Below is a summary of key items discussed at the Municipality of Port Hope Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings held on Tuesday, May 18, 2021. The agendas and staff reports are available on the Council Portal. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was held electronically via video conference.

Rise and Report – Proposed LPAT Settlement

Mayor Sanderson provided a report out of the closed session announcing that Council has approved proposed Minutes of Settlement for Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) Appeal Case # PL200619 submitted by the Applicant (AON Inc., 2107401 Ontario Inc., Penryn Park Estates Inc., and Penryn Mason Homes Inc.).

A media release outlining the details of the proposed settlement is available on the municipal website.

Property Tax Levy By-law

Council authorized the 2021 Tax Levy By-law. Approval of the annual levy rate By-law is required to raise the funds required from tax levy as part of the 2021 Municipal Budget adopted in December.
The levy By-law for 2021 reflects the amended Special Services By-law, will comply with the changes to tax ratios, and will utilize LLRW funds to reduce the Municipal tax levy for the rural and urban areas in keeping with previous direction received by Council.

PHAI application to CNSC for clean-up criteria changes

Council authorized submission of correspondence to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) from the Mayor, encouraging priority to the review and decision process for revised clean-up criteria. Consideration includes the impact of the loss of tree canopy and the extended period of community disruption if the criteria is not changed.

In the interest of time, the letter was sent to the CNSC on May 12, 2021.

Fire Station 2 Upgrades

Council authorized the closure of the Fire Station 2 upgrades capital project, originally planned for 2021 and allocated in the budget. After consultation with Planning staff and a survey of the property, it was determined that the building is on a flood plain and cannot be expanded. Council directed staff to investigate growth with the completion of a Fire Master Plan and a community risk assessment at an estimated cost of $55,000, to be funded by Development Charges in accordance with the DC study and the remainder being an unfunded operational expense.

Committee of the Whole

The following are highlights from the Committee of the Whole Meeting:

Delegation – Port Hope Police Service

Police Chief Bryant Wood of the Port Hope Police Service made a delegation to Council regarding the 2020 Annual Report.

Delegation – Northumberland OPP

Inspector Jeff Martin of the Northumberland OPP made a delegation to Council regarding the 2020 Annual Report.

Delegation – Period Promise Northumberland

Maggie Darling and Nicole Beatty from Period Promise Northumberland made a delegation to council regarding Menstrual Health Hygiene Day. This delegation requested that May 28, 2021 be declared Menstrual Hygiene day in the Municipality of Port Hope.

Delegation – PHorest 4 R PHuture

PHorest 4 R PHuture Community Association Board Chair Greg Burns made a delegation to council with information regarding the Penryn Woodlot.

First Quarter (Q1) Financial Report

Staff provided a report to Council that details a preliminary review of actual to budget for Q1 2021. In the first three months, the departments are relatively consistent with the year-to-date operating budget with some variances due to the timing of revenue receipts and related expenses.

Minutes and video recordings

Meeting minutes will be available pending approval at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, June 1, 2021, at which point they will become the official record of the meeting.

Recordings of the May 18, 2021 Council and Committee of the Whole meetings are available on the Council page.

2021-05-21