Port Hope public meetings in 2023
18 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Council Meeting
Council passed a resolution opposing Bill 3, which would grant Mayors additional authority over budgets and Council decisions. The board also approved hiring a firm to inventory municipal lands for economic development and affordable housing. Several by-laws regarding fire services, land leases, and provincial funding were passed.
- Opposed Bill 3 regarding expanded mayoral powers (Carried)
- Approved hiring a firm to review and inventory municipal lands for development (Carried)
- Directed staff to accept a special circumstance application for the Waterworks West site (Carried)
- Passed By-law 41/2023 for Hope Agricultural Heritage Club lease expansion (Carried)
- Passed By-law 42/2023 for Automatic Aid Response Agreement with Clarington (Carried)
- Passed By-law 43/2023 to establish and regulate the Fire Department (Carried)
- Passed By-law 44/2023 for provincial Dedicated Gas Tax funding (Carried)
- Approved minutes from August 1, August 2, and August 23 meetings (Carried)
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved a zoning by-law amendment for a portion of 6098 and 6158 Bell’s Hill Road. They also referred a request regarding the Buddy Bus Project to staff for review and deferred a decision on the Municipal Law Enforcement Policy.
- Approved rezoning of 6098 and 6158 Bell’s Hill Road from Development ‘D’ to Hamlet Residential Type One ‘RESV1’ for a single detached dwelling
- Referred Buddy Bus Project request to staff for review and report back in four weeks
- Deferred Municipal Law Enforcement Policy (Report PS-10-23) to September 19, 2023
- Received 2023 Second Quarter (Q2) Financial Report (FS-16-23) for information
- Received presentation on 30th Anniversary of the Vintage Film Festival for information
- Received Port Hope Police Service 2022 Annual Report for information
- Received Consent Agenda items 1 through 6 for information
Special Council
Council met in a closed session to address the potential acquisition or disposition of land. Mayor Hankivsky stated that direction was provided to staff and public information will be presented in the future.
- Approved motion to proceed In-Camera to discuss potential disposition of land
- Passed By-law 40/2023 to confirm the proceedings of the August 23, 2023 meeting
Public Meeting
The Planning and Development Committee held a statutory public meeting to inform the public about three proposed zoning by-law amendments. No decisions were made during this meeting; the session was used for applicant presentations and staff reports.
Council Meeting
Council approved the sale of a portion of 26 Shuter Street to Elexicon Energy Inc. for hydro substation modernization. The board also appointed an Interim CAO, an Acting Municipal Clerk, and established an Animal Services Appeal Body. Additionally, two special circumstance applications for Port Hope Area Initiative sites were accepted.
- Approved sale of portion of 26 Shuter Street to Elexicon Energy Inc. at fair market value
- Approved creation of full-time Manager, Asset Management position
- Authorized status change for two Waste Transfer Site Attendants to permanent full-time
- Accepted special circumstance application for Port Hope Area Initiative Alexander Street Ravine site
- Accepted special circumstance application for Port Hope Area Initiative Centre Pier site contingent on risk assessment changes
- Deferred special circumstance application for Port Hope Area Initiative Waterworks West site to September
- Appointed Councillors Andrews, Collins, and Holloway Wadhwani to the Animal Services Appeal Body
- Passed By-laws appointing an Interim CAO and an Acting Municipal Clerk/Director of Corporate Services
Committee of the Whole
The Committee directed staff to hire a firm to inventory municipal properties and identify land for potential surplus to support affordable housing and economic development. Other key actions included updating fire service agreements with Clarington and reviewing zoning for alternative housing options.
- Approved hiring a firm to review and inventory municipal lands for surplus, economic development, and affordable housing
- Directed staff to review zoning by-laws regarding alternative housing, including tiny homes, trailers, and ARUs
- Approved extending a zoning by-law enforcement order for 2 Madison Street to March 31, 2023
- Approved a by-law to provide a surplus wooden garage on George Hamilton Public School property to the Hope Agricultural Heritage Club
- Approved updating the Automatic Aid Agreement with the Municipality of Clarington for 401 coverage area fire responses
- Approved an updated by-law for the establishment and regulation of Port Hope Fire and Emergency Services
- Referred the Public Complaint Policy to staff for review as part of a Customer Service Strategy
- Defeated a motion for a process review of Planning, Building Inspection, By-law Enforcement, and Works & Engineering
Special Council
Council met in a closed session to discuss CAO recruitment, an employee matter, and the potential disposition of surplus municipal land. Following the session, the Mayor stated that more information on these topics will be provided to the public in the coming weeks.
- Approved motion to enter closed session for CAO recruitment, employee matters, and surplus property
- Passed By-law 34/2023 to confirm proceedings of Special Council meetings held June 29 and July 11, 2023
Public Meeting
The Planning and Development Committee held a statutory public meeting to inform the public about a Zoning By-law Amendment application for 5868 County Road 65. No decisions were made during the meeting.
Council Meeting
Council awarded a bridge replacement contract and approved additional funding for the Water Treatment Plant roof. The body also directed staff to coordinate a new vehicle-for-hire by-law with the Town of Cobourg and passed two zoning by-laws.
- Awarded Sylvan Glen Bridge Replacement contract to 2274084 Ontario Ltd. o/a GMP Contracting for $1,918,445.55 net HST
- Approved $400,000 pre-budget request for Sylvan Glen Bridge from 2024 OCIF allocation
- Approved $408,000 from Water Reserve account for Water Treatment Plant roof replacement at 35 Marsh Street
- Affirmed Industrial Roofing as the vendor for Water Treatment Plant roof replacement
- Directed staff to work with Town of Cobourg on a coordinated Vehicle for Hire By-law
- Council reassumed responsibility to review and approve community grants
- Passed By-law 31/2023 for zoning housekeeping changes
- Passed By-law 32/2023 to amend zoning for 230 Walton Street
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved several staffing changes and special circumstance applications for municipal properties to be presented to Council. They also received updates on the Historic Waste Program, conservation, and the public library.
- Approved resolution to create full-time Manager, Asset Management position
- Approved resolution to change two Waste Transfer Site Attendants from part-time to full-time
- Approved resolution to accept special circumstance application for PHAI Waterworks West site (West Beach)
- Approved resolution to accept special circumstance application for PHAI Alexander Street Ravine site
- Approved resolution to accept special circumstance application for PHAI Centre Pier site contingent on risk assessment changes
- Received presentations from Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, and Port Hope Public Library for information
- Received 2024 Budget Kickoff presentation for information
Special Council
Council voted to deny a heritage permit application for the demolition of 65 Ward Street. The decision follows a series of delegations and verbal submissions regarding a proposed long-term care facility at the site.
- Denied heritage alteration permit for demolition at 65 Ward Street (4-3)
- Defeated motion to approve demolition permit for 65 Ward Street with heritage mitigation conditions (3-4)
🗳️ How they voted — 2 divided votes
Environmental Advisory Committee
The committee approved the agenda and previous meeting minutes. Members discussed the finalization of the Community Climate Action Plan RFP and plans to collect community feedback at the summer vendors market. Council directed the committee to provide recommendations for a single-use plastics by-law.
- Approved June 21, 2023 agenda (Carried)
- Approved May 17, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
- Agreed to use the summer vendors market to collect community feedback on climate action
- Agreed that the September 20, 2023 meeting will be held via Zoom
Council Meeting
Council passed a by-law to authorize a lease agreement for the Lions Club Recreation Centre. Other actions included approving the Cultivate Festival's temporary use of land and directing the Environmental Advisory Committee to research a single-use plastics by-law.
- Approved By-law 29/2023 to authorize lease agreement for 20 Thomas Street (Lions Club Recreation Centre)
- Approved temporary use of 1166 5th Line for Cultivate Festival (Sept 22-24, 2023) subject to conditions
- Authorized Mayor to send letter to Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding draft Provincial Policy Statement 2023
- Directed Environmental Advisory Committee to provide recommendations for a Single Use Plastics By-Law
- Resolved to work with Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland Drug Strategy to renew a regional Drug Strategy
- Approved meeting minutes from June 6 and June 15, 2023
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole approved a motion to develop a coordinated Vehicle for Hire By-law with the Town of Cobourg. Council also decided to reassume responsibility for reviewing and approving community grants via a special meeting. Additionally, the committee authorized a housekeeping zoning by-law update and a temporary use by-law for 230 Walton Street.
- Directed staff to work with Town of Cobourg on a coordinated Vehicle for Hire By-law (Carried)
- Approved Council to reassume responsibility to review and approve community grants via a Special Meeting (Carried)
- Defeated proposal for Council to reassume grant allocation and add Santa Claus Parade as a separate budget line item
- Authorized a by-law for the Housekeeping Zoning By-law Update to amend Comprehensive Zoning By-law 20/2010 (Carried)
- Authorized a Temporary Use By-law for a 'Suite' at 230 Walton Street (Carried)
- Referred Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (Report CAO-03-23) back to staff for further refinement (Carried)
- Received presentations regarding a tennis dome, heritage restoration at 95 & 97 Walton Street, and 65 Ward Street for information (Carried)
Public Meeting
The Planning and Development Committee held a public meeting to discuss a proposed Zoning By-law Amendment to allow dormitory housing at 230 Walton Street for three years. Following public testimony regarding parking and noise, the Committee decided to defer the matter for further staff reporting.
- Received staff report PD-18-23 for information
- Directed staff to prepare a report to the Committee of the Whole once outstanding matters from the public meeting are addressed (Carried)
Council Meeting
Council approved a directive for staff to develop an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Policy with an Anti-Oppression Framework by the end of 2023. Other actions included funding for a planning module and the approval of a collective agreement for volunteer firefighters.
- Directed staff to prepare an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Policy by end of 2023
- Authorized redirecting $26,100 + HST for Citywide Planning Module project
- Approved $75,000 current and $150,000 in 2024 budget for Destination Marketing Services
- Directed staff to change Waterfront and Riverwalk Working Group to an Advisory Committee
- Appointed Lance Green to the Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee
- Passed By-law 26/2023 regarding OMERS Primary Pension Plan participation
- Passed By-law 27/2023 authorizing collective agreement with United Steelworkers for Volunteer Firefighters
Committee of the Whole
The Committee of the Whole directed the Environmental Advisory Committee to recommend a single-use plastics by-law. Council also approved the temporary use of 1166 5th Line for the Cultivate Festival and a 5-year lease for the Lions Club Recreation Centre.
- Directed Environmental Advisory Committee to recommend a Single Use Plastics By-Law (Carried)
- Approved temporary use of 1166 5th Line for Cultivate Festival Sept 22-24, 2023 (Carried)
- Approved 5-year lease agreement with Lions Club of Port Hope for 20 Thomas Street (Carried)
- Authorized Mayor to send letter to Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing regarding Draft Provincial Policy Statement 2023 (Carried)
- Resolved to work with regional partners to renew a Drug Strategy for the region (Carried)
- Policy on Window Renovations in Heritage Buildings denied (Defeated)
- Deferred 2024 Community Grant and Donation Process report to June 20, 2023 (Carried)
- Ride Sharing/Vehicle for Hire motion automatically put over to June 20 meeting
Special Council
Council met in a special session at the request of the Minister of Long-Term Care to receive confidential information about 65 Ward Street. Mayor Hankivsky confirmed that no decisions or directions were provided during the closed meeting.
- Approved motion to proceed In-Camera to discuss confidential information regarding 65 Ward Street