Marcia Russell

The committee convened to review amendments to the Mayor's proposed 2026 operating budget. Key actions included approving an increase in contributions to reserve funds, continuing the business curbside recycling collection service for industrial, commercial, and institutional locations, and adjusting operating funding for the Orillia Public Library. Additionally, the committee approved a decrease in the grant for Information Orillia. Proposals for an affordable housing reserve contribution increase and an unanticipated winter control reserve transfer were not approved. The committee also received staff comments regarding various budget amendment forms.

The meeting focused on presenting municipally-initiated amendments to the City's Zoning By-law Number 2014-44. Staff provided information on the purpose of the meeting and the process for gathering input from the public and applicants. Following presentations and comments regarding the proposed amendments, Council passed a motion to present the draft Zoning By-law Amendment for Application Number D14-953 to Council for consideration at a future meeting. The Senior Planner also provided an explanation regarding the procedures for appeals and receiving notification of Council's decision.

The Council held a statutory public meeting to discuss the proposed new Official Plan for the City of Orillia. The meeting involved presentations regarding the plan's development and received various comments from members of the public and planning representatives concerning specific property designations, land use policies, and development potential. Council reviewed several requests to amend proposed designations, specifically moving various properties from Natural Heritage System to Community Area or Neighbourhoods, and addressed potential modifications to density targets, building heights, and natural heritage buffer requirements. Resolutions were passed to incorporate these specific property redesignations into the final draft of the Official Plan.

The council considered and approved a request for a parking exemption related to the Orillia Area Elementary School Track and Field Meet. Specific streets were identified where parking restrictions would be temporarily lifted, and conditions regarding roadway access and emergency vehicle clearance were established for the school to communicate to residents and parents.

The committee reviewed and discussed funding requests from various agencies, boards, committees, and working groups. A report regarding the Orillia Public Library's operating budget was referred to the Mayor for consideration. The committee held a closed session for training on the Mayor's proposed operating budget and conducted a discussion on the proposed 2026 operating budget during the open session.