Gananoque Council Meeting Highlights – December 19, 2023

Gananoque – Gananoque Town Council meeting highlights from the December 19th council meeting.

Council met on December 7th & 8th for the 2024 Budget Deliberations and is currently considering a 7% tax levy increase. Council will be considering a first and second reading of the 2024 Operating and Capital Budgets as well as the 2024 Water/Wastewater Budgets at their regular meeting scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2024. The third reading will be considered on Tuesday, February 6, 2024.

Jennifer Baril, Tourism Coordinator presented the 2023 Visitor Centre Year-End Report

Council approved not-for-profit lease agreements as follows: “Additional Rent Only – Cost recovery of operating expenses and contribution to reserves for the building, as negotiated by the Manager of Parks and Recreation and Facilities, per square foot, per year, and; allow the tenants the opportunity to negotiate rent based on approved capital improvements in line with the Asset Management Plan (AMP) for contribution to reserves only.”

The Community Grants Program Policy was amended to include delegation of authority to the Treasurer and various policy amendments. As such, the Delegation of Powers and Duties Policy By-law was also amended.

Council passed a By-law to amend the Remuneration and Expenses By-law for Council which ties Council remuneration increases to the CUPE and non-union increase for 2024 at 2%.

A budget deviation of up to $125,000 was approved for the lagoon road and berm maintenance project, to be funded from the wastewater reserves.

Council approved accepting TLTI’s offer of $158,500 towards the 2024 recreation cost-sharing agreement for the Lou Jeffries Arena and to add the remaining shortfall of $14,170 to the arena budget.

Council approved a Motion put forth by Councillor Harper to rotate the membership of the Finance Working Group on an annual basis, starting in January 2024.

Deputy Mayor Leakey put forth a Motion to Amend the Parking Meter Rates and Exemptions at various locations between December 2023, January and February 2024. This was defeated.

Mayor Beddows put forward a motion to amend the criteria of the Physician Recruiting Locum Program by amending the terms from “8 weeks or 40 days”, to “up to 8 weeks or 40 days”. This was approved.

Mayor Beddows proposed a motion seeking a staff report on Debt-Financing Re-Capitalization of the Municipal Marina by June 2024. This was approved.

Council directed the Treasurer to add $14,855 to support the 1000 Islands Gananoque Visitor Centre from the Tourism Advisory Panel reserve.

Council amended a By-law to authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign an Amending Lease Agreement with the Thousand Island Youth Boxing Club (TIYBC) for a portion of 400 Stone Street North to extend the term of the lease to March 31, 2024.

The Emergency Management Program and Emergency Response Plan Review was received for information.