Mayor's Corner - January 27, 2023
Mayor's Message
ROMA Conference
As I reported on last week, I attended the ROMA conference from Sunday to Tuesday. It was a wonderful opportunity to network, learn about promising practices of other municipalities, and to hear directly from the provincial government about their policy and spending priorities.
The opening keynote address was by Jesse Wente, Broadcaster, Indigenous Advocate, and Pop Culture Philosopher, who spoke about the challenges that exist in achieving truth and reconciliation and what can be done to further the process in municipal governments. Inspired by his words, I put forward a motion at County Council earlier this week to invest $25,000 in education and training for County staff on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The majority of Canadians have gaps in both knowledge and in understanding the impact of colonization and oppression on the Indigenous peoples who live in what we now call Canada as well as what actions are required for developing right relations.
Northumberland County budget approval
On Wednesday, we, as County Council, voted to approve 2023 Northumberland County budget. The approved budget will result in a 6 per cent levy increase, after growth, which includes:
- A base levy increase of 4.9 per cent—below the 5 per cent target set by Council; and
- An increase of 1.1 per cent to the dedicated infrastructure levy, which was introduced in 2016 to address a widening gap in funding for repair, maintenance and development of critical infrastructure.
I'd like to share that the budget includes an increase of $50,000 for Warming Room base funding. You can read about the discussion at the County Council table in our local news. Both Mayor Cleveland and I voted to increase this funding by an additional $25,000 but the motion was defeated.
More information, Northumberland County department business plans and budgets, as well as a consolidated County budget, are available on the County's Budgets page.
Youth Delegation
I hosted the first Mayor's youth delegation in Council Chambers on Wednesday. This was an initial meeting of student representatives in the community and the plan is to expand the group so that youth can become more familiar with and directly involved in municipal politics. Despite the snow storm, we had a terrific turn out! Stay tuned to the activities and projects we have planned, including a podcast and a vision board for the future of Port Hope.
Advancing municipal business
Council and Committee of the Whole meetings were held on Tuesday, January 24. Here are the highlights from those meetings:
Deputy Mayor appointment
Council amended the Procedural By-law to appoint the Deputy Mayor on a rotating basis for the 2022-2026 term. During deliberation of the proposed amendment, both Councillors Andrews and Collins removed their names from consideration under the rotating appointment schedule. As such, Council first voted to amend the draft by-law to identify the terms to which councillors will be appointed Deputy Mayor and provided for the necessary changes. Following this, in a recorded vote, Council passed the by-law amendment and formalized the appointment of the Deputy Mayor for the term as follows:
- Todd Attridge – Appointed as Deputy Mayor for 2023
- Claire Holloway Wadhwani – Appointed as Deputy Mayor for 2024
- Vicki Mink – Appointed as Deputy Mayor for 2025
- Adam Pearson – Appointed as Deputy Mayor for 2026
Other meeting highlights include:
- A new Council eNewsletter to replace the current post-Council Meeting media release. This new platform allows for added analytics, integrated features like videos and images, and the ability to print the document seamlessly. New subscribers can sign up on the Council page.
- A report from staff outlining the feasibility, obstacles, and similar community comparisons to the delegation presentation requests on December 6, 2022 by the Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective. Staff was directed to meet with the Northumberland Sleeping Cabin Collective to explore potential appropriate properties, planning and zoning requirements and the financial requirements for consideration related to the sleeping cabin initiative.
- A Notice of Motion, moved by Deputy Mayor Attridge and seconded by me regarding the Lent Lane bump outs in the Walton Street Redesign project. Staff will prepare a report that revisits the options previously presented for a bump-out on Walton Street at Lent Lane, and provide further information regarding how to balance the interests of diverse stakeholders/community members, enhance accessibility, and improve our preparedness for climate change impacts, while ensuring residents can continue to access Walton Street by car and park conveniently. This report will be presented at the February 21, 2023 Committee of the Whole meeting.
Finally, we recognized the first baby born in 2023 at Northumberland Hills Hospital. Hazel and her parents, Angela and Bruno, are Port Hope residents and I had the pleasure of saying a quick hello, presenting them with a certificate, and catching a glimpse of sweet Hazel.
Read the Council eNewsletter for more highlights from the meetings.
Did you know...?
This week, I want to share a little about the role of the Mayor as I get many questions about the role and responsibilities of the position.
The Municipal Act, 2001, Section 225, identifies the Mayor’s responsibilities as follows:
- To be head of the municipal council and to act as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation.
- To preside over council meetings.
- To provide leadership to council.
- To represent the municipality at official functions.
- To carry out the duties of the Head of Council under this or any other Act.
- To perform duties of a member of council as outlined in the Municipal Act, 2001, Section 224.
The Mayor also serves as a member of Northumberland County Council and is required to attend all regular and special meetings of County Council as well as any standing committees to which the Mayor is appointed.
In all decision-making the Mayor has, like all the other members of Council, one vote.
Upcoming meetings
- Today (Friday, January 27), Council is participating in a Special Council Meeting at the Water Treatment Plant, as part of our ongoing orientation. We are learning about our responsibilities under the Statutory of Care – Safe Drinking Water Act.
- The Budget Meetings are taking place next week, on Tuesday, January 31 and Thursday, February 2. To review the budget documents and provide your feedback, visit the My Port Hope.
- The next regular Council and Committee of the Whole meetings take place on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.
Civic Awards
A reminder that nominations are open for our Civic Awards program. The program recognizes the contributions and achievements of individuals and groups that bring honour and enrichment to the Municipality of Port Hope. Nominations close on March 2 - don't wait, fill out a nomination form today!
The next edition of Mayor's Corner News will be available on February 3. Subscribe to this news channel to receive an email notification when the weekly publication is published on our website. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram – the Mayor’s Corner News post will be available there, too!