Council Preview
By John Swartz
Orillia council’s regular meeting starts at 4 p.m. Monday and has a light agenda. There are no deputations, or other special motions, and even the consent agenda is filled with routine items.
The report from last week’s committee meeting will confirm decisions made at that time. One of those concerns a closed session decision regarding the Orillia Power Generation Corp.’s request relating to the ‘Fiera debt.’ Taking over three generating stations from Shaman Power Corp. involved assuming debt of approximately $11 million and this motion may relate to that.
Another motion resulting from closed session reappoints Greg Gee, Tom Hussey and Bob Ripley to their board seats, riding along on that motion is approval to make changes to the shareholder declaration and that City staff report back to council regarding option for the board’s composition and oversight.
Also on the confirmation list of the committee report is a bump in 2022 of the annual reserve contribution from $80,000 to $100,000 for the affordable housing reserve.
Another report from the art in public places committee concerning a the results of a survey will be presented by Orillia Museum of Art and History executive director, Ninette Gyorody.
The survey was done in May and June of this year and 408 people responded. The demographic distribution of respondents was 40% in the 40 to 65 age group, 26% in the 66 to 80 group and other groups checking in at 17% or less.
Without providing scores, the report cites people would like to see murals, other temporary installations, designation of places graffiti art can be made, some of any public art be interactive and include Native artists. The report also states people want art in the downtown, parks, at the waterfront, public benches and other fixtures be artistically inspired, and there be art on display in public buildings.
The motion is to receive, and to give the approval of the committee to apply for funding from sources like the federal government’s tourism relief fund.
Orillia/Lakehead Making a Splash
Another report from recreation staff is asking for council permission to strike an agreement with Lakehead University which would allow students to get Fun Passes in order to use the Orillia Recreation Centre. The university would pay $35,000 for any and all students to use the center.
On the consent agenda where all items pass with one vote, the Downtown Orillia Management Board has their annual request for free parking downtown during the Christmas season starting November 19.
The Couchiching Golf and Country Club has a request for the City to pay $5,000 annually for use of the toboggan hill. The current agreement for public use ends November 20, 2021. The action recommended is to refer it to budget committee and for staff to prepare a report.
The balance of the consent agenda contains 7 requests for funding from various groups, and all will be forwarded to the grants committee.
In by-laws, one authorizes the City to take a payment from the province of $476,450 from the municipal modernization program for a new records management system.
The regular council meeting is a video conference and the chamber is closed to the public. The public can watch it live on Rogers TV.
(Photos by Swartz – SUNonline/Orillia)
