This month, Council heard various topics including a deputation from the YMCA, an update on a Muskoka Community Land Trust request and discussions on Pitman’s Bay. Here’s what happened:
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Council heard a deputation from YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka noting their upcoming Job Fair at the Canada Summit Centre as well as inviting the community to their annual Move to Give Campaign; a fundraising event and open house on April 8, 2025 in Huntsville. Fundraising for the Move to Give Campaign supports individuals that are new to our community and supportive programming such as their English as a Second Language classes (ESL).
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Staff provide an update on the request by the Muskoka Community Land Trust (MCLT) regarding the disposition of municipal lands located at 40 Florence Street West and Abraham Road for the development of affordable rental housing units.
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OUTCOME: Staff provided report highlights and Council discussed having the property appraised for current market value, the Town’s existing tower on the land, and noted development phases as an important aspect for the overall project success. Council supported, in principle, the letter of intent and directed staff to continue working with the Muskoka Community Land Trust to address the conditions and terms set out in attachment #1 of Report DEV-2025-7 and report back.
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- Staff provide an update on the Pitman’s Bay discussion and request permission to retain legal representation to relieve the Town of its obligation as trustee pursuant to the terms in the 1951 agreement for Pitman’s Bay.
- OUTCOME: The Chief Administrative Officer clarified that while some of the parties named in the 1951 agreement requested to be removed from the agreement, support for the original intent of the agreement remains; that the property be used for youth services. Legal advice suggests with the withdrawal of Scouts Canada and the resignation of the church bodies from the Management Board, the Town remains a trustee responsible for carrying out the intended use of the property and is recommending to have the trust wound up. This will allow the Town to deal with the 50 acres and additional land at Pitman’s Bay a municipal property with a commitment that the Town dedicate the land for youth purposes (park and recreation without specifically restricting it to summer camp use).
Council directed staff to proceed with retaining legal counsel to apply to the Superior Court of Justice to obtain a court order to formally wind up the trust and relieve the Town of its obligation as trustee pursuant to the terms of the 1951 agreement and to include a statutory declaration that the lands be dedicated and used for youth purposes in perpetuity.
The Town remains committed to continued public engagement on Pitman’s Bay.
- OUTCOME: The Chief Administrative Officer clarified that while some of the parties named in the 1951 agreement requested to be removed from the agreement, support for the original intent of the agreement remains; that the property be used for youth services. Legal advice suggests with the withdrawal of Scouts Canada and the resignation of the church bodies from the Management Board, the Town remains a trustee responsible for carrying out the intended use of the property and is recommending to have the trust wound up. This will allow the Town to deal with the 50 acres and additional land at Pitman’s Bay a municipal property with a commitment that the Town dedicate the land for youth purposes (park and recreation without specifically restricting it to summer camp use).
- A motion was put forward on the Physician Community Incentive Program which would direct staff to facilitate recent requests from several local businesses who have expressed interest in providing additional financial contributions to attract and retain physicians.
- OUTCOME: Council authorized staff to work with local businesses to facilitate contributions toward the Physician Community-Supported Incentive Package.
Want to dig deeper? Watch the full Council discussion through the livestream.