Sunday, October 13, 2013

Sunday October 13, 2013

Ladies and Gentlemen

 The Thanksgiving break and time to be with your family. I will keep this short.

On Tuesday October 15th we recover from the turkey with a series of meetings at the Town. At 4:00 pm the Police Service Board will hold an in-camera meeting concerning a personnel matter. Then at 6:00 pm its Council’s turn for a closed meeting to discuss personal, litigation and land acquisition/sale matters.

At 7:00 pm the public General Committee meeting featuring a long list of interesting topics including:
-          Information about management (non-union) “terms of employment” showing an overall cost reduction for 2014
-          Consideration of reducing the many committees that Councilors  participate in – currently about 25
-           An update on how we are proceeding with the 38 operational recommendations from the KPMG study (Now honestly, I bet you thought you would never hear of the KPMG report recommendations again)
-          A notice from the OPP that they cannot continue with their costing for Midland until September 2014. The OPP are going through an internal cost allocation review that while not reducing the overall cost of OPP services, will redistribute them differently to the customer municipalities. Some will see increases and others cost reductions.  Our discussion will likely recommence a month before the election so this matter will go to the new Council.
-          Bryan Peter will seek Council direction for a number of important policy matters:
o    Should we have non-resident user fees?
o    Should Parks consider contracting out services? (eg grass-cutting)
o    Should fees for the many rec services be rationalized?
And one matter that did not appear on the agenda. The 6:00 pm closed meeting will discuss some aspects of the potential disposition of the MPUC. The continuation of that discussion will move to open session, hopefully later that same night.

On Wednesday the Police Service Board is back at Town Hall at 4:00 pm with its regular meeting, including a closed portion.

Thursday October 17th is one of those days where everything seems to happening in the evening. At 6:00 pm at the Town Hall is the second round of our budget review. Staff should be coming forward with proposals to meet overall targets of 0% and 2% for cost growth. Council will then discuss the final target for the 2014 budget.

Also at 6:00 pm, The Karma Food market is hosting a Food Share event at the Le Cle offices on Main Street in Penetanguishene. And back in Midland, a Day in the Life series features our own renowned Canadian artist John Hartman at 7:30 pm at the MCC.

On Friday October 18th you are invited to the regular Waterfront Planning meeting at 11:00 am at the Town Hall.  And at 8:00 pm that evening in Barrie, the County Service Recognition awards will be made to exemplary County staff.

Weekend

Saturday October 19th:
-          You are invited to the opening of the Banana Basket at noon at 465 Dominion
-          The annual Hospital Gala takes place at the MCC.  It’s already sold out so good news for our hospital.


                                                                    +++++

The first of five County leaf collections takes place this week.  Have your bags and containers out to the curb by 7:00 am on Monday.

And finally, the Huronia Economic Alliance needs your views on living, working, recreation and investment in our area. Their survey should only take a few minutes to complete. Please link to the survey on the HEA’s website at, http://www.investhuronia.ca/


Gord McKay


Be part of Midland’s Year of Getting Involved - 2013.

                                                                                              



No comments: