Ladies and Gentlemen
A big week ahead. Midland Council will be making a major
decision about the future of our downtown. A business person has come forward
proposing to invest $3 million in a new microbrewery to be located in our
parking lot at 526 Bay Street. The proposal brings new industry for our
downtown, new jobs and a major boost to area tourism. It also aligns fully with
our approved Downtown Master Plan. If this development goes forward, it will be
the largest private investment in our downtown in the last decade.
You are invited to make your views about the project known
to Council at a public meeting to be held this Monday. Later in the meeting
Council will make its decision. If Council agrees to go forward with the
microbrewery, you can expect some preparatory work on the parking lot as early
as this coming week. Parts of the lot will be blocked off for soil tests.
The parking lot will still be accessible during this work.
The
Week Ahead
Monday February 27th starts
off at 7:00 am with a NSCFDC sponsored Breakfast and Learn Simulcast, taking
place at Georgian College, Midland. The
event features Greg Taylor and the story of Steamwhistle Brewery. Register at http://www.nscfdc.on.ca/upcoming-events.php
Later that morning I will make a presentation on behalf
of the County to Lakehead University, as they celebrate their Research and
Innovation Week.
At 5:00 pm Boston Pizza will be
the scene of a second fund raiser for the Frank Graham 2017 Cycle Tour. If you
dine between 5:00 and 8:00 pm a portion of your bill will be given to the cycle
tour. Also starting at 5:00 pm, the Community
Healthcare Steering Committee meets at GBGH to discuss recent developments impacting
your healthcare.
Then at 6:30 pm Council goes into a closed
meeting to discuss two matters: 1) Appointments for the Huronia Airport Commission
2) Staffing in our Finance Department.
At 7:00 pm it’s the February Council meeting. The meeting features:
-
Heritage award presentations to
Mr. Ron Hunt and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Graham
-
Deputation on the GBGH Foundation
-
Four Public Meetings (you may
speak) respecting:
o
Proposed sale of the property at
344 Gloucester St.
o
Fees for Town facilities and
programs
o
Proposed sale of 787 Vinden St.
o
Proposed sale of the parking lot
at 526 Bay Street
-
Appointment of two part-time
parking by-law officials
On Tuesday the 28th at 1:00 pm the
North Simcoe Housing Working Group meets at Town Hall to further develop its “Housing
First” affordable housing pilot. Housing First is a proven method to help house
the homeless based upon two key principles:
-
Provide the person stable housing as the
first step
-
Provide the supports needed for them to remain
housed
At 2:00 pm you are invited to the Villa Health Care Centre
“Aloha Party”. Get ready for a Hawaiian treat with a photo booth, Tiki Bar and
information about leading a long and healthy life. That’s at the Villa location,
689 Yonge Street. Later that day I head down to Queens Park to participate in
the Lieutenant Governor’s 150 Stories Collection – authored works honouring Ontario
in Canada’s anniversary year. Please see http://arts.lgontario.ca/canada150/
Wednesday is the first of March. I will
join our economic development group, EDCNS, in meeting with the prospective owner
of the Pillsbury property. We will discuss how to ensure that the facility
remains a part of our manufacturing base for years to come. At 7:00 pm the
Planning and Development Committee meets at Town Hall to consider:
-
Two Public Meetings (you may speak):
o
Application by the Plaza Retail REIT to use
the rear interior of Mountainview Mall for storage
o
Conversion of the property at 438 Hugel from
a duplex to a triplex
-
Proposed resolution of the Second Units
discussion, recommending limitations be placed on unit size
-
Extension of our Building Services cooperative
arrangement with Penetanguishene
Thursday the 2nd at 7:30 pm at the
MCC - Midland Reads is back! The event is based on
the CBC national debate, Canada Reads. This year panelists have chosen a book
from the CBC's long list. They will be defending their book based on this
year's theme "What is the one book Canadians need now?"
Week -
End
Saturday March 4
-
10:30 am the Spelling Bee returns to
challenge area children at the MCC
-
6:00 pm
Mardi Gras Murder Mystery Dinner at Maitre'D Restaurant in Penetanguishene,
A special event as the script is by our
own Brendan Main and directed by Christine Killing. Reserve tickets at info@wearethevillagers.com All proceeds to We Are
the Villagers
-
7:00 pm the Wye Marsh presents
A Night with Frank Sinatra, performed by the Sophisticated Swing of Burlington. That is at the MCC
-
Big Brothers Big Sisters of
North Simcoe present Bowl For Kid's Sake from 7:00 to 11:00 pm at both Bayshore
Bowling Lanes (Midland) and Knight Haven bowling (Penetanguishene).
Council
Issues Update
OPP
The costing process has started. Our consultants have
developed their work plan which will be presented to the OPP Costing Committee
shortly. Should see an initial
indication from the Committee by the end of April.
MPUC
The Town should get some indication next week as to the
level of interest generated by our sale RFP.
Interested parties have until mid-March to file their paperwork. After that the intensive interviews will
start.
Budget
Staff
has completed most of the preparatory work for the 2017 budget. This year’s
budget will have a different format. It will present financials on more of a
“functional basis” as opposed to the historical “departmental basis”. This change is expected to improve
transparency and assist Council in making its decisions. The first budget meeting date is March 10th
starting at 1:30 pm. This meeting will
receive the budgets from our Boards and agencies and well as the departmental
operating budgets.
The
second budget meeting is set for March the 22nd starting at 3:30 pm.
The meeting will receive the capital budgets from all areas. The third budget meeting
is the public input meeting. This is your chance to respond on what you are
hearing about the proposed 2017 budget and make comments directly to Council.
That meeting is March 30th, starting at 7:00 pm.
Depending
upon how the meetings have gone to this point, there may be additional budget
meetings scheduled or the budget may go to General Committee for passage at the
April Council meeting.
*****
The
popular Mayor’s Mac N Cheese dinner is back for 2017. This charitable event in
support of We Are the Villagers sees the four mayors and the children of the
Village entertaining and serving you with some of the best Mac N Cheese in
Ontario. Please reserve your supper hour on April 3rd for one of the
three sittings - 4:30, 5:45 and 7:00 pm -
at Lot 102. If you need a ticket, let me know.
Gord McKay
The
Year for Getting It Done - 2017
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