THE CORPORATION OF THE

TOWN OF GEORGINA

Council Minutes

Meeting #:

Date:

Wednesday, March 05, 2025

Time:

9:00 A.m. - 10:00 A.m.

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
• Rob Wheater, Deputy CAO/Treasurer
• Shawn Nastke, Director, Strategic Initiatives
• Michael Vos, Director of Operations and Infrastructure
• Rachel Dillabough, Town Clerk
• Carolyn Lance, Council Services Coordinator
• Anne Winstanley, Supervisor, Communications
• Jodi Pridham, Manager, Client & Cultural Services
• Samantha Naumoski, Committee Services Coordinator
• Stefan Hordatt, Manager, Capital Projects - Strategic Initiatives
• Stirling Munro, Manager of Procurement
• Susan Lazzer, Project Manager, Strategic Initiatives
• Tanya Thompson, Communications Manager

Others Present:

• Winter Mitchell, Recreation Services Supervisor

  Patti White, Manager of Recreation Services

---

1.

CALL TO ORDER- MOMENT OF MEDITATION

“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.”

2.

ROLL CALL

As noted above

3.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS

1.

Pet Of The Month - Animal Shelter staff introducing pets available for adoption from the Georgina Animal Shelter

Jennifer Yapa, Animal Shelter, introduced 5 six-week old Malamute puppies; Blossom, Dandy, Lotus, Cosmo, Fern, 2 male, 3 female.  Mother was a pregnant stray found in Georgina.  Available for adoption next week.

Steve Lee-Young announced receipt of the prestigious 2025 Municipality of the Year award from Festivals and Events Ontario by the Community Services Department.

Michael Bigioni provided a brief update on municipal response to President Trump's tariffs now in place. 

Mayor Quirk read the following statement;  "On Monday, March 3, 2025 some Council members, including myself, received a letter from a Town resident that proposed the renaming of Balfour Beach to “Gaza Beach.”  Since that letter was sent, this proposal was spread on social media and a number of local residents have expressed their concerns to me about this proposed name change.  I want to make it clear to the residents of Georgina that I do not support this proposal, there is no intention to consider this proposal, and I know that my Council colleagues, including local Councillor Neeson feel the same way.  We remain committed to creating a vibrant, healthy and safe community for all.” Margaret Quirk, Mayor of Georgina"

4.

INTRODUCTION OF ADDENDUM ITEM(S)

• Item No. 16.6, Bylaw No. 2025-0029, updated version to replace item 16.4 on the main agenda
• Item No. 16.4, Bylaw No. 2025-0029, withdrawn from the agenda

5.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0059
  Moved By Councillor Fellini
  Seconded By Regional Councillor Davison

  That the March 5, 2025 Council agenda, with the following addendum items, be adopted;

  • Item No. 16.6, Bylaw No. 2025-0029, updated version to replace item 16.4 on the main agenda
  • Item No. 16.4, Bylaw No. 2025-0029, withdrawn from the agenda
  
  
  
  Carried

6.

DECLARATION OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

None

7.

ADOPTION OF MINUTES  None

8.

SPEAKERS AND DELEGATIONS

1.

DELEGATION; Jenna Potash and Philip Strunc requesting Council consider either a reduction or forgiveness of their high water bill

Jenna Potash and Philip Strunc, 203 Spring Road, Keswick, indicated that they received notification of an excessively high water bill caused by malfunctioning equipment in their crawlspace they knew nothing about and which was immediately rectified by a local plumber.  Ms. Potash and Mr. Strunc requested Council to consider reducing or forgiving the excessive water bill as they would find it very difficult to afford.

Geoff Harrison indicated that staff will be able to reduce the bill by 50% with the delegated authority to do so and staff will work with the residents to determine a suitable payment plan for the balance owing.

Rob Wheater advised that the payment plan will be interest-free and the substantial interest incurred over the last 8 months will be waived.

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0060
  Moved By Councillor Fellini
  Seconded By Regional Councillor Davison

  That Town Council receive the delegation provided by Jenna Potash and Philip Strunc appealing to Council for assistance regarding their unusually high water bill, provide the Treasurer delegated authority to amend the High Water Consumption Policy by removing the $2,000 maximum write-off to allow the Treasurer to write-off 50% of this water bill, and to provide delegated authority to staff to allow the Treasurer to work with residents in future to arrange reasonable payment plans on an interest-free basis in extraordinary circumstances such as this.

  
  
  
  Carried Unanimously

2.

PRESENTATION; Cesar Caneo, Georgina Community Food Pantry, providing 2024 service statistics

Cesar Caneo, Georgina Community Food Pantry, provided an update on 2023 and 2024 statistics regarding food insecurity in Georgina, indicating increases in household visits and people served representing an 8%-11% increase annually, advised that food banks are not government funded and acknowledged the different sources of donations and contributions to the Food bank, with 85% of costs donated. 

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0061
  Moved By Councillor Neeson
  Seconded By Councillor Genge

  That Town Council receive the presentation provided by Cesar Caneo, Georgina Community Food Pantry, regarding food insecurity in Georgina and providing 2024 service statistics.

  
  
  
  Carried

  Mayor Quirk moved forward and dealt with Item No. 12.2.b(a) at this time.

  
  

12.

DISPOSITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS

2.

General Information Items

b.

Briefing Notes

a.

Housing Needs Assessment - Project Update

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0062
  Moved By Councillor Dale
  Seconded By Councillor Neeson

  That Town Council receive the briefing note on the status of the procurement process to engage a consultant to prepare the Town's Housing Needs Assessment (HNA), being a federal requirement for municipalities to access funding through the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) and the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF).

  
  
  
  Carried

11.

REPORTS

1.

Adoption Of Reports Not Requiring Separate Discussion

• Moved By Councillor Fellini
  Seconded By Councillor Dale

  That the following report recommendations be adopted;

  
  
  
  

b.

2024 Annual Drinking Water Summary Report

Report No. OID-2025-0005

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0063
  1. That Council receive Report No. OID-2025-0005 prepared by the Water/Wastewater/Waste Division, Operations and Infrastructure Department regarding the 2024 Annual Drinking Water Summary Report dated March 5, 2025, including the following attached reports:

      

     1. Annual Water Quality Summary Report for the Keswick-Sutton Water Distribution System as required by Section 11 of Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act – February 4, 2025 (attachment 1);

         

     2. Annual Summary Report for Municipal Officials as required by Schedule 22 of Regulation 170/03, under the Safe Drinking Water Act – March 5, 2025 (attachment 2).

         

     3. QMS Management Review Report – February 6, 2025 (attachment 3)
  
  
  
  

c.

Audit Plan for the 2024 Fiscal Year

Report No. DCAO-2025-0001

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0064
  1. That Council receive Report No. DCAO-2025-0001 prepared by the Financial Controllership and Reporting Division, Office of the Deputy CAO dated March 5, 2025 respecting the Audit Plan for the 2024 Fiscal Year.

      

  2. That Council approve the Audit Plan for the 2024 Fiscal Year as prepared by KPMG LLP in consultation with Town staff, and described in the attached correspondence from KPMG LLP dated November 2024.

      

  
  
  
  

e.

Remuneration and Expenses for Members of Council and Council Appointees to Local Boards for 2024

Report No. DCAO-2025-0002

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0065
  1. That Council receive Report No. DCAO-2025-0002 prepared by the Financial Controllership and Reporting Division of the Office of the Deputy CAO dated March 5, 2025 regarding Remuneration and Expenses of Members of Council and Council Appointees to Local Boards and Committees for 2024.
  
  
  
  Carried

f.

Lake Drive Improvements – Phase 1 - Update

Report No. OID-2025-0006

Councillor Genge requested a recorded vote on approving the recommendations of Item 11.1.f by consent motion.

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0066
  Moved By Councillor Neeson
  Seconded By Councillor Fellini
  1. That Council receive Report No. OID-2025-0006 prepared by the Capital Delivery Division, Operations & Infrastructure Department, providing an update on the Lake Drive Improvements Project – Phase 1, summarizing the detailed design, outlining public education, and next steps in the project;
  2. That Council amend Traffic Bylaw 2023-0087 (TR-1), as amended, to regulate the multi-use pathway, pedestrian crossings, stop signs, and emergency access only locations;
  3. That Council direct staff to implement Lake Drive Improvements – phase 1 as soon as practicable, but not before May 26, 2025 and not after June 26, 2025, and to return Lake Drive to its two-lane configuration no later than October 3, 2025; and,
  4. That Council direct staff to return with an update following the implementation with the feedback and data to determine the future annual implementation and removal dates.
  
  

  Voters	YEA	NAY	Abstain	Conflict
  Mayor Quirk	X
  Regional Councillor Davison	X
  Councillor Fellini	X
  Councillor Neeson	X
  Councillor Genge		X
  Councillor Biggerstaff	X
  Councillor Dale	X
  Results	6	1	0	0

  
  
  
  Carried (6 to 1)
• Moved By Councillor Neeson
  Seconded By Councillor Dale

  That the Council Meeting recess at 10:20am.

  
  
  
  Carried

  The Council meeting reconvened at 10:40am.

  
  

a.

Verbal update by staff regarding Georgina Civic Centre construction

Stefan Hordatt provided a brief verbal update regarding the progress of construction for the replacement Civic Centre, advising that it is within budget and on schedule for substantial completion in the latter half of this year with the transition to the new building within the month of January of 2026.  Demolition of the current building will occur as soon as it is vacant.

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0067
  Moved By Councillor Neeson
  Seconded By Councillor Fellini

  That Town Council receive the verbal update on the progress of construction of the new Georgina Civic Centre.

  
  
  
  Carried

2.

Reports Requiring Separate Discussion

1.

Adoption Of Reports Not Requiring Separate Discussion

d.

Application for Telecommunications Tower Siting

Rogers Communications Inc,

Part of Lot 22, Concession 5 (G), 264 Pefferlaw Road

Report No. DS-2025-0011

Iain McKay and Jeff McKay, contractors for Rogers Communications, advised that a new tower, or wireless telecommunication facility is proposed at 264 Pefferlaw Road and is essential to mobile connectivity, provides broad coverage in remote areas, requires minimum ground disturbance compared to fibre and can be strategically located to minimize environmental impact and supports critical services.  All towers are engineered to comply with the Health and Safety thresholds.

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0068
  Moved By Councillor Dale
  Seconded By Councillor Neeson

  1.    That Council receive Report No. DS-2025-0011 prepared by the Development Planning Division, Development Services Department, dated March 5, 2025, respecting a Request for Concurrence: Proposed Telecommunication Tower, submitted by Simpson-McKay Inc. on behalf of Rogers Communications Inc. for the properly municipally addressed as 264 Pefferlaw Road;

  2.    That Council acknowledges the proposed telecommunication tower application submitted by Simpson-McKay Inc. on behalf of Rogers Communications Inc. for the property municipally addressed as 264 Pefferlaw Road has followed the requirements of the Town of Georgina Antenna System Siting Protocol;

  3.    That Council recommends a different location be considered for the proposed telecommunication tower;

  4.    That Council authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute and send a Letter of Non-Concurrence to Rogers Communications Inc. and the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) along with Council's resolution thereon; and,

  5.    That in the event the proposed telecommunication tower at 264 Pefferlaw Road is approved by the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED), Council recommends the following conditions of approval:

  i.    Registration of an access easement from Pefferlaw Road;

  ii.    Construction of the proposed telecommunication tower and fenced compound shall be in general conformity with the proposed site plan and elevation plan included in Attachment 3 to Report No. DS-2025-0011, and no trees shall be removed or injured; and,
   
  iii.    Pursuant to the Town of Georgina Antenna System Siting Protocol, the approval for the proposed telecommunication tower at 264 Pefferlaw Road shall lapse on March 5, 2028; construction must be completed in advance of this date.

  
  
  
  Carried Unanimously

12.

DISPOSITIONS, PROCLAMATIONS, AND GENERAL INFORMATION ITEMS

1.

Dispositions/Proclamations 

a.

Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee requesting a review of the elevator usage at the Georgina Ice Palace for potential upgrades to be placed on the 10-year capital budget

Receipt of the request was suggested due to Council discussions and resulting resolution at the February 26th Council meeting concerning future AODA compliance issues at the Ice Palace for 2026 budget purposes, including consideration of the merits of a third party audit of the entire building for AODA compliance.

• RESOLUTION NO. C-2025-0069
  Moved By Councillor Dale
  Seconded By Councillor Biggerstaff

  That Town Council receive the Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee's request for a review of the elevator usage at the Georgina Ice Palace for potential upgrades to be placed on the 10-year capital budget.

  
  
  
  Carried

2.

General Information Items

a.

Information Items  None

13.

MOTIONS/ NOTICES OF MOTION

None

14.

REGIONAL BUSINESS

• 2024 York Health and Well-being Review
• Comprehensive review of key population and socio-demographic trends
• Emergency Management Program, annual compliance review
• Regional staff overview of potential economic impacts of tariffs

15.

OTHER BUSINESS

none

16.

BYLAWS

• Moved By Regional Councillor Davison
  Seconded By Councillor Neeson

  That the following bylaws be adopted as presented;

  
  
  
  

1.

Bylaw Number 2025-0016 (PL-4), being a bylaw to remove certain lands from Part Lot Control, Ballymore, Blocks 100 and 101, Registered Plan 65M-4700, Dovedale Drive/Dorothy Caine Blvd, File 04.79

2.

Bylaw Number 2025-0017 (PL-1) to deem certain Registered Plans of Subdivision not to be Registered Plans of Subdivision; Lot 35 and Part Lot 36, Registered Plan M-271, 377 Lake Drive N, File# 06.268

3.

Bylaw Number 2025-0018 (PL-1) to deem certain Registered Plans of Subdivision not to be Registered Plans of Subdivision, Lot 77 and Part Lot 78, Registered Plan 124 and Part Lot 28, Concession 3 (NG), 909 Lake Drive N, File# DEEM-2025-0001

5.

Bylaw Number 2025-0020 (COU-1) to appoint members to the Georgina Accessibility Advisory Committee for the remainder of the 2022-2026 Term of Office; Robin Konstantopoulos

• 
  
  
  Carried

6.

Bylaw Number 2025-0019 (TR-1) amending Bylaw No. 2023-0087 (TR-1) to regulate traffic and govern and control the parking of vehicles, Lake Drive Improvements, Phase 1

(Advisement: This updated version replaces Bylaw No. 2025-0019 (TR-1), Item 16.4 on the main agenda, which was removed)

• Moved by Regional Councillor Davison

  Seconded by Councillor Neeson

  That the following bylaw be adopted as presented;

  16.6     Bylaw Number 2025-0019 (TR-1) amending Bylaw No. 2023-0087 (TR-1) to regulate traffic and govern and control the parking of vehicles, Lake Drive Improvements, Phase 1

  
  

  Voters	YEA	NAY	Abstain	Conflict
  Mayor Quirk	X
  Regional Councillor Davison	X
  Councillor Fellini	X
  Councillor Neeson	X
  Councillor Genge		X
  Councillor Biggerstaff	X
  Councillor Dale	X
  Results	6	1	0	0

  
  
  
  Carried (6 to 1)

17.

CLOSED SESSION  None

18.

CONFIRMING BYLAW

• Moved By Regional Councillor Davison
  Seconded By Councillor Biggerstaff

  That the following bylaw be adopted as presented;

  
  
  
  

1.

Bylaw Number 2025-0021 (COU-2) confirming the proceedings of Council on March 5, 2025

• 
  
  
  Carried

19.

MOTION TO ADJOURN

• Moved By Councillor Dale
  Seconded By Councillor Fellini

  That the Council meeting adjourn at 11:18am.

  
  
  
  Carried