Committee and Council Highlights - June

Committee received an Invited Presentation from KPMG LLP as well as a staff report that provided an overview of the final draft of the Public Works Yard Location Study. Committee directed staff to return the matter to the July Committee meeting for further discussion regarding the three options that were presented in the study. The options for the three facilities included: Consolidate and Modernize Operations, Construct a New Joint Operation Centre or Modernize Existing Facilities.

This report provided an overview of the results of the 2025 detailed structure inspections completed in accordance with the Ontario Structure Inspection Manual (OSIM). Committee voted to amend the Technical Levels of Service for roadway bridges and structural culverts.

Muskoka Pride requested a flag raising in honour of Pride week in July. Committee approved the flag raising request for Muskoka Pride. If ratified by Council at the July meeting, the event will occur on Monday July 20^th at 11:30 a.m.

This informational report provided an overview of changes to the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) which include new privacy-related requirements for municipalities as well as changes related to the processing of access to information requests (Freedom of Information requests).

This report detailed the activity in the Development Charges reserve fund and committee directed staff to submit the statement in Appendix I to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Committee authorized the Mayor and Clerk to sign the Lease Agreement with Acton Island Cottagers Association regarding the construction of trails within unopened road allowances on Acton Island.

Committee approved that the Township’s existing Attainable Housing Rebate Program be discontinued and combined with the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) due to overlap between the existing rebate program and the newly approved housing focused CIP grant programs.

The Chief By-law Enforcement Officer provided an overview of Schedule 7 of Bill 119 the Proposed Ontario’s Streets and Communities Act, 2026, which proposes changes to the Planning Act that would enable municipalities to use an administrative monetary penalty system (AMPS) for zoning by-law contraventions that relate to land uses that are not permitted. Committee endorsed submitting the Officer’s report as the Township’s formal comment to the Environmental Registry on the matter.

The Chief By-law Enforcement Officer, after considering all of the public feedback received, reported to Planning Committee with an updated Draft Noise By-law. The draft Noise Bylaw was approved as presented with two amendments:

1.  Noise from humans (yelling, shouting) and sound systems at Tourist Entertainment Operations on lands Identified in Schedule A is prohibited from 1:00 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. on all days.

2.  Construction noise is permitted to commence at 7:00 a.m. on weekdays. Associated definitions will be added to the by-law to differentiate between construction and site preparatory noise which can commence at 6:00 a.m. on weekdays.

Daniel Ezer made a request to Committee for relief from 50% of the penalties and fees associated with unpaid property tax. He indicated that he had not received the tax bills or communications that the Township had sent. Committee chose not to provide the relief that was requested.