May 10th - Regular Council
Dear community members,
I am eager to share the highlights from our recent Municipal Council meeting held on May 10th, 2023. The agenda comprised several crucial issues that impact our community's safety, recreation facilities, traffic management, and land management.
**8a) Statistic Update from Orillia Detachment, Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)**
The council meeting began with a presentation from Inspector Coyer Yateman, Detachment Commander, OPP. The first quarter statistics for 2023 reassured us about the safety of our community. However, it's essential to remember that maintaining this safety is a collective responsibility. The OPP provides us with three reporting tools for different situations:
- 911 for emergencies
- 1-888-310-1122 for non-emergencies
- Online reporting through the OPP.ca website [here]
**8c) Oro-Medonte Parks and Recreation Master Plan**
Stephen Slawuta from RC Strategies presented the comprehensive Township of Oro-Medonte Parks and Recreation Master Plan. While our geographical spread makes centrally located facilities challenging, we are committed to addressing this. A noteworthy topic was the potential development of the Bidwell Park. The open house on May 16th provided valuable insights through meaningful conversations with residents.
**11a) Line 15 North Traffic Calming - Pilot Project Review**
This item involved a review of the traffic calming pilot project on Line 15 North. Despite the intended increase in safety through a reduction in speed and vehicle numbers, the pilot program inadvertently raised safety concerns at the intersection of Line 15 and Bass Lake Side Road. After on-site visits and deliberations, the council decided to remove the one-way directional system and explore other means to ensure safety.
**18b) Proposed Sale of Surplus Land**
The last item on the agenda was 2023-033, proposing the sale of surplus land at 2299 Highway 11 North. I tabled a motion against this sale, believing that the agreed rate would not benefit Oro-Medonte township. The council agreed, given that the landlocked parcel had no expected entrance way off of Hwy 11. Consequently, the land will not be sold at the proposed amount.
As we continue to discuss and decide upon various issues, it's crucial that our community remains informed and engaged. We strive to make decisions that serve our community's best interests.
Yours in Service,
David Clark