Council Meeting
Previews & Highlights
Previews and highlights of upcoming and recent City Council and General Committee meetings, posted weekly on Fridays and Tuesdays.
HIGHLIGHTS: City Council Meeting
Monday April 16, 2018
Check out the full agenda at barrie.legistar.com.
Presentation by representatives of the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) regarding the RVH Master Plan
Barrie City Council heard a presentation by Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVH) representatives about the RVH Master Plan, which includes the site selection process for a South Campus. The preliminary site search area is west of Lake Simcoe, east of Highway 400, south of Kempenfelt Bay and south to Innisfil’s 14th Line, just south of Highway 89. The RVH Master Plan recommends a minimum of two preferred sites, on at least 45 acres and located on a major arterial road. A South Campus should also be located within a 15-minute drive to the nearest hospital - RVH in Barrie, Stevenson Memorial Hospital in Alliston and Southlake Regional Health Centre in Newmarket. RVH’s 40-acre, Georgian Drive site in Barrie is being fully utilized, so expansion there is not possible. It has patient occupation rates of more than 120% and hospital officials say there will be significant population increases in Barrie, Innisfil and Bradford-West Gwillimbury by 2041. A South Campus, a full acute-care hospital, is 20-plus years away. Learn more.
Five Points rezoning application (Advance Tech Developments) 2-14 Dunlop St. W., 30-42 Bayfield St. and 43 and 45 Maple Ave. (Ward 2)
City Council gave final approval to the Site Specific Zoning Bylaw for the Advance Tech Developments’ project at Five Points in downtown Barrie. It includes special zoning provisions for the 20 storey mixed-use building - which would have commercial uses on the ground floor, structured parking on its lower levels and 208 residential units in the tower above. Community benefits for this development include 9 residential units to be provided at affordable rental rates for a period of 20 years, an approximate 1,000 sq. ft. public square and furnishings of $10,000 facing the Five Points. This property is located on the northwest corner of Bayfield Street and Dunlop Street West, extending into Maple Avenue. Learn more.
Bayfield Street Pavement Rehabilitation:
Request for additional funding (Wards 3 & 4)
Barrie City Council gave final approval to increase the budget for pavement rehabilitation on Bayfield Street between Cundles Road and Coulter Street. The $960,000 in additional funding, increases the project’s total budget to $1.86 million. This road’s ultra-thin, white topping concrete has deteriorated, especially during the recent winter months. It has required significant maintenance to meet minimum standards. It is the only designated connecting link in Barrie. This work will be done in 2018, and during the night to minimize any traffic disruptions. One lane of traffic in each direction will be open at all times during the evening hours to allow for access to businesses. Bayfield Street’s average annual traffic approaches 50,000 vehicles a day. Learn more.
Update on Barrie Disc Golf Land Use agreement (Ward 5)
A land-use agreement for the Barrie Disc Golf Course was given final approval by City Council. The deal is for 5 years, beginning January of 2018, with the potential for a 5-year extension at the Barrie Landfill buffer, where an 18-hole course is used by the Barrie Disc Golf Association. It maintains and manages the course with the help of City staff. The course attracts players from several Simcoe County municipalities, the Greater Toronto Area and local schools. Innisdale Secondary School, Bear Creek Secondary School, Eastview Secondary School and St. Joseph’s Catholic High School have disc golf clubs and are using Barrie Disc Golf Course. It is located on City owned land south of Benson Drive, east of Ferndale Drive North. The game involves throwing a plastic disc into metal baskets in the fewest throws on an outdoor course. Learn more.
Barrie Tennis Club Agreement (Ward 2)
City Council gave final approval to a facility use agreement with Barrie Tennis Club for the Queen’s Park Club House for 5 years, beginning April of 2018, with the option for an additional 5 years. This deal includes the tennis club paying no rent during the term of the agreement in exchange for Barrie Tennis funding capital and operating costs for the facility, which has washrooms and a small gathering area for club members. Queen’s Park and its tennis courts are located at the corner of Ross Street and Parkside Drive, near Victoria Village. The tennis club has existed since the early 1960s and has a membership of 125. Learn more.
Quance Street Parking Investigation (Ward 7)
A motion that on-street parking regulations be maintained on Quance Street was given final approval by Barrie City Council. City staff have investigated removing the parking ban on one or both sides of Quance, at the intersection of Mapleton Avenue and the inside corner of Quance’s west side, south of Mapleton. It prevents vehicles from parking through the bend and at the intersection of Mapleton and Quance. Staff have determined the parking ban improves sight lines there while maintaining safe and efficient two-way travel. Quance is a two-lane street - located east of Essa Road, south of Mapleton - with daily traffic of approximately 500 vehicles. A parking questionnaire was mailed to 71 area property owners, asking them if they preferred the status quo or removing the parking restriction along Quance’s west side from Mapleton south to the bend, while maintaining the ban through the bend along Quance’s east side. Learn more.
Item for Discussion: Expanding the Historic Neighbourhood Strategy
Councillor Bonnie Ainsworth’s motion asking City staff to investigate the feasibility of expanding Barrie’s Historic Neighbourhood Strategy (HNS) to include the Historic East End and Historic Kempenfelt Village Neighbourhoods, and report back to City Councillors, was given final approval. The HNS looks at the future needs of Barrie’s oldest residential neighbourhoods, asking residents who live there how the City can ensure these areas remain a liveable community now and in the future. Learn more.
Appointments to the Sport Events/Facilities Advisory Committee
Barrie City Council gave final approval to the appointment of Arjun Batra, Bradley Graham, Martha MacEarchern, Kim Porter and Tim Sample to the Sport Events/Facilities Advisory Committee. Their term of office will expire on Nov. 14, 2022 unless otherwise directed by the 2018-2022 City Council. One of the committee’s mandates is to consider new competitive, elite facilities, along with new major sports events and tournaments. The committee will also include Councillors Mike McCann and Doug Shipley. Tourism Barrie has also been asked to participate in the advisory committee’s meetings. Learn more.
Recognition of Richard Forward, General Manager of Infrastructure and Growth Management
Richard Forward, General Manager of Infrastructure and Growth Management was honoured at Council tonight after 28 years of dedicated service to our organization and community, before retiring at the end of April. Richard started his career with an engineering consulting company in Toronto prior to joining the City of Barrie in 1990 as a project engineer. During this time he also completed his Masters of Business Administration. Richard has also served on a number of non-profit Boards and Community Committees in Barrie. Richard has led many strategic projects including the planning for the realignment of Lakeshore Drive in 1999, the construction of the surface water plant, and the expansion of the wastewater plant to name a few. He provided strategic leadership and guidance in the preparation of plans for the annexed lands that over 40,000 people will call home. The Mayor and City Council thanked him for his tremendous service to the City of Barrie!
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