Addiction recovery, a new sewage pumping station, the fate of the Champlain monument, and other civic issues are set for discussion at Monday’s council meeting.
City politicians will meet at 2 p.m. in the council chamber at Orillia City Centre. Click here to read the 58-page agenda.
Prior to the regular meeting, at 1 p.m., city politicians will be given an overview of the 2025 budget; deliberations are slated to begin Tuesday and Wednesday when the city's operating budget will be discussed. As of now, the city is projecting a nearly 7% tax increase next year.
Community Empowerment Collective
An official from a local addiction treatment centre will make a presentation on its services, which helps people work “through addiction recovery with the use of physical behavioural therapy.”
The non-profit is seeking support and promotion from the city as it looks to help those struggling with addiction in the community.
All-way stop/traffic circle at Orion and Monarch
A potential all-way stop or traffic circle for the Orion Boulevard and Monarch Drive intersection will be up for discussion Monday.
The idea was initially brought forward by councillors Jay Fallis and Jeff Czetwerzuk, who have heard numerous safety complaints from residents near the west Orillia intersection.
Despite concerns, city staff recommend against implementing an all-way stop or traffic circle, noting the intersection does meet the criteria laid out in the Ontario Traffic Manual for such measures.
The intersection does not provide sufficient space for a roundabout, city staff report, noting its curb-to-curb length is roughly 21 metres, where transit buses/similar vehicles require 32 metres for a single-lane roundabout.
The intersection is also not identified as a “high collision are requiring mitigation,” staff report.
Bayview sewage pumping station
City staff are seeking a $3 million budget increase to construct a new Bayview sewage pumping station, which would bring the project’s total budget up to $8.5 million.
Initially constructed in the 1940s, the station has “significant deficiencies,” which led to the city opting to reconstruct the station as opposed to replacing the current station’s end-of-life components.
Although a total construction budget of $5.5 million was approved during the 2023 budget, the additional $3 million in funding is required “for staff to award the project to the lowest prequalified bidder,” staff report.
Hillcrest Lodge Corporation property taxes
Hillcrest Lodge has requested an extension on its property tax exemption as it continues to work with Toronto United Church Council to acquire the lands used for its non-profit housing facility on Matchedash Street North.
In order to qualify for property tax exemption under the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the non-profit needs to own the lands holding its affordable housing development – which it has leased from the United Church at a rate of $1 per year through 2054.
The land transfer currently has a deadline of the end of 2024, but Hillcrest has requested an extension through June 15, 2024 to finalize the move.
Without the extension, “Hillcrest would theoretically become liable for all back taxes and accrued interest, an amount beyond the capacity of our tenants to absorb, and which would result in bankruptcy,” said a Hillcrest letter to council.
Dissolving the ward system
Coun. Tim Lauer will seek council’s support for a staff report on the logistics of establishing an at-large electoral system in the city, which could dissolve the current ward system.
Lauer spoke with OrilliaMatters about the idea last week.
Council inquiries
Coun. Janet-Lynne Durnford will seek council’s support for a staff report on creating a community safety zone at Borland Street, from West Street North to Laclie Street, and Peter Street, from Jarvis Street to Benner Street.
Coun. Fallis will request that city staff consider a 72-hour exemption for recreational equipment during the next municipally-initiated housekeeping amendments to the city's Comprehensive Zoning By-law Number 2014-44.
Mayor Don McIsaac and Coun. Jeff Czetwerzuk will request support from their colleagues to have staff send correspondence to Parks Canada requesting the Samuel De Champlain statuary be returned to the city's control. It was removed several years ago for cleaning and repairs and has been in storage — in the care of Parks Canada — ever since, following a wave of controversy that erupted in the wake of its removal from Couchiching Beach Park.
