Regular Council Meeting Wednesday December 13th, 2023
Tiny Library Services
This item was added to the agenda the day before the meeting following the huge backlash after agreements for library services with neighbouring municipalities were cancelled at Council direction. A motion was passed directing staff to negotiate agreements with Penetanguishene, Springwater and Midland with the costs billed to the Township.
Award Presentation
Julie Cayley, Executive Director, SSEA formally presented the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative WEGE Award to the Township of Tiny for its Asphalt to Food Project. The award recognizes meaningful projects that balance economic, social and environmental aspects for protecting water quality that could be used as a best practice inspiration to other cities. Tiny will also receive a US$3,750 contribution to go towards expanding de-paving activities at Wyebridge Park.
Committee of the Whole Meeting Wednesday December 13th, 2023
Deputation
Library Services – Janice Murton
Janice recounted residents’ concern about a new library situation and referenced several comments from residents, articles in local media and past quotes from Councillors regarding the importance of the library services currently offered. She noted that library services have been reduced with the cancellation of the Reciprocal Agreement with Penetanguishene Library and that the citizens want to restore Tiny’s positive relationships and good partnerships with all the libraries. She cited several examples of critical services that would be lost should the agreements with the local libraries not be renewed.
Janice asked Council to follow the standards of the Strategic Plan – delivering efficient and extraordinary municipal services, transparency, fiscal responsibility, open governance and commitment to building an informed and engaged community – and revisit the library situation.
The Strategic Plan also states that Council intends to protect future generations from the burden of debt and deficits. Janice noted that Tiny residents have excellent services being offered by our surrounding libraries for good money. Quoting retired CEO and chief librarian, Bill Molesworth, “for a couple of hundred thousand dollars a year in user fees, three well-established and professionally run libraries are easily accessible”, she added “it’s hard to understand how Tiny’s Council doesn’t see the bargain they were getting.”
In conclusion she held up the Strategic Plan and asked Council to “please keep our library services the same as they were. We aren’t asking for anything that you haven’t already held yourself to doing”.
Septage Treatment – Town of Midland
The Town of Midland recently carried out an assessment of their waste treatment facility and determined that they could no longer receive waste from neighbouring municipalities without a huge capital investment. This means waste that has not been pre-treated will have to be taken to either the City of Orillia – City of Barrie – Town of Innisfil – Town of Collingwood – New Tecumseth. This will impact on the costs for Tiny residents with holding tanks or septage waste which cannot be spread on fields (during Winter months).
Noise By-law Exemption Request
Resident Angela Somers submitted a request for a noise exemption for the date of September 14th, 2024, for her wedding, taking place outdoors at her parent’s private residence on Minnie Stalker Trail in Tiny. It will be invite-only for roughly 120 guests and will be held between the hours of 1300-0000. Council approved the request.
Committee of the Whole Budget Meeting Monday December 18th, 2023
Deputations:
Diane Leblovic
Diane Leblovic expressed her concerns with the lack of public engagement citing the strategic planning process, the new township hall and library services as examples. Mrs. Leblovic suggested that the building needs assessment committee should be restructured so that its proceedings are open to the public. It was additionally suggested that the entire project be put on hold due to the challenging economic times, with the $400,000 for architects and the new town hall put towards the asset management program. Mrs. Leblovic also expressed her concern regarding the projected tax increases, suggesting that Council drop the new town hall project.
Paul Cowley – FoTTSA
Paul Cowley, President of the Federation of Tiny Township Shoreline Associations, advised that its members and member associations are concerned about the proposed tax increase given the present economic climate. Mr. Cowley further commented that the recent new township hall engagement sessions were held during the week which excludes seasonal residents, recommending that future sessions be scheduled to provide for their attendance. Mr. Cowley thanked Council for listening to resident concerns about library services and sorting out the matter, but noted the majority of residents do not support the building of a library in Tiny. Residents need to be engaged as part of Council’s decision making on a new municipal building and proposed library. Finally, Mr. Cowley suggested that additional public input would be valuable prior to the finalization of the budget.