
  • Samantha Naumoski, Committee Services Coordinator

“The Town of Georgina recognizes and acknowledges that we are on lands originally used and occupied by the First Peoples of the Williams Treaties First Nations and other Indigenous Peoples, and on behalf of Mayor and Council, we would like to thank them for sharing this land.  We would also like to acknowledge the Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation as our close neighbour and friend, one with which we strive to build a cooperative and respectful relationship.


We also recognize the unique relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this territory.  They are the water protectors and environmental stewards of these lands and we join them in these responsibilities.”

As noted above

  • Mayor thanked staff for all the work performed and actions over the weekend and into this week due to the ice storm
  • Gratitude extended to the Pefferlaw Lions
  • Chief Jenkins, Michael Vos and Steve Lee-Young provided updates on the ice storm event of March 29th onward which became Hydro One's most significant event in twenty years 
  • Council expressed appreciation to all staff and volunteers who have worked effortlessly following the ice storm event
  • Item No. 11.1.b, Report No. LS-2025-0003, Proposed Adjustments to Procurement Practices
  • Item No. 12.2.b(c), Briefing Note, Ainslie Hill - Phase 1, Park and Playground Design Update
  • Item 13.1.a, additional correspondence in support of Item 13.1, Salt Management motion
  • Item 13.1.b, additional correspondence in support of Item 13.1, Salt Management motion
  • Item 16.2, Bylaw 500-2025-0002 (PL-5) to amend Zoning Bylaw Number 500, DG Group, Pat of Lots 2-5, Concession 3 (NG), west side of Woodbine Avenue, Phase 10
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0076
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That the April 2, 2025 Council agenda, with the following addendum items, be adopted;

    • Item No. 11.1.b, Report No. LS-2025-0003, Proposed Adjustments to Procurement Practices
    • Item No. 12.2.b(c), Briefing Note, Ainslie Hill - Phase 1, Park and Playground Design Update
    • Item 13.1.a, additional correspondence in support of Item 13.1, Salt Management motion
    • Item 13.1.b, additional correspondence in support of Item 13.1, Salt Management motion
    • Item 16.2, Bylaw 500-2025-0002 (PL-5) to amend Zoning Bylaw Number 500, DG Group, Pat of Lots 2-5, Concession 3 (NG), west side of Woodbine Avenue, Phase 10


    Carried

Councillor Biggerstaff declared a conflict with a portion of agenda Item No. 12.2.b., approval of an Economic, Culture and Community Betterment Grant to Health and Wellness Fairs because she is a wedding officiant and can become a vendor if she wishes.

(Advisement:  Refer to Item 13.1, a Motion regarding salt management)

Claire Malcolmson requested the Town of Georgina urge the Province to work with stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation, including enforceable contractor training and a single set of provincially-endorsed standards for snow and ice management, create and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee to advise the province and municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from the impact of salt pollution, commit to reduction of the use of road salt as much as possible, and forward a resolution to the appropriate parties.

Mayor Quirk moved forward and dealt with Item 13.1 being a motion regarding salt management.

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0077
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByRegional Councillor Davison

    WHEREAS road salt is a known toxic substance designated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act because of tangible threats of serious and irreversible environmental and public health concerns associated with road salt; and 
     
    WHEREAS salt levels in Ontario’s groundwater aquifers, creeks, rivers, and lakes have increasingly worsened since the 1970s, seriously affecting municipal drinking water sources and aquatic life; and 
     
    WHEREAS Lake Simcoe is our closest freshwater lake and is the 4th largest inland lake within Ontario, host to a number of functions including a biodiverse habitat for over 56 species of fish, the source water for municipal drinking water for hundreds of thousands of residents within the watershed, including 41,000 here in the Town of Georgina, and the many other recreational and commercial functions it serves; and 
     
    WHEREAS Lake Simcoe’s salinity concentrations have increased over 500% since monitoring began over the past 50 years, with the primary contributor being runoff from the use of salt for winter maintenance; and 
     
    WHEREAS the Ontario and Canadian governments have taken many actions over the past 25 years including setting water quality guidelines, developing voluntary codes of practice, signing the Canada-Ontario Great Lakes Agreement, and holding workshops, yet still the salt problem continues to grow; and 
     
    WHEREAS numerous situation analyses have recommended salt solutions involving liability protection, contractor certification, government-approved Best Management Practices (BMPs) and salt management plans; and   
     
    WHEREAS increased numbers of slip and fall claims, and other injury/collision claims related to snow and ice, are resulting in salt applicators overusing salt beyond levels considered best practices; and 
     
    WHEREAS unlimited contractor liability is making it difficult or expensive for snow and ice management contractors to obtain insurance coverage, resulting in contractors leaving the business, thereby making it difficult for municipalities and private owners to find contractors; and 
     
    WHEREAS the Snow and Ice Management Sector (SMS) of Landscape Ontario is working with the Ontario government to institute a limited liability regime for snow and ice management, including enforceable contractor training/certification and government-approved BMPs for salt application; and 
     
    WHEREAS many Ontario municipalities have Salt Management Plans, but these often require updating in light of improved science and better salt management practices now available; and 
     
    WHEREAS The Town of Georgina shares fifty-two (52) kilometers of beautiful Lake Simcoe shoreline and all 288 square kilometers of the Town of Georgina are encompassed by sub-watersheds that drain into Lake Simcoe; and 
     
    WHEREAS road authorities that use salt, such as the Town of Georgina, must abide by, and benefit from, established provincial regulations around snow clearing and maintenance, whereas private contractors only have voluntary programs for salt use for private and commercial property management; and 
     
    WHEREAS the Town of Georgina has demonstrated great initiative in salt mitigation efforts including committing to the use of rock salt alternatives, installation of electronic spreader controllers on all material spreading units, reduced application rates when appropriate, use of pre-wet and brine when appropriate, and an updated salt management plan that outlines salt best management practices specific to the Corporation of the Town of Georgina’s winter maintenance operations  
     
    NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 
     
    1. That the Town of Georgina urges the province of Ontario to work urgently with key stakeholders to develop limited liability legislation, including enforceable contractor training and a single set of provincially endorsed standard Best Management Practices (BMPs) for snow and ice management; and  
    2. That the Town of Georgina urges the province of Ontario to create and fund an expert stakeholder advisory committee to advise the province and municipalities on the best courses of action to protect freshwater ecosystems and drinking water from the impacts of salt pollution; and   
    3. That the Town of Georgina continues to commit to the reduction of the use of road salt as much as possible while meeting local service levels and maintaining safety on roads and sidewalks; and  
    4. That a copy of this resolution be sent to all municipalities in York Region, all Lake Simcoe watershed municipalities; all Ontario municipalities; The Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation and The Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority requesting their endorsement; The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO); all Lake Simcoe watershed MPPs; Conservation Ontario; The Ontario Salt Pollution Coalition; The Rescue Lake Simcoe Coalition; Minister Todd McCarthy, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks; Attorney General Doug Downey, and Premier Doug Ford.

    A recorded vote was requested; the Town Clerk recorded the vote as follows;


    VotersYEANAYAbstainConflict
    Mayor QuirkX
    Regional Councillor DavisonX
    Councillor BiggerstaffX
    Councillor FelliniX
    Councillor NeesonX
    Councillor GengeX
    Councillor DaleX
    Results7000


    Carried Unanimously (7 to 0)
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0078
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That Council receive the presentation provided by Claire Malcolmson regarding salt management.



    Carried

None

11.

 
  • Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That the following report recommendations be adopted;



Report No. SI-2025-0002

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0079
    1. That Council receive Report No. SI-2025-0002 prepared by the Economic Development and Tourism Division, Strategic Initiatives Department dated April 2, 2025 respecting proposed modifications to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Grant Programs.
    2. That Council adopt the proposed modifications to the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Grant Program as follows:
      • Enhance the scope of the Accessibility Grant in order to support interior renovations intended to improve accessibility.
      • Increase the maximum allowable grant for all grant streams within the Community Improvement (CIP) Grant Program from $5,000 to $7,500.


Report No. LS-2025-0003

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0080
    1. That Council receive Report No. LS-2025-0003 prepared by the Procurement Services Division, Legislative Services Department dated April 2, 2025, respecting proposed adjustments to the Town’s procurement practices in response to U.S. tariffs imposed on goods imported to the U.S. from Canada;
    1. That Council direct Procurement Services to acquire its deliverables, where feasible, from vendors in countries other than the United States, with preference to be given to Canadian vendors while ensuring compliance with trade treaty obligations and continuing to follow the principles of fiscal responsibility, value for taxpayer dollars, and good governance in public procurement;
    1. That Council direct Town employees, when acquiring deliverables outside of the formal procurement process, to find, where feasible, alternative sources of supply from countries other than the United States for deliverables currently being acquired from U.S. vendors, and where there are no viable Canadian options available, such acquisitions are to be approved in advance by the Director of the Department;
    1. That Council direct Town employees involved in the acquisition of goods to source qualified Canadian vendors to whom invitations can be issued by Procurement Services for formal procurements conducted through the online e-procurement platform; and
    1. That Council direct Procurement Services to continue to monitor the developing U.S./Canadian tariff situation and report to Council as necessary regarding significant impacts to the Town.


    Carried
  • Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That the Council meeting recess at 10:20am.



    Carried

    The Council meeting reconvened at 10:35am.


DIRECTION; staff was requested to provide an update on the status of the 911 numbering on rural farm properties to differentiate between farm properties containing a house, and vacant farm fields to ensure emergency situations in a farm field are easily and quickly located.

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0081
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Genge

    That Town Council receive and endorse the suggestion made by the Georgina Agricultural Advisory Committee (GAgAC) to direct staff to arrange a Grain Bin Safety training session with the Georgina Fire Department.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0082
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That Town Council receive and endorse the Nottawasaga Valley Board of Directors opposition to the proposed amalgamation of the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority and the LSRCA and that this motion be forwarded to York Region municipalities, Watershed municipalities, the Region of York accompanied by a letter from the Mayor and copied to the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority, Conservation Ontario and Minister Todd McCarthy, Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks.



    Carried Unanimously
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0083
    Moved ByRegional Councillor Davison
    Seconded ByCouncillor Neeson

    That Town Council receive correspondence from the B'Nai Brith National Organization of Canada requesting municipalities across Canada ban the public display of the nazi swastika and other nazi symbols and refer it to staff for further investigation of any motions adopted by other municipalities and suggested wording for consideration by Georgina Council for further consideration.



    Carried Unanimously

(Advisement:  Town Council passed a similar motion on January 15, 2025 in support of the Region of York's position on this matter)

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0084
    Moved ByCouncillor Biggerstaff
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That Town Council receive correspondence from the Town of Richmond Hill requesting endorsement of its position concerning the redistribution of Provincial Sales Tax and GST to municipalities, indicating that Georgina Town Council passed a similar motion in support of the Region of York's position on this matter.



    Carried
  • suggestions; add sticker on each Town facility, make stickers easily available to businesses, add logo to library print-making space
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0085
    Moved ByCouncillor Biggerstaff
    Seconded ByCouncillor Genge

    That Town Council receive and endorse the request made by the Georgina Equity and Diversity Advisory Committee (GEDAC) to re-print the 'Hate Has No Place Here' stickers for distribution purposes, utilizing the Committee's budget of $500.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0086
    Moved ByRegional Councillor Davison
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That Town Council receive correspondence from the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury and support in principle its position requesting the provincial government to look at ways to implement balanced landlord and tenant reforms that protect both small-scale landlords and tenants, ensuring fairness in the rental market.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0087
    Moved ByCouncillor Biggerstaff
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That Town Council receive and endorse the Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee's request for staff to continue to review options to support accessible participation in the viewing areas at the Georgina Ice Palace, and that staff suggest additional opportunities in order to spend the $50,000 allocation.



    Carried

Councillor Biggerstaff declared a conflict with the Economic, Culture and Community Betterment grant application made by Health and Wellness Fairs as she is a wedding officiant and has the opportunity to become a vendor if she wishes.  This application was separated from the balance of grant applications and voted on separately; Councillor Biggerstaff did not participate in or vote on this item.

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0088
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That Council receive the following Economic, Culture and Community Betterment grant applications, with the exception of the application by Health and Wellness Fairs;

    • $5,000 to Endurance Events for 'Georgina Spring Fling and Georgina Marathon'
    • $2,000 to Free Spirit Fest for 'Free Spirit Fest'
    • $3,000 to Georgina Studio Tour for its annual Georgina Studio Tour
    • $500 to Lake Simcoe South Shore Horticultural Society for 'Way 2 Grow'
    • $3,000 to Sutton BIA for its annual Duck Races and Festival on High event
    • $330 to Jacinta Healing Arts for the 'Empower Her' event
    • $3,000 to Jackson's Point BIA for the Painted Perch, Halloween in the Point and Holiday Celebration events
    • $1,500 to Georgina Pride Optimist Club for 'All Price No Prejudice' event
    • $1,500 to Georgina Roller Derby League for its Georgina Roller Derby Home Opener
    • $1,200 to Georgina Chamber of Commerce for the Discover Georgina Show
    • $5,000 to Georgina Cornhole League for its Cornhole Provincials 2025 event
    • $1,000 to Georgina Center for Arts and Culture for its Live and Silent Auction
    • $1,000 to Routes Connecting Communities for 'Routes Feeds Georgina'


    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0089
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByRegional Councillor Davison

    That Council receive the following Economic, Culture and Community Betterment grant application from Health and Wellness Fairs;

    • $1,080 to Health and Wellness Fairs for its My Wedding Day Expo event


    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0090
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That Council receive the staff briefing note regarding the operation of snowmobiles on Town roadways, suggesting the current regulations surrounding the operation of snowmobiles within the Town of Georgina be maintained.



    Carried
  • additional consideration to be given for signage from both indigenous and education perspectives regarding highlighting the Black River, as well as interpretive signage for the three additional seating nodes to honour the indigenous community
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0091
    Moved ByCouncillor Genge
    Seconded ByRegional Councillor Davison

    That Town Council receive the staff briefing note providing updates to the Ainslie Hill - Phase 1, Park and Playground as part of the Ainslie Hill Park and Trail Development to be completed by Ballymore Homes.



    Carried

13.
MOTIONS/ NOTICES OF MOTION

  

1.
Motion by Councillor Neeson regarding salt management

  
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0092
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That Council receive the additional pieces of correspondence from Susan Sheard and Jennifer Baron in support of the salt management motion and urging Council to take action to reduce road salt impact to Lake Simcoe.



    Carried
  • investigating the potential of lowering Development Charges to allow for greater development
  • Moved ByCouncillor Biggerstaff
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That Council convene into Closed Session at 11:12am to deal with the following matter(s):

    1. PERSONAL MATTERS ABOUT AN IDENTIFIABLE INDIVIDUAL, INCLUDING MUNICIPAL OR LOCAL BOARD EMPLOYEES, Section 239(2)(b), MA; Volunteer Award of Merit Nominees


    Carried
  • Moved ByCouncillor Genge
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That the Council meeting reconvene into Open Session at 12:16pm and report on matters dealt with in Closed Session.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0093
    Moved ByCouncillor Genge
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    In regard to closed session item 17.1.a on the agenda under Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act being personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees regarding Volunteer Award of Merit nominees;

    1. That Council be directed to proceed accordingly.


    Carried
  • Moved ByCouncillor Biggerstaff
    Seconded ByRegional Councillor Davison

    That the meeting adjourn at 12:17pm



    Carried