Addiction recovery, a new wastewater pumping station, the fate of the Champlain monument and other civic issues will be discussed at Monday’s council meeting.

City politicians will meet at 2 p.m. in the Orillia city center council chamber. Click here to read the 58-page agenda.

Before the ordinary meeting, at 1 p.m., city politicians will receive an overview of the budget for 2025; Deliberations are scheduled to begin Tuesday and Wednesday, when the city’s operating budget will be discussed. At the moment, the city is planning a tax increase of almost 7% next year.

Community Empowerment Collective

An official from a local addiction treatment center will give a presentation about their services, which help people work “on recovery from addiction through the use of behavioral physical therapy.”

The nonprofit organization seeks support and advocacy from the city to help those struggling with addiction in the community.

Stop/rotate on Orion and Monarch

A possible full stop or roundabout for the intersection of Orion Boulevard and Monarch Drive will be discussed Monday.

The idea was initially presented by councilors Jay Fallis and Jeff Czetwerzuk, who heard numerous safety complaints from residents near the west Orillia intersection.

Despite the concerns, city staff recommend against implementing a full stop or roundabout, noting that the intersection meets the criteria set out in the Ontario Traffic Manual for such measures.

The intersection does not provide enough space for a roundabout, city staff report, noting that its curb-to-curb length is approximately 21 meters, while transit buses/similar vehicles require 32 meters for a single-lane roundabout. .

The intersection is also not identified as a “high collision requiring mitigation,” staff reports.

Bayview Wastewater Pump Station

City staff is seeking a $3 million budget increase to build a new wastewater pump station in Bayview, which would bring the project’s total budget to $8.5 million.

Initially built in the 1940s, the station has “significant deficiencies,” leading the city to opt to rebuild the station rather than replace end-of-life components of the current station.

Although a total construction budget of $5.5 million was approved during the 2023 budget, an additional $3 million in funding is required “for staff to award the project to the lowest pre-qualified bidder,” staff reports.

Hillcrest Lodge Corporation Property Taxes

Hillcrest Lodge has applied for an extension of its property tax exemption as it continues to work with the Toronto United Church Council to acquire the land used for its non-profit housing facility on Matchedash Street North.

To qualify for property tax exemption under the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation, the nonprofit must own the land that houses its affordable housing development, which it has leased to the United Church at a rate of $1 per year until 2054.

The land transfer currently has a deadline of late 2024, but Hillcrest has requested an extension until June 15, 2024 to complete the move.

Without the extension, “Hillcrest would theoretically be liable for all back taxes and accrued interest, an amount that is beyond the absorption capacity of our tenants and would result in bankruptcy,” a Hillcrest letter to the council said.

Dissolving the room system

Count. Tim Lauer will seek council support for a staff report on the logistics of establishing a general election system in the city, which could dissolve the current district system.

Lauer spoke with OrilliaMatters about the idea last week.

council inquiries

Count. Janet-Lynne Durnford will seek council support for a staff report on creating a community safety zone on Borland Street, from West Street North to Laclie Street, and Peter Street, from Jarvis Street to Benner Street.

Count. Fallis will request that city staff consider a 72-hour exemption for recreational equipment during upcoming city-initiated cleanup amendments to the city’s Comprehensive Zoning Bylaw Number 2014-44.

Mayor Don McIsaac and Coun. Jeff Czetwerzuk will ask his colleagues for support in having staff send correspondence to Parks Canada requesting that the Samuel De Champlain statue be returned to the city’s control. It was removed several years ago for cleaning and repair and has been in storage, under the care of Parks Canada, ever since, following a wave of controversy that erupted following its removal from Couchiching Beach Park.