Committee of the Whole

the Council of the Municipality of Port Hope considered the Correspondence dated January 22, 2025 regarding the Municipal Restructuring Study Report 2024-167 from the County of Northumberland; and Whereas Council acknowledges that opportunities for cost savings and service efficiencies exist between upper and lower tier municipalities in Northumberland, which require further review and consideration; Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Port Hope supports, in principle, Option(b) as outlined in the Municipal Restructuring Study Report 2024-167 from the County of Northumberland; and That Council further supports that this preliminary study to consider restructuring services to eliminate duplication and/or waste be conducted by a third party consultant; and That staff be directed to work with the County of Northumberland and third party consultant to determine where efficiencies in service delivery can be identified and implemented; and That staff be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the County of Northumberland and all lower-tier member municipalities.

That Council receive the Presentation by Robin Dines, Chair, Board of Management regarding the Heritage Business Improvement Area (HBIA) 2025 Budget for information; and That Council approve the HBIA budget as presented.

That Council approve the use of $24,000 from the $1 million growth readiness initiative funds to offset the additional costs of completing the Strategic Plan 2025-2028.

That Council adopt the updated Designation of Overall Responsible Operator (ORO) and Assignment of ‘Acting ORO’ Policy (Attachment 1).

That Council receive the 2024 Drinking Water System Annual and Summary Report.

That Report PS-02-25 be received for information.

That a Municipal Maintenance By-law regarding the maintenance of municipal property adjacent to private lots in the Municipality of Port Hope be presented to Council for consideration; and That Council repeal By-law 52-97, as amended, to provide for the clearing away and removing of snow and ice from sidewalks in front of, alongside or at the rear of any designated class of unoccupied buildings or vacant lands at the expense of the owners and for collecting or recovering the expenses incurred in accordance with the Municipal Act , and all its amendments thereto; and That staff be directed to provide public notice in relation to the enactment of the Municipal Maintenance By-law through Communications.

That Report WE-02-25 be

That Council authorizes the Mayor and Clerk to execute the Municipal Access Agreement (Attachment 1) with Northumberland Networks LP for the purpose of constructing and operating a broadband network in the rural area of the Municipality of Port Hope as per the terms outlined in Report WE-02-25; and That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute any amendments or other documents as may be necessary to facilitate the agreement subject to the satisfaction of municipal staff and legal counsel; and That the County of Northumberland staff attend the February 18, 2025 Council Meeting in order to provide a delegation to Council regarding the details of the Northumberland County Broadband Project, including community engagement, timelines, and impact to residents.

Whereas the Council of the Municipality of Port Hope considered the Correspondence dated January 22, 2025 regarding the Municipal Restructuring Study Report 2024-167 from the County of Northumberland; and Whereas Council acknowledges that opportunities for cost savings and service efficiencies exist between upper and lower tier municipalities in Northumberland, which require further review and consideration; Now therefore be it resolved that the Council of the Municipality of Port Hope supports, in principle, Option(b) as outlined in the Municipal Restructuring Study Report 2024-167 from the County of Northumberland; and That Council further supports that this preliminary study to consider restructuring services to eliminate duplication and/or waste be conducted by a third party consultant; and That staff be directed to work with the County of Northumberland and third party consultant to determine where efficiencies in service delivery can be identified and implemented; and That staff be directed to send a copy of this resolution to the County of Northumberland and all lower-tier member municipalities.