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This month, General Committee is hearing from Town staff, deputations and invited presentations, on issues including Muskoka Heritage Place Capital Plan 2024 Update, BetterHomes Huntsville Residential Energy Retrofit Program, Public Notice Policy, Parking Control By-law (Electric Vehicle Charging Stations - Enforcement amendments), Town Hall Renovations - JCI Building Management Proposal, Housing Needs Assessment. Here are some of this month’s topics:

 

  • Council will receive an update on the 2024 Muskoka Heritage Place Capital Plan 2024. Several capital projects at MHP were approved through the 2024 budget process, to be funded through reserves, but are expected to be higher in cost than originally budgeted for various reasons. These projects include: Spencer's Inn Porch Replacement, Museum Ceiling Upgrades, Sugar Shack Restoration, Open-air Structure Reconstruction, Sawmill Reconstruction. The Town was awarded a Rural Economic Development (RED) grant for 30% of eligible expenses related to the projects, up to $37,899, whichever is less. For the remaining project costs, Town Staff are expecting an overall increase of $18,180 related and are requesting that the budget variance be funded from the Hartley Bequest Reserve.
  • The Town has been successful in receiving approval from the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), for the BetterHomes Huntsville Residential Energy Retrofit Program.  Committee will consider implementing a By-Law authorizing a Local Improvement Charge for financing of the program, which would provide loans to residents for eligible energy home retrofits. The Community Efficiency Financing (CEF) initiative is offered through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) and funded by the Government of Canada. This local financing program will directly help homeowners cut their greenhouse gas emissions, make their homes more energy efficient, comfortable, and affordable, while creating local jobs and keeping the local economy moving.
  • Town Staff are recommending changes to the Provision of Notice Policy, which outlines circumstances in which the municipality shall provide notice to the public and, if notice is to be provided, the form, manner and times notice shall be given. Changes are required to the existing policy as the local print newspaper moved to digital format only.
  • Town Staff are proposing revisions to the Parking Control By-law (, which would give the Town the ability to enforce the improper use of an Electric Vehicle Charging Station Parking Space.
  • Council will hear an update from staff regarding Town Hall Renovations - JCI Building Management Proposal, further to previous discussions at Council regarding the proposed interior renovations and Council direction to create a Building Management Plan for the Town Hall Building.
  • General Committee will consider a proposed Housing Needs Assessment. The housing needs assessment will document and review the housing situation in Huntsville and quantify the demands and limitations of the existing and projected supply of housing.  This assessment will form the basis to develop a housing strategy to address housing challenges in the community.   If approved, staff would prepare a Request for Proposal for a consultant to complete the Assessment and policy recommendations to support the development of appropriate housing, with a maximum budget of $40,000 to be funded through the Municipal Accommodation Tax Reserve.   

 

Want to learn more? Join us in person or livestream the meeting at Huntsville.ca on April 24, 2024. For the full list of topics and more information, visit the meeting agenda on Huntsville.ca.