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
  • Steve Lee-Young, Director of Community Services
  • Michael Bigioni, Director of Legislative Services, Town Solicitor
  • 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
  • Alex Demoe, EA to Mayor and Council Members
  • Andrew Fung, Manager, Information Technology Services
  • Anne Winstanley, Supervisor, Communications
  • Janet Porter, Manager of Development Planning
  • Olga Lawton, Corporate Strategy and Transformation
  • Stirling Munro, Manager of Procurement
  • Tanya Thompson, Communications Manager
Others Present:
  • Lorianne Zwicker, Deputy Fire Chief


“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.”

A moment of meditation was observed.

As noted above

Bobbi Sabatini, Georgina Library Board Chair, thanked Steve Lee-Young for acting as volunteer Director/CEO in the interim, Town staff and library board members for their time, support and resources offered.  Ms. Sabatini introduced Joseph Moncada, newly hired Georgina Public Library Director and CEO. 

  • announced the 'Movember' fundraiser for men's health held throughout the month of November 
  • announced the 'Catch The Ace' fundraiser for Georgina Hospice
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0319
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That the October 30, 2024 Council agenda be adopted as presented.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0320
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That the following minutes be adopted as presented:



Jordan Prosper, Executive Director of Routes Connecting Communities and Sandra Hanmer, Manager of Community Engagement, Northern Georgina Community Action Table (CAT), provided an update on activities of the organizations, key accomplishments and future plans.

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0321
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That Council receive the presentation by Jordan Prosper and Sandra Hanmer providing an update on the activities and partnerships of Routes Connecting Communities and the Northern Georgina Community Action Table, as well as progress on 2024 plans.



    Carried

Olga Lawton provided a brief overview of the broadband expansion journey in Georgina; the Town's role is to build partnerships and support to various service providers to expedite fibre expansion in Georgina.

Laura Bradley, General Manager of YorkNet, provided an update on dark fibre expansion construction in Georgina and its focus on creating opportunity and connectivity for York Region communities by building, planning and maintaining a dark fibre network to facilitate access to high-speed internet.  

Moved by Councillor Neeson

Seconded by Councillor Dale

That the meeting recess at 9:30am due to technical issues

Carried.

The Council Meeting reconvened at 9:42am

  • visit Yorknet.ca and subscribe to electronic updates to stay informed.  [email protected] is the direct route to Laura Bradley's team, to contact them
  • during Galaxy's door-to-door sales, Laura encourages property owners to permit Galaxy to run fibre to their properties at no charge with no commitment to hook up at that time; property owners can hook up at a later date
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0322
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByRegional Councillor Davison

    That Council receive the presentation by Laura Bradley, General Manager of YorkNet, providing a progress update on dark fibre construction in Georgina.



    Carried

Michael Dobson and Matthew Milligan provided updates on broadband installation and the wireless cellular network within Georgina.

  • staff requested to enhance information on the Town website respecting timelines and contact details
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0323
    Moved ByRegional Councillor Davison
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That Council receive the presentation by Michael Dobson of Bell Canada and Matthew Milligan of Bill Mobility, providing updates on the installation of Bell Broadband and wireless network in Georgina.



    Carried
  • Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That the Council Meeting observe a recess at 10:40am.



    Carried

    The Council meeting reconvened at 10:55am.


Anthony Romans, owner of Keswick Taxi, requested an exception to the Taxi bylaw for all veterans to ride taxis for free from 7:00am on November 11th to 7:00am on November 12th.

Clerks staff was requested to circulate this fee waiver to all licensed taxi brokers within Georgina.

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0324
    Moved ByCouncillor Neeson
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That Council endorse temporary relief of enforcement of the taxicab fare from 7:00am on Monday, November 11th to 7:00am on Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 for war veterans, and that staff submit a report to Council to consider an amendment to Bylaw 2002-0169 (LI-3), a bylaw respecting the issue of licences in the Town of Georgina, to provide annual relief from the taxicab fare to war veterans on Remembrance Day.



    Carried

The delegation by Daniel Segal was deferred.  The Strategic Initiatives Department was requested to contact Mr. Segal regarding his suggestions and provide input on ways to move forward.

Michael Braithwaite, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Door, a registered charity and largest emergency housing provider in York Region, provided information on a new initiative, Housing For All Land Trust, to work with municipalities, Housing York, private developers and others to acquire vacant land, housing and remnants of land to use for affordable housing throughout the Region in perpetuity.

  • staff suggest a good starting point would be for Blue Door to apply through the upcoming Expression of Interest process to be released in Q1 of 2025 and at the appropriate time, to meet with staff for discussions
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0325
    Moved ByCouncillor Fellini
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That Council receive the presentation by Michael Braithwaite of Blue Door providing information on a new initiative, Housing For All Land Trust that would bring together resources, expertise and capital to develop affordable housing in York Region, and refer the information to staff for further discussions with the Blue Door organization.



    Carried

None

11.

 

Report No. OID-2024-0005

Helene Frietag provided a brief overview of the initiative.

Shawn Donahue and Nick Kazakoff of UrbanMetrics Inc. provided a presentation on the Town's Invest/Divest Land Strategy, reviewed the Town's real estate acquisition and divesture processes to develop a framework towards a more effective and systematic invest and divest strategy for the Town's landholdings.

Recommendation 2 was requested to be voted on separately.

  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0326
    Moved ByRegional Councillor Davison
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    1.   That Council receive Report No. OID2024-0005 prepared by the Asset Management Division, Operations & Infrastructure Department, dated October 30, 2024 regarding the Invest-Divest Land Strategy and Framework;

    3.   That Council direct staff to advance the recommendations for Virginia Hall which include discussions with the adjacent property owner, demolishment of the existing structure on the site, and reporting back to Council on final details and approval for divestiture of the site, of which any costs and/or revenues would be drawn/allocated from/to the Land Acquisition Reserve; and

    4.   That Council direct staff to release an Expression of Interest for future uses of Elmgrove Hall, and report back to Council with the results.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0327
    Moved ByRegional Councillor Davison
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    2.That Council approve the necessary resources to carry out the outcomes of this report, including the implementation of the Land Strategy and Framework, in alignment with the Town’s non-core Asset Management Plan, being $110,000 from the Land Acquisition Reserve, for a period of up to 14 months unless otherwise extended via update report to Council.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0328
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That Council receive the staff briefing note, endorse the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) improvements to the Jackson's Point Parkette as well as general accessibility improvements to various Town parks as said improvements are presented to Council, and include the Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee in consultation for future design feedback.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0329
    Moved ByRegional Councillor Davison
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That Council receive the staff briefing note providing an update and progress report on the Development Design Criteria Review project, technical guidelines used to standardize and regulate the design and construction of infrastructure in new developments and capital projects covering aspects such as roads, water supply, wastewater and stormwater systems, grading, utilities, landscaping and environmental protection for safety, efficiency and sustainability purposes.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0330
    Moved ByCouncillor Fellini
    Seconded ByCouncillor Neeson

    That Council receive the staff briefing note advising that the Valve Chamber Upgrade project is underway, involving the installation and/or upgrading of valves on the drinking water system to increase water pressure for users in the Woodbine Avenue, Church Street, The Queensway South and Morton Avenue area associated with the water booster pumping station commissioning on Connell Drive in 2021.



    Carried
  • staff requested to review the balance of Georgina outside the Pefferlaw Secondary Area and create a policy for areas not yet covered, in order to add an additional unit
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0331
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Neeson

    WHEREAS the Town of Georgina recognizes that the economic climate and housing supply demand further inventory of accessory units and affordable housing;

    AND WHEREAS the Town of Georgina currently allows three units as of right on properties in municipally serviced areas free of Official Plan amendments and Zoning Bylaw amendments but does not allow the same for non-municipally serviced lots;

    AND WHEREAS this has put an undue financial burden on property owners who live on well and septic properties in all five wards of Georgina;

    AND WHEREAS the Town of Georgina recognizes that residents within rural unserviced areas and non-serviced residential areas face a financial barrier and costing burden that can preclude them from adding an accessory unit by way of current applications fees not applied to serviced lots;

    NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Town of Georgina waives the planning application fees for the addition of accessory dwelling units that currently apply to unserviced lots within the Pefferlaw Secondary Plan area until the applicable zoning bylaw is updated to rectify this disparity, the number of such application fee waivers to be limited to five applications, provided that staff are to return to Council to seek further direction if more than five such applications are received before the applicable zoning bylaw is so updated; and further, that such application fee waivers be funded through the tax rate stabilization reserve.


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


    Carried (7 to 0)
  • Regional budget preparations
  • Chairman Wayne Emmerson announced his retirement from his Regional Chair position and from local politics as of the end of November, 2024
  • Moved ByCouncillor Biggerstaff
    Seconded ByCouncillor Dale

    That Council convene into Closed Session at 12:55pm to discuss the following matter:

    1. A PROPOSED OR PENDING ACQUISITION OR DISPOSITION OF LAND BY THE MUNICIPALITY OR LOCAL BOARD, Section 239(2)(c), MA; land donations


    Carried
  • Moved ByCouncillor Fellini
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    That Council reconvene into Open Session at 1:25pm and report on matters discussed in Closed Session.



    Carried
  • RESOLUTION NO. C-2024-0332
    Moved ByCouncillor Dale
    Seconded ByCouncillor Biggerstaff

    In regard to Closed Session Item No. 17.1.a under Section 239(2)(c) of the Municipal Act being a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality of local board regarding land donations;

    1. That staff be directed to proceed accordingly.


    Carried
  • Moved ByRegional Councillor Davison
    Seconded ByCouncillor Fellini

    That the meeting adjourn at 1:26pm



    Carried