Town Of Huntsville General Committee Post-Meeting Highlights – February 28

This month, General Committee heard Deputations on Climate Change and ATV Access, 2023 Planning Applications Overview, Operations Management System Update and Outstanding Council Directives.

Here’s what happened:

Deputations and Invited Presentations:

• Glenn Gilbert presented a petition and proposed an ATV route to Committee requesting ATV access into downtown Huntsville, that included 255 signatures.
  OUTCOME: Committee directed staff to consult with the O.P.P., other municipalities and organizations on alternative ATV routes / access in our community and report back.
• Barb Perkins and Christine Graham presented to Committee on behalf of Muskoka Canadians For the Truth regarding concerns related to the United Nations and climate change, as well as concerns that the 2024 tax rate includes spending on climate change.
• Peggy Peterson provided concerns on the climate action plan and the United Nations
• Sue McKenzie and Leslie Hastie presented on behalf of Climate Action Muskoka and provided details on local environment trends and risks, impacts of climate change on municipal infrastructure and recent District of Muskoka survey results regarding resident sentiments towards funding and concerns on climate change.

Reports From Committees:

• Mayor Alcock thanked all Committee members who provided their expertise, knowledge and dedication to the Active Transportation & Public Transit Committee, Environment and Climate Change Committee as well as for the Community Cervices Master Plan & Waterfront Strategy Committee. The term of these Committees have been completed and their recommendations will be considered moving forward.

Reports:
 

• Committee heard from staff on a report outlining the request from HLD Muskoka to upgrade a Huntsville road to become half-load except. The request involves entering into a Road Maintenance Agreement, cost-sharing partnership and commitment that HLD Muskoka agrees to upgrade the existing road from high-float to asphalt.
  OUTCOME: Council directed staff to expedite the amendments to the Half-Loads By-law for their consideration.
• Committee heard from staff members on the Operations Management Report System regarding the change in scope to the 2024 budgeted Road Patrol Data Collection Unit Project.
  OUTCOME: Council approved the change in scope, the re-implementation of the Operations Management System and that it be funded through the Canadian Community Building Fund (CCBF) Reserve Fund.  
• Staff provided Committee with an update on outstanding Council directives from previous years including any recent items for 2024. With the new Strategic Plan in place, staff provided recommendations on removing directives that are no longer supported under the new Strategic Plan, and provided context on items that are on hold, in progress, completed and not started yet.
  OUTCOME: Committee approved the resolution to remove the two directives outlined in Appendix A of the report and to amend the resolution wordings in No. 252-22 and No. GC127-23.

New Business:

• Committee discussed Kitchen Road South concerns brought forward by the community. Committee directed staff to report back on the costs for maintenance of Kitchen Road South and consider timing of that road section reconstruction and capital plans.   

Want to dig deeper? Watch the full discussion through the livestream.