Council Meeting Highlights - May 22, 2024

 Midland Movies in the Park 

Council approved the request from Midland Public Library to partner with the Town and host the annual Movies in the Park event this summer at the Little Lake Park Stage. Read the request. 

 North Simcoe Sports and Recreation Centre (NSSRC) User Fees 

Council approved the recommendations in a staff report outlining options for recouping fees at the NSSRC after the withdrawal of annual funds from Tiny Township resulted in a budget shortfall for the NSSRC. Read the staff report. 

 New Town Social Media Policy  

Council approved a new corporate Social Media Policy.  This policy is a guideline for staff on communicating with the public through the Town’s social media accounts and addresses social media user conduct when engaging with the Town.  It also outlines the process for managing comments and requests from the community. Read the report and policy. 

 2024 Property Tax Rates By-law 

Council approved the 2024 Property Tax Rates By-law. This is an annual municipal process to adopt a by-law that sets the residential, commercial, industrial, and multi-residential municipal tax rates for the current year which follows adoption of the Town’s Operating and Capital budgets. Read the staff report and by-law. 

 Updated Fireworks By-law

Council approved a new by-law to repeal the 2023 Fireworks By-law. The By-law is in place to regulate the application process for sale of consumer fireworks, setting off fireworks on private property, and the application process for fireworks displays by community event organizers. Read the staff report and by-law.

 Unsuccessful Tax Sale – 742 Birchwood Drive

Council approved the process Town staff will take following the unsuccessful tax sale of 742 Birchwood Drive, a property which was under tax sale due to unpaid municipal taxes.  As the bidding process did not result in a purchase, the Town will now issue a Notice of Vesting, meaning that the property will then be owned by the municipality. Read the staff report.

 Public Art Policy

Council adopted an updated Public Art Policy.  The 2024 policy update includes a few changes since the first policy was adopted in 2021.  The Public Art Policy provides a framework for the Town’s Public Art Program, including administration, selection, and maintenance processes for all public art displayed on Town property. Read the staff report.

 Pete Pettersen Park - Daily Boat Launch Fees

Council approved day launch with parking fees at the Pete Pettersen Boat Launch.  The staff report identified a gap in service options for residents and visitors to launch and park for the day after Council’s decision to dispose of all parking meters in 2023 while the parking program is under review. The day use rate was approved at $25 for residents and $50 for non-residents to launch and park.  Read the staff report.

 Midland Stormwater Management Annual Report

Council received an annual report from the Town’s Engineering department on the status of the Town’s stormwater management system. The annual report identifies that the Town has met all regulatory approvals for environmental compliance of the system from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP). Read the staff report and annual report.

 Sixth Street Parking Review

Council approved a number of changes to prohibited parking on Sixth Street around Mundy’s Bay Public School. The existing Parking By-law will be repealed, and a new by-law passed with the approved changes. Read the staff report and by-law.

 Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival

Council received a report that considered the feasibility of extending the Town’s signature event, Ontario’s Best Butter Tart Festival, from a one-day event to a two-day event. The report outlined the staffing requirements and additional costs associated with running a two-day event, and staff recommended no changes at this time. Read the staff report.

 Little Lake Park Stage and Bandshell Construction Project

Council received a report on the Little Lake Stage Bandshell construction project, for which the Town received a grant for partial funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation. The report identified that construction bids for the project came in over budget and staff requested additional funds to complete the project. The request for additional funds was not approved. Read the staff report. 

 Midland Firefighters Honoured with 20-year service Awards

Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief Richard Renaud and Mayor Gordon presented 20-year service awards to Midland career firefighters, Captain Michael Dubeau and Captain Christian Petit.  Captains Dubeau and Petit were joined by their families, friends, and fire department colleagues in the Council Chambers as they received this honour.

 Southern Georgian Bay OPP Action Plan Update and Increased Enforcement in Midland’s Downtown

OPP Detachment Commander Inspector Todd Pittman provided a verbal presentation to Council regarding the Southern Georgian Bay 2023 to 2025 Action Plan, which touches on three main focuses, including addressing and preventing crime, a focus on policing, and patrolling of waterways, roads and trails systems within the Detachment area, and a focus on community wellbeing.  Inspector Pittman also provided an update on increased enforcement within Midland’s downtown core.

 First Annual Mayor’s Golf Tournament

Council passed a motion to support moving forward with the Mayor’s Golf Tournament on Friday, September 6, 2024, and that staff will investigate the logistics of the tournament including planning, organizing, and collecting of sponsorships and donations.  The funds to start the event this year will be used from the Council Initiatives Reserve.