Jennifer Best

The meeting followed a closed session and included a land acknowledgment recognizing the traditional territory of Indigenous peoples. Key discussions involved the presentation and review of the South Simcoe Police Service's 2026 operating and capital budget, which proposed an 11.99% increase driven by rising costs, collective agreements, and increased workload. The budget incorporates five new sworn recruits and two civilian positions to handle growing demands, plus three additional staff for enhanced courthouse security screening. Other topics covered the budget's focus on core policing (salaries, benefits, overtime), external pressures such as ESCO costs and NG 911 implementation, modernization needs, and staffing enhancements to address complex crimes like human trafficking and seize gun incidents. Staffing discussions also touched on organizational restructuring and the need to address underpayment compared to peer services.

The meeting commenced following a closed session, after which a land acknowledgement recognizing the traditional territory of the Schnabic nation was read. Key decisions included the appointment of council representatives to the Youth Council Advisory Committee, which involved approving appointments and amending the committee's terms of reference. The 2026 Hallmark Drainage System Joint Municipal Service Board business plan and budget were approved. Several conflict of interest declarations were noted regarding Holland Street items due to councilors' business interests. A significant portion of the meeting involved a presentation on the Holland Street Corridor Study Project update (90% design), focusing on creating a destination spot with improved infrastructure, sidewalks, and multi-use paths, with planning for phased implementation around external works like Line 8 improvements. Additionally, the committee approved prior recommendations and minutes from a previous meeting, and acknowledged an employee's successful achievement of Municipal Law Enforcement Officer certification.

The meeting commenced with the adoption of the agenda for November 26, 2025, and declarations of pecuniary interest. The committee proceeded to adopt the minutes from the November 5, 2025 meeting. The primary business involved a statutory public hearing regarding minor variance application COA-2025-18 (D13-25-15) submitted by Joel and Sophia Vtorino for property at 93 Imperial Crescent. The application sought relief concerning the reduced interior side yard and rear yard setbacks for an accessory structure (cabana) and pool surround. Staff recommended a deferral pending the submission of an as-built survey prepared by an Ontario land surveyor to confirm precise measurements, citing concerns from Development Engineering regarding fence location and proximity of structures to property lines. The applicant presented details about the existing conditions, noting that the fence was on their property, not encroaching on the neighbor's, and discussed drainage. The committee ultimately discussed whether to proceed with the hearing or accept the deferral recommendation.

The meeting included discussions on adopting the agenda for the budget deliberation. The council considered the 2026 mayor's budget, which proposed an overall property tax increase. The schedule for the budget was reviewed, including breaks and lunch. The council also discussed the draft budget, including a blended increase, targets for household increases, and a special capital levy dedicated to infrastructure renewal. The cancellation of the automated speed enforcement program by the province and its impact on the budget were also addressed. The budget maintains status quo service levels townwide for the library, with a recommended allocation aligned with the operating target. The budget includes a one-time draw from accumulated surplus from reserves as a stabilization measure. Mandatory contributions to capital reserves and a multi-year reserve forecast were also discussed.

The meeting of the Strategic Initiatives Committee included discussions and presentations related to the industrial land strategy. The committee reviewed the objectives of the project, including a supply and demand analysis, identification of optimal land use, validation of target sectors, and investigation of zoning and infrastructure. The presentation covered the scope of work in three phases, with a focus on a comprehensive supply review of industrial lands. The use of the Invest Ontario criteria and a detailed dashboard for land assessment were also discussed. The market sentiment regarding industrial product in the greater Toronto area was addressed, with an emphasis on long-term planning and strategic investment decisions.