Wasaga Beach Council Highlights - July 28, 2022

Integrity commissioners rule councillor violated Code of Conduct

The Town of Wasaga Beach’s integrity commissioners found Councillor Joe Belanger in violation of the council Code of Conduct for a fourth time this term.

In a report to council, the commissioners said Belanger violated the code when he took to social media in May and made comments that undermined council’s negotiations with Bayloc Developments Inc., a company selected through a Request for Proposal Process to redevelop town-owned land at the beachfront.

Council accepted the integrity commissioners’ ruling, including the recommended penalty – a 30-day suspension of pay for the councillor.

Read our related news release.

Geosands Inc. annual general meeting

Council hosted the annual general meeting for Geosands Inc.

Geosands is the parent company of Wasaga Distribution Inc.

Council heard Geosands is growing, in good shape financially and approved the organization’s 2021 audited financial statements.

Watch the presentation.

Council approves RFP for recreation guide

Members of council approved awarding an RFP for creative and printing services for the semi-annual recreation guide.

Council approved a contract with Raesgo Creative at a cost of $55,965 for the next six editions of the guide.

Read the related staff report.

Joint use facility with school board moving ahead

Council received an update on the Simcoe County District School Board’s plans for a new elementary school in the Sunnidale Trails development.

They also approved the town committing its estimated proportional share of the site capital costs at $1.7-million.

The school will operate under a joint use facilities agreement with the town that allows the town to use space in the school as a Community Centre during off-school periods, based on terms in the agreement including a financial commitment. Council approved entering into the agreement in 2021.

The joint use components include the lobby, washrooms, a multi-purpose room, kitchenette, and double gym with a wood floor, plus a portable stage system.

Chris Roos, director of recreation, events and facilities, wrote in the update to council that the project is now ready for tender.

He noted the school board is aiming to have the new facility open for the fall of 2023.

Read the full staff report.

New branding tool kit approved

The new municipal branding tool kit received approval.

Council approved the town’s new brand in June. The tool kit consists of visual identity guidelines for the new brand.

The town plans to roll out the new brand in August. Look for it in the Council highlights.

Read the related staff report.

Wasaga Society for the Arts presentation

Ken Voss of the Wasaga Society for the Arts presented to Coordinated Committee on July 21.

Councillor Mark Kinney, chair of the Community Services Section of committee, provided council an overview of the presentation.

The organization’s mission is to “advance the public’s appreciation of the arts by encouraging, supporting, facilitating and promoting developmental initiatives and activities of the artistic communities of Wasaga Beach and Southern Georgian Bay.”

‘No wake’ zone requested

The owners of Shaka Wasaga presented to Coordinated Committee on July 21.

The local boat cruise company asked for a ‘no wake’ zone on the Nottawasaga River, starting at Nancy Island and finishing after the Main Street Bridge.

Councillor Mark Kinney, chair of the Community Services Section of committee, provided council an overview of the request.

He noted committee forwarded the request to staff for review.

Twin-pad arena and library construction update

Ron Spina of Colliers Project Leaders provided an update on the twin-pad arena and library project during a presentation to Coordinated Committee July 21.

Councillor Mark Kinney, chair of the Community Services Section of committee, relayed highlights of the presentation to council.

He said the project continues to move ahead and is on budget.

Committee also received a report from the Construction Steering Group. The report noted construction should be finished July 2023 and occupancy will happen shortly thereafter.

Review the update.

Review the steering group report.

As well, committee received a report from the chief building official, Danny Rodgers, on the sustainability measures and energy-efficiency design considerations that went into the new facility.

Read the related report.

Poutine Feast happening Aug. 17-21

Council approved the Poutine Feast for Aug. 17 to Aug. 21 at the Third Street Parking Lot.

Expected at the festival are approximately 11 food vendors, offering more than 50 varieties of the iconic Canadian food.

Read the related staff report to learn more.

Wasaga Under Siege returns

Wasaga Under Siege – Ships and Sails, takes place Aug. 13 to 14 at Nancy Island Historic Site.

Council approved the event and authorized the use of $5,000 in sponsorship to offset the cost of the event, and in-kind use of a tent, tables and chair, plus fencing, as outlined in the related staff report.

Council also OK’d the Nancy Island Parking lot as a parking space for participants and special needs parking during the event.

Read the related staff report.

Transit contract goes to Landmark

Council approved awarding the contract for the operation and maintenance of the town’s conventional transit system, as well as joint specialized services, to Landmark Student Transportation.

The contract is for a five-year period.

A competitive RFP process identified the company as the preferred service provider.

Details of the new arrangement, including cost savings, are in the related staff report.

Read the staff report.

Building permit statistics

Building permit numbers for June remain strong.

For the month, the town issued 112 permits with a total construction value of $33-million.

The number of permits issued for dwellings totalled 64.

The report also notes that during the month the town conducted 497 building permit inspections.

As well, the Building Department fielded nearly 600 telephone inquiries from the public.

Read the related report.

Proposed whistleblower policy referred to staff

A proposed whistleblower policy, presented to Coordinated Committee on July 21, will get further review by staff.

Committee sent the policy back so staff could review the timeframe for making a complaint.

Deputy Mayor Sylvia Bray, chair of the General Government Section of committee, updated council on the status of the policy.

The policy sets out the framework for individuals to report misconduct without fear of retaliation. The intent is to replace the current policy in the employee code of conduct with the new policy.

Read the related staff report.

Asset Management Plan approved

Council approved the updated 2022 Asset Management Plan.

The plan covers core assets such as roads, bridges, water, wastewater, and storm water management.

The plan will be updated as required to address mitigation approaches and actions in reducing the impacts of climate change on municipal infrastructure.

The town implemented its first formal version of the plan in 2016.

Read the related staff report to learn more.

Closed session meeting

Council met in closed session to discuss a property matter and came out of closed session confirming direction provided to the CAO pertaining to the transfer of land in accordance with the terms under By-law 2006-59.

Watch the council meeting: